Breathless: Chapter 2
poster credit: unguidedinnocence@soompi
Chapter Two
Yunho cheerfully made his way down the stairs at 9:30 A.M when light, melodious notes from the grand white piano danced throughout the house with beautiful laughter accompanying them.
“You like this song, don’t you, Taepoong-ah?” He heard Jaejoong laugh once more before switching to a faster song. The Siberian husky barked in response before running around the piano. There didn’t seem to be another soul in the house. Judging from the time, Yunho knew that his father would be at work, and his mother and grandmother must have been running errands. Jihye had officially moved into her fiancé’s apartment early morning, but Yunho was positive his sister would visit every day.
Unable to contain himself anymore, Yunho let out a chuckle, earning a surprised gasp from Jaejoong as the younger of two quickly turned around and worriedly exclaimed, “Oh, sorry! Did Taepoong and I wake you up?”
“Of course not.” Yunho took a seat next to Jaejoong on the piano seat. “How long have you been playing?”
Fingers pressing down on the keys to form a new, slower melody, the pianist let his mind reel all the back to when he first touched a piano. “When I was four years old. My mom took me to the local piano store on my fourth birthday. She liked to play the piano as well, but we never bought one until then. I wonder why…” Jaejoong said, more to himself than Yunho.
“Did she teach you how to play?” Yunho questioned. Subconsciously holding out his index finger, the tall brunette pressed on a high C, disrupting the flow of music. The pianist let out a giggle, before placing Yunho’s right hand over his, and continued to play the song. Although the Jung family had the piano for as long as Yunho could remember, he never once seriously tried to play it.
Jaejoong’s eyes became hazy as the memories flood into his mind. “Yea, she did. At the beginning, she taught me just like this.” He spoke softly, referring to Yunho’s hand over his. “She played beautifully, filled with passion. My father told me later on that when I was really young, I would fall asleep only if she played.”
“She’s sounds like a wonderful woman.” The older man tenderly smiled, he always loved hearing family stories.
Sunlight basked the room as the song Jaejoong was playing slowed down even further, nearing its end. The shadow of his long, dark eyelashes splayed out onto his cheeks as the sunlight graced his face.
If Yunho hadn’t been paying attention to the pianist, he would not have heard the barely audible whisper that came next. “Yea, she was.” And the song ended just as it had begun.
Taepoong barked loudly, pushing the dog bowl towards the two men, instantly breaking away the conversation.
“Ah, that’s right! Granny asked me to feed him!” Jaejoong said to himself, walking into the kitchen.
And although the younger man was laughing at Taepoong’s antics once more, it didn’t sound right. Like a piano piece that was perfect expect for a single, off-key note.
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“Yah, yah! Taepoong-ah, don’t run so fast!” Yunho yelled as the Siberian husky pulled Yunho down the neighborhood rather than Yunho pulling him.
Jaejoong laughed before suggesting, “Is there a park nearby? Where he can run free?” He took the leash from the taller man.
“Hmmm, there used to be one nearby, but I don’t know if it’s still there. It’s been five years. We can go check it out, if you don’t mind that is. Oh, would you like to meet some of my close friends?” Yunho excitedly asked.
“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t want to go, and of course I would like to!” The shorter man smiled. Yunho quickly sent out a few text messages before the two men made their way to the park, getting to know each other on the way. Though it was a short walk to the park, Jaejoong felt like he had learned a lot about the other man in those minutes.
“You must’ve been really excited, huh?” The pianist questioned as Yunho got around to telling him how he got the job in the U.S.
“Well, yea, I was just happy to have gotten a job in the first place. I had just graduated from college and didn’t even expect it! Although, I do admit, if I could get the same pay and work here in Korea, I would. I really missed my fam-”
Suddenly a high-pitched voice interrupted Yunho. “HYUNG!” Behind the man who yelled, were two other men: one who just a bit taller than Yunho, and the other who was of medium height and build.
“Junsu!” Yunho yelled with excitement. He ran towards his friend and wrapped his arms around him. Jaejoong quickly followed behind the other man, the leash still tight in his grasp.
“Yoochun-ah, Minnie!” Jaejoong heard Yunho exclaim once more before wrapping his arms around the other two. Why did the name Yoochun sound so familiar?
“How I missed you guys!”
“Oh, who’s this?” The man with the high-pitched voice questioned; a soccer ball beneath his right foot.
“Maybe if you paid attention to the world news you would know, Junsu hyung. This is Kim Jaejoong, he’s a famous pianist from Sweden.” The tallest man teased. Now that Jaejoong was closer, he noticed that though the man was tall, he looked very young. In fact, he looked younger than Jaejoong.
“Not everyone has the time to go around watching the world news, Changmin.” Junsu retorted, with a faint smile still etched to his face.
“Yes, but maybe if you managed your time better you would.” Jaejoong noticed that the words held no hostility or malice.
‘Must be how they show affection, how cute.’ Jaejoong concluded.
The man with the medium build finally spoke as he pet Taepoong. “Guys, guys, is this any way to make a good first impression?” Turning towards Jaejoong, he introduced himself.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jaejoong-shi. I’m Park Yoochun, please, do call me Yoochun.”
It was then that the pianist remembered, Yoochun was Jihye’s fiancé! He heard his name coming out of Yunho when the latter man was talking to his sister the night before.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Yoochun! I’m Kim Jaejoong, please, do call me Jaejoong.” The pianist imitated Yoochun, instantly breaking the ice as the two laughed. Jaejoong turned to the other two and introduced himself once more. The two quickly shared their birthdays. The pianist found out that Yoochun was the same age as Yunho, twenty six.
The man with the soccer ball near his right foot piped up, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kim Junsu! And this obnoxiously tall guy here is Shim Changmin. ” Junsu pointed to the tall boy before whispering with a grin, “You and I are the same age. But Minnie here is younger than us by two years.”
“I may be younger but I am smarter than him.” The boy grinned.
Yunho let Taepoong run free, knowing that his dog would stay near the group of friends, before excitedly called out, “Let’s go play some soccer!” He was about to take a step forward before politely asking the pianist, “Oh, do you mind playing?”
“There’s no need to be so polite, Yunho-ah! And no, I don’t mind. I may not be the best at it, but I love soccer!” Jaejoong exclaimed, his eyes shining bright with excitement.
Already half away across the field, Junsu exclaimed, “Come on, guys, let’s play!”
With that said, the five boys played for hours, until the sun started to graze the horizon. By the time they were done, they were all sitting on the grass in a circle; heaving and panting for the much need air, still laughing from the game. Taepoong sat by Yunho, his tongue hanging out since he was running around with them too. Jaejoong was on the other side of Yunho, with Yoochun to his left. To Yoochun’s left was Junsu, and to Junsu’s left was Changmin. They formed a perfect circle.
It honestly surprised Jaejoong at how well he had gotten along with the other three. He thought it would be a bit awkward, being their first meeting and all. But instead, he felt as if he had known them all for years now. They exchanged numbers, and talked and laughed for what seemed to be the longest time; it seemed like an endless cycle now. And suddenly, Jaejoong felt at home. The bright chatter reminded him of his own family back in Sweden.
“Jaejoong-ah, I have a favor to ask.” Yoochun suddenly said, turning towards Jaejoong. When the caramel haired man motioned him to continue, the older man hesitantly asked, “Do you think, if you have time, you could look over a song I composed? It’s accompanied by a piano and I would like to present it on my wedding day, to Jihye. I already had Junsu look over it, but I wanna make sure it’s perfect.”
Jaejoong’s face instantly lit up with a smile, “I would love to look over it, and I’m sure Jihye’s going to appreciate it.”
“How cheesy!” Changmin teased, before Junsu smacked him on the head saying, “Its sweet!”
“Ah! Speaking of Jihye, I’ve got to head home; she said she’ll be making dinner tonight!” Yoochun quickly spoke, getting off the grass. “Bye guys, see you later!” The dark haired man ran out of the park heading towards his car.
“Yea, she picked out the right guy, alright.” Jaejoong heard Yunho mumble under his breath.
“I guess we’ll call it a night as well. Come on, Min. I’ll give you a ride home.” Junsu said, dribbling the soccer ball back and forth between his legs.
After they all said their goodbyes, Changmin turned around to face Yunho, and with the softest smile etched onto his face said, “Hyung, I’m really glad you’re back.”
And that was when Jaejoong saw it. The amount of love and respect the younger boy held for Yunho, all clearly written in Changmin’s eyes.
Ruffling the younger boy’s hair, Yunho smiled fondly. “I’m glad I’m back too, kiddo.”
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“Changmin seems to really admire you.” Jaejoong said once they came back home. The aroma of fresh-cooked meals hit their senses as soon as they stepped in.
Bashfully laughing, Yunho replied, “Nah, not really. We haven’t seen each other in five years, so he probably just misses me. I’m the one that admires him to be honest. He never lets anything bring him down. Sure, if something bad happens he might be angry or sad, and need a bit of a push in the right direction, but other than that, he never dwells with those negative feelings. He faces them head on and then moves on. He learns from every experience he goes through.”
Just as they entered the dining room, Jaejoong heard a voice say, “Is my grandson bragging about his precious Changmin again?” Granny laughed. “He really loves that boy, you know? Treats him, as well as Junsu and Yoochun, like blood brothers.”
“Granny, stop.” Yunho softly whined, embarrassed. When a frustrated sigh suddenly came through the kitchen, Jaejoong timidly walked in, leaving Yunho to Granny’s teasing.
“Mrs. Jung, do you need any help? I may not look it, but I’m actually quite good around the kitchen.”
“Ah, Jaejoong-ah,” Mrs. Jung’s relieved face took over the frustrated one, “if it isn’t too much trouble, could you help me make one last dish? Granny usually helps me, but after a long day out, she’s too tired. I’m sorry to trouble you.”
“Of course it’s no trouble! To be honest, I love to cook; I used to help my mom out when I was young.” Jaejoong excitedly said; it had been half a month since he’s cooked something and he really missed it.
It was thirty minutes later when everyone was gathered around the dinner table, in the same seats as the night before, but with the absence of Jisun and Jihye, who was having dinner with her fiancé. When everyone started to eat, Granny turned to Mrs. Jung, “My, my, this is delicious. It tastes better than you usually make it, Eunmi-ah!” Mr. Jung quickly agreed to the statement with a short, “Yes, yes it is.”
Observing both his grandmother’s and his father’s reaction, Yunho helped himself to some bibim naengmyung, spicy buckwheat noodles. “Woah, Granny’s right! This tastes a whole lot better than you usually make it, Umma! ” Yunho exclaimed, not bothering to hide his delight as he dug in.
“Yah, yah, do you need to say it like that.” Yunho’s mother playfully scolded before smiling with pride. “Actually, it was Jaejoong who cooked it. He has a real talent when it comes to cooking.”
Beaming at the pianist, the older man praised, “Wah, who knew our Jaejoongie was such a fantastic cook.”
“Oh, it’s nothing really.” Jaejoong blushed at the sudden nickname. “And thank you.”
As dinner continued, cheerful laughter with occasional barking could be heard ringing throughout the house. The pianist found himself unable to stop grinning. It hadn’t been that long since he’s met Yunho’s family, and he already felt as if they were his own. From Mr. Jung who acted extremely strict when in reality he had a childish side like Yunho, to Granny who was as mischievous as a teenager -they were all wonderful.
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The entire Jung family and Jaejoong soon found themselves out on the large veranda. Mr. Jung, Mrs. Jung, and Granny all sat around a circular table, talking about Jihye’s wedding plans with Taepoong lazing around near Mr. Jung’s feet. Yunho and Jaejoong sat on the white veranda swing; they all had dessert in their hands, each in their own world eating shaved ice with sweet red beans and fruit.
Jaejoong soon burst into another fit of giggles, something he had been doing since they all sat down in the veranda. “Yunho-ah, please,” Jaejoong laughed once more as Yunho placed the cold dessert bowl against the pianist’s neck. “t-that tickles.” The pianist finally breathed out before bursting into another fit of giggles. Yunho laughed along with Jaejoong, unable to contain himself. There was something about Jaejoong that made Yunho want to keep him smiling. And each time the pianist laughed, he took the older man’s breath away -whether he realized it or not.
Yunho placed the cold dessert bowl against Jaejoong’s neck again, watching and laughing as the younger man burst into yet another fit of giggles.
It was then that Yunho decided. He liked the warm feeling that radiated from his soul whenever Jaejoong laughed.
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Miku's Message: Hopefully I put enough yunjae scenes in this one OTL Does everyone like the poster? :D It's cute isn't it? Also, to those of you who've been hit by Hurricane Irene, are you all okay? The hurricane hit my state yesterday, it wasn't that bad though. It lost energy by the time it got here and was reduced to a tropical storm, but the winds definitely blew the power out. I hope everyone's safe and healthy<3