Never letting you go - Final chapter part 2/2
Hyukjae entered the great front doors and was greeted by darkness and cold. Any maid or workers he had remembered used to walk around these halls were nowhere to be seen. Slowly, he headed towards the stairs and stopped at the bottom step when an old man came walking down. Even though Hyukjae hadn't seen him for three years he still recognized the man as his father's butler. Only difference was that his hair was whiter and thinner, as well as the increasing wrinkles in his face. The man seemed shocked at the sight of the redhead and hurried down the last steps before bowing when coming to the same level as Hyukjae.
"Young master. Welcome."
"Kang Rim." The boy greeted quietly, not really wanting to face the man as he looked down. "Everyone's gone?"
Hyukjae had actually always liked Kang Rim. He was there for him while his mother was sick and played with him. It was weird to talk to him now, though. He hadn’t seen the servant for years, and he wasn’t sure if he even really knew that Kang Rim was aware of his situation all along. The question of hating the man or not still lingered in his mind.
"I am afraid all the maids and butlers have lost their jobs, including me, young master."
"Don't call me that anymore. There is nothing that says you have to call me so." Kang Rim nodded slowly.
A long silence entered and there was nothing Hyukjae had in mind he wanted to tell the other. He just felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave, until Kang Rim spoke up.
"I am deeply sorry about your situation Hyukjae-ah." His voice was filled with regret and guilt. "If I ever would have known or noticed anything. We were all fooled by Mr. Lee's words about being locked in was your own will, and I am very ashamed of myself. We all knew how much you loved your mother, and thought it was a normal reaction. Every night when Mr. Lee would come out from your room he would go straight to his own and drink while crying. We were not allowed to-"
"It's okay Kang Rim. You don't have to explain yourself." The man looked relieved and swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm just here to get something; I will be leaving again soon."
"Of course." Kang Rim took a step back and bowed as Hyukjae started climb the stairs. "Oh, Hyukjae-ah!" The addressed boy faced back once again and Kang Rim was smiling. "Good luck boy. I wish you a bright future."
"Thank you. The same goes for you."
He climbed the final steps and looked around the walls and corridors. Nothing had changed since he walked here last time. Down the dark and eerie quiet corridor that led to his past parents’ bed room. The door creaked open, and it was just as dark in there as in the rest of the mansion. The room was lit up by the early spring-sun when he pulled the curtains aside. He opened one of the drawers and found exactly what he was searching for. His fingers ghosted over the lid of the box and he opened it with a smile.
Flashback
Hyukjae shuddered just as the final door was opened to a small white room and the police officer stepped in, him following behind a bit hesitantly. And straight ahead, he could see that man sitting on the other side of a glass-wall, together with two guards behind.
For a minute, all he could do was to stare. The man sat with his head bowed low, looking powerless and weak.
'So pathetic', was the only thing Hyukjae could think of him as now. Now when it was his turn to be locked up and Hyukjae could go free and do as he pleases, the man wasn't so bold anymore. There was no way you could look at the man now and believe what he had done. He took a deep breath and bored his stare through the other.
"Where is it?" he dared to speak with his coldest voice and just wanted to get out of the room as soon as possible.
Mr. Lee barely raised his head from where he was sitting behind the glass. He had wished never to see that man's face anymore, but he wouldn't go on without it.
"Where's what?" Raspy was his voice, as if he hadn't talked in weeks. The eyes trying to hide any guilt met Hyukjae's for a brief moment but fluttered to look another way when he saw the disgusted glare in the boy's eyes.
"My necklace. What have you done with it?" There was a long moment of silence.
"You know," Mr. Lee took a pause to clear his throat. "The nightstand next to my bed? In the top drawer you can find your mother's box, the one you loved. I've put it in there." Hyukjae didn't reply with anything and just turned on his heel to walk out. He stopped in his track when his Mr. Lee called out his name unexpectedly. Hyukjae didn't bother to turn around, only just pointing his ears to listen. "You may take the other object within the box. It was meant for you anyways after your mother passed away." The police officer opened the door for Hyukjae to exit, and the moment he was out and the door was closed, his back crashed against the wall. His head was spinning lightly and his eyes burning with tears.
"Are you okay?" The man placed his hand on Hyukjae's shoulder and the boy nodded. From now on, he promised not to cry. He swallowed the lump and fought back the tears as he started walking back, even though it stung.
End of flashback
Hyukjae arrived back the hotel Donghae had been staying at from time to time the last four months, together with Jungsu who had given him the ride back. They hadn't been in contact for over months, but from there on he made sure they'd catch up a lot more after Jungsu would travel back to his sister in Yeongam again. Since Jungsu was there together with Donghae the night Mr. Lee was arrested, he already had found out about what he's been through. Nevertheless, Jungsu still acted like he usually did and talked a lot, laughing at his own joked and never let the atmosphere die. For that, Hyukjae was really grateful towards him.
As Jungsu bid him good bye in the lobby, hugging him tightly and promising to meet soon, Hyukjae couldn't hold back his happy smile which showed off his gums.
Feeling happier than he had done in months, he almost bounced his way towards the elevator but stopped as he felt his left foot strained. When the metal doors parted, his smile went even wider and he jumped into the embrace of the man standing in the elevator.
“Hey, hey! Calm down, will you?” The older chuckled and ruffled the boy’s hair affectionately. Hyukjae pulled back while grinning.
“Sorry Heechul hyung. I was just happy to see you.”
“It’s okay, and it’s great to see you again as well, big boy.” Heechul grinned while ruffling Hyukjae’s hair.
“But what are you doing here? Is Sungmin and Ryeowook with you?” The sparkling anticipation in Hyukjae’s eyes didn’t go missed by Heechul, and he smiled as he felt happy seeing the boy like that.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but they stayed at home. Actually, a distant relative passed away, so I came to pay my respect to her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that…” Hyukjae lowered his head a bit and pursed his lips in a pout.
“Don’t worry. And by the way, happy birthday Hyukjae.” Heechul stretched out his hand to ruffle Hyukjae’s hair affectionately a second time. “Sorry, but I got to rush now; I’ve got a plane to fetch. You should hurry upstairs, because I think Donghae’s got something for you.”
With a friendly wink, Heechul bid his goodbye to Hyukjae and the latter entered the elevator with excitement. A bubbly feeling shot up in his stomach and everything started to feel better and brighter. That man was going to be gone, and he could live the life he loved, together with Donghae. He smiled down as he gazed to heart-shaped necklace lying in his hand. As the elevator pinged, indicated he had arrived at the eighth floor, he had just secured the necklace around his neck once more, a smile never leaving his lips.
“Hae?” Hyukjae called out softly as he entered the dim-lit hotel room. His eyes looked around in confusion as he didn’t get an answer, frowning slightly. “Donghae, are you here?” He asked again as he walked through the vestibule and was met by the open living room being lit up with candles and tea lights placed out all over the floor, shelves and coffee table. Hyukjae couldn’t help but let out a small laughter in amazement at how Donghae had prepared their room like that for him. The dining table was just as neatly decorated with candles and a vase of roses.
But then the only question was: where is Donghae?
“Hyukjae!” The addressed boy turned around and found the person he was looking for coming out from a bathroom, dressed in only a towel around his hips. Hyukjae’s breath hitched and his cheeks burned when seeing Donghae’s glistering upper body and the wet hair combed backwards.
Hyukjae found the man incredibly handsome but yet felt too much shy to stay turned to him and therefore clasped his hands in front of his eyes.
“Sorry,” Donghae muttered and Hyukjae heard him hurry past him. “I’ll get changed first.” A gentle peck landed on his head before a door was softly closed. His smile came back and he walked over to sit down on the sofa and continued admiring the way the older had fixed the room into such a cozy and romantic atmosphere.
Simply, there was no chance any other man in the world could be as perfect as Donghae.
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The door Donghae had disappeared behind minutes ago opened again and the said man excited, walking over to the sofa.
“I didn’t expect you’d come back this early, Hyuk. I thought you and Jungsu would catch up for a bit longer.”
“Sorry, I just wanted to spend more time with you today.” He let his head fall back at the back rest and looked up at Donghae who was just standing behind. “Did I ruin your surprise?” Warm hands cupped his face, and a small giggle escaped his lips as Donghae kissed the tip of his nose a few times and those one pair of warm hands continued to caress his cheeks and hair.
“A little maybe, but it doesn’t matter though. Happy birthday Hyukjae.” It ended with a kiss on the lips before Donghae went to get a cake from the fridge, watching the younger’s beaming eyes as he put it down on the coffee table and sat down on the sofa as well.
They sat down and shared a cake Donghae had bought earlier. Hyukjae grinned widely and bragged about getting to eat cake twice in a day.
“This is probably the best birthday I’ve had this far!” He exclaimed, still sucking on the fork he had eaten his cake with before. Donghae pulled it out of his mouth, worried the other would accidentally fall or bump something and cause it to stick down his throat.
“Are you sure about that?” The elder asked and placed the fork on the plate. “I haven’t given you any proper gift yet.”
Donghae was about to lean in and kiss the younger but ended up almost falling down on the soda as Hyukjae had jumped up to his feat.
“That’s right! I’ve got something for you.” Donghae watched as Hyukjae hurried to the wardrobe by the door, getting something from the pocket of his jacket and then came back with his fist closed tightly.
“Hyuk, why are you giving me presents? It’s your birthday.” Only a smile crossed Hyukjae’s face as he sat down in Donghae’s lap like a child - maybe not as innocently as one though. He faced Donghae and then he opened his fist, exposing a silver chain in his hand. Donghae’s face went from the jewelry in his Hyukjae’s hand to Hyukjae himself.
“It was my mom’s most precious belonging.” He began to explain and watched the bracelet he had retrieved together with the necklace, with a tender look in his eyes. “Even though she loved my….” Hyukjae paused, and Donghae kissed his lips as a sign that he had understood Hyukjae was talking about his father, even though he never wanted to mention him, or at least the word ‘father’. He smiled at the brunette, happy he understood. “She loved him, but this was a present she got from her first love. Her feelings weren’t with him anymore, but he still had been someone very precious in her life, so she cherished this for a long time. And.…you are very precious to me Hae.” Tears glittered in Hyukjae’s eyes as he reached down for Donghae’s wrist to attach the bracelet. Donghae didn’t know what to say or do as he watched the pretty silver chain hang rather tightly by his wrist, but that didn’t matter. It had a small heart, which surprisingly matched the necklace he had once got for Hyukjae.
Eyes stared at each other for minutes, until one of the pair watered and let small tears slowly drop down his cheeks. A hand was raised to dry them off, while smiling lovingly.
“Why are you crying Donghae?” It felt odd to see the other crying, and he guessed this must be how Donghae always felt whenever he had cried, though much more often. All he wanted to was comforting the older. Donghae held his hands and brought them to his chest, making Hyukjae move a little closer to him.
“I guess I loved you more than I imagined.” He held back any further tears from falling. “And I never thought you would value me this much, to even give away your mother’s precious bracelet.”
He let go of Hyukjae’s hands and circled his arms around the boy’s waist instead, pulling him much closer for a tight hug. The redhead let his own arms rest around Donghae’s neck to hug the latter back, letting out a small chuckle.
“Of course I love you so much.” Hyukjae mumbled into his neck. "It's not that precious compared to you." He drew a deep breath before speaking again. “All the things you’ve done for me. Every loving and tender feeling you’ve shown to me, all the help you’ve given me. It has made me feel hope about life again. You made me see the beautiful things in life and appreciate them, and I don’t think I would have ever managed to live on if I didn’t know you’ll be by my side.”
They hugged for a long time. Hyukjae was startled when he felt something soft press against his neck over and over, until he realized Donghae was kissing him. Eyes automatically fluttered closed and he leaned forward, tilting his head a bit so the other would get a better reach. His nose nuzzled in Donghae’s hair and took in the scent of it. He remembered he had loved Donghae’s scent from the very first time he smelt it.
A soft sigh escaped his lips because of the loving actions made his bubble with different feelings on the inside. He felt Donghae stopped and saw the elder softly staring somewhere lower than his face.
“Hyukjae…“ Donghae made eye contact for a second. ”The necklace…?” Finally, Hyukjae smiled now that the other had noticed the necklace back where it belonged. He had already told Donghae how he lost it, but the latter had almost forgotten about it after all this time. “I love you. I love you…” Donghae whispered over and over, looking into the brown eyes in front of him, his own still watery from tears. Then lips met lips in soft yet needy movements against each other. Hearts fluttered and bodies felt light as a feather, and nothing in the surroundings mattered. Lips found skin to kiss and fingers urged to gently feel the other’s heat and caress to give pleasure.
Hyukjae’s fingers pulled through the other’s brown strands while Donghae had parted his lips and carefully had started to suck on and lick Hyukjae’s neck, making the latter produce a quiet moan. Fingers ghosted over Donghae’s neck, giving him pleasuring shivers, and then the fingers carefully slid down inside the shirt and touched the bare skin by his shoulders. A soft sound escaped Donghae’s lips as he had stopped kissing the younger’s neck, and Hyukjae’s hands were a bit shaky as he continued draw them over the brunette’s neck and shoulder.
All of a sudden Donghae surprised the younger by quickly pulling him away from any more kisses or touches and gently tried to push him off his lap. At first he didn’t know what happened, but as he moved, Hyukjae realized that he could actually feel Donghae's stiff member right beneath where he was sitting.
"Let's go to sleep, Hyuk. You must be tired." Stressed, Donghae pecked the boy's cheek and rose from the sofa with a flustered face. Hyukjae stayed on the same spot and nervously looked after the other.
"D-D-Donghae…You... are you...?” He didn’t know what to say, and he tried avoided letting his eyes travel down to see the actual bulge clearly visible in the elder’s jeans.
"Forget about it Hyuk, I'm sorry. Just go to bed and I’ll be right there.”
“But it’s early. I’m not tired.”
An incoherent groan was released from Donghae as he seemed to try to think.
“I think t-there are some DVDs over there.” He pointed with a shaking finger to the shelf by the large television. “Pick one we could watch, okay?”
Donghae’s face seemed to become even redder and he was about to turn and walk, but stopped to give Hyukjae a final kiss, whispering yet another ‘I love you’ before rushing into the bathroom. Even Hyukjae felt himself blushing hard and was shivering due to nervousness and embarrassment when he heard water starting to rush inside the bathroom. He perfectly understood what had happened and wasn’t sure how to act once Donghae was back out, because both parties obviously found the situation rather awkward.
Just as Donghae had said, Hyukjae took some random DVD and placed it in the player in the bedroom instead of the one outside. Once Donghae emerged from the bathroom Hyukjae was quick to run up and take his hand and drag him into the bedroom. The former chuckled as he saw the mountain of pillows on the bed Hyukjae probably had snatched from the sofa and every single wardrobe in the hotel room.
“What movie did you pick?”
Hyukjae was already in his night attire as he plumped down among all the pillows while Donghae only wore a bathrobe. The boy shrugged his shoulders and smiled sheepishly.
“I didn’t read the title, it was in English.” Donghae laughed as he fell down on the bed next to Hyukjae and pulled the latter into his embrace. Hyukjae blushed slightly, but tried push it away. He handed the remotes to the elder to let him start the DVD and snuggled closer to him.
Once the movie was over they both sneaked under the covers and lay in silence. It still wasn’t very late, but the darkness had already fallen over the city.
“Donghae, earlier… w-why did you- ?
“Don’t worry about that. It was because of the hot shower before you came.”
Hyukjae wasn’t sure whether he should ask further or not. He was scared and embarrassed to talk about it, but walking around wondering if Donghae had sexual desires for him made him nervous.
“Good night baby, I love you.” The receiving peck form Donghae made Hyukjae snap out of his thoughts and look at the other whom already had turned around and closed his eyes for sleep, causing him to pout and glare at Donghae’s back.
“Hae…” He gave the other’s shoulder a light poke to gain back the attention, and then a harder one when he didn’t get any response. “Hae! Don’t turn your back on me! You’re not sleeping Hae, so sto-“
Donghae rolled over and threw his arm over Hyukjae’s body and pulled him as close as possible.
“Promise not to leave me either.” Donghae whispered all of a sudden.
“What?” Why would he leave? Hyukjae thought, not sure if he understood why the other would ask him that.
“I promised. I hope that you will want to stay with me forever Hyuk, even though I will get old much faster than you - and it’ll probably start growing moss out of my ears too soon.” Both of them laughed and Hyukjae returned the embrace as his arms curled around Donghae’s chest.
“I promise.”
“Good. Because you know what?” There was a playful tone in the elder’s voice which caused Hyukjae to glance up at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What?”
“Tomorrow,” Donghae paused for a moment to kiss Hyukjae’s lips, causing the latter to blush slightly before continuing. “…the two of us,” a second pause occurred, for a second kiss, “…will go to,” Hyukjae started giggling at the way Donghae paused in between his words only to kiss him, and anticipated for the full sentence to finish. Donghae leaned closer to the boy until his lips met Hyukjae’s ear, and whispered. “…Paris”
The latter’s eyes widened when he took in the information. “P-Paris?”
“Heechul hyung brought our stuff earlier, so we’ll go directly to the airport tomorrow morning.” Donghae grinned and pulled the smaller body closer to himself.
“Wha- why?” Hyukjae didn’t know how to react.
“I just thought it would be a nice thing to do, like a little birthday present. And to take our mind of other things. But if you don’t want to, I won’t force you to go, just-“ Hyukjae pressed his lips against Donghae’s to make the latter stop talking, and didn’t pull away, initiating to deepen the kiss. Donghae’s chuckle went straight into Hyukjae’s mouth.
“So… this means you like the idea?” He mumbled in between the kisses. Hyukjae nodded vigorously while hugging the older by his neck.
“Then tomorrow, we will go to Paris.”
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A/N: Eeeehmm… Not a very good end of the last chapter. Everything sucked. Sorry for letting you down, but don’t hate me yet for this fail, ok? Just go read the (too) short epilogue and then you might forgive… At least I like the epilogue~ /runs/
It was hard writing it like four months should pass by… Uuugh, no good, no good…
But yeah, once again I stayed up until five in the morning. I’ll blame that~
And once again lj is a bish who makes me cut this into 365496 parts
EPILOGUE