(no subject)
“Hyung,” Junsu called as he walked into the kitchen, and saw Jaejoong with their mother standing in front of the stove. “What are you going to wear to the party? I have to get it to the laundry place with my suit.”
Jaejoong looked at Junsu, and stared blankly at him. “What party?”
“The Valentine’s party?” Junsu asked uncertainly.
“Oh! Ah, yes, just get the white one,” Jaejoong said off-handedly as he tended to a pot of brownish substance again.
“You mean, Umma’s wedding dress?” Junsu asked, grinning mischievously.
“Yes, that-Junsu!”
“Okay, okay, I know!” Junsu sighed as he almost got thrown by a steaming hot pot. “By the way, who are you giving those chocolates to?”
“I don’t know,” Jaejoong shrugged. “I’m planning to give some to Yoochun, and maybe Changmin too. I wonder if I miss anyone…”
“Yah!” Junsu pouted as he kicked the foot of a chair. “You’re being mean again.”
“No I’m not, you started it,” Jaejoong waved it off, and poured the chocolate into shaping pans. “Now you better go to the laundry place if you want to get it done in time.”
Junsu pouted even more, but he knew that Jaejoong would make one for him anyway. “Aren’t you going to give one to Yunho-hyung?” he asked curiously.
“Yunho? Who’s that?” Tae In asked as she smiled at Jaejoong. “Do you have a boyfriend, Jaejoongie? Does he, Su-yah?”
“No!” Jaejoong shouted out in reflex as he blushed in embarrassment. “And I don’t think I’ll be giving him. He’s going to get fat with all those chocolates.”
“Who’s Yunho?” Tae In still asked.
“It’s Jaejoong-hyung’s love,” Junsu giggled excitedly, and Jaejoong shot him a glare. “Well, anyway, I’ll be going off now,” he added, waving at the two.
“Wah, Jaejoongie, you’re growing up! Why didn’t you tell me about him?” Tae In asked as she pinched Jaejoong’s cheeks. “Bring him home next time. I want to meet him!”
Before Jaejoong had a chance to reply, Junsu walked back into the kitchen. “Yah, hyung, it’s raining cats and dogs outside. If it doesn’t stop soon, it’ll flood tomorrow.”
“Then why are telling me this?” Jaejoong frowned at him. “Why don’t you go get a witch doctor or something?”
“Because I’m sure this is one of those happenings,” Junsu shrugged. “Just agree to make Yunho-hyung a chocolate, okay?”
Jaejoong sighed in defeat. “Okay,” he agreed, and the sun shone bright outside, making him glare at the window.
“I’ll be going now!” Junsu said cheerfully, skipping out of the house, and Tae In reminded him to wear his boots.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Jaejoong stood in front of an elevator, playing with the end of his sleeve as he bit his lower lip nervously. Junsu, Yoochun, and Changmin had gone up to the ballroom earlier, while he was busy washing up in the restroom. He had the chocolate in his pocket, but he wasn’t so sure anymore. He just hoped that nothing bad would happen.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. He stepped in, and was about to close the doors when a hand shot forward, making the door open again as the sensor detected something trying to go through.
“Good evening, Jae,” Yunho greeted as he got into the elevator and stood beside him, pressing the close door button, and the floor number they were going to, leaving Jaejoong no time to escape.
“Oh, good evening,” Jaejoong greeted back nervously. He watched as the numbers on the display change as each floor went by.
“Oh, I forgot to give you something,” Yunho said as he remembered something, and fished out a box from his pocket. “Here, it’s a late birthday gift for you. I hope you like it.”
Jaejoong opened the box, and almost gasped in surprise. “It’s really nice. Thank you,” he smiled gratefully at Yunho. “But this is expensive, isn’t it?”
“Uhm… not really… I know someone who works there. I got a special discount,” Yunho laughed as he scratched the back of his head. “But I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you,” Jaejoong said, and took out the watch inside. He put the box into his pocket, and let Yunho help him put it on. “Oh, I also have something for you…”
Jaejoong took out a paper bag, and a small box. “These are for you,” he said, handing them to Yunho. “I hope you like them.”
Yunho peered into the bag, and saw a star-shaped chocolate. He then opened the box, and saw a pair of cufflinks. “They’re nice. Thank you.”
“Uhm… it’s your birthday gift,” Jaejoong mumbled softly. “I’m sorry it’s late.”
“Yah, don’t stress yourself over it,” Yunho patted his back. “It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts, no? Although I’m still grateful for the gifts.”
“I’m glad,” Jaejoong smiled at him, but it was soon replaced by a panicked look when the elevator box suddenly jerked to a stop, and the lights flickered off.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
“Hey Min,” Junsu called as he walked over, carrying a plate of food. “Have you seen Jaejoong-hyung? He’s late.”
“I don’t know,” Changmin shrugged. “He might be having constipation or something.”
“Do you think something happened to him?” Junsu asked in worry. “You know how he’s always attracting bad luck lately, right?”
Changmin looked thoughtful for a while. “Well, then I’m sure he knows what he has to do to make those things stop.”
“Yeah… I guess you’re right…” Junsu said as he frowned, thinking of what could happen to Jaejoong.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
“Jaejoong-ah,” Yunho called as he sat back down on the floor. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, frowning as he looked at Jaejoong who was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to his chest.
“I am,” Jaejoong sighed. Because the electricity was cut off, the emergency bell couldn’t be used.
They sat together in silence, and Jaejoong started to sweat because of the heat, and the thinning supply of oxygen in the closed compartment. His mind was reeling in panic, trying to think up of things that would appease the deities above and get him out of this situation.
“Jae,” Yunho called again. “Are you okay?”
“I am,” Jaejoong nodded slowly, and took off his suit. He watched as Yunho also took off his suit, and spoke up, “Do you think they will find us?”
“I hope so,” Yunho nodded, and leaned back on the wall.
Suddenly, guilt started to creep into him. It was the first time the disaster had affected someone else, and not only him. He felt bad for getting Yunho into this situation, although he had nothing to do with this.
Well, technically he did, but that was different.
“Yunho-yah,” Jaejoong called, heaving a deep sigh. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?” Yunho looked at him, and frowned. “It wasn’t your fault the elevator got stuck.”
“But it is,” Jaejoong insisted. “If only I wasn’t so stubborn-“
“What does that have to do with this?” Yunho looked at him in confusion, still frowning slightly.
“These happenings… they started… occurring… ever since I tried to deny it,” Jaejoong looked down at the floor, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “I have a confession to make.”
“That you are in love with me?”
“Yes, that-eh!? How did you know!?” Jaejoong almost screeched in panic, and he quickly clamped his mouth shut. “How-who-“
“Calm down,” Yunho placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve known since… a few weeks after the pool incident,” he shrugged. “Why do you think I’m always around?”
“You-you knew? Then why-“
“I was afraid,” Yunho said, his tone softening. “I was afraid of what could happen. I was pretty irresponsible at that time, and I was afraid I couldn’t take care of anyone. A week ago, my sister fell sick, and I took care of her. I noticed that if I really want to, I can take care of anyone.”
“Yunho,” Jaejoong sighed, then looked up at him. “Even if you can’t take care of anyone, I still want you. I can take care of myself, I promise.”
Yunho smiled, and lifted his hand up to kiss his knuckles. “I know you can. I’m glad you chose me.”
“I’m glad you chose me too,” Jaejoong grinned widely at him, and let Yunho lean down to kiss him-their first kiss that also marked the start of their relationship.
As soon as they parted, the doors opened, letting light into the box, and a team of guards and repairmen were in front of them, asking if they were okay.
Meanwhile, somewhere up there, far, far away, loud cheers could be heard together with clinking of champagne glasses as laughter erupted, proud of a job well done.
End of Chapter Six
Jaejoong looked at Junsu, and stared blankly at him. “What party?”
“The Valentine’s party?” Junsu asked uncertainly.
“Oh! Ah, yes, just get the white one,” Jaejoong said off-handedly as he tended to a pot of brownish substance again.
“You mean, Umma’s wedding dress?” Junsu asked, grinning mischievously.
“Yes, that-Junsu!”
“Okay, okay, I know!” Junsu sighed as he almost got thrown by a steaming hot pot. “By the way, who are you giving those chocolates to?”
“I don’t know,” Jaejoong shrugged. “I’m planning to give some to Yoochun, and maybe Changmin too. I wonder if I miss anyone…”
“Yah!” Junsu pouted as he kicked the foot of a chair. “You’re being mean again.”
“No I’m not, you started it,” Jaejoong waved it off, and poured the chocolate into shaping pans. “Now you better go to the laundry place if you want to get it done in time.”
Junsu pouted even more, but he knew that Jaejoong would make one for him anyway. “Aren’t you going to give one to Yunho-hyung?” he asked curiously.
“Yunho? Who’s that?” Tae In asked as she smiled at Jaejoong. “Do you have a boyfriend, Jaejoongie? Does he, Su-yah?”
“No!” Jaejoong shouted out in reflex as he blushed in embarrassment. “And I don’t think I’ll be giving him. He’s going to get fat with all those chocolates.”
“Who’s Yunho?” Tae In still asked.
“It’s Jaejoong-hyung’s love,” Junsu giggled excitedly, and Jaejoong shot him a glare. “Well, anyway, I’ll be going off now,” he added, waving at the two.
“Wah, Jaejoongie, you’re growing up! Why didn’t you tell me about him?” Tae In asked as she pinched Jaejoong’s cheeks. “Bring him home next time. I want to meet him!”
Before Jaejoong had a chance to reply, Junsu walked back into the kitchen. “Yah, hyung, it’s raining cats and dogs outside. If it doesn’t stop soon, it’ll flood tomorrow.”
“Then why are telling me this?” Jaejoong frowned at him. “Why don’t you go get a witch doctor or something?”
“Because I’m sure this is one of those happenings,” Junsu shrugged. “Just agree to make Yunho-hyung a chocolate, okay?”
Jaejoong sighed in defeat. “Okay,” he agreed, and the sun shone bright outside, making him glare at the window.
“I’ll be going now!” Junsu said cheerfully, skipping out of the house, and Tae In reminded him to wear his boots.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Jaejoong stood in front of an elevator, playing with the end of his sleeve as he bit his lower lip nervously. Junsu, Yoochun, and Changmin had gone up to the ballroom earlier, while he was busy washing up in the restroom. He had the chocolate in his pocket, but he wasn’t so sure anymore. He just hoped that nothing bad would happen.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. He stepped in, and was about to close the doors when a hand shot forward, making the door open again as the sensor detected something trying to go through.
“Good evening, Jae,” Yunho greeted as he got into the elevator and stood beside him, pressing the close door button, and the floor number they were going to, leaving Jaejoong no time to escape.
“Oh, good evening,” Jaejoong greeted back nervously. He watched as the numbers on the display change as each floor went by.
“Oh, I forgot to give you something,” Yunho said as he remembered something, and fished out a box from his pocket. “Here, it’s a late birthday gift for you. I hope you like it.”
Jaejoong opened the box, and almost gasped in surprise. “It’s really nice. Thank you,” he smiled gratefully at Yunho. “But this is expensive, isn’t it?”
“Uhm… not really… I know someone who works there. I got a special discount,” Yunho laughed as he scratched the back of his head. “But I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you,” Jaejoong said, and took out the watch inside. He put the box into his pocket, and let Yunho help him put it on. “Oh, I also have something for you…”
Jaejoong took out a paper bag, and a small box. “These are for you,” he said, handing them to Yunho. “I hope you like them.”
Yunho peered into the bag, and saw a star-shaped chocolate. He then opened the box, and saw a pair of cufflinks. “They’re nice. Thank you.”
“Uhm… it’s your birthday gift,” Jaejoong mumbled softly. “I’m sorry it’s late.”
“Yah, don’t stress yourself over it,” Yunho patted his back. “It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts, no? Although I’m still grateful for the gifts.”
“I’m glad,” Jaejoong smiled at him, but it was soon replaced by a panicked look when the elevator box suddenly jerked to a stop, and the lights flickered off.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
“Hey Min,” Junsu called as he walked over, carrying a plate of food. “Have you seen Jaejoong-hyung? He’s late.”
“I don’t know,” Changmin shrugged. “He might be having constipation or something.”
“Do you think something happened to him?” Junsu asked in worry. “You know how he’s always attracting bad luck lately, right?”
Changmin looked thoughtful for a while. “Well, then I’m sure he knows what he has to do to make those things stop.”
“Yeah… I guess you’re right…” Junsu said as he frowned, thinking of what could happen to Jaejoong.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
“Jaejoong-ah,” Yunho called as he sat back down on the floor. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, frowning as he looked at Jaejoong who was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to his chest.
“I am,” Jaejoong sighed. Because the electricity was cut off, the emergency bell couldn’t be used.
They sat together in silence, and Jaejoong started to sweat because of the heat, and the thinning supply of oxygen in the closed compartment. His mind was reeling in panic, trying to think up of things that would appease the deities above and get him out of this situation.
“Jae,” Yunho called again. “Are you okay?”
“I am,” Jaejoong nodded slowly, and took off his suit. He watched as Yunho also took off his suit, and spoke up, “Do you think they will find us?”
“I hope so,” Yunho nodded, and leaned back on the wall.
Suddenly, guilt started to creep into him. It was the first time the disaster had affected someone else, and not only him. He felt bad for getting Yunho into this situation, although he had nothing to do with this.
Well, technically he did, but that was different.
“Yunho-yah,” Jaejoong called, heaving a deep sigh. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess.”
“Eh? What are you talking about?” Yunho looked at him, and frowned. “It wasn’t your fault the elevator got stuck.”
“But it is,” Jaejoong insisted. “If only I wasn’t so stubborn-“
“What does that have to do with this?” Yunho looked at him in confusion, still frowning slightly.
“These happenings… they started… occurring… ever since I tried to deny it,” Jaejoong looked down at the floor, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “I have a confession to make.”
“That you are in love with me?”
“Yes, that-eh!? How did you know!?” Jaejoong almost screeched in panic, and he quickly clamped his mouth shut. “How-who-“
“Calm down,” Yunho placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve known since… a few weeks after the pool incident,” he shrugged. “Why do you think I’m always around?”
“You-you knew? Then why-“
“I was afraid,” Yunho said, his tone softening. “I was afraid of what could happen. I was pretty irresponsible at that time, and I was afraid I couldn’t take care of anyone. A week ago, my sister fell sick, and I took care of her. I noticed that if I really want to, I can take care of anyone.”
“Yunho,” Jaejoong sighed, then looked up at him. “Even if you can’t take care of anyone, I still want you. I can take care of myself, I promise.”
Yunho smiled, and lifted his hand up to kiss his knuckles. “I know you can. I’m glad you chose me.”
“I’m glad you chose me too,” Jaejoong grinned widely at him, and let Yunho lean down to kiss him-their first kiss that also marked the start of their relationship.
As soon as they parted, the doors opened, letting light into the box, and a team of guards and repairmen were in front of them, asking if they were okay.
Meanwhile, somewhere up there, far, far away, loud cheers could be heard together with clinking of champagne glasses as laughter erupted, proud of a job well done.
End of Chapter Six