Risky Business (Chapter 9a - Final )
Title: Risky Business (FINAL)
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: JongKey, OnHyun, MinKey, OnTae
Rating: PG13
Summary: Onew's out of the way and Jong has messed up. Will he and Key ever find their way back to each other?
“What do you think of this one?”
Minho lowered his book and looked over to where Key stood at the windows holding up a set of deep purple drapes. “What about it?”
Key clucked his tongue. “Do you think these fit better?” Key glanced down at the drapes in his hands. “They’re thick and dark so they’ll keep the light out. Then again, at night they may block the moonlight and the room will be too dark and gloomy. But the colors match the bed linen so…” He looked back at Minho expectantly.
Curtains were curtains, as far as Minho was concerned. Their purpose was to keep the light out, it really didn’t matter to him if they complemented the room at all, much less matched the bed sheets. He wouldn’t dare say that to Key, though. He knew Key took pride in beautifying the place and making a home for them and he appreciated his efforts, even if it wasn’t up his alley.
“Um…It’s good. The shade matches the wallpaper and suits the linens, as you already pointed out. If it gets too dark at night, we can always part the curtains a little so that the light gets in. Or put one of those white lacy pieces in the middle so light streams in through that but the dark ones block the sun during the day.”
Key stared at him in momentary shock before exclaiming, “You’re brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?” He then launched into another round of chatter and Minho picked up the book and re-immersed himself in the story. He knew Key didn’t need him to actually listen to him, he just needed to think he was.
They were so engulfed in their own pursuits that when the doorbell rang some time later, they both jumped.
“Geesh!” Key grumbled, his hand at his throat as he took deep breaths to still his racing heart.
“Can you get that please? Send them away if you can, I’m not up for visitors today.”
Yes, Princess, Minho thought. He put down his book and rolled to his feet. He chuckled to himself as he walked to the door. He knew it made him a masochist but he liked having Key boss him around entirely too much.
He opened the door…and found himself looking into the face of the last person he’d expected to see.
Jonghyun froze momentarily when the door swung open and Minho was on the other side. He forced himself to calm down, bracing himself for the battle that was about to start. He’d known that before he could get to Key, he’d have to go through his bodyguard first. It went without saying. Plus, he knew that after the mess he’d made of things last time, he had to make amends with Minho too, not just Key. He had to show him that he’d gotten his act together and wouldn’t make any more mistakes.
“Minho, hello,” he greeted, bowing slightly.
Minho’s eyes narrowed. “Jonghyun,” he replied with a nod.
Jong didn’t know where to begin but he knew that Minho wasn’t going to let him in without a word.
“Look, I know you hate my guts. After what happened last time, you have every right to. What I did was indefensible. I’m not even going to try to make excuses, I just…” He broke off when Minho raised a hand to stop him.
Minho stared intently into his eyes and Jong swore he could feel his gaze pierce through to the back of his skull. He didn’t know what Minho was looking for and his courage was slowly dwindling the longer he stood rooted to the spot.
When Minho broke eye contact and turned around, he breathed a sigh of relief. But his eyes widened in surprise when Minho grabbed his jacket from on the coat-hanger inside the door and stepped out.
Minho made sure he was toe-to-toe with Jong so he’d have no doubt about the seriousness of what he was about to say. “I can see you’re sincere, that you’re sorry for what happened, so you can save your words for the one that needs to hear them. But make no mistake, if you mess up, if you hurt even a hair on his head, I will hunt you down and not even Key can stop me if I get my hands on you again. Are we clear?”
Jong nodded, unable to form a coherent response. Minho up close and personal was quite intimidating. His advanced height was bad enough but the look in his eyes, the threat behind it, Jong knew he meant every word.
Minho stepped back. “Good.” He shrugged into his jacket. “Don’t screw this up.” With a hard pat on Jonghyun’s shoulder, he strode down the hall and out of sight.
When Minho rounded the corner, he stopped and leaned against the wall. He took a deep breath and shook the tension from his body. It was probably the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, walking away. He could’ve easily gotten Jong out of Key’s life for good, he knew it. A few meaningful words to Jong and he’d have been history. Key would’ve never had to know of his visit. Or so he told himself. Instead, he’d basically given his blessing, and he knew that once Key saw what he’d seen in Jong’s eyes, the love he had for him and the forgiveness he so desperately yearned for, he’d be putty in his hands.
I can’t believe I’m losing him to that asshole again, he thought.
“Except he was never mine to lose,” he corrected, smiling sadly as his eyes filled with tears.
He pushed away from the wall and started down the stairs. He dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed quickly.
“Hyung,” he said huskily when the call was anwered. “Is that offer still good?”
Jong stood in the doorway to the bedroom for a full minute before Key turned around. He didn’t say anything, just watched him, making up for lost time. He looked good, vibrant and lively as always. And beautiful. The bruises he imagined he’d had after the incident were all gone now, leaving his skin clear and pale. But he couldn’t ignore the new leanness to his cheeks, the extra definition to his jawline and the grooves around his mouth like he’d been frowning a lot.
This is your handiwork, Jong, he thought. You’d better be prepared to grovel if need be.
“Minho-ah! What’s taking so long? I need help, I can’t reach…” Key trailed off as he turned and his eyes clashed with the silent figure in his doorway.
Jonghyun smiled tentatively. “Hi.”
Key’s fingers tightened around the material in his hands. “Hi…”
When Jong noticed Key’s eyes flit frantically beyond his shoulder, as if searching for Minho, his gut clenched in regret and shame but he knew he deserved it.
“Where’s Minho?” Key asked, forcing himself to remain calm. He didn’t believe Jong would hurt him, at least he kept telling himself he didn’t.
“He left.”
“Left?” Key repeated uncomprehendingly. Minho wouldn’t just desert him.
“Key...” Jong began, stepping fully into the room.
When Key took an involuntary step back, Jong swore under his breath. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, his voice raising just a little.
Key flattened himself against the wall.
Nice goin,g Jong, he mentally berated himself. You’re scaring him.
Sighing, he sat on the edge of the bed facing the door, his back to Key.
“I came here to apologize, maybe explain, but I can’t even seem to get that right.”
He dropped his head into his hands.
“I don’t know where it all went wrong, why it went wrong. But you and Onew aren’t to blame. I think any relationship I had would’ve gotten to this point eventually.”
He sighed, raised his head and rested his chin on fisted knuckles. With his back still turned, he didn’t see Key move away from the wall, didn’t see the pained, loving expression on his face.
“There’s nothing I can say to excuse what I did. It shouldn’t be excused. I hurt you in the worst way possible. And not only that, but I said things, hurtful things from your past, that should never have been used as a weapon against you. It took a while but I remembered everything. Some days I wish I hadn’t because I know I’ll never forget but maybe that’s my punishment. Every time I close my eyes I remember what you looked like… And then I ask myself if it’s even possible for you to forgive me. I don’t even forgive myself. When I went home, it reminded me of all that had happened there and to this day, despite all she’s endured, my mother still loves that man. How can she love such a monster? But then I thought, after what I’d done to you, hadn’t I become a monster too?”
Key shook his head in denial but, again, Jong didn’t see as he continued.
“A monster who wants your love more than anything in the world. I still don’t understand why my father did the things he did but maybe I’m more like him than I thought. Maybe…”
“Shut up!” Key cried, walking around the bed to stand before Jong. “Just shut up. Enough already.” His heart ached for the child Jong had been and the man he now was who doubted the very essence of who he was. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Jong looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and simply said, “Because I love you.”
Key inhaled sharply and let it out slowly. It had been a long time since he’d heard those words yet they hadn’t lost their power. His heart raced in his chest.
“I want nothing more than for you to love me back. But I don’t think I deserve your love. Maybe I never did… I already made you put up with my relationship with Onew, not to mention how horrible I was to him, and then I hurt you even more on top of that. How can…”
“My gosh, would you just shut up already!” Key exclaimed in a sudden fit of temper. “Is this how I sound when I’m having one of my bitch fits? Whining on and on? Because if it is then I should be the one apologizing to you for having to put up with that.”
Jong blinked up at Key, confusion and surprise written all over his face.
“You made a mistake. I won’t deny that you hurt me, you hurt me really badly.” The pain associated with the memory flashed across his face but he forced himself to move on. “But you’re human, you’re going to mess up every now and again. I’d rather your fists weren’t involved…”
Jong winced and turned away in shame.
Key gently cupped his face and tilted his chin round to face him again. He smiled. “…but if I don’t forgive you, I’d be spiting myself and as we both know, I kinda love me, like, a lot so…” Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to Jong’s lips. “Don’t let me down again. I don’t think my heart will survive next time.” His smile fell, expression turned serious. “I mean it, Jong. I felt like I was going to die if you didn’t come back. I hated you for hurting me but I hated you more for leaving. Promise me you’ll never run away again.” When Jong didn’t reply fast enough, he squeezed his chin, manicured nails digging into the skin of his neck. “Promise!” he growled.
Jong gasped. “I promise!”
Key dropped his hand. “Good. Because your balls belong to me and the next time you step out of line, I’m gonna cut them off and feed them to you.”
Jong’s eyes widened in shock before he burst out laughing. Once he started, he couldn’t stop and he fell back on the bed chortling til his eyes filled with tears. It felt so good to let loose. He finally realized just how tense he’d been as he felt the stress drain from his body.
“Hey.” Key poked him in the side but he didn’t stop laughing. He leaned over him and shook his shoulder. “Hey! It wasn’t that funny,” he pouted.
Jong sobered, gazing up at Key lovingly. He leaned up on his elbows, his face coming to an inch from Key’s. He raised a hand and trailed tender fingers along Key’s cheek, watching in fascination as a pink flush followed behind.
“Can I make love to you?” He held his breath, slightly fearful that he would be rejected.
Key’s blush deepened and his gaze dropped but he nodded.
Jong closed the space between them, his eyes fluttering closed when their mouths met. As Key’s lips parted and his tongue swept in to take possession, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Next Part: 9b
Author: VampireMadonna
Pairing: JongKey, OnHyun, MinKey, OnTae
Rating: PG13
Summary: Onew's out of the way and Jong has messed up. Will he and Key ever find their way back to each other?
“What do you think of this one?”
Minho lowered his book and looked over to where Key stood at the windows holding up a set of deep purple drapes. “What about it?”
Key clucked his tongue. “Do you think these fit better?” Key glanced down at the drapes in his hands. “They’re thick and dark so they’ll keep the light out. Then again, at night they may block the moonlight and the room will be too dark and gloomy. But the colors match the bed linen so…” He looked back at Minho expectantly.
Curtains were curtains, as far as Minho was concerned. Their purpose was to keep the light out, it really didn’t matter to him if they complemented the room at all, much less matched the bed sheets. He wouldn’t dare say that to Key, though. He knew Key took pride in beautifying the place and making a home for them and he appreciated his efforts, even if it wasn’t up his alley.
“Um…It’s good. The shade matches the wallpaper and suits the linens, as you already pointed out. If it gets too dark at night, we can always part the curtains a little so that the light gets in. Or put one of those white lacy pieces in the middle so light streams in through that but the dark ones block the sun during the day.”
Key stared at him in momentary shock before exclaiming, “You’re brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?” He then launched into another round of chatter and Minho picked up the book and re-immersed himself in the story. He knew Key didn’t need him to actually listen to him, he just needed to think he was.
They were so engulfed in their own pursuits that when the doorbell rang some time later, they both jumped.
“Geesh!” Key grumbled, his hand at his throat as he took deep breaths to still his racing heart.
“Can you get that please? Send them away if you can, I’m not up for visitors today.”
Yes, Princess, Minho thought. He put down his book and rolled to his feet. He chuckled to himself as he walked to the door. He knew it made him a masochist but he liked having Key boss him around entirely too much.
He opened the door…and found himself looking into the face of the last person he’d expected to see.
Jonghyun froze momentarily when the door swung open and Minho was on the other side. He forced himself to calm down, bracing himself for the battle that was about to start. He’d known that before he could get to Key, he’d have to go through his bodyguard first. It went without saying. Plus, he knew that after the mess he’d made of things last time, he had to make amends with Minho too, not just Key. He had to show him that he’d gotten his act together and wouldn’t make any more mistakes.
“Minho, hello,” he greeted, bowing slightly.
Minho’s eyes narrowed. “Jonghyun,” he replied with a nod.
Jong didn’t know where to begin but he knew that Minho wasn’t going to let him in without a word.
“Look, I know you hate my guts. After what happened last time, you have every right to. What I did was indefensible. I’m not even going to try to make excuses, I just…” He broke off when Minho raised a hand to stop him.
Minho stared intently into his eyes and Jong swore he could feel his gaze pierce through to the back of his skull. He didn’t know what Minho was looking for and his courage was slowly dwindling the longer he stood rooted to the spot.
When Minho broke eye contact and turned around, he breathed a sigh of relief. But his eyes widened in surprise when Minho grabbed his jacket from on the coat-hanger inside the door and stepped out.
Minho made sure he was toe-to-toe with Jong so he’d have no doubt about the seriousness of what he was about to say. “I can see you’re sincere, that you’re sorry for what happened, so you can save your words for the one that needs to hear them. But make no mistake, if you mess up, if you hurt even a hair on his head, I will hunt you down and not even Key can stop me if I get my hands on you again. Are we clear?”
Jong nodded, unable to form a coherent response. Minho up close and personal was quite intimidating. His advanced height was bad enough but the look in his eyes, the threat behind it, Jong knew he meant every word.
Minho stepped back. “Good.” He shrugged into his jacket. “Don’t screw this up.” With a hard pat on Jonghyun’s shoulder, he strode down the hall and out of sight.
When Minho rounded the corner, he stopped and leaned against the wall. He took a deep breath and shook the tension from his body. It was probably the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, walking away. He could’ve easily gotten Jong out of Key’s life for good, he knew it. A few meaningful words to Jong and he’d have been history. Key would’ve never had to know of his visit. Or so he told himself. Instead, he’d basically given his blessing, and he knew that once Key saw what he’d seen in Jong’s eyes, the love he had for him and the forgiveness he so desperately yearned for, he’d be putty in his hands.
I can’t believe I’m losing him to that asshole again, he thought.
“Except he was never mine to lose,” he corrected, smiling sadly as his eyes filled with tears.
He pushed away from the wall and started down the stairs. He dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed quickly.
“Hyung,” he said huskily when the call was anwered. “Is that offer still good?”
Jong stood in the doorway to the bedroom for a full minute before Key turned around. He didn’t say anything, just watched him, making up for lost time. He looked good, vibrant and lively as always. And beautiful. The bruises he imagined he’d had after the incident were all gone now, leaving his skin clear and pale. But he couldn’t ignore the new leanness to his cheeks, the extra definition to his jawline and the grooves around his mouth like he’d been frowning a lot.
This is your handiwork, Jong, he thought. You’d better be prepared to grovel if need be.
“Minho-ah! What’s taking so long? I need help, I can’t reach…” Key trailed off as he turned and his eyes clashed with the silent figure in his doorway.
Jonghyun smiled tentatively. “Hi.”
Key’s fingers tightened around the material in his hands. “Hi…”
When Jong noticed Key’s eyes flit frantically beyond his shoulder, as if searching for Minho, his gut clenched in regret and shame but he knew he deserved it.
“Where’s Minho?” Key asked, forcing himself to remain calm. He didn’t believe Jong would hurt him, at least he kept telling himself he didn’t.
“He left.”
“Left?” Key repeated uncomprehendingly. Minho wouldn’t just desert him.
“Key...” Jong began, stepping fully into the room.
When Key took an involuntary step back, Jong swore under his breath. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, his voice raising just a little.
Key flattened himself against the wall.
Nice goin,g Jong, he mentally berated himself. You’re scaring him.
Sighing, he sat on the edge of the bed facing the door, his back to Key.
“I came here to apologize, maybe explain, but I can’t even seem to get that right.”
He dropped his head into his hands.
“I don’t know where it all went wrong, why it went wrong. But you and Onew aren’t to blame. I think any relationship I had would’ve gotten to this point eventually.”
He sighed, raised his head and rested his chin on fisted knuckles. With his back still turned, he didn’t see Key move away from the wall, didn’t see the pained, loving expression on his face.
“There’s nothing I can say to excuse what I did. It shouldn’t be excused. I hurt you in the worst way possible. And not only that, but I said things, hurtful things from your past, that should never have been used as a weapon against you. It took a while but I remembered everything. Some days I wish I hadn’t because I know I’ll never forget but maybe that’s my punishment. Every time I close my eyes I remember what you looked like… And then I ask myself if it’s even possible for you to forgive me. I don’t even forgive myself. When I went home, it reminded me of all that had happened there and to this day, despite all she’s endured, my mother still loves that man. How can she love such a monster? But then I thought, after what I’d done to you, hadn’t I become a monster too?”
Key shook his head in denial but, again, Jong didn’t see as he continued.
“A monster who wants your love more than anything in the world. I still don’t understand why my father did the things he did but maybe I’m more like him than I thought. Maybe…”
“Shut up!” Key cried, walking around the bed to stand before Jong. “Just shut up. Enough already.” His heart ached for the child Jong had been and the man he now was who doubted the very essence of who he was. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Jong looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and simply said, “Because I love you.”
Key inhaled sharply and let it out slowly. It had been a long time since he’d heard those words yet they hadn’t lost their power. His heart raced in his chest.
“I want nothing more than for you to love me back. But I don’t think I deserve your love. Maybe I never did… I already made you put up with my relationship with Onew, not to mention how horrible I was to him, and then I hurt you even more on top of that. How can…”
“My gosh, would you just shut up already!” Key exclaimed in a sudden fit of temper. “Is this how I sound when I’m having one of my bitch fits? Whining on and on? Because if it is then I should be the one apologizing to you for having to put up with that.”
Jong blinked up at Key, confusion and surprise written all over his face.
“You made a mistake. I won’t deny that you hurt me, you hurt me really badly.” The pain associated with the memory flashed across his face but he forced himself to move on. “But you’re human, you’re going to mess up every now and again. I’d rather your fists weren’t involved…”
Jong winced and turned away in shame.
Key gently cupped his face and tilted his chin round to face him again. He smiled. “…but if I don’t forgive you, I’d be spiting myself and as we both know, I kinda love me, like, a lot so…” Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to Jong’s lips. “Don’t let me down again. I don’t think my heart will survive next time.” His smile fell, expression turned serious. “I mean it, Jong. I felt like I was going to die if you didn’t come back. I hated you for hurting me but I hated you more for leaving. Promise me you’ll never run away again.” When Jong didn’t reply fast enough, he squeezed his chin, manicured nails digging into the skin of his neck. “Promise!” he growled.
Jong gasped. “I promise!”
Key dropped his hand. “Good. Because your balls belong to me and the next time you step out of line, I’m gonna cut them off and feed them to you.”
Jong’s eyes widened in shock before he burst out laughing. Once he started, he couldn’t stop and he fell back on the bed chortling til his eyes filled with tears. It felt so good to let loose. He finally realized just how tense he’d been as he felt the stress drain from his body.
“Hey.” Key poked him in the side but he didn’t stop laughing. He leaned over him and shook his shoulder. “Hey! It wasn’t that funny,” he pouted.
Jong sobered, gazing up at Key lovingly. He leaned up on his elbows, his face coming to an inch from Key’s. He raised a hand and trailed tender fingers along Key’s cheek, watching in fascination as a pink flush followed behind.
“Can I make love to you?” He held his breath, slightly fearful that he would be rejected.
Key’s blush deepened and his gaze dropped but he nodded.
Jong closed the space between them, his eyes fluttering closed when their mouths met. As Key’s lips parted and his tongue swept in to take possession, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Next Part: 9b