homeless - chapter eight

[shizukanai]

title homeless
pairing yunho/jaejoong
rating nc-17
genre au,romance,fluff,drama
summary When Jaejoong allowed for a homeless man to stay in his house for one night,he would've never expected for the said man to return a few days later wearing an Armani suit and having two bodyguards flanking him.




„Su-“ Was everything Jaejoong managed to say after seeing his best friend completely out of it and in tears as he sobbed while holding onto a cup of tea Yoochun most probably gave to him prior his and Yunho's arrival, the grip Junsu had on the porcelain so tight that Jaejoong almost feared for his friend to crush it and injure himself.

Jaejoong sat down next to him and wrapped his arms around the trembling man, only tightening his hold around him after Junsu placed the cup aside to hug him back. It hurt to see his usually bright and vivid friend like that. The last time he witnessed Junsu being that devastated was in High School when Insung ruined his twin brother's leg.

All of them have expected for this to happen at some point, but surely not so soon.

Yoochun and Yunho exited the living room and went to talk in the kitchen to give the two best friends some space.

"What exactly happened? Yunho told me that your parents suddenly showed up at your house and saw you and Yoochun ssi hug each other?" Jaejoong asked calmly, not really out to force an answer out of his friend as he waited for Junsu to say something or nothing in return.

"Everything happened so fast." Junsu said softly, not able to hold back another sob as he pulled back and tried to wipe his tears away."In one moment I was hugging Yoochun ssi and stared at him and then suddenly my parents were standing a few meters away from us. Something about the way we interacted must've seemed 'off' to them. Maybe the way we looked or smiled at each other or how we hugged, I don't know. Suddenly my Mom started to question me about Yoochun ssi and I just stood there. I was paralized. I could've lied about him being a friend, but somehow-"

Junsu stopped talking, not really knowing what he should say to bring the feelings he had during the confrontration with his parents across. All the words he wanted to say were thrown together in his mind, swirling around as they formed a jumbled chaos. He sighed and lifted his hands up to wipe across his wet cheeks once more.

"I didn't want to lie, hyung."

Jaejoong was mildly surprised. Mildly.

Junsu usually introduced the people he dated to his parents as mere friends whenever his parents saw them together by accident and although Jaejoong knew that he was supposed to be surprised by the lack of lies about Yoochun's identity, he wasn't. Yoochun was different from Junsu's past partners, that was pretty clear to Jaejoong the moment Junsu admitted to him that he did intend on introducing Yoochun to his parents one day.

"I didn't want to belittle our relationship." Junsu leaned against the back of the couch."At some point, my Mom asked me whether I was dating him and I didn't reply. But I held his hand. I don't know what came over me but I just wanted and needed him close to me. My parents were not happy of course. They said so many things, I can't even remember half of what they yelled at us."

"It's better if you don't remember." Jaejoong said."Whatever they said about you is not how you should think of yourself."

Junsu nodded, now realizing that he has long stopped crying. Much to his contentment. The aftermath of him spilling tears were slight headache and swollen eyes.

"Yoochun ssi held my hand so tightly."

Jaejoong raised his eyebrows questioningly before he started to smile upon seeing Junsu's lips curving up into a faint smile.

"He held me so tightly and led me out of there when he saw me crying. He tried to reason with my parents at first but when he saw my tears, he just stopped talking and dragged me out of there. Away from my parents and their insults."

"He wanted to protect you."

Junsu nodded in agreement to Jaejoong's words."Yes. And he did protect me. He protected me so well and gosh. I just want to be with him. I'm hurt and sad because I don't want to fight with my parents, my family means the world to me but I can't let go of Yoochun ssi either."

Jaejoong truly wanted to tell Junsu that everything was going to be alright with his parents, but he wasn't really sure himself. Junsu's parents were so adamant in keeping a certain distance towards homosexual relationships even within their own family that Jaejoong was not quite sure whether Junsu's relationship to them would ever go back to normal. But despite all, they were still Junsu's parents. Their love couldn't just disappear within a heartbeat. Jaejoong refused to believe that they would be able to keep away from their son forever.

"If you really want to be with Yoochun ssi then be with him, don't let anything stop you if a relationship with him is what makes you happy. I won't lie. I don't know whether your parents will ever be able to accept it, but they love you." Jaejoong ran his fingers through Junsu's locks with a reassuring smile."They are your parents, they will always love you although they may have said many hurtful things in the heat of the moment. Just give them some time to adjust and maybe they will come around."

Junsu nodded despite the tears starting to stain his cheeks once again and Jaejoong looked at him apologetically, feeling helpless as everything he could do was hug Junsu to comfort him.

Inside the kitchen, Yoochun was drowning in guilt. Maybe he should've been more cautious and maybe he should've come up with a lie to hide his and Junsu's relationship but he had been unable to think about anything else but comfort Junsu the moment the other grabbed his hand right in front of Junsu's parents. If he would've pulled his hand away back then, it would've hurt Junsu, he had been aware of it and therefore chose to hold onto Junsu even tighter.

To let go of Junsu would've possibly helped to mend things between Junsu and his parents, but it would've destroyed everything Junsu and he achieved until then. Junsu's bravery, his willingness to finally come out. It would've vanished.

Neither of them had been prepared to be found out so soon.

"You should've seen how they looked at him." Yoochun muttered before he forced the whiskey in his glass down his throat in one go."I was so mad. I tried to stay calm for Junsu's sake but I was so disgusted by the way they looked at him. As if he's not their son but some disgraceful piece of trash."

Yunho noted the lack of honorifics after Junsu's name but didn't comment on it. He merely got a hold of his brother's glass and refilled it with Yoochun's favorite alcohol, pulling his hand back a little before Yoochun could get a hold of the drink.

"Last one. Gulp it all down and be done with it for tonight. You need to take care of Junsu ssi and you getting yourself drunk won't help any of you."

Yoochun nodded in response and retrieved his glass before drinking the brown liquid inside swiftly, soon setting the glass aside.

"He needs you more than ever right now." Yunho said softly."Judging by what I heard from Jaejoong, Junsu ssi was very close to his parents so he will fight with the aftermath of this evening for a while and that's why he will need you to take care of him. I won't demand for you to understand why Junsu ssi's parents acted that way, but I'd like you to never forget that they are his parents nevertheless. Whatever your feelings towards them are as of now, try to forgive them for Junsu ssi's sake."

Yoochun nodded. He didn't hate Junsu's parents, but he was utterly mad at them for making Junsu feel so awful. And yet, he was going to try and forgive them bit by bit because Yunho was right. They were still Junsu's parents despite all.

##
Once Yunho and Jaejoong have made their way home after ensuring Yoochun's and Junsu's emotional stability the best they could, Yoochun went to show Junsu the room he could stay in for the night - or even longer if Junsu wanted - their exchange of words rather calm and timid as if the aftermath of the incident knocked majority of their vocabulary out of them when they were alone.

Junsu did nothing but stare at Yoochun as the other explained to him where which room was while Junsu himself was sitting on the bed in the guestroom. He noticed the awkwardness surrounding them and he was sure that Yoochun must've noticed it too if his struggles in finding the right words to say were anything to go by.

"I-" Yoochun paused and scratched the back of his head briefly."Goodnight, Junsu ssi."

When Junsu saw Yoochun heading towards the door, sudden panic struck him and had him speaking up before he could will himself to control his tongue."Please don't leave yet."

Yoochun stopped walking and turned around to look at the other man questioningly, his gaze holding expectation.

"I don't want us to part with this awkwardness still between us." Junsu said."Not even for tonight."

Yoochun made soft steps towards Junsu and sat down next to him on the bed, gladly welcoming the closeness when Junsu took it upon himself to lessen the last bit of distance between them by shifting closer, his eyes trained on Yoochun's taller form.

"Why are we suddenly like this?" Junsu chuckled, but the slight sadness in his voice was rather alarming.

"I don't know." Yoochun blurted out suddenly just to have something to say before he paused to really think about Junsu's question."Maybe the incident made us more wary. Like we're both walking on eggshells."

"Is that how you feel? More wary?"

"I..." Yoochun stretched his legs and crossed his feet as he leaned back with his upper body and supported himself with his hands."I'm unsure of how close I can get to you without making you feel uncomfortable. In retrospect, you might want to keep your distance to me for a while after what happened. Seeing how you have been scared of showing closeness to your past boyfriends before because of your parents."

"But you are different." It was strange how easy those words escaped from in between Junsu's lips."I-I want you to know that. But I have been walking on eggshells too. I didn't want to force more of myself on you."

"You never forced y-"

"L-Let me explain please. I know that I never forced myself on you in that way. What I want to say is...I didn't want force more of my personal burden on you. We started going out not long ago and you already have to deal with so much...drama. I didn't want you to take responsibility for me and the troubles of dating me to this extent, not when we've barely started a relationship. I felt like a burden...and I still do."

Yoochun frowned."You are not a burden to me. A relationship is not always rosy. I mean, neither of us expected for things to get chaotic this fast. But we can still make it work if we're both willing to, right?"

Yoochun knew what he was getting himself into the moment he asked Junsu out on a date despite knowing of the problems Junsu had with his past relationships. It would've been nicer for them to walk on cloud nine for a little longer without things trying to pull them down, but the obstacle they were facing now was also giving them a chance to steady their relationship some more.

Junsu looked right into Yoochun's eyes, a smile easily fighting its way to his lips."Yes."

It was just one simple word, but in that very moment, it meant the world to Yoochun. He leaned in and pulled Junsu into a hug, smiling into the other's shoulder when he felt Junsu hugging him back.

The embrace they shared was so innocent and yet intimate enough to make them feel themselves melting into it, not wanting to let go. So they held onto each other some more, their hearts seemingly beating in synch.

##
Yunho gladly accepted Jaejoong's offer to stay at his house for the night and was now standing in the bathroom with only a towel there to cover his lower body as he brushed his teeth.

"Yunho." Jaejoong called out from the outside."I got your spare clothes."

"The door's not locked." Yunho mumbled through the foam in his mouth and managed to somewhat smile when his boyfriend stepped into the room."Thank you."

"Welcome." Jaejoong smiled back and placed the clothes into a free space in the bathroom shelf before he approached his boyfriend to press a coy kiss onto the other's cheek.

Yunho quickly rinsed his mouth and cleaned the toothbrush Jaejoong bought for him a while ago before pulling his boyfriend in for a proper kiss that had the other blush. It was adorable. Jaejoong was adorable.

"Your stubbles are tickling me." Jaejoong said, half laughing.

"Shall I shave?"

"No, I-" There it was again, that red hue on the other's cheeks."I kinda..."

Jaejoong paused and bit onto his bottom lip in what seemed to be embarrassment.

"You like it?" Yunho raised his eyebrow and grinned in amusement before leaning closer to brush his stubble-covered chin against the other's soft skin.

How Jaejoong could always be so soft and hairless was beyond him.

The whole room got filled by Jaejoong's soft chuckles and giggles and the sounds warmed Yunho's heart to the core. Jaejoong had been so worried about Junsu that he had been unable to smile until a few minutes ago and it broke Yunho's heart to see his boyfriend that agitated. He wanted to keep Jaejoong happy.

"You should get dressed or you'll catch a cold." Jaejoong's soft hands were now cupping Yunho's cheeks in an attempt to prevent the other from tickling him further.

Yunho truthfully didn't want to let go of Jaejoong right now - or ever - but he relented nevertheless and pressed a soft kiss onto the other's lips before detaching himself from Jaejoong to get dressed while his boyfriend walked out after announcing that he was going to prepare some tea for the two of them.

It almost felt like they were living together already and the thought drove a smile onto Yunho's lips. He truly wanted to live with Jaejoong, hug the other to sleep at night and kiss him awake in the morning.

But he was unsure of how far he was allowed to push their relationship forward at this point. He didn't want to pressure Jaejoong into doing anything. Although their relationship was progressing rather fast, he still didn't know whether the topic of moving in together was something to be brought up now or meant to be discussed about in the future. Sure, it couldn't harm to ask and test out the waters, but Yunho doubted that today was the right day for it. Jaejoong had enough other things to worry about right now.

When he joined his boyfriend in the living room a few minutes later, Jaejoong was seated on the couch with a cup of warm tea between his hands, his eyes glued on the screen of the TV which showed Mary Poppins.

"I've never watched it. Only saw snippets of it during school during the music lessons." Yunho confessed and caused Jaejoong to gape at him in shock.

"Really?"

"Really."

Jaejoong patted the free space next to him."Come and watch."

Yunho smiled and gladly joined Jaejoong on the couch, soon wrapping his left arm around the other's shoulder.

"Julie Andrews is a goddess." Jaejoong muttered."Her elegance, her appearance, her voice."

"I'm glad you are not swooning over any actor or idol singer like that or I'd be jealous." Yunho commented before getting a hold of his own cup of tea.

"I'm not interested in Kpop. Per se." The younger male added the last part after a brief pause."I only like DBSK."

Yunho raised an eyebrow at him but didn't comment on it further as Jaejoong's attention was drawn back towards the movie a mere second after. Jaejoong's excitement was contagious and Yunho found himself highly interested in every single scene shown on the TV screen although he has never felt the urge to watch the movie prior to this. He then noticed the empty DVD case lying on the couch table.

"How often have you watched this movie?"

"Too often. Junsu's words, not mine." Jaejoong answered without looking at his boyfriend."It's my foul mood remedy. Whenever I'm feeling bad, I watch it to get my mind off the problem."

"Why 'Mary Poppins'?"

"My mother was a singer during her younger years. She really liked the songs in the movie and watched it with me whenever she could. And at some point, I also fell in love with it just like she did." Jaejoong places his cup of tea side and hugs himself, wrapping the blanket around his body just a little tighter."It could be the memories. Or maybe it's the singing that reminds me of my mother's. Whatever it is, I just feel calm when I'm watching the movie."

"Ah." Yunho said in a whisper."I see."

Jaejoong didn't talk about his parents often and Yunho was careful not to ask. He didn't want to pry too much and risk to make his boyfriend feel uncomfortable around him although he did want to know more about Jaejoong's parents.

"When my father passed away ten years ago, my mother was unable to smile sincerely for several months. My sisters and I were heartbroken too, but my mother...her heart was shattered beyond belief. To lose the person she's loved for over 50 years broke her. Me and my sisters didn't know what to do. We tried everything to cheer her up the best we could. We hugged her, rained her with kisses, told her how much we loved her. But nothing worked." Jaejoong's gaze turned glum."So we decided to give singing a try. It was the one thing she loved most beside us and our father after all. For two months straight, we practiced all the songs there were in 'Mary Poppins' and sang them for her. We were children, we didn't know what else to do. But it worked. When she cried, we panicked. But then she hugged us and smiled and then we knew she was crying because she was happy."

Yunho wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and pressed a soft kiss against the other's head, listening to everything without commenting on it.

"Shortly before she passed away two years ago, she told us that we gave her back the will to live on and fight with what we did back then. All the effort we put into our singing and dancing...into bringing happiness back to her, it made her think that she should stop dwelling in hurt and finally start to take care of us again the way we took care of her."

"You reached her heart with what you've done."

Jaejoong nodded and turned his head to look at Yunho, the subtle sorrow clouding his eyes unfortunately being emphasized by the smile which could not reach his dark orbs. Yunho peeled the blanket off his boyfriend, revealing enough of his body to make it possible for Yunho to wrap his arms around Jaejoong's slim waist and pull him closer into an embrace of utter comfort.

Jaejoong closed his eyes and hugged back, feeling warm all over with Yunho's body pressed against his own. He rested his head on his boyfriend's shoulder and allowed for his lips to curve up into a hint of a smile. His heart was beating abnormally fast again. Hard and unrelenting.

##
Junsu gulped thickly as he looked at the man standing in front of his house through the car window, unable to bring himself to finally get out of the vehicle and approach the person who was obviously waiting for him.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Yoochun asked after a while from his position on the driver's seat.

He insisted on dropping Junsu off before going to work and the two of them were greeted by the sight of Junsu's twin brother pacing around in front of Junsu's house the moment Yoochun parked the car not far away from the building. Junsu was scared.

It wasn't like Junho didn't know anything about his liking for men. He was in fact the only one beside Jaejoong Junsu came out to willingly. But now, with the chaos between him and their parents going on, Junsu felt oddly insecure and uncomfortable at the mere thought of facing any of his family members.

But this was Junho. His twin, his better half. He would remain by Junsu's side, right?

"No, it's alright." Junsu smiled at Yoochun."I'll be alright. Thank you for bringing me home. I will call you in a bit."

Yoochun nodded and let Junsu leave the safe confines of his car, but instead of driving off right after, Yoochun chose to stay and watch how things would unfold between the two brothers. He was ready and willing to jump out and protect Junsu again if needed.

His whole body tensed up at the sight of Junsu approaching his brother, but all of his worries disappeared with the wind the moment Junsu was pulled into a tight hug by the older twin whose face was marked by sincere worry.

Junsu was going to be alright.

Smiling, Yoochun started the engine and drove off with the knowledge that Junsu was safe with his brother.

Soon after, a familiar buzzing caught his attention and Yoochun immediately put on his bluetooth headset before accepting the incoming call.

"Park Yoochun speaking."

"Oppa, we need to talk."

"Sica." Yoochun uttered, his brows furrowed in slight confusion upon hearing the slight irritation in her voice."Is something wrong?"

"I-" She paused."Just come, please."

"Alright." Was all Yoochun said in response.

##
When Yoochun arrived at his sister's house not long after and made his way into the living room, he was surprisingly being greeted by the sight of not only Jessica but also Yunho waiting for him there.

"What's going on?"

"Have a seat first, oppa." Jessica gestured towards the empty spot next to Yunho on the couch to her right.

Yoochun threw a questioning look his brother's way as he did what was requested of him but found Yunho looking back at him with the equal amount of confusion.

Jessica uncrossed her arms and reached towards the couch table to retrieve a letter with an unlabeled envelope, soon giving its content to Yunho without saying a word.

Not knowing what else to do, Yunho held the letter between himself and Yoochun before they started to read it together and the more they read, the more the frown on their faces deepened.

It was from Changwook.

Lovely, lovely Jessica,

I hope you can spare some of your time to read this letter although you may feel the urge to throw this piece of paper away after seeing my name at the bottom of it. I know that I don't have the right to ask this of you, but please see what I have to say and why I came back after so many years.

I don't know whether anyone has explained it to you already, but either way, I would like to tell you everything myself.

When I left you and our precious child back then, I only had your best interest in mind. I was trying to build up something on my own. I wanted to have a business I could call mine and support you and our child on my own. But things went utterly wrong and I failed. I got drowned by depts and could ask no one for help when loan sharks and thugs started to come after me. My father refused to give me financial support and my mother couldn't do much for me either, so I had to flee.

I should've talked to you, but I couldn't. I didn't want you to get tangled up in everything, so I pushed you away and told you cruel lies so you would never think of me ever again.

I spent the past years working and earning money so I could pay back the depts and start my life anew. I didn't manage to get the money together until last month.

And now I am back, because like five years ago, I still love you.

When I met you and our son in the mall for the first time, it was pure coincidence. But the second time around, I went there to look for you, hoping you'd be there once again. And you were. But I didn't get any chance to talk to you or to our son.

He's grown so much.

My mother always sent me pictures of him whenever I asked for one. The pictures of you and him always gave me great strength and I want to be part of your lives once again. It's too much for me to ask for something like that, isn't it? But I want to hope nevertheless.

Maybe I am a coward for telling you all of this through a letter, but after I heard from your brothers how hurt you really have been because of me, I can't bring myself to be brave enough to go and face you once again.

If you want to talk to me, contact me, give me a sign. I have written my number and my address on the back of this letter. I really hope I can see you again.

Love,
Changwook.

Once her brothers looked up from the letter, Jessica took it as a sign for herself to speak."It was in the mailbox this morning. He most probably came here to put it in there himself. You went to see him, didn't you?"

"Yes." Yunho admitted and placed the letter back onto the couch table."We wanted him to stay away from you."

Jessica sighed, the slim fingers of her hands resting on her lap tangled together in a tight grip."Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because we didn't want you to have anything to do with him anymore." Yoochun spoke.

Jessica untangled her fingers and brough her right hand up to massage her temple."I know that you were trying to protect me and I appreciate it. But you shouldn't keep things like these a secret from me. It does concern me after all."

Yoochun looked at Yunho who seemed to feel just as guilty as he did before his eyes were back on Jessica."Sica, we didn't want to upset you."

"I know you didn't. And I'm not upset. I'm mildly irritated, but not at you." She leaned back against the couch she was sitting on and crossed her legs."The letter, what's written in it and the fact that he is back. It's irritating and frustrating."

Yunho and Yoochun truthfully didn't know what to say. Their sister was upset and they wanted to blame it all on Changwook, but they knew that they were partly at fault as well although Jessica told them otherwise.

She has always been their little princess, the person the two of them always wanted to protect and keep safe. They sometimes forgot that the little girl tagging along wherever they went to as children has now grown up into a woman who made her own decisions and was way more independant than she has been in her childhood years.

"What are you going to do?" Yunho prompted carefully.

Jessica didn't reply right away as she struggled to figure out the answer herself."I don't know. Right now, I feel like I should talk to him and put an end to everything but at the same time, I don't want to see his face."

A thoughtful gaze found its way inside Yoochun's eyes as he looked at his sister, memories of himself being in a similar situation not long ago suddenly occupying his mind.

"Sica." Yoochun spoke."I truthfully don't want you to ever go near him ever again, but maybe you'll need to do it one more time to settle things between the two of you in a proper way."

Yoochun's gaze then wandered to Yunho who was now sporting an obvious frown of disapproval."Hyung, you adviced me to do the same with Kahi not long ago. I think Sica needs to do the same and finally find her own closure."

Yunho was still not appreciating Yoochun's suggestion to the fullest, but he didn't voice out his protest either, because deep down, he knew that Yoochun was right. Jessica needed to settle this on her own, once and for all. As much as he wanted to protect her, he had to accept that he only had limited influence on matters which did not involve him directly.

This was not his battle to fight. It was Jessica's.

"If he hurts you again, I won't hold back anymore." Yunho said after a while.

Neither Yoochun nor Jessica said anything, but the latter let her lips curve up into a soft smile of gratitude the moment she nodded in response.

##
Jessica took a deep breath, her gaze tracing along the front of the apartment building Changwook was supposedly staying in. Tightening her hold on the steering wheel, Jessica let out a sigh and slumped forward to rest her head against her right hand. She was shivering in frustration, fear and anger.

She couldn't remember to have ever been this nervous before.

But there was a first time for everything and Changwook had the tendency to make her experience all kinds of horrible first times.

First time being left by her fiancé, first time having to deal with physical pain and stress of pregnancy without a partner, first time experiencing emotional pain so horrid it would've killed her if not for her will to keep going for Changmin's sake.

She gulped thickly before finally removing her car keys before stepping out of the vehicle, not forgotting to get a hold of her bag as she did so. Jessica took another deep breath after closing and locking her car with a huff, soon spinning around to make her way towards the apartment building.

Her eyes scanned the many buttons by the door carefully, her gaze lingering on Changwook's name the moment she spotted it. It was absurd how hard it was for her to ring the doorbell, as if she was going to awaken the devil with her doings. And maybe that was partly true.

The devils of her past were going to be shaken awake by her planned meeting with Changwook and she was either going to get rid of them all and for once or bare herself to their assaults for the rest of her life.

Raising her left hand, Jessica rang the doorbell with utmost care before removing her hand as if burned. A familiar rustling rang through the intercom.

"Yes?"

Jessica parted her lips but held herself back, her teeth digging into her bottom lip as she tried her hardest to not cry just from hearing his voice. Now that she was alone without Changmin there to cheer her up and neither Jaejoong nor Daniel around to shield her, his voice sounded too taunting to her and brought back memories she'd been trying to push to the back of her mind for the past five years.

"Hello?"

His voice rang through a littler louder this time around and Jessica flinched slightly before finally speaking.

"It's me, Jessica."

Silence followed and lingered for several agonizing seconds.

"Sica...come in."

A buzzing noise was heard and Jessica pushed the door open before stepping into the apartment building, her leather-clad feet soon carrying her towards an elevator which she entered whilst taking another deep breath.

'3rd floor.' She reminded herself before pressing the button for her wanted destination, remembering the most important details of Changwook's address from the back of the letter she was carrying with her.

The elevator ride was unpleasantly short and not long after Jessica stepped out of the elevator and onto the ground of the 3rd floor, she found herself halting the moment she spotted Changwook standing by the door not far away from her.

He had been waiting for her, his smile unsure and his eyes clouded by nervoussness.

This was it.

There was no turning back now.

So Jessica continued to walk and approached Changwook without saying anything. Their eyes were on each other at all times.

When Jessica was standing right in front of him, she could not help but take in the sight of his face, his handsome features having been a sight she always welcomed back during the days where memories of his gazes at her and the lingering feeling of his lips on hers did not haunt her like a never ending nightmare.

"Jessica." He called out to her, not saying anything else afterwards as if calling her name filled him with melancholic bliss.

"Can I come in?" She asked, forcing her voice to remain steady as she spoke.

Changwook smiled and stepped aside to let her in, his hand working on closing the door after she entered his home.

"Please have a seat." He gestured towards the small seating area in the living room which was connected to a small kitchen.

But she declined."I won't be staying for long."

Changwook looked highly dejected but nodded in acceptance nevertheless.

"I will ask you something and if you lie to me and I happen to find out about it later on, you will never get the chance to ever redeem yourself, understood?"

The sharp edge in her voice made her proud. She was not going to break down in front of him.

"Of course." Changwook replied.

Jessica nodded."What you wrote in your letter. Everything you've said about why you really left me and Changmin. Is it the truth?"

"It is." He answered without any hesitation, his voice full of confidence."It's the truth."

Jessica remained silent afterwards and regarded him with a gaze he could not quite define. It has always been hard for him to see through her.

She could mask her feelings exceptionally well when she wanted and most of the time, he never managed to understand what was going through her mind unless she chose to tell him about it herself.

Oh just how little he knew about her.

He has fallen for her faster than he had been able to prepare himself for it back then and it had been only a few months into their relationship when Jessica announced her pregnancy. They had been reckless.

He remembered how it had been Jessica who remained composed and calm during that time, ensuring everyone - including Changwook - that things were going to be fine. She has always been the more mature and wise one between them and Changwook felt ashamed to admit that she always seemed to know him better than he has known her. He should've put more effort into getting to know her and the ways of life back then when he still had the chance to prevent things from falling apart.

After Jessica got pregnant, he had tried to act more mature, but he ended up rushing things and forced adulthood on himself with the outcome being him missing the actual progress of growing up.

His now mature self would've taken things easy. His now mature self would've never allowed himself to take part in a risky business back then and his now mature self sure as hell would've never allowed himself to hurt Jessica and leave her behind when she needed him the most.

"What are you expecting?" Jessica asked and pulled Changwook out of his reverie."Now that you are back, what are you expecting for things to be like? Do you want me to take you back and let you be part of mine and Changmin's life like nothing ever happened? Tell me."

"I just want a chance to make up for what I've done."Changwook gulped."I don't expect you to take me back or even recognize me as Changmin's father in front of him. I just want a chance to at least see him and you every once in a while."

He truthfully didn't care which position Jessica was going to give him in her and Changmin's life as long as he could be part of it.

"Give me some time. I don't...I can't really trust you just yet." Came Jessica's airy reply before she turned around and headed towards the front door.

"What can I do to earn your trust?"

Jessica halted, but she did not turn around to look at him."For starters, don't walk out on us ever again."

##
Still a little shaken by her encounter with Changwook, Jessica stepped into the company building with heavy steps.

She really needed to talk someone right now and with Yunho being closer to Changwook's apartment than Yoochun was, Jessica opted to go to him first. She was going to tell Yoochun everything later on.

"Jessica ssi."

The familiar voice brought a soft smile onto her face as she turned around and looked at the person calling her.

"Daniel ssi."

"Are you here to see your brother?"

"Yes." Jessica answered truthfully.

"Then we can go together, I need to discuss with him about something."

Jessica's smile widened some more and the uneasy feeling she felt gripping onto her a minute ago was now decreasing bit by bit. She didn't really know what it was, but something about Daniel made her feel at ease. She also had this feeling back then when they ran into Changwook in the mall.

It had been quite a while since she last felt this safe with someone who did not belong to her family.

Most people were busy working in their offices, so the two of them had the elevator to themselves when they stepped in, the metallic box seeming so much more spacious that way.

A comfortable silence surrounded them before Daniel decided to speak.

"Are you alright? "

Jessica looked up at him in surprise, not quite knowing what she was supposed to say in response to the sudden question.

"Pardon me?"

Daniel smiled."It's just...it seemed like you were highly bothered by something earlier."

"Oh." Jessica uttered, her gaze now fixated on the floor in front of her."I just had an uncomfortable encounter with someone."

"I see." The smile on Daniel's lips died down and a frown of worry graced his face not long after.

He wanted to ask for more details, but he knew that it was not on him to pry. After all, their relationship was nothing beyond brief acquaintances, although he had to admit that the possibility of them being more in the future sounded more than pleasant to him.

"You are worried about me, aren't you?"

Now it was on Daniel to be surprised as he looked at Jessica with slightly widened eyes.

"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known how to handle the situation in the mall back then." Jessica pushed all of her worries and uneasiness aside to offer Daniel the most sincere smile she could muster."Thank you for caring about me so much."

Daniel didn't reply right away and took his time taking in the perfect sight displayed before him."I just want you to be safe."

A red hue spread itself on Jessica's cheeks and it remained there throughout the elevator ride.

##
Yunho raised his eyebrows when he saw his sister brushing past Daniel to enter his office the moment the tall man exited it, the bashful look she sent Daniel's way getting a big part of his attention, especially because he was suddenly reminded of the odd smile Jaejoong had on his lips a while ago when he briefly mentioned Jessica and Daniel to him.

"Are you alright?"

"Huh?" Jessica gasped, obviously flustered as she fumbled with the doorknob of his office door and closed the wooden barrier all too abrubtly.

"Your face is red. Are you alright?"

And although Jessica nodded in response, he couldn't quite believe her. But he wasn't going to dwell on that. Whatever the reason for her blush was, she obviously wanted to keep it a secret and Yunho wasn't going to pester her about it. It was better to let her tell him these things herself.

Jessica then proceeded to walk closer and sat down on the chair across from Yunho."I went to see Changwook."

Yunho nodded, having been informed about his sister's plan beforehand one day ago."How did it go?"

"It was fine." She leaned back to cross her legs."I'm still not sure how much I can trust him. But if it's true what he said about why he disappeared, he at least deserves to see Changmin every once in a while."

Yunho sighed."You know that I don't particularly like the idea of having him go anywhere near Changmin and you."

"But-"

"But it's your decision to make, not mine. I know. Jaejoongie was very clear about that yesterday."

Jessica rose an eyebrow."He was?"

"Yes, I-" Yunho took a deep breath."I was so angry about your decision to go and meet him. All the scenarios about what could possibly happen made me so upset, but Jaejoongie...he said that I need to learn and let you make your own decisions."

A hint of amusement danced across Jessica's face as she spoke."Well he is right. And you don't need to worry about me. I'll handle Changwook just fine."

Yunho merely nodded, hoping that his sister was right about that.

##
"Yoochun ssi, someone wants to see you." One of the waiters said as he stepped into the kitchen where Yoochun was discussing about menu changes with one of the chefs.

"A customer?" The restaurant owner inquired.

"No, he said he is the brother of a man named Kim Junsu."

Yoochun's eyes widened slightly at the revelation but he managed to nod in response."Alright, lead him to my office and tell him to wait there. I'll be there in a few seconds."

"Yes, Sir." The younger male replied before making his way out of the kitchen.

Junsu's brother here in his restaurant, now that was surprising. Yoochun's curiosity about what the man had to say to him arose all too naturally and he could barely concentrate as he gave the chef standing in front of him some more instructions before making his way towards his office. Junsu did not mention much about his brother since the day he dropped Junsu off in front of the other's house. The only thing he'd heard about him was how Junho - Junsu's twin - was trying his hardest to appease their parents.

Once Yoochun entered the room only meant for him to be in during the times he was not busy cooking, he spotted a rather muscular male standing by the window behind his office chair. The man spun around and approached Yoochun the moment he spotted him.

His face was naturally familiar to Yoochun, not only because he was Junsu's twin but also because Junsu had shown him quite a few pictures of Junho in the past and well, he did get to see Junho on that specific morning in front of Junsu's house. But now that he was standing so upclose, Yoochun couldn't help but note how different the fraternal twins looked despite some facial resemblences. Junho was a bit taller than Junsu, more muscular and gave off a highly charismatic aura, a striking contrast to his cute boyfriend.

"Junho ssi." Yoochun called out and bowed, the gesture being answered by another bow offered to him by Junho."Please have a seat."

Junho complied and sat down with a small smile."I guess my appearance here is rather surprising."

"That's...quite right. May I know why you are here?"

"I wanted to get to know you." Junho replied honestly."I usually don't make much of an effort to get to know the people my brother goes out with, but you are different. Junsu could've chosen to immediately break things off with you to appease our parents, but he didn't. He's more serious about you than he has been with anyone else, I can see that."

Yoochun of course knew that Junsu regarded him as someone more special than his past boyfriends, but to actually hear it from someone else - and someone so close to Junsu at that - made his heart swell. To be recognized as someone so special to Junsu made him proud.

"I'm just as serious about your brother."

Junho merely smiled at that."I hope it stays that way. But I want to demand a promise from you."

Yoochun raised his eyebrows."A promise?"

"Please don't allow for Junsu to stray from his family too much. I know my parents have said hurtful things, but I know that deep down, they still love Junsu and I truly don't believe that they'd want to lose either of their sons." Junho halted and sighed as he struggled to organize his thoughts and the words swirling around in his mind."Just give them some time to cope."

Junho looked rather anxious as he spoke and Yoochun suddenly remembered the talk he had with Yunho not long ago.

He wasn't going to deny that he did feel a certain amount of dislike towards them and what they've put Junsu through, but he wasn't willing to let Junsu break away from his family either.

"Don't worry." Yoochun assured, his lips now curved into a smile."Despite all, they are still his parents and I wouldn't want him to be in completely bad terms with them because of me and our relationship. I will not hesitate to step up for Junsu and fight fire with fire if I must, but I won't be an obstacle either if they shall decide to rekindle their relationship with him."

Yoochun's words apparently put Junho's heart at ease as his expression turned more gentle and relaxed."Thank you."

Yoochun didn't say anything in response, the smile on his lips remaining there as he looked at Junho and admired the other's effort in trying to hold his family together.

He knew where Junho's worries came from, but he hoped Junho now understood that he did not intend on coming in between Junsu and his parents, ever. He wanted to protect him from harm, something Junsu's parents could bring upon his boyfriend in their current situation, but he would never hesitate in trying to help Junsu and his parents to find their way back to each other if his boyfriend's parents were willing to.

##
"- and I hope for him that he's being honest this time around or I'll make sure he'll disappear out of her and Changmin's life forever." Yunho grumbled as he loosened his tie and sat down next to his boyfriend who was awaiting him on the couch with a smile.

"Things might turn out better than you think. You told me yourself that she is not in love with him anymore." Jaejoong smiled and pressed a soft kiss onto Yunho's lips the moment the other wrapped his arms around him."She is an adult who can make rational decisions on her own, trust her judgment."

"I trust her, but I don't trust him."

"She doesn't either. Not fully. But I think she's having very good reasons to give him an opportunity to do things better. Jessica ssi obviously thinks that the chances of him saying the truth about leaving her and Changmin to protect them are high enough for her to give in and welcome him back to a certain extent."

Yunho tilted his head, his lips curving up into a smile combining both amusement and pride. Jaejoong has gotten very good at bringing his own point of view across, not easily relenting to whatever others said anymore.

"You're right." He replied gently and earned himself another kiss from his boyfriend, almost as if the other was rewarding him for agreeing with him.

Jaejoong shifted his position to lean against Yunho more properly, the taller male's upper body supporting his own as he rested his head against Yunho's chest.

"The way I see it, your sister is very strong. Stronger than you and Yoochun ssi may take her for. Let her take care of this on her own."

"I will." Yunho promised."And it's not like she's going to allow me or Yoochun to interfer again. She's grown so much and so fast that I could've sworn she was still a little girl the other day."

Jaejoong smiled. He loved how much Yunho adored his family. It was heartwarming to see the way he cared for them, always out to do what's best for them and to protect them from harm.

"By the way, she wants to make a small trip to the beach with Changmin the coming weekend and she wants us to join. Yoochun and Junsu ssi are also invited."

At the mention of Jessica's plans, Jaejoong's face lit up as he looked at his boyfriend with a bright smile."All of us together on a trip?"

"Yes. We'll leave Friday evening, spend the weekend in our family's beach house and be back in Seoul by Sunday evening."

The thought of having some peaceful time together somewhere far away from stress was something Jaejoong welcomed wholeheartedly. It was going to help washing away the traces left behind by the most recent unpleasant happenings.

"So, do I tell her that we'll join or..."

"I'd like for us to go." Jaejoong admitted with a shy smile which was soon kissed away by Yunho.

"Good."

##
"Finally here!" Yunho announced as he parked his car in front of the beach house they were going to reside in for the weekend, glad that the long car ride was finally over.

Next to him, Jaejoong was looking around in amazement, the excitement in his eyes not losing to the one within Changmin's small orbs the least bit. It was adorable how much happiness this small trip could bring to Jaejoong even before its official start.

"Let's go." Yunho smiled and unbuckled his seatbelt before stepping out, Jaejoong and Jessica swiftly following him with Changmin in Jessica's arms.

Just when Jaejoong and Yunho started working on getting the bags out of the trunk, Yoochun and Junsu arrived in Yoochun's car and Yunho couldn't decide who looked more excited between the two of them.

"The sea!" Yoochun yelled out the moment he stepped out of his car, having turned around to face the water before stretching his arms out dramatically.

Changmin giggled and soon struggled in his mother's hold, causing Jessica to put him down before the little boy stormed towards Yoochun and mimicked his uncle's movements.

"The sea!" The boy's voice rang through the air and had the adults laughing at his adorableness.

"Come on boys, we should get the bags into the house first." Yunho called out before making his way towards the front door with a few bags in his hands and Jaejoong as well as Junsu right behind him with the rest of the group's luggage.

Yoochun soon sprinted towards them to help after locking his car while Changmin was back by his mother's side, holding onto her hand tightly as he was led towards the white-painted house in front of them. It looked spacious and impressive, which was not really a surprise considering that - according to what Yunho told Jaejoong prior to their trip - Mr. Jung had his very best architects working on the building.

Jessica was quick to unlock the door and held it open for the four men after turning the lights on, smiling as she watched Changmin taking his shoes off before he went to explore the house on his own. The little one had been there before, but he had been no older than two years old back then and probably didn't remember any of it.

"Changminnie, don't run please."

"Yes, Umma!"

Jessica smiled in return and closed the door only after the row of men was inside the house and made their way towards the living room.

"Shall we unpack first or start with the BBQ right away?" Yunho placed the bags next to the couches before making his way towards the open kitchen directly connected to the living room.

Once it was decided that they were going to spend their weekend in the beach house, Yunho had made sure to let the property caretaker get the building ready for him and the others, also instructing him to fill the fridge and prepare the ingredients for a BBQ on the evening of their arrival.

Jessica hummed."Let's do the unpacking first and change into more comfortable clothes."

"Alright." Everyone agreed before making their way upstairs, Changmin soon following his mother's call as he joined the adults soon after.

##
"As expected, Yoochun oppa grills best." Jessica uttered before feeding her son some of the meat."Yunho oppa either serves them raw or totally dry."

"Yah!" Yunho protested half-heartedly before going back to eating, knowing that she was totally right with what she said.

He had major problems cooking big pieces of meat and generally didn't like to prepare meals himself.

Jaejoong smiled and pressed a comforting kiss on his boyfriend's cheek, soon finding himself being pulled closer against Yunho's body.

Junsu was watching everything with a smile as he continued to feed Yoochun because his boyfriend was way too busy grilling to actually grab himself something to eat. This was the first time he got to meet Jessica and he instantly felt comfortable around her just like he had felt when he first met Yoochun and Yunho. The three siblings were very easy to get along with and spending time with them, his best friend and little Changmin truly made him feel more at ease about everything.

Truth to be told, it somehow started to feel suffocating at home where he never knew whether he was going to accidentally run into his parents whenever he stepped out of his house and risked facing them alone with anyone there to shield him from their harsh, judgmental words. His brother had ensured him that things were going to be alright, but as of now, Junsu couldn't quite bring himself to believe it.

It hurt to know that his parents were thinking so badly of him just because the kind of love which made him happy was frowned upon by many religious people including his parents. But despite all, he knew that loving men while being a man himself was nothing wrong and ever since Yoochun stepped into his life, he was more convinced of it than ever.

He then saw Yoochun smiling at him and the way that simple gesture touched his heart had him realizing just how hard he has fallen for this man.

"I'm envious. Yoochun has someone to feed him." Yunho complained with a small pout as he eyed his boyfriend whose cheeks reddened in an instant before the web designer decided to feed Yunho bashfully, not once daring to meet anyone's eyes as he did.

"You're mean." Jessica muttered with a playful smile."Teasing Jaejoong ssi like that."

"Mean! Uncle Yunyun, be nice! Give food to uncle Jaejae too!" Changmin demanded, putting his hands on his hips like his mother always did when she scolded him.

Yunho played along all too gladly and gasped in shock before raising his hands in defeat."Okay, okay. If Minmin wants it that way."

The CEO then proceeded to trap a piece of meat between his chopsticks before leading it towards Jaejoong's lips. The other male's face was so red it would've been worrisome under different circumstances but he accepted the offered food nevertheless and could barely stand looking at the smirk on Yunho's lips while he heard Changmin and the others cheering in the background.

Jessica ooked around and realized how truly happy she was right now.

A few years ago she never thought that she was ever going to have moment where she was going to forget the pain from the wounds Changwook left behind, but it was warmth and bliss that controlled her life ever since her son was born. Her family gave her strength during every second of her life and she was glad that the people who gave so much love were now receiving just as much love.

When her gaze fell on Changmin who insisted on continuing to eat on his own, Jessica also remembered her talk with Changwook.

She never specifically told Changmin anything about Changwook.

It was a few months after Changmin entered kindergarten that the boy had asked her why he did not have a father like his friends did. But the only answer Jessica could offer to him back then were tears. She felt guilty for making him witness such an outburst, but she had been unable to control herself.

However, Changmin never asked him about that topic ever again. Her son was a smart boy and would never do anything which could make his mother sad.

But now that Changwook was back, she might have to be the one talking about that topic again and introduce Changwook to her son. She was willing to do so in the future if she shall find her trust in her ex-fiancé back one day.

##
"Now I know why people in the movies love it to sit on the beach and stare out at the ocean." Jaejoong smiled and earned himself a soft chuckle from his boyfriend.

Yunho was sitting right behind Jaejoong on the sand, his legs caging his boyfriend while his arms were wrapped around the other. They could still see and hear the others chatting and laughing on the balcony of the beach house as they enjoyed the nice food Yunho and Jaejoong had enough of for today, the others' distant voices breaking through the melody of the waves from time to time.

"It's romantic, isn't it?"

"It's...yes. And relaxing." Jaejoong admitted, leaning back into his boyfriend's embrace.

No words escaped from either of them for a while, their gazes fixed on the ocean as the lights from the beach house allowed for them to catch a glimpse of their surrounding better.

Yunho bit onto his bottom lip as he pondered about whether he should finally ask Jaejoong about that one thing constantly occupying his mind nowadays or just wait until he could be more sure of Jaejoong's positive answer.

Tightening his hold around his boyfriend, Yunho decided to try his luck.

"Jaejoongie, say..." He paused, taking a deep breath before proceeding to talk."What do you think of moving in with me?"

The way Jaejoong pulled away from him a little to sit up properly made Yunho's face fall, his fear of rejection only rising when Jaejoong turned to face him sideways.

"Moving in with you?"

"Yes, I mean...is it too soon for me to ask?"

Jaejoong pressed his lips into a thin line before turning around fully to face his boyfriend, now supporting himself on the sand by kneeling. He could see the nervousness and fear in Yunho's eyes all too clearly as the other shifted to sit cross legged.

The thought of moving in with Yunho did cross his mind before, but truth to be told, he would've never expected for either of them to actually plan doing it in the near future considering that they have been together for only a little while now. Sure, they were a couple which got intimate with each other really fast and remained that close physically and emotionally, but there were still some steps left for them to make together in their relationship which Jaejoong refused to skip in order to get right to the step of living together.

"I don't feel ready for that just yet." Jaejoong said truthfully, the crestfallen look on Yunho's face making his heart ache."Not yet. 'Not yet' does not mean 'never', Yunho. Please give our relationship some more time."

Yunho sighs."I-why? I mean, we love each other and we sleep over at each other's places so often. I mean, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to figure out why you don't want us to move in together. Is it simply because we have not been together for that long?"

"Partly." The younger male admitted."Also, we have not even met each other's...you have not met my sisters yet and I have not met your mother yet. Family is important to me and I find it important for us to get to know each other's families better than this to make that step. Imagine us living together without your mother ever having met me before that, how do you think would she react?"

Yunho bit onto his bottom lip, slowly realizing how much he had rushed everything.

It stung that Jaejoong didn't agree to live with him right away, but he had to admit that Jaejoong had a very good reason not to.

Moving in together was a big step and despite the two of them being adults already, Jaejoong was right about his assumption that his mother would feel upset about her son making such a grand decision without ever having introduced Jaejoong to her properly and he was sure that Jaejoong's sisters would also prefer to meet Yunho beforehand.

Two people living under the same roof was a big issue and Yunho felt bad for having ever considered not going the proper way of bringing Jaejoong deeper into his life. He had been too eager and has forgotten that the kind of relationship he wanted to have with Jaejoong involved not only the two of them but also their families.

He smiled, bringing his hands up to cup Jaejoong's cheeks before he leaned in to press a tender kiss of reassurance onto Jaejoong's lips."I understand."

Jaejoong felt himself relaxing instantly and when Yunho uncrossed his legs and stretched them, he immediately turned around and revived his old position between his boyfriend's legs. He smiled at the warm feeling of Yunho's arms around him, hoping that he would never have to miss this feeling ever again.

"We're getting there, Yunho."

"Hmm?" Yunho hummed in slight confusion.

"Our happily ever after. We're getting there."

Yunho hugged his boyfriend tighter, his heart racing and aching because the happiness he felt at that very moment threatened to make it burst."Yes, we're getting there."

---------------
comments are gold

the end

this calls for an epilogue