Fatal Attraction: Redux (Part 3)
Title: Fatal Attraction: Redux
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: PG
Length: Another long short-story
Summary: Ten years later, a ghost from the past appears and turns Jaejoong's world upside down. Will he be able to defend the new life he's built, or will he lose his life...and Yunho?
One week later…
“Are you sure you want to go?” Yunho asked for the millionth time. “We can skip it, it’s not a big deal. Or I can go alone, I don’t mind.”
Jaejoong chuckled, stepping up to the handsome man in front of him to straighten his tie. Yunho had been so kind and attentive ever since he’d told him about his father: it made him love him even more, which he’d never thought possible since he already loved the man infinitesimally.
“It’s fine. I want to go. You worked hard on the merger and this party is like the cherry on top. Besides, we haven’t socialized in a while. It’ll be good for us.”
Yunho sighed. “As long as you’re sure…”
Jaejoong cocked a knowing brow. “Sounds to me like you don’t want to go and you’re trying to use me as your excuse.”
“Well…”
Yunho was too honest to deny it but still wouldn’t admit to it so he tried a different tactic. Slipping his arms around Jaejoong’s waist, he brought him flush against his chest and lowered his mouth to Jaejoong’s ear.
“There are other things I’d rather be doing with my time, I won’t deny it,” he said throatily, catching the outer lobe of Jaejoong’s ear between his teeth and tugging gently.
Jaejoong swatted his hands away and stepped out of reach. “Down boy. I trust you can behave yourself for a couple of hours.”
Yunho grunted, whether in agreement or denial Jaejoong didn’t know.
“If you do…” he let his words trail off, grinning suggestively. He watched Yunho’s eyes light up and evaded his hands as he reached for him. He shook his head. “If you do, if you’re on your best behavior, I’ll give you a treat when we get back. Think you can do it?”
Yunho growled but nodded.
Satisfied that he’d tamed the wild beast, at least temporarily, Jaejoong sat on the bed to put on his shoes.
“Pretty in pink,” Yunho mused.
Jaejoong looked up at him questioningly.
Nodding at the pink shirt Jaejoong wore, he said, “I don’t think anyone, man or woman, looks as glorious or natural in pink as you do.”
Jaejoong felt a blush flare in his cheeks.
“Ahh…more pink,” Yunho teased.
Jaejoong glared up at him. “Don’t make me change my mind about your reward,” he warned, which shut his lover up immediately.
The party was elegant, extravagant, flashy yet understated: everything the business set appreciated and admired.
Yunho sipped champagne from a crystal glass while only half-listening to the man standing next to him. He’d been talking about one thing or another, trying to get Yunho to invest in his latest get-rich-quick scheme but Yunho knew better. He had no talent for business and had lost heaven knew how much money on one venture after another. The only reason he wasn’t an outcast was by virtue of his father’s highly respected reputation, the same father who kept bailing him out of his financial fallouts. Were he not the only heir to his father’s legacy, he might have left him to save himself.
“So what do you say, Yunho? Interested?”
Yunho groaned inwardly.
Just as he was about to fumble a reply, he saw a striking couple walk through the large, oak doors of the ball room and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sorry, I’ll have to get back to you. I see my parents have just arrived.”
He quickly hurried off, reaching his parents’ side just as Jaejoong did.
“Oh, what handsome boys,” his mother exclaimed, delighted. “I have the two best looking men in the entire room before me, three if you count daddy.”
Yunho smiled and kissed his mother’s cheek before turning to his father to exchange a brief hug.
His mother’s expression suddenly turned serious and she took Jaejoong’s hands in hers.
“My poor Joong-ah. How are you holding up?” Her eyes filled with compassion and concern.
Jaejoong glanced down at their joined hands. He couldn’t help thinking how a mere ten years ago, he never would’ve seen a moment like this in his future.
Shaking his thoughts away, he smiled gently at the beautifully aged woman. “I’m fine. As well as can be expected.”
She nodded. “Of course. Has there been any improvement?”
His smile slipped a little as he shook his head.
“My poor baby,” she cooed. She kissed his cheek, rubbing off the slight smudge her lipstick left behind. “If you ever want to talk about it, don’t forget we’re here for you.”
Jaejoong nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately. We should all spend a weekend at the summer house. We haven’t had a family get-together in a long time. We could invite your sister and the kids, Yunho. I miss my grand-babies.”
“And her husband,” Yunho reminded her, a mischievous grin springing to his lips.
It was common knowledge that though his mother adored her daughter and grandchildren, she still hadn’t forgiven her for marrying a foreigner. Her children, she was fond of saying, would be the death of her. She had an openly gay son and a daughter who had gone against her parents’ wishes and followed her heart. Yunho knew, however, that his mother was secretly happy for his sister and had no real quarrel with her son-in-law because he was a good, hard-working man who adored his wife and children and that was all a parent could ever want. Still, she never hesitated to remind them that they’d bucked convention and would probably bring a hundred years of bad luck upon the family.
“Don’t remind me,” his mother snapped.
Chuckling, Jaejoong squeezed her hand gently. “It sounds lovely, Auntie.”
Auntie, Yunho thought.
He adored the relationship his parents had with Jaejoong. He’d been so nervous the first time his mother met him. He needn’t have worried, though. As soon as she set eyes on him, she fell in love. He was beautiful, she’d said, even more so than the daughter she’d given birth to, who, up until then, was the most beautiful person in the world. It was the best of both worlds: he was pretty enough to be a girl but he was a boy and she’d always wanted another son so it worked out perfectly. She’d even forgotten to scold him for falling in love with a boy and ruining her plans for a grand wedding, she was that enamored with his Joongie.
His parents had become Jaejoong’s parents in his new life, taking him under their wing and treating him as if he really was one of their own. It would have been natural, expected even, for Jaejoong to call them mom and dad but Yunho understood why he didn’t. The title “mother” was reserved in honor of the mother he’d lost at such a young age, and he could never call another man “father” out of respect for the one who’d been that to him his entire life, until he’d walked away. Especially now, Yunho thought, when he was going to lose him for good.
“You know… I’ve also been thinking about something else,” Mrs. Jung said slowly. She looked from one son to the other. “You two have been together for quite a while now. Don’t you think it’s time you made it official and started a family?”
“Oh, dear God,” Yunho swore.
“Think about it. You can have one of those commitment ceremonies that we see on television all the time. Or - and this is even better - we can take a trip to Europe and have an official wedding. Oh, I can see it already!” she exclaimed and launched into a diatribe of her idea of the perfect wedding for her boys.
As Yunho countered her every argument, Jaejoong tuned them out and focused on Mr. Jung, or Uncle Kwon as he was now called. He raised a brow in silent question, to which Mr. Jung responded with a brief nod.
He’d met with him earlier in the week and though he hadn’t gone into detail, he’d told him that there was danger on the horizon and he wanted Yunho’s security increased. They’d swapped his guards with specially trained, ex-secret service agents and hired backup guards who were always near but stayed invisible. He hadn’t told Yunho about his uncle and had no intention to in the immediate future. He was sure his uncle would come directly at him, as was the way of the assassin, but would take no chances with Yunho’s life. The tight security was just a precaution. YeoWoon had even offered to lend him a couple of assassins to go undercover as Yunho’s security but he didn’t think it was necessary just yet. Still, he’d been touched that his cousin had offered at all.
“Jaejoong, help me out here,” Yunho pleaded. “She’s officially gone mad.”
Purposefully turning to Mr. Jung, Jaejoong smiled and asked, “Uncle Kwon, can I get you a drink?”
Following his lead, Mr. Jung nodded. “Thanks. Why don’t I come with you?”
The two walked off, leaving Yunho staring after them incredulously while his mother prattled in his ear.
“I can’t believe you left me with that woman,” Yunho whined.
Jaejoong sighed. He’d had to listen to Yunho’s griping all the way home and he seemed in no hurry to stop.
“She’s a sweet woman. She just wants to do something nice for us,” he reasoned.
“She’s insane is what she is,” Yunho grumbled, hanging up his discarded clothing.
“You don’t sound all that sane at the moment either,” Jaejoong muttered, slipping a vest over his head.
Yunho looked up sharply. “What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“You don’t have to agree with everything my mother says, you know. You’re allowed to say no sometimes,” Yunho pointed out.
“I’ll remember that,” Jaejoong replied as he climbed into bed.
“You know her idea is insane, right? Please tell me you’re not seriously considering it.” Yunho looked down at him worriedly.
Jaejoong posed against the pillows, cocking a brow as he asked, “Don’t you want to marry me?” His voice dripped with mock hurt.
Yunho blushed. “Well…of course but…” But what?, he wondered.
Jaejoong laughed. “Pack it away for the night, Sherlock. Let’s get some sleep.”
Yunho turned the bedside lamp on low, slid onto the bed beside Jaejoong, and pulled him into his side. Neither one said anything but words weren’t necessary. Being together was more than enough.
Suddenly, Jaejoong sat up. “I almost forgot.” He crawled to his knees and straddled Yunho. “I owe you a treat.”
Even as excitement raced through his blood, Yunho said, “You don’t have to… I wasn’t exactly good this evening as it turned out.”
Jaejoong grinned wickedly. “Luckily, the treat I planned doubles as punishment. I like to have my bases covered.”
Settling back on Yunho’s pelvis, he smoothed his hands up Yunho’s bare chest to his shoulders, and back down again until he found Yunho’s hands. Linking their fingers, he brought Yunho’s hands above his head and bent low until their lips met. He teased and nibbled at Yunho’s lips until they parted for him then swept his tongue inside, deepening the kiss. While his lips were preoccupied, he slid one hand beneath his pillow, withdrew a silk tie, and made quick work of tying Yunho’s wrist to the wrought iron bar of the headboard.
One hand complete, he broke the kiss and sat back to survey his handiwork.
Yunho’s brain was fogged by the kiss so it took him a second to realize he couldn’t move his hand but as soon as he did…
“What’s this?” he demanded, tugging at his binds.
Jaejoong grinned. “Just thought I’d give you a nice present.”
Hot color flared in Yunho’s cheeks. “This isn’t funny Joongie.”
“It’s not supposed to be, is it?”
Jaejoong leaned over and bit Yunho’s lip before trailing kisses down his chest.
“I don’t like this at all,” Yunho insisted, even though his voice was husky with desire.
“Hmm?” Jaejoong pointedly ground his pelvis into Yunho’s, feeling the thick, hard evidence that contradicted his words. “Seems like someone else disagrees with you.”
Yunho growled. “Release me this instant!”
Jaejoong cocked a brow. “And if I don’t?”
One minute he was on top of Yunho, the next he found himself on his side pinned between Yunho’s iron thighs.
“I don’t need two hands to take care of you,” Yunho warned, nibbling his lips roughly.
“Is that so?”
Yunho gripped Jaejoong’s butt cheek, his fingers purposely digging into his crack and pressing against his entrance.
“Trust me.”
Jaejoong purred and took over the oral torture by biting Yunho’s lip hard enough to draw blood.
“Show me then.”
Growling loudly, Yunho flipped him fully onto his back and pounced, Jaejoong’s laughter echoing around them.
The next morning, Jaejoong was awakened by a soft melody near his head.
He rolled over onto his back and stretched, groaning softly as his body protested.
“Babe, your phone’s ringing,” Yunho said from somewhere nearby.
Jaejoong cracked one eye open and saw Yunho standing beside the bed in his sleeping pants: an old, worn pair of sweats.
“Joongie…” Yunho urged, holding the persistently ringing phone out to him.
Jaejoong stretched again, sighing contentedly this time. He was deliciously sore and sated, the result of Yunho’s return “punishment” for tying him to the bed. He didn’t mind, though, not at all.
“Answer it for me, will you? I need more sleep and if I talk to anyone, I won’t get back to sleep afterwards.”
Yunho pressed a key and said a polite “hello.” A second later, he looked down at Jaejoong, eyes filled with concern. Holding out the phone, he said, “It’s YeoWoon.”
Jaejoong sprang up, instantly awake. He snatched the phone from Yunho’s hand.
“Woon?”
There was a moment of silence, then… “He’s gone.”
The phone slid out of lifeless fingers, falling to the mattress with a soft thud.
Yunho was immediately beside him, pulling him into his arms. “Joongie?” he whispered, though he already knew. Jaejoong had gone pale as a sheet and silent tears dripped down his cheeks.
“He’s gone,” he whispered brokenly. “Gone…”
Yunho tucked him beneath his chin, rocking him gently. His own eyes filled with tears. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Jaejoong felt. He couldn’t even think of his life without his father in it.
Jaejoong fell against him, melting into him as a torrent of unshed tears finally unleashed itself, his mouth opening and closing in a silent scream that would never come…
The drive to the compound was long, silent and, for Jaejoong, more than a little painful.
In the passenger seat next to him, Yunho sat blindfolded. Every now and then, he would squeeze the hand he held, as if to ask if he was okay, and Jaejoong would return the gesture, to assure him that he was fine, or as well as could be expected given the circumstances.
When Yunho had announced that he was going with him to his father’s funeral, he didn’t object. He needed him there, needed as much support as he could get. It was all he could do to hold himself together since the call he’d received just two days ago.
For a week, he had driven to the compound every day, always leaving home after Yunho had left for the office and making sure he returned before the end of the work day. He had spent his days making contingency plans with YeoWoon, which would take effect after his father died because they’d assumed, rightly so as it turned out, that his uncle wouldn’t make a move until that dreaded event. He’d also returned to some of his old habits, training with old comrades for a couple of hours each day. It gave him something to do, kept his mind off of the inevitable. It also made him feel like he’d returned home, like he’d rediscovered a part of himself that he hadn’t even known was missing.
As Jaejoong turned onto the lane leading to the compound, he reached over to Yunho and gently pushed the blindfold up. The gates opened smoothly and he drove through and parked in his regular stop, unsurprised to find YeoWoon waiting. He was decked out in his ceremonial robes, an outfit only worn during initiation, promotion or a funeral.
He climbed out and bowed his head slightly in greeting, Yunho doing the same as he came to a stop beside him.
YeoWoon’s eyes flitted over Yunho briefly but he didn’t seem surprised to see him there. Outsiders were usually not allowed into the compound but today was an exception. And Yunho wasn’t just any outsider either.
“The ceremony will commence in a half hour,” YeoWoon said. He raised a hand and a trainee appeared beside him, seemingly out of thin air. “Escort our guest to the waiting room,” he ordered. His eyes met Yunho’s. “You will be called for when it is time.”
Yunho glanced at Jaejoong and at his nod, followed the young trainee to what appeared to be a small meeting room. He glanced at his watch every five minutes, becoming more and more anxious as time ticked by. He wondered how Jaejoong was holding up and if he needed him. Several times he took out his phone to call or send a text but forced himself to slip it back into his pocket. If Jaejoong needed him, he would come find him.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, he was led back the way he’d come and out into the courtyard. Whereas the courtyard had been deserted when they’d driven up, now it was crammed with silent, black-robed figures. From his position at the back, he couldn’t see Jaejoong, or YeoWoon for that matter. He was tempted to try to find a better vantage point but he wasn’t at a concert, he was at a funeral, thus he wouldn’t act so disrespectfully. What he could see, however, was the pyre that had been erected on an elevated platform. The body had been wrapped in what appeared to be a rich, white fabric, and set atop an intricately crafted wire bed. Once the wood beneath it was lit, the flames would lick upward, consuming the body.
Someone, an elderly gentleman from the looks of it, walked up to the platform, a torch in hand, and touched the flame to the pile of wood. The flame caught almost immediately. As the man departed, one by one the assassins began making their way to the bottom of the platform. Yunho couldn’t see what was going on, but as the number decreased, he moved forward with them, until he was only two rows back from the action.
He finally saw that the assassins were paying homage to their fallen leader, going to their knees and bowing three times while singing a chant that he didn’t understand, before rising and going into the building to the right. He still couldn’t find Jaejoong, though.
When the front line thinned out, he finally saw him. Both he and YeoWoon were on their knees, hands clasped as if in prayer, heads bowed. He had changed into a black robe as well, however, instead of the solid black of the other assassins, his had a roaring dragon on the back, a rich embroidery of deep reds and bright golds. He recognized him by his hair which, though long enough to be tied back as it currently was, was shorter than the other assassins. Next to him, YeoWoon wore a white robe with a falcon in mid flight, its colors blue and silver.
Yunho absently wondered what they meant, if anything at all, but doubted that Jaejoong would tell him even if he asked. When it came to the clan, he was extremely tight-lipped. He may not have been a part of it anymore but he still honored the vow of secrecy he’d taken during his initiation.
Yunho expected the two cousins to do as the other assassins had done: bow three times while reciting the chant. After twenty minutes of watching them remain immobile, however, he realized that they weren’t going to move any time soon. Time ticked by as the flames ravaged the body and still neither one so much as twitched. One hour turned into two. Yunho stayed where he was, watching the cousins intensely, worry rising within his chest with each passing minute. By the third hour, the trainee who had escorted him earlier came over and offered to take him somewhere to partake of refreshments but he refused, not wanting to leave Jaejoong.
Finally, halfway through the fourth hour, a gong sounded and he watched in fascination as the two men rose, not showing any signs of stiffness or pains. A group of older men came over to them and hushed words were exchanged. Jaejoong spoke briefly to one of the men before raising his eyes to meet Yunho’s. His gaze was unreadable and a sinking feeling settled in Yunho’s stomach, his worry increasing. When Jaejoong nodded once, turned and walked away, all he could do was stare after him, speechless.
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: PG
Length: Another long short-story
Summary: Ten years later, a ghost from the past appears and turns Jaejoong's world upside down. Will he be able to defend the new life he's built, or will he lose his life...and Yunho?
One week later…
“Are you sure you want to go?” Yunho asked for the millionth time. “We can skip it, it’s not a big deal. Or I can go alone, I don’t mind.”
Jaejoong chuckled, stepping up to the handsome man in front of him to straighten his tie. Yunho had been so kind and attentive ever since he’d told him about his father: it made him love him even more, which he’d never thought possible since he already loved the man infinitesimally.
“It’s fine. I want to go. You worked hard on the merger and this party is like the cherry on top. Besides, we haven’t socialized in a while. It’ll be good for us.”
Yunho sighed. “As long as you’re sure…”
Jaejoong cocked a knowing brow. “Sounds to me like you don’t want to go and you’re trying to use me as your excuse.”
“Well…”
Yunho was too honest to deny it but still wouldn’t admit to it so he tried a different tactic. Slipping his arms around Jaejoong’s waist, he brought him flush against his chest and lowered his mouth to Jaejoong’s ear.
“There are other things I’d rather be doing with my time, I won’t deny it,” he said throatily, catching the outer lobe of Jaejoong’s ear between his teeth and tugging gently.
Jaejoong swatted his hands away and stepped out of reach. “Down boy. I trust you can behave yourself for a couple of hours.”
Yunho grunted, whether in agreement or denial Jaejoong didn’t know.
“If you do…” he let his words trail off, grinning suggestively. He watched Yunho’s eyes light up and evaded his hands as he reached for him. He shook his head. “If you do, if you’re on your best behavior, I’ll give you a treat when we get back. Think you can do it?”
Yunho growled but nodded.
Satisfied that he’d tamed the wild beast, at least temporarily, Jaejoong sat on the bed to put on his shoes.
“Pretty in pink,” Yunho mused.
Jaejoong looked up at him questioningly.
Nodding at the pink shirt Jaejoong wore, he said, “I don’t think anyone, man or woman, looks as glorious or natural in pink as you do.”
Jaejoong felt a blush flare in his cheeks.
“Ahh…more pink,” Yunho teased.
Jaejoong glared up at him. “Don’t make me change my mind about your reward,” he warned, which shut his lover up immediately.
The party was elegant, extravagant, flashy yet understated: everything the business set appreciated and admired.
Yunho sipped champagne from a crystal glass while only half-listening to the man standing next to him. He’d been talking about one thing or another, trying to get Yunho to invest in his latest get-rich-quick scheme but Yunho knew better. He had no talent for business and had lost heaven knew how much money on one venture after another. The only reason he wasn’t an outcast was by virtue of his father’s highly respected reputation, the same father who kept bailing him out of his financial fallouts. Were he not the only heir to his father’s legacy, he might have left him to save himself.
“So what do you say, Yunho? Interested?”
Yunho groaned inwardly.
Just as he was about to fumble a reply, he saw a striking couple walk through the large, oak doors of the ball room and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sorry, I’ll have to get back to you. I see my parents have just arrived.”
He quickly hurried off, reaching his parents’ side just as Jaejoong did.
“Oh, what handsome boys,” his mother exclaimed, delighted. “I have the two best looking men in the entire room before me, three if you count daddy.”
Yunho smiled and kissed his mother’s cheek before turning to his father to exchange a brief hug.
His mother’s expression suddenly turned serious and she took Jaejoong’s hands in hers.
“My poor Joong-ah. How are you holding up?” Her eyes filled with compassion and concern.
Jaejoong glanced down at their joined hands. He couldn’t help thinking how a mere ten years ago, he never would’ve seen a moment like this in his future.
Shaking his thoughts away, he smiled gently at the beautifully aged woman. “I’m fine. As well as can be expected.”
She nodded. “Of course. Has there been any improvement?”
His smile slipped a little as he shook his head.
“My poor baby,” she cooed. She kissed his cheek, rubbing off the slight smudge her lipstick left behind. “If you ever want to talk about it, don’t forget we’re here for you.”
Jaejoong nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately. We should all spend a weekend at the summer house. We haven’t had a family get-together in a long time. We could invite your sister and the kids, Yunho. I miss my grand-babies.”
“And her husband,” Yunho reminded her, a mischievous grin springing to his lips.
It was common knowledge that though his mother adored her daughter and grandchildren, she still hadn’t forgiven her for marrying a foreigner. Her children, she was fond of saying, would be the death of her. She had an openly gay son and a daughter who had gone against her parents’ wishes and followed her heart. Yunho knew, however, that his mother was secretly happy for his sister and had no real quarrel with her son-in-law because he was a good, hard-working man who adored his wife and children and that was all a parent could ever want. Still, she never hesitated to remind them that they’d bucked convention and would probably bring a hundred years of bad luck upon the family.
“Don’t remind me,” his mother snapped.
Chuckling, Jaejoong squeezed her hand gently. “It sounds lovely, Auntie.”
Auntie, Yunho thought.
He adored the relationship his parents had with Jaejoong. He’d been so nervous the first time his mother met him. He needn’t have worried, though. As soon as she set eyes on him, she fell in love. He was beautiful, she’d said, even more so than the daughter she’d given birth to, who, up until then, was the most beautiful person in the world. It was the best of both worlds: he was pretty enough to be a girl but he was a boy and she’d always wanted another son so it worked out perfectly. She’d even forgotten to scold him for falling in love with a boy and ruining her plans for a grand wedding, she was that enamored with his Joongie.
His parents had become Jaejoong’s parents in his new life, taking him under their wing and treating him as if he really was one of their own. It would have been natural, expected even, for Jaejoong to call them mom and dad but Yunho understood why he didn’t. The title “mother” was reserved in honor of the mother he’d lost at such a young age, and he could never call another man “father” out of respect for the one who’d been that to him his entire life, until he’d walked away. Especially now, Yunho thought, when he was going to lose him for good.
“You know… I’ve also been thinking about something else,” Mrs. Jung said slowly. She looked from one son to the other. “You two have been together for quite a while now. Don’t you think it’s time you made it official and started a family?”
“Oh, dear God,” Yunho swore.
“Think about it. You can have one of those commitment ceremonies that we see on television all the time. Or - and this is even better - we can take a trip to Europe and have an official wedding. Oh, I can see it already!” she exclaimed and launched into a diatribe of her idea of the perfect wedding for her boys.
As Yunho countered her every argument, Jaejoong tuned them out and focused on Mr. Jung, or Uncle Kwon as he was now called. He raised a brow in silent question, to which Mr. Jung responded with a brief nod.
He’d met with him earlier in the week and though he hadn’t gone into detail, he’d told him that there was danger on the horizon and he wanted Yunho’s security increased. They’d swapped his guards with specially trained, ex-secret service agents and hired backup guards who were always near but stayed invisible. He hadn’t told Yunho about his uncle and had no intention to in the immediate future. He was sure his uncle would come directly at him, as was the way of the assassin, but would take no chances with Yunho’s life. The tight security was just a precaution. YeoWoon had even offered to lend him a couple of assassins to go undercover as Yunho’s security but he didn’t think it was necessary just yet. Still, he’d been touched that his cousin had offered at all.
“Jaejoong, help me out here,” Yunho pleaded. “She’s officially gone mad.”
Purposefully turning to Mr. Jung, Jaejoong smiled and asked, “Uncle Kwon, can I get you a drink?”
Following his lead, Mr. Jung nodded. “Thanks. Why don’t I come with you?”
The two walked off, leaving Yunho staring after them incredulously while his mother prattled in his ear.
“I can’t believe you left me with that woman,” Yunho whined.
Jaejoong sighed. He’d had to listen to Yunho’s griping all the way home and he seemed in no hurry to stop.
“She’s a sweet woman. She just wants to do something nice for us,” he reasoned.
“She’s insane is what she is,” Yunho grumbled, hanging up his discarded clothing.
“You don’t sound all that sane at the moment either,” Jaejoong muttered, slipping a vest over his head.
Yunho looked up sharply. “What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“You don’t have to agree with everything my mother says, you know. You’re allowed to say no sometimes,” Yunho pointed out.
“I’ll remember that,” Jaejoong replied as he climbed into bed.
“You know her idea is insane, right? Please tell me you’re not seriously considering it.” Yunho looked down at him worriedly.
Jaejoong posed against the pillows, cocking a brow as he asked, “Don’t you want to marry me?” His voice dripped with mock hurt.
Yunho blushed. “Well…of course but…” But what?, he wondered.
Jaejoong laughed. “Pack it away for the night, Sherlock. Let’s get some sleep.”
Yunho turned the bedside lamp on low, slid onto the bed beside Jaejoong, and pulled him into his side. Neither one said anything but words weren’t necessary. Being together was more than enough.
Suddenly, Jaejoong sat up. “I almost forgot.” He crawled to his knees and straddled Yunho. “I owe you a treat.”
Even as excitement raced through his blood, Yunho said, “You don’t have to… I wasn’t exactly good this evening as it turned out.”
Jaejoong grinned wickedly. “Luckily, the treat I planned doubles as punishment. I like to have my bases covered.”
Settling back on Yunho’s pelvis, he smoothed his hands up Yunho’s bare chest to his shoulders, and back down again until he found Yunho’s hands. Linking their fingers, he brought Yunho’s hands above his head and bent low until their lips met. He teased and nibbled at Yunho’s lips until they parted for him then swept his tongue inside, deepening the kiss. While his lips were preoccupied, he slid one hand beneath his pillow, withdrew a silk tie, and made quick work of tying Yunho’s wrist to the wrought iron bar of the headboard.
One hand complete, he broke the kiss and sat back to survey his handiwork.
Yunho’s brain was fogged by the kiss so it took him a second to realize he couldn’t move his hand but as soon as he did…
“What’s this?” he demanded, tugging at his binds.
Jaejoong grinned. “Just thought I’d give you a nice present.”
Hot color flared in Yunho’s cheeks. “This isn’t funny Joongie.”
“It’s not supposed to be, is it?”
Jaejoong leaned over and bit Yunho’s lip before trailing kisses down his chest.
“I don’t like this at all,” Yunho insisted, even though his voice was husky with desire.
“Hmm?” Jaejoong pointedly ground his pelvis into Yunho’s, feeling the thick, hard evidence that contradicted his words. “Seems like someone else disagrees with you.”
Yunho growled. “Release me this instant!”
Jaejoong cocked a brow. “And if I don’t?”
One minute he was on top of Yunho, the next he found himself on his side pinned between Yunho’s iron thighs.
“I don’t need two hands to take care of you,” Yunho warned, nibbling his lips roughly.
“Is that so?”
Yunho gripped Jaejoong’s butt cheek, his fingers purposely digging into his crack and pressing against his entrance.
“Trust me.”
Jaejoong purred and took over the oral torture by biting Yunho’s lip hard enough to draw blood.
“Show me then.”
Growling loudly, Yunho flipped him fully onto his back and pounced, Jaejoong’s laughter echoing around them.
The next morning, Jaejoong was awakened by a soft melody near his head.
He rolled over onto his back and stretched, groaning softly as his body protested.
“Babe, your phone’s ringing,” Yunho said from somewhere nearby.
Jaejoong cracked one eye open and saw Yunho standing beside the bed in his sleeping pants: an old, worn pair of sweats.
“Joongie…” Yunho urged, holding the persistently ringing phone out to him.
Jaejoong stretched again, sighing contentedly this time. He was deliciously sore and sated, the result of Yunho’s return “punishment” for tying him to the bed. He didn’t mind, though, not at all.
“Answer it for me, will you? I need more sleep and if I talk to anyone, I won’t get back to sleep afterwards.”
Yunho pressed a key and said a polite “hello.” A second later, he looked down at Jaejoong, eyes filled with concern. Holding out the phone, he said, “It’s YeoWoon.”
Jaejoong sprang up, instantly awake. He snatched the phone from Yunho’s hand.
“Woon?”
There was a moment of silence, then… “He’s gone.”
The phone slid out of lifeless fingers, falling to the mattress with a soft thud.
Yunho was immediately beside him, pulling him into his arms. “Joongie?” he whispered, though he already knew. Jaejoong had gone pale as a sheet and silent tears dripped down his cheeks.
“He’s gone,” he whispered brokenly. “Gone…”
Yunho tucked him beneath his chin, rocking him gently. His own eyes filled with tears. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Jaejoong felt. He couldn’t even think of his life without his father in it.
Jaejoong fell against him, melting into him as a torrent of unshed tears finally unleashed itself, his mouth opening and closing in a silent scream that would never come…
The drive to the compound was long, silent and, for Jaejoong, more than a little painful.
In the passenger seat next to him, Yunho sat blindfolded. Every now and then, he would squeeze the hand he held, as if to ask if he was okay, and Jaejoong would return the gesture, to assure him that he was fine, or as well as could be expected given the circumstances.
When Yunho had announced that he was going with him to his father’s funeral, he didn’t object. He needed him there, needed as much support as he could get. It was all he could do to hold himself together since the call he’d received just two days ago.
For a week, he had driven to the compound every day, always leaving home after Yunho had left for the office and making sure he returned before the end of the work day. He had spent his days making contingency plans with YeoWoon, which would take effect after his father died because they’d assumed, rightly so as it turned out, that his uncle wouldn’t make a move until that dreaded event. He’d also returned to some of his old habits, training with old comrades for a couple of hours each day. It gave him something to do, kept his mind off of the inevitable. It also made him feel like he’d returned home, like he’d rediscovered a part of himself that he hadn’t even known was missing.
As Jaejoong turned onto the lane leading to the compound, he reached over to Yunho and gently pushed the blindfold up. The gates opened smoothly and he drove through and parked in his regular stop, unsurprised to find YeoWoon waiting. He was decked out in his ceremonial robes, an outfit only worn during initiation, promotion or a funeral.
He climbed out and bowed his head slightly in greeting, Yunho doing the same as he came to a stop beside him.
YeoWoon’s eyes flitted over Yunho briefly but he didn’t seem surprised to see him there. Outsiders were usually not allowed into the compound but today was an exception. And Yunho wasn’t just any outsider either.
“The ceremony will commence in a half hour,” YeoWoon said. He raised a hand and a trainee appeared beside him, seemingly out of thin air. “Escort our guest to the waiting room,” he ordered. His eyes met Yunho’s. “You will be called for when it is time.”
Yunho glanced at Jaejoong and at his nod, followed the young trainee to what appeared to be a small meeting room. He glanced at his watch every five minutes, becoming more and more anxious as time ticked by. He wondered how Jaejoong was holding up and if he needed him. Several times he took out his phone to call or send a text but forced himself to slip it back into his pocket. If Jaejoong needed him, he would come find him.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, he was led back the way he’d come and out into the courtyard. Whereas the courtyard had been deserted when they’d driven up, now it was crammed with silent, black-robed figures. From his position at the back, he couldn’t see Jaejoong, or YeoWoon for that matter. He was tempted to try to find a better vantage point but he wasn’t at a concert, he was at a funeral, thus he wouldn’t act so disrespectfully. What he could see, however, was the pyre that had been erected on an elevated platform. The body had been wrapped in what appeared to be a rich, white fabric, and set atop an intricately crafted wire bed. Once the wood beneath it was lit, the flames would lick upward, consuming the body.
Someone, an elderly gentleman from the looks of it, walked up to the platform, a torch in hand, and touched the flame to the pile of wood. The flame caught almost immediately. As the man departed, one by one the assassins began making their way to the bottom of the platform. Yunho couldn’t see what was going on, but as the number decreased, he moved forward with them, until he was only two rows back from the action.
He finally saw that the assassins were paying homage to their fallen leader, going to their knees and bowing three times while singing a chant that he didn’t understand, before rising and going into the building to the right. He still couldn’t find Jaejoong, though.
When the front line thinned out, he finally saw him. Both he and YeoWoon were on their knees, hands clasped as if in prayer, heads bowed. He had changed into a black robe as well, however, instead of the solid black of the other assassins, his had a roaring dragon on the back, a rich embroidery of deep reds and bright golds. He recognized him by his hair which, though long enough to be tied back as it currently was, was shorter than the other assassins. Next to him, YeoWoon wore a white robe with a falcon in mid flight, its colors blue and silver.
Yunho absently wondered what they meant, if anything at all, but doubted that Jaejoong would tell him even if he asked. When it came to the clan, he was extremely tight-lipped. He may not have been a part of it anymore but he still honored the vow of secrecy he’d taken during his initiation.
Yunho expected the two cousins to do as the other assassins had done: bow three times while reciting the chant. After twenty minutes of watching them remain immobile, however, he realized that they weren’t going to move any time soon. Time ticked by as the flames ravaged the body and still neither one so much as twitched. One hour turned into two. Yunho stayed where he was, watching the cousins intensely, worry rising within his chest with each passing minute. By the third hour, the trainee who had escorted him earlier came over and offered to take him somewhere to partake of refreshments but he refused, not wanting to leave Jaejoong.
Finally, halfway through the fourth hour, a gong sounded and he watched in fascination as the two men rose, not showing any signs of stiffness or pains. A group of older men came over to them and hushed words were exchanged. Jaejoong spoke briefly to one of the men before raising his eyes to meet Yunho’s. His gaze was unreadable and a sinking feeling settled in Yunho’s stomach, his worry increasing. When Jaejoong nodded once, turned and walked away, all he could do was stare after him, speechless.