Step by Step: Foreword
This is a story based on some Yunjae things I have seen during the last 2 years until now. Homin are on a tour, but their extremely hard schedule take them to the top of their strenghts. Jaejoong had been building his friendship with Yunho since their break up and now is the moment Yunho needs him the more as a friend. Can Jaejoong and Yunho keep on that track of only friendship?
Author's note: First of all, thank you for reading my story. And I'm sorry about the grammar if you find any mistake. English is not my first language. Please be nice :)
Pd. Thank you minideer from AFF for my amazing poster!! I can't thank you enough =)
Foreword
-Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!!. . . I told you if they make you overwork I'll fucking kill them!!!. . . Don't tell me I can't. . .
What do you mean how I found out? It's all over the news. . . Yes, of course is in the news, you're not just anyone!! . . .
Don't try to flatter yourself, ok?. . .and don't distract me!! . . .
yes, you are. . .
I'm telling you I'm on my way to your apartment. . .
I don’t fucking care!!. . .
I know Changmin is taking care of you but he's also tired. . .don't be an asshole and let me go. . .I don't care, I'm going!!. . .
Ok. . .ok. . . ok. . .I'll wait for your call. . . ok. . .ok. . .bye
He was walking all distracted around his apartment. It was very early. His cell phone had died 5 minutes ago with a message from Junsu who was going home from his concert in Japan. "Check out this." was the message. A second later, a link from a TVXQ fan account showed the picture of a very tired Yunho. Not only Yunho but Changmin was also distraught on the picture.
Apparently, going around from concert to concert without proper rest was forcing their voices to its limit, no eating for hours between interviews, and fan meetings had fallen upon them. Jaejoong was in tears. He kept scrolling down whenever he saw something that broke his heart. Yunho, his Yunho, was leaning on his bodyguard, almost falling from the stairs after the concert. He stopped there.
He went to his bedroom and dialed Yunho’s number hidden under the secret code they both chose. He had reached his limit. The last time they saw each other in Busan for lunch he had seen him very skinny, maybe even skinnier than himself. He didn’t like it. It was normally his Yunho who asks for Jaejoong’s weight but now it was him who was not in a good shape. Now he almost faints in scene that brings him back memories from that reunion, and from the past. . . he should have known.
(Flashback)
"We're not kids anymore. You know that, right?", Jaejoong said preparing some meat on the grill. They had found a good, old, and discrete korean restaurant.
"You mean you're an old ajhumma now?", Yunho was serving them drinks.
"Stop joking Yunho! I'm serious! You're working too much! Look how pale you are!", Jaejoong said, trying to touch his friend's cheek.
Yunho slid back down into his seat.
The incapability to touch the face of that person, one of the most important people in his life, was devastating. Jaejoong restrained himself however.
"I know you are worried, but what do you want me to tell you? You know there are only a few years left before I have to leave for the army. My shining years are reaching their end."
"Come on, you're still worried about that?" Jaejoong interrupted his thoughts "It's like you want beat time. You know that it'll eventually catch up to us..."
"I can see wrinkles in your faces now, that's for sure... sometimes I think Heechul is right, you're plastic surgeon is definitely not the best artist." Yunho continued to teas. That was one of his best abilities... and probably his favorite.
-That son of a bitch! Does he keep saying to his friends I went under surgery?
-You know you love him
-I know I'll love him to be dead and stop talking about me and those surgeries that never happened... he's just jealous because I can still smile without my face falling from his right place
Yunho laughed loudly. That laugh brought back sweet memories to Jaejoong.
It sure that was not the reunion he was expected but it went perfect at the end. It was perfect for even the smallest thing and because he can bitch about his favorite super junior member with his ex lover. He could have go back home early and have proper rest but nothing compared to the feeling of spending two hours with his Yunho.
It was true. He was still in love with that man, he couldn't deny it. Yunho however had moved on long time ago. They had made sometime to see each other in the last 4 years they haven't been together in TVXQ but it was during the last year when Jaejoong realized he hadn't been able to reach Yunho as often as before.
-How's your girlfriend?- Jaejoong spitted what had been bothering since some days ago
-She's fine-Yunho answered flatly
-Really? Are you guys happy? Are you gonna marry her? - said Jaejoong with a devil smirk. He was making Yunho uncomfortable and he loved it.
-That's not of your business - Yunho could felt the danger
-It's my friend's business, of course is my business
-Stop with that - Yunho warned him - I don't want to talk about her but just for you to know, we're really happy together. We might announce it to the press next year
-Really?
-Really ...we're that happy - Yunho took another bite of food and kept himself quite.
-Then, why did she call me two days ago? - said Jaejoong triumphally - why did she scream at me, saying I ruined her life for not being able to 'connect' with his boyfriend?
-She what? - said an alarmed Yunho
Jaejoong only smiled at him and kept eating. Yunho had two options: To deny everything like it was a bad joke or ask for details revealing the uncomfortable true.
-Tell me what she said... - he declared himself defeated
-So it's true...
-What is true?
-You broke up with her
-We're taking some time
-That's not what she said
-I hate you
-Not according to her
-She knows nothing
-She knows some things for sure...-Jaejoong loved how nervous his friend was in that moment so he tried to push him even more
- Come on Yunho, how could you try 'that' with her? ... She's a woman, you know?
-I hate you!!! When did you decide to become friend of my girlfriend?!
-I didn’t want to but she was drunk... it was easy to get all the dirty details…
Yunho served some wine for himself and tried to drink it in one swallow. He couldn’t do it. Evaluating the situation the best thing to do was to keep quiet.
-I didn't ask for more... she started to cry- Jaejoong continued - You know how much I hate women crying. I hang up so I don't know what else happened between you two
-We broke up , that's what happened- Yunho admitted finally
-Not taking sometime?
-No
-Are you ok?
-Better than ever... -Yunho drank some of his wine and made a signal to the waiter to serve him more. When the waiter left, Yunho continued - I hate to feel like this... to feel fine... I should feel bad. Devastated. Angry.
-You're being cold, Yunho. - it was hard for Jaejoong to talk about Yunho's girlfriend but that was what good friends do. They support each other - You were with her almost a year, you should have some feelings... maybe you're not good at express them...
-I didn't. I didn't have any feelings for her. I bet she knew I was faking happiness with her all the time
Jaejoong said nothing. He was concentrated in making a piece of foot with some vegetables. He offered it to Yunho and he ate it this time without complaining. Feeling comfortable around Jaejoong was the first reason he started to look at him in a different way years ago.
-Well, at least she was better from all those bitches that were always around you
-I never had anything with those bitches... you handled them very well. Thank you very much - Yunho sarcasm didn't move any regret on his partner.
-You were my boyfriend in those days... of course I didn't want anyone else to get close to...
Yunho's phone turned off. Jaejoong look at the screen and smirk.
-Speaking of bitches - Jaejoond said
Yunho laughed hard. It was a long time since he had laughed like that.
-Hello Heechul-ah?... yes, I'm still abroad...with an old friend of both
(End of flashback)
And, now that smile was fading away. His Yunho almost fell on stage. He was dehydrated and his fucking manager insisted in staying with him for the night so Jaejoong can't go to check up everything is fine with him. Jaejoong knew he has to do something. Go where he was. Make some podrige for him like in the old times... He only wanted to hug him. That was all he needed.
Maybe Yunho needed him too.
Jaejoong went to his bedroom to pick up his jacket. He was determined to go see Yunho, it didn't matter if he was on the cover of all magazines in the morning. In that moment, his cellphone turned off. He looked at the screen and relief was all he could felt.
-Yes... he left?... good...I'm on my way... I'll stop on a grocery store, do you want something? .... just water? .... you know those cookies have too much sugar... ok, ok, if I find them... I'll get them... See you in 10 minutes... what? No, I won't take my car... I'll go by cap... ok... see ya
Jaejoong picked up his jacket, sunglasses and a hat. He knew he had to dress casually but he hated to wear those awful sneakers. However if he wanted to be unnoticed he had to change his outfit. Actually - he thought - I shouldn't take glasses... I'm gonna use a hoodie.
He stood on the door and saw the watch Yunho had gave him years ago for his first Korean drama, 'Protect the Boss'. He wore it and zipp his hoodie so only his eyes could be seen.
Like that he went into the chilling night looking for some groceries to make his friend feel better.
A/N: Same author from AFF by the way :)