The Art Of Deception (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Thirty-One
**Note: Thank you, dadamidi, for the wonderful banner you made for me!**
**Note: Thank you, steorie, for the wonderful banner you made for me!**
The Art of Deception (Chapter Thirty-One)
Pairing: Yunho (DBSK) x Jaejoong (DBSK).
Category: K-Pop.
Length: Multi-chaptered.
Genres: Angst, drama, humor, romance.
Rating: PG-13.
Warning: Homosexuality, abuse, 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
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
I know this is super late but you guys must be used to it. D: Anyway, just wanted to say that the student strike is more or less kinda solved for now! We got one of the things we were asking for - for the tuition fee raise to be cancelled, and we won! But the fight is not over. Still, it's quite a relief!
In my case, well... Haha. I've been taking a break these last days because my acupuncturist fears that I'm dangerously close to a burnout. I'm working 40 hours at my internship which is fine, but I seldom take breaks, and aside from that I have school-related stuff to do (gonna be working 30 hours when school starts). I'm also 'trying' to prepare for trying my hand at the JET Programme, so practising my English/Japanese, but also researching on the program and taking care of things. And there's also the TESOL certification thing I did some time ago. Now I have an online component and an exam to get through. I'm sure there's other stuff but I can't remember... >__< So yeah, I'm trying to go east but get stuff done at the same time.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. It should be getting near to the end by now. :'D
***
[Yunho’s POV]
And Jaejoong would ask, what’s so menacing about a couple of geezers?
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I continue pacing around the room, aware of Jaejoong’s sharp eyes following my every move, shifting from left to right and back without growing tired of my restlessness. For this, I have no explanation, because even I am growing tired of myself. Considering his (supposed) legendary lack of understanding and patience, I have no idea how he manages to let me buzz around him nervously without wanting to flatten me on the wall with a swatter or crush me under a boot.
After walking past him for the thousandth time at least, I gradually stop and turn to look at him, who is seated on the side of my bed, legs stretched out - one casually, the other against his will. Jaejoong quirks a finely shaped eyebrow, but I just stare in defeat, at a loss for words. “Yunho…” He starts saying, and I know he’s going to say something smart and order me around. “…C’mon. Less catwalk, more dressing. Okay? As much as I enjoy watching you parade about half-naked, you need to hurry and get ready.”
He’s right.
God, I hate when he’s right.
Looking down at my bare chest, I shrug without too much interest, catching the shirt he throws at me mechanically. I slip on the white garment and start buttoning it, my mind elsewhere - anywhere but the place it should be. Mouth drawn in a thin line, I go about my business, trying not to look as terrified as I feel and failing miserably.
Jaejoong clicks his tongue in annoyance and instructs me to walk towards him.
“This is clearly not going to work. Come closer.”
Surprised, I snap out of my daze, only to discover the extent of my clothing disorder. How unbecoming of a man. The shirt buttons are all in the wrong holes… Meekly, I inch closer to my boyfriend with small shuffling steps, settling on the mattress uncertainly as Jaejoong reaches forward to salvage the situation, visibly more than happy to serve a purpose after sitting around like a useless piece of crap, as he puts it so well.
I shiver as his smooth cold fingers ghost over my skin.
Heaving out a deep sigh long restrained, I close my eyes momentarily, lifting a clammy hand to my forehead. Not really worried about what my mother would say if she were to enter at this moment, for I have other things to on my mind, I let Jaejoong proceed to dress me properly as a mother would have - just not my mother. Since my father died, she started doing things she never had before, things that the servants used to take care of. Preparing meals. Cleaning the house. Seeing me off and greeting me home. Lecturing me. Maybe she was lonely. Or she genuinely wanted to catch up on all the lost time.
Maybe one day I’ll get used to it. For now it’s just weird.
“Yah… You’re spacing out.”
I look down to see my shirt neatly done. Before I can reach for it, Jaejoong snags my tie and slips it around my neck, proceeding to make it into a flawless knot. I bet he could do that with his eyes closed… Where did he learn it? As if he had read my mind, Jaejoong smirks to himself before satisfying my curiosity. “Learning these kinds of tricks is a must when you live in the streets.” After saying that, he grows very quiet.
A shiver runs down my spine. I’m not sure I want to know what use there could be for it...
There are many things about him that I don’t know…
Without being able to help it, I feel the corners of my mouth curl down.
My crestfallen expression doesn’t escape Jaejoong’s eagle eyes and he attempts to do something about it. “C’mon, Yunho. Stop sulking and try to act like a grown-up for once. How about a smile…?” But I just stare at him blankly. Would you look at who’s trying to give me adulthood lessons. Something about this just feels terribly wrong. If anyone really is in no position whatsoever to be criticizing my childishness, it’s Jaejoong.
After a moment of silence, a silly grin disrupts the solemn concentration on his face.
“What I don’t get is why you’re so afraid of those old bags. You’re going out with me, for fuck’s sake. What could be scarier?” He wonders out loud, and I actually give his words some thinking. For the life of me, I have no idea at all…
Jokes aside, it isn’t every day that O Lord High and Mighty Jaejoong ridicules himself.
Honestly, he really isn’t much into self-derision, so I appreciate what he’s doing.
I crack a smile, finding some truth in his rhetorical question. “Not going to deny that.” Meeting him has done me a lot of good, but there have been tough patches. One thing’s for sure: it’s impossible to get bored around him. Satisfied by my positive reaction, however modest it may be, Jaejoong smiles sweetly in a way that I rarely get to see. “Now you’re talking. Don’t be nervous… I’m sure you’ll do great.”
The reason he’s so sure of that is because he doesn’t know everything just yet.
I remember when I told him I had decided to inherit the company…
I told him I had worked things out with my father after he started getting weak.
No matter what I’d said about Dad being all about money, I realised I loved him still… Money had made him this way, just like power corrupts the mind. At last, I accepted that my family’s business was a hotel chain and I accepted to take it over eventually, feeling that it was my duty as a son. However, I wanted to do it in my own way. Becoming a voracious self-interested vulture was not part of the plan, and out of the question.
Considering what Jaejoong had told me to drive me away from him, about the street life not being made for me, his reaction was surprising to say the least.
“You’re gonna do it? Are you possibly insane?”
I wanted to bang my head on a wall then. “You told me I had no future in the streets. Now I’m doing something about it. Can’t you make up your mind?”
“It’s just weird you suddenly want to try… You always said you’d hate that kinda job…”
“Well, I won’t know until I try, right? And it’s not like I have much of a choice…” Jaejoong nodded in understanding, but he looked rather shocked. It’s not like I could blame him, considering what a fuss I had used to make over this. “When I was gone, I reconciled with my father and promised I would take over. Since I didn’t know how long he had, I felt it was something I had to do for him, as his son, so he could leave in peace.”
More confusion on Jaejoong’s part.
He’s never had a father to please, much less one as demanding as mine.
“What I mean is… No matter what problems we’ve had in the past, he’s still my dad. Besides, who’s to say I can’t do it my own way? This could be fun… I don’t have to become a boring old bureaucrat… or follow in his footsteps, for that matter.”
“…but you’re already boring… and old… sorry, too late.”
I twitched at the comment. “I’ll give you a chance to rephrase that.”
My voice seemed to be challenging him to say that again. I wasn’t really mad, but I liked pretending to be and seeing how Jaejoong tried to salvage the situation. Yet it seemed like he knew about my little games and how to deal with them. “…Hey. Chill, will ya?” He had pulled me into a tight warm hug and buried his head in the crook of my neck. This was unlike him - well he was an obsessed pervert, but he just didn’t do romantic.
My suspicion peaked when it all dawned on me. With his mouth pressed against the fabric of my shirt, he muttered this: “I don’t mind. I like my men old.”
“Kim Jaejoong, you bastard!”
At the time, it kind of angered me a bit - what a pest he can be! -, but thinking back on that day and remembering his cute, boyish laugh as I delivered my tickling punishment of doom to him, and his frustrating persistence as he stubbornly stuck to what he said, although he had no breath left, I realize that it doesn’t really matter after all.
“I meant what I said! You-old man, ha ha! Stop!”
A sharp snapping noise pulls me out of my thoughts once again. When I come to, I notice Jaejoong’s face right in front of mine, staring at me fixedly.
“Are you sleeping? How rude.”
“You’re telling me this?”
“I don’t sleep when you’re around.”
“Good point.”
The two of us burst out laughing, as this is just a game we play. We are not angry with each other, far from it. Honestly, from the way Jaejoong and I are always bickering, people tend to assume that we hate each other’s guts. I don’t think they’ll ever figure out that we’re sleeping together. Still, it’s funny how clueless some can be.
“You were totally picturing me naked just now, weren’t you!”
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.” Pretending to care little about his body, I grab my tuxedo and prepare to leave. “Nevermind, I should be going now.”
But it seems like Jaejoong doesn’t want to see me move just yet. “…You know what… On second thought, this is still wrong.” He grabs me by the belt and pulls me in, making to undo the buttons of my shirt and do it over properly, but that’s clearly just an excuse. “Am I dreaming or are you making up reasons to keep me here?”
“Very clever, Sherlock. Tell me all about your exciting adventures.”
“You’re such an asshole.”
“How’d you guess?”
“That mouth of yours just never stops running, huh?”
“Would you rather I close it forever then? I’m afraid you’d soon come to miss it bad…”
I’m clearly not going to win an argument with the smartass - not in this lifetime at least - so instead of wasting breath over something so unachievable, I start heading for the door.
“Whatever. I’m not listening… Goodbye!”
“Yah! Don’t leave me here!”
Feeling an ounce - barely - of pity for him, I stop in my tracks, whirling around.
“Yah!” I imitate him to poke fun at him, so he realizes the extent of his ridiculous behavior. “…You should be resting instead of acting like a baby. Besides, I think it’s better if you don’t come. Clearly I’ll only get distracted and I can’t afford to let you of all people get carried away. I’ll come back as soon as I’m done to tell you about my miserable failure. There is no need for you to be there to witness it.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel bad.” Probably a little annoyed, but not willing to make a scene over it, he looks away, submitting to my orders without much enthusiasm. “Tch. Alright. But you better get back here quick or else. Capiche?”
“Yeah, yeah... I’m so scared.”
My voice is detached and unconvincing as I make for the door swiftly and go out without further ado. I am used to Jaejoong’s childishness. Nothing new here.
“You should be!”
As I head for the conference room, where the company shareholders have assembled (some of which are family members), I’m not worried about Jaejoong being mad at me. No matter how changing his moods are, and despite how easy it is to anger him, he is a man who forgives quickly - as far as I am concerned, at least. I know that his intentions are good, that he’s only trying to be of help to me, and I appreciate the support.
But this matter… It is not something that I want him to take part in, not until his role - the main role - requires that he comes into play. That time is not now.
***
[Jaejoong’s POV]
As soon as Yunho passes through the doorway, depression hits.
While he’s gone, I try not to think too much about it, to get my mind off it, but I just can’t. I have to face it: I’m worried about Yunho - more than I’ll admit out loud or even to him. I might not be the best person to say this, but I feel as if this inheritance process is going way too fast. A month ago, he was completely against it, and now he’s ready to go through with it? Even if he has the potential (which he just might), isn’t this a bit sudden?
It’s not that I don’t believe in him, but I love him way too much to let him rush this and screw up big-time. This is a major decision for him, one that will affect the rest of his life.
Is this really what he wants? Regardless, I’ll give him my support, but…
What if he’s just accomplishing his duty as a son without any real desire to do this?
Plus, I have a feeling he’s not telling me everything.
Disobeying Yunho’s recommendation (only the commend part being relevant; read “command”) that I do not tire myself out, which would impede my recovery, I make a modest attempt, lifting my stiff leg up and down the bed. Momentarily distracted, I look down at the cast, which is now filled with little drawings and signatures. My eyes go over the familiar words of love and health wishes, but then they find something that they had not before discovered, simply because it wasn’t there for me to see.
When did he find the time…? How did I not notice…?
Rolling my eyes, I click my tongue at the newest addition, a splendid work of art (although questionable) by the hand of Yoochun, I presume.
He must have taken advantage of a time when I was sleeping…
“This has to be a joke…”
Believe it or not, he actually drew a dick, a gigantic fleshy pink dick. Mother of hell… This is not going to help my relationship with Yunho’s mother... Now I get why she was eying me strangely earlier… That fucking idiot is going to get a piece of my mind.
To think that Yunho accuses me of behaving like a kid…
Who’s a kid, now, I wonder.
Ah, speaking of which, I should be going before Yunho starts. Planting my strong foot firmly on the floor, I prop myself up in one agile movement, but instead of flexing into a straight line like the other, my weak leg gives out under my weight (light as it may be) and before I know what’s happening, I’m lying sprawled out on the floor after landing in a graceless splat. I curse several times, trying to pick myself up.
For a moment, I fear that Yoochun will turn up at light speed and make me regret trying to run away (maybe by drawing another embarrassing horror on my leg).
No one comes. Weird… but all the better.
Actually glad that nobody can see me in such a pathetic position, I crawl over to my wheelchair and climb up to my seat. Damn it… This is what happens when you stop using your limbs. Muscle weakness. Loss of mobility. I shouldn’t have listened to him…
If I can’t dance again, Yunho will have a lot of shit to answer for, I can guarantee it.
After settling down, I wheel myself out of the room.
For a while, I wander around, but I know where the conference room Yunho is giving his little presentation at is located. Besides, I can perceive vague chatter close by… Pretending to be sight-seeing as I pass by one of the housekeepers, a woman who bows low at my approach, I roam amout to make sure that no one else is in the vicinity, but the coast seems to be clear for now. I get as close as I can to the door and lean to the side, pressing myself as much as possible to the panel and straining my ears to listen.
Luckily, I was born with a very good sense of hearing, not to mention that I’ve had good training as well. Or it could just be that Yunho is talking especially loud to be heard by those old men. Snickering to myself (inwardly, not out loud), I try to imagine them.
I’m positive they are all geezers that will say yes to Yunho, whatever he has to say, and nod to him and tell him how smart he is and how wonderful his idea seems.
What should he be worried about? What could go wrong?
The successor was always supposed to be him, no?
I hear sounds of protest coming from the inside, so I focus to make up for what I missed. My surprise is great when one of the men speaks up. He doesn’t sound that old... However, what follows shocks me even more. “I understand that you’re to inherit the company from your father, but what did you say you wanted to do with it? I’m afraid some of us did not hear you well. We wouldn’t want to draw the wrong conclusions…”
What are they talking about? This seems like a major chunk for them to swallow. Should I go in and interrupt before something goes wrong? Then again…
Maybe I shouldn’t.
For the time being, I should just listen and try to get more information.
But again, something gets in the way. It must be my bad karma.
Shuffling sounds can be heard as a butler walks down the hall and stops in front of me. Amusement is obvious in his eyes, but he remains polite. Well, it’s not like pretending not to have been listening has any chance of succeeding. Considering the way I’ve been scotch taped to the door for a few minutes, I’m not going to get away with a lie. But the guy doesn’t seem to be planning to tell on me. “I won’t say anything, sir.”
Under my breath, I mutter a barely perceptible ‘thank you’.
What a joke I’ve become... My stealth skills are useless for as long as I’m in this chair…
Waiting until the butler disappears from my sight, I resume my spying mission.
“…a shelter for the poor. Talent houses all over the country. But I’ll start with this house, of course, then progressively expand to the other hotels. All unnecessary decoration - pretty much everything - will be sold and the money will be used to start programs for the youth so that they may express themselves through art. The meals will be prepared and all necessities provided. Trust me, there are so many talented-”
“What is this… what… a circus? Some kind of hobo festival?”
“Now, now… That’s going a little too far, Taechang-ssi.”
“That’s what it is!”
I hear a cough and a few barely restrained laughs of contempt. I feel my blood boil.
How dare they make fun of Yunho.
Not to mention they speak so unknowingly about kabuki. What a bunch of ignorant losers.
“No, it’s kabuki. For the most part, at least. How can you insult such a noble art?”
For a moment there, I wish I could go in and hug Yunho to death.
I feel myself glowing with pride.
But the old bags go on. It does not take a genius to conclude from their voices that they are not happy. What’s more, their words are nothing short of harsh. What the hell is wrong with them? “Even if it’s kabuki, you can’t be serious… Who has ever heard of vulgar vagabonds dancing and singing prettily like members of high class families?”
My chest is swelling with love for Yunho, but I clench my fists and tighten my jaw, trying to control the anger I feel from hearing those heartless bigots.
Yunho persists.
“You don’t understand. Have you even seen them perform?”
Roars of laughter erupt in the room. “This is your plan? Make one of the country’s most successful businesses into a non-profit organisation? That’s a nice dream, boy, but you have obviously never worked in the field before… Who do you imagine you are, a saint? Will you let them all live off your fortune for the rest of your life? What kind of senseless rubbish has that effeminate twerp put in your head? He wants money, obviously!”
“I don’t care about my father’s money. I have no interest in yours either. You are free to leave this room if you want. That will actually make things easier for me.”
“What if we oppose to this decision of yours? This is nonsense!”
“With all due respect, I am not asking for anyone’s permission.”
My eyes widen at Yunho’s comeback. He has come a long way since I met him. Before, he never would have dared say such a thing. I like to think I’m partly responsible for his sudden change for the better, but these guys don’t seem to share my excitement. “What! We are all grown men and civilised members of the high society, but you, boy, are an insult to your father’s name. How can you act so rashly without our consent?”
I can’t take more of this shit! Unbelievable!
I’m not supposed to be listening and it would not be wise to be caught, given what low esteem they all seem to have for me. It’s not like I really am in a position to kick their ass either, so that’s not an option, but damn, I sure wish I could. Still it’s so frustrating to hear them sully Yunho’s pride so openly as if they had not an ounce of respect for him. Never would I have imagined that supposed members of the high class could aim so low.
“Don’t you know that eavesdropping is wrong...?” Yoochun breathes out in my neck, startling me out of my mind. “…when you do it without me, ‘course.” He completes his sentence upon seeing the face I’m making at his sight. Thank god it’s him! I thought it might be some of the shareholders ganging up on me. Listening to their garbage talk about me, I gathered that they don’t like me very much… Better watch my ass.
“Leave me alone… you fucking dick-obsessed weirdo.” I whisper, so as not to alert the people inside the room. Thankfully, Yoochun takes the hint and does so too.
“Ooh. You finally saw it.”
“More like it fucking fell in my eyes… It’s hard to miss…”
“Gotta say it’s pretty well done… Hey, it’s even full size! You should be honored!”
“Shut. Uuuuuup.” I mutter, covering his mouth with my hand.
Well, well… Someone sounds pretty damn proud of himself. Whatever… It’s not like I’m going to hold it against him. I couldn’t stay mad at him, even if I wanted to. And I have to admit, in retrospect, that it is kinda funny… maybe. Making a gesture for him to come closer to me, so I can speak more easily to him, I give him a quick summary of what’s going on. As soon as this is done, we go back to listening in on the meeting.
“It’s those filthy tramps you picked up from the streets, is it not? They’re the reason you’re doing this, that girly guy especially. The rumor goes that you have been spending a lot of time with a shady individual. Some even say you two are lovers. Is this true? What a dangerous acquaintance to have… How can you trust him and not us?”
“Nothing obligates me to answer that. However, I will say this: I am not doing this for Jaejoong specifically. If you’re not going to support my decision-”
A pleasant, somewhat young voice speaks out.
“I would like to hear what he has to say. I think this project has a lot of potential.”
The tension is so thick that I can feel it. The men stop talking. Yunho seizes the chance to slip in a few words. “It’s not like we’ll be accepting anyone. We’ll do background checks to make sure that no one is taking advantage of us and only accept the people that truly need our help. Plus, everyone will work. Those who possess knowledge will have to share it with the others. This way, they should all at least know how to read. Some will cook and others clean. Everyone’s know-how will be used to benefit everyone.”
How could they refuse if they’re not gonna have to lift one finger?
Somehow I feel like they’re uniting to overthrow Yunho’s plans… Something’s fishy…
“Although kabuki will be the main attraction, some could perform other types of art… This shelter would be self-supporting. It would generate a considerable amount of money. This troupe, Oblivion, is quite popular and successful. I can assure you won’t regret it. The performances would be a major means of financing the initiative and you wouldn’t be losing out either in the long run. Kabuki is very fancy and fascinating to the rich.”
There is something frustrating about the fact that part of the money we make is going to go straight in their pockets… Still, this is an offer we just cannot refuse.
We lost everything. The pigs are after us.
If we want Oblivion to stand back on its feet, we will need this helping hand. We can’t do it on our own. This may be our only chance to perform again…
Glancing sideways at Yoochun, I read the same thoughts in his eyes.
“Our help? You speak as if we had already agreed to cooperate.”
Seems like some people are intent on making this difficult for Yunho…
“This is ludicrous. I cannot believe what I am hearing. Yunho, you might want to consult a psychiatrist because something is wrong with your head. You’ve gone insane.” Now feeling sorrier for them now than for Yunho - those men are completely nuts -, I still fight back the urge to barge in and tell them off. “What a complete waste of money! How dare you so easily waste generations of hard work? Your father-”
Please tell him to go to hell. Please. Please. Please.
Though he doesn’t grant my wish - it would have been quite a relief -, Yunho speaks very intelligently and for some reason, what he says is even better. “I’ve felt the greatest boredom, emptiness and weariness for the longest time. I have no intention to keep living like that. Even though it might be foolish of me, I won’t know unless I try… I have to. All I know is that stepping on the poor to get by is not something that I want.”
“I’m not shedding all the blame I should take. I’m guilty as well, just like you all… Guilty of wealth and egotism. There won't be any great change without a few sacrifices. I’m willing to make those sacrifices because the result is worth it. Those that are not will be given back their money and warmly invited to never show up before my face again.”
The voices heat up inside the room and I consider this a warning to leave, as they might be coming out soon. Yoochun nudges me, bidding me to follow him and get out of here.
But I’m literally captivated.
Reeled in by the commanding yet charismatic voice I’ve never heard before.
“Furthermore…!”
The chatter dies down a little, but the people are clearly agitated. They are arguing, actually. Could there be more people on Yunho’s side after all…?
“I will not allow anyone to insult Jaejoong, much less in my presence. He deserves to be respected as much as anyone here, if not more. I won't tolerate tasteless comments.”
Who are you and what have you done with Yunho?
It’s him, and yet… it’s not.
What a transformation. He speaks so well, like a born leader... I am floored.
“Apologize.” He orders, probably to the bastard who said shit about me earlier. Not that I really mind, but I’m happy that Yunho is standing up for me. The asshole who had been speaking on most people’s behalf seems quite pissed by Yunho’s “impudence” as I’m sure he would call it and instead of surrendering, he suddenly gets up, his chair scraping on the floor in the process. That’s when I realize it’s too late for us to escape.
Yoochun grabs the handles of my chair and backs out of the way, managing to get a few feet away from the door before it swings open and bangs against the wall.
Damn, that might have hurt a little. Kinda glad that wasn’t my nose.
On seeing me, the man utters a sound of disapproval and storms down the corridor towards the entrance before exiting the house through the front door which slams shut. He’s followed closely behind by who I assume to be his supporters, or maybe (hopefully) the indecisive. Not bothering to try blending in or disappearing through the wall (it’s a bit too late by now), I watch them pass me by and glare at them, unable to control myself.
What a bunch of douches.
When he goes out the room, accompanied by a few men (most of whom are quite young, maybe a bit older than us), Yunho sees me.
He doesn’t an explanation. He understands right away.
“Why am I not surprised…”
As the rest of the men file out of the room, addressing goodbyes to Yunho and promises of a more thorough analysis of his project in the near future, they look at me with politeness but also uncertainty. I nod at them in a semi-bow and they return the gesture. After all, Yunho is doing all of this for us… and those people are actually entrusting a lot of their money to him. The least I can do is show them a little respect… I guess.
Yup. We may have something here.
“How long have you been standing there?” Yunho asks me, before glancing at Yoochun who is subtly trying to get away. “That question was also meant for you, Yoochun-ah.”
Freezing in his steps, Yoochun turns his heels hesitantly and inches towards us, head low.
But when he lifts his eyes, a wolfish grin curls his lips upwards.
“What?” He asks, struggling to hold his laughter before Yunho’s serious expression. “…I just got here. See how long he’s been here. I don’t know anything.” As Yunho turns his eyes to me, I hold his scrutinizing gaze, intent on taking responsibility for my actions, because I am not a wimp. Besides, he’s not really angry… I think.
“Yunho, before you say anything, I just want to…”
“So now you know.”
To my great surprise, he leans forward and pulls me into a hug instead of scolding me, surrounding me with his strong, warm arms. Over his shoulder, I give Yoochun a look that clearly says to get the hell outta here if he values his life. All smiles now, my alter ego agrees to cooperate this time, saluting me and leaving with the stealth and discretion that I miss so much. Damn, I’d kill for a run on a rooftop…
‘Course, I know fully well that he’s just going to wait around the corner and listen.
Bending down on one knee to look at me at eye-level, Yunho fails to remain serious and chuckles warmly, looking at me with the resolute patience of a parent who doesn’t know what to do with his child anymore. I guess that’s kinda how it is, huh.
“I’m not mad at you, if you were worried about that…”
“I wasn’t worried-”
“I know.” He interrupts me, raising his hand to brush my unruly hair away from my eyes and then smoothing it on the side of my head before letting the back of his hand ghost down my cheek. “I was going to tell you soon, but I wanted to make sure that I could go through with it before I even breathed a word about it. I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your permission… but I knew you’d refuse if the papers weren’t signed already…”
Why does he have to be so generous?
I kinda miss bratty spoiled papa’s boy. Just a little.
Trying not to let my emotions get the better of me - I still have my pride, but even I can’t help but feel touched by the gesture -, I just let Yunho hold me and rest my forehead on his shoulder, arms hanging loosely at my sides. “Thank you.” I croak out against the fabric of his shirt, unsure what to say exactly. “…Somehow, this feels like a very shitty way to show my gratitude, but I’m so thankful I don’t know how to express it.”
“This is enough. You shouldn’t feel indebted to me.”
Yunho’s hands run down my back and settle on the bottom, where he starts drawing soothing circles slowly. Relaxing my stiff body, I melt into his embrace.
“Jaejoong… I meant what I said. I’m not doing this specifically for you, but for everyone else too, and also for the people that we haven’t met yet and that will join our team with a bit of luck. Since learning what a hard time some people are going through, I just can’t stand here doing nothing for them. If you guys accept, of course, then I’m ready.”
Giving Yunho my best smile, I pump my fist. “Let’s do this.” Chapter Thirty-Two