Round 1, Challenge #3: "There's no place like home"
Title: There's no place like home
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,040
Summary: Isn't it nice to be back home?
Warnings: none
Back then and there, they had both agreed it was the best thing to do for the best relationship they could ever have; friendship.
With smiles on their faces, the string that tied them together, that very thread that had once had their hearts tied on each end, was cut. With smiles on their faces, they turned their backs on each other, each leaving half of their souls to wrap itself around the other’s form. As much as they wanted to look back, they couldn’t for it would void the break up’s purpose.
Yunho. He knew how possessive he could be, especially when Jaejoong was on the line. He knew how stubborn he could get when it was Jaejoong he was dealing with. He knew how much of a free spirit Jaejoong could be, and he didn’t want to be the one to stop him. He didn’t want to crush Jaejoong’s dreams right in his palms. He loved Jaejoong; but he wasn’t sure if he loved him the right way.
Jaejoong. He knew how spoiled he could be at times, or more like, whenever Yunho was around. He knew how untamable he could get. He knew how much Yunho had on his shoulders being the leader, and he didn’t want to add to those. He didn’t want to burden Yunho more than he already was. He loved Yunho; but he wasn’t sure if he deserved the other’s love.
-----
They said love could never be painless. But Yunho and Jaejoong proved it wrong, or at least they thought. When they had broken up the previous year, they wore smiles as genuine as their feelings. As genuine as they had been, the break up should have crushed their hearts in excruciating pain, or squeezed their lungs tightly, or brought tears to their eyes. But none of it came, not because their hearts were void of emotions but more like, the happiness that their future held had blinded the sadness in their hearts.
“Good morning.” Yunho greeted his former lover who still shared the same bed with him. He had the urge to touch the silky locks of Jaejoong’s head like he had always used to but did against it for he had promised, more to himself than anyone, that he would treat the other like a normal friend should. But then, he was more than happy to have him close like that.
Getting up in a sitting position, Jaejoong replied with a flash of his smile. “Morning.” He got up in a sitting position instead of snuggling close to Yunho’s chest like he always used to for doing so wouldn’t make any sense at all, not anymore. But at least, he always had him by his side and that was more than he could ask for.
-----
“Come again?” Jaejoong could not believe his ears.
“Let’s go to Minwoo-hyung’s party,” Yunho repeated himself. Normally, He wouldn’t involve themselves in such things for parties always have the two of them caught in a fight at the end of the day, or night rather, None of the fights were their fault, actually, It wasn’t Jaejoong’s fault that he was stunningly gorgeous, nor Yunho’s that he would be protective when people are getting too familiar with the other.
“You sure?” The elder wasn’t sure, but he was sort of happy to get a move on. It had been two years since their last party, their last fight.
The party was a blast at its fullest. It was packed with high profile personalities including other celebrities and the top stock holders, to the point that the five had lost sight of each other, well, almost.
Yunho couldn’t help but watch Jaejoong from afar. It was evident that he hadn’t fully got over the fact that they had been over, but he was getting there, he encouraged himself. He watch the other as he practically outshined the people around him, who were obviously hitting on him. Yunho’s skin itched with nothing nothing but negativity. It was his possessiveness trying to get him, again. But he decided to hold himself back as he reminded himself that no, Jaejoong was not his to protect.
Feeling a familiar pair of eyes on him, those very eyes that had used to lay on him and him alone, Jaejoong excused himself. He thought it was best to turn the people around him sooner than he used to, for he had learned over time that there was no reason to keep their hopes up.
-----
The night was special for it signaled the end of another successful tour. They should have gone home as their manager suggested, but the five decided to hang out in a bar to celebrate.
Yunho could only look away when the drunk Yoochun practically draped himself over Jaejoong. The scene was way too familiar that he needn’t have to look to see what was about to happen. He used to dig holes on the younger’s forehead, but he didn’t since he didn’t have the right to any longer.
Every time Yoochun gets drunk, he would become a kissing maniac, kissing whoever was closest to him. But ever since he had kissed Jaejoong, he decided he was his favorite target, not that he could think straight whenever hi was drunk, it was more like his body never failed to find Jaejoong, And of course, someone wasn’t too happy about it.
“Stop.” Jaejoong’s voice broke through the noise despite not having the slightest anger in his voice. It was what he said that ripped through the chaotic atmosphere. He had never stopped Yoochun’s ministrations before and the reason behind his action was clear even to the drunk Yoochun.
Yoochun unwound his arms around the elder in a flash as if he became sober.
Yunho and Jaejoong knew by now, that their actions greatly affect the other and they thought it was about time to consider how each other feels. Sure, there was no commitment, at least not anymore, but there was this connection the two held that stayed firm even after years of separation.
-----
“Going out?” Yunho asked as he sat comfortably on the couch when Jaejoong passed him by.
“Yes.” Jaejoong honestly answered. “I have a date.”
“Have fun.” Yunho meant every single word that escaped his mouth. That exactly how things should be, he thought. He let Jaejoong go for the sake of the other’s freedom and most of all happiness, without him. Besides, he knew Jaejoong would come back, not to him but at least he would be home.
“Thanks.” Disappointment painted his beautiful features as he walked oput the door and he was glad he wasn’t facing the other anymore. But he thought it was something he couldn’t turn his back to for it was after all, a part of moving on.
-----
Jaejoong sulked as he slumped on the couch, gaining Yunho’s attention who was sitting at the other end of the same couch.
Eyeing the other, the leader asked. “Want to talk?” He had known Jaejoong too well that he needn’t have to ask if anything was wrong.
After a long sigh, Jaejoong finally spoke. “I’ve been dating around for a year. But-” Another sigh escaped his lips. “-I can’t seem to get into a serious relationship.” He paused. “And it makes me wonder what is so wrong with me.”
“Come here.” Yunho motioned for the other to come near him. When the other did, he pulled Jaejoong to lay his head on his built shoulder. It was one of the things Yunho missed the most after the break. It was something they do whenever one of them had something bothering him that started even before they got together. So naturally, they weren’t breaking the laws of friendship. “Nothing is.” He spoke after feeling the other had settled. “If they couldn’t see the beauty in you to let you go just like that, then they don’t deserve you.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Be yourself and let your beauty shine through.”
-----
Yes, Jaejoong had followed Yunho’s advice but it hadn’t got him in a serious relationship, still.
On the same couch, which two people had been reluctant to replace, the two sat side by side, or more like, snuggled up with each other. As another year passed, Yunho and Jaejoong had gotten physically comfortable with each other, again. It wasn’t like they had forgotten the very meaning of the break up, it was just that being glued to each other was something they could deny themselves, not anymore. Seven years; they had waited enough to at least be granted with each others touch. They seriously couldn’t last any longer without such contact perhaps because staying close to each other was like breathing, they couldn’t hold it longer even if they want to.
The frown that distorted Jaejoong’s unparalleled beauty told Yunho something was definitely up. “Spill.” The younger told the man in his arms.
“Remember what you told me last year?” He was sure the other did but Jaejoong asked anyway. Feeling the other nod, he continued. “I’m being myself, yet, I’d be lying if I say I’m happy.” He got another nod from Yunho, an encouragement for him to go on. “Yes, I was happy at the beginning, but it couldn’t seem to last longer than two months. I’m pathetic, am I not?”
“Never Jaejoong, never.” Yunho buried his head on Jaejoong’s lock which was once again black. Oh how he missed it.
The calmness of Yunho’s voice, the arms which were tightened around him and the feel of Yunho’s head against his, was everything he needed to believe.
-----
“Happy Birthday!” Jaejoong handed Yunho two tickets.
“Thanks.” The leader took the tickets that was being offered to him. “And these are?” He eyed the two pieces of paper then Jaejoong.
“You will soon have gray hair, it’s about time to find yourself someone.” Jaejoong laughed as he teased the other.
“Look who’s talking.” Yunho glared jokingly.
Their relationship surely had progressed, heading them in the right path. They had once again learned to joke around, despite their age. It was as if they were going back in time.
Jaejoong pouted in defeat, turning his back on Yunho. He was then presented with the tickets he had given the younger earlier.
“Wanna see a movie?”
“Why not?”
-----
“Yunho-yah!” Jaejoong called rather impatiently.
Yunho rushed to where the other was, which happened to be the couch which was almost a decade old. “What is it.”
“Nothing.” Jaejoong smiled brightly.
“Seriously, that was so childish. How old do you think you are?”
“21?”
“For sanity’s sake, you’re 31!” Yunho stated seriously, trying to hold his laugh.
“That attitude of yours made you look older than you are. And this attitude of mine keeps me young-looking.” It was as if Jaejoong’s playful ness could never be marred, not even by time.
“Are you saying I’m old.”
“Maybe?”
“You!” Yunho tackled the smaller man until they found themselves in an awkward position.
-----
“Why? Why do I always end up running back to you.” A tear escaped Jaejoong’s eyes. It shocked him for he had never cried for the past ten years, he had not cried the other day when he called it quits with his eight-month boyfriend. But now, just now, he was crying his eyes out at the mere sight of Yunho.
“Because you are always welcome.” He hugged the sobbing man, racking him back and forth in his arms.
Yunho enveloped Jaejoong in a warm hug the latter had been looking for in his previous relationships. And now he knew the reason behind his question.
No, they weren’t going back in time. It was time going back for them, feeling the gap that the past ten years had brought just with the look in their eyes. And in an instant, they were how they used to be, only more matured this time around. They left no space for possessiveness and doubtfulness in their hearts for that particular space was occupied by something more worth it.
It was almost funny how it took them ten long years, only to end up in each other’s arms again.
“Welcome home, Boo.”
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,040
Summary: Isn't it nice to be back home?
Warnings: none
Back then and there, they had both agreed it was the best thing to do for the best relationship they could ever have; friendship.
With smiles on their faces, the string that tied them together, that very thread that had once had their hearts tied on each end, was cut. With smiles on their faces, they turned their backs on each other, each leaving half of their souls to wrap itself around the other’s form. As much as they wanted to look back, they couldn’t for it would void the break up’s purpose.
Yunho. He knew how possessive he could be, especially when Jaejoong was on the line. He knew how stubborn he could get when it was Jaejoong he was dealing with. He knew how much of a free spirit Jaejoong could be, and he didn’t want to be the one to stop him. He didn’t want to crush Jaejoong’s dreams right in his palms. He loved Jaejoong; but he wasn’t sure if he loved him the right way.
Jaejoong. He knew how spoiled he could be at times, or more like, whenever Yunho was around. He knew how untamable he could get. He knew how much Yunho had on his shoulders being the leader, and he didn’t want to add to those. He didn’t want to burden Yunho more than he already was. He loved Yunho; but he wasn’t sure if he deserved the other’s love.
-----
They said love could never be painless. But Yunho and Jaejoong proved it wrong, or at least they thought. When they had broken up the previous year, they wore smiles as genuine as their feelings. As genuine as they had been, the break up should have crushed their hearts in excruciating pain, or squeezed their lungs tightly, or brought tears to their eyes. But none of it came, not because their hearts were void of emotions but more like, the happiness that their future held had blinded the sadness in their hearts.
“Good morning.” Yunho greeted his former lover who still shared the same bed with him. He had the urge to touch the silky locks of Jaejoong’s head like he had always used to but did against it for he had promised, more to himself than anyone, that he would treat the other like a normal friend should. But then, he was more than happy to have him close like that.
Getting up in a sitting position, Jaejoong replied with a flash of his smile. “Morning.” He got up in a sitting position instead of snuggling close to Yunho’s chest like he always used to for doing so wouldn’t make any sense at all, not anymore. But at least, he always had him by his side and that was more than he could ask for.
-----
“Come again?” Jaejoong could not believe his ears.
“Let’s go to Minwoo-hyung’s party,” Yunho repeated himself. Normally, He wouldn’t involve themselves in such things for parties always have the two of them caught in a fight at the end of the day, or night rather, None of the fights were their fault, actually, It wasn’t Jaejoong’s fault that he was stunningly gorgeous, nor Yunho’s that he would be protective when people are getting too familiar with the other.
“You sure?” The elder wasn’t sure, but he was sort of happy to get a move on. It had been two years since their last party, their last fight.
The party was a blast at its fullest. It was packed with high profile personalities including other celebrities and the top stock holders, to the point that the five had lost sight of each other, well, almost.
Yunho couldn’t help but watch Jaejoong from afar. It was evident that he hadn’t fully got over the fact that they had been over, but he was getting there, he encouraged himself. He watch the other as he practically outshined the people around him, who were obviously hitting on him. Yunho’s skin itched with nothing nothing but negativity. It was his possessiveness trying to get him, again. But he decided to hold himself back as he reminded himself that no, Jaejoong was not his to protect.
Feeling a familiar pair of eyes on him, those very eyes that had used to lay on him and him alone, Jaejoong excused himself. He thought it was best to turn the people around him sooner than he used to, for he had learned over time that there was no reason to keep their hopes up.
-----
The night was special for it signaled the end of another successful tour. They should have gone home as their manager suggested, but the five decided to hang out in a bar to celebrate.
Yunho could only look away when the drunk Yoochun practically draped himself over Jaejoong. The scene was way too familiar that he needn’t have to look to see what was about to happen. He used to dig holes on the younger’s forehead, but he didn’t since he didn’t have the right to any longer.
Every time Yoochun gets drunk, he would become a kissing maniac, kissing whoever was closest to him. But ever since he had kissed Jaejoong, he decided he was his favorite target, not that he could think straight whenever hi was drunk, it was more like his body never failed to find Jaejoong, And of course, someone wasn’t too happy about it.
“Stop.” Jaejoong’s voice broke through the noise despite not having the slightest anger in his voice. It was what he said that ripped through the chaotic atmosphere. He had never stopped Yoochun’s ministrations before and the reason behind his action was clear even to the drunk Yoochun.
Yoochun unwound his arms around the elder in a flash as if he became sober.
Yunho and Jaejoong knew by now, that their actions greatly affect the other and they thought it was about time to consider how each other feels. Sure, there was no commitment, at least not anymore, but there was this connection the two held that stayed firm even after years of separation.
-----
“Going out?” Yunho asked as he sat comfortably on the couch when Jaejoong passed him by.
“Yes.” Jaejoong honestly answered. “I have a date.”
“Have fun.” Yunho meant every single word that escaped his mouth. That exactly how things should be, he thought. He let Jaejoong go for the sake of the other’s freedom and most of all happiness, without him. Besides, he knew Jaejoong would come back, not to him but at least he would be home.
“Thanks.” Disappointment painted his beautiful features as he walked oput the door and he was glad he wasn’t facing the other anymore. But he thought it was something he couldn’t turn his back to for it was after all, a part of moving on.
-----
Jaejoong sulked as he slumped on the couch, gaining Yunho’s attention who was sitting at the other end of the same couch.
Eyeing the other, the leader asked. “Want to talk?” He had known Jaejoong too well that he needn’t have to ask if anything was wrong.
After a long sigh, Jaejoong finally spoke. “I’ve been dating around for a year. But-” Another sigh escaped his lips. “-I can’t seem to get into a serious relationship.” He paused. “And it makes me wonder what is so wrong with me.”
“Come here.” Yunho motioned for the other to come near him. When the other did, he pulled Jaejoong to lay his head on his built shoulder. It was one of the things Yunho missed the most after the break. It was something they do whenever one of them had something bothering him that started even before they got together. So naturally, they weren’t breaking the laws of friendship. “Nothing is.” He spoke after feeling the other had settled. “If they couldn’t see the beauty in you to let you go just like that, then they don’t deserve you.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Be yourself and let your beauty shine through.”
-----
Yes, Jaejoong had followed Yunho’s advice but it hadn’t got him in a serious relationship, still.
On the same couch, which two people had been reluctant to replace, the two sat side by side, or more like, snuggled up with each other. As another year passed, Yunho and Jaejoong had gotten physically comfortable with each other, again. It wasn’t like they had forgotten the very meaning of the break up, it was just that being glued to each other was something they could deny themselves, not anymore. Seven years; they had waited enough to at least be granted with each others touch. They seriously couldn’t last any longer without such contact perhaps because staying close to each other was like breathing, they couldn’t hold it longer even if they want to.
The frown that distorted Jaejoong’s unparalleled beauty told Yunho something was definitely up. “Spill.” The younger told the man in his arms.
“Remember what you told me last year?” He was sure the other did but Jaejoong asked anyway. Feeling the other nod, he continued. “I’m being myself, yet, I’d be lying if I say I’m happy.” He got another nod from Yunho, an encouragement for him to go on. “Yes, I was happy at the beginning, but it couldn’t seem to last longer than two months. I’m pathetic, am I not?”
“Never Jaejoong, never.” Yunho buried his head on Jaejoong’s lock which was once again black. Oh how he missed it.
The calmness of Yunho’s voice, the arms which were tightened around him and the feel of Yunho’s head against his, was everything he needed to believe.
-----
“Happy Birthday!” Jaejoong handed Yunho two tickets.
“Thanks.” The leader took the tickets that was being offered to him. “And these are?” He eyed the two pieces of paper then Jaejoong.
“You will soon have gray hair, it’s about time to find yourself someone.” Jaejoong laughed as he teased the other.
“Look who’s talking.” Yunho glared jokingly.
Their relationship surely had progressed, heading them in the right path. They had once again learned to joke around, despite their age. It was as if they were going back in time.
Jaejoong pouted in defeat, turning his back on Yunho. He was then presented with the tickets he had given the younger earlier.
“Wanna see a movie?”
“Why not?”
-----
“Yunho-yah!” Jaejoong called rather impatiently.
Yunho rushed to where the other was, which happened to be the couch which was almost a decade old. “What is it.”
“Nothing.” Jaejoong smiled brightly.
“Seriously, that was so childish. How old do you think you are?”
“21?”
“For sanity’s sake, you’re 31!” Yunho stated seriously, trying to hold his laugh.
“That attitude of yours made you look older than you are. And this attitude of mine keeps me young-looking.” It was as if Jaejoong’s playful ness could never be marred, not even by time.
“Are you saying I’m old.”
“Maybe?”
“You!” Yunho tackled the smaller man until they found themselves in an awkward position.
-----
“Why? Why do I always end up running back to you.” A tear escaped Jaejoong’s eyes. It shocked him for he had never cried for the past ten years, he had not cried the other day when he called it quits with his eight-month boyfriend. But now, just now, he was crying his eyes out at the mere sight of Yunho.
“Because you are always welcome.” He hugged the sobbing man, racking him back and forth in his arms.
Yunho enveloped Jaejoong in a warm hug the latter had been looking for in his previous relationships. And now he knew the reason behind his question.
No, they weren’t going back in time. It was time going back for them, feeling the gap that the past ten years had brought just with the look in their eyes. And in an instant, they were how they used to be, only more matured this time around. They left no space for possessiveness and doubtfulness in their hearts for that particular space was occupied by something more worth it.
It was almost funny how it took them ten long years, only to end up in each other’s arms again.
“Welcome home, Boo.”