Tense 3: Aftermath
-continues from Tense (2): Battle -
Changmin shakes his bangs out of his head as the minutes count down towards showtime. The stagehands bustle around him but none disturb him - used to his pre-stage routine of sitting quietly by himself, head down, going through the choreography and set-list in his head.
An assistant nearby coughs and Changmin looks up.
'He just arrived.' Changmin nods in acknowledgement, before returning his gaze to the ground.
Well, as expected. The slight uncertainty he had been feeling beforehand disappears in an instant. He does not know why he had it in the first place. But there's no time to question it now. He stands and stretches, unexpectedly finding a sudden lightness added to his movement.
Quit it, Shim. He sternly tells himself. Focus.
Outside, the waiters hover nervously around the VIP table in the middle of the hall. The owner himself had deigned to come out from his office just for the man that was seated in the prime spot, who was now deep in conversation with one of his entourage. He clears his throat.
'Mr Jung.'
Yunho looks up and smiles.
'Mr Kim. Please join me.' The owner nods his head and quickly sits down, gesturing at a waiter for a bottle of champagne.
A small commotion is heard at the door to the hall and Mr Kim turns, frowning. Then his frown disappears, and he apologises quickly to Yunho, promising to return, before getting up and going over to the source.
Curious, Yunho turns. And immediately, his face stills. It is Choi Siwon. Son of the Haeyun Consortium and one of the Jungs' biggest rivals.
He motions to his assistant.
'Find out why Siwon is here.' The assistant nods and leaves, taking out his handphone.
'Ah, Yunho. I've missed you.' Siwon's voice is loud and cheery, a smile broadly imprinted on his face. Yunho and him had been acquainted since young, mixing in the same social circles and attending the same schools. But there was always a clear distinction and rivalry between their families, one that both men inherited. Where Yunho believed in being low-profile, Siwon was his high-profile counterpart, preferring glitz and glamour and outright charm. They were civil to each other in public, but in private, Yunho disliked Siwon for his flamboyant ways.
He noted the pretty escorts in Siwon's entourage and smirked inwardly.
'Siwon. It's been awhile, although I'm sure, you haven't really missed me that much.' Yunho knowingly quirks an eyebrow at the women.
Siwon acknowledges it with a grin of his own.
'I can share one with you. Take your pick.'
The lights on stage dim for the opening of the night's performance. Yunho finds himself getting excited.
'No thanks, keep them for yourself.'
--
Changmin slides on stage as the opening chords of 'Smoky Heart' sound out. He is dressed in a tight-fitting leopard print suit with leather shoes that have been polished until they shone. His hair is immaculate and his skin is glowing. He looks good and he feels it. The practiced ease and smoothness with which he performs comes through to the audience, and everyone is enraptured. He looks towards the middle, where Yunho is sitting, chin in his hand, staring at him intensely. Changmin smirks and uses the chance to lick at his upper lip, shooting a knowing glance right at the other. It had been a couple of intense months of fucking, impromptu make-out sessions after shows and wining and dining. Changmin was not sure what to call Yunho - he refused to call him a patron and they had left it at that. All the benefits of patronship, without the label. Changmin was not sure what difference that made, but for some reason, it seemed important that Yunho was not a patron.
Yunho is mentally undressing Changmin when Siwon's breathy remark next to him snaps him out of his reverie.
'Wow, I wonder how it'd be like to have him on his knees in front of me.'
'What?'
'The performer. He's sex on legs. And I bet he'd be just that on me.' Siwon winks and turns back to the stage just as Yunho's assistant places a restraining hand on Yunho's arm before the man lunges out at him. It would not be good for business if the Jung and Choi heirs fought in public over a show performer.
Yunho swallows his anger and clenches his fist tightly.
He does not enjoy the rest of the show, distracted instead by Siwon's catcalling and dirty remarks directed at Changmin. By the end of the night, he is upset and it shows. Changmin had realised it from the stage, first from Siwon's hoots and then the furious looks that Yunho was given, simmering silently in his seat. His entourage too, had closed up around him, ensuring a buffer between the two tables. Mr Kim, the owner was also standing at the side with bouncers, ready for a fight, having been alerted by his ever-watchful staff. The tension in the air was thick and Changmin was glad when his show finished. But he was annoyed and he did not know why.
He shot one more glance at the two men behind him before he left the stage.
--
There was a knock on his dressing room door, causing Changmin to pause. It was unlocked as usual, waiting for the entry of a certain man before two others took their positions outside and ensured privacy for the next hour. So Changmin found it odd that this time Yunho had chosen to knock.
He looks up just as Siwon enters the room, his own two bodyguards taking positions at the door behind him.
'Good evening Mr Shim. I must say, you were a vision out there.'
Changmin swallows nervously, he can see where this is going. But he steels himself and returns Siwon's greeting with a smile of his own.
'Thank you Mr Choi. I aim to please.'
Siwon steps closer, a cheeky grin full of unspoken promises, plastered on his face.
'I hope it means you wish to please me.'
He reaches out and grabs Changmin's chin, thumb caressing his cheek.
'And you're beautiful. More beautiful close-up. I can see why Jung was so annoyed by me.'
He chuckles softly, letting go of Changmin. His breath is warm against Changmin's face, and Changmin squirms uncomfortably.
'Is he your patron?'
Changmin starts, and then stops. If he says yes, it is an unspoken code of conduct amongst patrons that they should respect each other and their rights to the services of their chosen hosts. But Yunho had never broached the topic to him, and he himself had refused to address Yunho as such. Now he wished they had. It would make things so much easier. He was not sure Yunho would like how Siwon was talking to him right now.
Siwon sees through Changmin's silence.
'I guess that's a no, then. Funny, I would have expected Yunho to snap you up straight from the start, from the way he was so pissed at me.'
Changmin feels his heart beat faster at that.
Yunho? Yunho was affected by Siwon? Did that mean.. did that mean he was jealous?
'How about it Mr Shim? I was with incredibly beautiful women today, but I chose to ignore them for you. I can give you anything you want, just say the word.' Siwon is inches away from Changmin's lips, but Changmin is looking towards the side, he has dealt with such men before but none as powerful as Choi Siwon. And especially not when he was already 'taken' by another equally powerful man, Jung Yunho.
--
Raised voices from outside the door give Changmin a respite from Siwon's dominating presence as the man turns.Changmin takes the opportunity to slip away to the side, breathing in relief.
The door slams open and Yunho storms into the room.
'Get the fuck out, Siwon.'
'Ah Yunho, we were expecting you.'
'Stay away.' Yunho's voice is low and threatening. His own bodyguards are pressed closely up against Siwon's men at the door, staring them down in turn.
'There's no need for such dramatics. Changmin doesn't have a patron. I am allowed to woo him, as you know.' Siwon crooks his neck, quirking an eyebrow.
Yunho shoots a look at Changmin. A look that seemed to be asking him for permission.
'He doesn't have one. Yet.'
'Ah, then clearly you know the rules. We both have a chance, Jung.' Siwon's voice is serious now, he walks close to Yunho, breathing in his space.
Tapping his shoulder with a finger, Siwon leans in close.
'Careful. Don't play with fire.'
At that, he turns and blows a kiss at Changmin. Then he leaves the room, motioning to his bodyguards to follow.
Yunho and Changmin stare at each other, wordless in the aftermath.
--
He presses Changmin close to the wall, not even waiting unti the door of the room was shut before slamming the other against it.
'What the fuck, Yunho?' Changmin pants, desire weakening his resolve and own irritation.
'What?' The other's mouth is against his neck, biting.
'You don't own me. Don't act so possessive and jealous and then take it out on me.'
'Do you like Siwon, were you considering his offer?'
'What the? Fuck off. He came into the room and barely five minutes later, so did you.' Changmin murmurs, head tilted high to give Yunho more access.
'You're the one that refuses to let me be your patron. If you did, this would not have happened.'
Changmin shoves Yunho angrily away.
'Fuck off. Is that what this is about? You want to be my patron? You want me to be a kept man and ensure I'm yours?'
Yunho storms back towards him, clutching his wrists tightly.
'Stop it. That's how it works, you know this. It ensures things like tonight doesn't happen. It's when you refuse, and I just go along with it, that it DOES happen. If I'm your patron, Siwon doesn't stand a chance.' Yunho growls against his ear, shooting out his tongue to lick at it.
'Tell me why you don't want me as your patron? Are you waiting for someone else? Someone who's not me?'
Changmin feels frustration building up but he is horny and he wants Yunho now. He wants to tell Yunho why, just why he doesn't want him as his patron, but annoyance blocks his mouth.
'Fuck you. You don't know anything, you asshole.' Clashing his open mouth against Yunho's, he hoists himself up so that his legs are spread around the other's waist. He shoves his tongue down Yunho's throat, sucking, nibbling, licking for dear life.
Yunho carries Changmin over to the bed and drops him unglamourously on it. Both fumble about with their belts and pants, pulling everything off. Yunho climbs over Changmin and pins him back now.
'All I know is that you, you drive me crazy. Even if I am your patron, I will never be able to own you. I can own your body, Shim. But I will never own -you-. We both know that. Are you sure I don't know anything now?'
Changmin pauses for a second, eyes bright, staring into the handsome, rugged face of the man that he has been fucking for the pas few months. For some reason, Yunho's words resonate deeply inside of him. He feels himself weakening further. He quickly stuffs two fingers in his mouth and slicks them with saliva. Then he spreads his legs wide and preps himself quickly, kissing Yunho again to stop him from saying anything else. Soon, he shoves himself down hard, on Yunho's cock, letting the physical pain from that, stop the emotions in their track.
In the hot and sticky aftermath of their release, Changmin curls himself up against Yunho's side, the other having fallen asleep. He feels the raised bump of a hickey on his collarbone and stares up at the ceiling in a daze.
Men like me cannot be weak. Especially not for their customers.
- continues to: Tense (4): Turmoil -
Changmin shakes his bangs out of his head as the minutes count down towards showtime. The stagehands bustle around him but none disturb him - used to his pre-stage routine of sitting quietly by himself, head down, going through the choreography and set-list in his head.
An assistant nearby coughs and Changmin looks up.
'He just arrived.' Changmin nods in acknowledgement, before returning his gaze to the ground.
Well, as expected. The slight uncertainty he had been feeling beforehand disappears in an instant. He does not know why he had it in the first place. But there's no time to question it now. He stands and stretches, unexpectedly finding a sudden lightness added to his movement.
Quit it, Shim. He sternly tells himself. Focus.
Outside, the waiters hover nervously around the VIP table in the middle of the hall. The owner himself had deigned to come out from his office just for the man that was seated in the prime spot, who was now deep in conversation with one of his entourage. He clears his throat.
'Mr Jung.'
Yunho looks up and smiles.
'Mr Kim. Please join me.' The owner nods his head and quickly sits down, gesturing at a waiter for a bottle of champagne.
A small commotion is heard at the door to the hall and Mr Kim turns, frowning. Then his frown disappears, and he apologises quickly to Yunho, promising to return, before getting up and going over to the source.
Curious, Yunho turns. And immediately, his face stills. It is Choi Siwon. Son of the Haeyun Consortium and one of the Jungs' biggest rivals.
He motions to his assistant.
'Find out why Siwon is here.' The assistant nods and leaves, taking out his handphone.
'Ah, Yunho. I've missed you.' Siwon's voice is loud and cheery, a smile broadly imprinted on his face. Yunho and him had been acquainted since young, mixing in the same social circles and attending the same schools. But there was always a clear distinction and rivalry between their families, one that both men inherited. Where Yunho believed in being low-profile, Siwon was his high-profile counterpart, preferring glitz and glamour and outright charm. They were civil to each other in public, but in private, Yunho disliked Siwon for his flamboyant ways.
He noted the pretty escorts in Siwon's entourage and smirked inwardly.
'Siwon. It's been awhile, although I'm sure, you haven't really missed me that much.' Yunho knowingly quirks an eyebrow at the women.
Siwon acknowledges it with a grin of his own.
'I can share one with you. Take your pick.'
The lights on stage dim for the opening of the night's performance. Yunho finds himself getting excited.
'No thanks, keep them for yourself.'
--
Changmin slides on stage as the opening chords of 'Smoky Heart' sound out. He is dressed in a tight-fitting leopard print suit with leather shoes that have been polished until they shone. His hair is immaculate and his skin is glowing. He looks good and he feels it. The practiced ease and smoothness with which he performs comes through to the audience, and everyone is enraptured. He looks towards the middle, where Yunho is sitting, chin in his hand, staring at him intensely. Changmin smirks and uses the chance to lick at his upper lip, shooting a knowing glance right at the other. It had been a couple of intense months of fucking, impromptu make-out sessions after shows and wining and dining. Changmin was not sure what to call Yunho - he refused to call him a patron and they had left it at that. All the benefits of patronship, without the label. Changmin was not sure what difference that made, but for some reason, it seemed important that Yunho was not a patron.
Yunho is mentally undressing Changmin when Siwon's breathy remark next to him snaps him out of his reverie.
'Wow, I wonder how it'd be like to have him on his knees in front of me.'
'What?'
'The performer. He's sex on legs. And I bet he'd be just that on me.' Siwon winks and turns back to the stage just as Yunho's assistant places a restraining hand on Yunho's arm before the man lunges out at him. It would not be good for business if the Jung and Choi heirs fought in public over a show performer.
Yunho swallows his anger and clenches his fist tightly.
He does not enjoy the rest of the show, distracted instead by Siwon's catcalling and dirty remarks directed at Changmin. By the end of the night, he is upset and it shows. Changmin had realised it from the stage, first from Siwon's hoots and then the furious looks that Yunho was given, simmering silently in his seat. His entourage too, had closed up around him, ensuring a buffer between the two tables. Mr Kim, the owner was also standing at the side with bouncers, ready for a fight, having been alerted by his ever-watchful staff. The tension in the air was thick and Changmin was glad when his show finished. But he was annoyed and he did not know why.
He shot one more glance at the two men behind him before he left the stage.
--
There was a knock on his dressing room door, causing Changmin to pause. It was unlocked as usual, waiting for the entry of a certain man before two others took their positions outside and ensured privacy for the next hour. So Changmin found it odd that this time Yunho had chosen to knock.
He looks up just as Siwon enters the room, his own two bodyguards taking positions at the door behind him.
'Good evening Mr Shim. I must say, you were a vision out there.'
Changmin swallows nervously, he can see where this is going. But he steels himself and returns Siwon's greeting with a smile of his own.
'Thank you Mr Choi. I aim to please.'
Siwon steps closer, a cheeky grin full of unspoken promises, plastered on his face.
'I hope it means you wish to please me.'
He reaches out and grabs Changmin's chin, thumb caressing his cheek.
'And you're beautiful. More beautiful close-up. I can see why Jung was so annoyed by me.'
He chuckles softly, letting go of Changmin. His breath is warm against Changmin's face, and Changmin squirms uncomfortably.
'Is he your patron?'
Changmin starts, and then stops. If he says yes, it is an unspoken code of conduct amongst patrons that they should respect each other and their rights to the services of their chosen hosts. But Yunho had never broached the topic to him, and he himself had refused to address Yunho as such. Now he wished they had. It would make things so much easier. He was not sure Yunho would like how Siwon was talking to him right now.
Siwon sees through Changmin's silence.
'I guess that's a no, then. Funny, I would have expected Yunho to snap you up straight from the start, from the way he was so pissed at me.'
Changmin feels his heart beat faster at that.
Yunho? Yunho was affected by Siwon? Did that mean.. did that mean he was jealous?
'How about it Mr Shim? I was with incredibly beautiful women today, but I chose to ignore them for you. I can give you anything you want, just say the word.' Siwon is inches away from Changmin's lips, but Changmin is looking towards the side, he has dealt with such men before but none as powerful as Choi Siwon. And especially not when he was already 'taken' by another equally powerful man, Jung Yunho.
--
Raised voices from outside the door give Changmin a respite from Siwon's dominating presence as the man turns.Changmin takes the opportunity to slip away to the side, breathing in relief.
The door slams open and Yunho storms into the room.
'Get the fuck out, Siwon.'
'Ah Yunho, we were expecting you.'
'Stay away.' Yunho's voice is low and threatening. His own bodyguards are pressed closely up against Siwon's men at the door, staring them down in turn.
'There's no need for such dramatics. Changmin doesn't have a patron. I am allowed to woo him, as you know.' Siwon crooks his neck, quirking an eyebrow.
Yunho shoots a look at Changmin. A look that seemed to be asking him for permission.
'He doesn't have one. Yet.'
'Ah, then clearly you know the rules. We both have a chance, Jung.' Siwon's voice is serious now, he walks close to Yunho, breathing in his space.
Tapping his shoulder with a finger, Siwon leans in close.
'Careful. Don't play with fire.'
At that, he turns and blows a kiss at Changmin. Then he leaves the room, motioning to his bodyguards to follow.
Yunho and Changmin stare at each other, wordless in the aftermath.
--
He presses Changmin close to the wall, not even waiting unti the door of the room was shut before slamming the other against it.
'What the fuck, Yunho?' Changmin pants, desire weakening his resolve and own irritation.
'What?' The other's mouth is against his neck, biting.
'You don't own me. Don't act so possessive and jealous and then take it out on me.'
'Do you like Siwon, were you considering his offer?'
'What the? Fuck off. He came into the room and barely five minutes later, so did you.' Changmin murmurs, head tilted high to give Yunho more access.
'You're the one that refuses to let me be your patron. If you did, this would not have happened.'
Changmin shoves Yunho angrily away.
'Fuck off. Is that what this is about? You want to be my patron? You want me to be a kept man and ensure I'm yours?'
Yunho storms back towards him, clutching his wrists tightly.
'Stop it. That's how it works, you know this. It ensures things like tonight doesn't happen. It's when you refuse, and I just go along with it, that it DOES happen. If I'm your patron, Siwon doesn't stand a chance.' Yunho growls against his ear, shooting out his tongue to lick at it.
'Tell me why you don't want me as your patron? Are you waiting for someone else? Someone who's not me?'
Changmin feels frustration building up but he is horny and he wants Yunho now. He wants to tell Yunho why, just why he doesn't want him as his patron, but annoyance blocks his mouth.
'Fuck you. You don't know anything, you asshole.' Clashing his open mouth against Yunho's, he hoists himself up so that his legs are spread around the other's waist. He shoves his tongue down Yunho's throat, sucking, nibbling, licking for dear life.
Yunho carries Changmin over to the bed and drops him unglamourously on it. Both fumble about with their belts and pants, pulling everything off. Yunho climbs over Changmin and pins him back now.
'All I know is that you, you drive me crazy. Even if I am your patron, I will never be able to own you. I can own your body, Shim. But I will never own -you-. We both know that. Are you sure I don't know anything now?'
Changmin pauses for a second, eyes bright, staring into the handsome, rugged face of the man that he has been fucking for the pas few months. For some reason, Yunho's words resonate deeply inside of him. He feels himself weakening further. He quickly stuffs two fingers in his mouth and slicks them with saliva. Then he spreads his legs wide and preps himself quickly, kissing Yunho again to stop him from saying anything else. Soon, he shoves himself down hard, on Yunho's cock, letting the physical pain from that, stop the emotions in their track.
In the hot and sticky aftermath of their release, Changmin curls himself up against Yunho's side, the other having fallen asleep. He feels the raised bump of a hickey on his collarbone and stares up at the ceiling in a daze.
Men like me cannot be weak. Especially not for their customers.
- continues to: Tense (4): Turmoil -