Soul Song 8/8
Title: Soul Song 8/8
Pairing: Yoochun/Jaejoong (side pairings: Changmin/Junsu, Yunho/Yoohwan)
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I'd claim them as my soulmates, but that would make me a liar. They only belong to each other.
Summary: Jaejoong can't hear his soul song, not the way everyone is supposed to. He's given up on ever finding a soulmate. But he can't keep music completely out of his life, especially when Park Yoochun plays his way right into Jaejoong's heart.
A/N: A soulmate fic for everyone that reminded me that I hadn't written one and that I always meant to. Special shoutout to winged-kame for helping me with the idea/plotline.
Part 8:
Capriccio - A quick, improvisational, spirited piece of music.
Jaejoong woke up first. Not surprising. He was learning very quickly that his new soulmate and lover was not a morning person.
He stayed in bed, staring at his sleeping Yoochun, fighting the urge to wake him up with his fingers or his mouth or his body. God, he wanted to touch. Reassure himself again that this was not a dream. Let himself hope again that this was not a dream. With the echo of their soul song fluttering through his heart, it was much easier to quiet the dissonant thoughts.
Noticing that his phone was flashing with a message, Jaejoong sighed and got out of the bed. He pattered naked to the kitchen counter where both of their phones were plugged in. The message was from Yoona.
Do you need another day off? One to recover. Ha Ha ha ha
Jaejoong bit his lip against laughter. He texted back a no, that he’d be there on time, and then went about his morning, making coffee and something to eat. He did not go running. His entire body ached. But god, he felt so good. Was he still smiling? He was still smiling.
Everything was still so surreal, but he was finally believing it all. Finally understanding that he had a soulmate, and his soulmate was perfect and wonderful and they were just ... meant to be. They just fit together.
Oh, fuck did they fit together so well. His cock gave a very interested twitch as he looked back to the bed.
Yoochun was flung all asunder, half his body under the blankets, the other half out. His arm was stretched across the bed, like he’d reached for Jaejoong and then settled on where Jaejoong was supposed to be.
Before he could crawl back into bed and end up being late for work, he hurried to his dresser to get dressed.
As he hoped, there were hickys on the inside of his thighs. And on his chest. And one on his neck that was going to be hard to hide, so he didn’t bother. Yoona was going to tease him. Jaejoong discovered that he didn’t actually mind.
They were proof that Yoochun was real. The one on his chest stung sharply when he touched it. So he did. Again and again. It was not just his imagination. He wondered if he should talk to Yoochun about that. About needing the physical and painful proof that Yoochun was real, that he had found his soulmate. Maybe later he would. He did not want Yoochun to think even for a moment that he did not want Yoochun. He didn’t want his perfect amazing soulmate to misunderstand. He had a feeling that Yoochun was going to leave hickys all over his body like he left penned music notes, so he didn’t need to tell Yoochun about the pain. He’d still have the proof when he needed it most.
With his head light as a feather, his heart thumping in cadence to his breaths, and the smile that refused to go away, Jaejoong did not really need the painful proof. Not all the time.
He waited until he absolutely had to go to work, and then went back to the bed. Kneeling on the floor, he reached for Yoochun’s bare back, sliding fingertips up his spine. Yoochun huffed and shifted, baring a bit more of his body. Jaejoong moved his fingers to the back of his thigh, tickling the curve of his ass.
Yoochun grumbled something that sounded like, “Stop. Sleeping.”
Chuckling, Jaejoong leaned over and added his lips to the touches, over his shoulder, down his arm, following tattooed music notes on his back. When he was sure that Yoochun was awake and aware enough, he said, “I have to go to work.”
Finally, Yoochun sighed and turned over, bleary eyed and sleep rumpled. His hair was a mess.
Jaejoong had to grip the edge of the bed to keep himself from climbing up next to Yoochun and never leaving.
Especially when he got a pout. “Stay home?”
“I can’t afford to.”
“I’m your sugar daddy. Stay home.”
Jaejoong tilted his head and frowned. “And you should know, as my soulmate, that I don’t care how much money you have. It isn’t money that I have.”
“I know. Just ... don’t want you to leave.”
“Come visit me later?”
“You know I will.”
Jaejoong leaned forward for a kiss.
“Did you mean it?”
Jaejoong hummed. “Mean what?”
“We can move in together. Someplace else?”
Jaejoong smiled and ran his hand over Yoochun’s cheek, brushing hair from his face. “I meant it.”
“I have a place in mind, where I was thinking of moving on my own.”
Jaejoong nodded. “See if it’s available. We’ll go look at it together.”
Yoochun’s tired smile was one that Jaejoong knew he’d never get sick of. He kissed him again, a longer touch of lips that only Yoochun’s unbrushed mouth kept from turning into more than kisses.
“I love you,” Jaejoong said.
“I love you too.”
Jaejoong pried himself away from Yoochun, leaving him curled up in the blankets and almost asleep again before Jaejoong managed to walk out the door.
He was pretty sure he floated, and not walked, all the way to work.
Yoona was smiling at him, and sure enough, she zeroed in on the hicky on his neck and cackled.
Jaejoong blushed, but could not stop the smile from exploding over his face as he clocked in for his shift.
“So?” Yoona asked. “Are those fingers of his good for something other than playing the piano?”
“Yoona!”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
The apartment building Yoochun had his eye on was far away from Jaejoong’s work. He’d have to take a subway and maybe a bus. But the space was gorgeous. Large windows let in light to the main area, and the kitchen was huge. Jaejoong loved to cook, but he had no idea what to do with all that space. There were three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a balcony that was almost right against the next building over.
The tiled floors were cold on his slippered feet. Everything was modern and square and straight lines ... stiff. Boxes, harsh lines.
Intimidating.
It was so big compared his small studio apartment.
“You don’t like it,” Yoochun noted, taking his hand.
They stood in the middle of the main room, facing the huge windows, which faced the street and the building right across from them. Yoochun was dressed down, so unassuming of his wealth in jeans and a t-shirt, flip flops. His hair was pulled away from his face in a heavy leather band, but it fell in a long line down his back. Jaejoong kept touching it, almost unconsciously, as they walked around the place.
“It’s ... too much. I ... I mean, I can get used to it.”
Yoochun shook his head. “You shouldn’t have to get used to. You should love it. I want you to love it. It’s going to be our home. Our place.”
Jaejoong smiled. “It’s a bit stuffy. Too manufactured.”
“I might have a solution,” Ailee, the property manager said, glancing at her clipboard. “There is a building a bit of a walk away from this one that has a three-bedroom unit available. It’s smaller, nowhere near the prestige of this one, but it could work. We normally lease it to families since it’s near a good school and a park, but I can show you to see if you would like it. If you don’t, it will at least give me a better idea of what to show you next.”
Yoochun smiled at Jaejoong. “Near a park. You can keep running.”
Jaejoong laughed. “I can make you run with me.”
“Never.”
“Let’s go.”
With fingers entwined, they followed Ailee to the elevator and then out into the sunshine. It was such a nice day, and Jaejoong could not keep the smile off his face, head tilted back, and he only half-listened to Yoochun and the woman talk about finances and work that the next place may need done.
As soon as they turned up the street the building was on, Jaejoong felt much better. It wasn’t a straight street with a perfect sidewalk covered with businessmen rushing to work, but the road weaved up a hill, the sidewalks curling around front porches and random patches of grass. Stairs led up between houses to the next streets over. The street was lined with older brick homes that were not the same size. There were clothes hanging over balconies, potted plants at front doors, and more than one older couple that smiled at them as they walked by. A few buildings even had pianos outside.
“Now that is a smile that says you love it already,” Yoochun said and bumped his shoulder.
They passed the park, full of parents with young children. It had a sidewalk around it and a creek that tumbled down the middle of it.
“There’s a market a few streets over and a subway station nearby,” Ailee said.
She stopped in front of a red brick building that looked about six stories. She opened the door with a code and led them to a set of metal stairs on the other side of an enclosed courtyard that had a fountain and trees and flowers. A glimmer of sunlight turned the space into a haven of cool shadows.
“This apartment is on the top floor. There is not an elevator, but it does have access to a rooftop balcony as well as a view of the inner courtyard.”
She unlocked the door with an actual key, not a swipe card, and let Yoochun and Jaejoong in ahead of her.
The first thing Jaejoong noticed was sunlight shining through the main window. The second thing he noticed were the cabinets in the kitchen. Like the other place, the main area was open, with wooden floors and built-in book cases along the wall. The kitchen was rustic instead of modern. It had a good fridge, stovetop, dishwasher and a clothes washer, everything he needed without being intimidating. It even had a small oven. Just big enough to make baked treats when he wanted to.
A sliding glass door off the kitchen led to the patio that overlooked the street. He could see up and down the neighborhood from the vantage point. The patio was empty right now, but Jaejoong could already imagine it covered in plants and furniture. A perfect place for coffee in the morning.
“Probably the only downside is that two of the bedrooms are connected,” the property manager said. “You have to walk through one to get to the other, but the far room is the one with the view of the courtyard.”
“You like it?” Yoochun asked.
Jaejoong smiled at him. “It’s so bright,” he said, voice a little awed. “So much sun, and so much ... just ... bright.”
“Now you know how I feel when I look at you.”
Jaejoong flushed and bumped him with his shoulder. “So corny.”
“I know, but It doesn’t matter how bright the sun is because it’s your smile that lights up my world.” Yoochun’s eyes went a little glassy and then he muttered, “Shit. Wow. Can I borrow your pen, Ailee-shi?”
The property manager handed it over with a confused look.
Yoochun pushed up the sleeve of Jaejoong’s shirt and started scribbling on his arm.
Jaejoong met Ailee’s eyes and smiled. “He’s a musician. This happens a lot.”
She smiled in understanding.
“Lovely,” Yoochun murmured and pressed a kiss to the inked words on Jaejoong’s forearm.
“Can we continue now?” Jaejoong asked, successfully hiding a shiver.
“Yes. Continue.”
The place had two bathrooms, one across from the small bedroom in the hallway. On the walls of the bedroom, someone had painted pink flowers connected with twisting green vines.
“We are more than happy to paint anything that you do not approve of,” the woman said.
Yoochun shook his head. “This room will probably be used by MinSu or my brother. They can suffer with the decor.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “I like it. It’s ... pretty.”
The other two bedrooms did connect, but it wasn’t a horrible thing. The first bedroom was pretty plain, just a square room with a closet and a built in dresser.
“This will be a perfect music room,” Yoochun said. “Plus it separates what will be our room from everything else. A perfect sanctuary.”
The main bedroom was a bit bigger. The windows looked out over the inner courtyard, bathing the space in light not as bright as the main room, but just cozy enough for Jaejoong to feel right at home. The bathroom had a tub surprisingly, and the closet was large with two sides, one for each of them.
“It’s ... it’s almost too perfect,” Jaejoong said, running his hand over the obviously worn door.
“And all it needs is us to be perfect,” Yoochun said, arm around his waist, face at his neck.
Jaejoong smiled.
“You two are so cute,” Ailee said and then eeped and covered her mouth with her hand.
Yoochun chuckled, not taking offense.
Jaejoong just blushed. “New soulmates. It sort of happens.”
Her eyes sparkled and she nodded. “I know the feeling. So I am going to assume you like this space?”
Yoochun and Jaejoong met each other's eyes and nodded. “We’ll take it.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
“God damn it, Park Yoochun, I hate you. What is even in this box?” Changmin complained ahead of them as he helped carry a heavy box up the stairs to their new apartment, biceps straining under the weight.
“Your ego.”
Junsu laughed from behind them. “Your ego! Ah, good one Yoochunnie. Ha! His ego. I don’t think it’d be able to even fit in a box though.”
“You’re going to be cut off if you keep talking, Kim Junsu.”
“I have toys. I don’t need your dick.”
“I’ll steal all your toys.”
“I have my fingers and my hand.”
“I’ll tie you up.”
“Now, you’re just making a promise you won’t keep.”
“Guys,” Jaejoong said, “family neighborhood.”
Junsu laughed. “Sorry, Jaejoong-hyung. This building is really ... old. But like ... it suits you. And Chunnie. I’d never live here, god no, but it’s good for you two.”
“We think so too,” Yoochun said.
“Thanks for helping,” Jaejoong said again, following Changmin into the apartment.
“You promised him good food,” Junsu said. “Changmin will do almost anything for good food, even wear a little pink --”
Fortunately for Changmin, he was close enough to Junsu to cover his mouth quickly.
“Wear a little pink what?” Yoochun asked, eyes gleaming.
“Nothing,” Changmin snapped. “He said nothing. You heard nothing.”
Junsu laughed behind his hand.
Yoochun laughed and continued pestering them.
Jaejoong stood back a bit from the three friends, just watching them. They were such good friends. Jaejoong didn’t have any friends. He barely spoke to anyone outside of Yoona and her family, but they still weren’t his friends.
Yoochun suddenly smiled over at him. His face must have looked sad or something because Yoochun was there next to him a moment later, arms around his waist, face at his neck.
“I love you,” Yoochun whispered.
Jaejoong hugged him tightly, arms around the neck. “I love you. So much.”
“Happy?”
“Of course. You?”
Yoochun pulled away and touched his cheek. “Over the moon happy.”
“Hey, less sappy love fest and more heavy lifting,” Changmin said. “We did not come here to do the all the work and have you two just make lovey eyes at each other.”
“Lovey eyes,” Yoochun murmured. “Lovely, lovely eyes. I love your eyes.”
Jaejoong smiled, letting Yoochun take his hand and dance him around their living room floor.
“Ugh, I hope we weren’t this disgusting--” Junsu started.
“You two were having sex in public bathrooms for two years before you learned to controlled yourselves,” Yoochun said and spun Jaejoong under his arm and then pulled him back against his chest.
Jaejoong laughed and kissed Yoochun soundly on the lips. “Let’s hurry up and finish, then we can take a shower.”
“And then ass?” Yoochun said, an eyebrow raised.
Jaejoong felt a flush over his cheeks and he said, “Definitely.”
Yoochun smiled widely, kissed him one more time, and then said, “All right, let’s get back to work.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong stood on the still-bare balcony of his brand new apartment. Everything was still so surreal. He’d met his soulmate less than three weeks ago and they were here, together. Mostly happy. Jaejoong still had issues when he could not shut up the “what ifs” and “it’s not really true” voices in his head. Usually, all Yoochun had to do was hum their soul song. Or sing it. He’d taken the lyrics that he’d scribbled on Jaejoong’s wrist and made them the lyrics to their soul song.
“It doesn’t matter how bright the sun is because it’s your smile that lights up my world.”
He repeated the short series of notes twice, and Jaejoong found himself singing along. Or humming along in Not-F majors. He could not tell if the notes were more distinct now or not. Maybe they were. He hoped they were. Most of the time, Yoochun was kissing him after singing the song, so he did not really have time to analyze the sounds.
Speaking of distinct. He shifted on his bare feet, twisting his back a little. A sharp, very distinct and very welcome pain thrummed through his lower body.
Sex was pretty amazing.
Yoochun had laughed when Jaejoong said that same thing not two hours ago. Of course he said something corny about what a god he was between the sheets. Besides sticking out his tongue, Jaejoong did not really argue. It was pointless to argue when it was true.
But Jaejoong could stand out there for only so long before he managed to work up the courage to do what it was he needed privacy for. He’d left Yoochun tinkering on his piano, pressing a kiss to his bare shoulder, and murmured that he’d be back.
But he was losing his nerve, staring at the brightened screen of his phone.
He hovered over the call button, took a very deep breath, and pressed it.
The other line rang twice before it was answered with a hello. Even over the phone, Jaejoong heard the confusion in his mother’s voice. He was not surprised. He never called. He was not really welcome.
“Mother,” Jaejoong started, very polite, very deferential. He cleared his throat. “How are you?”
“Fine, Jaejoong. What do you need?”
Short. To the point. Jaejoong fought back tears.
“I ... I just ... I wanted you to know ... I found ...” Jaejoong glanced back into the house, at the dim light that came from the music room. He took a deep breath. “I found my soulmate.”
There was silence on the line and then his mother said, “That is completely impossible. Do not lie.”
“It’s true,” Jaejoong whispered. “His name is Park Yoochun. He ... I met him a couple weeks ago.”
“I don’t appreciate this at all. You cannot call me with such lies to just make yourself look better. We all know that you cannot even hear--”
Jaejoong made a noise, cutting her off. He took a deep breath to keep himself from crying. “Look, I just called to tell you that I moved. To give you my new address,” Jaejoong hurried through.
His mother sighed deeply. “I am not in a place to get a pen. You could have texted it to me without telling such lies.”
“I’m ... sorry,” Jaejoong said, voice even lower than before. “I ...” He had wanted to invite her and his father to their housewarming party, but they wouldn’t come. He sighed. “Very well. I will text it to you. Have a good evening, Mother.”
She hung up without saying goodbye.
Jaejoong’s eyes were too blurry to see his phone, so he did not send her the text. He staggered back into the darkened house, to the light that was in the music room, to the light at his piano, playing slow music that did not help ease the pain in Jaejoong’s heart.
Yoochun glanced up and then was next to Jaejoong in a moment, arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.
Jaejoong cried, only slightly aware when Yoochun pulled them to the cushiony arm chair in the corner. He curled up, face pressed against his neck and sobbed. Yoochun said nothing distinct, soft murmurs, kisses on his head, a hand running up and down his back, until Jaejoong calmed down enough to say, “My mother ... she ... she didn’t believe me.”
Yoochun hummed in concern.
Jaejoong had only briefly told Yoochun of his family, of how little they spoke to him because of his unnaturality. He’d been shunned from his family long before he left to live on his own.
Yoochun didn’t say anything, and Jaejoong appreciated it. His arms and his presence was more reassuring than any words he could have said.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Yoochun’s mother was gorgeous. Jaejoong should not have been surprised about that, since both of her sons were also gorgeous. She was also very nice, very happy, and very accepting of Jaejoong in her oldest son’s life. One of the first things out of her mouth was, “When is the wedding?”
Yoochun glanced over at Jaejoong and smiled. “I haven’t proposed yet.”
“You hurry up with that.”
“I will.”
Jaejoong blushed because well ... he sort of proposed. In bed. That one time. Well, the time after that too. And Jaejoong is sure that Yoochun asked him to marry him constantly. At least every other day.
And then he was completely embarrassed when Yoochun spun him around, yanked up his shirt to show his mother Jaejoong’s tattoos and started talking about wedding colors and flowers and venues.
Luckily, Junsu saved him, pulling him into the kitchen to get his carniverous soulmate away from all the galbi Jaejoong had prepared. An impossible task.
“Look, I also ... we brought you a present,” Junsu said and winked, holding out a small box.
Confused, Jaejoong took the box and opened it. He meeped, shut the box hastily and dropped it on the counter.
Junsu cackled, his laughter echoing all around the apartment. “Have fun with that!”
Yoochun came over, arm around Jaejoong’s shoulder, and he slapped Junsu over the head.
“Ow, what the hell?”
“Stop embarrassing him.”
Jaejoong buried his face in Yoochun’s neck and muttered, “He ... the box ... just ...”
Yoochun reached over with his other hand and opened the lid. He chuckled. The sound soft and sexy against Jaejoong’s ear.
“Wow. Thanks, Junsu. You’re an asshole, but thank you.”
“Assholes are the whole point of that toy.”
Changmin threw a pepper at him to shut up. “Child present,” he said motioning toward where Taemin was hovering a bit near them, flushing and just looking adorable, still in his school uniform.
Junsu laughed. “If his parents weren’t here, he’d already be drunk.”
“Do not get my son drunk, please,” Minho said, from across the room.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Changmin said, though Jaejoong had a feeling he was already thinking about it just for the entertainment factor.
Yunho and Yoohwan came a little late; Yunho had a very important meeting at work, and they came straight here afterwards. Yunho in a suit was a sight to behold, and Jaejoong found himself licking his lips and swallowing roughly at the smile shot his way.
“Goddamnit, Yunho,” Yoochun said and punched his arm. “Stop being so utterly sexy, would you?”
Yunho laughed, cheeks a little pink. “I can’t help it.”
Yoochun pulled Jaejoong close and grumbled, “I can’t believe you just licked your lips.”
Jaejoong felt bad, he really did, but ... well, Yunho was gorgeous. “Sorry,” Jaejoong whispered. “I ... he’s sort of shocking.”
“So are you,” Yoochun said and pulled away to smile at him. “You’re so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
Yoohwan cleared his throat next to them.
Jaejoong stiffened a bit. He hadn’t seen Yoochun’s younger brother since the first day they met.
Yoohwan tried to smile and he bowed a little bit. “I’m sorry, Jaejoong. For how I acted before.”
Jaejoong smiled back and said, “It’s okay.”
“Actually it’s not,” Yoochun said. “You were an asshole.”
“I was an asshole,” Yoohwan agreed and nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Actually, it’s not,” Yoochun said. In a stage whisper, he said, “Come on, at least barter for something before you let him off the hook.”
Jaejoong laughed, and Yoohwan finally smiled.
Yoohwan went to greet his mother who was talking to Yoona, and then introduced himself to her and the family.
“So where are your parents?” Yunho asked Jaejoong.
Jaejoong’s face fell, and Yunho’s eyes widened in concern. “Shit, sorry. Fuck, was that ... are they dead? Are they ... you ... sorry.”
Yoochun hugged Jaejoong again. “No, his parents aren’t dead. They aren’t here. They couldn’t make it.”
Yunho looked between them and then nodded. He was probably expecting a longer explanation.
“Don’t you have cupcakes for dessert?” Yoochun asked Jaejoong, to pull attention away from his missing parents. His mother had asked the same questions before. But it definitely worked as a distraction technique.
Yunho’s eyes widened further, this time in anticipation.
Jaejoong laughed. “Yes, I do.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong sank a bit deeper into the warm water of the bathtub. It was late at night, almost early in the morning. But after their friends had all left, Jaejoong wanted to relax.
His head was still pleasantly buzzed from the alcohol. His heart was still light and airy from how happy everyone was for him and Yoochun. The rejection of his parents still hurt, and he hadn’t dared call any of his sisters, but maybe soon, they’d accept the fact that he wasn’t so broken after all.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Yoochun said.
Jaejoong pried open an eye and smiled. Yoochun was wearing boxers, that was it. He’d been learning that at home, Yoochun did not like to wear clothes. Not that Jaejoong minded. More skin to touch for him. “Hey, yourself.”
“I came in here to drag you to bed. It’s late, but now I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Jaejoong lifted an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Well, you’re just ... sexy and naked ... and I may have remembered that Junsu bought us a present.”
He trailed off and Jaejoong went bright red, remembering the penis-shaped glass sex toy sitting in that box.
“So yeah. If I drag you to bed right now, it will not be to sleep.”
Jaejoong pretended to ponder that, but if Yoochun could see through the milky water then he’d know how very interested Jaejoong was. He sat up, arms along the side of the tub and then pulled the plug.
“Let me rinse off,” Jaejoong said, noting Yoochun’s wide smile. “Don’t you dare start without me.”
Yoochun laughed. “Yes, sir!” He was saluted and then Yoochun spun around to go back into the bedroom.
Jaejoong watched him go in a flurry of fluffy long hair. Fluffy. Like a cat. Well, his lover and soulmate did like to be touched and petted.
Maybe they could get a cat.
But knowing Yoochun’s he’d probably name is something like Cock the Cat, just for fun.
Jaejoong bit his lip against laughter and sauntered mostly wet and still very naked into the bedroom where his soulmate was waiting for him.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong bowed at his favorite tattoo artist and said hello.
“Jaejoong, my name twin, do you still bare skin for me to paint?” Jaebeom embraced him and Jaejoong returned the embrace.
“A little bit,” Jaejoong said and lifted his shirt. “I need another music staff on my stomach.”
“Another one?”
Jaejoong smiled widely. “Yes. I met my soulmate.”
“No way, man! Awesome, congratulations!” He was hugged again, and then Jay was calling for Wooyoung, his soulmate, to hear the good news.
“He’s a musician, and I keep waking up to him writing music on my stomach. I thought I’d give him more room to work with.”
Both of them laughed, and Jay said, “That is so thoughtful of you,” in a very sugary tone. “Does he use his tongue to write music on your skin?”
Jaejoong felt himself blush and he stammered, “S-sometimes.”
They both laughed, and Jay led Jaejoong into the back room to get started on his new tattoo.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
“What are you hiding from me?” Yoochun demanded later that evening.
“A secret, obviously,” Jaejoong said, dancing away from Yoochun’s outspread hands.
“Don’t be mean, I want to touch you.”
“You always want to touch me.”
“And I always will. Stop it.”
Jaejoong continued to dodge his arms, around their small table, around the couch, out onto the balcony where he ran out of room unless he felt like jumping six stories.
Yoochun crossed his arms and pouted.
Jaejoong’s breath caught at how breathtaking he was, with the afternoon sun on his skin, wind blowing the ends of his hair off his bare skin and flicking shorter strands of it into his face. He was wearing slacks, mostly dressed for work later on in the evening.
“It’s a surprise,” Jaejoong said again. “Don’t spoil it.”
“I don’t like surprises if it means I can’t touch you,” he replied.
And who was Jaejoong kidding. He sighed and took a few steps closer so Yoochun could see and then he lifted his shirt and pushed his sweatpants down enough to show the plastic protecting his newest tattoos.
“What ...”
Jaejoong held still while Yoochun moved closer. “So you have more room,” Jaejoong whispered, “to compose in the morning.”
Yoochun glanced up at him and licked his lips. “And this?” He moved his finger above the plastic, to the words that were etched just above the music staves and right below his belly button. With the plastic over them, it was too hard to read.
“It doesn’t matter how bright the sun shines ...” Jaejoong said trailing off.
“...because it’s your smile that lights up my world,” Yoochun finished, singing the notes with the music that he wrote.
Jaejoong let his shirt fall and stepped into his lover. “I only have that first part, but I thought you might like to get the second part tattooed in the same place.”
“God, I love you.”
Jaejoong smiled and kissed him, hands tangling in Yoochun’s hair, pulling it free to fly in the sudden burst of warm wind.
“One more thing,” Jaejoong murmured against his lips.
Yoochun leaned away, eyebrow lifted in anticipation.
Grinning, Jaejoong dropped to a knee.
“Blowjob on the balcony? I will never say no to that.”
“No, ass!” Jaejoong said and shoved his hip. “I’m trying to be romantic.”
Yoochun laughed, and then it broke off with a cry of surprise. “Romantic? No, Kim Jaejoong. I ... I was ... you can’t ...”
Jaejoong smirked and took out a ring box from his pocket. “Too bad. You were taking too long.”
“Too long ... Kim ... Jaejoong ... this ...”
Jaejoong opened the box. The ring was a simple platinum band with three rubies sparkling from the metal. It had put a massive dent in his savings account, but to see the look of surprise and love on Yoochun’s face made the expense worth it. “I never thought I’d ever be this happy, this ... this ... happy,” Jaejoong said, trying to formulate the right words. “I just ... you make me so happy, and I never thought I’d deserve it. It was always my fate to be alone. And then you walked into my store, and danced into my soul.” Jaejoong had to swallow, throat a little too tight to continue.
So was Yoochun’s. He was gasping, tears on his cheeks.
“Park Yoochun, will you marry me?”
Yoochun fell to his knees and wrapped him up in a hug, soft cries in his ear. “Brat. I was going to do this.”
Jaejoong buried his own tears on Yoochun’s bare shoulder. "I still need a ring."
Yoochun pulled away, wiping at Jaejoong’s cheeks. “And I will buy you the best, most gorgeous piece of metal I can. You are the most amazing, beautiful, wonderful soul in the entire world. I’m so lucky that you’re mine. I’m so lucky that you tried so hard to be everything that I knew you were. You deserve every ounce of happiness this world has to offer, and I promise that I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you get it all.”
Jaejoong smiled, leaning against the hand on his cheek. “So yes?”
Yoochun chuckled. “Yes. With all my soul and everything I am that fortunately echoes through everything that you are, yes. Soulmates?”
Jaejoong nodded. “Soulmates.”
Part 7: Let's Make Music Together
Part 6: Major Chords
Part 5: Andante
Part 4: Cross Rhythm
Part 3: Dissonance
Part 2: Peace and Harmony
Part 1: Sweet Melody
.
Pairing: Yoochun/Jaejoong (side pairings: Changmin/Junsu, Yunho/Yoohwan)
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I'd claim them as my soulmates, but that would make me a liar. They only belong to each other.
Summary: Jaejoong can't hear his soul song, not the way everyone is supposed to. He's given up on ever finding a soulmate. But he can't keep music completely out of his life, especially when Park Yoochun plays his way right into Jaejoong's heart.
A/N: A soulmate fic for everyone that reminded me that I hadn't written one and that I always meant to. Special shoutout to winged-kame for helping me with the idea/plotline.
Part 8:
Capriccio - A quick, improvisational, spirited piece of music.
Jaejoong woke up first. Not surprising. He was learning very quickly that his new soulmate and lover was not a morning person.
He stayed in bed, staring at his sleeping Yoochun, fighting the urge to wake him up with his fingers or his mouth or his body. God, he wanted to touch. Reassure himself again that this was not a dream. Let himself hope again that this was not a dream. With the echo of their soul song fluttering through his heart, it was much easier to quiet the dissonant thoughts.
Noticing that his phone was flashing with a message, Jaejoong sighed and got out of the bed. He pattered naked to the kitchen counter where both of their phones were plugged in. The message was from Yoona.
Do you need another day off? One to recover. Ha Ha ha ha
Jaejoong bit his lip against laughter. He texted back a no, that he’d be there on time, and then went about his morning, making coffee and something to eat. He did not go running. His entire body ached. But god, he felt so good. Was he still smiling? He was still smiling.
Everything was still so surreal, but he was finally believing it all. Finally understanding that he had a soulmate, and his soulmate was perfect and wonderful and they were just ... meant to be. They just fit together.
Oh, fuck did they fit together so well. His cock gave a very interested twitch as he looked back to the bed.
Yoochun was flung all asunder, half his body under the blankets, the other half out. His arm was stretched across the bed, like he’d reached for Jaejoong and then settled on where Jaejoong was supposed to be.
Before he could crawl back into bed and end up being late for work, he hurried to his dresser to get dressed.
As he hoped, there were hickys on the inside of his thighs. And on his chest. And one on his neck that was going to be hard to hide, so he didn’t bother. Yoona was going to tease him. Jaejoong discovered that he didn’t actually mind.
They were proof that Yoochun was real. The one on his chest stung sharply when he touched it. So he did. Again and again. It was not just his imagination. He wondered if he should talk to Yoochun about that. About needing the physical and painful proof that Yoochun was real, that he had found his soulmate. Maybe later he would. He did not want Yoochun to think even for a moment that he did not want Yoochun. He didn’t want his perfect amazing soulmate to misunderstand. He had a feeling that Yoochun was going to leave hickys all over his body like he left penned music notes, so he didn’t need to tell Yoochun about the pain. He’d still have the proof when he needed it most.
With his head light as a feather, his heart thumping in cadence to his breaths, and the smile that refused to go away, Jaejoong did not really need the painful proof. Not all the time.
He waited until he absolutely had to go to work, and then went back to the bed. Kneeling on the floor, he reached for Yoochun’s bare back, sliding fingertips up his spine. Yoochun huffed and shifted, baring a bit more of his body. Jaejoong moved his fingers to the back of his thigh, tickling the curve of his ass.
Yoochun grumbled something that sounded like, “Stop. Sleeping.”
Chuckling, Jaejoong leaned over and added his lips to the touches, over his shoulder, down his arm, following tattooed music notes on his back. When he was sure that Yoochun was awake and aware enough, he said, “I have to go to work.”
Finally, Yoochun sighed and turned over, bleary eyed and sleep rumpled. His hair was a mess.
Jaejoong had to grip the edge of the bed to keep himself from climbing up next to Yoochun and never leaving.
Especially when he got a pout. “Stay home?”
“I can’t afford to.”
“I’m your sugar daddy. Stay home.”
Jaejoong tilted his head and frowned. “And you should know, as my soulmate, that I don’t care how much money you have. It isn’t money that I have.”
“I know. Just ... don’t want you to leave.”
“Come visit me later?”
“You know I will.”
Jaejoong leaned forward for a kiss.
“Did you mean it?”
Jaejoong hummed. “Mean what?”
“We can move in together. Someplace else?”
Jaejoong smiled and ran his hand over Yoochun’s cheek, brushing hair from his face. “I meant it.”
“I have a place in mind, where I was thinking of moving on my own.”
Jaejoong nodded. “See if it’s available. We’ll go look at it together.”
Yoochun’s tired smile was one that Jaejoong knew he’d never get sick of. He kissed him again, a longer touch of lips that only Yoochun’s unbrushed mouth kept from turning into more than kisses.
“I love you,” Jaejoong said.
“I love you too.”
Jaejoong pried himself away from Yoochun, leaving him curled up in the blankets and almost asleep again before Jaejoong managed to walk out the door.
He was pretty sure he floated, and not walked, all the way to work.
Yoona was smiling at him, and sure enough, she zeroed in on the hicky on his neck and cackled.
Jaejoong blushed, but could not stop the smile from exploding over his face as he clocked in for his shift.
“So?” Yoona asked. “Are those fingers of his good for something other than playing the piano?”
“Yoona!”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
The apartment building Yoochun had his eye on was far away from Jaejoong’s work. He’d have to take a subway and maybe a bus. But the space was gorgeous. Large windows let in light to the main area, and the kitchen was huge. Jaejoong loved to cook, but he had no idea what to do with all that space. There were three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a balcony that was almost right against the next building over.
The tiled floors were cold on his slippered feet. Everything was modern and square and straight lines ... stiff. Boxes, harsh lines.
Intimidating.
It was so big compared his small studio apartment.
“You don’t like it,” Yoochun noted, taking his hand.
They stood in the middle of the main room, facing the huge windows, which faced the street and the building right across from them. Yoochun was dressed down, so unassuming of his wealth in jeans and a t-shirt, flip flops. His hair was pulled away from his face in a heavy leather band, but it fell in a long line down his back. Jaejoong kept touching it, almost unconsciously, as they walked around the place.
“It’s ... too much. I ... I mean, I can get used to it.”
Yoochun shook his head. “You shouldn’t have to get used to. You should love it. I want you to love it. It’s going to be our home. Our place.”
Jaejoong smiled. “It’s a bit stuffy. Too manufactured.”
“I might have a solution,” Ailee, the property manager said, glancing at her clipboard. “There is a building a bit of a walk away from this one that has a three-bedroom unit available. It’s smaller, nowhere near the prestige of this one, but it could work. We normally lease it to families since it’s near a good school and a park, but I can show you to see if you would like it. If you don’t, it will at least give me a better idea of what to show you next.”
Yoochun smiled at Jaejoong. “Near a park. You can keep running.”
Jaejoong laughed. “I can make you run with me.”
“Never.”
“Let’s go.”
With fingers entwined, they followed Ailee to the elevator and then out into the sunshine. It was such a nice day, and Jaejoong could not keep the smile off his face, head tilted back, and he only half-listened to Yoochun and the woman talk about finances and work that the next place may need done.
As soon as they turned up the street the building was on, Jaejoong felt much better. It wasn’t a straight street with a perfect sidewalk covered with businessmen rushing to work, but the road weaved up a hill, the sidewalks curling around front porches and random patches of grass. Stairs led up between houses to the next streets over. The street was lined with older brick homes that were not the same size. There were clothes hanging over balconies, potted plants at front doors, and more than one older couple that smiled at them as they walked by. A few buildings even had pianos outside.
“Now that is a smile that says you love it already,” Yoochun said and bumped his shoulder.
They passed the park, full of parents with young children. It had a sidewalk around it and a creek that tumbled down the middle of it.
“There’s a market a few streets over and a subway station nearby,” Ailee said.
She stopped in front of a red brick building that looked about six stories. She opened the door with a code and led them to a set of metal stairs on the other side of an enclosed courtyard that had a fountain and trees and flowers. A glimmer of sunlight turned the space into a haven of cool shadows.
“This apartment is on the top floor. There is not an elevator, but it does have access to a rooftop balcony as well as a view of the inner courtyard.”
She unlocked the door with an actual key, not a swipe card, and let Yoochun and Jaejoong in ahead of her.
The first thing Jaejoong noticed was sunlight shining through the main window. The second thing he noticed were the cabinets in the kitchen. Like the other place, the main area was open, with wooden floors and built-in book cases along the wall. The kitchen was rustic instead of modern. It had a good fridge, stovetop, dishwasher and a clothes washer, everything he needed without being intimidating. It even had a small oven. Just big enough to make baked treats when he wanted to.
A sliding glass door off the kitchen led to the patio that overlooked the street. He could see up and down the neighborhood from the vantage point. The patio was empty right now, but Jaejoong could already imagine it covered in plants and furniture. A perfect place for coffee in the morning.
“Probably the only downside is that two of the bedrooms are connected,” the property manager said. “You have to walk through one to get to the other, but the far room is the one with the view of the courtyard.”
“You like it?” Yoochun asked.
Jaejoong smiled at him. “It’s so bright,” he said, voice a little awed. “So much sun, and so much ... just ... bright.”
“Now you know how I feel when I look at you.”
Jaejoong flushed and bumped him with his shoulder. “So corny.”
“I know, but It doesn’t matter how bright the sun is because it’s your smile that lights up my world.” Yoochun’s eyes went a little glassy and then he muttered, “Shit. Wow. Can I borrow your pen, Ailee-shi?”
The property manager handed it over with a confused look.
Yoochun pushed up the sleeve of Jaejoong’s shirt and started scribbling on his arm.
Jaejoong met Ailee’s eyes and smiled. “He’s a musician. This happens a lot.”
She smiled in understanding.
“Lovely,” Yoochun murmured and pressed a kiss to the inked words on Jaejoong’s forearm.
“Can we continue now?” Jaejoong asked, successfully hiding a shiver.
“Yes. Continue.”
The place had two bathrooms, one across from the small bedroom in the hallway. On the walls of the bedroom, someone had painted pink flowers connected with twisting green vines.
“We are more than happy to paint anything that you do not approve of,” the woman said.
Yoochun shook his head. “This room will probably be used by MinSu or my brother. They can suffer with the decor.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “I like it. It’s ... pretty.”
The other two bedrooms did connect, but it wasn’t a horrible thing. The first bedroom was pretty plain, just a square room with a closet and a built in dresser.
“This will be a perfect music room,” Yoochun said. “Plus it separates what will be our room from everything else. A perfect sanctuary.”
The main bedroom was a bit bigger. The windows looked out over the inner courtyard, bathing the space in light not as bright as the main room, but just cozy enough for Jaejoong to feel right at home. The bathroom had a tub surprisingly, and the closet was large with two sides, one for each of them.
“It’s ... it’s almost too perfect,” Jaejoong said, running his hand over the obviously worn door.
“And all it needs is us to be perfect,” Yoochun said, arm around his waist, face at his neck.
Jaejoong smiled.
“You two are so cute,” Ailee said and then eeped and covered her mouth with her hand.
Yoochun chuckled, not taking offense.
Jaejoong just blushed. “New soulmates. It sort of happens.”
Her eyes sparkled and she nodded. “I know the feeling. So I am going to assume you like this space?”
Yoochun and Jaejoong met each other's eyes and nodded. “We’ll take it.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
“God damn it, Park Yoochun, I hate you. What is even in this box?” Changmin complained ahead of them as he helped carry a heavy box up the stairs to their new apartment, biceps straining under the weight.
“Your ego.”
Junsu laughed from behind them. “Your ego! Ah, good one Yoochunnie. Ha! His ego. I don’t think it’d be able to even fit in a box though.”
“You’re going to be cut off if you keep talking, Kim Junsu.”
“I have toys. I don’t need your dick.”
“I’ll steal all your toys.”
“I have my fingers and my hand.”
“I’ll tie you up.”
“Now, you’re just making a promise you won’t keep.”
“Guys,” Jaejoong said, “family neighborhood.”
Junsu laughed. “Sorry, Jaejoong-hyung. This building is really ... old. But like ... it suits you. And Chunnie. I’d never live here, god no, but it’s good for you two.”
“We think so too,” Yoochun said.
“Thanks for helping,” Jaejoong said again, following Changmin into the apartment.
“You promised him good food,” Junsu said. “Changmin will do almost anything for good food, even wear a little pink --”
Fortunately for Changmin, he was close enough to Junsu to cover his mouth quickly.
“Wear a little pink what?” Yoochun asked, eyes gleaming.
“Nothing,” Changmin snapped. “He said nothing. You heard nothing.”
Junsu laughed behind his hand.
Yoochun laughed and continued pestering them.
Jaejoong stood back a bit from the three friends, just watching them. They were such good friends. Jaejoong didn’t have any friends. He barely spoke to anyone outside of Yoona and her family, but they still weren’t his friends.
Yoochun suddenly smiled over at him. His face must have looked sad or something because Yoochun was there next to him a moment later, arms around his waist, face at his neck.
“I love you,” Yoochun whispered.
Jaejoong hugged him tightly, arms around the neck. “I love you. So much.”
“Happy?”
“Of course. You?”
Yoochun pulled away and touched his cheek. “Over the moon happy.”
“Hey, less sappy love fest and more heavy lifting,” Changmin said. “We did not come here to do the all the work and have you two just make lovey eyes at each other.”
“Lovey eyes,” Yoochun murmured. “Lovely, lovely eyes. I love your eyes.”
Jaejoong smiled, letting Yoochun take his hand and dance him around their living room floor.
“Ugh, I hope we weren’t this disgusting--” Junsu started.
“You two were having sex in public bathrooms for two years before you learned to controlled yourselves,” Yoochun said and spun Jaejoong under his arm and then pulled him back against his chest.
Jaejoong laughed and kissed Yoochun soundly on the lips. “Let’s hurry up and finish, then we can take a shower.”
“And then ass?” Yoochun said, an eyebrow raised.
Jaejoong felt a flush over his cheeks and he said, “Definitely.”
Yoochun smiled widely, kissed him one more time, and then said, “All right, let’s get back to work.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong stood on the still-bare balcony of his brand new apartment. Everything was still so surreal. He’d met his soulmate less than three weeks ago and they were here, together. Mostly happy. Jaejoong still had issues when he could not shut up the “what ifs” and “it’s not really true” voices in his head. Usually, all Yoochun had to do was hum their soul song. Or sing it. He’d taken the lyrics that he’d scribbled on Jaejoong’s wrist and made them the lyrics to their soul song.
“It doesn’t matter how bright the sun is because it’s your smile that lights up my world.”
He repeated the short series of notes twice, and Jaejoong found himself singing along. Or humming along in Not-F majors. He could not tell if the notes were more distinct now or not. Maybe they were. He hoped they were. Most of the time, Yoochun was kissing him after singing the song, so he did not really have time to analyze the sounds.
Speaking of distinct. He shifted on his bare feet, twisting his back a little. A sharp, very distinct and very welcome pain thrummed through his lower body.
Sex was pretty amazing.
Yoochun had laughed when Jaejoong said that same thing not two hours ago. Of course he said something corny about what a god he was between the sheets. Besides sticking out his tongue, Jaejoong did not really argue. It was pointless to argue when it was true.
But Jaejoong could stand out there for only so long before he managed to work up the courage to do what it was he needed privacy for. He’d left Yoochun tinkering on his piano, pressing a kiss to his bare shoulder, and murmured that he’d be back.
But he was losing his nerve, staring at the brightened screen of his phone.
He hovered over the call button, took a very deep breath, and pressed it.
The other line rang twice before it was answered with a hello. Even over the phone, Jaejoong heard the confusion in his mother’s voice. He was not surprised. He never called. He was not really welcome.
“Mother,” Jaejoong started, very polite, very deferential. He cleared his throat. “How are you?”
“Fine, Jaejoong. What do you need?”
Short. To the point. Jaejoong fought back tears.
“I ... I just ... I wanted you to know ... I found ...” Jaejoong glanced back into the house, at the dim light that came from the music room. He took a deep breath. “I found my soulmate.”
There was silence on the line and then his mother said, “That is completely impossible. Do not lie.”
“It’s true,” Jaejoong whispered. “His name is Park Yoochun. He ... I met him a couple weeks ago.”
“I don’t appreciate this at all. You cannot call me with such lies to just make yourself look better. We all know that you cannot even hear--”
Jaejoong made a noise, cutting her off. He took a deep breath to keep himself from crying. “Look, I just called to tell you that I moved. To give you my new address,” Jaejoong hurried through.
His mother sighed deeply. “I am not in a place to get a pen. You could have texted it to me without telling such lies.”
“I’m ... sorry,” Jaejoong said, voice even lower than before. “I ...” He had wanted to invite her and his father to their housewarming party, but they wouldn’t come. He sighed. “Very well. I will text it to you. Have a good evening, Mother.”
She hung up without saying goodbye.
Jaejoong’s eyes were too blurry to see his phone, so he did not send her the text. He staggered back into the darkened house, to the light that was in the music room, to the light at his piano, playing slow music that did not help ease the pain in Jaejoong’s heart.
Yoochun glanced up and then was next to Jaejoong in a moment, arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.
Jaejoong cried, only slightly aware when Yoochun pulled them to the cushiony arm chair in the corner. He curled up, face pressed against his neck and sobbed. Yoochun said nothing distinct, soft murmurs, kisses on his head, a hand running up and down his back, until Jaejoong calmed down enough to say, “My mother ... she ... she didn’t believe me.”
Yoochun hummed in concern.
Jaejoong had only briefly told Yoochun of his family, of how little they spoke to him because of his unnaturality. He’d been shunned from his family long before he left to live on his own.
Yoochun didn’t say anything, and Jaejoong appreciated it. His arms and his presence was more reassuring than any words he could have said.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Yoochun’s mother was gorgeous. Jaejoong should not have been surprised about that, since both of her sons were also gorgeous. She was also very nice, very happy, and very accepting of Jaejoong in her oldest son’s life. One of the first things out of her mouth was, “When is the wedding?”
Yoochun glanced over at Jaejoong and smiled. “I haven’t proposed yet.”
“You hurry up with that.”
“I will.”
Jaejoong blushed because well ... he sort of proposed. In bed. That one time. Well, the time after that too. And Jaejoong is sure that Yoochun asked him to marry him constantly. At least every other day.
And then he was completely embarrassed when Yoochun spun him around, yanked up his shirt to show his mother Jaejoong’s tattoos and started talking about wedding colors and flowers and venues.
Luckily, Junsu saved him, pulling him into the kitchen to get his carniverous soulmate away from all the galbi Jaejoong had prepared. An impossible task.
“Look, I also ... we brought you a present,” Junsu said and winked, holding out a small box.
Confused, Jaejoong took the box and opened it. He meeped, shut the box hastily and dropped it on the counter.
Junsu cackled, his laughter echoing all around the apartment. “Have fun with that!”
Yoochun came over, arm around Jaejoong’s shoulder, and he slapped Junsu over the head.
“Ow, what the hell?”
“Stop embarrassing him.”
Jaejoong buried his face in Yoochun’s neck and muttered, “He ... the box ... just ...”
Yoochun reached over with his other hand and opened the lid. He chuckled. The sound soft and sexy against Jaejoong’s ear.
“Wow. Thanks, Junsu. You’re an asshole, but thank you.”
“Assholes are the whole point of that toy.”
Changmin threw a pepper at him to shut up. “Child present,” he said motioning toward where Taemin was hovering a bit near them, flushing and just looking adorable, still in his school uniform.
Junsu laughed. “If his parents weren’t here, he’d already be drunk.”
“Do not get my son drunk, please,” Minho said, from across the room.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Changmin said, though Jaejoong had a feeling he was already thinking about it just for the entertainment factor.
Yunho and Yoohwan came a little late; Yunho had a very important meeting at work, and they came straight here afterwards. Yunho in a suit was a sight to behold, and Jaejoong found himself licking his lips and swallowing roughly at the smile shot his way.
“Goddamnit, Yunho,” Yoochun said and punched his arm. “Stop being so utterly sexy, would you?”
Yunho laughed, cheeks a little pink. “I can’t help it.”
Yoochun pulled Jaejoong close and grumbled, “I can’t believe you just licked your lips.”
Jaejoong felt bad, he really did, but ... well, Yunho was gorgeous. “Sorry,” Jaejoong whispered. “I ... he’s sort of shocking.”
“So are you,” Yoochun said and pulled away to smile at him. “You’re so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
Yoohwan cleared his throat next to them.
Jaejoong stiffened a bit. He hadn’t seen Yoochun’s younger brother since the first day they met.
Yoohwan tried to smile and he bowed a little bit. “I’m sorry, Jaejoong. For how I acted before.”
Jaejoong smiled back and said, “It’s okay.”
“Actually it’s not,” Yoochun said. “You were an asshole.”
“I was an asshole,” Yoohwan agreed and nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Actually, it’s not,” Yoochun said. In a stage whisper, he said, “Come on, at least barter for something before you let him off the hook.”
Jaejoong laughed, and Yoohwan finally smiled.
Yoohwan went to greet his mother who was talking to Yoona, and then introduced himself to her and the family.
“So where are your parents?” Yunho asked Jaejoong.
Jaejoong’s face fell, and Yunho’s eyes widened in concern. “Shit, sorry. Fuck, was that ... are they dead? Are they ... you ... sorry.”
Yoochun hugged Jaejoong again. “No, his parents aren’t dead. They aren’t here. They couldn’t make it.”
Yunho looked between them and then nodded. He was probably expecting a longer explanation.
“Don’t you have cupcakes for dessert?” Yoochun asked Jaejoong, to pull attention away from his missing parents. His mother had asked the same questions before. But it definitely worked as a distraction technique.
Yunho’s eyes widened further, this time in anticipation.
Jaejoong laughed. “Yes, I do.”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong sank a bit deeper into the warm water of the bathtub. It was late at night, almost early in the morning. But after their friends had all left, Jaejoong wanted to relax.
His head was still pleasantly buzzed from the alcohol. His heart was still light and airy from how happy everyone was for him and Yoochun. The rejection of his parents still hurt, and he hadn’t dared call any of his sisters, but maybe soon, they’d accept the fact that he wasn’t so broken after all.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Yoochun said.
Jaejoong pried open an eye and smiled. Yoochun was wearing boxers, that was it. He’d been learning that at home, Yoochun did not like to wear clothes. Not that Jaejoong minded. More skin to touch for him. “Hey, yourself.”
“I came in here to drag you to bed. It’s late, but now I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Jaejoong lifted an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Well, you’re just ... sexy and naked ... and I may have remembered that Junsu bought us a present.”
He trailed off and Jaejoong went bright red, remembering the penis-shaped glass sex toy sitting in that box.
“So yeah. If I drag you to bed right now, it will not be to sleep.”
Jaejoong pretended to ponder that, but if Yoochun could see through the milky water then he’d know how very interested Jaejoong was. He sat up, arms along the side of the tub and then pulled the plug.
“Let me rinse off,” Jaejoong said, noting Yoochun’s wide smile. “Don’t you dare start without me.”
Yoochun laughed. “Yes, sir!” He was saluted and then Yoochun spun around to go back into the bedroom.
Jaejoong watched him go in a flurry of fluffy long hair. Fluffy. Like a cat. Well, his lover and soulmate did like to be touched and petted.
Maybe they could get a cat.
But knowing Yoochun’s he’d probably name is something like Cock the Cat, just for fun.
Jaejoong bit his lip against laughter and sauntered mostly wet and still very naked into the bedroom where his soulmate was waiting for him.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
Jaejoong bowed at his favorite tattoo artist and said hello.
“Jaejoong, my name twin, do you still bare skin for me to paint?” Jaebeom embraced him and Jaejoong returned the embrace.
“A little bit,” Jaejoong said and lifted his shirt. “I need another music staff on my stomach.”
“Another one?”
Jaejoong smiled widely. “Yes. I met my soulmate.”
“No way, man! Awesome, congratulations!” He was hugged again, and then Jay was calling for Wooyoung, his soulmate, to hear the good news.
“He’s a musician, and I keep waking up to him writing music on my stomach. I thought I’d give him more room to work with.”
Both of them laughed, and Jay said, “That is so thoughtful of you,” in a very sugary tone. “Does he use his tongue to write music on your skin?”
Jaejoong felt himself blush and he stammered, “S-sometimes.”
They both laughed, and Jay led Jaejoong into the back room to get started on his new tattoo.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
“What are you hiding from me?” Yoochun demanded later that evening.
“A secret, obviously,” Jaejoong said, dancing away from Yoochun’s outspread hands.
“Don’t be mean, I want to touch you.”
“You always want to touch me.”
“And I always will. Stop it.”
Jaejoong continued to dodge his arms, around their small table, around the couch, out onto the balcony where he ran out of room unless he felt like jumping six stories.
Yoochun crossed his arms and pouted.
Jaejoong’s breath caught at how breathtaking he was, with the afternoon sun on his skin, wind blowing the ends of his hair off his bare skin and flicking shorter strands of it into his face. He was wearing slacks, mostly dressed for work later on in the evening.
“It’s a surprise,” Jaejoong said again. “Don’t spoil it.”
“I don’t like surprises if it means I can’t touch you,” he replied.
And who was Jaejoong kidding. He sighed and took a few steps closer so Yoochun could see and then he lifted his shirt and pushed his sweatpants down enough to show the plastic protecting his newest tattoos.
“What ...”
Jaejoong held still while Yoochun moved closer. “So you have more room,” Jaejoong whispered, “to compose in the morning.”
Yoochun glanced up at him and licked his lips. “And this?” He moved his finger above the plastic, to the words that were etched just above the music staves and right below his belly button. With the plastic over them, it was too hard to read.
“It doesn’t matter how bright the sun shines ...” Jaejoong said trailing off.
“...because it’s your smile that lights up my world,” Yoochun finished, singing the notes with the music that he wrote.
Jaejoong let his shirt fall and stepped into his lover. “I only have that first part, but I thought you might like to get the second part tattooed in the same place.”
“God, I love you.”
Jaejoong smiled and kissed him, hands tangling in Yoochun’s hair, pulling it free to fly in the sudden burst of warm wind.
“One more thing,” Jaejoong murmured against his lips.
Yoochun leaned away, eyebrow lifted in anticipation.
Grinning, Jaejoong dropped to a knee.
“Blowjob on the balcony? I will never say no to that.”
“No, ass!” Jaejoong said and shoved his hip. “I’m trying to be romantic.”
Yoochun laughed, and then it broke off with a cry of surprise. “Romantic? No, Kim Jaejoong. I ... I was ... you can’t ...”
Jaejoong smirked and took out a ring box from his pocket. “Too bad. You were taking too long.”
“Too long ... Kim ... Jaejoong ... this ...”
Jaejoong opened the box. The ring was a simple platinum band with three rubies sparkling from the metal. It had put a massive dent in his savings account, but to see the look of surprise and love on Yoochun’s face made the expense worth it. “I never thought I’d ever be this happy, this ... this ... happy,” Jaejoong said, trying to formulate the right words. “I just ... you make me so happy, and I never thought I’d deserve it. It was always my fate to be alone. And then you walked into my store, and danced into my soul.” Jaejoong had to swallow, throat a little too tight to continue.
So was Yoochun’s. He was gasping, tears on his cheeks.
“Park Yoochun, will you marry me?”
Yoochun fell to his knees and wrapped him up in a hug, soft cries in his ear. “Brat. I was going to do this.”
Jaejoong buried his own tears on Yoochun’s bare shoulder. "I still need a ring."
Yoochun pulled away, wiping at Jaejoong’s cheeks. “And I will buy you the best, most gorgeous piece of metal I can. You are the most amazing, beautiful, wonderful soul in the entire world. I’m so lucky that you’re mine. I’m so lucky that you tried so hard to be everything that I knew you were. You deserve every ounce of happiness this world has to offer, and I promise that I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you get it all.”
Jaejoong smiled, leaning against the hand on his cheek. “So yes?”
Yoochun chuckled. “Yes. With all my soul and everything I am that fortunately echoes through everything that you are, yes. Soulmates?”
Jaejoong nodded. “Soulmates.”
Part 7: Let's Make Music Together
Part 6: Major Chords
Part 5: Andante
Part 4: Cross Rhythm
Part 3: Dissonance
Part 2: Peace and Harmony
Part 1: Sweet Melody
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