Because Tomorrow Comes - Chapter 3
Title: Because Tomorrow Comes - Chapter 3
Author: Marakeshsparrow
Rating: Mature (not all chapters, but overall)
Pairing: YunJae
Genre: Drama, Romance, Angst
Warning: This is a work of fiction. I own nothing and do not claim to have any knowledge to real life events. This is how reality played out in my brain, but again it is FICTION.
Summary: Kim Jaejoong and Jung Yunho struggle to move on from the past. After the break-up of the super group TVXQ, they are haunted by memories, regrets, and loss. But there is no escaping the future and no way to return to the days of old. Will they be able to come to terms with their present and learn how to move forward without each other?
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
A/N: So, slight change in plans--going over chapters 5 & 6, they actually work well posted together, so 4 will be coming sooner rather than later and then 5/6 will be posted at the end of next week. I'm sure you won't mind, right? (^～^)
Korean terms:
Hyung = older brother, a term used for older male friends, not only blood relations
Dongsaeng = younger sibling, also used for younger friends (male or female)
Sunbae = senior
ssi = honorific put at the end of someone's name (i.e. Junsu-ssi)
Chaebol = a large business conglomerate, typically a family-owned one
Kai Bai Bo = Korean version of Rock, Paper, Scissors
Chapter 3
July 2011, Seoul
Jaejoong was at a press conference for Protect the Boss, the drama he had recently been cast in and had already been preparing for. He sat on a panel with the rest of the leading cast as well as the director, lights from cameras flashing constantly so that it made his vision start to blur. He was used to it though, it seemed like cameras were always flashing wherever he went.
The drama was a work-place romantic comedy, the typical chaebol and spunky underdog heroine-the usual trope. But this show’s strength was it’s script: the dialogue was funny and it turned a lot of drama stereotypes on its head. It had a tongue in cheek feel; Jaejoong had been impressed by that when he first read the script.
His role was fairly bland-he was the good looking, hard-working second male lead, the main lead’s cousin who had his eye on running the family company. It wasn’t anything award-worthy, but the rest of the cast were so funny he knew the show would be a hit. Add his fan base into the mixture and they were sure to get top ratings. He figured that was the main reason the producers had wanted him, but he figured as long as it allowed him to act he would take what his fame could get him.
Acting had become a passion of his, ever since the early days when TVXQ had made a mini drama and a couple movies he’d wanted to continue with the art form. He was told he had leading man potential, that his charisma really shone through the camera lens, and he’d had to agree. Watching himself on the screen was like watching someone else-he enjoyed being able to take on different personas and be other people besides Kim Jaejoong.
“Jaejoong-ssi, you’ve been busy promoting with your group, JYJ-has it been hard to prepare for filming while you get ready for a comeback?” A TV reporter asked from the rows or spectators.
“It hasn’t been too bad so far. Yoochun and Junsu both know the group is important to me but that I want to pursue acting as well. I’ve been able to balance my schedule between the two. Once filming picks up, I’m sure it will be harder, but I’ve never been afraid of working hard and want to show the best side of myself to my fans,” Jaejoong responded. He had been prepped for the kinds of questions they would ask, so had been rehearsing what to say on his way over to the press event.
“There has been talk about the relationship between you and Wang Ji-Hye and that you will be sharing several kisses in the drama. Is there anything to this special on screen chemistry?”
“Jaejoong-ssi is a very kind person,” the actress explained. “I was lucky to have such a great acting partner. I may be his sunbae, but his talent is very real and he’s progressing quickly.”
He smiled at her praise.
“Thank you,” he looked down the table at the pretty actress. “We became fast friends off set, so it was easy to transition that chemistry onto the screen. I hope all my seniors will continue to guide me so I can become a better actor.”
Another reporter, a tall man towards the back of the crowd, spoke up.
“Jaejoong, tell us a little bit about Dong Bang Shin Ki’s break up. Have you heard TVXQ’s newest song? People said it was an attack against the former members. What do you think of it?”
He was put on the spot-they definitely hadn’t discussed this kind of question. He was surprised he’d had the nerve to ask it. He put on his mask, the smile he wore when he was uncomfortable but couldn’t show it, and leaned towards the microphone.
“I’ve heard the song, but I didn’t see it as an attack. It’s just a coincidence. I’m glad to see that the two are doing well and producing good music.”
Of course he couldn’t say what he really thought, that it wasn’t just a coincidence, that Yunho had known what he was doing when he’d agreed to record that song. It struck a painful chord in Jaejoong’s heart.
“What about the rumors that there was bad blood between the members, specifically between you and leader Jung Yunho-can you comment on that?”
There was an awkward silence as the rest of the actors on the panel looked to the youngest cast member. He felt his smile falter and played with one of the rings on his hand awkwardly. How did he respond to that? He ran over various answers in his head-it felt like the silence was stretching on way too long.
Then his publicist stepped quickly onto the stage and announced that Jaejoong would not be taking any more questions on issues regarding TVXQ and that they needed to stick to questions about the upcoming drama. Jaejoong let out the breath he’d been holding. Thank God for small favors. He wasn’t always the biggest fan of his publicist, thought the man could be too tough and unmoving, but in this case he was glad to have someone stick up for him. Things might have gotten ugly otherwise.
They finished up with a few other inane questions about the cast and what viewers could expect from the show, and then the time was up and they were all standing from the panel and bowing. Cameras continued to flash. Reporters typed furiously at their laptops. Jaejoong continued to force his smile, though he was frustrated that he’d been embarrassed. Why did everything always come back to TVXQ? Why was that all anyone saw or cared about when they looked at him?
The lead cast members posed for a few photos all together, and then they were walked off stage to the green room to regroup before going on to their separate schedules. Jaejoong reconvened with his manager who clapped him proudly on the back.
“You handled that well,” he assured. “We’re not sure how that reporter got in, he was a celebrity scandal writer. He wasn’t on the list.”
Jaejoong shook his head. “I froze up. You call that handling it well? If Seungwoo-ssi hadn’t stepped in I don’t know what I would have said.”
“Well it all turned out ok.”
“If you say so.” He didn’t feel like it was ok. But he had learned he had to let mistakes and embarrassing moments go. He never would have gotten any sleep if he let them all bother him.
His hyung said he was going to go get the car, so Jaejoong mingled for a few minutes with the other cast members. He got along well with Ji Sung and liked him a lot. He was a great comedic actor. Jaejoong hoped he could be as good as he was one day.
As the others were busy talking and preparing to leave, Ji-Hye, his acting partner, approached him speaking low.
“I bet that reporter really threw you off.”
He felt a spike of frustration. Couldn’t they all just drop it?
“A little. I don’t like talking about the past. It’s better just to focus on the future.”
She leaned in, confidentially. “What’s the truth though? Did something really go down between you and Yunho? There are so many rumors that you two had some kind of relationship.”
Jaejoong stared at the actress blankly. Did she really just ask him that? What was wrong with everyone today?
“You believe all that speculation? Should I believe what your scandals say?”
“Not everyone has scandals.” She smirked.
She looked like a conniving little cat and Jaejoong had the distinct urge to smack that smirk off her face. Of course he would never have done it, but he couldn’t help disliking her in that moment.
“Well I guess you’re one of the lucky ones. Come back and talk to me when you’ve got half a million fans, then we’ll see if you’re still able to avoid rumors and speculation.”
He bowed curtly and walked off to look for his manager, surely he had pulled the car around. It was definitely time to leave.
*****
Back in the van, his manager gave him news about his schedule.
“You have the evening off. You’re photo shoot with W Magazine was rescheduled for tomorrow morning. Some issue with the photographer. It shouldn’t be a problem though, you don’t start filming tomorrow until 1pm.”
“There’s nothing else for tonight?”
“Yeah, but you can’t go crazy. Call time tomorrow is at 5am.”
Jaejoong smiled, leaning back against the seat. The night off. It was a rare event. What would he do to celebrate? He looked at his watch; it was just past 6pm. Then he pulled out his phone, running through his options.
First he’d called Yoochun to see if he was done with work, but he was busy shooting a CF until late that night. He considered seeing what Hyun Joong was doing, but changed his mind-he had been caught up recently with a new girlfriend, a small time model he had met on a shoot, and decided he didn’t want to go there.
He finally decided to call Hong Seok Chun, a long time friend and fellow actor. They didn’t always get the opportunity to hang out but they always had a good time when they did. Jaejoong liked him, always had-he was mild-mannered, funny and easy to talk to. He’d been one of the only people he’d been able tell about Yunho. His other friends didn’t want to hear the details, but as a gay man, Seok Chun understood. Jaejoong admired him. He had a really hard time after he came out, but the fact was, he was doing well and was true to himself. Jaejoong sometimes wondered what things would have been like if he hadn’t been a celebrity. Would he have had the strength to be himself, like his friend, or would he still be afraid?
They agreed to meet up in Itaewon at Full Moon. If he’d been in Japan, Jaejoong would have gone to his favorite host club, but in Seoul he had to settle for the hip lounge. He reserved them a table in the V.I.P area and had the bartender bring out the bottle of whiskey he’d been saving (he was there often enough that they kept his own private supply of liquor for him).
Jaejoong poured two glasses of the rare Irish whiskey, smiling at his friend.
“I’m surprised you actually came along once I told you where we were going.”
“Yeah, I hate this place. But someone had to keep an eye on you.” He grabbed one of the glasses and took a sip, grimacing. “I don’t know why you like this stuff so much.”
“I like the way it burns.”
“Well it definitely gets the job done.” He looked Jaejoong up and down. “You must have had a hard day.”
Jaejoong sighed. “Every day’s a hard day.”
They continued drinking, and despite his older friend’s so-called “supervision”, Jaejoong ended the night with an attractive girl on his lap, her hands in his shirt, their mouths entwined.
“Lord, Jaejoong, you’re really showing off tonight. What if there’s paparazzi here?”
“They guard the V.I.P room,” Jaejoong said between sloppy kisses. “Only a select few get in.”
Seok Chun looked around unimpressed. “I knew there was a reason I didn’t like this place. They must be keeping all the attractive men off the list.”
“I’m attractive.” He ran his hands up the woman’s legs-he didn’t actually remember what her name was. She bit at his lip.
“Yeah, and you’re attached at the mouth to some club skank.”
“Yah!” The girl yelled, pulling away to glare at the other man. Jaejoong put a hand on her arm, attempting to pacify her.
“Ignore him. He’s just jealous.” He stuck his tongue out at Seok Chun, chuckling.
“Ha!” he laughed. “As if I’d really be jealous of her.” He took another sip of whiskey and sighed.
“We should go to Club After.”
“I don’t think so. What would happen if someone saw me there? It’s hard enough getting away from the rumors.” The girl ran her hands through his hair, trying to claim his attention.
“He was seen at Club After recently. I heard through a friend.”
Jaejoong froze, breaking his mouth away and turning fully towards the other actor. “He would never risk it. I don’t believe it.”
“Their V.I.P room is exclusive too,” Seok Chun smirked at Jaejoong’s shock.
The girl on his lap kissed at his neck but Jaejoong suddenly wasn’t interested, the feel of her weight on him was suffocating and her perfume overpowering. His heart was racing (though for other reasons). He pushed her gently and she climbed off his lap. He took a swig of his drink and poured some more-he suddenly didn’t feel drunk enough.
“Are you tired? Should we go back to your place?” She asked, running her hand down his arm.
Jaejoong pulled away. “I don’t think so. Sorry.”
“I could give you a massage. I’m really good with my hands.”
“I’m sure you’ll find someone else here who’ll appreciate it.”
The girl huffed, bored without his attention, and wandered off to the bar looking for other prey.
Seok Chun watched it all, amused, then turned to the pop idol.
“Does it still get to you?” He asked.
Jaejoong rubbed at this mouth, looking down at the amber liquid in the tumbler. Of course it still got to him. How could it not? When it was almost impossible to escape, when Yunho came up at every corner, never leaving him alone.
He closed his eyes, remembering.
*****
Summer 2003, Seoul
In the two years since Jaejoong had met Yunho they’d become more or less inseparable. They both continued to train at S.M., passing their evaluations, honing their skills and gaining attention within the company.
Though they still struggled to make ends meet in the expensive city, various gigs and steady part time work allowed them to rent out beds in the nearby youth hostel. Several trainees from S.M. and a few other entertainment companies lived in the same place so it almost felt like a dorm, the magical living arrangement all the trainees dreamed of when they finally signed contracts and prepared to debut.
Life was still difficult, but there was a simple kind of happiness that came with working hard and existing like starving artists. And of course they had each other; they might have given up already if it hadn’t been for that steady support.
For Jaejoong, Yunho had become a vital figure in his life-always there to watch his back, to cheer him on, to cry and commiserate when it all felt like too much. Of course they fought. They were both incredibly stubborn and Jaejoong was the first to admit he could be a bit excitable, sometimes too high-strung. But their arguments never lasted long or were that serious. They would get frustrated, get loud then get over it.
As argumentative as Jaejoong was at times, he also had a knack for ending a fight by making some ridiculous joke or saying something weird (something that would only come from his sometimes-warped mind) and then they’d both end up laughing, realizing their disagreement was stupid and not worth lingering on. And even though they had these polarized moments, there was always an understanding that they cared for each other, that they were the best of friends. Jaejoong felt secure in that knowledge and understood that no matter what happened, Yunho would be there for him, and vice versa.
At the very end of the previous year, around December, the two had finally been put in a group. And whether it was because the company recognized their teamwork, or just by random chance, they were put into the same formation. It was a four-person team, tentatively called the Four Seasons, with the other slots filled by none other than their hyung Heechul and another boy Kim Youngwoon.
The four of them worked well together and Jaejoong was ecstatic because he knew they were one step closer to debuting. For months they had been training together, figuring out their roles and how to best work as a team. Jaejoong had been slated as the lead singer, with Yunho as the lead dancer and second rapper. Youngwoon, as the older, more experienced trainee, was made the leader of the group and was also the first rapper. Heechul was a secondary singer and visual, though really they were all nice to look at.
Jaejoong really felt they would have a chance to make something of themselves, but as spring gave way to summer, there were rumblings that they were going to be reorganized.
“This is bullshit!” Heechul had fumed, storming around the practice room like a diva.
“How can they make us work our asses off just to throw us out like dirty dishrags?”
“Hyung-” Yunho tried to calm the older boy down-always the mediator. “They’re not throwing us out, they’re just changing things up.”
“Easy for you to say when you’re going straight into another group.”
“Come on, Heechul-ah,” Youngwoon spoke up, finally growing tired of the histrionics. Jaejoong watched it all unfold silently from his position on the floor.
“No! Fuck all of this!” He stomped out of the practice studio.
“Hyung!” Yunho called and ran after him.
Jaejoong sat up straighter when he saw him rush out, and was about to get up and follow when his other hyung put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
“Just let them go. Yunho knows how to handle Heechul. He’ll only get more upset if you go too.”
“Why?” Jaejoong asked, genuinely clueless.
A part of him was always slightly jealous of how close Yunho and Heechul were. His instinct was to follow his friend-he felt left out when it was just the two of them. Maybe it was because Yunho had known Heechul longer and he seemed like the only logical competition as his closest buddy.
Youngwoon stood and stretched, he smiled down at this dongsaeng.
“Come on, I’ll get you a drink.”
They wandered out to the break area where there were vending machines. Youngwoon bought two fizzy drinks. He handed one to Jaejoong and sat down.
“What did Heechul hyung mean when he said Yunho was going straight into another group?”
The older boy patted the chair next to him and the younger member obeyed, sitting by his hyung.
“Heechul heard it wasn’t just reorganizing.” He sighed. “You and Yunho are both getting put into a new group.”
“What?” His mouth almost hit the floor. They were really making a new group?
“How does he know that for sure?” Jaejoong couldn’t believe what he was hearing, he felt like there had to have been a mistake.
“Our Heechul-ie, he has his ways. You should know that by now.” Youngwoon sipped from his drink somberly.
Jaejoong watched his other member; he couldn’t read him, he’d never been able to-he was so levelheaded, it seemed like he never got upset. But surely he couldn’t be happy about this news.
“So what about you and Heechul?”
The leader shook his head and shrugged. Before he had a chance to say anything else, Yunho appeared looking frustrated and tired. Jaejoong sat up at the sight of him; he didn’t like seeing him so weary.
“What happened?” Jaejoong asked eagerly. From the look of things, it hadn’t gone well.
Yunho ran his hand back through his hair and let out a sigh.
“Heechul hyung can’t be talked down. I think I just made him more upset. He stormed off, told me he’d kill me if I followed him.”
“Just give him some time,” Youngwoon assured then finished his drink in one last gulp. He tossed the can into the trash with one hand. “He’ll come around. He always does.”
Yunho shook his head and looked down at his watch.
“Shit. I’ve got to get going.”
“I’ll come with you.” Jaejoong stood, throwing his bag over his shoulder.
“Ah, actually…” Yunho smiled awkwardly. “I’m going on a date with Jimin. She asked to meet up tonight.”
Yunho’s girlfriend. Jaejoong suddenly felt embarrassed and a bit disappointed.
“Oh.”
“Sorry Jaejoong-ah.” Yunho squeezed his shoulder. “We’ll go out another time.”
“Sure. Yeah.” Jaejoong nodded a little too agreeably.
“I’ll see you back at the hostel. See you later, hyung!” He waved to Youngwoon and walked out quickly.
Jaejoong sat back down, deflating like a balloon with a hole. He pulled out his phone and started to flip through the numbers.
“Hmmm…Is Jaejoongie sad?” His hyung teased, putting on an exaggerated pout.
Jaejoong stared at his phone, ignoring him.
“Are you blushing?”
“Knock it off.” Jaejoong pressed ‘call’ for one of the numbers saved in his cell and stood up. Youngwoon laughed.
“I’m just messing with you. You don’t have to run off-don’t pull a Heechul!”
“I just remembered I have a date too. See you tomorrow.”
The leader waved him away and Jaejoong hurried outside, making arrangements. He kind of had a girlfriend-Areum-ssi. He’d met her one night in Itaewon; she went to a nearby high school and was incredibly cool. He liked being around her-they had a pretty fun time together.
“Jaejoong-ssi!” She called as he stepped outside Noksapyeong station where they’d planned to meet.
He grinned when he saw her all dressed in black-she was cute and a bit eccentric.
“Areum-ah.”
He hugged her and she smiled, looking away shyly. She always got nervous with any kind of skin-ship. He didn’t mind. He wanted to be respectful so sometimes ended up treating her like she was his sister. Still, he wanted to like her more than that. She was the most interesting girl he’d met since coming to Seoul (though he typically didn’t have time to meet and flirt with girls). He figured if he was going to have a girlfriend, it should probably be her.
“I’m glad you called me tonight. I was thinking about you.”
“I was thinking about you too,” he said, and it was the truth. Since Yunho was out with Jimin, it was only right for him to think about Areum and want to meet up.
They decided to walk down Gyeongnidan-gil, a hip alley in the heart of Itaewon, eating street food and people watching. She said she needed to buy a new hat, so they went looking for one. Finally they got some coffee.
Areum grinned at Jaejoong over steaming lattes.
“You know-I really like you.”
He took a sip of his own cup and looked down. He suddenly felt like he wasn’t sure if he was ready for that kind of serious talk. Just what did he feel for her after all?
“I like you too.”
He did. He thought he did anyway but had never had a relationship before so wasn’t really sure what it felt like. She seemed pleased by his words though and luckily didn’t push it any further.
They continued to drink their coffees and talk about various things a bit longer (her school, his training) and then he walked her home; it wasn’t very far from where they’d been hanging out.
“I’ll see you around Kim Jaejoong,” she smiled, making the first move and hugging him tightly then turning and quickly walking away.
She really was very cute. She waved one last time before slipping inside her front door and he waved back. He bobbed to a tune in his head as he boarded the bus that would take him back to his part of town.
The night had turned out better than he had expected; Areum definitely cheered him up. He decided he would leave all the re-organization and member squabbles to fate. Though the news had come as a shock, he was sure everything would happen the way it was supposed to. At least he and Yunho were still going to be together. He wasn’t sure what he would have done if they had gotten separated into different groups.
No, he thought. They’d been destined to work together, he saw that now after two years. It comforted him to believe that.
His phone rang-Yunho calling-snapping him out of his reverie, as if his thoughts had conjured him. He sat forward in his seat, flipping his phone open.
“Hello?”
“Kim Jaejoong . . . where are you right now?”
His voice sounded funny and worry struck him suddenly-was he sick? Drunk?
“I’m on the bus coming home. Why?”
There was a moment of silence, then:
“Come meet me in the park.”
The park of course was Yongsan Park, the halfway point between Itaewon and their dorm in Cheongdam, where they had sometimes slept in tight situations. Jaejoong pulled the cord to get off the bus at the next stop.
Something must have been eating at the other boy, otherwise he wouldn’t have sounded so sulky on the phone. Was he really that broken up over Heechul hyung and the re-organization? Or was it something else?
When he got there, he quickly found Yunho on the swings spinning around listlessly. Jaejoong couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the large, gangly man-child. Sometimes, just sometimes, his friend was really adorable; he probably didn’t even realize it, always used to putting up a tough guy front. But he didn’t fool Jaejoong-he knew deep down that Jung Yunho was a real sweetheart.
An idea came to him suddenly and he gave a devilish grin. He snuck around the back of the play area and crept up slowly towards the unsuspecting boy.
“Kai Bai Bo!” he yelled out, jumping towards his friend, hands up as if to attack.
Yunho flew off the swing screaming and whipped around, shaken. Jaejoong started to laugh uncontrollably.
“Kim Jaejoong-you are so dead!”
Yunho tackled the prankster and they tussled around, laughing. He threw his arm around his attacker’s neck, wrapping him up in a headlock.
“Ok! Ok! I surrender. I’m sorry!”
Yunho let him go, ruffling his hair. They smiled happily at each other.
“Feel better?” Jaejoong asked.
The other teen seemed surprised. “How did you know…?”
“I could tell by the sound of your voice that something wasn't right.” Jaejoong took a seat on the swing and pushed himself with his legs.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
Yunho sighed and sat back down on the neighboring swing. He kicked sand around with one foot.
“You know how some days everything just seems to go wrong?”
“Today was one of those days?”
Yunho nodded. He usually seemed so strong and mature but right then he seemed very young, younger than his 18 years. Jaejoong had the distinct urge to stand up and hug him tightly but he remained where he was.
“Is it about Heechul hyung?” He asked, feeling a little disgruntled. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t like that Yunho was so upset over their older friend.
The melancholy boy sighed again. “I guess that started it.” He paused and looked up at the moon-it was full that night and shining brightly.
“Jimin broke up with me.”
Jaejoong looked at his friend, surprised. “What? Tonight?”
“She asked me to meet up with her so she could tell me. She found some other guy.”
“No way.”
“It’s true.”
“Well she’s stupid as hell because you’re the best guy around.”
Yunho chuckled shyly. “You’re just trying to cheer me up.”
“No, I mean it! You’re seriously the best. You’re handsome, you’re talented and the nicest person I’ve ever met. If I were Jimin I would have held onto you with everything I had. Found another guy-pshh!” He waved his hand in the air dismissing the notion and looked out over the park in frustration. How dare she hurt his Yunho!
“So what…do you want to date me?”
Jaejoong felt prickly embarrassment wash over his body like a shower of straight pins.
“Ha! Are you kidding me? You’re a guy.”
He turned to look at Yunho and saw the mischievous twinkle in his eye-he was teasing him.
“Shut up.” He looked down, flustered.
“You’re embarrassed! You must really want to date me,” Yunho prodded.
“Yeah? Well what if I do? What would you do then?” he challenged back.
“You better watch out. I may take you up on that.” He gave him a sidelong glance that made Jaejoong’s stomach flip nervously.
They fell into a more or less comfortable silence, swinging casually in the warm night air.
“Youngwoon hyung told me that we’re both getting put into a new group,” Jaejoong announced, breaking the lull.
“…I know. Heechul gave me an ear full.”
Jaejoong frowned. “I know he’s unhappy, but can’t this be good news? We’re still on track to debuting.”
“I just feel bad for the others.” Yunho shook his head. “I mean, we all made a pretty good team, don’t you think? What if it’s not the same with the new group?”
“What if it’s better?” Jaejoong suggested. They were silent again. Yunho appeared to be mulling this thought over.
“You’re really not worried?” He asked finally.
“Come on-what’s there to be worried about? With both of us on a team? You can’t lose.”
Yunho chuckled. “Your self-confidence knows no bounds.”
“It’s not about me. I just know that when we’re together we make pretty awesome things happen.”
“I guess you’re right.” He smiled.
“Of course I am!” He started to move the swing side to side so he could nudge Yunho in the shoulder with his elbow.
“Let’s go get ice-cream!” he said playfully, still moving his swing in an awkward way.
“Cut it out, you’re going to hurt yourself.”
Almost as if caused by his words, the swing began to careen out of control like a rickety carnival ride. He yelped as his butt slipped off the seat and landed hard in the sand, his legs comically up in the air.
Yunho snorted, trying to keep from laughing at his fall, but couldn’t hold it in. “I told you!”
Jaejoong laid flat on his back, rubbing at his bottom. “Ow.”
Yunho laughed louder. “You’re such an idiot.”
He stood up and grabbed the fallen boy’s hand, pulling him up. But Jaejoong lost his footing in the sand, practically falling into Yunho’s arms.
His heart jumped up in surprise; at this distance he could feel Yunho’s breath on his face. He froze like that momentarily, as if unsure what to do next and then remembered himself, stepping back and clearing his throat.
“Come on, I want an ice-cream sandwich.” He turned away.
A hand reached out and grabbed Jaejoong’s wrist, holding him back.
“Jaejoong-ah.”
Yunho’s voice was low, intimate, and again Jaejoong’s heart sped up. He’d never heard him call his name like that. He looked back to see what he wanted and then all of a sudden his lips were pressing against his own.
Jaejoong had never been so shocked in his life; it was like he’d been struck by lightening. He couldn’t believe this was happening-Yunho’s lips, much softer that he ever could have imagined, were on his, his body close to his. He should have been disgusted, but he wasn’t.
And then Yunho pulled away and looked down bashfully, scratching his head. It was over. He was too shocked to say anything. What had just happened? Why had it just happened?
That kiss. He never would have expected something like that, and coming from him. He was his friend, right? Surely friends didn’t kiss each other that way. Right?
“Do you still want ice cream?” the other boy said abruptly, snapping Jaejoong from his daze.
They locked eyes for a moment and he almost-almost-wanted to do it again, wanted another kiss. He pushed that weird thought down; he had to keep control of himself.
“Ice cream. Yeah. Let’s go.” They walked off together, heading towards the convenience store that was on the northeast corner of the park.
They walked in silence, neither talking about what had just happened, a slight air of awkwardness between them. They bought their ice cream then sat in plastic chairs outside the shop, eating. Finally Yunho broke the silence.
“Thanks.”
Jaejoong felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. What did he mean? Thanks for what?
“For cheering me up,” he added, as if sensing his confusion. He smiled warmly and then the awkwardness broke like a fever.
Jaejoong smiled in return; he nudged Yunho with his elbow. Yunho nudged back. They both laughed. Jaejoong felt happy, happy just to be next to his friend like this. Their kiss must have just been a fluke-there was nothing to worry or stress over.
Everything was fine, perfect in fact. They were together and just starting down the road to their dreams. Jaejoong felt like he’d be happy wherever it took him, as long as he had Yunho by his side.
To Be Continued...