Netted Birds
Fandom: DBSK
Pairing: YunJae, hinted onesided JaeMin
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, High School AU
Summary: Yunho meets someone at school who changes his world.
Author's Note: This is a late birthday present for jojibear ! I love you Appa, sorry for the lateness! Probably the longest thing I've written yet. Title comes from the quote "How helpless we are, like netted birds, when we are caught by desire!" because I just sort of liked it XD
Some guys get all the luck, don’t they? Some people just seem to have it made; looks, style, grades, and athleticism. Even among that elite few you can tell some of them just have that charisma that charms everyone they meet.
But there was one guy at school who was all that, and even a step farther. You see, Jung Yunho, was also nice. He seemed to treat everyone the same way and never got cocky.
No one could really get near him, to tell the truth, he was a bit intimidating. Standing next to a guy like that would make anyone feel a bit less than perfect. Luckily for him, he remained completely and blissfully unaware to his effect on people.
Well, that is until he met Kim Jaejoong.
The school wasn’t so big that they couldn’t recognize one another as classmates but they had never actually met. Then the new term started and it seemed to Yunho that he couldn’t go a second without bumping into the guy.
It was odd for Yunho, who knew the names of most of the kids at school, to have no idea who someone was. It didn’t last long though; people would wave and call his name as they passed, sometime taking the time to make a joke or talk quickly before they had to be in their next class.
He seemed like a pretty popular guy. In Home Ec. the girls crowded around to watch him cook and in gym everyone seemed to crowd to be on his team. You wouldn’t expect it from this guy, but he was a terrible klutz when he wasn’t paying attention. And that is how they finally met.
Yunho had been minding his own business, it seemed he was always minding his own business, when he felt something fall on his back. After stumbling for a second he managed to fall spectacularly and hit his head on the floor.
Jaejoong was waiting by his bed when he woke up.
“Uh, hi.” Jaejoong’s head was rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous smile on his incredibly red lips.
“Hi,” Yunho offered as he tried to sit up but his head started throbbing.
“Don’t get up,” the other boy gently pushed his shoulder down, “they said you should rest for a while.” Squeezing his eyes together Yunho tried to figure out what happened, but he didn’t have to think very long; Jaejoong supplied the answer. “You’re in the nurse’s office. They brought you here about an hour ago. I fell and knocked you over, you sort of cushioned my fall so I’m fine but you got it a bit worse. It was my fault really, sorry about that, I just wasn’t paying attention.”
“Do you always talk so much?” Even Yunho couldn’t be expected to be at his best after a minor concussion.
“Not really.”
“But you are now.” The boy nodded. “Why?”
“Because, well, there are several reasons.”
“Are you going to tell me any?” Yunho was starting to feel a bit of disbelief, not helped at all by the pounding headache.
“Maybe, first answer a question.”
“You want me to answer a question?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
“What’s my name?”
“Kim Jaejoong.”
“That was fast! You really do know everybody.”
“Ow,” Yunho grabbed at his head as the noise punctured a whole in the headache.
“Oh, sorry.” Jaejoong drew into himself a little and tried to be a bit quieter.
“It’s fine, so why were you talking so much?”
“I’ll tell you two of the reasons.” Jaejoong’s abnormal response made Yunho tilt his head in confusion.
“How many are there?”
“Three.”
“Why aren’t you telling me the other?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re an odd one?”
“No, but that’s one of the reasons.” A slight smile played at those lips again, “I don’t normally talk because it would ruin my image. See, I’ve got sort of a cool image and as you can see I obviously am not really like that.”
“Why do you act like that then?”
“Who knows, anyway the other reason is guilt obviously.”
“I see,” it was quiet for a moment before Yunho continued, “So why aren’t you acting cool around me?”
“It’s not like you care, right?” He wasn’t sure, but Yunho thought he saw Jaejoong’s eyes glint for a second before the nurse came in to check on him.
It was the beginning of an odd friendship.
- - -
“Hey, Yunho, here’s the homework from the classes you missed.”
“Lucky we’re in the same classes.”
“That doesn’t matter; I would have got it for you anyway.”
“Oh.” Looking up Yunho was sure he saw the glint this time.
“Let’s go get something to eat.”
“I’m not supposed to eat a lot.”
“Ah, yeah, I suppose you’re right.” Jaejoong looked really disappointed, Yunho sighed.
“But I can go with you.”
- - -
Despite his outward appearance, or rather a cause of his outward appearance, Jung Yunho kept his personal life secret. Most assumed he didn’t really do much outside of school, or at least nothing scandalous enough to be interesting. He didn’t have someone who knew what buttons to push to make him mad, where he liked to eat, what he liked to eat, what he read, what he wrote, or even his favorite color.
It wasn’t surprising that people didn’t know he was gay.
Some made jokes about it saying things like “No normal guy is that perfect,” or “He’s too nice.” But they never really believed it so they never said anything to him. If anyone had asked, Yunho would be the first to tell the truth but they never did.
It was Jaejoong who asked him things. This guy had invaded Yunho’s life with his off the wall personality and a way of making Yunho wonder if he was really a guy. It wasn’t his feminine looks but his habit of asking probing questions that most guys wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.
“Hey, Yunho?” Jaejoong began in that tone, the one that usually ended with Yunho blushing.
“What is it?” was the soft, patient response.
“Why are you so nice to everyone? Doesn’t anything make you mad?” His head leaning forward across the Jung’s kitchen table, Jaejoong’s face changed to a look of inquisition. Being so close both physically and psychologically to Yunho made the later incredibly self-conscious.
“I’m just being polite.” He tipped his chair back a bit, trying to retreat in more ways than one.
“But don’t you ever just want to let loose? You have to have wanted to tell someone off at least once, I mean most the guys are egotistical bastards and the girls are way too concerned with looking appealing.” Jaejoong didn’t bat a single lash as he slighted his classmates.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Yunho looked at Jaejoong, completely stunned, and lowered the front legs of his chair carefully.
“It’s completely harsh.” A second passed to process this.
“Wait, what? Why did you say it then?”
“Oh, I have my reasons.” Jaejoong smiled a secret little smile.
“Which you aren’t telling me.” Rolling his eyes, Yunho smiled in response.
“Maybe someday.” Jaejoong looked at the homework they were supposed to be doing and shoved it aside, showing his intent to keep questioning the other by leaning in. “Putting that aside, how do you feel about the people at school? You act exactly the same no matter who it is, it’s impossible to know what you’re thinking.”
Yunho had grown used to this constant stream of questions in the last few weeks. It all started at that first meal together. Jaejoong used to talk more about himself, as if Yunho was the first person who was willing to listen to him, and once he was satisfied with that he had started on the questions.
He considered it a bit of good luck that Jaejoong didn’t have much information to use to form questions, this weird guy was the first to actually care about his thoughts beyond just academics. Yunho knew that Jaejoong though of him a bit like one of those metal brain teasers and was afraid Jaejoong would lose interest once he figured him out.
Laughing at his question, Yunho pushed the book back in front of Jaejoong.
“I think they aren’t nearly as nosy as you.” He had barely stopped himself from adding the last part.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
- - -
It was getting risky. Yunho had known Kim Jaejoong for nearly a month now and he was pretty sure by now, he was in love. Every time he was near him was just an opportunity to slip up and confess to him. He never really had a moment away from the guy though. They had most of their classes together, the same lunch period, and Jaejoong usually hung out with him after school too. Letting Jaejoong find out wasn’t an option. Slipping up might mean losing the one person he knew who liked him beyond having respect.
In gym he tried not to stare at him, in Home Ec. Yunho would try to ignore the fact that the delicious food he was eating was made by Jaejoong, and at lunch he’d ignore that jealous burning in his stomach when some of Jaejoong’s friends joined them.
Despite priding himself on being always discrete and polite, Yunho could barely contain himself when he saw girls flirting with Jaejoong. Or at least trying to flirt. Jaejoong always gave minimal responses when at school, whenever this cool demeanor came out a chill would form around Yunho’s heart. He was so used to Jaejoong being lively and, to tell the truth, pretty damned cute. This other Jaejoong just confused him.
As soon as it was just his closest friends Jaejoong would laugh it up and have fun, but if he was talking to anyone else that detached personality returned. It was weird but everyone still seemed to like him and called out when they saw the guy.
His friends became Yunho’s friends after a while. There was Junsu who usually said something odd that had all of them cracking up. Then Yoochun, who Jaejoong had introduced as “a quiet guy”. Finally a young guy named Changmin who Jaejoong seemed to enjoy teasing, and Yunho felt a little possessive thinking that the kid didn’t mind it so much.
“Hey Yunho?” Jaejoong started again with that tone at lunch one day. Yunho tried to prepare himself and the other three stopped their conversation to listen. Not really wanting to answer a bunch of personal questions in front of such an anxious audience, Yunho cut them off.
“Why don’t I ask you a question first?” Junsu tittered at this, Yoochun and Changmin smiled. “Why do you act so different when you’re with us than with other people?”
“Wait, that’s not really fair, you do that too.” Changmin interrupted.
“Not really, he just talks more around us.” Yoochun added.
“Am I the only one who noticed that he only really talks around Jaejoong?” Junsu questioned. Changmin’s eyes widened for a second but he shook it off quickly.
“No, he talks; he’s just really polite about it unless Jaejoong is around,” corrected Yoochun quickly. Yunho tried to intervene, slightly embarrassed.
“How did this turn to me?” They ignored him.
“He’s still polite around Jaejoong.” Junsu continued.
“Hey! Yeah! Stop being so polite around me Yunho,” Jaejoong turned to the subject of conversation, looked him in the eye and solemnly told him, “Call me Jae and say whatever is on your mind.”
“What?” In surprise Changmin’s voice raised in pitch.
“Oh, you all can too.” Jae turned to Changmin with a smile, which was returned with an eager nod and similar smile. He looked over to Yunho seriously again. “But you have to.”
“Okay, then,” Yunho felt his face warm as he used the nickname, “Jae it is.”
- - -
It was just Yunho and Jae again and Yunho was thoroughly enjoying Jae’s company. They were walking to Yunho’s house like they often did once school was done but something was a bit odd that day; Jae kept glancing at Yunho and trying to start a sentence but hesitated and stopped before he began. Finally Yunho asked what he was thinking about.
“Well,” Jae at last began, “I was just wondering if you had noticed something.”
“What type of something? The interesting type?” Yunho smiled reassuringly when he saw how nervous his friend was.
“No, the type that could potentially ruin friendships.” Jae looked down and they both walked in silence until they reached the park near Yunho’s house.
“Jae, what are you so worried about?” He stood still as Jae searched his face, as if looking for an answer. Then Jae walked over to the swings and sat on one, Yunho followed him and gave him a push. Somehow freed by the lack of eye contact, Jae looked to the sky and talked as Yunho pushed him higher.
“It’s Changmin.”
“Oh,” Yunho stared at Jae’s back and dreaded the rest of the conversation.
“I think he likes me,” A few moments passed where Yunho just stood as Jae’s swing slowed but he began to push again when it had almost stopped.
“You’re probably right.” He’d done this for years, controlled himself, but Jae was always different. “Do you like him?” His voice dropped a little.
“I- I, sort of, I mean yes, but it’s not,” Jae paused and whispered,” He’s not the one I like most.” The awkward silence that had been invading since the beginning of the conversation finally enveloped them.
“I see.” Yunho attempted quietly.
“No you don’t, you really don’t.”
“Tell me then.” He was throwing in the towel; there was no way he could hope for more now. There was no way he’d make Jae worry like that.
“It’s you,” Jae murmured, “You were always the one I liked.”
Frozen solid, Yunho watched Jae stop the swing with the soles of his shoes. The dirt settled slowly around them as the older pushed the swing aside and stood next to the younger. The air was charged as they stared at one another with a mix of confusion, love, and lust that had been suppressed for the weeks they had known each other.
Yunho’s heart thumped like crazy as Jae tilted his head up and touched their lips together. Jae closed his lips on Yunho’s bottom lip and the charged particles sparked. Melting into him, Yunho wrapped his arms around Jae.
He wasn’t ready to let go anytime soon.
Pairing: YunJae, hinted onesided JaeMin
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, High School AU
Summary: Yunho meets someone at school who changes his world.
Author's Note: This is a late birthday present for jojibear ! I love you Appa, sorry for the lateness! Probably the longest thing I've written yet. Title comes from the quote "How helpless we are, like netted birds, when we are caught by desire!" because I just sort of liked it XD
Some guys get all the luck, don’t they? Some people just seem to have it made; looks, style, grades, and athleticism. Even among that elite few you can tell some of them just have that charisma that charms everyone they meet.
But there was one guy at school who was all that, and even a step farther. You see, Jung Yunho, was also nice. He seemed to treat everyone the same way and never got cocky.
No one could really get near him, to tell the truth, he was a bit intimidating. Standing next to a guy like that would make anyone feel a bit less than perfect. Luckily for him, he remained completely and blissfully unaware to his effect on people.
Well, that is until he met Kim Jaejoong.
The school wasn’t so big that they couldn’t recognize one another as classmates but they had never actually met. Then the new term started and it seemed to Yunho that he couldn’t go a second without bumping into the guy.
It was odd for Yunho, who knew the names of most of the kids at school, to have no idea who someone was. It didn’t last long though; people would wave and call his name as they passed, sometime taking the time to make a joke or talk quickly before they had to be in their next class.
He seemed like a pretty popular guy. In Home Ec. the girls crowded around to watch him cook and in gym everyone seemed to crowd to be on his team. You wouldn’t expect it from this guy, but he was a terrible klutz when he wasn’t paying attention. And that is how they finally met.
Yunho had been minding his own business, it seemed he was always minding his own business, when he felt something fall on his back. After stumbling for a second he managed to fall spectacularly and hit his head on the floor.
Jaejoong was waiting by his bed when he woke up.
“Uh, hi.” Jaejoong’s head was rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous smile on his incredibly red lips.
“Hi,” Yunho offered as he tried to sit up but his head started throbbing.
“Don’t get up,” the other boy gently pushed his shoulder down, “they said you should rest for a while.” Squeezing his eyes together Yunho tried to figure out what happened, but he didn’t have to think very long; Jaejoong supplied the answer. “You’re in the nurse’s office. They brought you here about an hour ago. I fell and knocked you over, you sort of cushioned my fall so I’m fine but you got it a bit worse. It was my fault really, sorry about that, I just wasn’t paying attention.”
“Do you always talk so much?” Even Yunho couldn’t be expected to be at his best after a minor concussion.
“Not really.”
“But you are now.” The boy nodded. “Why?”
“Because, well, there are several reasons.”
“Are you going to tell me any?” Yunho was starting to feel a bit of disbelief, not helped at all by the pounding headache.
“Maybe, first answer a question.”
“You want me to answer a question?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.”
“What’s my name?”
“Kim Jaejoong.”
“That was fast! You really do know everybody.”
“Ow,” Yunho grabbed at his head as the noise punctured a whole in the headache.
“Oh, sorry.” Jaejoong drew into himself a little and tried to be a bit quieter.
“It’s fine, so why were you talking so much?”
“I’ll tell you two of the reasons.” Jaejoong’s abnormal response made Yunho tilt his head in confusion.
“How many are there?”
“Three.”
“Why aren’t you telling me the other?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re an odd one?”
“No, but that’s one of the reasons.” A slight smile played at those lips again, “I don’t normally talk because it would ruin my image. See, I’ve got sort of a cool image and as you can see I obviously am not really like that.”
“Why do you act like that then?”
“Who knows, anyway the other reason is guilt obviously.”
“I see,” it was quiet for a moment before Yunho continued, “So why aren’t you acting cool around me?”
“It’s not like you care, right?” He wasn’t sure, but Yunho thought he saw Jaejoong’s eyes glint for a second before the nurse came in to check on him.
It was the beginning of an odd friendship.
- - -
“Hey, Yunho, here’s the homework from the classes you missed.”
“Lucky we’re in the same classes.”
“That doesn’t matter; I would have got it for you anyway.”
“Oh.” Looking up Yunho was sure he saw the glint this time.
“Let’s go get something to eat.”
“I’m not supposed to eat a lot.”
“Ah, yeah, I suppose you’re right.” Jaejoong looked really disappointed, Yunho sighed.
“But I can go with you.”
- - -
Despite his outward appearance, or rather a cause of his outward appearance, Jung Yunho kept his personal life secret. Most assumed he didn’t really do much outside of school, or at least nothing scandalous enough to be interesting. He didn’t have someone who knew what buttons to push to make him mad, where he liked to eat, what he liked to eat, what he read, what he wrote, or even his favorite color.
It wasn’t surprising that people didn’t know he was gay.
Some made jokes about it saying things like “No normal guy is that perfect,” or “He’s too nice.” But they never really believed it so they never said anything to him. If anyone had asked, Yunho would be the first to tell the truth but they never did.
It was Jaejoong who asked him things. This guy had invaded Yunho’s life with his off the wall personality and a way of making Yunho wonder if he was really a guy. It wasn’t his feminine looks but his habit of asking probing questions that most guys wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.
“Hey, Yunho?” Jaejoong began in that tone, the one that usually ended with Yunho blushing.
“What is it?” was the soft, patient response.
“Why are you so nice to everyone? Doesn’t anything make you mad?” His head leaning forward across the Jung’s kitchen table, Jaejoong’s face changed to a look of inquisition. Being so close both physically and psychologically to Yunho made the later incredibly self-conscious.
“I’m just being polite.” He tipped his chair back a bit, trying to retreat in more ways than one.
“But don’t you ever just want to let loose? You have to have wanted to tell someone off at least once, I mean most the guys are egotistical bastards and the girls are way too concerned with looking appealing.” Jaejoong didn’t bat a single lash as he slighted his classmates.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Yunho looked at Jaejoong, completely stunned, and lowered the front legs of his chair carefully.
“It’s completely harsh.” A second passed to process this.
“Wait, what? Why did you say it then?”
“Oh, I have my reasons.” Jaejoong smiled a secret little smile.
“Which you aren’t telling me.” Rolling his eyes, Yunho smiled in response.
“Maybe someday.” Jaejoong looked at the homework they were supposed to be doing and shoved it aside, showing his intent to keep questioning the other by leaning in. “Putting that aside, how do you feel about the people at school? You act exactly the same no matter who it is, it’s impossible to know what you’re thinking.”
Yunho had grown used to this constant stream of questions in the last few weeks. It all started at that first meal together. Jaejoong used to talk more about himself, as if Yunho was the first person who was willing to listen to him, and once he was satisfied with that he had started on the questions.
He considered it a bit of good luck that Jaejoong didn’t have much information to use to form questions, this weird guy was the first to actually care about his thoughts beyond just academics. Yunho knew that Jaejoong though of him a bit like one of those metal brain teasers and was afraid Jaejoong would lose interest once he figured him out.
Laughing at his question, Yunho pushed the book back in front of Jaejoong.
“I think they aren’t nearly as nosy as you.” He had barely stopped himself from adding the last part.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
- - -
It was getting risky. Yunho had known Kim Jaejoong for nearly a month now and he was pretty sure by now, he was in love. Every time he was near him was just an opportunity to slip up and confess to him. He never really had a moment away from the guy though. They had most of their classes together, the same lunch period, and Jaejoong usually hung out with him after school too. Letting Jaejoong find out wasn’t an option. Slipping up might mean losing the one person he knew who liked him beyond having respect.
In gym he tried not to stare at him, in Home Ec. Yunho would try to ignore the fact that the delicious food he was eating was made by Jaejoong, and at lunch he’d ignore that jealous burning in his stomach when some of Jaejoong’s friends joined them.
Despite priding himself on being always discrete and polite, Yunho could barely contain himself when he saw girls flirting with Jaejoong. Or at least trying to flirt. Jaejoong always gave minimal responses when at school, whenever this cool demeanor came out a chill would form around Yunho’s heart. He was so used to Jaejoong being lively and, to tell the truth, pretty damned cute. This other Jaejoong just confused him.
As soon as it was just his closest friends Jaejoong would laugh it up and have fun, but if he was talking to anyone else that detached personality returned. It was weird but everyone still seemed to like him and called out when they saw the guy.
His friends became Yunho’s friends after a while. There was Junsu who usually said something odd that had all of them cracking up. Then Yoochun, who Jaejoong had introduced as “a quiet guy”. Finally a young guy named Changmin who Jaejoong seemed to enjoy teasing, and Yunho felt a little possessive thinking that the kid didn’t mind it so much.
“Hey Yunho?” Jaejoong started again with that tone at lunch one day. Yunho tried to prepare himself and the other three stopped their conversation to listen. Not really wanting to answer a bunch of personal questions in front of such an anxious audience, Yunho cut them off.
“Why don’t I ask you a question first?” Junsu tittered at this, Yoochun and Changmin smiled. “Why do you act so different when you’re with us than with other people?”
“Wait, that’s not really fair, you do that too.” Changmin interrupted.
“Not really, he just talks more around us.” Yoochun added.
“Am I the only one who noticed that he only really talks around Jaejoong?” Junsu questioned. Changmin’s eyes widened for a second but he shook it off quickly.
“No, he talks; he’s just really polite about it unless Jaejoong is around,” corrected Yoochun quickly. Yunho tried to intervene, slightly embarrassed.
“How did this turn to me?” They ignored him.
“He’s still polite around Jaejoong.” Junsu continued.
“Hey! Yeah! Stop being so polite around me Yunho,” Jaejoong turned to the subject of conversation, looked him in the eye and solemnly told him, “Call me Jae and say whatever is on your mind.”
“What?” In surprise Changmin’s voice raised in pitch.
“Oh, you all can too.” Jae turned to Changmin with a smile, which was returned with an eager nod and similar smile. He looked over to Yunho seriously again. “But you have to.”
“Okay, then,” Yunho felt his face warm as he used the nickname, “Jae it is.”
- - -
It was just Yunho and Jae again and Yunho was thoroughly enjoying Jae’s company. They were walking to Yunho’s house like they often did once school was done but something was a bit odd that day; Jae kept glancing at Yunho and trying to start a sentence but hesitated and stopped before he began. Finally Yunho asked what he was thinking about.
“Well,” Jae at last began, “I was just wondering if you had noticed something.”
“What type of something? The interesting type?” Yunho smiled reassuringly when he saw how nervous his friend was.
“No, the type that could potentially ruin friendships.” Jae looked down and they both walked in silence until they reached the park near Yunho’s house.
“Jae, what are you so worried about?” He stood still as Jae searched his face, as if looking for an answer. Then Jae walked over to the swings and sat on one, Yunho followed him and gave him a push. Somehow freed by the lack of eye contact, Jae looked to the sky and talked as Yunho pushed him higher.
“It’s Changmin.”
“Oh,” Yunho stared at Jae’s back and dreaded the rest of the conversation.
“I think he likes me,” A few moments passed where Yunho just stood as Jae’s swing slowed but he began to push again when it had almost stopped.
“You’re probably right.” He’d done this for years, controlled himself, but Jae was always different. “Do you like him?” His voice dropped a little.
“I- I, sort of, I mean yes, but it’s not,” Jae paused and whispered,” He’s not the one I like most.” The awkward silence that had been invading since the beginning of the conversation finally enveloped them.
“I see.” Yunho attempted quietly.
“No you don’t, you really don’t.”
“Tell me then.” He was throwing in the towel; there was no way he could hope for more now. There was no way he’d make Jae worry like that.
“It’s you,” Jae murmured, “You were always the one I liked.”
Frozen solid, Yunho watched Jae stop the swing with the soles of his shoes. The dirt settled slowly around them as the older pushed the swing aside and stood next to the younger. The air was charged as they stared at one another with a mix of confusion, love, and lust that had been suppressed for the weeks they had known each other.
Yunho’s heart thumped like crazy as Jae tilted his head up and touched their lips together. Jae closed his lips on Yunho’s bottom lip and the charged particles sparked. Melting into him, Yunho wrapped his arms around Jae.
He wasn’t ready to let go anytime soon.