Your Pretty Face and Electric Soul ✿ for dailanche
Title: Your Pretty Face and Electric Soul
Recipient: dailanche
Rating: PG-13
Side pairing/s: Kris/Baekhyun
Word Count: 4,613 words
Summary: Baekhyun has been living a perfect life as Kris’ boyfriend until he meets Jongdae, a jazz club singer.
Warning/s: some violence and infidelity
Parties. Champagne flutes. Shining crystal chandeliers. Flapper girls. Gorgeous Mafia boyfriends. This is what Baekhyun's life looks like. It's certainly what you can call a perfect life.
Tonight's party is held in a hazy club and it's packed to the brim. The air is thick with smoke from cigarettes and the smell of alcohol is strongly pronounced. Baekhyun suppresses his yawn for the tenth time that night. The party is still in full swing but Baekhyun's tired. He looks at his watch, first to find out the time then to entertain himself by following the trail of the second hand.
The flapper girl he's talking to frowns at him and gives him a small nudge, leaning forward to expose her barely clad chest at him. He looks at her without lifting his head, clearly disgusted at the sight and wanting her gone. She sighs at him and stands up to find another person to talk to (or seduce, whatever she wants to do. She's not his type at all. Besides, he has Kris already.
His eyes scans over the crowd, looking for Kris but catches the eye of the jazz singer instead. The singer gives him a wink as he sings with his velvety and twinkling voice. It amazes Baekhyun how nice he sounds and spends the rest of the moment absorbed at listening to him.
(It's the start but Baekhyun doesn't know. It must be the velvet voice and pretty face.)
The moment the number finishes, the singer bows and walks off the stage. Baekhyun's eyes kept following the man and he's amazed that the man has the credibility to stare back. He approaches Baekhyun and he notices that not only is his voice handsome, he's also attractive in a mischievious and youthful way.
There's an ache in Baekhyun's chest when the singer smiles at him.
"I'm Kim Jongdae." The man holds out his hand for Baekhyun to shake. "And who am I in pleasure of meeting?"
"Baekhyun. Byun Baekhyun." He takes the hand and shakes it lightly. Jongdae's smile turns into a taunting grin (and some sourness if it's even possible).
"Ahh.. The mafia boss' famous boyfriend. Am I right?" Baekhyun preens on being recognized. Nevertheless, he nods slightly and Baekhyun swears he sees some flash of emotion in Jongdae's eye. He's not sure what kind of feeling it is.
"Should I get you a drink then? It wouldn't benefit me if I were to be rude to someone special?" Jongdae says, slight sarcasm tingeing his voice. Baekhyun has opened his mouth to answer but Kris is suddenly there by his side.
"Oh no. He's perfectly fine. You can go dilly dallying now." Kris takes Baekhyun's hands and pulls him away, Baekhyun hurrying to keep up with the tall man's steps. As they near the exit, he turns his head back around to glimpse at the singer and he catches an unfathomable expression on the latter's face.
♬
Byun Baekhyun was born into a rural family, who manages well enough for them to afford moving into the city and to send both him and his brother to a proper school. At fifteen, his father became sick and his mother had lost her job so he and his brother had to momentarily stop their education. However, their father didn't recover and left the world. His mother had became depressed and shortly followed behind his father's death. The siblings were sent to their grandmother where they learned to work manually in order for them to live until the day his brother married and he was left alone in the care of his grandmother. He had spent the next years working in different jobs and the last job he worked at was a gun shop wherein he met Kris.
And just like that, his life changed. He was not high class but he taught himself how to act like one, to be the perfect boyfriend, how to be polite so everyone will love him. And just like that he was the trophy boyfriend. He also got invited to different gatherings, but mostly it was for the benefit of Kris. He would get his hearts wish, at a mention of a few words. He even had a personal chafeur, Sehun. It's the perks of being the boyfriend of a mafia boss.
But of course, this privilege always had a downfall. Sometimes, Kris had took him to parties teeming with his associates and had mentioned Baekhyun as his beloved but he didn't feel the warmth. When they make love, it feels like an obligation, especially after the high. Most of the time, he didn't know where his boyfriend was. This whole relationship, it mostly feels like a show.
(But there was a time Baekhyun truly loved Kris. It was before he forgot what love was and before luxury ruled his life.)
Kris had always treated him as royalty and life had gotten better for Baekhyun. It opened a new door of opportunities for him. And even if it's tiring, even if it bores him, he won't close that door just yet.
♬
Kris brings him to a party again, this time located inside a private manor house, owned by a colleague named Luhan. Based on what spans of Baekhyun's knowledge regarding Kris' colleagues, Luhan is the one with the face of an angel but has the mercy that of a devil. He's also one of the most valuable members in the mafia circle, working in one of the highest positions in a firm and being a veritable mine of information.
The limousine rounds a bend to enter the villa's gates that were hidden mostly by high trees in the area. He peers outside through the thick windows of the car, a slight awe lighting his eyes. The garden they pass through resemble that of a Roman villa, statues littered and lighted by every bend. The garden itself is like a maze that leads to the front door. Which then leads to their current predicament of where to park the car and how on earth will they get inside with all the short bends and a long car?
"I suggest you go down now sir. I mean the place is protected quite well and there's a path leading right up to the door." Sehun tells them and Kris is visibly annoyed. They do obey, however and trudge onwards.
Luhan greets them in the threshold of his veranda, his tie undone and the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned. His hair is mussed up in a way that suggest he's whored around just before they'd arrived. He greets them with a grin and a heavy slur of words that Baekhyun doesn't bother to listen to. He gravitates to the widely opened front door instead and walks to the refreshments table, greeting everyone with a polite smile. He grabs a drink and quickly downs it, and there's a trail of fire traveling down his throat.
"Ah Byun Baekhyun. Fancy meeting you again." Someone greets him from behind and he spins around
"Kim Jongdae. The feeling is mutual." He greets the man politely and he gives an imaginary pat on his back for not making a fool out of himself. Jongdae smiles his catty smile at Baekhyun and reaches behind him for a glass of martini.
"Oh? Then do you also feel the way I hate attending parties like these which are usually infused with mafia members? If not then okay." Jongdae clears his throat. "Aren't they just horrible? Just whoring around really and a private meeting for strategies in illiciting some government officials money."
"They're.. Not that bad I guess." Baekhyun wrings his hands uncomfortably. He hasn't met anyone as forward as Jongdae who dares to speak of the mafia like this.
"These whole parties are the whole essence of that." Jongdae waves his hand, gesturing at the party. "In fact, it's the essence of their life. Don't tell me you didn't know that? I thought you were the boyfriend of Kris?" He raises and eyebrow at Baekhyun.
"Of course I do." He replies hotly. "I'm not some halfwit prat that's only here for the money."
"Sure you aren't." Jongdae says. "That's what you all say." He shrugs and walks to the makeshift stage and leaves Baekhyun in bad temper.
♬
"Am I really a gold digger?" He asks Sehun at the car, the next day. After the party last night had ended, Kris had asked to be dropped off an unfamiliar location and left the instruction to drive Baekhyun straight home safely. He had dozed off shortly after cleaning up and woke up to a still empty bed. Sehun had ushered him about after breakfast saying that he needed to have a new suit fitted to him and they needed to hurry because he needed it tonight.
Sehun doesn't reply, looking at Baekhyun from the car's rearview mirror and choosing to ask "What makes you think of that?" instead.
"Nothing." Sehun raises an eyebrow at him but didn't retort. "Why do we need to fit a suit anyway?"
"Because Kris said so." In other words, Sehun didn't really know.
The trip to the tailor's had been a quick one. One mention of Kris' name had the staff moving and carefully taking his measures. After two and a half hours, the suit was finished and the two had driven home to a still empty manor house.
The table is set for him. The maids and Sehun stand by in the side. Sometimes, he gets lonely eating alone and he's constantly on the verge of asking them to sit down and eat. But as usual, he puts it at the back of his mind.
After dinner, Sehun drove him to a jazz club and as soon as he stepped foot on the club's entrance, he was ushered to a private room where Kris welcomes him with a short hug and introduces him to the other people in the room. His eyes scan Luhan's angel face and his escort Minseok who's smile is as lazy as a hot summer day. In the next seat is Kim Jongin with his bronze colored skin and dark hollows of eyes, the best gunman he has ever seen. Huang Zitao, the one who follows their targets to glean information, drapes his head lazily on Jongin's shoulder, his cat eyes heavily lidded with eyeliner. Do Kyungsoo glares at him with his wide eyes, hands playing with a silver plated Swiss knife.
Kris had assumed his position and had talked incessantly of their plans. Baekhyun had tried to listen but after a few minutes, had tuned him out. He kept refilling his cup with alcohol and after a few more drinks had excused himself for a trip to the bathroom.
He's not really going to the bathroom. He's here to explore. And he's wished he didn't as he spots a familiar face in the crowd. He hurries for the private room but it's too late as a hand plants itself on his shoulder.
"I expected you." Jongdae purrs and Baekhyun wants to slap his hand away. "I was hoping to meet you."
"What do you want?" He hisses in response.
"Let's talk in private."
"No." Baekhyun pushed his hand away. "I don't see the point of talking with you. If you're outright in calling me gold digger, you're not worthy of my time."
"But that's what I'm talking to you about." Jongdae sheepishly rubbed his neck.
"Then just say it."
"I'm sorry." He barely hears it from the softness of the way Jongdae has uttered it.
"I.. What?"
"I'm sorry." He says it a little louder. "I shouldn't have judged you so soon. I can clearly see you were upset. Anyone would be if they were told the same. It's just that I felt a little angry that time. And not to mention the alcohol."
Baekhyun is overwhelmed. What is Jongdae playing at?
"You might think why the hell I'm apologizing. I am a proud man and I rarely profess my apologies. But in your case, I find myself in deep guilt of calling you a foul nickname. No one should be ever called that. Any man especially in your position."
And the plot thickens. Baekhyun huffs and opens his mouth to speak.
"I see what you're playing at now. You do not want to be in trouble."
"You could say that." He extends a hand. "But I am really in deep guilt of what I have said. Please allow me to take you on a short dinner tomorrow night."
The words have touched Baekhyun. On Jongdae's eyes were the expression of remorse and he can't deny the temptation of agreeing to dinner. The next words Baekhyun uttered were completely out of his bounds.
It's crazy, taking a risk. Kris could kill him.
"Yes."
♬
For a change, Kris had came home with Baekhyun. Baekhyun had his head pillowed on Kris' chest and the latter's arms around him. He half suspected Kris was thoroughly drunk and was sleeping. But his suspicions were wrong as Kris squeezed his arm. And it's his mistake to look up as Kris' lips came down on him.
And he doesn't know how it could be a mistake to kiss a man that's his boyfriend. To be stumbling out a car and almost crash into the front door. To take off your clothes for a man you know you love and sleep with him.
He doesn't understand. It just feels like it is.
For a moment as he lays in a post-sex haze, he forgets that he has to ask for permission to go out tomorrow.
"Hey. Can I go out tomorrow night?" He rests his hand on Kris chest.
"For what?" He looks for any sign of distrust on Kris' voice. There's none.
"A... Friend asked me for dinner."
"Okay. Tell Sehun to drive you there." He never imagined it to be this easy that he reached up to plant a kiss on Kris' cheeks.
He doesn’t notice the flash of suspicion in Kris’ eyes.
♬
He looked at the mirror for the last time to ensure that what he wore was okay. Would Jongdae notice the love bite placed at the back of his neck? Would he find Baekhyun's hair okay?
“Sit the heck down, you’re wearing a hole in the carpet.” Sehun says and takes a puff off his cigarette.
“Would you stop smoking that? I’ll smell like that shit your smoking right now by the time he’s here!” he’s excited and worried at the same time. The butterflies in his stomach made him queasy. Why was he even feeling this emotions?
“Whoa. Why are you feeling all worked up? He could be fooling you for all you know.” Sehun stomps on the cigarette.
“I… just know he isn’t.” or I'll break his face.
“Just how are you so sure?”
“Mr. Byun, your guest is here.” A servant knocks on his bedroom door and Baekhyun actually jumps.
Sehun just smirks.
♬
Jongdae is dressed in a spectacular tailored suit, in the color of midnight blue. It suited him perfectly and Baekhyun almost swoons.
When he sees Baekhyun, he gives out a grin that doesn't include any malice or amusement at all. It's genuine.
"Look who's dashing tonight." Jongdae's grin turns to a smirk. Baekhyun feels his face color in response, but replies cooly (and in a somewhat nervous manner).
"Of course. A man should always look his best. I can't say you're looking bad yourself." A small shake of the head and a smile makes his heart skip.
"Shall we go?" Jongdae laces his arm through Baekhyun's. The touch electrifies Baekhyun, even if their skin barely touched.
♬
Jongdae takes him to a jazz club he frequently sings at. It's not half bad, velvet covered tables and friendly looking waiters.
Once upon a time, he wished Kris would take him to this kind of place.
Baekhyun doesn't remember the dinner much, he doesn't recall what he ate, what they talked about. There's still the nervousness from before and also just a small bit of guilt. He shouldn't really be out on dinner with someone who's not his boyfriend, right?
“Do you want to sing?” Jongdae asks him after the waiters had cleared their dishes.
He furiously shakes his head. No.
Baekhyun doesn't have a horrible voice. Far from it actually. But he never performed for a crowd before. He doesn't even sing for Kris.
“Come on. It’ll be fun. I’ll sing with you.” No. still no. And then, Jongdae takes his hand. And pulls him to the stage. The people in their seats applauded them both and just for a moment, Baekhyun is scared. He can feel his knees trembling.
All these people’s eyes on him. Before he can back out, the music starts and he’s trapped.
“Just… sing after me okay? You’ll be fine.” Jongdae whispers. And a small part of him relaxes. Just a bit.
He knows the song playing and he hums it sometimes. The original singer's voice is beautiful but it lacks emotion in his opinion so when Jongdae sings it, it's like listening to a new song altogether.
Jongdae's voice coerces him into singing. It's like a siren, but instead of luring you into death, it lures you into harmonizing with it. Before he knows it his voice soars with Jongdae's and his heart pounds with excitement and fulfillment.
Their voices melt into harmony in the end and its beautiful. To Baekhyun's ears, they are beautiful.
♬
"You're not bad Byun Baekhyun. I misjudged you." Jongdae whispers to him that night in the doorstep of his home.
Baekhyun pinks a little but it's dark and it's not that noticeable.
"If I may, can I ask you out again?"
♬
Since then, Jongdae has been asking him for some dinners and a few gigs.
It feels refreshing to be with Jongdae. It's a breath of fresh air. It's like coming out of a closed of chamber and seeing the world again for the first time. And deep inside him, there's this... This feelings that he's both scared of acknowledging and fathoming.
On one Thursday night, it's a night club Jongdae brings him to. The music pounds in Baekhyun's veins after a few too many shots and before he knows it, he's dragging Jongdae into the dance floor. He's swaying to the beat of the music and Jongdae has a hold of his waist from behind, too close for comfort and mirroring his movements. The writhe against each other, and Baekhyun faces Jongdae.
"I want you." He whispers.
That's when Jongdae stops and drags him out of the dance floor.
"I think I need more drinks." He tells Baekhyun and they exit the club.
"There are drinks in there. Why not there?" Baekhyun stumbles in his steps. He's not that drunk but walking is hard. He's half sure he's delusional too because he sees a figure standing in the street and looking at him. But in a moment there's none.
"I prefer another bar." They walk in the dark, Baekhyun holding on to Jongdae's arms and the latter supports him. It's silence until Baekhyun repeats his earlier words.
"I want you." They stop walking.
A sharp intake of breath. "You can't."
"But why can't I have you?"
"You can't have everything in the world. And you're not single too." A rattled breath. "I should send you home."
"Don't. I don't like it there. I feel trapped. I don't... I..." His eyes are heavy.
Jongdae says something and they're moving but Baekhyun is dead drunk and he doesn't hear them.
♬
The invitations out with Jongdae stops. After that night (which he doesn't even remember what happened and how he got home), he scarcely hears from the singer.
It's back to his boring and pretentious life again.
Kris is barely home and if he is, the only time he acknowledges Baekhyun is when he wants to fulfill his sexual desires.
There's something missing. Baekhyun can feel it ache.
♬
It's a goddamn party again. Baekhyun swears he's getting tired of pretending. So this time, he doesn't try. He avoids talking to people and giving a small smile in return.
He's sitting at a recliner and sipping at a cocktail. He's scanning the room for someone.
"Hello everyone!" A cheerful voice greets from the stage. Baekhyun turns his head slowly as if this is a bad slow motion from a movie and he's there. The one he's looking for. Jongdae.
"Everyone please settle down and have a good time. I will be singing for you all tonight." They clap at him and the music starts. Jongdae takes a look around and his eyes fix on Baekhyun. Baekhyun stares back in the same intensity. And then he smiles.
It's like a million butterflies are set free in his stomach. It feels like he's going to throw up in happiness. Of just seeing Jongdae smile. He downs his cocktail in an attempt to calm the butterflies down.
After the song finishes Jongdae takes a bow and he's smiling all around as he exits the stage. He greets everyone and smiles his feline smile at them.
He makes his way to Baekhyun and gestures at a room. Then gestures at the two of them to go.
His heart pounds as he stands up and walk to follow Jongdae. Along the way, he bumps a guy wearing a fedora hat. He starts to apologize but the guy just nods his hat at Baekhyun.
♬
Jongdae gives him a kiss.
It was backstage in the party. Jongdae was getting ready for another round of singing, pacing around the room and humming the song under his breath. Baekhyun watches in amusement until Jongdae faces him and says "You think this is amusing?"
"Of course not. It's adorable." Baekhyun grins. It's when Jongdae walks to him and slowly leans in. And kisses him.
Baekhyun feels his lips tingle. His feels cheeks coloring and Jongdae is leaning close again when he remembers this is all wrong. This is all wrong. He's with Kris.
Baekhyun pushes him away and stands up. His heart is pounding. "What are you doing?"
"I don't want to pretend anymore. I don't care if they hunt me but you must know that I l-."
"Stop! Stop! I don't want to hear it." There's panic rising in Baekhyun's voice.
"Why not?" Hurt. It's all over Jongdae's face and voice. Hurt and desperation. "I want to tell you. I need to tell you."
"Don't say it." He puts a hand over his ears. Don't say it because I might respond. And this might be the end. "I don't want to hear it. I never want to hear it. You're not special." He makes it sound nonchalant but it sounds more like he's convincing himself.
"Get out Baekhyun." Jongdae's face betrays any show of emotion. No one moves.
"Get out Baekhyun." He says it louder this time, opening the door. Every step Baekhyun takes is some kind of new agony.
After he's out, the door slams and he's alone again.
It's better. It's better to hurt Jongdae. To protect him.
(Is it?)
♬
"You ungrateful bastard." The force of Kris' slap throws him down to the floor. Half of his face feels flaming. His hands reach automatically to his face.
As soon as he comes home, a fuming Kris greet him. He crooks a finger at Baekhyun, a sign to follow him and they go to the bedroom. Kris throws an envelope at his feet and it's all Baekhyun's worse nightmares. Pictures of him and Jongdae on their small trips. He can't even deny that it's not him because there's the hard proof. That's when Kris' hand fly to his face in fury.
"Do you think that you can make a fool of me? That you can cheat on my back without my knowledge? I have eyes around me." He kneels down and slaps Baekhyun's hand away from his face. He holds Baekhyun's chin. "Have you forgotten who you're dealing with, you whore?"
Baekhyun's tears are rolling down his face from both the pain of the slap and the pain from the words. "I'm not the only one cheating." He rasps out weakly and Kris pushes him down.
"Do you think I could just sit at one corner and remain faithful to you? I am not a saint." The truth stings worse than anything. Baekhyun once loved this man to give him all that he wants and all that he has.
"But you, you should be one to me. Didn't you get everything that you want because of me? All those finer things in life experienced because of me? Aren't you supposed to be my loyal little bitch?" He can't answer because he knows Kris is right. Kris is crucial.
"I don't need you anymore." Kris pulls him up by the collar of his shirt. He speaks with the casualty of finding a broken doll and talking of throwing it away as if it doesn't matter to him. "Go. Don't you ever look back or I'll fucking shoot you." He pushes Baekhyun to the direction of the door and he stumbles out.
Now he remembers the pair of eyes that seemed to follow him when he's out of Kris' sight. The fedora wearing guy in the party. And after a lot of thinking, the dark figure on the street.
But he shouldn't care anymore. What's happened has happened. He pushes open the door of the manor and walks out to the gate.
He wants to look back one last time but he's deathly afraid too. He continues walking.
Now he's got nothing.
♬
He's staying at his grandmother's old home.
His grandmother had received him warmly and treated him as if he never left.
He struggled to do things independently and help around. He's scouting around for a new job. His façade of a rich and defined lover boy starts to crumble down and he doesn't try to build it again.
With many things on his hand right now, the horrid thoughts of Kris and his fury escape his mind. He's still haunted by the fact that Kris can hunt him down and have him killed but there's nothing for the last two weeks.
But Jongdae will never escape his thoughts. Every night before he sleeps, the latter's voice lulls him and fills every crevice of his mind until he falls asleep. It's both a horror and a comfort.
But being without Jongdae altogether is a new story.
♬
"So this is where you live now." Baekhyun stop sweeping his grandmother's porch. He's frozen at the spot.
"I can't say it was better than your last home, although more comfortable looking. Mafia homes are always show instead of comfort."
"What are you doing here?" He faces the owner of the voice, eye to eye with cat like eyes. Jongdae's face is decorated with an amused smile.
"Didn't you miss me?" He puts a hand on his forehead. "Here I was thinking you would search for me every single day."
"I did. Every night or every day, I did. I missed you." The cheerful and teasing atmosphere disappears and is replaced with a more serious one.
Baekhyun leaves his broom, walking to where Jongdae is standing. His eyes never leaves the other's.
"I'm sorry. For everything." He whispers.
"Don't apologize. No one gets to apologize." He leans towards Baekhyun. Close enough to kiss. "Let's start again. And hopefully this time with less guns and parties and more of me taking you to clubs and singing to you."
"I think I'd like that." Baekhyun smiles before he presses his lips against Jongdae's.
Additional Author's Notes: (Dear dailanche , I hope you really like this even if I almost destroyed your prompt. (/ TT √ TT)/. Also, title is taken from Lana del Rey's Young and Beautiful.)
Recipient: dailanche
Rating: PG-13
Side pairing/s: Kris/Baekhyun
Word Count: 4,613 words
Summary: Baekhyun has been living a perfect life as Kris’ boyfriend until he meets Jongdae, a jazz club singer.
Warning/s: some violence and infidelity
Parties. Champagne flutes. Shining crystal chandeliers. Flapper girls. Gorgeous Mafia boyfriends. This is what Baekhyun's life looks like. It's certainly what you can call a perfect life.
Tonight's party is held in a hazy club and it's packed to the brim. The air is thick with smoke from cigarettes and the smell of alcohol is strongly pronounced. Baekhyun suppresses his yawn for the tenth time that night. The party is still in full swing but Baekhyun's tired. He looks at his watch, first to find out the time then to entertain himself by following the trail of the second hand.
The flapper girl he's talking to frowns at him and gives him a small nudge, leaning forward to expose her barely clad chest at him. He looks at her without lifting his head, clearly disgusted at the sight and wanting her gone. She sighs at him and stands up to find another person to talk to (or seduce, whatever she wants to do. She's not his type at all. Besides, he has Kris already.
His eyes scans over the crowd, looking for Kris but catches the eye of the jazz singer instead. The singer gives him a wink as he sings with his velvety and twinkling voice. It amazes Baekhyun how nice he sounds and spends the rest of the moment absorbed at listening to him.
(It's the start but Baekhyun doesn't know. It must be the velvet voice and pretty face.)
The moment the number finishes, the singer bows and walks off the stage. Baekhyun's eyes kept following the man and he's amazed that the man has the credibility to stare back. He approaches Baekhyun and he notices that not only is his voice handsome, he's also attractive in a mischievious and youthful way.
There's an ache in Baekhyun's chest when the singer smiles at him.
"I'm Kim Jongdae." The man holds out his hand for Baekhyun to shake. "And who am I in pleasure of meeting?"
"Baekhyun. Byun Baekhyun." He takes the hand and shakes it lightly. Jongdae's smile turns into a taunting grin (and some sourness if it's even possible).
"Ahh.. The mafia boss' famous boyfriend. Am I right?" Baekhyun preens on being recognized. Nevertheless, he nods slightly and Baekhyun swears he sees some flash of emotion in Jongdae's eye. He's not sure what kind of feeling it is.
"Should I get you a drink then? It wouldn't benefit me if I were to be rude to someone special?" Jongdae says, slight sarcasm tingeing his voice. Baekhyun has opened his mouth to answer but Kris is suddenly there by his side.
"Oh no. He's perfectly fine. You can go dilly dallying now." Kris takes Baekhyun's hands and pulls him away, Baekhyun hurrying to keep up with the tall man's steps. As they near the exit, he turns his head back around to glimpse at the singer and he catches an unfathomable expression on the latter's face.
♬
Byun Baekhyun was born into a rural family, who manages well enough for them to afford moving into the city and to send both him and his brother to a proper school. At fifteen, his father became sick and his mother had lost her job so he and his brother had to momentarily stop their education. However, their father didn't recover and left the world. His mother had became depressed and shortly followed behind his father's death. The siblings were sent to their grandmother where they learned to work manually in order for them to live until the day his brother married and he was left alone in the care of his grandmother. He had spent the next years working in different jobs and the last job he worked at was a gun shop wherein he met Kris.
And just like that, his life changed. He was not high class but he taught himself how to act like one, to be the perfect boyfriend, how to be polite so everyone will love him. And just like that he was the trophy boyfriend. He also got invited to different gatherings, but mostly it was for the benefit of Kris. He would get his hearts wish, at a mention of a few words. He even had a personal chafeur, Sehun. It's the perks of being the boyfriend of a mafia boss.
But of course, this privilege always had a downfall. Sometimes, Kris had took him to parties teeming with his associates and had mentioned Baekhyun as his beloved but he didn't feel the warmth. When they make love, it feels like an obligation, especially after the high. Most of the time, he didn't know where his boyfriend was. This whole relationship, it mostly feels like a show.
(But there was a time Baekhyun truly loved Kris. It was before he forgot what love was and before luxury ruled his life.)
Kris had always treated him as royalty and life had gotten better for Baekhyun. It opened a new door of opportunities for him. And even if it's tiring, even if it bores him, he won't close that door just yet.
♬
Kris brings him to a party again, this time located inside a private manor house, owned by a colleague named Luhan. Based on what spans of Baekhyun's knowledge regarding Kris' colleagues, Luhan is the one with the face of an angel but has the mercy that of a devil. He's also one of the most valuable members in the mafia circle, working in one of the highest positions in a firm and being a veritable mine of information.
The limousine rounds a bend to enter the villa's gates that were hidden mostly by high trees in the area. He peers outside through the thick windows of the car, a slight awe lighting his eyes. The garden they pass through resemble that of a Roman villa, statues littered and lighted by every bend. The garden itself is like a maze that leads to the front door. Which then leads to their current predicament of where to park the car and how on earth will they get inside with all the short bends and a long car?
"I suggest you go down now sir. I mean the place is protected quite well and there's a path leading right up to the door." Sehun tells them and Kris is visibly annoyed. They do obey, however and trudge onwards.
Luhan greets them in the threshold of his veranda, his tie undone and the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned. His hair is mussed up in a way that suggest he's whored around just before they'd arrived. He greets them with a grin and a heavy slur of words that Baekhyun doesn't bother to listen to. He gravitates to the widely opened front door instead and walks to the refreshments table, greeting everyone with a polite smile. He grabs a drink and quickly downs it, and there's a trail of fire traveling down his throat.
"Ah Byun Baekhyun. Fancy meeting you again." Someone greets him from behind and he spins around
"Kim Jongdae. The feeling is mutual." He greets the man politely and he gives an imaginary pat on his back for not making a fool out of himself. Jongdae smiles his catty smile at Baekhyun and reaches behind him for a glass of martini.
"Oh? Then do you also feel the way I hate attending parties like these which are usually infused with mafia members? If not then okay." Jongdae clears his throat. "Aren't they just horrible? Just whoring around really and a private meeting for strategies in illiciting some government officials money."
"They're.. Not that bad I guess." Baekhyun wrings his hands uncomfortably. He hasn't met anyone as forward as Jongdae who dares to speak of the mafia like this.
"These whole parties are the whole essence of that." Jongdae waves his hand, gesturing at the party. "In fact, it's the essence of their life. Don't tell me you didn't know that? I thought you were the boyfriend of Kris?" He raises and eyebrow at Baekhyun.
"Of course I do." He replies hotly. "I'm not some halfwit prat that's only here for the money."
"Sure you aren't." Jongdae says. "That's what you all say." He shrugs and walks to the makeshift stage and leaves Baekhyun in bad temper.
♬
"Am I really a gold digger?" He asks Sehun at the car, the next day. After the party last night had ended, Kris had asked to be dropped off an unfamiliar location and left the instruction to drive Baekhyun straight home safely. He had dozed off shortly after cleaning up and woke up to a still empty bed. Sehun had ushered him about after breakfast saying that he needed to have a new suit fitted to him and they needed to hurry because he needed it tonight.
Sehun doesn't reply, looking at Baekhyun from the car's rearview mirror and choosing to ask "What makes you think of that?" instead.
"Nothing." Sehun raises an eyebrow at him but didn't retort. "Why do we need to fit a suit anyway?"
"Because Kris said so." In other words, Sehun didn't really know.
The trip to the tailor's had been a quick one. One mention of Kris' name had the staff moving and carefully taking his measures. After two and a half hours, the suit was finished and the two had driven home to a still empty manor house.
The table is set for him. The maids and Sehun stand by in the side. Sometimes, he gets lonely eating alone and he's constantly on the verge of asking them to sit down and eat. But as usual, he puts it at the back of his mind.
After dinner, Sehun drove him to a jazz club and as soon as he stepped foot on the club's entrance, he was ushered to a private room where Kris welcomes him with a short hug and introduces him to the other people in the room. His eyes scan Luhan's angel face and his escort Minseok who's smile is as lazy as a hot summer day. In the next seat is Kim Jongin with his bronze colored skin and dark hollows of eyes, the best gunman he has ever seen. Huang Zitao, the one who follows their targets to glean information, drapes his head lazily on Jongin's shoulder, his cat eyes heavily lidded with eyeliner. Do Kyungsoo glares at him with his wide eyes, hands playing with a silver plated Swiss knife.
Kris had assumed his position and had talked incessantly of their plans. Baekhyun had tried to listen but after a few minutes, had tuned him out. He kept refilling his cup with alcohol and after a few more drinks had excused himself for a trip to the bathroom.
He's not really going to the bathroom. He's here to explore. And he's wished he didn't as he spots a familiar face in the crowd. He hurries for the private room but it's too late as a hand plants itself on his shoulder.
"I expected you." Jongdae purrs and Baekhyun wants to slap his hand away. "I was hoping to meet you."
"What do you want?" He hisses in response.
"Let's talk in private."
"No." Baekhyun pushed his hand away. "I don't see the point of talking with you. If you're outright in calling me gold digger, you're not worthy of my time."
"But that's what I'm talking to you about." Jongdae sheepishly rubbed his neck.
"Then just say it."
"I'm sorry." He barely hears it from the softness of the way Jongdae has uttered it.
"I.. What?"
"I'm sorry." He says it a little louder. "I shouldn't have judged you so soon. I can clearly see you were upset. Anyone would be if they were told the same. It's just that I felt a little angry that time. And not to mention the alcohol."
Baekhyun is overwhelmed. What is Jongdae playing at?
"You might think why the hell I'm apologizing. I am a proud man and I rarely profess my apologies. But in your case, I find myself in deep guilt of calling you a foul nickname. No one should be ever called that. Any man especially in your position."
And the plot thickens. Baekhyun huffs and opens his mouth to speak.
"I see what you're playing at now. You do not want to be in trouble."
"You could say that." He extends a hand. "But I am really in deep guilt of what I have said. Please allow me to take you on a short dinner tomorrow night."
The words have touched Baekhyun. On Jongdae's eyes were the expression of remorse and he can't deny the temptation of agreeing to dinner. The next words Baekhyun uttered were completely out of his bounds.
It's crazy, taking a risk. Kris could kill him.
"Yes."
♬
For a change, Kris had came home with Baekhyun. Baekhyun had his head pillowed on Kris' chest and the latter's arms around him. He half suspected Kris was thoroughly drunk and was sleeping. But his suspicions were wrong as Kris squeezed his arm. And it's his mistake to look up as Kris' lips came down on him.
And he doesn't know how it could be a mistake to kiss a man that's his boyfriend. To be stumbling out a car and almost crash into the front door. To take off your clothes for a man you know you love and sleep with him.
He doesn't understand. It just feels like it is.
For a moment as he lays in a post-sex haze, he forgets that he has to ask for permission to go out tomorrow.
"Hey. Can I go out tomorrow night?" He rests his hand on Kris chest.
"For what?" He looks for any sign of distrust on Kris' voice. There's none.
"A... Friend asked me for dinner."
"Okay. Tell Sehun to drive you there." He never imagined it to be this easy that he reached up to plant a kiss on Kris' cheeks.
He doesn’t notice the flash of suspicion in Kris’ eyes.
♬
He looked at the mirror for the last time to ensure that what he wore was okay. Would Jongdae notice the love bite placed at the back of his neck? Would he find Baekhyun's hair okay?
“Sit the heck down, you’re wearing a hole in the carpet.” Sehun says and takes a puff off his cigarette.
“Would you stop smoking that? I’ll smell like that shit your smoking right now by the time he’s here!” he’s excited and worried at the same time. The butterflies in his stomach made him queasy. Why was he even feeling this emotions?
“Whoa. Why are you feeling all worked up? He could be fooling you for all you know.” Sehun stomps on the cigarette.
“I… just know he isn’t.” or I'll break his face.
“Just how are you so sure?”
“Mr. Byun, your guest is here.” A servant knocks on his bedroom door and Baekhyun actually jumps.
Sehun just smirks.
♬
Jongdae is dressed in a spectacular tailored suit, in the color of midnight blue. It suited him perfectly and Baekhyun almost swoons.
When he sees Baekhyun, he gives out a grin that doesn't include any malice or amusement at all. It's genuine.
"Look who's dashing tonight." Jongdae's grin turns to a smirk. Baekhyun feels his face color in response, but replies cooly (and in a somewhat nervous manner).
"Of course. A man should always look his best. I can't say you're looking bad yourself." A small shake of the head and a smile makes his heart skip.
"Shall we go?" Jongdae laces his arm through Baekhyun's. The touch electrifies Baekhyun, even if their skin barely touched.
♬
Jongdae takes him to a jazz club he frequently sings at. It's not half bad, velvet covered tables and friendly looking waiters.
Once upon a time, he wished Kris would take him to this kind of place.
Baekhyun doesn't remember the dinner much, he doesn't recall what he ate, what they talked about. There's still the nervousness from before and also just a small bit of guilt. He shouldn't really be out on dinner with someone who's not his boyfriend, right?
“Do you want to sing?” Jongdae asks him after the waiters had cleared their dishes.
He furiously shakes his head. No.
Baekhyun doesn't have a horrible voice. Far from it actually. But he never performed for a crowd before. He doesn't even sing for Kris.
“Come on. It’ll be fun. I’ll sing with you.” No. still no. And then, Jongdae takes his hand. And pulls him to the stage. The people in their seats applauded them both and just for a moment, Baekhyun is scared. He can feel his knees trembling.
All these people’s eyes on him. Before he can back out, the music starts and he’s trapped.
“Just… sing after me okay? You’ll be fine.” Jongdae whispers. And a small part of him relaxes. Just a bit.
He knows the song playing and he hums it sometimes. The original singer's voice is beautiful but it lacks emotion in his opinion so when Jongdae sings it, it's like listening to a new song altogether.
Jongdae's voice coerces him into singing. It's like a siren, but instead of luring you into death, it lures you into harmonizing with it. Before he knows it his voice soars with Jongdae's and his heart pounds with excitement and fulfillment.
Their voices melt into harmony in the end and its beautiful. To Baekhyun's ears, they are beautiful.
♬
"You're not bad Byun Baekhyun. I misjudged you." Jongdae whispers to him that night in the doorstep of his home.
Baekhyun pinks a little but it's dark and it's not that noticeable.
"If I may, can I ask you out again?"
♬
Since then, Jongdae has been asking him for some dinners and a few gigs.
It feels refreshing to be with Jongdae. It's a breath of fresh air. It's like coming out of a closed of chamber and seeing the world again for the first time. And deep inside him, there's this... This feelings that he's both scared of acknowledging and fathoming.
On one Thursday night, it's a night club Jongdae brings him to. The music pounds in Baekhyun's veins after a few too many shots and before he knows it, he's dragging Jongdae into the dance floor. He's swaying to the beat of the music and Jongdae has a hold of his waist from behind, too close for comfort and mirroring his movements. The writhe against each other, and Baekhyun faces Jongdae.
"I want you." He whispers.
That's when Jongdae stops and drags him out of the dance floor.
"I think I need more drinks." He tells Baekhyun and they exit the club.
"There are drinks in there. Why not there?" Baekhyun stumbles in his steps. He's not that drunk but walking is hard. He's half sure he's delusional too because he sees a figure standing in the street and looking at him. But in a moment there's none.
"I prefer another bar." They walk in the dark, Baekhyun holding on to Jongdae's arms and the latter supports him. It's silence until Baekhyun repeats his earlier words.
"I want you." They stop walking.
A sharp intake of breath. "You can't."
"But why can't I have you?"
"You can't have everything in the world. And you're not single too." A rattled breath. "I should send you home."
"Don't. I don't like it there. I feel trapped. I don't... I..." His eyes are heavy.
Jongdae says something and they're moving but Baekhyun is dead drunk and he doesn't hear them.
♬
The invitations out with Jongdae stops. After that night (which he doesn't even remember what happened and how he got home), he scarcely hears from the singer.
It's back to his boring and pretentious life again.
Kris is barely home and if he is, the only time he acknowledges Baekhyun is when he wants to fulfill his sexual desires.
There's something missing. Baekhyun can feel it ache.
♬
It's a goddamn party again. Baekhyun swears he's getting tired of pretending. So this time, he doesn't try. He avoids talking to people and giving a small smile in return.
He's sitting at a recliner and sipping at a cocktail. He's scanning the room for someone.
"Hello everyone!" A cheerful voice greets from the stage. Baekhyun turns his head slowly as if this is a bad slow motion from a movie and he's there. The one he's looking for. Jongdae.
"Everyone please settle down and have a good time. I will be singing for you all tonight." They clap at him and the music starts. Jongdae takes a look around and his eyes fix on Baekhyun. Baekhyun stares back in the same intensity. And then he smiles.
It's like a million butterflies are set free in his stomach. It feels like he's going to throw up in happiness. Of just seeing Jongdae smile. He downs his cocktail in an attempt to calm the butterflies down.
After the song finishes Jongdae takes a bow and he's smiling all around as he exits the stage. He greets everyone and smiles his feline smile at them.
He makes his way to Baekhyun and gestures at a room. Then gestures at the two of them to go.
His heart pounds as he stands up and walk to follow Jongdae. Along the way, he bumps a guy wearing a fedora hat. He starts to apologize but the guy just nods his hat at Baekhyun.
♬
Jongdae gives him a kiss.
It was backstage in the party. Jongdae was getting ready for another round of singing, pacing around the room and humming the song under his breath. Baekhyun watches in amusement until Jongdae faces him and says "You think this is amusing?"
"Of course not. It's adorable." Baekhyun grins. It's when Jongdae walks to him and slowly leans in. And kisses him.
Baekhyun feels his lips tingle. His feels cheeks coloring and Jongdae is leaning close again when he remembers this is all wrong. This is all wrong. He's with Kris.
Baekhyun pushes him away and stands up. His heart is pounding. "What are you doing?"
"I don't want to pretend anymore. I don't care if they hunt me but you must know that I l-."
"Stop! Stop! I don't want to hear it." There's panic rising in Baekhyun's voice.
"Why not?" Hurt. It's all over Jongdae's face and voice. Hurt and desperation. "I want to tell you. I need to tell you."
"Don't say it." He puts a hand over his ears. Don't say it because I might respond. And this might be the end. "I don't want to hear it. I never want to hear it. You're not special." He makes it sound nonchalant but it sounds more like he's convincing himself.
"Get out Baekhyun." Jongdae's face betrays any show of emotion. No one moves.
"Get out Baekhyun." He says it louder this time, opening the door. Every step Baekhyun takes is some kind of new agony.
After he's out, the door slams and he's alone again.
It's better. It's better to hurt Jongdae. To protect him.
(Is it?)
♬
"You ungrateful bastard." The force of Kris' slap throws him down to the floor. Half of his face feels flaming. His hands reach automatically to his face.
As soon as he comes home, a fuming Kris greet him. He crooks a finger at Baekhyun, a sign to follow him and they go to the bedroom. Kris throws an envelope at his feet and it's all Baekhyun's worse nightmares. Pictures of him and Jongdae on their small trips. He can't even deny that it's not him because there's the hard proof. That's when Kris' hand fly to his face in fury.
"Do you think that you can make a fool of me? That you can cheat on my back without my knowledge? I have eyes around me." He kneels down and slaps Baekhyun's hand away from his face. He holds Baekhyun's chin. "Have you forgotten who you're dealing with, you whore?"
Baekhyun's tears are rolling down his face from both the pain of the slap and the pain from the words. "I'm not the only one cheating." He rasps out weakly and Kris pushes him down.
"Do you think I could just sit at one corner and remain faithful to you? I am not a saint." The truth stings worse than anything. Baekhyun once loved this man to give him all that he wants and all that he has.
"But you, you should be one to me. Didn't you get everything that you want because of me? All those finer things in life experienced because of me? Aren't you supposed to be my loyal little bitch?" He can't answer because he knows Kris is right. Kris is crucial.
"I don't need you anymore." Kris pulls him up by the collar of his shirt. He speaks with the casualty of finding a broken doll and talking of throwing it away as if it doesn't matter to him. "Go. Don't you ever look back or I'll fucking shoot you." He pushes Baekhyun to the direction of the door and he stumbles out.
Now he remembers the pair of eyes that seemed to follow him when he's out of Kris' sight. The fedora wearing guy in the party. And after a lot of thinking, the dark figure on the street.
But he shouldn't care anymore. What's happened has happened. He pushes open the door of the manor and walks out to the gate.
He wants to look back one last time but he's deathly afraid too. He continues walking.
Now he's got nothing.
♬
He's staying at his grandmother's old home.
His grandmother had received him warmly and treated him as if he never left.
He struggled to do things independently and help around. He's scouting around for a new job. His façade of a rich and defined lover boy starts to crumble down and he doesn't try to build it again.
With many things on his hand right now, the horrid thoughts of Kris and his fury escape his mind. He's still haunted by the fact that Kris can hunt him down and have him killed but there's nothing for the last two weeks.
But Jongdae will never escape his thoughts. Every night before he sleeps, the latter's voice lulls him and fills every crevice of his mind until he falls asleep. It's both a horror and a comfort.
But being without Jongdae altogether is a new story.
♬
"So this is where you live now." Baekhyun stop sweeping his grandmother's porch. He's frozen at the spot.
"I can't say it was better than your last home, although more comfortable looking. Mafia homes are always show instead of comfort."
"What are you doing here?" He faces the owner of the voice, eye to eye with cat like eyes. Jongdae's face is decorated with an amused smile.
"Didn't you miss me?" He puts a hand on his forehead. "Here I was thinking you would search for me every single day."
"I did. Every night or every day, I did. I missed you." The cheerful and teasing atmosphere disappears and is replaced with a more serious one.
Baekhyun leaves his broom, walking to where Jongdae is standing. His eyes never leaves the other's.
"I'm sorry. For everything." He whispers.
"Don't apologize. No one gets to apologize." He leans towards Baekhyun. Close enough to kiss. "Let's start again. And hopefully this time with less guns and parties and more of me taking you to clubs and singing to you."
"I think I'd like that." Baekhyun smiles before he presses his lips against Jongdae's.
Additional Author's Notes: (Dear dailanche , I hope you really like this even if I almost destroyed your prompt. (/ TT √ TT)/. Also, title is taken from Lana del Rey's Young and Beautiful.)