Rainy Nights
Title: Rainy Nights
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, slight Angst
Summary: Yunho was too easily intrigued by the handsome stranger that walked into his bar on rainy nights.
The moment the stranger stumbled into his bar, with his expensive looking clothes and stylish haircut that radiated foreign, Yunho had a feeling he would get something out of getting to know him. The stranger sat down and stared at the countertop for a few minutes and Yunho watched - both entranced by his good looks and curious why the stranger was admiring the shining counter that he’d just wiped.
His head jerked up, and it was almost like he just realized that Yunho was present and staring at him.
“Vodka.” He ordered, and Yunho nodded in acknowledgement. He poured the clear liquid into a glass and walked up to the man because he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied by just sliding it over to him.
He had to talk to him.
Their fingers brushed as Yunho handed him the glass, and it took an effort for him to keep a grip on it. He flashed a smile - one that the ladies have told him made them swoon, and took a step back.
“It’s raining so hard outside.” The stranger muttered before he took a sip of the vodka, and it was only then that Yunho realized that he’d gotten soaked. Yunho glanced outside and nodded in agreement. Their eyes met and broke off the moment the stranger tipped back the glass to finish its contents.
“What time is it?” the man asked as he set the glass back down.
Yunho noticed the expensive looking watch on the other man’s wrist and pointed at it with an amused smile, “You can find out right there.”
The man looked at him for a few seconds before he looked down at the watch. “Right. Well, that was a failure of a conversation starter, wasn’t it?” he said with a small smile on his pouty lips.
“I’ve heard worse, trust me.”
“A handsome bartender surrounded by flirtatious drunks - I wouldn’t be surprised by how badly people have tried to pick you up.” The man commented as he lifted his glass up, “Can I have another? I don’t want another glass - let’s save the environment.”
“Sure.” Yunho grabbed the bottle and refilled it. “So, where have you come from?”
“You can tell I’ve been abroad?” the man asked as he fiddled with his glass, slim index finger tracing the rim. “You’re observant.”
“You smell like airport and hand sanitizer.” Yunho replied with a smile. “You also looked slightly lost and out of place when you stepped inside.”
Jaejoong sniffed himself, “Airport and hand sanitizer?“ He frowned, “That’s not sexy.” He murmured, eliciting laughter. “I just spent the last few months in Europe.”
“Sounds expensive and extravagant, you must have had fun.” Yunho held back on the information that he’d been there - if only to keep a little mystery on himself.
“It was.” The man chuckled before he stuck out his hand for Yunho to shake. “Kim Jaejoong.”
“Jung Yunho.”
“I need to ask you for a favour, Yunho.” Jaejoong drawled in a voice that sent shivers down Yunho’s spine. He reached across the countertop between them and brushed off crystals of salt on Yunho’s shirt. “How do you feel about strangers?”
Yunho took hold of the hand and placed it on the counter but kept his hand over the other man’s. He returned the gaze and tilted his head, “What about them? Your question is slightly vague.”
Jaejoong leaned forward, “Would you be opposed to -“
“Yunho!”
Yunho pulled away and faced the bar manager, “What is it?” he asked as he lifted his hand off Jaejoong’s and stuck it into the pocket of his pants. He frowned at the manager, and he could feel Jaejoong’s eyes on him.
“Yoochun called for you to go the restaurant. He’s just heard a tip that a critic will be stopping over tonight.”
“Fine, tell him I’ll be there in five.” Yunho made his way to leave until he realized that Jaejoong still had a question to ask. He turned and smiled apologetically. “I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Could you give me a ride?” Jaejoong asked, “It’s pouring out there.”
“Yeah, sure.” Yunho disappeared into the manager’s office to grab his car keys and wallet from off the desk and came back out. Jaejoong waited for him at the front door, and Yunho opened the door for him.
They stepped out, and Yunho frowned at the heavy rain. “I’ll bring my car over.” He ran in the rain and got to his car easy enough, but he was still soaked by the time he got inside. He ruffled his damp hair and started the engine.
He brought the car over to where Jaejoong waited, and the other man slipped into the passenger’s seat.
Yunho drove away from the bar, and it was only when they were a few minutes away that he realized that he hadn’t asked Jaejoong where he’d wanted to be dropped off.
He glanced at the other man, who was staring out the window, and coughed awkwardly to catch his attention. “Where did you want to get dropped off?” he asked.
“Here’s fine.” Jaejoong answered as he pointed at a convenience store.
Yunho slowed the car down into a stop and watched as Jaejoong unbuckled his seatbelt. He leaned across to open the door for him, but Jaejoong took hold of his hand and set it down on his lap.
“You didn’t ask me to pay for my drinks.” Jaejoong murmured with a smile as he traced spirals on the back of Yunho’s hand.
“I -“
Jaejoong leaned over and closed the space between them, his lips meeting Yunho’s in a tentative kiss. It was awkward because Yunho was still strapped down by his seatbelt, so it was Jaejoong who had to move closer.
Their kiss deepened, and Yunho could taste the vodka on Jaejoong’s tongue. He reached out and ran his fingers through raven strands as he brought the other man’s head closer.
“You have a restaurant to attend to.” Jaejoong murmured against his lips the moment he pulled away, leaving Yunho wanting for more. Yunho stole a quick kiss off the other man’s lips and Jaejoong backed away.
“I’ll see you again sometime.” Jaejoong said with a flirtatious smile before he unlocked the door and left the car.
Yunho watched him enter the convenience store and shook his head at his odd behaviour. It wasn’t like him to kiss strangers.
There was just something about Kim Jaejoong that attracted him. Yunho licked his lips, looking for one last taste of the stranger, and wondered what made him so attractive.
o-o-o
The next evening they meet was more than a week later. Yunho blamed it on his parents’ marital problems and the fact it seemed like the people he’d hired to manage the restaurant were incompetent idiots. He sipped his water because he had an important meeting the next day and because for a change, he’s the customer and not the owner’s son turned bartender. He couldn’t bother listening to other people’s problems when he had his own.
“We meet again.” Jaejoong greeted as he sat down on the bar stool next to Yunho’s. He crossed his skinny jean clad legs and made sure to angle his body so that he would face him completely. “Not the bartender tonight?”
Yunho shook his head and clutched his glass a little tighter, “Not tonight.”
“So does that mean I’ll actually have to pay for my drinks?” Jaejoong asked with a smile before he ordered a rum and coke from the bartender on duty. The drink slid close to him, and he caught it easily.
There was something about the other man that radiated an aura of attractiveness, grace and hedonism - traits Yunho was fairly sure he didn’t exude. He didn’t want to get to close because he knew that those traits would only lead him to heartbreak.
He fell in love too easily - too fast, too deeply, and always the first to do so in each of his relationships. As his gaze lingered on the handsome man’s face, he could feel the familiar clenching of his heart and the twisting of his stomach.
It had already started.
“You look…stressed.” Jaejoong said as he took sips of his drink in between his steady observation of Yunho. “Is that why you haven’t shown up lately?” Yunho covered his face instinctively at the mention of stress and touched his forehead, wondering if he had any obvious creases. The other man laughed and reached out to pull his hand away and continued to hold onto it, “You look fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, I’m stressed.”
“I know lots of ways to relieve stress.” Jaejoong replied flirtatiously, but Yunho visibly stiffened awkwardly - unsure of what to say, which made Jaejoong drop the flirtatious look immediately. He coughed to clear the air, “I saw an article about this bar in the in-flight magazine when I was flying back to Seoul,” Jaejoong began as he continued to hold Yunho’s hand and partially distract the other man’s attention by doing so. “There was a picture of you included too, so I decided I wanted to meet you.”
“Did you even bother to read the article?” Yunho asked as he tried to keep concentrated on maintaining the other man’s gaze and not the way his hand seemed to perfectly fit into the other man’s.
Jaejoong tilted his head back and laughed. He shook his head, “No, I didn’t. I just checked out the address.”
He was too charming, Yunho decided as Jaejoong began to drift off into a one-sided conversation about how it was raining again. He knew from experience that Jaejoong probably saw him as some sort of conquest and once completed, he’d flutter off to the next male or female that caught his eye.
“You’re not paying attention to me.” Jaejoong said with a pout that made Yunho’s heart flutter in his chest.
“I - I wasn’t.” Yunho replied, giving into honesty. He shot Jaejoong an apologetic smile and noticed Jaejoong’s drink was finished. “Do you want another?” he asked as he pointed at the empty glass.
Jaejoong shook his head, “No, not really. Maybe later.” He answered before he let go of Yunho’s hand to brush hair off Yunho’s face. “So…I was cut off last time, when I was about to ask you a question.”
“What’s your question?”
A sly smile made its way across his lips, “How do you feel about taking home strangers?” he asked before leaning forward and pressing his lips against Yunho’s. Yunho’s eyelids fluttered shut, and his mind was going haywire. It felt so nice to have Jaejoong’s lips against his, but there was something wrong and it was nagging him at the back of his mind as he tried to place it. His eyes snapped open the moment he realized it.
Jaejoong tasted of lipstick.
It won’t be long before he flutters off to the next one.
Yunho jerked back, nearly stumbling onto the floor in his haste, and got off his seat. He pulled his leather jacket off the counter, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” He muttered apologetically before he slipped his jacket on and left the bar. He stood out in the quiet for a few seconds before he braved the rain and ran to his car, seeking sanctuary in its interior. Yunho sighed deeply and gripped the steering wheel tightly as he rested his head against it. Once again, his observations had been right. He’d judged Jaejoong perfectly and had pulled out before anything had started in order to prevent anything painful from happening to his delicate heart.
Yet it from the way his heart clenched painfully in his chest, Yunho realized he hadn’t pulled out early enough.
o-o-o
“What happened to you?”
Jaejoong frowned at him and rested his face on the palm of his hand as he studied Yunho across the counter. “Are you straight?” he asked as his other hand traced spirals on the bar countertop. Yunho shook his head and continued to wipe the counter, gripping the rag a little tighter as he glanced at Jaejoong, “I’m not.”
“Then what happened to you?”
“I...” he looked down again before he shot the other man an apologetic smile. “I’m just not interested. I’m sorry.”
Jaejoong’s eyebrows furrowed, “What? You seemed interested when I kissed you in the car.” He paused, “I’m asking you the same question. What happened to you?”
Yunho sighed and turned his head to look at the other man properly, “Are you going to order something, or are you just going to continue bothering me for the rest of the night?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“I’m being honest.” Yunho replied as he set down the rag and walked over to where Jaejoong was so that they’d be directly across each other. “I’m not interested in what you’re looking for, and I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I was.”
“And what do you think I’m looking for exactly?”
It was a slight surprise for him to ask, and Yunho stared at him for a few seconds before he replied. “A fling.” He said bluntly.
“Oh.” Jaejoong shrugged, “I guess you could say that. Are you sure you’re not interested?” he asked. “It’d be -“
“No, I’m fine.”
“Well...would you buy me a drink?” Jaejoong asked with a smile, “For rejecting me?” he added with a laugh. “I’m in a delicate state of mind.”
“What do you want?” Yunho asked as he tried to hide how surprised he was that Jaejoong hadn’t left the counter to talk to any of the other customers.
“Vodka.”
“Alright then.” He poured a glass for Jaejoong and glanced out the window, only to frown. “It’s raining again.” He observed before he turned to look at Jaejoong. “It’s been raining ever since you’ve started coming by.” Jaejoong paused, his glass halfway to his lips. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t mind the rain.” Yunho mused as he began to wipe glasses. “I just think about how it’s unsafe for all these people,” he gestured to his customers, “To drive inebriated in the rain.”
“They’ll be fine.” Jaejoong murmured as he stared at the contents of his glass. He looked back up, “Do you think I’m a bad kisser? Is that why you pulled away?”
“I thought we were -“
“No, we can’t go past this.” Jaejoong set his glass down, “I’m curious, and I want to know why you rejected me when you were so willing the first time.” He cursed softly and got up, “I’m going outside.” Yunho watched him leave and set the glass he’d been wiping down onto the counter. He was surprised by how distressed the other man had looked and considered whether or not he was expected to go outside and follow him.
A woman, noticeably older than he was and more expensively dressed, sat down next to the stool Jaejoong had been sitting on. She waited for him to notice her, but when he didn’t turn to ask her for her order, she waved for his attention.
“I’m sorry.” Yunho muttered as he tore his eyes away from the doorway to look at her. His eyes lowered and he noticed the large diamond on her ring finger, nearly prompting him to let out a small gasp of awe at its size.
She grinned, “Something went wrong with the pretty boy?” she asked, her voice raspy and low. “It’s a shame he’s into you, though you’re quite a catch as well. He’s my type - young, handsome, and stylish.”
Yunho didn’t know what to reply, so he asked her for her order.
“I’ll have an apple martini.”
As he fixed up her drink, he felt conscious with her gaze so obviously on him. He poured her drink and pushed it forward. She placed her hand over his and smiled at him widely as she took it. She took a sip, “Shouldn’t you go outside?” she asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Yunho replied as he set things away. “He just went out anyway. It’s not like -“
“He practically ran out.” The woman interrupted before she set down her glass. “I always thought you were engaged you know? You’ve never shown any interest in the patrons before.”
“I’m not engaged.” Yunho muttered due to his inability to think of a better reply.
“I realized that.” She replied with a smile, “Or else I’d be feeling bad for your fiancée at the moment.” The woman placed her hand over his, “I’d hate to sound like such a fan girl since I’m way beyond that age, but you should go check on the pretty boy. He’s been outside for a while.” With how persistent she was, Yunho motioned to the other bartender to take over and left the counter. He walked past people and pushed open the bar door to look outside, but no one was there. He took a few more steps out the door and walked along the sidewalk to try and find the other man. When he caught the slight smell of smoke, he turned his head and found Jaejoong smoking in an alleyway.
“You can smoke inside.” Yunho said as he drew closer and pulled Jaejoong into an area with better protection from the rain. He ignored the smoke from the cigarette to brush dirt off Jaejoong’s jacket before he stepped away.
Jaejoong exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at him, “You came out.” He said with his voice barely above a whisper as he studied Yunho.
“There was a persistent old woman in the bar who told me to do so.” He replied as he stuffed his hands in his pockets before he added, “I wanted to make sure you were okay too. You left rather quickly.”
“I don’t handle rejection as well as I could.” Jaejoong drawled, “You could say I’m not used to it.”
“Nobody wants to be rejected.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jaejoong inched closer to Yunho as they stayed together under the thing that was protecting them from getting soaked by the rain. He looked up at Yunho and flashed him a smile, “I’m feeling better.” They were so close that it would have taken less than ten seconds for Yunho to push the other man up against the wall and kiss him, but Yunho held back and kept his attention away from the shorter man’s lips. “Why are you here?” Jaejoong asked.
I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m falling in love with you.
“To make sure you’re okay.” Yunho replied as he turned away from Jaejoong and stared at the wall in front of them. He glanced at Jaejoong, who was staring up at him, “I deserve a break too, don’t I?” Jaejoong turned away from him and shrugged before he took a drag of his cigarette. They stood quietly together, listening to the falling rain and the passing of cars as they both tried to sort out what was going on between them. Yunho decided that he’d overstayed the appropriate ‘check up’ time and made his way to leave, but Jaejoong took hold of his wrist.
“Wait.”
Yunho turned around and knew what came next.
He felt Jaejoong’s lips on his, and he slowly pushed Jaejoong against the wall. Their mouths felt perfect against each other and fit in a way that just felt natural for the two of them. It felt more than right, it felt better than anything Yunho had ever felt before. For the few minutes they spent kissing, he couldn’t bring himself to care that his heart would get broken the moment they parted. The moment he felt Jaejoong pulling away, he pulled away, but Jaejoong gently held onto the back of his neck to bring their faces closer together - noses touching and their breath ghosting together.
“You tasted lipstick, didn’t you?” Jaejoong asked as he kept their faces close to each other. “My sister kissed me on the lips as I said goodbye to her.” He continued, his breath ghosting against the skin on Yunho’s face. “That’s what you pulled away, isn’t it?”
“I -“
“You don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to.” Jaejoong said before he let go and slipped away from Yunho. “I’ll be back here in a week because I have to...I have to do something. I want to see you again - even if you think that I’m stupid, flirtatious, an alcoholic and -“
“Right?” Yunho asked as he stared at Jaejoong in the darkness.
A shy smile came across the other man’s face. “If you want to think that, go ahead.” He murmured before he asked. “Will you be here next week? Will you wait?”
“I’ll wait.”
“I’ll come back, I promise.”
o-o-o
Jaejoong came back.
Yunho smiled and set down the glass he’d been wiping. He placed his hands on the countertop, “So. What do you want?”
“I want to be in your bed preferably.” Jaejoong replied with a smile, “Or I’d like you to be in -“ Yunho blushed, “I meant a drink.”
“You’re no fun to flirt with.” Jaejoong said with a pout, “I’ll have water.”
“It’s not raining tonight.” Yunho observed as he leaned across the counter, “That’s unusual. It usually rains when you stop by. Where did you go, by the way?”
“I had to cancel plans. I’m staying in Seoul indefinitely.” Jaejoong replied as he leaned in closer. “Or at least until you agree to going on a trip with me.”
“I see.”
“Will you kiss me now?”
Yunho complied and leaned across the counter to press a light kiss against Jaejoong’s lips before he pulled away with a smile. Jaejoong frowned, “You’re such a tease.”
“Get used to it. Now order something.”
“I’ll have water.” Jaejoong glanced out the window, “Do you know what no rain means?” he asked as he turned back to face Yunho. Yunho shook his head and handed him the glass of water. Jaejoong smiled and held onto Yunho’s hand and the glass of water.
“It means we can have sex outside.”
Fin.
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, slight Angst
Summary: Yunho was too easily intrigued by the handsome stranger that walked into his bar on rainy nights.
The moment the stranger stumbled into his bar, with his expensive looking clothes and stylish haircut that radiated foreign, Yunho had a feeling he would get something out of getting to know him. The stranger sat down and stared at the countertop for a few minutes and Yunho watched - both entranced by his good looks and curious why the stranger was admiring the shining counter that he’d just wiped.
His head jerked up, and it was almost like he just realized that Yunho was present and staring at him.
“Vodka.” He ordered, and Yunho nodded in acknowledgement. He poured the clear liquid into a glass and walked up to the man because he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied by just sliding it over to him.
He had to talk to him.
Their fingers brushed as Yunho handed him the glass, and it took an effort for him to keep a grip on it. He flashed a smile - one that the ladies have told him made them swoon, and took a step back.
“It’s raining so hard outside.” The stranger muttered before he took a sip of the vodka, and it was only then that Yunho realized that he’d gotten soaked. Yunho glanced outside and nodded in agreement. Their eyes met and broke off the moment the stranger tipped back the glass to finish its contents.
“What time is it?” the man asked as he set the glass back down.
Yunho noticed the expensive looking watch on the other man’s wrist and pointed at it with an amused smile, “You can find out right there.”
The man looked at him for a few seconds before he looked down at the watch. “Right. Well, that was a failure of a conversation starter, wasn’t it?” he said with a small smile on his pouty lips.
“I’ve heard worse, trust me.”
“A handsome bartender surrounded by flirtatious drunks - I wouldn’t be surprised by how badly people have tried to pick you up.” The man commented as he lifted his glass up, “Can I have another? I don’t want another glass - let’s save the environment.”
“Sure.” Yunho grabbed the bottle and refilled it. “So, where have you come from?”
“You can tell I’ve been abroad?” the man asked as he fiddled with his glass, slim index finger tracing the rim. “You’re observant.”
“You smell like airport and hand sanitizer.” Yunho replied with a smile. “You also looked slightly lost and out of place when you stepped inside.”
Jaejoong sniffed himself, “Airport and hand sanitizer?“ He frowned, “That’s not sexy.” He murmured, eliciting laughter. “I just spent the last few months in Europe.”
“Sounds expensive and extravagant, you must have had fun.” Yunho held back on the information that he’d been there - if only to keep a little mystery on himself.
“It was.” The man chuckled before he stuck out his hand for Yunho to shake. “Kim Jaejoong.”
“Jung Yunho.”
“I need to ask you for a favour, Yunho.” Jaejoong drawled in a voice that sent shivers down Yunho’s spine. He reached across the countertop between them and brushed off crystals of salt on Yunho’s shirt. “How do you feel about strangers?”
Yunho took hold of the hand and placed it on the counter but kept his hand over the other man’s. He returned the gaze and tilted his head, “What about them? Your question is slightly vague.”
Jaejoong leaned forward, “Would you be opposed to -“
“Yunho!”
Yunho pulled away and faced the bar manager, “What is it?” he asked as he lifted his hand off Jaejoong’s and stuck it into the pocket of his pants. He frowned at the manager, and he could feel Jaejoong’s eyes on him.
“Yoochun called for you to go the restaurant. He’s just heard a tip that a critic will be stopping over tonight.”
“Fine, tell him I’ll be there in five.” Yunho made his way to leave until he realized that Jaejoong still had a question to ask. He turned and smiled apologetically. “I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Could you give me a ride?” Jaejoong asked, “It’s pouring out there.”
“Yeah, sure.” Yunho disappeared into the manager’s office to grab his car keys and wallet from off the desk and came back out. Jaejoong waited for him at the front door, and Yunho opened the door for him.
They stepped out, and Yunho frowned at the heavy rain. “I’ll bring my car over.” He ran in the rain and got to his car easy enough, but he was still soaked by the time he got inside. He ruffled his damp hair and started the engine.
He brought the car over to where Jaejoong waited, and the other man slipped into the passenger’s seat.
Yunho drove away from the bar, and it was only when they were a few minutes away that he realized that he hadn’t asked Jaejoong where he’d wanted to be dropped off.
He glanced at the other man, who was staring out the window, and coughed awkwardly to catch his attention. “Where did you want to get dropped off?” he asked.
“Here’s fine.” Jaejoong answered as he pointed at a convenience store.
Yunho slowed the car down into a stop and watched as Jaejoong unbuckled his seatbelt. He leaned across to open the door for him, but Jaejoong took hold of his hand and set it down on his lap.
“You didn’t ask me to pay for my drinks.” Jaejoong murmured with a smile as he traced spirals on the back of Yunho’s hand.
“I -“
Jaejoong leaned over and closed the space between them, his lips meeting Yunho’s in a tentative kiss. It was awkward because Yunho was still strapped down by his seatbelt, so it was Jaejoong who had to move closer.
Their kiss deepened, and Yunho could taste the vodka on Jaejoong’s tongue. He reached out and ran his fingers through raven strands as he brought the other man’s head closer.
“You have a restaurant to attend to.” Jaejoong murmured against his lips the moment he pulled away, leaving Yunho wanting for more. Yunho stole a quick kiss off the other man’s lips and Jaejoong backed away.
“I’ll see you again sometime.” Jaejoong said with a flirtatious smile before he unlocked the door and left the car.
Yunho watched him enter the convenience store and shook his head at his odd behaviour. It wasn’t like him to kiss strangers.
There was just something about Kim Jaejoong that attracted him. Yunho licked his lips, looking for one last taste of the stranger, and wondered what made him so attractive.
o-o-o
The next evening they meet was more than a week later. Yunho blamed it on his parents’ marital problems and the fact it seemed like the people he’d hired to manage the restaurant were incompetent idiots. He sipped his water because he had an important meeting the next day and because for a change, he’s the customer and not the owner’s son turned bartender. He couldn’t bother listening to other people’s problems when he had his own.
“We meet again.” Jaejoong greeted as he sat down on the bar stool next to Yunho’s. He crossed his skinny jean clad legs and made sure to angle his body so that he would face him completely. “Not the bartender tonight?”
Yunho shook his head and clutched his glass a little tighter, “Not tonight.”
“So does that mean I’ll actually have to pay for my drinks?” Jaejoong asked with a smile before he ordered a rum and coke from the bartender on duty. The drink slid close to him, and he caught it easily.
There was something about the other man that radiated an aura of attractiveness, grace and hedonism - traits Yunho was fairly sure he didn’t exude. He didn’t want to get to close because he knew that those traits would only lead him to heartbreak.
He fell in love too easily - too fast, too deeply, and always the first to do so in each of his relationships. As his gaze lingered on the handsome man’s face, he could feel the familiar clenching of his heart and the twisting of his stomach.
It had already started.
“You look…stressed.” Jaejoong said as he took sips of his drink in between his steady observation of Yunho. “Is that why you haven’t shown up lately?” Yunho covered his face instinctively at the mention of stress and touched his forehead, wondering if he had any obvious creases. The other man laughed and reached out to pull his hand away and continued to hold onto it, “You look fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, I’m stressed.”
“I know lots of ways to relieve stress.” Jaejoong replied flirtatiously, but Yunho visibly stiffened awkwardly - unsure of what to say, which made Jaejoong drop the flirtatious look immediately. He coughed to clear the air, “I saw an article about this bar in the in-flight magazine when I was flying back to Seoul,” Jaejoong began as he continued to hold Yunho’s hand and partially distract the other man’s attention by doing so. “There was a picture of you included too, so I decided I wanted to meet you.”
“Did you even bother to read the article?” Yunho asked as he tried to keep concentrated on maintaining the other man’s gaze and not the way his hand seemed to perfectly fit into the other man’s.
Jaejoong tilted his head back and laughed. He shook his head, “No, I didn’t. I just checked out the address.”
He was too charming, Yunho decided as Jaejoong began to drift off into a one-sided conversation about how it was raining again. He knew from experience that Jaejoong probably saw him as some sort of conquest and once completed, he’d flutter off to the next male or female that caught his eye.
“You’re not paying attention to me.” Jaejoong said with a pout that made Yunho’s heart flutter in his chest.
“I - I wasn’t.” Yunho replied, giving into honesty. He shot Jaejoong an apologetic smile and noticed Jaejoong’s drink was finished. “Do you want another?” he asked as he pointed at the empty glass.
Jaejoong shook his head, “No, not really. Maybe later.” He answered before he let go of Yunho’s hand to brush hair off Yunho’s face. “So…I was cut off last time, when I was about to ask you a question.”
“What’s your question?”
A sly smile made its way across his lips, “How do you feel about taking home strangers?” he asked before leaning forward and pressing his lips against Yunho’s. Yunho’s eyelids fluttered shut, and his mind was going haywire. It felt so nice to have Jaejoong’s lips against his, but there was something wrong and it was nagging him at the back of his mind as he tried to place it. His eyes snapped open the moment he realized it.
Jaejoong tasted of lipstick.
It won’t be long before he flutters off to the next one.
Yunho jerked back, nearly stumbling onto the floor in his haste, and got off his seat. He pulled his leather jacket off the counter, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” He muttered apologetically before he slipped his jacket on and left the bar. He stood out in the quiet for a few seconds before he braved the rain and ran to his car, seeking sanctuary in its interior. Yunho sighed deeply and gripped the steering wheel tightly as he rested his head against it. Once again, his observations had been right. He’d judged Jaejoong perfectly and had pulled out before anything had started in order to prevent anything painful from happening to his delicate heart.
Yet it from the way his heart clenched painfully in his chest, Yunho realized he hadn’t pulled out early enough.
o-o-o
“What happened to you?”
Jaejoong frowned at him and rested his face on the palm of his hand as he studied Yunho across the counter. “Are you straight?” he asked as his other hand traced spirals on the bar countertop. Yunho shook his head and continued to wipe the counter, gripping the rag a little tighter as he glanced at Jaejoong, “I’m not.”
“Then what happened to you?”
“I...” he looked down again before he shot the other man an apologetic smile. “I’m just not interested. I’m sorry.”
Jaejoong’s eyebrows furrowed, “What? You seemed interested when I kissed you in the car.” He paused, “I’m asking you the same question. What happened to you?”
Yunho sighed and turned his head to look at the other man properly, “Are you going to order something, or are you just going to continue bothering me for the rest of the night?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“I’m being honest.” Yunho replied as he set down the rag and walked over to where Jaejoong was so that they’d be directly across each other. “I’m not interested in what you’re looking for, and I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I was.”
“And what do you think I’m looking for exactly?”
It was a slight surprise for him to ask, and Yunho stared at him for a few seconds before he replied. “A fling.” He said bluntly.
“Oh.” Jaejoong shrugged, “I guess you could say that. Are you sure you’re not interested?” he asked. “It’d be -“
“No, I’m fine.”
“Well...would you buy me a drink?” Jaejoong asked with a smile, “For rejecting me?” he added with a laugh. “I’m in a delicate state of mind.”
“What do you want?” Yunho asked as he tried to hide how surprised he was that Jaejoong hadn’t left the counter to talk to any of the other customers.
“Vodka.”
“Alright then.” He poured a glass for Jaejoong and glanced out the window, only to frown. “It’s raining again.” He observed before he turned to look at Jaejoong. “It’s been raining ever since you’ve started coming by.” Jaejoong paused, his glass halfway to his lips. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t mind the rain.” Yunho mused as he began to wipe glasses. “I just think about how it’s unsafe for all these people,” he gestured to his customers, “To drive inebriated in the rain.”
“They’ll be fine.” Jaejoong murmured as he stared at the contents of his glass. He looked back up, “Do you think I’m a bad kisser? Is that why you pulled away?”
“I thought we were -“
“No, we can’t go past this.” Jaejoong set his glass down, “I’m curious, and I want to know why you rejected me when you were so willing the first time.” He cursed softly and got up, “I’m going outside.” Yunho watched him leave and set the glass he’d been wiping down onto the counter. He was surprised by how distressed the other man had looked and considered whether or not he was expected to go outside and follow him.
A woman, noticeably older than he was and more expensively dressed, sat down next to the stool Jaejoong had been sitting on. She waited for him to notice her, but when he didn’t turn to ask her for her order, she waved for his attention.
“I’m sorry.” Yunho muttered as he tore his eyes away from the doorway to look at her. His eyes lowered and he noticed the large diamond on her ring finger, nearly prompting him to let out a small gasp of awe at its size.
She grinned, “Something went wrong with the pretty boy?” she asked, her voice raspy and low. “It’s a shame he’s into you, though you’re quite a catch as well. He’s my type - young, handsome, and stylish.”
Yunho didn’t know what to reply, so he asked her for her order.
“I’ll have an apple martini.”
As he fixed up her drink, he felt conscious with her gaze so obviously on him. He poured her drink and pushed it forward. She placed her hand over his and smiled at him widely as she took it. She took a sip, “Shouldn’t you go outside?” she asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Yunho replied as he set things away. “He just went out anyway. It’s not like -“
“He practically ran out.” The woman interrupted before she set down her glass. “I always thought you were engaged you know? You’ve never shown any interest in the patrons before.”
“I’m not engaged.” Yunho muttered due to his inability to think of a better reply.
“I realized that.” She replied with a smile, “Or else I’d be feeling bad for your fiancée at the moment.” The woman placed her hand over his, “I’d hate to sound like such a fan girl since I’m way beyond that age, but you should go check on the pretty boy. He’s been outside for a while.” With how persistent she was, Yunho motioned to the other bartender to take over and left the counter. He walked past people and pushed open the bar door to look outside, but no one was there. He took a few more steps out the door and walked along the sidewalk to try and find the other man. When he caught the slight smell of smoke, he turned his head and found Jaejoong smoking in an alleyway.
“You can smoke inside.” Yunho said as he drew closer and pulled Jaejoong into an area with better protection from the rain. He ignored the smoke from the cigarette to brush dirt off Jaejoong’s jacket before he stepped away.
Jaejoong exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at him, “You came out.” He said with his voice barely above a whisper as he studied Yunho.
“There was a persistent old woman in the bar who told me to do so.” He replied as he stuffed his hands in his pockets before he added, “I wanted to make sure you were okay too. You left rather quickly.”
“I don’t handle rejection as well as I could.” Jaejoong drawled, “You could say I’m not used to it.”
“Nobody wants to be rejected.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jaejoong inched closer to Yunho as they stayed together under the thing that was protecting them from getting soaked by the rain. He looked up at Yunho and flashed him a smile, “I’m feeling better.” They were so close that it would have taken less than ten seconds for Yunho to push the other man up against the wall and kiss him, but Yunho held back and kept his attention away from the shorter man’s lips. “Why are you here?” Jaejoong asked.
I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m falling in love with you.
“To make sure you’re okay.” Yunho replied as he turned away from Jaejoong and stared at the wall in front of them. He glanced at Jaejoong, who was staring up at him, “I deserve a break too, don’t I?” Jaejoong turned away from him and shrugged before he took a drag of his cigarette. They stood quietly together, listening to the falling rain and the passing of cars as they both tried to sort out what was going on between them. Yunho decided that he’d overstayed the appropriate ‘check up’ time and made his way to leave, but Jaejoong took hold of his wrist.
“Wait.”
Yunho turned around and knew what came next.
He felt Jaejoong’s lips on his, and he slowly pushed Jaejoong against the wall. Their mouths felt perfect against each other and fit in a way that just felt natural for the two of them. It felt more than right, it felt better than anything Yunho had ever felt before. For the few minutes they spent kissing, he couldn’t bring himself to care that his heart would get broken the moment they parted. The moment he felt Jaejoong pulling away, he pulled away, but Jaejoong gently held onto the back of his neck to bring their faces closer together - noses touching and their breath ghosting together.
“You tasted lipstick, didn’t you?” Jaejoong asked as he kept their faces close to each other. “My sister kissed me on the lips as I said goodbye to her.” He continued, his breath ghosting against the skin on Yunho’s face. “That’s what you pulled away, isn’t it?”
“I -“
“You don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to.” Jaejoong said before he let go and slipped away from Yunho. “I’ll be back here in a week because I have to...I have to do something. I want to see you again - even if you think that I’m stupid, flirtatious, an alcoholic and -“
“Right?” Yunho asked as he stared at Jaejoong in the darkness.
A shy smile came across the other man’s face. “If you want to think that, go ahead.” He murmured before he asked. “Will you be here next week? Will you wait?”
“I’ll wait.”
“I’ll come back, I promise.”
o-o-o
Jaejoong came back.
Yunho smiled and set down the glass he’d been wiping. He placed his hands on the countertop, “So. What do you want?”
“I want to be in your bed preferably.” Jaejoong replied with a smile, “Or I’d like you to be in -“ Yunho blushed, “I meant a drink.”
“You’re no fun to flirt with.” Jaejoong said with a pout, “I’ll have water.”
“It’s not raining tonight.” Yunho observed as he leaned across the counter, “That’s unusual. It usually rains when you stop by. Where did you go, by the way?”
“I had to cancel plans. I’m staying in Seoul indefinitely.” Jaejoong replied as he leaned in closer. “Or at least until you agree to going on a trip with me.”
“I see.”
“Will you kiss me now?”
Yunho complied and leaned across the counter to press a light kiss against Jaejoong’s lips before he pulled away with a smile. Jaejoong frowned, “You’re such a tease.”
“Get used to it. Now order something.”
“I’ll have water.” Jaejoong glanced out the window, “Do you know what no rain means?” he asked as he turned back to face Yunho. Yunho shook his head and handed him the glass of water. Jaejoong smiled and held onto Yunho’s hand and the glass of water.
“It means we can have sex outside.”
Fin.