Automata: Don't Love (Chapter 3b)
Jaejoong arrives at his work studio a little later than he has intended since it’s already ten in the morning. Not that he has a photo shoot scheduled that time, he just needs to sort some paper work for an upcoming photo shoot of an artist for some album cover and that’s it. He is greeted by his subordinates as he enters the establishment he has built, Yuri at the reception desk, some cameramen who works under him when it is needed to shoot at different angles and some help in setting up lights and then, there’s also his manager, the one who handles the business matters and scheduling, well more like his partner in crime that is.
“You’re late.” He’s manager raises an eyebrow upon seeing him. Though instead of anger or anything, he just looks bemusedly at Jaejoong.
“Good Morning to you too Hyunjoong.” Jaejoong grins as he gets on his office and the said man follows closely behind. Jaejoong sits in his rotating chair in the back of his desk and closes his eyes for a moment. He can hear footsteps and then a halt and he knows Hyunjoong has settled his self in front of his desk. There are also rustles of paper and he figures Hyunjoong must be skimming through some papers.
“You said you’ll be here by nine, did you lecture Yunho again for an hour or so about how to eat properly?” Hyunjoong asks nonchalantly and Jaejoong peaks in by opening has left eye, seeing Hyunjoong indeed sitting in front of his desk. He pouts for a moment and recalls the happening behind his unintended tardiness.
He sighs and then mumbles, “Not really…” and it sparks Hyunjoong's attention because this is the first time he has heard Jaejoong so gloomy when it comes to Yunho. Being together in the business, Hyunjoong knows Jaejoong and Yunho have known each other way back and also that Jaejoong usually comes at Yunho’s apartment before coming to work. At those times, if ever he becomes late, its means Jaejoong has been lecturing Yunho about taking care of his self and even if Jaejoong does complain it to Hyunjoong about it, it doesn’t sound so gloomy. It will always sound cheerful because Jaejoong says it with so much affection. Hyunjoong has even thought those two are married, but the two simply deny it and Hyunjoong choose to just leave it with that, because looking at them now, it seems sooner or later it will happen eventually. But then, this will be the first time Jaejoong sounds so sad while concerning Yunho and Hyunjoong understands something must have happen that breakfast.
“Anything wrong?” He asks, this time his attention fully in Jaejoong as he waits for the latter to reply.
"I'm just wondering if I'm asking too much..." Jaejoong murmurs and Hyunjoong isn't able to catch that.
He quirks an eyebrow and then ask again, "Come again?"
Instead of a reply, Jaejoong shakes his head and then let's out a small smile as he sits properly and that's when the doors suddenly burst open.
"Jaejoong! It's good your here..." the new comer burst out in tone of relief. Even if Hyunjoong is facing his back to the door, he already knows who'll come bursting in without a slight consent, not a knock or anything.
"Oh, Heechul hyung." Jaejoong grins at the new comer and stands up, welcoming the said male with welcome arms. Hyunjoong rolls his eyes and he knows there's something up.
"You don't have a photo shoot schedule here, Heechul hyung..." Hyunjoong says as he faces the said male who's smirking back as he lets Jaejoong go.
"Good Morning to you too Hyunjoong." Heechul greets and Jaejoong chuckles.
Hyunjoong shakes his head and massage his forehead. "Why is it every time I sense something is up, both of you will just give a greeting and it actually confirms everything even without details."
Heechul blinks, shaking his head and says, "My, my... I don't know what you're talking about. Mr. Kim..." and Jaejoong has to muffle his laugh with how Heechul feigns innocence towards Hyunjoong who rolls his eyes once again.
Hyunjoong just rolls his eyes. He’ll never win with this one. Jaejoong on the other hand can’t hold it longer and let out a bark of laughter, clearly forgetting his earlier dilemma. But then…
“And it’s seems you’re not too busy, Jaejoong dear…”
Now, it’s Jaejoong’s turn to blink this time especially with how Heechul has called him. When his eyes have met Heechul’s, he knows he just made a pack with a devil.
“Clearly, Heechul hyung… you could have ask your boyfriend to take this erm,… shots with just the two of you than bothering to come here and waste your precious time with me.” Jaejoong whines playfully. And he thought he’ll be spending this day with just paper work and maybe visit Clockwork Umbrella but he ends up spending it with a naked Heechul. He doesn’t have problems seeing people naked. He has taken a nude photo shoot before and he isn’t bothered by the fact it’s a nude photo shoot, but the fact that this is impromptu and not official makes Jaejoong shivers. For what will Heechul use these pictures for?
“That is why this is called a surprise for Hannie, Joongie. Now hush and make sure you got a good angle of my beautiful body.” Heechul says then pose professionally even though the purpose of this photo shoot isn’t that actually professional.
Jaejoong shrugs and take another shot, and another as Heechul poses in the white couch in his all glory, a fluff cloud as a back-drop background and a halo in his head to complete his angelic look. (Although this isn’t counted as angelic. Surely, Santa Claus will put him into the naughty list.)
Heechul is one of Jaejoong’s favorite actor slash model to work with that it doesn’t take long till they got close. And doing this ‘little’ favor isn’t really a bother for Jaejoong but then the photographer can’t help but to ask…
“Why such go to length? I mean isn’t your anniversary right?” Jaejoong ask before taking another shot.
Heechul grins and clicks his tongue before replying, “Well, you’re not yet hitting with your best friend, Mr. Jung Yunho… surely you won’t understand dear…”
“Hyung, Yunho is just my best friend and nothing more.” Jaejoong protest and fix the setting of his camera before taking another picture. “More a little to the left…” he instructs as he looks through the lens and Heechul complies, but he gives Jaejoong a ‘yeah, right?’ look until Jaejoong calls him in a tone to remind he needs to pose. When he has finished taking that shot, he fiddles with the camera, he then thinks for a while before supporting his earlier statement. “I’ve known him for as long as I can remember and he is my best friend ever since. For me, he almost likes a brother.” He emphasizes and Jaejoong doesn’t understand why he feels quivering saying those words. He doesn’t even understand why the need to explain. It’s a common knowledge already to all of their friends how they are close with each other yet people keep on jumping to conclusions that they are together. They are best friends and being beside each other is what really matters.
Heechul rolls his eyes and shrug. His look towards Jaejoong clearly spells ‘I give up’. “Whatever… all I’m saying is that you need a lover for to understand.” Heechul adds. Jaejoong is nodding but the words haven’t completely sunk in as he fiddles again with his camera and when those words have reached him, he looks away from his camera.
“Understand what?” Jaejoong pauses his task, curiousness attacking his every being. Heechul gives him an exasperated look but Jaejoong just blinks, Heechul’s look not affecting his curiousness. Heechul sighs, getting, playing with his hands which he rarely does as his face softens and looking so shy. Although it will be a good look coming from Heechul, he doesn’t take it because he only anticipates Heechul’s answer.
“That there’s no need to have an occasion to celebrate love.” Heechul whispers but with the confinement of the studio and only them being there, the younger one hears nevertheless and it somehow makes the latter’s heart to flutter, causing him to smile. And before Jaejoong could get lost in his thoughts, he takes that opportunity to capture Heechul’s current look.
Heechul is straightforward, confident and a little bit crazy. He takes pride with his looks and he is though. It is rare to see him go soft but if he does, it’s only to those he really cares about especially to one. Jaejoong can see him glowing despite the flaw he shows, the shyness an actor or model shouldn’t possess. And so he takes a shot because Hankyung (Heechul’s boyfriend) deserves to see that, may it be a flaw because he knows the Chinese man love this one with or without flaws.
Click!
Heechul snaps at his trance and quirks an eyebrow towards Jaejoong’s who smiles innocently. Heechul smirks and just shakes his head. “Make sure I look good at it.” He warns playfully and Jaejoong lets out a chuckle.
“Come on, hyung, just two more shots.” Jaejoong instructs.
“Heechul hyung, your boy- For the love of- THE HELL!!!”
Both Heechul’s and Jaejoong’s eyes snap towards the direction of the door and there stands Hyunjoong with covered eyes, and both of them laugh at with how Hyunjoong tries to cover his eyes.
“Thanks, Jae.” Heechul says, shaking his hand who isholding a big brown envelope towards Jaejoong, who just grins back. Before walking towards his boyfriend in the waiting couch, he blows a kiss towards Hyunjoong’s direction who huffs in reply and Jaejoong melodious laughter flows at the lobby of their establishment.
From where he is standing, leaning in his side in the door frame of his editing room, he could see Heechul a tad bit shy but the smile the older one emits is really beautiful and it makes Jaejoong in awe. He nods in acknowledgement when Hankyung looks his directions to bow a little before the couple finally leaves the establishment.
“Next time, please do warn me what you’ll be doing in the studio…” Hyunjoong says the moment he’s beside Jaejoong. They are now observing the outside streets through their glass windows. “ …or better yet lock it. Just imagine the trauma you’ll give to those who accidentally comes in there.” Hyunjoong add and Jaejoong gives another fit of laughter. He then chance to glance by his watch and it says a quarter to two in the afternoon. He hasn’t eaten lunch yet and he doesn’t have a task left more. And finally his stomach protested.
“And he is the one who scolds everyone who doesn’t eat their meals in the right time. “ Hyunjoong kids and Jaejoong snickers but in a shy way as he rubs his tummy, “Come on, let’s get you lunch and then you are free.” Hyunjoong finally says and Jaejoong smiles so brightly how Hyunjoong knows how his mind works when it comes to this.
Chapter 3a | Chapter 3b | Chapter 3c
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Still comments are disabled. LJ is being a class A prick and it really annoys me. Hais~