Bound (4)
Title: Bound
Summary: A well-kept secret, that’s what he was, a scandal the king was keen on keeping hidden. But Jaejoong had a secret of his own, Jung Yunho.
Pairing: YunJae
Genre: Fluff, Smut, Drama, Historical
Rating: NC17
Length: Chaptered
(1) (2) (3)
--
Light from the outside slipped through the small window of Yunho’s prison cell. Jaejoong stared up at the beam of light, wondering what time it might have been. Sitting with Yunho’s head on his lap, he couldn’t stand up to peak through the window to see how high the sun had risen.
He sighed and looked back down to Yunho. He had lost count of how much time he has spent in Yunho’s cell, of how long the other has been unconscious. Jaejoong still wished he could get him a doctor, just to know exactly what was happening and exactly what he needed to do to make him better. However, it was impossible. Getting inside Yunho’s cell was hard enough. The consort had already gone through a lot to get the keys; he was keen not to push his chances.
Jaejoong had played with fire in seducing and blackmailing the key keeper. His mind drifted away as he remembered fixing his frayed hanbok in the prison office, the key to the cell in his hands.
“We’ll keep this our little secret won’t we?” Jaejoong said as he rested a finger to his lips. “You shall not report this to anyone, not even the king. And I shall not tell your wife tales of what you did to me…”
“Youngwoung sshi-“ the guard said with a shaky voice.
A mischievous glint appeared in the consort’s eyes. “Hush, dear. Your wife, she works in the royal kitchen, am I correct? Mi Cha, isn’t it? She has such a charming smile, very gentle…vulnerable. She makes rice cakes for me during afternoon tea and sometimes she sits with me to chat. Oh my oh my,” Jaejoong tilted his head and smirked, “she trusts me dearly.”
“My wife would believe me over you!”
“Maybe,” Jaejoong tapped a finger to his lips. “But then, perhaps, I can show her my undershirt? You should’ve kept your desk clean, then you wouldn’t have gotten bronze ink stains on my clothes. Oh she would wonder how I got the bronze ink on it! In the whole kingdom, isn’t it only the king himself and the key keeper who gets to use it for when they mark prisoners? Ahh. We’d both be in deep trouble if anyone knew….” his voice trailed of as he walked away. “It is best if you keep your mouth shut, key keeper-sshi…”
The consort sighed and leaned his head to the wall. He had once been guilty whenever he used his appeal to lure people into doing what he wanted, but over the years he had gotten so used to it. It was all a game, one where he had always won. But even so, it was a game he did not like playing.
“The trouble I go through for you,” Jaejoong said as he looked at Yunho with a doubtful smile plastered on his face. He carded his hand along Yunho’s hair.
He traced his fingers gently on the recovering scratches on his face. He hoped they would not cause a scar. He grabbed a small metal can and gently applied healing salve on the cuts, being careful not to leave out any spots. He briefly contemplated whether it was time to change his bandages again; he sighed and decided to do it later as he didn’t want to move Yunho’s head out of his lap.
When he first tended the prisoner’s wounds, he had not the slightest clue on how to tie bandages or how to apply ointment. He had never done them before; he felt so helpless. Eunhye had been with him in the beginning, telling him what to do and teaching him some techniques. After a few times, he had slowly gotten used to it, a sense of accomplishment took over him and he wondered if it was wrong of him to feel good about himself as he nursed an injured man.
He stared at Yunho’s face with a frown. Looking at him confused Jaejoong. What was this? He used to think that the attraction he had for Yunho just came from his fondness of new things, of things from the outside. He thought he wanted to be with him, to know more about him, because it was like getting a glimpse of the outside world. But the more time he spent inside the cell, the more he became uncertain.
He closed his eyes, trying to sort out what he felt. Within the days he’s been visiting the man, the small seed Yunho had instilled in him, which he had thought was curiosity, was now growing into something he couldn’t quite recognize.
Jaejoong swiped Yunho’s hair to the side and bent down to plant kiss on his forehead. He rested his hand on Yunho’s chest as he observed it rise and fall. He liked the feeling of Yunho’s breathing; it gave him a sense of peace, reminding him that the still figure he’d been watching was very real and still alive. He had been worried sick for so long.
--
Yunho could remember small instants of consciousness. There were times when he felt fingers ghosting along his skin, sometimes he’d feel stings from ointment lathered on his wounds, and sometimes he could hear faint voices, talking, but he could never understand what they were about. There were many times when he wanted to speak up and move, or even just open his eyes but he felt too weak; a part of him couldn’t decide whether the things he sensed were really happening or if they were dreams.
But one afternoon, the voices he heard had been so loud that they stirred him awake.
"Jaejoong-sshi, please. You've missed several of your flute lessons. The king would be unhappy if he comes back and see you've slacked off on your performances," the voice was of a woman and her words almost sounded like desperate pleas. “Jaejoong-sshi, the guards can only do so much to keep your behavior secret from the king. He'll be home soon!"
“Then let me stay all the while he’s still gone.” Jaejoong’s familiar voice resounded across the room.
"Jaejoong-sshi, I have even convinced the captain to let you join their archery training. Please, just spend some time away from here."
“It can wait.”
“But they have been waiting for you, you must show up if you want to pursue training.”
“Then, tell the captain I do not wish to join them anymore.”
“But Jaejoong-sshi…”
“Please Eunhye. If you do not wish to say anything else aside from trying to convince me to leave, then you should go.”
“Jaejoong-sshi, you have not eaten properly in days!”
“Well, the king would prefer me to be slender, wouldn’t he?”
Silence.
“Jaejoong-sshi, I only worry about you.”
The consort sighed and his voice softened. “My dear Eunhye, please do not mind me. I will be all right. I know you are only trying to think of my own sake, but please, I know what I am doing.”
The handmaiden did not speak anymore. She merely bowed and withdrew; she had given up trying to argue with Jaejoong, but she didn’t stop worrying about the young man. She could not understand the consort's attachment to the criminal. Jaejoong had never neglected his being a consort, or any other duties that came with it. Eunhye feared how much he was changing because of this one man.
Jaejoong watched her figure disappear through the prison corridor. A groan caught his attention and he immediately ran his hands through Yunho’s hair. He had been making noises in his sleep recently; the consort didn’t know if it was a sign of improvement, or if Yunho was actually getting worse.
Jaejoong was caught in both surprise and relief as Yunho coughs up.
“Oh my god” He whispered as Yunho slowly squints his eyes open.
“You’re…neglecting…your duties because of me?” Yunho let out, almost inaudibly, in a raspy voice.
The consort could feel his breath heaving. Was this real? Jung Yunho was finally awake.
--
Yunho sat on his bunk as he watched Jaejoong lay down food on the tray resting in his lap. “Yunho, you better eat up! You’ve been unconscious for so long.”
The prisoner’s eyebrows were knitted together in puzzlement; he never did understand the amount of care Jaejoong was giving to him. At first he thought that Jaejoong had done so because he had time to spare, that Jaejoong simply found him to be an amusing past time. However, he did not expect him to attend to him when he was injured.
“Why are you doing this?” Yunho questioned as he looked blankly at the figure preparing his meal.
The consort just looked up to him and shrugged, a small smile followed. Yunho sighed and looked away, there were times when he found himself having difficulty looking straight into Jaejoong’s eyes.
“Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Not really”
“Don’t you have errands? What are your duties in the palace?”
“I’m not telling unless you tell me what you’re here for.”
Yunho let out an irritated breath, “I told you, It is none of your business.”
“The same works for me. I am not telling either” Jaejoong rolled his eyes. “Eat,” he put a silver spoon to his lips. “The soup will warm your stomach.”
“Jaejoong-”
“Just eat, Yunho. I’ve been changing your bandages for days. I’ve stayed with you for most of my time, and you had gotten me worried sick. You owe me for all I’ve done.” The consort muttered with a tinge of irritation. “The least you can do is try to get better so I know my efforts were not wasted.” Jaejoong nudged the spoon closer to Yunho’s mouth and the other did nothing but sip the hot soup. It did warm his stomach.
Jaejoong watched him with thoughtful eyes as he scooped more spoonfuls for Yunho. He could still notice Yunho wince in pain whenever he moved. Jaejoong bit his lip as he laid the spoon down. “Yunho, what did they do to you?” he asked in concern.
The other let out a sardonic smile, “Beat me up? Wasn’t it obvious? The alchemist also made me ingest something, a sedative, maybe, that’s why I’d been out for so long. They were probably scared they’d overdone it so they put me to sleep to recover. The king wouldn’t be happy to see me dead through their torture…I think he would’ve wanted to do it himself.”
Jaejoong’s hold of the spoon tightened. “W-why are they doing this to you?”
“I have done a crime, Jaejoong, why wouldn’t they?”
“What…have you done?” Jaejoong tried to get an answer from him one more time, although he knew Yunho would never tell of why he was imprisoned.
Yunho closed his eyes. “Jaejoong. I’m tired. I think I should sleep.”
The consort only nodded, he pulled the tray out and watched Yunho as he lied down. Curiosity? Worry? His heart sank. He didn’t like not knowing what was happening.
He shrugged his thoughts off and scolded himself, he should just be glad; at least Yunho was getting better.
--
Jaejoong had worn a gentle color of blue silk that day. Yunho noted that he was cheerier than usual. He kept smiling and humming as he, as usual, prepared the food on the tray resting on Yunho’s lap. His eyes had a glint of brightness as he repeatedly glanced at Yunho. The prisoner wished he didn’t seem so charming at that moment.
“Why are you so happy?”
“Well, because, when I changed your bandages this morning, your cuts were dry,” Jaejoong scooped some rice and motioned it to Yunho’s mouth. “Do you know how much I hate changing your bandages? I’ve never done them before, and it’s quite hard. Not to mention the fact that your wounds look absolutely sickening.” Jaejoong scooped another spoonful to Yunho’s mouth. “Do you know how much time I spent cleaning those wounds? Now that they’re almost healed, I am relieved.”
Jaejoong smiled at him and continued going on about how much he hated the complicated ways of bandaging…or something similar to that. Yunho wouldn’t have known anyway, because he could only stare.
The dimple on his cheek, Yunho wondered why he had never noticed it. Then again, for the past few days, Yunho had been noticing so many things he hadn’t before; the way Jaejoong licked his lips almost every minute, the way his eyebrows knitted adorably together when he was fixing his bandages, the small beauty mark underneath his left eye, the softness of his finger tips when he applied healing salve, the way his lips formed a small “o” when he’d blow the soup for him, the way he would unintentionally but automatically hum when it was silent. Yunho had been keen on too many things already, but not paying intent attention to the consort was becoming almost impossible.
When the meal was over, Jaejoong sat in front of him once more. “Why such a scowl on your face , Yunho?”
The other merely shook his head but Jaejoong leaned forward; feeling a little playful, he tapped Yunho’s nose. “Oh dear, oh dear, my Yunho is in such a grumpy mood” Jaejoong licked his lips and eyed him with amusement. “Hmmm. Maybe I should kiss you?”
“Don’t,” Yunho said irritably.
“But I could. I have already, several times when you were asleep,” the consort teased.
“No you haven’t.”
“Oh but I have.”
“Liar,” Yunho replied in a strict tone.
“You don’t know the truth!” Jaejoong played with the tips of his hair.
“You didn’t kiss me.”
“Have I really not? How would you know? You were asleep,” Jaejoong smirked.
Yunho scoffed, “You bastard.”
“But I bet you would’ve liked it. If you were conscious, wouldn’t you have wanted to taste these lips?” Jaejoong ran his tongue across his lips and stared at Yunho with luring, playful eyes.
“Stop it. You’re being disgusting”
“Oh but you like it, don’t you, Yun-Ho-Yah,” he said in a sing song.
“No. I. Don’t” Yunho imitated him. Jaejoong pulled back and pouted. “Shut up, my lips are delicious,” he replied defensively.
“Conceited”
“I’m honest”
“You’re obnoxious,” Yunho glared; he wished Jaejoong wasn’t in such a flirty mood, although it was a usual thing. The prisoner remained still and Jaejoong fiddled with the sleeves of his own hanbok, a frown plastered on his face.
Although the consort had been used to Yunho’s temper, he still found himself sensitive to his words. Jaejoong sighed and opened his mouth and closed it again. It took a few seconds before he finally spoke again. “What if I did kiss you? Would you really be repulsed? It’s not like I would mean it in any malicious way. I had been tending your wounds and attending to you everyday. I was extremely worried...and lonely.”
“Then you should’ve found someone else to kiss. I never told you to stay with me,” Yunho challenged him.
“I must be bothering you a lot, aren’t I? Who is this stupid man wasting his time on me? You must be laughing at how I fuss over you like some servant. Are you annoyed, Yunho?” He looked up at him with a shade of hurt in his eyes. “I’m really good with being with people. Nobody else has ever shunned or disliked me, but I don’t think I can ever force anyone who doesn’t want my attention.”
Jaejoong looked down, “I honestly found interest in you the moment I saw you through the palace doors. I loved hearing your stories of the outside world, and perhaps it was selfish for me to keep your presence to cure my curiosity. I’d kept you for my own enjoyment. I had really tried my best though, to not make it seem like I was taking advantage of you, because it was really not my intention.”
Yunho only stared at him and when he didn't reply, the consort continued. “And I’ve tried so many new things for you and have given so much effort for you too, I woke up earlier than usual each day to attend to you, I learned how to tie bandages and I used the healing salve although its smell was really abhorrent. Maybe, I should have never tried in the first place, you didn’t really need me anyway.”
“Perhaps you think I’m being too sensitive now. I probably am making a fool of myself," the consort siad with a small laugh. "I should take my leave.” Jaejoong slowly made his way to stand up but he felt strong hands grip his wrists and pull him down. He fell towards Yunho with a small gasp.
With eyes wide open, Jaejoong sharply inhaled a breath; they were so close. He could feel Yunho’s breathing against the crook of his neck. "It's nice…having you here with me." Yunho said in a whisper as he leaned his head closer to Jaejoong’s ear.
The pounding of the consort’s heart had rendered him speechless for a moment. He tried to regain his composure. “I-I’m glad you finally appreciate me.” He pulled back and looked at Yunho in the eye, trying his best not to sound so flustered, but his cheeks were betraying him.
“It’s not that hard Jae,” the consort felt a shiver up his spine as he heard the short nickname. “It’s actually harder not to appreciate you, especially when you look at me with those eyes.” Yunho leaned closer, his hand on Jaejoong jaw. He grazed his lips on the skin. The light touches from Yunho exceeded anything else he's ever felt with Changsuk.
Just like the first time he had laid eyes on Yunho, it was scary, but exhilarating at the same time.
--
A/N: Sorry this took so long, I had been so busy. T_T
How was it? I think Jaejoong and Yunho might've been "developing" too fast? What do you think?
Hohoho :covers mouth with fan: