Shifting Fortunes 19/19
Title: Shifting Fortunes 19/19
Rating: NC -17
Pairings: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu, Changmin/Fic OC, Past!Jaejoong/Heechul, Eunhyuk/Donghae, Kyuhyun/Sungmin, Yesung/Ryeowook, ninja!Leeteuk/Kangin
Disclaimer: If I owned them, I'd make them act this out.
Summary: Jaejoong was raised in riches. Yunho has struggled most of his life just to keep food in his stomach. Jaejoong leaves his family and ends up working beside Yunho at a farm in the mountains. In a world of uncertainties, what is Jaejoong willing to give up in order to have everything?
A/N: Anything in italics is the present day, and then the fic goes back in time.
Part 19: Jaejoong's Last Chance
Poster credit goes to sahmin I love you, my Failverto! ♥♥♥
JAEJOONG
Today …
Jae jerked alert when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He yanked out his earbuds.
“It’s showtime,” Yesung said.
Jae took a deep breath. “I think this is the most nervous I’ve ever been. Do you think Yunho will come?”
Yesung winced. “I hope so.”
“Dude, Yesung, what’s wrong?” Jae asked.
Yesung wouldn’t look at him. “Nothing.”
“You were quiet last night when I got back from the club, and you’ve been distant all day today.”
“Just nervous about the concert.”
Jae didn’t believe him. Yesung loved to perform, but he let it slide. Maybe he and Ryeowook were having problems. But that morning and all through final rehearsals they were just as lovey dovey as always. Well, Yesung would have told him if he had a problem with Jae. Yesung didn’t keep things buried like that. He’d tell him when he was ready.
Without his earbuds in, Jae could hear the crowd screaming and chanting. Was Yunho out there?
The five of them - him, Wheesung, Kangta, and YeWook - met in the hallway just at the stage entrance. Being the eldest, Kangta gathered them in a circle.
“We’ve got this, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Jae,” he said, “first concert. You going to be alright?”
“Fulfilling the dream,” Jae said with a grin, even though murderous butterflies were turning his stomach into their own war path. “It’s awesome.”
They all put their hands in the middle.
Kangta counted, “One, two, three.”
“Fighting!”
They gave each other hugs, pats on the back and in Yewook’s case, soft kisses. Jae jumped a couple times, deep breaths, trying to expel the energy rising in him.
Then the announcer’s voice welcomed everyone, and the cheers tripled. Jae checked his mic one more time, and then they were all up the ramp running on stage. They had prepared a couple of songs with all five of them and they sang one of those first. And then made introductions.
Jae searched the crowd in vain while Kangta talked. The lights were too bright and there were too many lightsticks and signs. Almost half of those had his name on them.
He sent up a silent prayer that Yunho was there somewhere.
Wheesung had control of the stage first, knocking the fangirls mildly unconscious with his performance of Insomnia. After him, YeWook sang the majority of their hit singles. And then the five of them sang another joint song.
After their middle performance, and Jae’s stagename was announced, the noise in the arena tripled again.
Jae took a deep breath and made his way to his spot on the stage. The crowd was chanting his name. Shivers danced up his spine. A bright spotlight hit him. He launched immediately into his first song, a fast one with lots of dancing and those hip thrusts that made the girls scream.
The earplugs couldn’t drown out the screams when he was finished.
He took a few deep breaths, and then said thank you, and bowed. He walked over to a piano. “I never thought that’d I’d ever have the chance to be up on this stage performing for you all. It’s amazing how life works, how one moment you’re playing around, singing and dancing with your friends, and then things change, and suddenly you’re singing in front of an audience. I guess what I’m trying to say is never give up. You never know when your fortunes will shift. This next song helped change my life.”
Jae took a deep breath and started playing Love Bye Love. It had been released as a digital single just two weeks before, and Jae heard the muted sound of the audience singing with him through his earplugs.
He was quiet for a moment after the song ended and the cheers subsided. This next song was why he was here. And why he hoped Yunho was here. Only Yewook and Shindong had heard this song and he was taking a huge gamble. He was supposed to sing another one of his ballads from his CD. He was about to piss off a whole bunch of upper management.
It was worth it. For Yunho, it was worth it.
Jae took one more deep breath.
“Love Bye Love was written by a friend of mine, Park Yoochun,” Jae said, “and I’m very thankful to him that he allowed me to sing it. Not only is Yoochun-shi an amazing song writer, but he’s a great friend. He once told me that real love is about supporting each other. Being there for each other, but only in the ways that the other person needs. He was right. I’m here because of the love and support of someone special. Someone that gave up everything so I could be on this stage tonight. But honestly, I’m not quite sure it was worth it. I wrote a song, and I was wondering if you guys would let me play it?”
The fangirls went wild.
“This song is called Let Me Love You. It is for that someone special, wherever they are right now.”
Am I still allowed to love you?
Am I still allowed to cry?
Am I still allowed to hold you close
In the dark when I’m alone?
Am I still allowed to call your name?
Am I still allowed to dream?
Am I still allowed between your sheets
At night when I sleep alone?
I’m not allowed to love you
But time cannot erase
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
Am I still allowed to call you mine?
Am I still allowed to hope?
Can I still pretend we’re holding hands
When I walk at night alone?
I’m not allowed to love you
But time cannot erase
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
I won’t ever get over you
I won’t ever forget
I won’t turn off my love
I know I’m not allowed
And time has almost erased
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
But I will always be yours
Please
Let me love you.
The fangirls were going crazy. Despite the incredible ache in Jae’s heart, he smiled at them, knowing that it was showing on every view screen in the arena.
“I love you,” he whispered. “Forever.”
He stood up suddenly, grabbed the mic from the stand and said, “Did you all like that?”
They screeched.
“Well, let’s pick things up a bit.”
Jae looked behind him as the backup dancers filled in the stage behind him. A single spotlight hit him again, and the music started. With smiles, winks and hip thrusts, he soared through his final dance song.
He made his bows, and thank yous and exited the stage.
Kangta shook his head as they passed backstage. “That was incredibly stupid,” he said. “Brilliant, but stupid.”
It seemed that the managers thought the same thing. As soon as the concert was over, he was pulled into a separate room and reprimanded for a good ten minutes. And then they were demanding to know why Jae didn’t say he could write music.
“I haven’t written a song since I was sixteen,” he protested.
His main manager sighed. “You’re lucky it was good.”
“No, you’re lucky it was good,” Jae replied. “As long as Yunho heard it, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“Get changed,” he snapped. His phone rang. Jae left the room with a grin. He went to wardrobe.
As soon as he entered, Yesung was hugging him. “That was amazing.”
Ryeowook and Wheesung quickly agreed.
“What did the big chief say?” Kangta asked.
Jae pulled his clothes off as he answered, “A bunch of why did you do it, how could you do it, but then he ended with telling me that it was good.”
They all laughed.
“It was good,” Kangta said. “Now they’re going to want you to write your own songs.”
Jae shrugged. “I’m alright with that.”
Jae pulled on the clothes he’d come in. Jeans, that green t-shirt. He lightly traced the T in the word “BITE”, and then he sighed.
“Hey,” Yesung said and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s get home.”
“Good idea.”
As they were walking through the halls toward the back entrance, a voice called Jae’s name. A security guard ran up to him.
“Sorry to bother you, Hero,” he said and bowed, “but some guy told me to give this to you. I’ve been trying to find you for almost an hour.”
He held out a piece of paper.
With his heart fluttering, Jae took it and unfolded it.
Nice song. My train leaves at one.
Jae gasped. “What time is it?” he demanded of Yesung, and then looked at his own watch. “ Twelve-thirty? Fuck!”
Jae ran for the back door.
“Jae, wait! What is it?”
He wrenched the door open. He pushed through the fangirls being held by security. He practically dove in the car. Ryeowook was already there, and Yesung climbed in after him.
“Take me to the train station now,” Jae told the driver. “Don’t even argue, just go.”
The driver looked at Yesung.
“Go,” Yesung said.
“Yes, sir.”
Jae leaned back and shut his eyes. He was never going to make it.
“Jae?” Ryeowook whispered.
Jae uncurled his fingers from Yunho’s note and handed it to them.
Yesung’s eyes went wide. “He came. I didn’t think he would.”
Jae looked at them. Ryeowook dropped his eyes but not before Jae saw guilt in them.
“Why?” he said suspiciously. “You two have been acting weird all day. Is it because of Yunho?”
“Well, Jae,” Yesung said and then cleared his throat. “Yunho was here last night. He came to our apartment. We were going to surprise you, so we went to the club.”
“And he saw me with Heechul.” Jae shut his eyes. A tear slid down his cheek. “Fucking perfect.” He punched the seat.
“He was all set to leave last night,” Yesung said, “but I talked to him, and I guess I convinced him to still come tonight. I didn’t tell him about your song.”
The rest of the ride was silent. Jae kept looking at his watch. When the time ticked past the one, more tears fell down his cheeks. He thought of telling the driver to turn around, but there was a chance the train was late.
Maybe.
The car hadn’t even stopped before Jae had the door open and he was running inside. The big clock on the wall read 1:13. Jae scanned the seats, heart dropping as every person his eyes landed on wasn’t Yunho.
He looked at the screen listing departures and arrivals. Yunho’s train number wasn’t on it. Jae managed to get to the closest chair before collapsing. He missed him. By thirteen minutes he’d missed him.
He was trying to calm his breathing when someone sat next to him. He didn’t want to see Yesung or Ryeowook. He didn’t want to see anyone. He shut his eyes and turned his head away.
Fingers slid along the back of his hand, and then entwined with his.
Rough fingers, a callused hand that he’d never forget the feel of.
Jae spun around, eyes wide and mouth open.
Yunho smiled. “Hey,” he whispered.
Jae couldn’t breathe, couldn’t respond. Tears tracked down his cheek. Yunho lifted his other hand and wiped them away. Jae’s eyes shut and he leaned into his hand with a whimper. The touch shook, and then both hands were on his cheeks, pulling him closer, until their lips met. They both made the same needy noise.
Jae was still too shocked to do more than stay there, lips pressed together, legs suddenly entwining.
Finally, Yunho broke away. He rested his forehead against Jae’s and whispered, “I love you.”
Another set of tears fell from Jae’s eyes and he hugged Yunho as hard as he could.
Yunho laughed, but held him tighter, shifted them into a more comfortable position. “I was being stupid,” Yunho whispered. “Completely and utterly stupid. Life without you sucks. Life without this, without getting to hold you, sucks.”
“Yeah,” Jae said. “It really does.”
They pulled apart far enough to kiss again. And then Yunho choked out, “I’m so sorry, Jae. For not believing you, for not understanding, for hurting you. For loving you so much that I thought you’d be better without me.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Jae said.
“About what? You’re the innocent in this.”
“I’m sorry about Heechul. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about him before, and well, that you always seemed to catch me at the most inopportune times. Yesung says you saw me with him last night.”
Yunho nodded.
“Too bad you didn’t see what happened when Heechul tried to kiss me.”
“What’d you do?”
“Kneed him in the groin and then elbowed him in the face when he tried to fight back.”
Yunho laughed. “Really?”
“Yeah. Bloodied his nose. I’m sick of his shit. He doesn’t understand what the word ‘no’ means.”
“I’m still going to have to hit him,” Yunho said, “for my own sanity.”
“I won’t stop you.”
They stared at each other.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Jae whispered.
“It was really hard to come. I really came just to see you one more time, and then try to forget about you. But then you sang that song and … and, damn it, Jae, it just slammed home everything that I would miss and everything that I’d have to live without if I didn’t come back to you.”
“I actually meant here in the train station,” Jae said with a smile. “Your train left at one.”
Yunho shrugged. “I took a chance. I was about to leave when I saw you barrel in.”
“Come back to my place?” Jae said, voice dropping and lip curling in a feral grin.
Yunho shivered. “I wish I could,” he said, “but I told Jonghyun I’d be back tomorrow. I already have a ticket for the next train at four.”
“I don’t know when I’m going to get to see you again,” Jae said. “I have a concert tour for the next two months.”
“I know, but I’ll write to you. And I mean it, I will. And Junsu has saved most of your letters from before, and I’ll read all of those.”
Jae smiled. “Junsu. Give him and Yoochun hugs for me, okay?”
“I will.”
A throat cleared behind them. They both glanced at the smiling faces of YeWook.
“I take it everything’s okay now,” Yesung said.
Jae curled into Yunho’s warm body, his face at his neck. “Yeah.”
“Good. I hate to be a pain, but we have to go. The managers are freaking out and some of the fangirls followed us here. Security is trying to keep them at bay but there are going to be pictures of you two all over the internet in a few minutes.”
Jae cringed. “Fuck. Sorry, Yunho. I didn’t think.”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
“I’m going to get killed for this,” Jae said. He looked at Yunho and smiled. “It’s totally worth it though.”
They kissed again, this one deeper and longer than the other one. Jae’s heart fluttered and his stomach flipped, much like they had the very first time Yunho had kissed him. They didn’t break apart until Yesung started pulling at Jae’s arm.
Jae stood up, pulling Yunho with him for another hug and another kiss.
“I love you,” Jae said.
“I love you, too,” Yunho replied.
The last part of their bodies that touched were their hands. Jae didn’t let go until he had to, and then he turned and smiled at Yunho until they were through the doors. He waved and blew Yunho a kiss.
Yunho waved back.
Cameras flashed around him. Yesung was right. There would be pictures and articles and news reports all over the TV tomorrow.
Jae couldn’t wait to see them.
Epilogue: YunJae's Future
Part 18: Yunho's Last Chance
Part 17: Jaejoong's Heartbreak
Part 16: Yunho's Heartbreak
Part 15: Jaejoong's Decision
Part 14: Yunho's Decision
Part 13: A Series of Letters
Part 12: Yunho's Goodbye
Part 11: Jaejoong's Opportunity
Part 10: Yunho's Second Taste of Luxury
Part 9: Jaejoong's Invitation
Part 8: Yunho's First Taste of Luxury
Part 7: Jaejoong's Confession
Part 6: Yunho's Culture Shock
Part 5: Jaejoong's Past
Part 4: Yunho's Sanctuary
Part 3: Jaejoong's New Life
Part 2: Yunho's New Roommate
Part 1: Jaejoong's Predicament
.
Rating: NC -17
Pairings: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu, Changmin/Fic OC, Past!Jaejoong/Heechul, Eunhyuk/Donghae, Kyuhyun/Sungmin, Yesung/Ryeowook, ninja!Leeteuk/Kangin
Disclaimer: If I owned them, I'd make them act this out.
Summary: Jaejoong was raised in riches. Yunho has struggled most of his life just to keep food in his stomach. Jaejoong leaves his family and ends up working beside Yunho at a farm in the mountains. In a world of uncertainties, what is Jaejoong willing to give up in order to have everything?
A/N: Anything in italics is the present day, and then the fic goes back in time.
Part 19: Jaejoong's Last Chance
Poster credit goes to sahmin I love you, my Failverto! ♥♥♥
JAEJOONG
Today …
Jae jerked alert when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He yanked out his earbuds.
“It’s showtime,” Yesung said.
Jae took a deep breath. “I think this is the most nervous I’ve ever been. Do you think Yunho will come?”
Yesung winced. “I hope so.”
“Dude, Yesung, what’s wrong?” Jae asked.
Yesung wouldn’t look at him. “Nothing.”
“You were quiet last night when I got back from the club, and you’ve been distant all day today.”
“Just nervous about the concert.”
Jae didn’t believe him. Yesung loved to perform, but he let it slide. Maybe he and Ryeowook were having problems. But that morning and all through final rehearsals they were just as lovey dovey as always. Well, Yesung would have told him if he had a problem with Jae. Yesung didn’t keep things buried like that. He’d tell him when he was ready.
Without his earbuds in, Jae could hear the crowd screaming and chanting. Was Yunho out there?
The five of them - him, Wheesung, Kangta, and YeWook - met in the hallway just at the stage entrance. Being the eldest, Kangta gathered them in a circle.
“We’ve got this, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Jae,” he said, “first concert. You going to be alright?”
“Fulfilling the dream,” Jae said with a grin, even though murderous butterflies were turning his stomach into their own war path. “It’s awesome.”
They all put their hands in the middle.
Kangta counted, “One, two, three.”
“Fighting!”
They gave each other hugs, pats on the back and in Yewook’s case, soft kisses. Jae jumped a couple times, deep breaths, trying to expel the energy rising in him.
Then the announcer’s voice welcomed everyone, and the cheers tripled. Jae checked his mic one more time, and then they were all up the ramp running on stage. They had prepared a couple of songs with all five of them and they sang one of those first. And then made introductions.
Jae searched the crowd in vain while Kangta talked. The lights were too bright and there were too many lightsticks and signs. Almost half of those had his name on them.
He sent up a silent prayer that Yunho was there somewhere.
Wheesung had control of the stage first, knocking the fangirls mildly unconscious with his performance of Insomnia. After him, YeWook sang the majority of their hit singles. And then the five of them sang another joint song.
After their middle performance, and Jae’s stagename was announced, the noise in the arena tripled again.
Jae took a deep breath and made his way to his spot on the stage. The crowd was chanting his name. Shivers danced up his spine. A bright spotlight hit him. He launched immediately into his first song, a fast one with lots of dancing and those hip thrusts that made the girls scream.
The earplugs couldn’t drown out the screams when he was finished.
He took a few deep breaths, and then said thank you, and bowed. He walked over to a piano. “I never thought that’d I’d ever have the chance to be up on this stage performing for you all. It’s amazing how life works, how one moment you’re playing around, singing and dancing with your friends, and then things change, and suddenly you’re singing in front of an audience. I guess what I’m trying to say is never give up. You never know when your fortunes will shift. This next song helped change my life.”
Jae took a deep breath and started playing Love Bye Love. It had been released as a digital single just two weeks before, and Jae heard the muted sound of the audience singing with him through his earplugs.
He was quiet for a moment after the song ended and the cheers subsided. This next song was why he was here. And why he hoped Yunho was here. Only Yewook and Shindong had heard this song and he was taking a huge gamble. He was supposed to sing another one of his ballads from his CD. He was about to piss off a whole bunch of upper management.
It was worth it. For Yunho, it was worth it.
Jae took one more deep breath.
“Love Bye Love was written by a friend of mine, Park Yoochun,” Jae said, “and I’m very thankful to him that he allowed me to sing it. Not only is Yoochun-shi an amazing song writer, but he’s a great friend. He once told me that real love is about supporting each other. Being there for each other, but only in the ways that the other person needs. He was right. I’m here because of the love and support of someone special. Someone that gave up everything so I could be on this stage tonight. But honestly, I’m not quite sure it was worth it. I wrote a song, and I was wondering if you guys would let me play it?”
The fangirls went wild.
“This song is called Let Me Love You. It is for that someone special, wherever they are right now.”
Am I still allowed to love you?
Am I still allowed to cry?
Am I still allowed to hold you close
In the dark when I’m alone?
Am I still allowed to call your name?
Am I still allowed to dream?
Am I still allowed between your sheets
At night when I sleep alone?
I’m not allowed to love you
But time cannot erase
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
Am I still allowed to call you mine?
Am I still allowed to hope?
Can I still pretend we’re holding hands
When I walk at night alone?
I’m not allowed to love you
But time cannot erase
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
I won’t ever get over you
I won’t ever forget
I won’t turn off my love
I know I’m not allowed
And time has almost erased
The way your body felt with mine
The way your brown eyes shine
But I will always be yours
Please
Let me love you.
The fangirls were going crazy. Despite the incredible ache in Jae’s heart, he smiled at them, knowing that it was showing on every view screen in the arena.
“I love you,” he whispered. “Forever.”
He stood up suddenly, grabbed the mic from the stand and said, “Did you all like that?”
They screeched.
“Well, let’s pick things up a bit.”
Jae looked behind him as the backup dancers filled in the stage behind him. A single spotlight hit him again, and the music started. With smiles, winks and hip thrusts, he soared through his final dance song.
He made his bows, and thank yous and exited the stage.
Kangta shook his head as they passed backstage. “That was incredibly stupid,” he said. “Brilliant, but stupid.”
It seemed that the managers thought the same thing. As soon as the concert was over, he was pulled into a separate room and reprimanded for a good ten minutes. And then they were demanding to know why Jae didn’t say he could write music.
“I haven’t written a song since I was sixteen,” he protested.
His main manager sighed. “You’re lucky it was good.”
“No, you’re lucky it was good,” Jae replied. “As long as Yunho heard it, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“Get changed,” he snapped. His phone rang. Jae left the room with a grin. He went to wardrobe.
As soon as he entered, Yesung was hugging him. “That was amazing.”
Ryeowook and Wheesung quickly agreed.
“What did the big chief say?” Kangta asked.
Jae pulled his clothes off as he answered, “A bunch of why did you do it, how could you do it, but then he ended with telling me that it was good.”
They all laughed.
“It was good,” Kangta said. “Now they’re going to want you to write your own songs.”
Jae shrugged. “I’m alright with that.”
Jae pulled on the clothes he’d come in. Jeans, that green t-shirt. He lightly traced the T in the word “BITE”, and then he sighed.
“Hey,” Yesung said and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s get home.”
“Good idea.”
As they were walking through the halls toward the back entrance, a voice called Jae’s name. A security guard ran up to him.
“Sorry to bother you, Hero,” he said and bowed, “but some guy told me to give this to you. I’ve been trying to find you for almost an hour.”
He held out a piece of paper.
With his heart fluttering, Jae took it and unfolded it.
Nice song. My train leaves at one.
Jae gasped. “What time is it?” he demanded of Yesung, and then looked at his own watch. “ Twelve-thirty? Fuck!”
Jae ran for the back door.
“Jae, wait! What is it?”
He wrenched the door open. He pushed through the fangirls being held by security. He practically dove in the car. Ryeowook was already there, and Yesung climbed in after him.
“Take me to the train station now,” Jae told the driver. “Don’t even argue, just go.”
The driver looked at Yesung.
“Go,” Yesung said.
“Yes, sir.”
Jae leaned back and shut his eyes. He was never going to make it.
“Jae?” Ryeowook whispered.
Jae uncurled his fingers from Yunho’s note and handed it to them.
Yesung’s eyes went wide. “He came. I didn’t think he would.”
Jae looked at them. Ryeowook dropped his eyes but not before Jae saw guilt in them.
“Why?” he said suspiciously. “You two have been acting weird all day. Is it because of Yunho?”
“Well, Jae,” Yesung said and then cleared his throat. “Yunho was here last night. He came to our apartment. We were going to surprise you, so we went to the club.”
“And he saw me with Heechul.” Jae shut his eyes. A tear slid down his cheek. “Fucking perfect.” He punched the seat.
“He was all set to leave last night,” Yesung said, “but I talked to him, and I guess I convinced him to still come tonight. I didn’t tell him about your song.”
The rest of the ride was silent. Jae kept looking at his watch. When the time ticked past the one, more tears fell down his cheeks. He thought of telling the driver to turn around, but there was a chance the train was late.
Maybe.
The car hadn’t even stopped before Jae had the door open and he was running inside. The big clock on the wall read 1:13. Jae scanned the seats, heart dropping as every person his eyes landed on wasn’t Yunho.
He looked at the screen listing departures and arrivals. Yunho’s train number wasn’t on it. Jae managed to get to the closest chair before collapsing. He missed him. By thirteen minutes he’d missed him.
He was trying to calm his breathing when someone sat next to him. He didn’t want to see Yesung or Ryeowook. He didn’t want to see anyone. He shut his eyes and turned his head away.
Fingers slid along the back of his hand, and then entwined with his.
Rough fingers, a callused hand that he’d never forget the feel of.
Jae spun around, eyes wide and mouth open.
Yunho smiled. “Hey,” he whispered.
Jae couldn’t breathe, couldn’t respond. Tears tracked down his cheek. Yunho lifted his other hand and wiped them away. Jae’s eyes shut and he leaned into his hand with a whimper. The touch shook, and then both hands were on his cheeks, pulling him closer, until their lips met. They both made the same needy noise.
Jae was still too shocked to do more than stay there, lips pressed together, legs suddenly entwining.
Finally, Yunho broke away. He rested his forehead against Jae’s and whispered, “I love you.”
Another set of tears fell from Jae’s eyes and he hugged Yunho as hard as he could.
Yunho laughed, but held him tighter, shifted them into a more comfortable position. “I was being stupid,” Yunho whispered. “Completely and utterly stupid. Life without you sucks. Life without this, without getting to hold you, sucks.”
“Yeah,” Jae said. “It really does.”
They pulled apart far enough to kiss again. And then Yunho choked out, “I’m so sorry, Jae. For not believing you, for not understanding, for hurting you. For loving you so much that I thought you’d be better without me.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Jae said.
“About what? You’re the innocent in this.”
“I’m sorry about Heechul. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about him before, and well, that you always seemed to catch me at the most inopportune times. Yesung says you saw me with him last night.”
Yunho nodded.
“Too bad you didn’t see what happened when Heechul tried to kiss me.”
“What’d you do?”
“Kneed him in the groin and then elbowed him in the face when he tried to fight back.”
Yunho laughed. “Really?”
“Yeah. Bloodied his nose. I’m sick of his shit. He doesn’t understand what the word ‘no’ means.”
“I’m still going to have to hit him,” Yunho said, “for my own sanity.”
“I won’t stop you.”
They stared at each other.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Jae whispered.
“It was really hard to come. I really came just to see you one more time, and then try to forget about you. But then you sang that song and … and, damn it, Jae, it just slammed home everything that I would miss and everything that I’d have to live without if I didn’t come back to you.”
“I actually meant here in the train station,” Jae said with a smile. “Your train left at one.”
Yunho shrugged. “I took a chance. I was about to leave when I saw you barrel in.”
“Come back to my place?” Jae said, voice dropping and lip curling in a feral grin.
Yunho shivered. “I wish I could,” he said, “but I told Jonghyun I’d be back tomorrow. I already have a ticket for the next train at four.”
“I don’t know when I’m going to get to see you again,” Jae said. “I have a concert tour for the next two months.”
“I know, but I’ll write to you. And I mean it, I will. And Junsu has saved most of your letters from before, and I’ll read all of those.”
Jae smiled. “Junsu. Give him and Yoochun hugs for me, okay?”
“I will.”
A throat cleared behind them. They both glanced at the smiling faces of YeWook.
“I take it everything’s okay now,” Yesung said.
Jae curled into Yunho’s warm body, his face at his neck. “Yeah.”
“Good. I hate to be a pain, but we have to go. The managers are freaking out and some of the fangirls followed us here. Security is trying to keep them at bay but there are going to be pictures of you two all over the internet in a few minutes.”
Jae cringed. “Fuck. Sorry, Yunho. I didn’t think.”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
“I’m going to get killed for this,” Jae said. He looked at Yunho and smiled. “It’s totally worth it though.”
They kissed again, this one deeper and longer than the other one. Jae’s heart fluttered and his stomach flipped, much like they had the very first time Yunho had kissed him. They didn’t break apart until Yesung started pulling at Jae’s arm.
Jae stood up, pulling Yunho with him for another hug and another kiss.
“I love you,” Jae said.
“I love you, too,” Yunho replied.
The last part of their bodies that touched were their hands. Jae didn’t let go until he had to, and then he turned and smiled at Yunho until they were through the doors. He waved and blew Yunho a kiss.
Yunho waved back.
Cameras flashed around him. Yesung was right. There would be pictures and articles and news reports all over the TV tomorrow.
Jae couldn’t wait to see them.
Epilogue: YunJae's Future
Part 18: Yunho's Last Chance
Part 17: Jaejoong's Heartbreak
Part 16: Yunho's Heartbreak
Part 15: Jaejoong's Decision
Part 14: Yunho's Decision
Part 13: A Series of Letters
Part 12: Yunho's Goodbye
Part 11: Jaejoong's Opportunity
Part 10: Yunho's Second Taste of Luxury
Part 9: Jaejoong's Invitation
Part 8: Yunho's First Taste of Luxury
Part 7: Jaejoong's Confession
Part 6: Yunho's Culture Shock
Part 5: Jaejoong's Past
Part 4: Yunho's Sanctuary
Part 3: Jaejoong's New Life
Part 2: Yunho's New Roommate
Part 1: Jaejoong's Predicament
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