Step 1: How to take care of a friend
Author's note: 1. Yay! I have subscribers. 2. I lost my previous job. I'm so upset. I was almost finishing and then I lost it :( I hope this one it's good cause I was pretty upset while writing it. 3. I know some people might find my ideas not according to yours. Remember this is fictional and I’m trying my best to make an interesting plot. So please be nice with the story. Sorry again for the grammar.
Yunho opened the door to find a small man with two heavy bags in each hand.
-Are you gonna let me in or not?
-Do I know you, sir? - Yunho teased
-Fuck Yunho!!, its freezing outside. Let me in!! - without waiting for an answer Jaejoong entered the apartment and went straight to the kitchen. Yunho followed him.
-Jae, you don’t have to make anything for me... I already eat
Yunho knew what his friend was intending to do. He had done it since they were trainees. Everytime Jaejoong thought Yunho was tired or he didn't have enough rest, he will cook for him.
-What did you eat then? - Jaejoons asked with his hands on the hips. 'He looks like a mother when he does that, haven't I told him to stop doing it?' - Yunho thought and kept quiet.
He was bad lying, but lying to Jaejoong was the worst thing he did in the world.
-Air with a little bit of my breath - Yunho sighed
-I knew it. - Jaejoong continued - You always think not eating is the solution to this kind on situations but it’s not. - Jaejoong took out all the ingredients he needed from the bag- You're under stress. I'm gonna make some soup for you and you can't say no to that
-Do I ever?
-Good. Now sit and watch some TV while I prepare dinner
-Yes, mum
Jaejoong was looking for his apron. He had left it in Yunho's apartment 4 years ago. He thought that maybe leaving some of his properties in his ex lover apartment would bring back memories and probably he would call him. Unfortunately that never happened.
-It's not here - Yunho's voice startled him.
-I thought you were on the living room
-I thought you might be looking for your apron - said Yunho with a sad voice. Then he started looking for something in a high cabinet - Here, you can use this one.
He gave Jaejoong a black apron which fans had bought for him. Yunho wanted to forget Jaejoong after the breakup so he tossed everything he had found with Jaejoong's essence. That was hard because almost all stuff he had found in his apartment had a special meaning. However, at that time he was with a new relationship so it was quite easy for his girlfriend get rid of them.
-I rather talk with you... I don't want to see my kitchen dirty... you know I'm a maniac of the order...- Yunho took a sit in front of Jae.
-As you wish... Jaejoong was already washing and cutting some vegetables. He also put some water to boil.
-So... -Yunho wanted to ask about the news - how did you find out? I'm pretty sure you don’t like to stalk me at 1am in the morning
-I was about to fall asleep when Junsu send me a message - Jaejoong drop the vegetables on the pot.
-How is he?
It was unexpected. Jaejoong had to admit it. Since the breakup, they had tried to avoid the topic of the other members. It was unexpected for Yunho also. Jaejoong was a necessary evil. Yunho had said it before for interviews. It doesn't matter how much he hate it, he has to admit it. He needed Jaejoong in his life, He was his other half. It was almost impossible for Yunho to make a decision without consulting with Jaejoong first. Sometimes, without even having asked Changmin.
However, Yoochun, Junsu and Changmin were prohibited topics during their talks. All they needed to know about their ex group members they knew it because of the news. There was no other way.
-He's fine - Jaejoong answered - He was also going back home from a concert. He saw the news because he was looking for a review of his solo concert
-I heard he has a solo album
-He has
-That's good
-He actually has two solo albums by now... and he's doing great with his musical -said Jaejoong proud of the younger member of JYJ
-That was what he wanted... he always dreamt about doing that, despite... -Yunho's voice contained some anger. Regret. Sadness. Maybe regret was the best word to describe it.
He had blamed himself uncountable times for the breakup. Despite Changmin's best efforts he couldn't help but to feel wrong about the whole situation. He knew Junsu wanted to be a star by his own. He always wanted that. He also knew that if Junsu would have had the opportunity he would have been great. More amazing of what he was in Tohoshinki. However, he was scared. If he let Junsu goes, Tohoshinki wouldn't be the happy family the company was trying to represent. The company was also the other problem. Yunho, as the leader, had been in many meeting where they discussed Xiah's solo career. Yunho never said anything against it. He was not supportive either. He was afraid at some point. He was like a father, afraid that his daugther will get married with a bad guy or his son wanting to move out to live by himself.
Maybe he did support him but it was not enough. Maybe for Yunho listening to Junsu's plans was all he could do.
Also, if Yunho would have intervened he would have had to deal with Junsu's parents. That was hard because they were more involved in the company's business than any other parent. That reason had Junsu with one foot in and one foot out of the group.
He loved Junsu's parents more that he will ever love his own but they never had tough times like the Jungs so that's why they were more supportive of his son's dreams. He envies that. That family always made him happy. And now he can't even visit them.
-Stop thinking whatever it's on your mind. - Jaejoong's voice surprised him. He had a hand in front of Yunho's face - We're not talking about that tonight.
-Not tonight, not tomorrow
-Yunho…
-Sorry
Later he might have time to think this stuff again.
- How did you get into this condition, Yunho? - Jaejoong continue while cutting the meat now. He tasted the salt of the soup also.
-I don't want to talk about that either, Jae. Changming is feeling bad already for not taking care of himself... worst for not taking care of me... -Yunho was walking to the fridge. He got himself a beer. And took a sip - … like I was a child
-You're a child sometimes
-He's younger than me... I should take care of him - Yunho kept drinking his beer and sat again
-He never let you do it... it's not in his nature... -Jaejoong smile to himself while cutting more vegetables. The meat was already boiling in the water. - I always wanted to take care of him but he kept pushing me aside... that's part of the soul fighter legend.
Now was Jaejoong's time to remember. His lovely maknae was always stubborn. Jaejoong had confided so much in his role as the mother of the group that he almost couldn't take his eyes out of Changmin. He was like a rebellious kid in those days. It was true he was shy but he could also be mean. He liked to do cruel jokes and sometimes he had a sharp sense of humor that only those close to him, understood. Jaejoong laughed until he couldn’t feel his ribs the day he found out Changmin made a little girl cried in a contest for kids. He was supposed to learn some characters from the little girl's favorite book ‘Charlotte’. However Changmin didn’t take importance to the story making the little girl to lose her prize. She started to cry during the show making Changmin uncomfortable.
-He's very fond of you… besides everything... - Yunho thought that Jaejoong needed to hear those words - He misses Junsu too...
Changmin and Junsu had been very close, especially because the maknae admired him. They used to practice their singing abilities until late. Junsu even gave Changmin some of his tricks to keep his voice in a high tone for more time.
-And Junsu misses him ... I think they were talking the other day by phone... I heard Junsu laughing about Changmin's disaster in a tennis competition…
-If you ever talk to him again don’t remember him that ...
-I also wanted to talk with him but Changmin didn’t want to... I think he's still upset with me
-He's hurt... but he doesn’t hate you. I assure you
-Anyway, how is he? After tonight, I mean…
-He's fine. His mum is staying with him for the night - Yunho said, not hiding the fact that he would have also like his family to be with him- I told him you were coming. He said It was better that you were here than my father...
-Your father would get crazy if he knew I'm here - Jaejoong sat in front of Yunho. He had put all the ingredients on the pot and now they were boiling.
-He's busy with his clinic… I haven’t talked to him in a month
-A month? Why?? - Jaejoong was surprised. Yunho’s father had always called at least once a day.
-We got into a fight. My mum is also hurt because I yelled at my father…again
-What happened? - Jaejooong's sixth sense told him that it was about him
-He found out...
-About what?
-About our meeting ...-Yunho continued - he suspected when you uploaded the freaking picture of two puppets arm in arm on twitter... He knew I went there... then he checked where you had been the last couple of days. He confirmed you didn’t come back when you were supposed to... and voilá! He found out.
-I’m sorry to tell you this Yunho but your father is a little obsessed with me
-You couldn’t leave it there, right? Why did you have to upload the picture?
-You're not telling me you're upset because of an innocent picture? - Jaejoong was getting impatient
-I’m not upset... it's just... - Yunho didn’t know how to express himself. The wound was too fresh to get over it - It gets on my nerves every time he yells at me saying how bad son I am for hanging around with...
-With filthy faggots... - Jaejoong finished the sentence. Yunho brought back memories of the old days
-I'm sorry... I don’t want you to feel bad about this. Forget it...
Yunho stood up and got close to Jae
- I didn’t want him to talk about you like that... so we fought - continued Yunho, giving Jae a quick hug from the back and then walked to the stove. Whatever Jaejoong was making it sure smelled delicious by then.
-He told you to stay away from me, right? - Jae was not sure of what just happened but he felt happy feeling Yunho’s arm around him after a long time.
-He told me I was given a golden opportunity and that I should appreciate it
-Yunho - Jaejoong stood up and got close to Yunho. The last one was leaning on the counter. Jaejoong touched Yunho’s face with one hand and said -Look at me...
Yunho was unconsciously looking at the floor. He lift up his gaze to look into those beautiful eyes. Jaejoong’s eyes were a big motive why he fell in love long time ago. Yunho didn’t remember much about their first talk but those beautiful doe eyes.
-This is not your father's fault. Not yours, not mine- Jaejoong continued - It happened just because it had to happen. Do you understand me?- Yunho nodded in silent
- Yunho, look at me -Jaejoong continued - You were not a bad leader, we were not rebels.. nobody hates nobody... The only thing to hate is the stress and that company...
-I owe them too much
-I know. And that's why I admire your bravery to keep yourself under those bastards all this time
-Lately they even make me create stories about my parent's past so they can feel sorry about me
-Yunho, stop it- Jaejoong didn’t want to hear more - Let's talk about something else. This is not helping to your recovery
He was right. He was always right. That's why he chose him as his dearest. Not even his school friends could take his place in his life. Maybe not even in his heart.
-Thank you - Yunho said and he gave Jaejoong another hug
-You're welcome... -said Jaejoong giving back the hug.
They stayed there for a minute. Neither of them wanted to let go. Jaejoong's essence was driving Yunho crazy. Yunho's strong arms were making Jaejoong feel more alive than any moment in his last years.
-Now let's go watch some TV...- said Yunho breaking the hug. It was too dangerous.
They both walked to the living room leaving the soup on the stove.
-What time do you work tomorrow? - Yunho asked
-Late... I told them I need some rest if they want me for that fanmeeting in China
-And they hear you... That's good - Yunho turned on the TV and the blue ray -I think it's better if we watch a movie. Maybe a comedy... something funny.
-Funny, bunny - Jaejoong whispered but it was captured by Yunho's fine ears
-Ha ha very intelligent ... I don’t know if we can find something funny at this hour
-Do you want to watch porn? - Jaejoong teased again
-No!
- No reason to feel embarrased Yunho... we have watched it before
-That was when we..
Jaejoong sat straight on the couch and said confidently
-I never told you something
-God! I don’t think I'm gonna like this- Yunho said waiting for the worst
-I keep one video of us...
-One video?
-You know... 'that' video... -said Jaejoong with an evil smirk
-Ohhhhh - He knew what Jaejoong was implying and before he says more he quickly added - Let's watch Titanic. You always cry with that one
Jaejoong sighed but waited for Yunho to started the movie. In seconds he heard Yunho's voice again. The voice that makes his world go upside down in the blink of an eye.
-Jae, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you made time to come
Yunho was giving the back to Jaejoong. Something he did since they were 17 and he didn't want Jaejoong to know about his feelings.
-And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you accept me back in your life one more time, Yunho. - And immediately he added - As a friend
Yunho stood up and sat by his side.
-There are tissues by your side...please don't fill my furniture with your mucus...