Catch Me Chapter 4
Changmin was doing his homework in a café, accompanied by a cup of hot caffeine to keep his brain energized. When he was queuing for a refill, there was a foreigner in front of him, kind of struggling for words to explain his order.
He took some time, before finally braved himself and asked, “Can I help you?”
The tall man with chocolate eyes and brown hair turned and looked at him.
Changmin thought he had seen this man before, but he wasn’t sure. “What do you want to order?” he asked in English, and the man told him to separate the soy milk with his coffee, and Changmin told the waiter in Korean.
“Thank you,” the man said in Korean. “My Korean is still not that good.”
“It’s okay,” Changmin smiled.
“Do you remember me?” the man asked when they were waiting for their coffee.
“Huh?”
“You were looking for shoes.” The man reminded him.
Changmin blinked. “Ah! Yes!” he remembered that handsome shop helper.
“I’m Julien,” he offered his hand and Changmin shook it.
“I’m Changmin.” Changmin said. “Nice to meet you.”
Julien smiled, and when their coffee came out, he insisted to pay for Changmin’s too. Tried to be kind, Changmin invited him to his table, his homework left forgotten and they spent the afternoon chatting and got to know each other.
Julien’s father was French and his mother was Korean. “I’m in love with the food here.”
“Really?” Changmin’s eyes widened. “You know, the French Cuisine is very famous around the world.”
“Yeah, I have to admit that.” Julien nodded, put down his cup. “So… you’re a student?”
“University student, yes.” Changmin said. “What about you? You still working in that shop?”
“No. Language barrier.” Julien shrugged. “But my mother found me a job to teach language. I don’t know if I should take that or not.”
Changmin hummed. “I think it’s a good idea. You can improve your Korean from your students, right?”
“Ah, yes. I’ve never thought about that before.” Julien smiled to Changmin.
Changmin had his choir practice that evening so he excused himself.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Julien asked when Changmin put his books to his bag.
Changmin looked at him. “No.” it sounded awkward in his tongue.
A relieved smile crept out Julien’s lips. “Then… can I see you again?”
Changmin didn’t know what to say. But surely it was high time to open his heart to others. “Sure.”
Julien’s grin got wider. “Can I have your number?”
*
“My mother insists to have Yunho Hyung in our home until he perfectly healed.” Junsu said. “But he didn’t want to trouble us. Said that he’ll be fine on his own.”
“Of course Yunho Hyung said that.” Yoochun sighed.
Junsu pouted. “It’s a pity that they sent him home after the injury. But well, it’s fortunate for Eunhyuk, Yunho Hyung recommended him for his replacement.”
“It must be so bad that they returned him home.” Jaejoong added, “I mean, if it’s a light injury, they’d wait for his leg to heal, right? Ms Kwon said that they even had a plan to recruit Yunho-“
“Hey, Hyung!” Changmin opened the door.
“Oh! Changmin-ah!”
Changmin stopped in his place. Observing Yoochun and Junsu who shared a seat behind the piano, and Jaejoong who was standing stiffly beside them. “What is it?”
“What is what?” Jaejoong asked back.
Changmin blinked. “Nothing...?”
“Nothing!” Yoochun cleared his throat. “Let’s begin!”
*
Yunho was struggling with his bag and crutches. He was getting used to walking with crutches, but it wasn’t that easy either. His shoulders got hurt at times.
He was walking to his class, before he heard a sweet melody from a half opened window.
Changmin was playing his guitar in the music room.
Yunho almost forgot how handsome his face was. His big mesmerizing eyes. Gorgeous lips and sculpted cheekbones. His hair was shorter than Yunho remembered, and he imagined how soft it was. His delicate long fingers were dancing with the guitar strings.
The memory of Changmin playing the guitar in his apartment was still fresh in his mind. How often the younger man got frustrated when he wasn’t able to play the correct notes. Then Yunho would take his guitar and played it messily and sang loudly to cheer him up. Changmin would pout at first but then he’d smile at his boyfriend’s silly behavior.
How Yunho missed his smile.
His left crutch slipped from his grip and knocked the window loudly.
Changmin startled and Yunho ducked down his head.
His bag fell off his shoulder and his books sprawled out to the floor. Yunho sighed and bent down to pick up his books, and a hand helped him to collect them.
“Thank you,” Yunho muttered, received the book from the stranger and put it into his bag.
“You’re welcome.” He said. “Yunho Sunbae-nim, right?”
Yunho looked up to the boy in front of him. He looked so young and Yunho had never seen him before. “Yes?”
*
Changmin looked out to the window when he heard a hard banging sound to the glass.
But then suddenly there was that exchange student… who was it… Kai? And-
Was that Yunho?!
Fuck.
Fuckfuck it really was Yunho.
Yunho with his new hair, swept to the side, framed his handsome face gracefully. Changmin couldn’t see him clearly from his spot, but damn, was Yunho got, if it even possible, more good looking after he came back from US?
He hadn’t seen him in ages.
How long had it been? How many months? Had he finished the program? Why didn’t Yunho told him? Why he wanted Yunho to tell him, anyway?
From his spot, Changmin could only see his face, and he was talking to Kai, laughing… and how he missed those crescent eyes, those apple cheeks when Yunho smiled. They walked together and Changmin held the urge to follow them. He slowly got back to his seat, Yunho’s face filled his mind and he lost his will to play. When he checked his phone, he got a message.
Can I meet u today? I’ll pick u up in ur uni, let’s have lunch together!
From: Julien
Okay. My last class end at 3.
Send to: Julien
*
“Have you met Changmin?”
Yunho was still for a moment before he answered, “I haven’t.”
“I heard from Junsu he had a date this evening.” Jaejoong continued, put the kimchi container he brought in Yunho’s refrigerator. It was sadly empty. If he knew, he’d brought more food to Yunho’s apartment.
Yunho didn’t answer. Because well, he didn’t know what to say. So he tried to concentrate on the report he was writing.
The bell was ringing and Jaejoong opened the door. Yunho stopped typing and stood up to find out who the guest was.
“No, you’re right. This is Yunho’s apartment,” Jaejoong said.
Yunho widened the door and saw Kai standing there.
“Oh, Yunho Hyung!” he quickly bowed to his senior.
“Hi, Kai,” Yunho smiled. “What’s up?
“I thought I…” Kai bit his lip nervously. “Nevermind.” He let out an insecure smile.
Yunho lifted his eyebrows.
“I’ll… just visit later. Maybe.” He laughed awkwardly. “Or I’ll call you.”
“Okay, then.” Yunho nodded.
“Sorry to interrupt. I just thought that… we can have lunch together, but… you have a company.” Kai glanced to Jaejoong. “So… maybe later…”
“Got it.”
“See you, Hyung.” He bowed and smiled one last time to Jaejoong before leaving.
Jaejoong closed the door and watched Yunho’s back who was walking hardly back to the table. “You just have a conversation without me.”
Yunho scoffed.
“Yunho, that guy has crush on you!” Jaejoong sat on the table, next to Yunho’s books and papers.
“It’s sympathy, not crush.” Yunho stated.
“Gosh, Yun, that boy was shooting stars with his eyes.” Jaejoong sighed. “How can he know your apartment, by the way?”
“He accompanied me back here after class.” Yunho said.
Jaejoong said nothing and got busy in the kitchen again. But then he asked, “Do you think if I wear crutches, Amber will have a crush on me?”
*
Yoochun was smoking furiously. Well, if one could smoke furiously, Changmin thought idly. He inhaled hard and deep, and blew out the smoke impatiently with rough breath.
“What’s wrong with him?” Changmin nudged Jaejoong who sat next to him in the canteen.
Jaejoong narrowed his eyes to the man under the tree. Oh. So the man who was walking back and forth was Yoochun. “Should we call Junsu?”
“His class will start after lunch. Maybe he’s still at home now.” Changmin said. “Come on,”
They walked carefully to the man, before Jaejoong (chosen because he lost in rock-paper-scissors game) tapped Yoochun’s shoulder slowly.
“What’s wrong?”
Yoochun muttered something like “Motherfucker,” through his gritted teeth, but Changmin couldn’t understand. But suddenly Amber came, and pushed Yoochun’s chest hard, the man almost fell backward but he got his balance.
“Why did you do that?!” her voice was loud, her gaze was piercing.
Yoochun threw his cigarette to the ground and stepped on it angrily. “I’m the one who should ask that, Amber. Why did you do that? What kind of woman would do such-“
“Shut up!” Amber punched Yoochun’s shoulder with her fist. “You have no right to judge me like that! Like I have never seen you making out in public with your boyfriend… why can’t I do the same?”
“You’re a woman!” Yoochun stepped forward, closer to his sister. “How could you do something embarrassing-“
“What is embarrassing!? I don’t get you!”
“How can you let a man disrespect you-“
“How come he disrespected me?! He’s my boyfriend!” Amber pushed on Yoochun’s chest hard, made the man stepped backwards.
But Yoochun stepped in again. “What kind of low woman would want him as a lover?”
Amber narrowed her eyes. “Did you just tell me I am low?”
Yoochun snorted. “No cheap woman would let a man grope her-“
Amber almost burst. “You asshole!”
“Asshole?” Yoochun repeated, eyes widened in shock. “How dare you talk like that to me?”
“What about you?! Aren’t you the one who talk bad about me?” Amber pointed her finger at her brother. “You’re the one who disrespect me! Not him! Fuck you!”
The sibling’s chests were in contact, glaring from eye to eye, and they were this close to throw punches at each other’s face and Changmin didn’t know what to do. Yoochun’s nose was flaring and Amber shot laser from her eyes.
“I fucking. Hate you.” Amber said, low and firm.
Yoochun said nothing, and Amber turned and left.
Jaejoong ran after him.
Changmin could only wish they had called Junsu.
*
Jaejoong followed her to the warehouse, where Amber had stopped walking and cried. She realized Jaejoong was behind and quickly wiped her tears and acted as if nothing happened.
“Go away,” she said.
Amber made sure that the man was leaving but a while after, she saw the man again, still there.
“I went away.” Jaejoong said. “But I come back.”
Amber snorted. “You’re funny.”
Jaejoong didn’t know whether she was being sarcastic or not, but she didn’t told him to leave, so he stayed. Slowly, Jaejoong walked closer to her.
Amber didn’t look at him. “Why are you here?”
“I don’t think you should be alone now.” Jaejoong could see her wet eyelashes. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“I don’t think he still want to be my boyfriend.” Amber mumbled. “Nobody will want to be with me anymore for that matter.”
“Who says?” Jaejoong bit his tongue before he stupidly volunteering himself again.
“Do you think my brother wants me to be an old virgin?” Amber snapped suddenly. “Why can’t he let me to… just… be a little in love?”
Jaejoong looked at her pitifully. “You’re right. He’s an asshole.”
“But he’s your bestfriend, right…” Amber gave a glance to Jaejoong.
And he realized that Yoochun and Amber had the same pretty eyes. Amber’s were prettier. And they looked insanely cute, teary, but innocent and Jaejoong fell deeper for her.
“He’s living a hard life.” Jaejoong managed to say though he was kind of in a semi-hypnotized state. “Please understand him.”
“Then is that an excuse to make my life hard too?”
“He just wants to protect you.”
“I’m not a little girl anymore…”
“I know. But for him, you are his little girl.” Jaejoong said patiently.
Amber didn’t reply, and they went silent for a while.
“Amber,” Jaejoong called. Wanted to congratulate himself, to finally be able to call her name. Her name. From his mouth.
Amber looked up.
And man, isn’t she’s so damn beautiful? “Just talk to me whenever. I promise I won’t tell your brother.”
Amber nodded hesitantly.
Jaejoong smiled.
*
Changmin was scared but he finally could ask Yoochun to go to their usual bar, and just realized how many people watched them from afar. Of course, the shouting could be heard meters away from that spot.
Thankfully, Minwoo the bartender knew what was best for Yoochun’s temper and Changmin ordered two glasses in a row, put them in front of Yoochun. Fortunately, Junsu came not long after, said nothing but his presence made Changmin felt calmer.
His phone rang and he excused himself before answered the call. From Julien.
“Hi, Changmin-ah! Want to meet up? I find this French restaurant and I think you want to try....” Julien said.
Food? Of course! Changmin looked behind, Junsu was talking something softly to his lover, and maybe it was the time to leave the couple alone. “Sure.”
“Great! So… should I meet you in the campus?” Julien was tutoring language for the students, and most of them were from the same university as Changmin. So, the location for the tutoring session wasn’t far from his university.
“Okay. I have to take my guitar first. So let’s meet later in the gate.”
“Okay. See you!”
Changmin put his phone back to his pocket and got back to Yoochun and Junsu. “Hyung, I need to leave now…”
“It’s okay. We’re leaving too. Junsu has his class.” Yoochun said.
Changmin felt relieved that Yoochun spoke again.
Junsu nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
They walked together and parted ways when Changmin went upstairs to the music room to take his guitar. He had been dying to retrieve his treasured belonging but at the same time couldn’t just left Yoochun like that.
After Changmin left, Yoochun and Junsu went to Junsu’s class.
“Oh, Hyung!”
“Hello,” Yunho came out from the class. “Why, Junsu-ah, who are you looking for?” he asked to the younger male who was looking here and there a bit panicky. “Did you see someone?”
“N-no…” Junsu shook his head.
Yunho just looked at him curiously while Yoochun silently looking for Changmin’s trace but the man was nowhere in sight.
“Leaving early, Hyung?” Yoochun asked, tried to divert the conversation.
“Yeah. Still have to tidy my new apartment. And my movement is limited by the way.” Yunho waved his crutches annoyingly.
Yoochun chukled. “Then… do you want me to help? I’ve finished my classes for today.”
“Ah, it’s okay, Chun-ah. It’s almost done, anyway.” Yunho kindly refused.
“I want to see your new apartment, anyway. So let’s just go together.” Yoochun insisted.
“Okay, then.” Yunho agreed.
Yunho just watched jealously as the couple said goodbye. They didn’t do anything flashy, but Yoochun held Junsu’s hand briefly, mouthing something Yunho couldn’t catch and Junsu replied in a gentle whisper. Junsu got in the class and the two older men went together to Yunho’s apartment.
They passed the gate and Yoochun noticed a tall man, a foreigner, and he was with… “Oh! It’s C-“ fuck. Yoochun wanted to slap his mouth. Had Yunho seen him? He glanced to the man beside him to check.
And yes. Yunho saw. It was hard to not notice the tall man in front of them. He and Changmin were talking about something enthusiastically, and when they crossed the road, the man put his long arms around Changmin’s shoulder, protected him.
Yunho lost himself. He stopped staring as the couple disappeared into a bus. Yoochun just looked at Yunho, before the other man looked back and gave a small smile, and they continued to walk.
“So it’s true.” Yunho said, and Yoochun looked at him. “Jaejoong said that Changmin had a date.”
Yoochun hummed. “Yeah… they had meals together… I heard.” He said.
“He’s tall and handsome.” Yunho said awkwardly, but didn’t make it less sincere.
“Yeah…”
Yunho gripped his crutches tighter. “Then… is he his new boyfriend?”
“I… I don’t know about that yet, Hyung. But like you, I only know they went for a date.” Yoochun answered honestly.
Yunho replied with an ‘oh’, and said, “Good for him.”
Yoochun had been friends with Yunho and Changmin for a long time. That they would break up, had never crossed his mind. He and Junsu fought a lot more than them. Yoochun knew how much Yunho loved Changmin, and how much Changmin felt for the older man. When they separated, he knew that they’d be alright. Maybe they’d get back together.
And now, maybe he should just accept the fact that they were really end.
He took some time, before finally braved himself and asked, “Can I help you?”
The tall man with chocolate eyes and brown hair turned and looked at him.
Changmin thought he had seen this man before, but he wasn’t sure. “What do you want to order?” he asked in English, and the man told him to separate the soy milk with his coffee, and Changmin told the waiter in Korean.
“Thank you,” the man said in Korean. “My Korean is still not that good.”
“It’s okay,” Changmin smiled.
“Do you remember me?” the man asked when they were waiting for their coffee.
“Huh?”
“You were looking for shoes.” The man reminded him.
Changmin blinked. “Ah! Yes!” he remembered that handsome shop helper.
“I’m Julien,” he offered his hand and Changmin shook it.
“I’m Changmin.” Changmin said. “Nice to meet you.”
Julien smiled, and when their coffee came out, he insisted to pay for Changmin’s too. Tried to be kind, Changmin invited him to his table, his homework left forgotten and they spent the afternoon chatting and got to know each other.
Julien’s father was French and his mother was Korean. “I’m in love with the food here.”
“Really?” Changmin’s eyes widened. “You know, the French Cuisine is very famous around the world.”
“Yeah, I have to admit that.” Julien nodded, put down his cup. “So… you’re a student?”
“University student, yes.” Changmin said. “What about you? You still working in that shop?”
“No. Language barrier.” Julien shrugged. “But my mother found me a job to teach language. I don’t know if I should take that or not.”
Changmin hummed. “I think it’s a good idea. You can improve your Korean from your students, right?”
“Ah, yes. I’ve never thought about that before.” Julien smiled to Changmin.
Changmin had his choir practice that evening so he excused himself.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Julien asked when Changmin put his books to his bag.
Changmin looked at him. “No.” it sounded awkward in his tongue.
A relieved smile crept out Julien’s lips. “Then… can I see you again?”
Changmin didn’t know what to say. But surely it was high time to open his heart to others. “Sure.”
Julien’s grin got wider. “Can I have your number?”
*
“My mother insists to have Yunho Hyung in our home until he perfectly healed.” Junsu said. “But he didn’t want to trouble us. Said that he’ll be fine on his own.”
“Of course Yunho Hyung said that.” Yoochun sighed.
Junsu pouted. “It’s a pity that they sent him home after the injury. But well, it’s fortunate for Eunhyuk, Yunho Hyung recommended him for his replacement.”
“It must be so bad that they returned him home.” Jaejoong added, “I mean, if it’s a light injury, they’d wait for his leg to heal, right? Ms Kwon said that they even had a plan to recruit Yunho-“
“Hey, Hyung!” Changmin opened the door.
“Oh! Changmin-ah!”
Changmin stopped in his place. Observing Yoochun and Junsu who shared a seat behind the piano, and Jaejoong who was standing stiffly beside them. “What is it?”
“What is what?” Jaejoong asked back.
Changmin blinked. “Nothing...?”
“Nothing!” Yoochun cleared his throat. “Let’s begin!”
*
Yunho was struggling with his bag and crutches. He was getting used to walking with crutches, but it wasn’t that easy either. His shoulders got hurt at times.
He was walking to his class, before he heard a sweet melody from a half opened window.
Changmin was playing his guitar in the music room.
Yunho almost forgot how handsome his face was. His big mesmerizing eyes. Gorgeous lips and sculpted cheekbones. His hair was shorter than Yunho remembered, and he imagined how soft it was. His delicate long fingers were dancing with the guitar strings.
The memory of Changmin playing the guitar in his apartment was still fresh in his mind. How often the younger man got frustrated when he wasn’t able to play the correct notes. Then Yunho would take his guitar and played it messily and sang loudly to cheer him up. Changmin would pout at first but then he’d smile at his boyfriend’s silly behavior.
How Yunho missed his smile.
His left crutch slipped from his grip and knocked the window loudly.
Changmin startled and Yunho ducked down his head.
His bag fell off his shoulder and his books sprawled out to the floor. Yunho sighed and bent down to pick up his books, and a hand helped him to collect them.
“Thank you,” Yunho muttered, received the book from the stranger and put it into his bag.
“You’re welcome.” He said. “Yunho Sunbae-nim, right?”
Yunho looked up to the boy in front of him. He looked so young and Yunho had never seen him before. “Yes?”
*
Changmin looked out to the window when he heard a hard banging sound to the glass.
But then suddenly there was that exchange student… who was it… Kai? And-
Was that Yunho?!
Fuck.
Fuckfuck it really was Yunho.
Yunho with his new hair, swept to the side, framed his handsome face gracefully. Changmin couldn’t see him clearly from his spot, but damn, was Yunho got, if it even possible, more good looking after he came back from US?
He hadn’t seen him in ages.
How long had it been? How many months? Had he finished the program? Why didn’t Yunho told him? Why he wanted Yunho to tell him, anyway?
From his spot, Changmin could only see his face, and he was talking to Kai, laughing… and how he missed those crescent eyes, those apple cheeks when Yunho smiled. They walked together and Changmin held the urge to follow them. He slowly got back to his seat, Yunho’s face filled his mind and he lost his will to play. When he checked his phone, he got a message.
Can I meet u today? I’ll pick u up in ur uni, let’s have lunch together!
From: Julien
Okay. My last class end at 3.
Send to: Julien
*
“Have you met Changmin?”
Yunho was still for a moment before he answered, “I haven’t.”
“I heard from Junsu he had a date this evening.” Jaejoong continued, put the kimchi container he brought in Yunho’s refrigerator. It was sadly empty. If he knew, he’d brought more food to Yunho’s apartment.
Yunho didn’t answer. Because well, he didn’t know what to say. So he tried to concentrate on the report he was writing.
The bell was ringing and Jaejoong opened the door. Yunho stopped typing and stood up to find out who the guest was.
“No, you’re right. This is Yunho’s apartment,” Jaejoong said.
Yunho widened the door and saw Kai standing there.
“Oh, Yunho Hyung!” he quickly bowed to his senior.
“Hi, Kai,” Yunho smiled. “What’s up?
“I thought I…” Kai bit his lip nervously. “Nevermind.” He let out an insecure smile.
Yunho lifted his eyebrows.
“I’ll… just visit later. Maybe.” He laughed awkwardly. “Or I’ll call you.”
“Okay, then.” Yunho nodded.
“Sorry to interrupt. I just thought that… we can have lunch together, but… you have a company.” Kai glanced to Jaejoong. “So… maybe later…”
“Got it.”
“See you, Hyung.” He bowed and smiled one last time to Jaejoong before leaving.
Jaejoong closed the door and watched Yunho’s back who was walking hardly back to the table. “You just have a conversation without me.”
Yunho scoffed.
“Yunho, that guy has crush on you!” Jaejoong sat on the table, next to Yunho’s books and papers.
“It’s sympathy, not crush.” Yunho stated.
“Gosh, Yun, that boy was shooting stars with his eyes.” Jaejoong sighed. “How can he know your apartment, by the way?”
“He accompanied me back here after class.” Yunho said.
Jaejoong said nothing and got busy in the kitchen again. But then he asked, “Do you think if I wear crutches, Amber will have a crush on me?”
*
Yoochun was smoking furiously. Well, if one could smoke furiously, Changmin thought idly. He inhaled hard and deep, and blew out the smoke impatiently with rough breath.
“What’s wrong with him?” Changmin nudged Jaejoong who sat next to him in the canteen.
Jaejoong narrowed his eyes to the man under the tree. Oh. So the man who was walking back and forth was Yoochun. “Should we call Junsu?”
“His class will start after lunch. Maybe he’s still at home now.” Changmin said. “Come on,”
They walked carefully to the man, before Jaejoong (chosen because he lost in rock-paper-scissors game) tapped Yoochun’s shoulder slowly.
“What’s wrong?”
Yoochun muttered something like “Motherfucker,” through his gritted teeth, but Changmin couldn’t understand. But suddenly Amber came, and pushed Yoochun’s chest hard, the man almost fell backward but he got his balance.
“Why did you do that?!” her voice was loud, her gaze was piercing.
Yoochun threw his cigarette to the ground and stepped on it angrily. “I’m the one who should ask that, Amber. Why did you do that? What kind of woman would do such-“
“Shut up!” Amber punched Yoochun’s shoulder with her fist. “You have no right to judge me like that! Like I have never seen you making out in public with your boyfriend… why can’t I do the same?”
“You’re a woman!” Yoochun stepped forward, closer to his sister. “How could you do something embarrassing-“
“What is embarrassing!? I don’t get you!”
“How can you let a man disrespect you-“
“How come he disrespected me?! He’s my boyfriend!” Amber pushed on Yoochun’s chest hard, made the man stepped backwards.
But Yoochun stepped in again. “What kind of low woman would want him as a lover?”
Amber narrowed her eyes. “Did you just tell me I am low?”
Yoochun snorted. “No cheap woman would let a man grope her-“
Amber almost burst. “You asshole!”
“Asshole?” Yoochun repeated, eyes widened in shock. “How dare you talk like that to me?”
“What about you?! Aren’t you the one who talk bad about me?” Amber pointed her finger at her brother. “You’re the one who disrespect me! Not him! Fuck you!”
The sibling’s chests were in contact, glaring from eye to eye, and they were this close to throw punches at each other’s face and Changmin didn’t know what to do. Yoochun’s nose was flaring and Amber shot laser from her eyes.
“I fucking. Hate you.” Amber said, low and firm.
Yoochun said nothing, and Amber turned and left.
Jaejoong ran after him.
Changmin could only wish they had called Junsu.
*
Jaejoong followed her to the warehouse, where Amber had stopped walking and cried. She realized Jaejoong was behind and quickly wiped her tears and acted as if nothing happened.
“Go away,” she said.
Amber made sure that the man was leaving but a while after, she saw the man again, still there.
“I went away.” Jaejoong said. “But I come back.”
Amber snorted. “You’re funny.”
Jaejoong didn’t know whether she was being sarcastic or not, but she didn’t told him to leave, so he stayed. Slowly, Jaejoong walked closer to her.
Amber didn’t look at him. “Why are you here?”
“I don’t think you should be alone now.” Jaejoong could see her wet eyelashes. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“I don’t think he still want to be my boyfriend.” Amber mumbled. “Nobody will want to be with me anymore for that matter.”
“Who says?” Jaejoong bit his tongue before he stupidly volunteering himself again.
“Do you think my brother wants me to be an old virgin?” Amber snapped suddenly. “Why can’t he let me to… just… be a little in love?”
Jaejoong looked at her pitifully. “You’re right. He’s an asshole.”
“But he’s your bestfriend, right…” Amber gave a glance to Jaejoong.
And he realized that Yoochun and Amber had the same pretty eyes. Amber’s were prettier. And they looked insanely cute, teary, but innocent and Jaejoong fell deeper for her.
“He’s living a hard life.” Jaejoong managed to say though he was kind of in a semi-hypnotized state. “Please understand him.”
“Then is that an excuse to make my life hard too?”
“He just wants to protect you.”
“I’m not a little girl anymore…”
“I know. But for him, you are his little girl.” Jaejoong said patiently.
Amber didn’t reply, and they went silent for a while.
“Amber,” Jaejoong called. Wanted to congratulate himself, to finally be able to call her name. Her name. From his mouth.
Amber looked up.
And man, isn’t she’s so damn beautiful? “Just talk to me whenever. I promise I won’t tell your brother.”
Amber nodded hesitantly.
Jaejoong smiled.
*
Changmin was scared but he finally could ask Yoochun to go to their usual bar, and just realized how many people watched them from afar. Of course, the shouting could be heard meters away from that spot.
Thankfully, Minwoo the bartender knew what was best for Yoochun’s temper and Changmin ordered two glasses in a row, put them in front of Yoochun. Fortunately, Junsu came not long after, said nothing but his presence made Changmin felt calmer.
His phone rang and he excused himself before answered the call. From Julien.
“Hi, Changmin-ah! Want to meet up? I find this French restaurant and I think you want to try....” Julien said.
Food? Of course! Changmin looked behind, Junsu was talking something softly to his lover, and maybe it was the time to leave the couple alone. “Sure.”
“Great! So… should I meet you in the campus?” Julien was tutoring language for the students, and most of them were from the same university as Changmin. So, the location for the tutoring session wasn’t far from his university.
“Okay. I have to take my guitar first. So let’s meet later in the gate.”
“Okay. See you!”
Changmin put his phone back to his pocket and got back to Yoochun and Junsu. “Hyung, I need to leave now…”
“It’s okay. We’re leaving too. Junsu has his class.” Yoochun said.
Changmin felt relieved that Yoochun spoke again.
Junsu nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
They walked together and parted ways when Changmin went upstairs to the music room to take his guitar. He had been dying to retrieve his treasured belonging but at the same time couldn’t just left Yoochun like that.
After Changmin left, Yoochun and Junsu went to Junsu’s class.
“Oh, Hyung!”
“Hello,” Yunho came out from the class. “Why, Junsu-ah, who are you looking for?” he asked to the younger male who was looking here and there a bit panicky. “Did you see someone?”
“N-no…” Junsu shook his head.
Yunho just looked at him curiously while Yoochun silently looking for Changmin’s trace but the man was nowhere in sight.
“Leaving early, Hyung?” Yoochun asked, tried to divert the conversation.
“Yeah. Still have to tidy my new apartment. And my movement is limited by the way.” Yunho waved his crutches annoyingly.
Yoochun chukled. “Then… do you want me to help? I’ve finished my classes for today.”
“Ah, it’s okay, Chun-ah. It’s almost done, anyway.” Yunho kindly refused.
“I want to see your new apartment, anyway. So let’s just go together.” Yoochun insisted.
“Okay, then.” Yunho agreed.
Yunho just watched jealously as the couple said goodbye. They didn’t do anything flashy, but Yoochun held Junsu’s hand briefly, mouthing something Yunho couldn’t catch and Junsu replied in a gentle whisper. Junsu got in the class and the two older men went together to Yunho’s apartment.
They passed the gate and Yoochun noticed a tall man, a foreigner, and he was with… “Oh! It’s C-“ fuck. Yoochun wanted to slap his mouth. Had Yunho seen him? He glanced to the man beside him to check.
And yes. Yunho saw. It was hard to not notice the tall man in front of them. He and Changmin were talking about something enthusiastically, and when they crossed the road, the man put his long arms around Changmin’s shoulder, protected him.
Yunho lost himself. He stopped staring as the couple disappeared into a bus. Yoochun just looked at Yunho, before the other man looked back and gave a small smile, and they continued to walk.
“So it’s true.” Yunho said, and Yoochun looked at him. “Jaejoong said that Changmin had a date.”
Yoochun hummed. “Yeah… they had meals together… I heard.” He said.
“He’s tall and handsome.” Yunho said awkwardly, but didn’t make it less sincere.
“Yeah…”
Yunho gripped his crutches tighter. “Then… is he his new boyfriend?”
“I… I don’t know about that yet, Hyung. But like you, I only know they went for a date.” Yoochun answered honestly.
Yunho replied with an ‘oh’, and said, “Good for him.”
Yoochun had been friends with Yunho and Changmin for a long time. That they would break up, had never crossed his mind. He and Junsu fought a lot more than them. Yoochun knew how much Yunho loved Changmin, and how much Changmin felt for the older man. When they separated, he knew that they’d be alright. Maybe they’d get back together.
And now, maybe he should just accept the fact that they were really end.