信じている事 (Shinjiteiru Koto)
Title: 信じている事 (Shinjiteiru Koto)
Beta: causticaria
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Romance, Humor, Fluff
Summary: He would never know what would happen in the future, but it was what he did know and did believe in that mattered most.
Fourth installment in my 愛の事 (Ai no Koto/Things about Love) universe ♥
glossary:
Dorayaki - a type of Japanese confection, а red bean pancake
Danna - patron
Anko - red bean paste
Anpan - buns, filled with moist, sweet Azuki bean paste (anko)
Tanabata Festival - It's said that tanabata's origin dates back to more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale. Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they were playing all the time and forgot about their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Depending on regions, it's celebrated on July 7 or August 7 (which is around the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar) in Japan.
---
“So when will Yunho be coming back?”
Jaejoong opened his eyes and looked at Chiharu, who was lying down beside him and staring up at the ceiling. He reached out to tug at one of the strands of her hair teasingly, and she turned her head to look at him irritably.
“I don’t know,” Jaejoong answered softly as he continued to tug on the strand of her hair that he had in between his fingers, “Should we do something today?”
Chiharu yawned, “I’m tired.”
Jaejoong yawned as well and turned away to look up at the ceiling. He could feel Chiharu moving in closer to settle beside him, and he used the arm closer to her to wrap around her and pull her in nearer.
“He said he’ll be back before Tanabata so that we can celebrate together,” Jaejoong mused lightly as his hand idly played with Chiharu’s soft hair strands once again, “Isn’t that cute? It’ll be the separated lovers reuniting again…”
Chiharu propped her head onto Jaejoong’s arm and looked up at him, “Are you preparing something special for his return? This is the first time that he’s been gone for more than a month since you two have gotten together.”
Jaejoong was silent.
“…you haven’t prepared anything?”
Before Chiharu knew what was happening, Jaejoong had disentangled from her and had made his way out of the room. She sat up in confusion and after a few minutes, Jaejoong came back into the room.
“Get up! We’re going to Kazuya!”
o-o-o
Jaejoong could hear Chiharu’s giggles from behind him. He raised his sheet of paper and frowned at it. The colors were meaningless bright blotches of color - stains on the previous pristine blankness that the paper once had.
“It looks magnificent to me,” Kazuya said warmly, and Jaejoong could feel the man’s eyes on his face rather than on his painting.
Chiharu burst out into a sharp bark of laughter, and Jaejoong turned his head to glower at her. She took a bite of her dorayaki to stifle her laughter, and Jaejoong’s glare only further intensified.
“What is it?” Kazuya questioned as he took the painting out of Jaejoong’s hands to look at it in false appreciation.
Jaejoong huffed, “What do you think it is?”
The painter was silent for a few seconds, and Jaejoong could see the man studying the painting intensely, hoping that he would not guess incorrectly. Jaejoong nudged the other man slightly, and the painter turned his head to look at Jaejoong.
“…I believe you painted such lovely balloons-“
“They’re supposed to be people,” Jaejoong muttered irritably before he snatched the sheet of paper out of Kazuya’s hands and tore it. The scraps of paper fluttered to the ground, and he turned his head to look at Kazuya, “I do not think I possess a talent for painting, and I do not think you possess an aptitude for being an unbiased teacher.”
Kazuya laughed despite Jaejoong’s last words and gently took hold of Jaejoong’s hand. He opened his mouth to say something comforting, but Jaejoong jerked his hand away and inched away from the painter.
“I only meant to comfort you,” Kazuya said apologetically, but Jaejoong only scowled in response.
“I am in no need of any comfort - least of all from you.” Jaejoong replied haughtily as he tucked back a strand of his hair and turned to look at Chiharu who was eying them both carefully. He glanced back at her, “I think it is best that we go now -“
“So soon -“
Jaejoong turned his head, “Yes, I have an engagement to attend to. I am preparing for Yunho’s return. It will not be much longer until he is back.” He forced a smile at Kazuya before he stood up quickly, Chiharu following behind him closely.
As soon as they were out on the street, Jaejoong huffed irritably and tucked back a strand of his hair, “The nerve of that man.”
“His intentions weren’t too bad,” Chiharu offered in reply. “I suppose he just ended up wanting not to hurt your feelings -“
“He should not be afraid of hurting my feelings,” Jaejoong replied as he opened up his umbrella and pulled Chiharu closer so that she would fall underneath its covering as well. “I am just like every other person. I should be treated just like every other person…people treat me differently because of how I look. I do not like it.”
Jaejoong sighed, and he could feel a dull ache in his chest. Although Yunho was going to arrive soon, it did not stop him from missing him. In fact, it seemed almost like the wait was becoming more and more unbearable as the date of his return got closer and closer.
“Yunho deserves more from me,” Jaejoong mumbled. “I am hardly a poet, and I do not think that simply giving Yunho -“
“Giving Yunho what?”
“…a gift.”
Chiharu tilted her head, “You buy him things? I was not aware. I was always under the impression that he was the only one giving you gifts.”
Jaejoong’s mouth fell open, “Are you implying that I am selfish? In case you have forgotten, I tend to share most of his gifts to me with you, so if -
“No, I…” Chiharu frowned and tried to think of something better worded. As soon as she had it in her mind, she quickly replied, “You are not selfish, but usually Yunho is the only one with tokens after a long journey. I do not see you give him anything -“
“I give him things, and it is better than anything he has ever given me!” Jaejoong protested.
“What do you give him then?”
Jaejoong opened his mouth to reply, “I give him…” He stopped as soon as he realized what he about to say, and Jaejoong blushed harder and looked away from the young girl, “I do not think this subject is appropriate -“
Chiharu’s eyes widened, “Were you just about to say -“
Jaejoong clasped a hand over her mouth, resulting in him dropping the umbrella onto the road. He glared at her, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment, “You will not say that word. Understand?”
The young girl nodded slowly, and Jaejoong let go of her to pick up the umbrella. He patted his cheeks down and glanced at Chiharu, who was also a similar shade of red.
“Although I treat you like an adult, you are not an adult.”
Chiharu was silent for a few seconds, and after she’d pushed away their awkward exchange to the farthest corner of her mind, she spoke up, “So what will you do now? Yunho will be back in a few days, and you have not prepared anything.”
“I have an idea!” Jaejoong pulled Chiharu and led her away from their original direction. She stumbled behind him, and she looked up at him for an explanation which he quickly provided, “Let’s visit my seamstress!”
o-o-o
“Your technique is so poor!”
The elderly woman snatched the fabric out of Jaejoong’s hands and scowled at him. She gave him a new piece of fabric and slapped the inside of his wrist. “It is obvious that those hands of yours are not used to difficult labor. Perhaps it would be best if you resumed your usual job of looking pretty rather than attempting to make pretty things.”
“Why do you continuously insult me?” Jaejoong whined. “I have been nothing but kind to you for all the years we have known one another -“
Mrs. Atsuko frowned distastefully at Jaejoong before she knelt down to look at Chiharu’s progress, “You are perhaps one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever had the luck of seeing, but I do not think that your personality is one worth complimenting or remembering.”
Jaejoong gasped in shock, “You old hag!”
“Shut up you annoying fool,” Mrs. Atsuko snapped as she handed Chiharu more thread for her embroidery work. “If you wish to make something for your danna, then I suggest you stop spouting nonsense and get back to work.”
Jaejoong glanced down at his hands before he turned his eyes to look at Chiharu, who was embroidering with ease. She lifted up her head and looked at him before she proudly showed her fabric, “Look!”
She’d been able to embroider a beautiful scarlet flower onto a sheet of black silk, and Jaejoong frowned in envy while Mrs. Atsuko laughed at him and patted Chiharu’s shoulder proudly.
“What about you? Have you managed to produce anything worth showing?”
Jaejoong glanced down at his poor embroidery work before he raised his eyes and scowled at the old woman who was looking at him mockingly.
It seemed like he had no talents whatsoever.
o-o-o
“Stop eating the anko!”
Jaejoong smiled guiltily and pulled the spoon out of his mouth. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grinned. “It’s good though, and I made it. Maybe I do have a talent after all?”
Chiharu rolled her eyes and took a clean spoon before she scooped some anko for herself. She ate some and then took the spoon out of her mouth. “It’ll do.”
“You just wish you were half as capable as I am,” Jaejoong said teasingly as he scooped another spoonful of anko for himself despite Chiharu’s loud protests of him being disgusting, “I will be a master baker and -“
Chiharu rolled her eyes and looked around the kitchen. She frowned and then turned around to look at Jaejoong. “I don’t think we have any eggs.”
“Could you go ahead and fetch some then?” Jaejoong asked as he took some money out and handed it over to Chiharu, “Also, make sure to buy some bottles of sake too for when Yunho gets back -“
The young girl stomped over to Jaejoong and snatched the money, “You are a demon.”
“You can keep whatever money’s left,” Jaejoong said before he reached out and pulled Chiharu into his arms. He squeezed her tightly, and she giggled in his arms. He pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head before he let her go.
Chiharu stuck her tongue out at Jaejoong, “I still think you’re a demon,” she teased before she turned around and walked away.
As soon as she was gone, Jaejoong sighed to himself and continued to eat the anko. He cherished the burst of sweetness in his mouth, but after each spoonful, he began to feel lonelier. After a couple of more minutes, Jaejoong slumped in his seat and stared sadly out in the distance.
Although he had once spent his life away from people, now he could not find himself enjoying solitude anymore. He adored the moments he spent with Chiharu, and he cherished the moments he spent with Yunho. They both had become such central figures in his life, and now he could not imagine life without either of them.
Jaejoong sighed deeply - perhaps it had been a mistake to let Chiharu go to the market alone. He should have accompanied her instead of waiting on his own at home. Before Jaejoong could get out of his seat so that he could follow her to the market, he felt two arms wrap around his waist. He turned his head back, and when he saw Yunho’s face, his heart skipped in his chest.
“Why were you sighing?” Yunho murmured lovingly as he kissed Jaejoong’s cheek and buried his face into the crook of his lover’s neck.
“How…how did you get in?”
Yunho chuckled and kissed Jaejoong’s temple, “The gardener let me in through the gate as soon as he saw me arrive. I am more surprised that you did not realize I was in the room. What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Jaejoong mumbled.
“Is something wrong?” Yunho pressed as he turned Jaejoong around so that they could face one another. He smiled at his lover warmly and caressed his cheek, and Jaejoong could feel himself melting into the other’s embrace.
“No, nothing’s wrong,” Jaejoong said with a huge smile before he reached forward to bring Yunho’s face closer and capture the other man’s lips in a kiss.
o-o-o
Jaejoong watched as Chiharu and Yunho took a bite of the anpan he’d baked carefully for them. He’d spent the past few days trying to perfect the recipe and as soon as he’d gained enough confidence about his skills, he decided that he would finally make some for the two of them.
They both took a bite, and Jaejoong fidgeted in front of them.
“So?” he questioned, trying to sound nonchalant rather than anxious. He bit his lower lip, and when neither replied, he drummed his fingers on the table surface expectantly.
Yunho finished chewing and swallowed but said nothing. He glanced at Chiharu, “What do you think?”
Chiharu swallowed and shrugged, “I do not -“
Jaejoong slammed his palm onto the table in frustration. He narrowed his eyes at the two of them and scowled, “Stop playing mind games with me and just tell me what you think already!”
Yunho laughed, “Why are you so impatient?”
Jaejoong’s scowl deepened.
“It’s good,” Chiharu offered with a cheerful smile as she took another bite of her bun and chewed, “It is a lot better than -“
“Thank you, but do not speak while you chew,” Jaejoong chided before he turned his eyes to Yunho and narrowed them. “You.”
Yunho smiled innocently, “Yes?”
“You know what I want.”
Yunho looked around and tilted his head, “But Jaejoong, I do not think it would be appropriate to give you what you want in front of Chiharu. Can I just give it to you when we are alone later tonight -“
Jaejoong turned beet red and threw one of buns at Yunho’s face.
o-o-o
The streets were decorated with brightly colored lanterns and streamers, and Jaejoong strolled behind Chiharu slowly with Yunho. The young girl’s hair was pinned up intricately, and Jaejoong himself had placed vivid ornaments into her hair.
“She told me you know,” Yunho said with a small smile as he leaned down to whisper into Jaejoong’s ear. “She told me about how you tried to learn painting and embroidery for me.”
Jaejoong sighed and fixed his hair. He glanced at his lover, “Is there anything that Chiharu has not told you these past few days?” He turned his eyes to look at his young ward, “You know I…I hold such a great affection for her, but it seems like she still prefers you over me.”
“She just likes to tease you,” Yunho replied as his fingers brushed against Jaejoong’s purposefully. “I think both of us know about how reserved you are about affection. She and I can relate to one another when it comes to your behavior towards us.”
“Are you saying I’m cold?”
Yunho chuckled and shook his head. He reached over and tucked a strand of Jaejoong’s hair behind his ear, “My love, I am simply saying that we love you. We understand your difficulties with love, and we both accept you.”
Jaejoong turned his head and looked up at Yunho, “I…” His heart fluttered in his chest, and he couldn’t think of what he wanted to say. All he wanted to do was kiss Yunho, but they were in the middle of the busy street, and if he did so, everyone would see.
“I could kiss you right now,” Yunho murmured softly. “The lanterns illuminate your face and I…” he leaned down slowly and just when their lips were nearly only centimeters apart, someone called them.
Jaejoong watched in dismay as Yunho placed an appropriate distance between them, and he turned his head to look at Chiharu. She had a knowing smile on her lips, but she still shook her head disapprovingly.
She walked back over to them and tugged at the sleeve of Jaejoong’s kimono. “It is getting late, and I have dance practice early tomorrow. May we write our wishes now and then I’ll...”
The young girl smiled shyly, and Yunho chuckled before stepping away from Jaejoong to take her under his arm. Jaejoong watched silently as the two most important people in his life took pieces of paper and wrote down their wishes.
He didn’t know what they were wishing for, and he supposed that he probably would never know. His heart was filled with such joy and fulfillment that as he took a piece of paper to write his own wish, he didn’t know what to write. He really had nothing more to ask for.
“Are you done?” Yunho asked kindly, his own colorful piece of paper folded and in his hands, ready to be hung on a bamboo tree.
Jaejoong shook his head, “Maybe you should hang your wish with Chiharu? I have to think about my wish carefully.”
Yunho chuckled and nodded before he took Chiharu by the hand and led her away to where all the other people were tying their own wishes. Jaejoong watched as Yunho tied Chiharu’s wish next to his, and when Yunho flashed the young girl a handsome smile, his heart fluttered in his chest.
They both turned to him, and it was at that moment that Jaejoong realized what he wanted to write down. He wrote down his wish quickly and walked over to Yunho, who squeezed Jaejoong’s fingers lovingly before he took the wish and went over to tie it between his and Chiharu’s.
The three of them watched the papers get blown by the wind, their wishes kept secret in their hearts. Jaejoong looked over at his companions and smiled at them lovingly before he pulled at their hands and led them over to a stall where they were selling brightly colored fans.
Let us always be this happy.
o-o-o
“Wait!”
Jaejoong pulled at Yunho’s wrist, and the latter stopped to look at him. He smiled at Yunho and pointed at the lanterns that were floating down the river, “Let’s stay here for a bit?” he suggested, “Perhaps there will be fireworks too?”
Yunho chuckled and nodded, “Alright then.”
They made their way to the nearby woods by the river and sat on the grass. Jaejoong watched the bright lanterns float down the calm water, and just as he was about to reminisce about how Chiharu had broken his lantern earlier in the evening, Yunho pulled him closer so that he could sit between the other man’s legs.
“Are you sure…?” Jaejoong whispered as Yunho began to kiss the sensitive skin on his neck. A shiver of pleasure ran up his spine, and he turned forward as soon as he heard the fireworks begin.
Yunho squeezed Jaejoong tightly in affirmation and buried his face into the other man’s skin. He inhaled the scent of Jaejoong’s cologne before he rested his chin against Jaejoong’s shoulder so that he too could see the fireworks.
“I was thinking…” Jaejoong whispered quietly as the fireworks exploded across the river right before their eyes. “About how much I love you…and how…” he trailed off, and his heart pounded harder in his chest. After a few seconds, he mustered more courage, but his voice was even softer than it had been previously when he spoke again, “I do not like seeing you leave.”
The strong arms around him held him tighter, and Yunho kissed him behind his ear before he whispered, “You know I do not like leaving you either.”
Jaejoong turned his head to look at Yunho, “I look forward to the day I can finally leave with you,” he confided truthfully, his heart beating quickly in his chest as the words tumbled freely from his tongue, “…when I can finally be with you.”
Silence fell between them, but Jaejoong didn’t worry. He knew what Yunho felt, and he was confident of what he felt. Before Yunho could say anything, Jaejoong readjusted himself so that he was facing Yunho. He carded his fingers through the other man’s hair and smiled shyly, “Tonight, let us pretend that nothing holds us back from what we want in life.”
“Nothing will prevent our future together,” Yunho whispered as he let Jaejoong push him down against the grass. His eyes fluttered shut as Jaejoong began to trail kisses down his neck, “I promise.”
Jaejoong slowly pushed Yunho down against the ground, and he began to slowly make work of the buttons of the other man’s shirt. When he looked up, Yunho was looking at him affectionately. Jaejoong wrinkled his nose, “Why is it that you never wear kimonos?”
“I much prefer the way you look in them,” Yunho replied with a laugh before he sat up so that he could instead pin Jaejoong against the grass. He kissed Jaejoong deeply, and the latter pulled him closer.
They kissed passionately and as soon as they broke away, Yunho’s expert hands quickly pulled apart the fabric of Jaejoong’s dark green kimono. Jaejoong gasped when the cold air hit his naked skin, but the coldness disappeared as soon as Yunho began to kiss his way down his upper body.
“Not here!” Jaejoong hissed as Yunho began to pull down his undergarments, but his protests were unheeded. Yunho winked at him and held his gaze as he reached forward to lick at the base of Jaejoong’s cock.
A moan escaped Jaejoong’s lips, and a blush rose to his cheeks. If he continued to be so loud, he was sure that someone would overhear. He grabbed the fabric of his kimono and stuffed it into his mouth to muffle the noises, but Yunho was irritatingly talented at making him a noisy lover. The heat enveloping his cock was overwhelming his senses, and after so many months spent together, Yunho knew exactly what he wanted.
Jaejoong clenched the fabric tightly as Yunho began to take him deeper into his throat, and the delicious feeling of Yunho sucking on him combined with the lewd noises of Yunho’s actions was too much to bear. The fabric fell loose from his lips, and Jaejoong moaned loudly.
He clenched at the fabric that was spread carelessly on the ground, and just as he felt himself close to coming, Yunho pulled his mouth away. Jaejoong looked up helplessly at his lover, but Yunho merely smiled charmingly and began to unbuckle his pants.
As soon as he’d discarded them and climbed over Jaejoong, they kissed once again. Jajeoong could taste himself on Yunho’s tongue, and despite his earlier fears, it brought a slight thrill to him to know that someone could stumble upon them.
“This kimono is ruined,” Jaejoong breathed out as he felt Yunho’s cock brush against his leg. “I will never be able to wear it again -“
Yunho chuckled and kissed his jaw, “You have others.” His hand slid down to cup Jaejoong’s waist, and he squeezed, “I must say though, despite how beautiful you looked with it on, I prefer you without it on.”
“You say that because you are an immoral man,” Jaejoong teased as Yunho kissed the juncture between his neck and his shoulder, “But I am sorry to tell you that I refuse for things to go any further because you do not have -“
Yunho sat up and held out a bottle, “I have…it.” He blushed in the darkness and moved the bottle to place emphasis on its presence, “I did not bring it intentionally, but I…” the businessman looked away and stared at the ground, “…I do not know how to explain myself without shaming myself further.”
Jaejoong laughed and pulled Yunho back closer so that he could kiss him sweetly on the lips, “There is nothing to explain...but do not think that I will forget this.”
He was once more pushed back to the ground by Yunho, and Jaejoong stared up at the stars, completely motionless. The stars were beautiful, but the thoughts in his mind concerning them disappeared as soon as Yunho inserted one finger into him. Jaejoong squirmed with the entrance of each finger, but it was not long before Yunho had him writhing with pleasure on the ground.
Jaejoong reached out and tugged at Yunho’s hair, “Please just…”
He didn’t have to finish his request because it took only a few seconds before Yunho thrust deep inside of him. They both groaned, and Jaejoong wrapped his legs around Yunho encouragingly. Soon Yunho began to pound roughly into his body, and Jaejoong couldn’t do anything but moan appreciatively.
The pleasurable burn caused by Yunho’s cock sliding in and out of him, and the sounds of skin slapping against skin only excited Jaejoong further. His nails sank into the tanned skin of Yunho’s back, and he lifted himself up slightly so that he could draw a patch of Yunho’s skin into his mouth.
Yunho delivered a sharp thrust, and Jaejoong cried out in ecstasy. He was so close, and he knew that he would not last much longer. He was enjoying every second, and after a few more thrusts, he came and soon drew Yunho into his own climax as well.
They breathed heavily, and Yunho kissed Jaejoong’s sweat damp forehead lovingly before pressing their lips together once more. Jaejoong kissed Yunho back languidly, and when he felt the other man’s cock slide out, he felt a trickle of cum slide down his thigh.
Yunho moved off of him, and Jaejoong moaned when Yunho purposefully brushed against his entrance with his finger tips. Jaejoong scowled in the darkness, but Yunho only winked and moved to lie down beside him.
After their breathing had evened out, Jaejoong reached out to intertwine his fingers with the hand that rested atop Yunho’s chest. As soon as their hands were locked together, Jaejoong moved closer and nuzzled Yunho.
In a few minutes, they would have to dress and leave, but for now, they enjoyed the serenity that enveloped them. It was like they had the world for themselves, and Jaejoong selfishly did not want this moment to end. He traced the hardened lines of Yunho’s body with his fingertips and admired his lover in the moonlight while Yunho rested for a few minutes.
They did not know how long they stayed there, naked and entangled with one another, but when Yunho opened his eyes and looked at his lover, they both knew that it was time to go. They smiled at each other before getting up and quickly putting their clothes back on so they could leave. They took the long way back to Yunho’s home, their hands intertwined the whole time, and all of the scenery was beautifully illuminated by the moonlight.
As Jaejoong leaned against Yunho’s shoulder while they walked, he felt in his heart that everything truly was perfect at that moment.
There was hardly any activity in the streets - all the festivities were over, and everyone had retired for the night except for the two of them. Not that the lack of people mattered much to the two of them because at that moment, they were in uninterrupted and in their own little private universe, so they would enjoy this rare opportunity to be completely enraptured by one another for as long as possible.
The brightness of the stars that twinkled in the night sky, the sound of the crickets in the background, the way the wind blew against them, the way the streamers decorated the streets - probably nothing would be exactly the same next year, but what Jaejoong knew was that he would always feel the same as he did right at that moment.
Jaejoong looked up at Yunho and was overcome with emotion. He could feel the tears prickle at the corners of his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall and instead moved around so that he could press his face against Yunho’s and wrap his arms around the taller man.
He breathed in the scent of sake, sweat, cologne and grass, and after he had gathered himself, he raised his head and looked up into Yunho’s warm eyes.
“I love you,” Jaejoong whispered, his hands clutching onto Yunho a little tighter as he steadied himself. He couldn’t bring himself to look away from Yunho’s deep and loving gaze, so he leaned forward and kissed his lover in the middle of the empty street where they were free to do whatever they wished.
He had no clue of what the future had in store for him, but Jaejoong knew that as long as Yunho was in his future, everything would be alright.
Author’s Note: An extremely belated birthday story, for my LJ & Twitter babysitter. XD Hahaha. XD The title of this story means the things we believe in by the way. I hope you all like it! :) Thank you for reading! ♥
Beta: causticaria
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Romance, Humor, Fluff
Summary: He would never know what would happen in the future, but it was what he did know and did believe in that mattered most.
Fourth installment in my 愛の事 (Ai no Koto/Things about Love) universe ♥
glossary:
Dorayaki - a type of Japanese confection, а red bean pancake
Danna - patron
Anko - red bean paste
Anpan - buns, filled with moist, sweet Azuki bean paste (anko)
Tanabata Festival - It's said that tanabata's origin dates back to more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale. Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they were playing all the time and forgot about their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Depending on regions, it's celebrated on July 7 or August 7 (which is around the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar) in Japan.
---
“So when will Yunho be coming back?”
Jaejoong opened his eyes and looked at Chiharu, who was lying down beside him and staring up at the ceiling. He reached out to tug at one of the strands of her hair teasingly, and she turned her head to look at him irritably.
“I don’t know,” Jaejoong answered softly as he continued to tug on the strand of her hair that he had in between his fingers, “Should we do something today?”
Chiharu yawned, “I’m tired.”
Jaejoong yawned as well and turned away to look up at the ceiling. He could feel Chiharu moving in closer to settle beside him, and he used the arm closer to her to wrap around her and pull her in nearer.
“He said he’ll be back before Tanabata so that we can celebrate together,” Jaejoong mused lightly as his hand idly played with Chiharu’s soft hair strands once again, “Isn’t that cute? It’ll be the separated lovers reuniting again…”
Chiharu propped her head onto Jaejoong’s arm and looked up at him, “Are you preparing something special for his return? This is the first time that he’s been gone for more than a month since you two have gotten together.”
Jaejoong was silent.
“…you haven’t prepared anything?”
Before Chiharu knew what was happening, Jaejoong had disentangled from her and had made his way out of the room. She sat up in confusion and after a few minutes, Jaejoong came back into the room.
“Get up! We’re going to Kazuya!”
o-o-o
Jaejoong could hear Chiharu’s giggles from behind him. He raised his sheet of paper and frowned at it. The colors were meaningless bright blotches of color - stains on the previous pristine blankness that the paper once had.
“It looks magnificent to me,” Kazuya said warmly, and Jaejoong could feel the man’s eyes on his face rather than on his painting.
Chiharu burst out into a sharp bark of laughter, and Jaejoong turned his head to glower at her. She took a bite of her dorayaki to stifle her laughter, and Jaejoong’s glare only further intensified.
“What is it?” Kazuya questioned as he took the painting out of Jaejoong’s hands to look at it in false appreciation.
Jaejoong huffed, “What do you think it is?”
The painter was silent for a few seconds, and Jaejoong could see the man studying the painting intensely, hoping that he would not guess incorrectly. Jaejoong nudged the other man slightly, and the painter turned his head to look at Jaejoong.
“…I believe you painted such lovely balloons-“
“They’re supposed to be people,” Jaejoong muttered irritably before he snatched the sheet of paper out of Kazuya’s hands and tore it. The scraps of paper fluttered to the ground, and he turned his head to look at Kazuya, “I do not think I possess a talent for painting, and I do not think you possess an aptitude for being an unbiased teacher.”
Kazuya laughed despite Jaejoong’s last words and gently took hold of Jaejoong’s hand. He opened his mouth to say something comforting, but Jaejoong jerked his hand away and inched away from the painter.
“I only meant to comfort you,” Kazuya said apologetically, but Jaejoong only scowled in response.
“I am in no need of any comfort - least of all from you.” Jaejoong replied haughtily as he tucked back a strand of his hair and turned to look at Chiharu who was eying them both carefully. He glanced back at her, “I think it is best that we go now -“
“So soon -“
Jaejoong turned his head, “Yes, I have an engagement to attend to. I am preparing for Yunho’s return. It will not be much longer until he is back.” He forced a smile at Kazuya before he stood up quickly, Chiharu following behind him closely.
As soon as they were out on the street, Jaejoong huffed irritably and tucked back a strand of his hair, “The nerve of that man.”
“His intentions weren’t too bad,” Chiharu offered in reply. “I suppose he just ended up wanting not to hurt your feelings -“
“He should not be afraid of hurting my feelings,” Jaejoong replied as he opened up his umbrella and pulled Chiharu closer so that she would fall underneath its covering as well. “I am just like every other person. I should be treated just like every other person…people treat me differently because of how I look. I do not like it.”
Jaejoong sighed, and he could feel a dull ache in his chest. Although Yunho was going to arrive soon, it did not stop him from missing him. In fact, it seemed almost like the wait was becoming more and more unbearable as the date of his return got closer and closer.
“Yunho deserves more from me,” Jaejoong mumbled. “I am hardly a poet, and I do not think that simply giving Yunho -“
“Giving Yunho what?”
“…a gift.”
Chiharu tilted her head, “You buy him things? I was not aware. I was always under the impression that he was the only one giving you gifts.”
Jaejoong’s mouth fell open, “Are you implying that I am selfish? In case you have forgotten, I tend to share most of his gifts to me with you, so if -
“No, I…” Chiharu frowned and tried to think of something better worded. As soon as she had it in her mind, she quickly replied, “You are not selfish, but usually Yunho is the only one with tokens after a long journey. I do not see you give him anything -“
“I give him things, and it is better than anything he has ever given me!” Jaejoong protested.
“What do you give him then?”
Jaejoong opened his mouth to reply, “I give him…” He stopped as soon as he realized what he about to say, and Jaejoong blushed harder and looked away from the young girl, “I do not think this subject is appropriate -“
Chiharu’s eyes widened, “Were you just about to say -“
Jaejoong clasped a hand over her mouth, resulting in him dropping the umbrella onto the road. He glared at her, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment, “You will not say that word. Understand?”
The young girl nodded slowly, and Jaejoong let go of her to pick up the umbrella. He patted his cheeks down and glanced at Chiharu, who was also a similar shade of red.
“Although I treat you like an adult, you are not an adult.”
Chiharu was silent for a few seconds, and after she’d pushed away their awkward exchange to the farthest corner of her mind, she spoke up, “So what will you do now? Yunho will be back in a few days, and you have not prepared anything.”
“I have an idea!” Jaejoong pulled Chiharu and led her away from their original direction. She stumbled behind him, and she looked up at him for an explanation which he quickly provided, “Let’s visit my seamstress!”
o-o-o
“Your technique is so poor!”
The elderly woman snatched the fabric out of Jaejoong’s hands and scowled at him. She gave him a new piece of fabric and slapped the inside of his wrist. “It is obvious that those hands of yours are not used to difficult labor. Perhaps it would be best if you resumed your usual job of looking pretty rather than attempting to make pretty things.”
“Why do you continuously insult me?” Jaejoong whined. “I have been nothing but kind to you for all the years we have known one another -“
Mrs. Atsuko frowned distastefully at Jaejoong before she knelt down to look at Chiharu’s progress, “You are perhaps one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever had the luck of seeing, but I do not think that your personality is one worth complimenting or remembering.”
Jaejoong gasped in shock, “You old hag!”
“Shut up you annoying fool,” Mrs. Atsuko snapped as she handed Chiharu more thread for her embroidery work. “If you wish to make something for your danna, then I suggest you stop spouting nonsense and get back to work.”
Jaejoong glanced down at his hands before he turned his eyes to look at Chiharu, who was embroidering with ease. She lifted up her head and looked at him before she proudly showed her fabric, “Look!”
She’d been able to embroider a beautiful scarlet flower onto a sheet of black silk, and Jaejoong frowned in envy while Mrs. Atsuko laughed at him and patted Chiharu’s shoulder proudly.
“What about you? Have you managed to produce anything worth showing?”
Jaejoong glanced down at his poor embroidery work before he raised his eyes and scowled at the old woman who was looking at him mockingly.
It seemed like he had no talents whatsoever.
o-o-o
“Stop eating the anko!”
Jaejoong smiled guiltily and pulled the spoon out of his mouth. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grinned. “It’s good though, and I made it. Maybe I do have a talent after all?”
Chiharu rolled her eyes and took a clean spoon before she scooped some anko for herself. She ate some and then took the spoon out of her mouth. “It’ll do.”
“You just wish you were half as capable as I am,” Jaejoong said teasingly as he scooped another spoonful of anko for himself despite Chiharu’s loud protests of him being disgusting, “I will be a master baker and -“
Chiharu rolled her eyes and looked around the kitchen. She frowned and then turned around to look at Jaejoong. “I don’t think we have any eggs.”
“Could you go ahead and fetch some then?” Jaejoong asked as he took some money out and handed it over to Chiharu, “Also, make sure to buy some bottles of sake too for when Yunho gets back -“
The young girl stomped over to Jaejoong and snatched the money, “You are a demon.”
“You can keep whatever money’s left,” Jaejoong said before he reached out and pulled Chiharu into his arms. He squeezed her tightly, and she giggled in his arms. He pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head before he let her go.
Chiharu stuck her tongue out at Jaejoong, “I still think you’re a demon,” she teased before she turned around and walked away.
As soon as she was gone, Jaejoong sighed to himself and continued to eat the anko. He cherished the burst of sweetness in his mouth, but after each spoonful, he began to feel lonelier. After a couple of more minutes, Jaejoong slumped in his seat and stared sadly out in the distance.
Although he had once spent his life away from people, now he could not find himself enjoying solitude anymore. He adored the moments he spent with Chiharu, and he cherished the moments he spent with Yunho. They both had become such central figures in his life, and now he could not imagine life without either of them.
Jaejoong sighed deeply - perhaps it had been a mistake to let Chiharu go to the market alone. He should have accompanied her instead of waiting on his own at home. Before Jaejoong could get out of his seat so that he could follow her to the market, he felt two arms wrap around his waist. He turned his head back, and when he saw Yunho’s face, his heart skipped in his chest.
“Why were you sighing?” Yunho murmured lovingly as he kissed Jaejoong’s cheek and buried his face into the crook of his lover’s neck.
“How…how did you get in?”
Yunho chuckled and kissed Jaejoong’s temple, “The gardener let me in through the gate as soon as he saw me arrive. I am more surprised that you did not realize I was in the room. What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Jaejoong mumbled.
“Is something wrong?” Yunho pressed as he turned Jaejoong around so that they could face one another. He smiled at his lover warmly and caressed his cheek, and Jaejoong could feel himself melting into the other’s embrace.
“No, nothing’s wrong,” Jaejoong said with a huge smile before he reached forward to bring Yunho’s face closer and capture the other man’s lips in a kiss.
o-o-o
Jaejoong watched as Chiharu and Yunho took a bite of the anpan he’d baked carefully for them. He’d spent the past few days trying to perfect the recipe and as soon as he’d gained enough confidence about his skills, he decided that he would finally make some for the two of them.
They both took a bite, and Jaejoong fidgeted in front of them.
“So?” he questioned, trying to sound nonchalant rather than anxious. He bit his lower lip, and when neither replied, he drummed his fingers on the table surface expectantly.
Yunho finished chewing and swallowed but said nothing. He glanced at Chiharu, “What do you think?”
Chiharu swallowed and shrugged, “I do not -“
Jaejoong slammed his palm onto the table in frustration. He narrowed his eyes at the two of them and scowled, “Stop playing mind games with me and just tell me what you think already!”
Yunho laughed, “Why are you so impatient?”
Jaejoong’s scowl deepened.
“It’s good,” Chiharu offered with a cheerful smile as she took another bite of her bun and chewed, “It is a lot better than -“
“Thank you, but do not speak while you chew,” Jaejoong chided before he turned his eyes to Yunho and narrowed them. “You.”
Yunho smiled innocently, “Yes?”
“You know what I want.”
Yunho looked around and tilted his head, “But Jaejoong, I do not think it would be appropriate to give you what you want in front of Chiharu. Can I just give it to you when we are alone later tonight -“
Jaejoong turned beet red and threw one of buns at Yunho’s face.
o-o-o
The streets were decorated with brightly colored lanterns and streamers, and Jaejoong strolled behind Chiharu slowly with Yunho. The young girl’s hair was pinned up intricately, and Jaejoong himself had placed vivid ornaments into her hair.
“She told me you know,” Yunho said with a small smile as he leaned down to whisper into Jaejoong’s ear. “She told me about how you tried to learn painting and embroidery for me.”
Jaejoong sighed and fixed his hair. He glanced at his lover, “Is there anything that Chiharu has not told you these past few days?” He turned his eyes to look at his young ward, “You know I…I hold such a great affection for her, but it seems like she still prefers you over me.”
“She just likes to tease you,” Yunho replied as his fingers brushed against Jaejoong’s purposefully. “I think both of us know about how reserved you are about affection. She and I can relate to one another when it comes to your behavior towards us.”
“Are you saying I’m cold?”
Yunho chuckled and shook his head. He reached over and tucked a strand of Jaejoong’s hair behind his ear, “My love, I am simply saying that we love you. We understand your difficulties with love, and we both accept you.”
Jaejoong turned his head and looked up at Yunho, “I…” His heart fluttered in his chest, and he couldn’t think of what he wanted to say. All he wanted to do was kiss Yunho, but they were in the middle of the busy street, and if he did so, everyone would see.
“I could kiss you right now,” Yunho murmured softly. “The lanterns illuminate your face and I…” he leaned down slowly and just when their lips were nearly only centimeters apart, someone called them.
Jaejoong watched in dismay as Yunho placed an appropriate distance between them, and he turned his head to look at Chiharu. She had a knowing smile on her lips, but she still shook her head disapprovingly.
She walked back over to them and tugged at the sleeve of Jaejoong’s kimono. “It is getting late, and I have dance practice early tomorrow. May we write our wishes now and then I’ll...”
The young girl smiled shyly, and Yunho chuckled before stepping away from Jaejoong to take her under his arm. Jaejoong watched silently as the two most important people in his life took pieces of paper and wrote down their wishes.
He didn’t know what they were wishing for, and he supposed that he probably would never know. His heart was filled with such joy and fulfillment that as he took a piece of paper to write his own wish, he didn’t know what to write. He really had nothing more to ask for.
“Are you done?” Yunho asked kindly, his own colorful piece of paper folded and in his hands, ready to be hung on a bamboo tree.
Jaejoong shook his head, “Maybe you should hang your wish with Chiharu? I have to think about my wish carefully.”
Yunho chuckled and nodded before he took Chiharu by the hand and led her away to where all the other people were tying their own wishes. Jaejoong watched as Yunho tied Chiharu’s wish next to his, and when Yunho flashed the young girl a handsome smile, his heart fluttered in his chest.
They both turned to him, and it was at that moment that Jaejoong realized what he wanted to write down. He wrote down his wish quickly and walked over to Yunho, who squeezed Jaejoong’s fingers lovingly before he took the wish and went over to tie it between his and Chiharu’s.
The three of them watched the papers get blown by the wind, their wishes kept secret in their hearts. Jaejoong looked over at his companions and smiled at them lovingly before he pulled at their hands and led them over to a stall where they were selling brightly colored fans.
Let us always be this happy.
o-o-o
“Wait!”
Jaejoong pulled at Yunho’s wrist, and the latter stopped to look at him. He smiled at Yunho and pointed at the lanterns that were floating down the river, “Let’s stay here for a bit?” he suggested, “Perhaps there will be fireworks too?”
Yunho chuckled and nodded, “Alright then.”
They made their way to the nearby woods by the river and sat on the grass. Jaejoong watched the bright lanterns float down the calm water, and just as he was about to reminisce about how Chiharu had broken his lantern earlier in the evening, Yunho pulled him closer so that he could sit between the other man’s legs.
“Are you sure…?” Jaejoong whispered as Yunho began to kiss the sensitive skin on his neck. A shiver of pleasure ran up his spine, and he turned forward as soon as he heard the fireworks begin.
Yunho squeezed Jaejoong tightly in affirmation and buried his face into the other man’s skin. He inhaled the scent of Jaejoong’s cologne before he rested his chin against Jaejoong’s shoulder so that he too could see the fireworks.
“I was thinking…” Jaejoong whispered quietly as the fireworks exploded across the river right before their eyes. “About how much I love you…and how…” he trailed off, and his heart pounded harder in his chest. After a few seconds, he mustered more courage, but his voice was even softer than it had been previously when he spoke again, “I do not like seeing you leave.”
The strong arms around him held him tighter, and Yunho kissed him behind his ear before he whispered, “You know I do not like leaving you either.”
Jaejoong turned his head to look at Yunho, “I look forward to the day I can finally leave with you,” he confided truthfully, his heart beating quickly in his chest as the words tumbled freely from his tongue, “…when I can finally be with you.”
Silence fell between them, but Jaejoong didn’t worry. He knew what Yunho felt, and he was confident of what he felt. Before Yunho could say anything, Jaejoong readjusted himself so that he was facing Yunho. He carded his fingers through the other man’s hair and smiled shyly, “Tonight, let us pretend that nothing holds us back from what we want in life.”
“Nothing will prevent our future together,” Yunho whispered as he let Jaejoong push him down against the grass. His eyes fluttered shut as Jaejoong began to trail kisses down his neck, “I promise.”
Jaejoong slowly pushed Yunho down against the ground, and he began to slowly make work of the buttons of the other man’s shirt. When he looked up, Yunho was looking at him affectionately. Jaejoong wrinkled his nose, “Why is it that you never wear kimonos?”
“I much prefer the way you look in them,” Yunho replied with a laugh before he sat up so that he could instead pin Jaejoong against the grass. He kissed Jaejoong deeply, and the latter pulled him closer.
They kissed passionately and as soon as they broke away, Yunho’s expert hands quickly pulled apart the fabric of Jaejoong’s dark green kimono. Jaejoong gasped when the cold air hit his naked skin, but the coldness disappeared as soon as Yunho began to kiss his way down his upper body.
“Not here!” Jaejoong hissed as Yunho began to pull down his undergarments, but his protests were unheeded. Yunho winked at him and held his gaze as he reached forward to lick at the base of Jaejoong’s cock.
A moan escaped Jaejoong’s lips, and a blush rose to his cheeks. If he continued to be so loud, he was sure that someone would overhear. He grabbed the fabric of his kimono and stuffed it into his mouth to muffle the noises, but Yunho was irritatingly talented at making him a noisy lover. The heat enveloping his cock was overwhelming his senses, and after so many months spent together, Yunho knew exactly what he wanted.
Jaejoong clenched the fabric tightly as Yunho began to take him deeper into his throat, and the delicious feeling of Yunho sucking on him combined with the lewd noises of Yunho’s actions was too much to bear. The fabric fell loose from his lips, and Jaejoong moaned loudly.
He clenched at the fabric that was spread carelessly on the ground, and just as he felt himself close to coming, Yunho pulled his mouth away. Jaejoong looked up helplessly at his lover, but Yunho merely smiled charmingly and began to unbuckle his pants.
As soon as he’d discarded them and climbed over Jaejoong, they kissed once again. Jajeoong could taste himself on Yunho’s tongue, and despite his earlier fears, it brought a slight thrill to him to know that someone could stumble upon them.
“This kimono is ruined,” Jaejoong breathed out as he felt Yunho’s cock brush against his leg. “I will never be able to wear it again -“
Yunho chuckled and kissed his jaw, “You have others.” His hand slid down to cup Jaejoong’s waist, and he squeezed, “I must say though, despite how beautiful you looked with it on, I prefer you without it on.”
“You say that because you are an immoral man,” Jaejoong teased as Yunho kissed the juncture between his neck and his shoulder, “But I am sorry to tell you that I refuse for things to go any further because you do not have -“
Yunho sat up and held out a bottle, “I have…it.” He blushed in the darkness and moved the bottle to place emphasis on its presence, “I did not bring it intentionally, but I…” the businessman looked away and stared at the ground, “…I do not know how to explain myself without shaming myself further.”
Jaejoong laughed and pulled Yunho back closer so that he could kiss him sweetly on the lips, “There is nothing to explain...but do not think that I will forget this.”
He was once more pushed back to the ground by Yunho, and Jaejoong stared up at the stars, completely motionless. The stars were beautiful, but the thoughts in his mind concerning them disappeared as soon as Yunho inserted one finger into him. Jaejoong squirmed with the entrance of each finger, but it was not long before Yunho had him writhing with pleasure on the ground.
Jaejoong reached out and tugged at Yunho’s hair, “Please just…”
He didn’t have to finish his request because it took only a few seconds before Yunho thrust deep inside of him. They both groaned, and Jaejoong wrapped his legs around Yunho encouragingly. Soon Yunho began to pound roughly into his body, and Jaejoong couldn’t do anything but moan appreciatively.
The pleasurable burn caused by Yunho’s cock sliding in and out of him, and the sounds of skin slapping against skin only excited Jaejoong further. His nails sank into the tanned skin of Yunho’s back, and he lifted himself up slightly so that he could draw a patch of Yunho’s skin into his mouth.
Yunho delivered a sharp thrust, and Jaejoong cried out in ecstasy. He was so close, and he knew that he would not last much longer. He was enjoying every second, and after a few more thrusts, he came and soon drew Yunho into his own climax as well.
They breathed heavily, and Yunho kissed Jaejoong’s sweat damp forehead lovingly before pressing their lips together once more. Jaejoong kissed Yunho back languidly, and when he felt the other man’s cock slide out, he felt a trickle of cum slide down his thigh.
Yunho moved off of him, and Jaejoong moaned when Yunho purposefully brushed against his entrance with his finger tips. Jaejoong scowled in the darkness, but Yunho only winked and moved to lie down beside him.
After their breathing had evened out, Jaejoong reached out to intertwine his fingers with the hand that rested atop Yunho’s chest. As soon as their hands were locked together, Jaejoong moved closer and nuzzled Yunho.
In a few minutes, they would have to dress and leave, but for now, they enjoyed the serenity that enveloped them. It was like they had the world for themselves, and Jaejoong selfishly did not want this moment to end. He traced the hardened lines of Yunho’s body with his fingertips and admired his lover in the moonlight while Yunho rested for a few minutes.
They did not know how long they stayed there, naked and entangled with one another, but when Yunho opened his eyes and looked at his lover, they both knew that it was time to go. They smiled at each other before getting up and quickly putting their clothes back on so they could leave. They took the long way back to Yunho’s home, their hands intertwined the whole time, and all of the scenery was beautifully illuminated by the moonlight.
As Jaejoong leaned against Yunho’s shoulder while they walked, he felt in his heart that everything truly was perfect at that moment.
There was hardly any activity in the streets - all the festivities were over, and everyone had retired for the night except for the two of them. Not that the lack of people mattered much to the two of them because at that moment, they were in uninterrupted and in their own little private universe, so they would enjoy this rare opportunity to be completely enraptured by one another for as long as possible.
The brightness of the stars that twinkled in the night sky, the sound of the crickets in the background, the way the wind blew against them, the way the streamers decorated the streets - probably nothing would be exactly the same next year, but what Jaejoong knew was that he would always feel the same as he did right at that moment.
Jaejoong looked up at Yunho and was overcome with emotion. He could feel the tears prickle at the corners of his eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall and instead moved around so that he could press his face against Yunho’s and wrap his arms around the taller man.
He breathed in the scent of sake, sweat, cologne and grass, and after he had gathered himself, he raised his head and looked up into Yunho’s warm eyes.
“I love you,” Jaejoong whispered, his hands clutching onto Yunho a little tighter as he steadied himself. He couldn’t bring himself to look away from Yunho’s deep and loving gaze, so he leaned forward and kissed his lover in the middle of the empty street where they were free to do whatever they wished.
He had no clue of what the future had in store for him, but Jaejoong knew that as long as Yunho was in his future, everything would be alright.
Author’s Note: An extremely belated birthday story, for my LJ & Twitter babysitter. XD Hahaha. XD The title of this story means the things we believe in by the way. I hope you all like it! :) Thank you for reading! ♥