The Art of Deception (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Six
**Note: Thank you, dadamidi, for the wonderful banner you made for me!**
The Art of Deception (Chapter Six)
Pairing: Yunho (DBSK) x Jaejoong (DBSK).
Category: K-Pop.
Length: Multi-chaptered.
Genres: Angst, drama, humor, romance.
Rating: PG-13.
Warning: Homosexuality, light swearing, sexual implications, violence.
Summary: Yunho is a rich son who’s never done anything to earn his own money. Attending snobby diners and appearing in social events with his parents is more than he can take, so he decides to run away, thinking that surely life is better elsewhere - anywhere but his place. Little does he know that it doesn’t get any better in the slums. His thirst for adventure will be quenched - a little too much. Enter street Kabuki actor Kim Jaejoong!
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Sorry this chapter sucks so much... I had such a hard time writing it... D: This is one of the parts I really hadn't planned, so I was a bit lost ha ha... Sorry, the rest will be better! Thank you for reading anyway! Oh yeah, don't let the bickering and Jaejoong's attitude get to you... ;) There shall be YunJae soon enough!
***
[Jaejoong’s POV]
Somewhere between slumber and wake, I feel myself surfacing from my sleep, even though I would have slept a little longer. A conversation is taking place close by… Hushed whispers and shuffling sounds surround the soothing darkness that I’m bathed in. The voices belong to adult men - Yoochun, Junsu, Changmin and… Could it be Yunho? What is he doing here? And where am I exactly?
Before I open my eyes to find out, a slight twinge of curiosity tickles me, holding me back.
I don’t know why, but I have to listen. Just a minute or two.
“Don’t you think it’s a little odd…? He’s been out for two hours already.”
Keep that between you and me, but my heart leaps when I hear those words. I wasn’t mistaken when I assumed that I had heard Yunho speak. He’s present, alright, and quite close to me… A foot to the right, at most. As if I wasn’t ashamed of myself enough already, I feel the palm of his hand pressed flat against my forehead and I almost jump at the cool sensation, but I manage to stay still. The reason why I know it’s his, well… Simply that I know my friends enough to be able to tell the difference.
Yunho’s hand is large without being oversized, and despite its undeniable manliness, it feels incredibly soft against my skin, unlike the roughness I might have expected.
Wait… What the hell am I saying?
It’s not like me to notice things like that, much less care about them.
Aish… How disgustingly cheesy. Must be Yoochun’s influence.
“This isn’t the first time this happens... Joongie always does more than is asked of him. I think he’s just craving for popularity a little too much… He sure likes the attention…”
Speaking of the devil… blabbing behind my back.
Can’t wait to hear what he has to say for his defense… He better have a damn good reason.
To my great pleasure and surprise (don’t ask me why), Yunho doesn’t quite agree with Yoochun, though he beats around the bush to say it respectfully instead of scoring it in like the bastard deserves. “Yeah, I don’t know… He really seemed to be into it to me. I don’t think he was faking… To be honest, I’ve never seen someone perform with so much feeling in my life before, and this wasn’t my first time watching Kabuki. Jaejoong is a lot more talented than many professional, yet passionless actors out there.”
Well, it sure would be a big fat lie to say hearing that doesn’t make my day.
Right, the show. It’s slowly coming back to me.
All I can hope for now is that I’m not blushing and that they won’t notice how happy I am.
I knew I had seen him amongst the crowd. At the moment, I thought I might have been imagining things, but he truly was there in front of me, seated in the very front row.
So he actually cared to come all the way here to see me?
Then again, he might have done so in hopes that I might screw up and make a fool out of myself.
Nah… He sounds sincere enough. I’ll just have to believe him.
Yoochun’s voice pulls me out of my musings, and what he says doesn’t exactly fill me with joy. “Yeah? That’s ‘cause you don’t know him well enough. I’ve known him all my life and I can assure you that he’s just trying to get you to notice him by acting so cool and tough. That’s our Joongie, alright.”
But once again, Yunho has something to say in my defense. He really is standing up for me… “Sorry, but there’s no way anyone can put on an act so well. He was sincere, I’m sure of it.”
As for Yoochun, well…
“Wow, that big shot has really managed to fool you-”
Hold on. He must be doing this on purpose. That guy is trying to get a reaction out of me.
Unable to let this go on any longer, I flutter my eyes open as a wide grin finally breaks out on my lips. The sight that meets my eyes is that of the four guys hovering above me, watching me closely, but as soon as I catch them doing it, they all jump back looking guilty - all except Yoochun. Not that the fault is not his… Simply, in his case, he’s looking at me smugly, proud of himself for some reason.
He knew I was awake all along, didn’t he.
Aside from a lot of good things that come out of knowing each other so well, there are downsides.
“Big shot, huh? You… You’re so dead, bastard-” I threaten him, meaning none of the words that I say, as made obvious by the laughter in my voice. Intent on punishing him (though I’m not really mad at the guy), I grab him by the neck and pull him towards me to give him a beating, but he clasps his hand around my wrist, twists my arm over his head and gets out of my grasp in a flash.
We even know the other’s tricks, how he pulls his punches, so much that we can predict how he will move every time we fight. Such a bummer… It’s not even fun anymore.
Among everyone present, Yunho seems to be the most surprised and… well, worried. I think I know exactly why. “You were pretending to sleep, huh… How much did you hear?” He asks me calmly, probably horrified at the thought that I clearly heard all the praise he shoved at me just now. Finally, I have the advantage again and I’m not going to let that chance slip away.
“Enough.” I answer him, trying hard not to show my amusement - and failing pretty badly.
As Yunho gives me a truly disheartened look, I take a comfortable position, planting my hands behind me, slightly apart, and supporting myself on them. Not to mention that I feel myself smirking again without being able to help it (not that I would want to). For a moment, I almost pity him, but torturing him is much too entertaining for me to give it up. “I didn’t know you were that crazy about me… But don’t fall for me too fast. It won’t hurt as much when I reject you if you don’t get your hopes up.”
As I say this, I make it seem as though it doesn’t bother me very much, but the truth is, I’m a lot happier by Yunho’s interest in me than I let on. Something which I don’t plan on telling him any time soon.
Once he recovers from the blow his pride just took, Yunho conjures a comeback out of thin air. “Jaejoong. I’ve been told you’re a terrific liar. I see the rumors are true after all.”
“And you’re awfully confident. Think you’re too good for me?”
“I don’t think, I know. But you’re free to prove me wrong.”
“Don’t challenge me.”
Such a hard expression to read. I can’t figure out what this guy is thinking… Does he hate me for being so arrogant and difficult with him (even I’m aware that I’m giving him a hard time) or does he enjoy these little verbal fights we’ve been putting each other through? Since he’s participating, I could assume it’s the latter, but there’s no way for me to know that right now…
What’s on your mind, Yunho?
***
[Yunho’s POV]
Deciding not to pursue the matter further, as I’m clearly not going to get the last word, I remain silent, finding it hard to watch Jaejoong smirk in satisfaction at having won the argument. Whatever… If he plans to act like a child, I’ll just have to be the better man of us two. Fortunately, Yoochun speaks up then, breaking the silence. “I’ve been meaning to ask… Why are you here exactly? You’re that rich guy’s son, aren’t you? Hum… That hotel chain owner, Jung… something. Aren’t you though?”
So I’m discovered, huh. Why is it that the people who shouldn’t know manage to find out, while those who should know just don’t get it? Sometimes I wonder if this name is a curse or a blessing…
Not knowing where to begin, I hesitate, looking for the right words to say. I’m not sure if I should tell them about my identity, as well as my plans, but I feel as though I can trust them. Scanning the faces of the four men assembled around me, I find that Jaejoong still harbors that annoying(ly cute) smile on his perfectly flawless face, while Yoochun appears pensive and Changmin, awfully curious.
Only Junsu, who seems to interpret my silence as refusal to speak, smiles at me sweetly.
“It’s alright if you don’t want to tell us. It’s not like it’s our business anyway.”
Changmin brushes his fingers up Junsu’s arm as he leans to the side to whisper something in his ear.
Suspicious. Very suspicious.
After hearing those words, part of me is relieved that I don’t have to give them an account of my life in a nutshell. But at the same time, I’m starting to wonder if I really can do this alone after all.
Besides, having allies to rely on might not be such a bad idea if I’m going to stick around.
Regardless of what Junsu just said, Jaejoong joins in on the conversation, exposing his point of view. “Well, I want to know.” He stubbornly sticks to his own desires, with the intention of finding out my motives for leaving. Whether it’s true or not, I know that he’ll do what needs to be done to get the information out of me. “I also want to determine if we can trust him or not. After all, we did bring him to our hideout, but we have to make sure he won’t reveal our location to anyone.”
Yoochun furrows his brow, confused by Jaejoong’s sudden change of behaviour. “Yah, Jaejoong-ah… Aren’t you the one who brought him to us because you were worried he was going to freeze to death or die of starvation? Now you’re saying we should kick him back in the street?”
The said man shrugs disinterestedly. “I changed my mind. Life’s a bitch.”
He’s clearly making it up on the spot… What a brat.
Yoochun sighs. “I honestly don’t know what to do with you anymore…”
Stubborn as always, Jaejoong persists in doubting my good intentions. Just what is his problem? I feel my patience running short… “When he’ll have told us what he’s here for, I’ll reconsider. But for now, nothing tells me he wasn’t sent by his father to kick us out of here. Maybe they’re planning on building a hotel and he’s here to clear out the vermin before they tear down this place?“
“I have nothing to gain by doing that. If you’d just hear me out-”
“And I have no reason to believe you.”
“I won’t. Okay? I mean no harm.” I assure him, a little hurt to learn he has so little trust in me. It is to be expected, but can’t he give me a chance to prove I’m trustworthy before he rules me out?
I don’t care what this looks like to him… I just wish he would open up a little.
But it’s like ever since I started trying to get closer to him, he cut me off before I got to learn anything.
What could I have done or said for him to shut down so suddenly?
“Why are you like this? Seriously, make up your mind. Don’t just take me with you and then tell me to get lost. Stay consistent in what you say.” Patiently, more or less, I wait for him to give in and let me explain myself at last. “Look, if I said or did anything to piss you off, I’m sorry. But when I say I’m not here to cause you guys any kind of trouble, I’m telling the truth.”
At first, he mulishly keeps his head down, refusing to yield even a little.
But when he looks up and into my eyes, his hard expression slowly softens and I can see that if the battle isn’t won yet, we have at least gone a short way just now.
Taking Jaejoong’s acceptance (or lack of opposition thereof) as a cue, I begin to explain what went on in the last weeks mostly, revealing bits of information here and there about my past and background. Slowly, I tell them about being sick of having it all so easy, about wanting to spend some time away from home, so I can learn a little about life and its ups and downs. But I haven’t time to get very far in my story…
“Why would you want to do that?” Jaejoong asks, clueless as to why I would suddenly refuse the kind of lifestyle I’ve had for as long as I can remember. “Are you possibly an M?”
Oh, come on. He can’t possible be serious.
Speechless, I simply look at him assessing me with his piercing gaze, black bangs like feathers on abnormally pale skin. The lighting of the room gives him an almost ghostly appearance, but that doesn’t take away an ounce of his charm. I wish I could hate that sinfully handsome man and that obnoxious smirk of his, I really do, but all I can do is stare in admiration. The funny thing is I’ve seen handsome men in my life before… What makes this one so special, I have no idea at all.
Such a shame he has such an attitude problem.
“I think that’s very noble of him, hyung…” Junsu puts forward hesitantly, and at that very moment, I’m grateful of him for understanding that my reasons run deeper than one might think.
“No one with a minimum of sanity and common sense can say goodbye to an easy life in favor of this.”
Ignore him. Ignore him, Yunho. You’re above that.
“He probably just wants the credit-“
Alright, that’s enough.
Without being able to hold my tongue any longer - there’s a limit to how much I can take -, I finally tell him what I think. “How would you know that, really…? Why are you pretending to understand what I’m here for?” I wish he would stop judging me so hard. It’s not my fault if I was luckier than he was. What’s more, the fact that my family has money doesn’t make me happier… “Money isn’t everything, geez… “
Something in Jaejoong’s face tells me that his opinion of me might have gone up a tiny bit with that last statement, but it still has a long way to go. “So… What are you here for, then?”
The answer to that question is simple.
“Freedom.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever-“
There is really no end to that guy’s rants. “Aishhhhhh, would you shut up already? Stop giving your two cents all the time. If that’s all you’re going to say, why don’t you just keep quiet?”
Heavy silence fills the room as Jaejoong remains still, lips slightly parted in surprise. I think he’s positively shocked by my boldness. However, that’s as much of a reaction that I’m going to get from him, as much as his genes seem to naturally allow his features to distort without ruining the elegant painting that is his face. Eyebrows creased, he seems to be having trouble understanding what just happened.
Yoochun snickers boyishly and the scene that had seemed to be frozen for a few seconds finally comes to life again. “You’re really something. No one tells Jaejoong to shut up and lives to tell the tale.”
Jaejoong’s eyes are peering at me pointedly, trying to read through my actions.
“Don’t speak too soon. The day isn’t over yet.”
Is he seriously threatening me? Or is that his own strange way of humoring me?
Changmin reaches over to pat my shoulder. “Jaejoong-hyung is socially retarded. Don’t mind him.”
“Yeah, you’re being so rude… This isn’t the way to treat guests, Jae-Jae. Why don’t you reflect on that while we have tea with Yunnie?” Having said that (i.e. scolded his good friend), Yoochun pats his head affectionately, a gesture that Jaejoong pushes away with his hand, looking slightly put off as he scowls and humphs in annoyance. But he doesn’t look genuinely mad at his friend, more like…
Rather than misbehaving with the intent of doing wrong, he might have just been on the defensive.
But why would that be…? Why would he feel the need to put up walls around himself?
What is he afraid of, really? It’s not like I forced him to take me along…
Now pouting, Jaejoong lies back down on his side and brings the cover over his head to conceal himself from our view. Not the most glorious retreat, but I guess that at this point, it’s the wisest choice for him. “Can you guys please give me some time? I’d like to rest some more. I’m still a little tired.”
“Sure, baby.” Yoochun says softly, patting his side. “Hope you won’t be as grouchy when you wake up.” He adds to tease him, and Jaejoong groans and kicks him through the sheets, making him chuckle.
Then, he gets up to leave, followed shortly by the others.
Incredible. I can’t understand how he manages to stretch Jaejoong’s patience so much without getting into trouble. Those two sure are the best of friends…
Once outside the bedroom, we head for the kitchen/living room, the second room out of a total of three. I’m quite intrigued by what brought them to all live together in this place (the singers’ quarters in what used to be a prominent opera house, and where Kabuki performances now take place), but I refrain from asking about what is clearly not my business. Let them bring it up if they feel I deserve to know.
Three children are waiting for us and they greet us as soon as they spot us. They’re introduced to me as Taemin, Jonghyun and Minho. I wasn’t expecting to see children, but when I think back a little, I do remember Jaejoong saying something about kids… He must have been talking about them. According to Changmin, a good half of the troupe is missing right now, as they have a show.
We take place on the floor around a long table surrounded by pillows and cushions, while Junsu goes to make some tea for us.
One of the kids - a blonde little angel, Taemin - sneaks over to my side and begins to stare at me closely. Meanwhile, Jonghyun, who seems like quite the cheerful child, tackles the task of braiding Changmin’s hair. As for him, Minho, much calmer, crawls onto Yoochun’s lap and falls asleep almost immediately. Not long after, Junsu comes back and sets down a tray of cups and a small tea kettle on the table.
Tentatively, I smile at Taemin, who sticks his tongue out in return.
I wonder where he learned to do that… or should I say, who taught him.
Still, he’s just a child and I know he means no harm, so I don’t take the offence and mirror the action. That seems to please Taemin who breaks into a full-blown grin and continues to observe me, head cutely cocked to the side. Does that mean I pass the test? A little self-conscious, I turn my attention to the present men, who are patiently waiting for me to speak up. This time, I notice that Junsu and Changmin’s fingers are subtly entwined on the floor, and I catch them exchanging loving glances.
This can’t be a coincidence, neither can it be my imagination.
Those two have something going on…
Endeared, and maybe a little envious, I watch the two of them, wondering to myself if a certain raven beauty could possibly play in the same team than the three of us, before scolding myself inwardly for having such thoughts. Primo, the fact that he potentially has gay friends doesn’t mean anything. Segundo, why should it matter to me if he does swing that way? It has nothing to do with me…
Or does it…? I don’t really know anymore…
Yoochun clears his throat and I instantly return to planet Earth. “We’re listening.”
So I continue revealing the reasons why I left. I tell them how I have always had what I needed (and didn’t need) before I even asked for it (a story that attracts its share of envious looks), that despite knowing just how lucky I am to have virtually everything, I want to experience hardships and heartbreaks, I want a trip out of my comfort zone, no matter how foolish that might sound. I’ve never known anything other than opulence and material property, but I’m sure there’s more to life than that.
I don’t want my existence to revolve around my father’s company and an arranged marriage, without ever getting a taste of what “real life” is about. Before it’s too late…
“Because there’s probably no way for me to escape my fate, I want to use the precious free time that I have left to try and see new things. This probably doesn’t make sense to you, who have such a hard time, but it’s not always easy living in a crystal ball… Sometimes it feels like a prison…” After rethinking the words that I’ve just spoken, I realize how trivial they probably sound to them. I’m such an idiot…
“Sorry… My problems seem so stupid compared to what you must have gone through…”
“No, I think I understand what you mean…” Junsu comments with empathy as I take a small sip of jasmine tea, greatly welcoming the warm beverage that flows down my throat.
Changmin winces as Jonghyun pulls a little too hard on his hair. “So do you have any plans? Like where you’re going to stay or what you’re going to do?” As he asks me that question and I think about what I’m going to say, the recklessness of my actions hits me once again.
“To be honest… not at all. I kind of acted on a whim, so I didn’t have time to prepare anything…”
Yoochun whistles in admiration.
“Pretty impressive. You have guts, I’ll give you that.”
“I thought you might find me dumb, considering all the trouble I’ve gotten in ever since I came here…”
“Maybe a little bit…?” Yoochun jokes mischievously, before waving his hand to dismiss the matter. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding…! It’s a good thing you stumbled upon Jaejoong, though... We can give you a hand if you need our help.” To know that I have people on my side makes me feel quite relieved. Suddenly, Yoochun shifts his gaze to the ajar door that leads to the bedroom where Jaejoong is currently resting. “By the way… Yah, Joong-ah, you can come out already… I know you’re listening.”
A few seconds pass as I stare at the dark opening, wondering whether Yoochun’s guess was right or not. But before time can prove the man wrong, the door opens slowly and a familiar black tuft of hair appears from behind the wooden panel. The head remains lowered as Jaejoong doesn’t dare look at us.
Well, well, well. Look who’s here.
Why was he eavesdropping? I thought he didn’t care?
Chapter Seven