Where were you all my life? 64/65
Chapter 64 - Happy...
Pairings: Yunjae, little hints of Yoosu and Changmin / Lee Jun Ki
Warnings: mention rape and abuse, some violence, smut.
Summary:
Kim Jaejoong is forced to do business with the mafia who keep threatening him. Changmin, Junsu and Yoochun are responsible for his security. Jung Yunho is a cop investigating a paedophile/mafia man named Kim Jaejoong and the mafia is blackmailing him to do one job for them: kill Jaejoong. And so their paths collided. A week later, Jung Yunho is more than a prisoner in Kim Jaejoong's house and both mafia and cops are getting near the two men. Now Taemin is back and there's a race to find him first. However, at the end of everything remains a question: how do you heal wounds?
Chapter 1 - Jaejoong Intro, ..., Chapter 63 - Dating,
Yunho smiled at Jaejoong’s surprised face. The beautiful man’s expressive face was telling him that Jaejoong had long known or remembered how they had met that one time at University.
-Let’s go for a walk?
-Ah… Sure.
Near the association’s buildings, the square with its market, where a few weeks before they had battled Siwon’s men, was bustling with activity. As they slowly walked around the stands Yunho decided to satisfy Jaejoong’s obvious curiosity.
-Legend and Mad Diva. I actually should have recognized Heechul but it was difficult to match Chullie, The Legend with Kim Heechul. He’s more calm and mature now. However, I admit I thought nothing of the fact that Jung Min fit in so easily with your bodyguards and your childhood friend. It was only that night when I showed you my mom’s pics that I happened to come across some loose ones from Uni. It was the last time I played football before I had to drop out. Jung Min had been telling me about how Chullie had a best friend that I should meet. I hadn’t met Heechul in person that many times but, well… I was kinda afraid this friend might be something like him, so I avoided it.
Jaejoong listened in silence, only lifting an eyebrow at Yunho’s last comment.
-Come on, considering what you knew of Mad Diva, would you want to meet one of his friends on a blind date?
The business man’s eyes bulged in alarm and he laughed, shaking his head “no”.
-Exactly. Anyway, guess we were both wrong.
-Ok, it was Heechul and Jung Min happening to be at my house at the same time and recognizing each other in a fit of hysterics that led to a trip down memory lane and made me remember I had met you before. Just that one time.
Jaejoong smiled and stopped to look straight into Yunho’s eyes.
-It felt really good to find out I had met you before even if it was for such a brief moment.
-Did Jung Min tell you how I pinned for you for quite some time?
-What?
There was a tiny garden to one side of the square, a few benches under a patch of trees. The two sat down because it was quieter there.
-I was just retrieving the ball back when I noticed Chullie so I went to say hi and then it was like I had been struck by lightning. I just had to ask you on a date. I couldn’t believe it when you said “no”. I kept looking back, hoping to get a second chance to try and ask you out again. But then you disappeared.
Yunho pretended not to see how Jaejoong was blushing near him. He was feeling rather pleased that he had finally brought up the subject.
-I was seeing someone at the time so I said no. But I wanted to say yes. I wanted to say yes so much, especially with how you kept looking back at me with hopeful eyes that I had to kinda run away before I changed my mind. Yunho…
-Yes?
-Do you think if I had said yes… that we would have worked?
-Maybe. It’s impossible to know. We were two very different people then. Perhaps less damaged but definitely less mature. I like you for more than your looks, you know? Even that one time, it was the way you looked so sweet that caught me more than just how gorgeous you are.
Jaejoong tried to hold Yunho’s intense gaze but he ended up looking around to avoid blushing harder. He took a deep breath and then admitted what he had on his mind since he had found out.
-It was a relief finding out I had been attracted to you in a normal situation.
-Humm… I guess I can say the same. My reactions to you had been a puzzle for me. I suppose my subconscious recognized you.
Yunho noticed how Jaejoong was making a weird face and laughed.
-What?
-Yunho, you’re making it sound like we’re in one of those dramas where the main leads are destined because they had been friends as kids or something.
The cop laughed at that.
-Well, I don’t know about that, Jae. But I do know I want to go out with you later tonight.
-Oh… where to?
-Anywhere really. As long as I have you all to myself.
-Greedy.
-Very.
-Ok, on one condition.
-What?
-It’s an easy one. Does Captain Rain have a hiring policy like mine?
Yunho started laughing out loud, almost falling off the bench.
-You just want to tease Yoochun, don’t you?
-Come on, he’s been impossible. I need something he doesn’t know to rub on his face.
-Let’s see. I had never thought about that until Chunnie kept pointing it out but indeed the cops Captain Rain choses all do share a rather reasonable pleasant physical appearance.
-And…?
-I figured it out the other day when we got called to his office. He has some pictures there; from school, military and recent ones. He stood out. Really stood out. He’s tall, muscular and very good looking with a face that makes him look younger than he is. And next to him there were these skinny ugly or just plain looking guys that lost terribly by comparison and made him stood out even more. The recent pics however, he’s in the middle of our squad and… he almost goes unnoticed.
-Ah, strength in numbers. He does share my hiring policy.
Yunho laughed, shaking his head at Jaejoong’s pleased face.
…
They enjoyed the street market for some time, checking the stands and getting some snacks before they returned to the garden bench to finish eating. Yunho looked around the people and at Jaejoong next to him. The beautiful man was fully plastered to his side in an unconscious need to touch. He knew that because he himself did the same thing sometimes. It felt good to touch Jaejoong, even if it was just their knees or feet. It made him feel warm. Yunho finished his drink with a smile; he was feeling very relaxed and he could sense the same kind of vibe from the slim man next to him. Outside, in the middle of the day, doing something perfectly boring like sitting on a bench having a snack. It felt perfect.
Yunho stole a glance at Jaejoong’s face. The man was too distracted eating, his expression completely at peace with the world. As he looked at the beautiful man, Yunho’s heart, body and mind suddenly aligned. It wasn’t an epiphany moment but rather a simple realisation, like he had just remembered something he knew and had momentarily forgotten. He sat back on the bench, smile on his face, letting out a deep satisfied breath as he stared at the blue sky above him.
…
Jaejoong went with Taemin, Eric and Donghae to visit Taemin’s old orphanage. The kids were all over the business man to his amusement. Some of the new kids had been found at Ri Ho’s club but thanks to all the attention and care, most of them were reacting well within what could be expected. Taemin lost no time in starting to play football with the kids his age, leaving Jaejoong to go to the director’s office and take care of boring money issues.
To Jaejoong’s surprise, Cheryl Choi was in the office as well. After the meeting the two walked together to the garden outside where the kid’s laughter was almost deafening.
-I feel rather pleased with what our joint efforts are achieving. It’s still a strange new world for me. I was not used to being around children, you know?
-But you have two of your own. Actually, four. I heard you adopted.
-Yes, I went with Seung-hyun to check this one kid at the hospital and I found myself thinking of him as my son too. And after knowing he had a smaller sister, I just couldn’t keep away.
Jaejoong smiled at the woman, amused at how her new pink hair somehow matched her happy expression so well. To his surprise, when they reached the garden, he saw Top himself taking care of his four children. The dangerous mafia man presented a very different picture with a little baby girl in his arms dressed in a cute pink outfit that had a matching cap with ears while he rocked the push chair where another little girl was sleeping. Top was in a business suit, one knee on the floor, apparently scolding the taller boy who was acting as a shield to another boy behind him. But the man’s expression was so soft that Jaejoong was sure the boy would probably not take his father seriously. Next to him, he hard Cheryl giggle.
-I swear he’s too soft with the kids. We are rather lucky that our boy has taken his brother under his wing. Seung-hyun was spoiling him too much.
Jaejoong turned his face to look at Cheryl with a bewildered expression and a lifted eyebrow.
-Yes, I know he can be rather unforgiving in his business mode. I’m sorry for the trouble he caused you. And we are both deeply regretful that we allowed Park Ri Ho to cause so much damaged before we opened our eyes and done something about it.
-Are you…?
Cheryl laughed at Jaejoong’s face, causing her husband and children to look in their direction.
-I know you. You are an honest man but a practical one too. You crossed the law a few times yourself in your efforts to escape Ri Ho and especially to catch Choi Siwon. You do not agree with my husband’s main source of business and I understand that. However, we will keep at it. Better the devil you know than to allow someone else to control the mafia in this town.
Jaejoong moved his feet a little, uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. The two boys approached them, the smaller one keeping a longer distance. The business man got down to eye level and looked at the curious faces.
-Hi.
-Hi. You have big eyes.
-You have cute big eyes too.
-That’s my older brother.
Jaejoong hid his surprise. The other boy looked younger. He tried talking with him.
-Hi. I can’t see your eyes.
The boy lifted his face and studied Jaejoong a little with a rather serious expression for such a young age. Then he seemed to approve of the adult and gave a shy smile.
-H-hi.
Suddenly the two boys apparently decided he was no longer interesting and raced back to their father. Jaejoong got up slowly and turned to Cheryl.
-He’s still very shy and small for his age. But he’s improving so much every day. He wasn’t found by the police cause when my husband searched the club cause the doctor needed to rush him to the hospital. He was the last boy Choi Siwon will ever hurt again.
Jaejoong’s breath got stuck in his throat as his head turned to look at the small boy again. He almost threw up as understanding hit him. He stared silently hahead. Top had picked up the kid and the boy was laughing at the mafia man, demanding to be put down. The second he was allowed on the floor he was chasing his brother around, both laughing and screaming. Top approached his wife with a lost puppy face.
-Hi, Mr. Kim. Cheryl, darling, I can’t get them to stop talking about burgers and fries for lunch.
-Are you sure you control your men with just a lift of your eyebrows?
-It doesn’t work on those two. They just giggle when I do that.
Jaejoong felt like he was on Twilight Zone. Top, big dangerous mafia man, was almost pouting at his wife in front of him. He fought the urge to giggle too. The couple said goodbye and Jaejoong stared at them as they left. The two boys turned back to wave at him with matching big smiles and the business man returned the wave with another big smile. He took a deep breath to avoid shedding a tear. The boy’s smiling face was the best reassurance ever that Siwon was just a distant memory that would fade away with time.
…
It was late in the afternoon when they returned home. To their delight, Mr. Jung and Jung Min had come to visit and Heechul and Min Woo arrived soon after. The house was a mess for quite some time with loud chatting and an improvised concert with Min Woo, Yoochun and Taemin playing.
After some time they all went to the gym where Changmin was training the new bodyguards. Jaejoong still needed to have a few bodyguards around as a simple security measure but not the entire team. And Changmin’s company had new clients, therefore the need to recruit and train more people. Heechul looked around and lost his voice for a second. Junsu noticed and laughed.
-Yes, Chullie. Minnie hired women too. Calm down and mind what you say. They can probably kick you.
…
Yunho was feeling pleased with his afternoon. He had got a bunch of chores dealt with and now he had the rest of the day and the following day completely free. He intended to spend a good amount of that time with Jaejoong. All of it if he could have his say in the matter.
He followed the noise and easily found everyone in the gym. To his delight, Jaejoong’s eyes light up seeing him with an obvious appreciative look. The cop felt rather pleased at that. He had just taken a bath and spent half an hour choosing an outfit, something he would never admit to anyone, but it was worth it for the look Jaejoong gave him.
-Hi, Yunho. You’re early.
-Not really. I…
A loud noise interrupted them. Jun Ki had just sent flying to the floor a rather large man. Changmin was standing nearby almost bursting with pride. Yoochun interrupted his training fight with another new guy to tease Changmin about it; resulting in the taller bodyguard to pull Yoochun to the centre to use the annoying man how to demonstrate the way to fall without injury. It was Junsu who saved Yoochun, taking his boyfriend to the side and away from Changmin. Yoochun decided to use the opportunity to complain about any possible pain, real or imaginary, to try and get a massage. It was obvious by Junsu’s amused expression that he knew what his boyfriend was up to.
Jaejoong decided that, however entertaining it was to watch the silly bodyguards, he should get ready for his date with Yunho. He asked the cop to wait for him and went back in the house.
…
Yunho stood on the side lines watching the training but even ended up helping with some tips. He checked his watch and frowned a little. Jaejoong was gone for some time already. Heechul and Jung Min approached him with matching expressions.
-What?
-You have to go and get Jaejoong.
-Why?
-Kim Jaejoong, the business man, gets ready in minutes. Kim Jaejoong, the casual guy, the same. Kim Jaejoong, getting ready for a date, especially with a guy he finally really likes and really cares for…
Heechul allowed his words to hang in the air. Next to him, Jun Min studied Yunho’s look and smiled. The cop slightly nodded his head in his friend’s direction. He didn’t want Jung Min saying out loud that he had taken a long time to get ready too. He cursed how well his friend knew him. Then his brain suddenly clicked. Heechul also knew Jaejoong very well and he had just said some interesting things. He opened his mouth to question Heechul but stopped, unsure of what to ask. Heechul laughed at his expression.
-Oh, go on. Just go and get Jaejoong out of his wardrobe. Preferably out of his clothes too. See ya.
Yunho stood still as Heechul and Jung Min walked away laughing. Stood still for the entirety of time it took to turn his body around and walk at a fast pace to the house.
The sound of laughter greeted him when he entered the huge living room. As he moved in the direction of the stairs he realised it was his father and Taemin. The teenager was on the computer talking with Ren and the two were addressing his father as “grandpa”.
Yunho stayed at the bottom of the stairs for a while just watching.
“Grandpa. I wonder how my dad feels hearing Taemin and Ren calling him that. I’ll never give him grandchildren. And just look at him. He has Taemin and Ren thinking he’s the perfect grandpa. Children… Technically it was Jaejoong who adopted Taemin but in reality the boy adopted Junsu and Yoochun as his parents. And the two are so great at it, even with Jonghyun, that I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually they adopt on their own. Maybe I should too? Wonder how many kids my father would think are too many?”
An image of himself and Jaejoong with a little girl and his father smiling at them suddenly flashed in his mind. He knew why. He had recently helped a teenage girl and sent her to Jaejoong’s organization. She had just found out she was pregnant with a girl. The teenager wanted to give the baby for adoption but was fearful of who would raise her. Yunho shook his head a little. He just realised he was imagining himself raising that baby. With Jaejoong.
“I am becoming a very domestic guy. Now I’m even thinking about raising children with Jaejoong. I guess I really am in trouble. I can’t imagine my life without him anymore. He makes me think of family. I suppose that’s the best word to use. He means more to me than just a boyfriend. By the way, we still haven’t called ourselves boyfriends, have we? One more little detail to fix.”
Upstairs in the corridor, Yunho almost didn’t notice that one door was missing. It took him a second look to understand the room where he and Jaejoong had fought with Siwon was gone. He vaguely remembered Jaejoong mentioning Changmin’s room was bigger now.
Outside Jaejoong’s door, Yunho’s heart started to go crazy. The simple decision, or better yet realisation, he had reached earlier that day had felt very easy in the light of day but now he was feeling his body trembling. He knocked and waited. There was no sound so he tried the door knob. It opened. He slowly pushed the door open and entered the room.
…
The room was exactly the same. Jaejoong hadn’t changed anything. Yunho smiled when he noticed the balcony door was open as usual, making the curtains sway in the breeze. He hadn’t been in this room in a really long time. Still, it felt just like a room. He had a lot of memories running in his mind but they caused him no distress. He only found he had to keep the memories of all the sex under control before his body tried to take over his brain.
Jaejoong was, like Heechul had said, rummaging around his wardrobe as if undecided what to wear. He was barefoot, the hair still a little wet, the jeans not completely buttoned and the t-shirt was bunched at the waist. A pile of discarded clothes was laying on a nearby chair. Yunho smiled. It had taken a lot of willpower to put his own pile of discarded clothes back in his wardrobe before he left his flat. His heart fluttered a little more when he noticed Jaejoong still kept the clothes he had used in the same spot, as if he had never stopped living in this room.
He must have made some noise because Jaejoong turned and noticed him.
The two blinked at each other as if struck by lightning.
They kept looking at each other, both strangely unsure of what to do next.
…
Jaejoong looked at Yunho, full of expectation. The way the muscular man was looking at him so intensely was making him nervous. He felt like he was holding his heart out in his hands and about to hand it to the other man for safe keeping. It was a bit scary this feeling, it was making his heart rate go crazy and it was filling his stomach with butterflies. However, nervous as he was, all that had already happened between them, made him feel like, this time, he had finally got it right.
“I know I can trust Yunho to love me back, just as much as I love him. No matter what. So, why do I feel so nervous? I’m even trembling. Ok, I should finish getting ready for us to go out, right? That’s what I was doing, wasn’t it? Wait… love? Love!?”
Yunho looked at Jaejoong with some apprehension. He had lots of reasons to think Jaejoong liked him back and yet, he still couldn’t help feel a tiny amount of doubt, niggling him on the back of his mind.
“Doubts? Why? No, it’s not. Fear. Yes, that’s it. Fear. Fear of losing him cause he’s all I want. Fear cause I know how much I have to lose.”
The cop knew that, at least, he was looking calm, regardless of how nervous he actually felt. He had no more doubts left about his own feelings, he knew this man was carved into his heart at this point. The usual problems that had plagued his previous relationships were irrelevant where Jaejoong was concerned. Sex, for example, he didn’t have to worry about his size, even when he was the one on top. With this man, he only had to be himself; be gentle as usual with preparation and then he could even lose a bit of self-control, or even, almost all of his self-control. And he knew he would love pretty much anything Jaejooong wanted to do to him. Actually, he wanted the shorter man to do with him as he pleased.
The only thing left to sort out were the feelings involved. None of them had come out and said how they felt for each other.
Not to mention they hadn’t even kissed yet.
Which took him back to what he had realised earlier that day. He didn’t care for the past anymore. As they had talked about their one random encounter at University, Yunho had finally realised he had already put behind him all of what had happened. He was ready for the present, for the future. He was ready to move on. He was ready for Jaejoong and he only hoped Jaejoong was ready too.
…
Yunho took a deep breath and a step forward. Jaejoong watched him and decided to do the same. As they both lessened the distance between them, their eyes sent out little sparks.
The tension was palpable and thick in the air. They left a small gap between them, their eyes locked on each other. Jaejoong swallowed. He wondered if Yunho would allow him to kiss him. Something inside him was telling him that this was it. He wondered if he would miss the near kisses that always sent his heart beat to the moon. His gaze escaped to the luscious full lips and he was distracted for a few seconds.
Before Jaejoong was even aware of what he was doing, he tilted his head a little more up, his lips separated in anticipation, his eyes completely glued to Yunho’s lower lip. He had craved that lower lip for ages.
The corners of Yunho’s mouth lifted in a small half smile. He could totally read Jaejoong’s expression, see the obvious want in his eyes. He wanted the same. But first… they needed to actually exchange a few words. They were excellent at showing how much they had the hots for each other. They still sucked a little at talking, no matter how much better they were now. And they really needed to talk. At least just one little quick detail.
-Jae…
-Yes?
-Will you be my boyfriend?
Jaejoong looked at the taller man with a soft smile and a glint in his eyes. He was happier by the minute and pleasantly surprised.
-Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?
Yunho chuckled and wrapped his arms around Jaejoong’s waist, making their lower bodies touch softly.
-Yes, Jae. I will be your boyfriend. Since you ask me so nicely.
Jaejoong laughed helplessly, both in amusement at Yunho’s words and in overflowing happiness. He wrapped his own arms around Yunho’s shoulders, making the contact between their bodies extend to their chests, and consequently bringing their faces closer.
-Dear boyfriend, you do know I am going to punish you for being so cheeky?
-God! Please do!
Yunho almost sobbed his murmured answer, his words dripping with need and want. The sound of the husky voice made Jaejoong go weak on his knees and almost moan, when his mind registered what Yunho had said.
The shorter man hugged the taller one tighter and approached his face, a shiver of pleasure surging through him as he heard the other one’s sharp intake of breathe. Suddenly feeling brave and confident, Jaejoong slowly moved his mouth to lightly graze Yunho’s, just hovering there, teasing; nearly touching but not quite. Jaejoong melted at the close proximity that he had craved for so long. He allowed himself to just enjoy it and teased them both some more. That tempting bottom lip, so full and smooth, was just in his reach and Yunho was not moving away. His heart rate was going crazy and his entire body was flooded with desire.
…
It was Yunho, with an impatient growl, who finally united their lips fully.
The contact sent electric shock waves all over their bodies, causing their hearts to go into overdrive.
Jaejoong even felt lightheaded as if he didn’t have enough oxygen into his lungs. Yunho’s lips felt soft, warm and so deliciously full. An overwhelming urge to bite them rushed over him but he resisted it. He just wanted to make Yunho feel how much he loved him for the time being. How much he desired him could wait a little longer.
Yunho’s heart was doing an insane happy dance inside his chest. He couldn’t remember feeling this affected by simply kissing someone. And they were still just pecking. Just lip to lip contact. Determined to investigate the feeling further, Yunho deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and lightly trying to get Jaejoong to do the same.
The second their breaths mingled, Yunho felt lost and was glad that Jaejoong was holding him so strongly, otherwise he was afraid that his knees would have betrayed him.
“Dear God! What does this man do to me? Why always him? Why only him? Damn it, I’m doomed. Doomed and happy to be.”
Yunho surfaced to take a deep breath and his eyes locked into Jaejoong’s, making his heart skip a beat.
Jaejoong felt overwhelmed. And humbled. And, oh, so grateful. Kissing Yunho was making him go haywire and they had barely kissed yet. He almost wondered if he would survive a proper make out session. But getting this crazy and affected over a few kisses enveloped him in a warm blanket of happy feelings; he was so blissfully happy he didn’t know what to do with himself. His face broke into a huge smile; his eyes shining with stars in them, as he gazed lovingly at the taller man, because when Jaejoong looked into Yunho’s eyes, he saw everything he had ever wanted to see.
The cop stared at the sparkling eyes. He sighed, surrendering to the fact that he was totally and completely caught up by this man. Then his eyes took notice of Jaejoong’s entire face, of how the beautiful smile made him light up, and, of how his full pouty lips were looking rosy and wet from the few kisses. Yunho just wanted to find out how red and wet he could make those lips look like.
After half a second of hesitating, Yunho plunged in for a deep proper kiss, catching Jaejoong off guard. Yunho was having no more doubts about his own feelings; no more doubts about Jaejoong’s feelings; and, at this point, he just wanted to kiss the man who had haunted his every second since they had met; kiss him until his lips were numb; kiss him until he had no air left; kiss him nonstop to make up for all the times he wanted to but held back.
Jaejoong found himself being ravished by Yunho. The taller man was suddenly kissing him like there was no tomorrow. The shorter man moaned, at the back of his throat, in delight at the way his mouth was being attacked. Yunho was usually so gentle, could be so annoyingly calm, and was at ease to leave all the control in his hands… that Jaejoong couldn’t help but feel incredibly turned on to see him take control of the kisses and doing it in such a possessive demanding and thorough way. It was heaven to have such undeniable proof that Yunho had also longed to and wanted to kiss him back as well.
…
Chapter 65 - ... Ending,
Pairings: Yunjae, little hints of Yoosu and Changmin / Lee Jun Ki
Warnings: mention rape and abuse, some violence, smut.
Summary:
Kim Jaejoong is forced to do business with the mafia who keep threatening him. Changmin, Junsu and Yoochun are responsible for his security. Jung Yunho is a cop investigating a paedophile/mafia man named Kim Jaejoong and the mafia is blackmailing him to do one job for them: kill Jaejoong. And so their paths collided. A week later, Jung Yunho is more than a prisoner in Kim Jaejoong's house and both mafia and cops are getting near the two men. Now Taemin is back and there's a race to find him first. However, at the end of everything remains a question: how do you heal wounds?
Chapter 1 - Jaejoong Intro, ..., Chapter 63 - Dating,
Yunho smiled at Jaejoong’s surprised face. The beautiful man’s expressive face was telling him that Jaejoong had long known or remembered how they had met that one time at University.
-Let’s go for a walk?
-Ah… Sure.
Near the association’s buildings, the square with its market, where a few weeks before they had battled Siwon’s men, was bustling with activity. As they slowly walked around the stands Yunho decided to satisfy Jaejoong’s obvious curiosity.
-Legend and Mad Diva. I actually should have recognized Heechul but it was difficult to match Chullie, The Legend with Kim Heechul. He’s more calm and mature now. However, I admit I thought nothing of the fact that Jung Min fit in so easily with your bodyguards and your childhood friend. It was only that night when I showed you my mom’s pics that I happened to come across some loose ones from Uni. It was the last time I played football before I had to drop out. Jung Min had been telling me about how Chullie had a best friend that I should meet. I hadn’t met Heechul in person that many times but, well… I was kinda afraid this friend might be something like him, so I avoided it.
Jaejoong listened in silence, only lifting an eyebrow at Yunho’s last comment.
-Come on, considering what you knew of Mad Diva, would you want to meet one of his friends on a blind date?
The business man’s eyes bulged in alarm and he laughed, shaking his head “no”.
-Exactly. Anyway, guess we were both wrong.
-Ok, it was Heechul and Jung Min happening to be at my house at the same time and recognizing each other in a fit of hysterics that led to a trip down memory lane and made me remember I had met you before. Just that one time.
Jaejoong smiled and stopped to look straight into Yunho’s eyes.
-It felt really good to find out I had met you before even if it was for such a brief moment.
-Did Jung Min tell you how I pinned for you for quite some time?
-What?
There was a tiny garden to one side of the square, a few benches under a patch of trees. The two sat down because it was quieter there.
-I was just retrieving the ball back when I noticed Chullie so I went to say hi and then it was like I had been struck by lightning. I just had to ask you on a date. I couldn’t believe it when you said “no”. I kept looking back, hoping to get a second chance to try and ask you out again. But then you disappeared.
Yunho pretended not to see how Jaejoong was blushing near him. He was feeling rather pleased that he had finally brought up the subject.
-I was seeing someone at the time so I said no. But I wanted to say yes. I wanted to say yes so much, especially with how you kept looking back at me with hopeful eyes that I had to kinda run away before I changed my mind. Yunho…
-Yes?
-Do you think if I had said yes… that we would have worked?
-Maybe. It’s impossible to know. We were two very different people then. Perhaps less damaged but definitely less mature. I like you for more than your looks, you know? Even that one time, it was the way you looked so sweet that caught me more than just how gorgeous you are.
Jaejoong tried to hold Yunho’s intense gaze but he ended up looking around to avoid blushing harder. He took a deep breath and then admitted what he had on his mind since he had found out.
-It was a relief finding out I had been attracted to you in a normal situation.
-Humm… I guess I can say the same. My reactions to you had been a puzzle for me. I suppose my subconscious recognized you.
Yunho noticed how Jaejoong was making a weird face and laughed.
-What?
-Yunho, you’re making it sound like we’re in one of those dramas where the main leads are destined because they had been friends as kids or something.
The cop laughed at that.
-Well, I don’t know about that, Jae. But I do know I want to go out with you later tonight.
-Oh… where to?
-Anywhere really. As long as I have you all to myself.
-Greedy.
-Very.
-Ok, on one condition.
-What?
-It’s an easy one. Does Captain Rain have a hiring policy like mine?
Yunho started laughing out loud, almost falling off the bench.
-You just want to tease Yoochun, don’t you?
-Come on, he’s been impossible. I need something he doesn’t know to rub on his face.
-Let’s see. I had never thought about that until Chunnie kept pointing it out but indeed the cops Captain Rain choses all do share a rather reasonable pleasant physical appearance.
-And…?
-I figured it out the other day when we got called to his office. He has some pictures there; from school, military and recent ones. He stood out. Really stood out. He’s tall, muscular and very good looking with a face that makes him look younger than he is. And next to him there were these skinny ugly or just plain looking guys that lost terribly by comparison and made him stood out even more. The recent pics however, he’s in the middle of our squad and… he almost goes unnoticed.
-Ah, strength in numbers. He does share my hiring policy.
Yunho laughed, shaking his head at Jaejoong’s pleased face.
…
They enjoyed the street market for some time, checking the stands and getting some snacks before they returned to the garden bench to finish eating. Yunho looked around the people and at Jaejoong next to him. The beautiful man was fully plastered to his side in an unconscious need to touch. He knew that because he himself did the same thing sometimes. It felt good to touch Jaejoong, even if it was just their knees or feet. It made him feel warm. Yunho finished his drink with a smile; he was feeling very relaxed and he could sense the same kind of vibe from the slim man next to him. Outside, in the middle of the day, doing something perfectly boring like sitting on a bench having a snack. It felt perfect.
Yunho stole a glance at Jaejoong’s face. The man was too distracted eating, his expression completely at peace with the world. As he looked at the beautiful man, Yunho’s heart, body and mind suddenly aligned. It wasn’t an epiphany moment but rather a simple realisation, like he had just remembered something he knew and had momentarily forgotten. He sat back on the bench, smile on his face, letting out a deep satisfied breath as he stared at the blue sky above him.
…
Jaejoong went with Taemin, Eric and Donghae to visit Taemin’s old orphanage. The kids were all over the business man to his amusement. Some of the new kids had been found at Ri Ho’s club but thanks to all the attention and care, most of them were reacting well within what could be expected. Taemin lost no time in starting to play football with the kids his age, leaving Jaejoong to go to the director’s office and take care of boring money issues.
To Jaejoong’s surprise, Cheryl Choi was in the office as well. After the meeting the two walked together to the garden outside where the kid’s laughter was almost deafening.
-I feel rather pleased with what our joint efforts are achieving. It’s still a strange new world for me. I was not used to being around children, you know?
-But you have two of your own. Actually, four. I heard you adopted.
-Yes, I went with Seung-hyun to check this one kid at the hospital and I found myself thinking of him as my son too. And after knowing he had a smaller sister, I just couldn’t keep away.
Jaejoong smiled at the woman, amused at how her new pink hair somehow matched her happy expression so well. To his surprise, when they reached the garden, he saw Top himself taking care of his four children. The dangerous mafia man presented a very different picture with a little baby girl in his arms dressed in a cute pink outfit that had a matching cap with ears while he rocked the push chair where another little girl was sleeping. Top was in a business suit, one knee on the floor, apparently scolding the taller boy who was acting as a shield to another boy behind him. But the man’s expression was so soft that Jaejoong was sure the boy would probably not take his father seriously. Next to him, he hard Cheryl giggle.
-I swear he’s too soft with the kids. We are rather lucky that our boy has taken his brother under his wing. Seung-hyun was spoiling him too much.
Jaejoong turned his face to look at Cheryl with a bewildered expression and a lifted eyebrow.
-Yes, I know he can be rather unforgiving in his business mode. I’m sorry for the trouble he caused you. And we are both deeply regretful that we allowed Park Ri Ho to cause so much damaged before we opened our eyes and done something about it.
-Are you…?
Cheryl laughed at Jaejoong’s face, causing her husband and children to look in their direction.
-I know you. You are an honest man but a practical one too. You crossed the law a few times yourself in your efforts to escape Ri Ho and especially to catch Choi Siwon. You do not agree with my husband’s main source of business and I understand that. However, we will keep at it. Better the devil you know than to allow someone else to control the mafia in this town.
Jaejoong moved his feet a little, uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation. The two boys approached them, the smaller one keeping a longer distance. The business man got down to eye level and looked at the curious faces.
-Hi.
-Hi. You have big eyes.
-You have cute big eyes too.
-That’s my older brother.
Jaejoong hid his surprise. The other boy looked younger. He tried talking with him.
-Hi. I can’t see your eyes.
The boy lifted his face and studied Jaejoong a little with a rather serious expression for such a young age. Then he seemed to approve of the adult and gave a shy smile.
-H-hi.
Suddenly the two boys apparently decided he was no longer interesting and raced back to their father. Jaejoong got up slowly and turned to Cheryl.
-He’s still very shy and small for his age. But he’s improving so much every day. He wasn’t found by the police cause when my husband searched the club cause the doctor needed to rush him to the hospital. He was the last boy Choi Siwon will ever hurt again.
Jaejoong’s breath got stuck in his throat as his head turned to look at the small boy again. He almost threw up as understanding hit him. He stared silently hahead. Top had picked up the kid and the boy was laughing at the mafia man, demanding to be put down. The second he was allowed on the floor he was chasing his brother around, both laughing and screaming. Top approached his wife with a lost puppy face.
-Hi, Mr. Kim. Cheryl, darling, I can’t get them to stop talking about burgers and fries for lunch.
-Are you sure you control your men with just a lift of your eyebrows?
-It doesn’t work on those two. They just giggle when I do that.
Jaejoong felt like he was on Twilight Zone. Top, big dangerous mafia man, was almost pouting at his wife in front of him. He fought the urge to giggle too. The couple said goodbye and Jaejoong stared at them as they left. The two boys turned back to wave at him with matching big smiles and the business man returned the wave with another big smile. He took a deep breath to avoid shedding a tear. The boy’s smiling face was the best reassurance ever that Siwon was just a distant memory that would fade away with time.
…
It was late in the afternoon when they returned home. To their delight, Mr. Jung and Jung Min had come to visit and Heechul and Min Woo arrived soon after. The house was a mess for quite some time with loud chatting and an improvised concert with Min Woo, Yoochun and Taemin playing.
After some time they all went to the gym where Changmin was training the new bodyguards. Jaejoong still needed to have a few bodyguards around as a simple security measure but not the entire team. And Changmin’s company had new clients, therefore the need to recruit and train more people. Heechul looked around and lost his voice for a second. Junsu noticed and laughed.
-Yes, Chullie. Minnie hired women too. Calm down and mind what you say. They can probably kick you.
…
Yunho was feeling pleased with his afternoon. He had got a bunch of chores dealt with and now he had the rest of the day and the following day completely free. He intended to spend a good amount of that time with Jaejoong. All of it if he could have his say in the matter.
He followed the noise and easily found everyone in the gym. To his delight, Jaejoong’s eyes light up seeing him with an obvious appreciative look. The cop felt rather pleased at that. He had just taken a bath and spent half an hour choosing an outfit, something he would never admit to anyone, but it was worth it for the look Jaejoong gave him.
-Hi, Yunho. You’re early.
-Not really. I…
A loud noise interrupted them. Jun Ki had just sent flying to the floor a rather large man. Changmin was standing nearby almost bursting with pride. Yoochun interrupted his training fight with another new guy to tease Changmin about it; resulting in the taller bodyguard to pull Yoochun to the centre to use the annoying man how to demonstrate the way to fall without injury. It was Junsu who saved Yoochun, taking his boyfriend to the side and away from Changmin. Yoochun decided to use the opportunity to complain about any possible pain, real or imaginary, to try and get a massage. It was obvious by Junsu’s amused expression that he knew what his boyfriend was up to.
Jaejoong decided that, however entertaining it was to watch the silly bodyguards, he should get ready for his date with Yunho. He asked the cop to wait for him and went back in the house.
…
Yunho stood on the side lines watching the training but even ended up helping with some tips. He checked his watch and frowned a little. Jaejoong was gone for some time already. Heechul and Jung Min approached him with matching expressions.
-What?
-You have to go and get Jaejoong.
-Why?
-Kim Jaejoong, the business man, gets ready in minutes. Kim Jaejoong, the casual guy, the same. Kim Jaejoong, getting ready for a date, especially with a guy he finally really likes and really cares for…
Heechul allowed his words to hang in the air. Next to him, Jun Min studied Yunho’s look and smiled. The cop slightly nodded his head in his friend’s direction. He didn’t want Jung Min saying out loud that he had taken a long time to get ready too. He cursed how well his friend knew him. Then his brain suddenly clicked. Heechul also knew Jaejoong very well and he had just said some interesting things. He opened his mouth to question Heechul but stopped, unsure of what to ask. Heechul laughed at his expression.
-Oh, go on. Just go and get Jaejoong out of his wardrobe. Preferably out of his clothes too. See ya.
Yunho stood still as Heechul and Jung Min walked away laughing. Stood still for the entirety of time it took to turn his body around and walk at a fast pace to the house.
The sound of laughter greeted him when he entered the huge living room. As he moved in the direction of the stairs he realised it was his father and Taemin. The teenager was on the computer talking with Ren and the two were addressing his father as “grandpa”.
Yunho stayed at the bottom of the stairs for a while just watching.
“Grandpa. I wonder how my dad feels hearing Taemin and Ren calling him that. I’ll never give him grandchildren. And just look at him. He has Taemin and Ren thinking he’s the perfect grandpa. Children… Technically it was Jaejoong who adopted Taemin but in reality the boy adopted Junsu and Yoochun as his parents. And the two are so great at it, even with Jonghyun, that I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually they adopt on their own. Maybe I should too? Wonder how many kids my father would think are too many?”
An image of himself and Jaejoong with a little girl and his father smiling at them suddenly flashed in his mind. He knew why. He had recently helped a teenage girl and sent her to Jaejoong’s organization. She had just found out she was pregnant with a girl. The teenager wanted to give the baby for adoption but was fearful of who would raise her. Yunho shook his head a little. He just realised he was imagining himself raising that baby. With Jaejoong.
“I am becoming a very domestic guy. Now I’m even thinking about raising children with Jaejoong. I guess I really am in trouble. I can’t imagine my life without him anymore. He makes me think of family. I suppose that’s the best word to use. He means more to me than just a boyfriend. By the way, we still haven’t called ourselves boyfriends, have we? One more little detail to fix.”
Upstairs in the corridor, Yunho almost didn’t notice that one door was missing. It took him a second look to understand the room where he and Jaejoong had fought with Siwon was gone. He vaguely remembered Jaejoong mentioning Changmin’s room was bigger now.
Outside Jaejoong’s door, Yunho’s heart started to go crazy. The simple decision, or better yet realisation, he had reached earlier that day had felt very easy in the light of day but now he was feeling his body trembling. He knocked and waited. There was no sound so he tried the door knob. It opened. He slowly pushed the door open and entered the room.
…
The room was exactly the same. Jaejoong hadn’t changed anything. Yunho smiled when he noticed the balcony door was open as usual, making the curtains sway in the breeze. He hadn’t been in this room in a really long time. Still, it felt just like a room. He had a lot of memories running in his mind but they caused him no distress. He only found he had to keep the memories of all the sex under control before his body tried to take over his brain.
Jaejoong was, like Heechul had said, rummaging around his wardrobe as if undecided what to wear. He was barefoot, the hair still a little wet, the jeans not completely buttoned and the t-shirt was bunched at the waist. A pile of discarded clothes was laying on a nearby chair. Yunho smiled. It had taken a lot of willpower to put his own pile of discarded clothes back in his wardrobe before he left his flat. His heart fluttered a little more when he noticed Jaejoong still kept the clothes he had used in the same spot, as if he had never stopped living in this room.
He must have made some noise because Jaejoong turned and noticed him.
The two blinked at each other as if struck by lightning.
They kept looking at each other, both strangely unsure of what to do next.
…
Jaejoong looked at Yunho, full of expectation. The way the muscular man was looking at him so intensely was making him nervous. He felt like he was holding his heart out in his hands and about to hand it to the other man for safe keeping. It was a bit scary this feeling, it was making his heart rate go crazy and it was filling his stomach with butterflies. However, nervous as he was, all that had already happened between them, made him feel like, this time, he had finally got it right.
“I know I can trust Yunho to love me back, just as much as I love him. No matter what. So, why do I feel so nervous? I’m even trembling. Ok, I should finish getting ready for us to go out, right? That’s what I was doing, wasn’t it? Wait… love? Love!?”
Yunho looked at Jaejoong with some apprehension. He had lots of reasons to think Jaejoong liked him back and yet, he still couldn’t help feel a tiny amount of doubt, niggling him on the back of his mind.
“Doubts? Why? No, it’s not. Fear. Yes, that’s it. Fear. Fear of losing him cause he’s all I want. Fear cause I know how much I have to lose.”
The cop knew that, at least, he was looking calm, regardless of how nervous he actually felt. He had no more doubts left about his own feelings, he knew this man was carved into his heart at this point. The usual problems that had plagued his previous relationships were irrelevant where Jaejoong was concerned. Sex, for example, he didn’t have to worry about his size, even when he was the one on top. With this man, he only had to be himself; be gentle as usual with preparation and then he could even lose a bit of self-control, or even, almost all of his self-control. And he knew he would love pretty much anything Jaejooong wanted to do to him. Actually, he wanted the shorter man to do with him as he pleased.
The only thing left to sort out were the feelings involved. None of them had come out and said how they felt for each other.
Not to mention they hadn’t even kissed yet.
Which took him back to what he had realised earlier that day. He didn’t care for the past anymore. As they had talked about their one random encounter at University, Yunho had finally realised he had already put behind him all of what had happened. He was ready for the present, for the future. He was ready to move on. He was ready for Jaejoong and he only hoped Jaejoong was ready too.
…
Yunho took a deep breath and a step forward. Jaejoong watched him and decided to do the same. As they both lessened the distance between them, their eyes sent out little sparks.
The tension was palpable and thick in the air. They left a small gap between them, their eyes locked on each other. Jaejoong swallowed. He wondered if Yunho would allow him to kiss him. Something inside him was telling him that this was it. He wondered if he would miss the near kisses that always sent his heart beat to the moon. His gaze escaped to the luscious full lips and he was distracted for a few seconds.
Before Jaejoong was even aware of what he was doing, he tilted his head a little more up, his lips separated in anticipation, his eyes completely glued to Yunho’s lower lip. He had craved that lower lip for ages.
The corners of Yunho’s mouth lifted in a small half smile. He could totally read Jaejoong’s expression, see the obvious want in his eyes. He wanted the same. But first… they needed to actually exchange a few words. They were excellent at showing how much they had the hots for each other. They still sucked a little at talking, no matter how much better they were now. And they really needed to talk. At least just one little quick detail.
-Jae…
-Yes?
-Will you be my boyfriend?
Jaejoong looked at the taller man with a soft smile and a glint in his eyes. He was happier by the minute and pleasantly surprised.
-Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?
Yunho chuckled and wrapped his arms around Jaejoong’s waist, making their lower bodies touch softly.
-Yes, Jae. I will be your boyfriend. Since you ask me so nicely.
Jaejoong laughed helplessly, both in amusement at Yunho’s words and in overflowing happiness. He wrapped his own arms around Yunho’s shoulders, making the contact between their bodies extend to their chests, and consequently bringing their faces closer.
-Dear boyfriend, you do know I am going to punish you for being so cheeky?
-God! Please do!
Yunho almost sobbed his murmured answer, his words dripping with need and want. The sound of the husky voice made Jaejoong go weak on his knees and almost moan, when his mind registered what Yunho had said.
The shorter man hugged the taller one tighter and approached his face, a shiver of pleasure surging through him as he heard the other one’s sharp intake of breathe. Suddenly feeling brave and confident, Jaejoong slowly moved his mouth to lightly graze Yunho’s, just hovering there, teasing; nearly touching but not quite. Jaejoong melted at the close proximity that he had craved for so long. He allowed himself to just enjoy it and teased them both some more. That tempting bottom lip, so full and smooth, was just in his reach and Yunho was not moving away. His heart rate was going crazy and his entire body was flooded with desire.
…
It was Yunho, with an impatient growl, who finally united their lips fully.
The contact sent electric shock waves all over their bodies, causing their hearts to go into overdrive.
Jaejoong even felt lightheaded as if he didn’t have enough oxygen into his lungs. Yunho’s lips felt soft, warm and so deliciously full. An overwhelming urge to bite them rushed over him but he resisted it. He just wanted to make Yunho feel how much he loved him for the time being. How much he desired him could wait a little longer.
Yunho’s heart was doing an insane happy dance inside his chest. He couldn’t remember feeling this affected by simply kissing someone. And they were still just pecking. Just lip to lip contact. Determined to investigate the feeling further, Yunho deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and lightly trying to get Jaejoong to do the same.
The second their breaths mingled, Yunho felt lost and was glad that Jaejoong was holding him so strongly, otherwise he was afraid that his knees would have betrayed him.
“Dear God! What does this man do to me? Why always him? Why only him? Damn it, I’m doomed. Doomed and happy to be.”
Yunho surfaced to take a deep breath and his eyes locked into Jaejoong’s, making his heart skip a beat.
Jaejoong felt overwhelmed. And humbled. And, oh, so grateful. Kissing Yunho was making him go haywire and they had barely kissed yet. He almost wondered if he would survive a proper make out session. But getting this crazy and affected over a few kisses enveloped him in a warm blanket of happy feelings; he was so blissfully happy he didn’t know what to do with himself. His face broke into a huge smile; his eyes shining with stars in them, as he gazed lovingly at the taller man, because when Jaejoong looked into Yunho’s eyes, he saw everything he had ever wanted to see.
The cop stared at the sparkling eyes. He sighed, surrendering to the fact that he was totally and completely caught up by this man. Then his eyes took notice of Jaejoong’s entire face, of how the beautiful smile made him light up, and, of how his full pouty lips were looking rosy and wet from the few kisses. Yunho just wanted to find out how red and wet he could make those lips look like.
After half a second of hesitating, Yunho plunged in for a deep proper kiss, catching Jaejoong off guard. Yunho was having no more doubts about his own feelings; no more doubts about Jaejoong’s feelings; and, at this point, he just wanted to kiss the man who had haunted his every second since they had met; kiss him until his lips were numb; kiss him until he had no air left; kiss him nonstop to make up for all the times he wanted to but held back.
Jaejoong found himself being ravished by Yunho. The taller man was suddenly kissing him like there was no tomorrow. The shorter man moaned, at the back of his throat, in delight at the way his mouth was being attacked. Yunho was usually so gentle, could be so annoyingly calm, and was at ease to leave all the control in his hands… that Jaejoong couldn’t help but feel incredibly turned on to see him take control of the kisses and doing it in such a possessive demanding and thorough way. It was heaven to have such undeniable proof that Yunho had also longed to and wanted to kiss him back as well.
…
Chapter 65 - ... Ending,