Let's Play Pretend - Chapter 7

[smexplicit]

Title: Let's Play Pretend - Chapter 7
Genre: Romance, fluff, slight angst
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: PG-13; (NC-17 overall)
Summary: Jung Yunho finds himself stuck in a fake relationship with another man when he is very much straight and is secretly dating a very famous actress.



A/N: I’m really sorry it took me longer to update. Laziness got the best of me, sadly. But I hope this will make up for it! By the way, forgive me for any grammatical error. I’ll check again for misspellings and stuff tomorrow. Anyway, on to the story! ENJOY! hikhik

The Sweet Escape

A number of things were running through Yunho’s head. Now that he’d stopped and thought about it, he was beginning to doubt what he just did. What was he going to say if Jaejoong asked what it meant? Yunho could only hope Jaejoong didn’t get the wrong idea.

But… what wrong idea exactly?

He was standing in the middle of the living room thinking of an alibi when suddenly, a faint knock, followed by the familiar beep brought his attention to the door. Yunho ran to the nearest couch in panic. He grabbed a book, stretched on the couch and pretended to read.

“Yunho?”

“I’m in here,” Yunho answered back.

Silent footsteps puttered on the carpeted floor, and halted just in front of the couch. Yunho could make out the form standing in front of him, but he didn’t look up, and continued staring at the white, empty space of the book.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m reading,” he sighed in feign annoyance.

“It’s upside-down,” Jaejoong pointed out.

“It takes practice. You have a problem with that?” Yunho replied calmly, but mentally kicked himself now that he realized the printed letters were indeed upturned.

He heard a grunt of irritation. Instantly, the book was snatched away from his hands, and then tossed into a corner. Yunho, having no choice but to look up, had to bite back a smile when he’d gotten a good look at Jaejoong’s appearance. He sat up straight, and crossed his arms.

“What?” Yunho asked. “Do you have something to say to me?”

His eyes slowly roamed Jaejoong’s face-his bangs were pinned back, curtain of black hair framing those beautiful, wide eyes. Yunho also noticed a smudge of… was that frostings on his cheek? And then there were some on his shirt. Finally noticing something tucked under Jaejoong’s arm, he eyed it skeptically.

Jaejoong self-consciously shifted on his feet. Slowly revealing a small package, he held it out to Yunho with both hands. He bit his lip and mumbled, “I… uh, here.”

“What’s this?” Yunho asked with raised eyebrows.

“Just take it!” Jaejoong groused.

Yunho grabbed the box, placing it carefully on his lap. He was unsure if it was all right to open it right away, so before lifting the lid off of it, he took a glance at Jaejoong-he was looking away so Yunho went ahead and peered inside.

Yunho tried his hardest not to grin like a fool, but he couldn’t hold back the smile forming on his lips. “You made me cupcakes?”

“I-it’s the best that I could come up with.”

“Thanks, but you didn’t have to.”

“I didn’t have to?” Jaejoong frowned. “I wouldn’t have felt obliged to give you something in return if it weren’t for… You shouldn’t have bothered.”

“Okay, well,” Yunho grinned. “Why don’t you give them back if accepting a gift is such a burden to you?” he countered playfully.

"What?" Jaejoong yelped, his eyes widening. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" He scratched his chin, as if rethinking his decision. At the same time, he was trying so hard to suppress his laughter.

"B-Because-”

Jaejoong’s nose twitched cutely, and then covered half of his face as he sneezed. “Excuse me,” he quickly muttered, and then went on with his grumbling. “I can’t, because you already gave it to me!"

How was it possible for a man to look so adorable? Yunho blinked. No he did not just think that, he assured himself and then quickly shoved the thought aside. He cleared his throat and spoke again, “but you said you didn't want it."

“I didn’t say that! A-and it would be rude to give it back. So I’m keeping it," Jaejoong said meekly.

“Mmm,” Yunho stood up all of a sudden, his height towering over Jaejoong. “You have something on your face, by the way.” He grinned, pointing at Jaejoong’s cheek.

“Wipe it for me,” Jaejoong grinned.

“You have hands, wipe it yourself.” Yunho rolled his eyes at him. “Are you sure these are safe to eat?” Yunho teased, pointing at the package resting on the couch. “I hope you didn’t slobber on them.”

“That’s it,” Jaejoong hissed. “Give me back my cupcakes!” he launched for the box but Yunho had quicker reflex and got to it first. He held the box in the air with one hand while Jaejoong tiptoed as he tried to reach for it.

“You can’t take it back,” Yunho chuckled. “Because that would be ruuude.” He slurred, doing an impression of Jaejoong.

As it was impossible to win this one, Jaejoong ultimately surrendered and made a quick step back. “Whatever,” he growled, pushing Yunho to the couch in annoyance, making him stumble backwards with a thump.

Yunho grinned up at Jaejoong in triumph, before taking one cupcake and shoving it in his mouth. “Hey, this is amazing!” he said with bright eyes.

“Well of course… I slobbered all over it.” Jaejoong chuckled, while Yunho looking appalled, choked on it. “I’m joking,” he laughed.

Glancing at the clock, he remembered he had plans with a friend today. Despite wanting to spend more time with Yunho, he couldn’t afford to skip this one. “Shoot. I have to go,” he pouted.

“Right now?” Yunho asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Yeah, a friend just arrived from Japan,” he explained. “And I kind of promised to show him around if he decided to visit.”

“Oh okay, have fun then,” Yunho nodded weakly.

Jaejoong stood up and headed to the entryway. With one hand already gripping the door handle, he stopped on his tracks and then looked back. Yunho stared at him curiously.

“Yunho-yah, uhm,” he called shyly. “Thank you.” His words were barely perceptible as he hurriedly spoke in one breath, “andIreallylikethatcutebeartoothanksagainbye.”

Yunho chuckled, and didn’t dwell so much in the sudden pitter-patter feeling in his chest. Instead, he shook his head in amusement as he watched Jaejoong clumsily scramble through the door in haste.

***

The light atmosphere between the two didn’t last long. To be fair, it was mostly just Yunho being his moody self all of a sudden. The following days, his temper had become so erratic that even friends and staff from work started to notice.

It was one afternoon, on his way to a photoshoot when one reporter sneakily caught up with him. He was used to this kind of intrusion, and even held a casual conversation with the reporter. Caught by surprise, he stilled when he was bombarded with questions about the status of his relationship with Jaejoong.

Apparently, his current squeeze was always seen with another man lately and everyone was assuming that they were having problems. Faking a smile, he politely told them that the stranger was just a friend and that they were doing fine. That seemed to gain a nod of understanding from the reporter… except the information didn’t really do as well with him.

Friday night, Yunho met up with Junsu and Yoochun at a local bar for some drinks. It was an interesting night for typical thrill seekers-lounging in the V.I.P. area, sipping expensive champagne, watching sexy girls on the dance floor with a promise of wild sex in every glance… but one man, however, wasn’t entertained.

Yunho sighed in spite of himself. He used to love this kind of environment, and it was frustrating him that lately, he realized, it just didn’t suit his mood anymore. But his mind was saying he needed this escape after what happened in the past few days.

Firstly, Soojin was busy the entire week. He only managed to talk to her twice over the phone since the launch party and Yunho was already starting to feel the strain in their relationship. To say the least, he dreaded the day she would start promoting overseas.

And then there was Jaejoong. It had been days since he properly talked to him because as what Yunho had learned, he was too busy frolicking around with a friend. He could only hope Jaejoong wouldn’t do anything that would lead more people to question their relationship.

God, he isn’t thinking at all!

“What’s with the face?” Yoochun asked, lazing on the cushioned seat next to Junsu.

Yunho’s annoyance was showing, apparently. He sat across the table from them with a scowl on his face. They were in a VIP booth that was adorned with classy white leather seats. And through the glass walls, they had a clear view of the action happening in the main dance floor. The ear-splitting sound of heavy music came off muffled inside, but not completely soundproofed so they could still hear the thumps of the beat.

“We’re here to have fun!” Yoochun reached over the table, patting Yunho on the shoulder.

“I’m having fun,” Yunho said flatly.

“Have you heard from Jaejoong yet?” Junsu suddenly piped in the conversation.

Yunho’s ears perked up but continued playing uninterested. He was told that Jaejoong couldn’t make it tonight.

“He has other plans,” Yoochun answered, turning to Junsu. “...with Shim Changmin.”

Changmin? Yunho frowned unconsciously, listening intently but eyes fixed on the fuzzy images on the dance floor.

As if echoing Yunho’s thoughts, Junsu choked on his drink. “Wait, he’s friends with Shim Changmin?”

Yoochun chuckled. “Yeah. I didn’t know either,” he chimed, hands flailing in emphasis. “Jaejoong mentioned him in passing before but I never really paid attention.”

“You’ve never worked with him? How come?” Junsu wondered, eyes focusing on Yunho. “Isn’t he like one of Korea’s top fashion photographers? With your experience and status in the modeling industry, I immediately assumed you’ve at least worked with him once before.”

“…”

Yunho looked up when he noticed the lull in conversation. Only then he realized that the question was directed to him. Seeing that Junsu looked like he was waiting for an answer, Yunho cleared his throat and finally joined in.

“We’ve never really gotten the chance considering our busy schedules. I’m always booked up and as far as I know, he’s based in Japan now, so I guess it just doesn’t work for both of us.” Yunho shrugged.

“Well, hopefully, with Jaejoong’s help, I can get the two of you acquainted and then maybe we can talk about doing collaborative projects in the future,” Yoochun suggested.

Junsu hummed in agreement while Yunho just nodded lightly.

The conversation was put to a stop when Yoochun’s phone rang. He mouthed Jaejoong to the other two before picking it up. “Where are you?” his eyes fleeting to Yunho. “…Is that so? …Okay.”

“What’d he say?” Junsu asked.

“Nothing, just that they’re heading back to his apartment right now,” Yoochun smirked. He didn’t miss how Yunho’s eyes dimmed a little.

“Oh,” Junsu squeaked and then leaned towards Yoochun. “Good thing Yunho isn’t the jealous type,” he whispered.

Right. Yoochun thought, Junsu doesn’t know.

“A hundred bucks tells me he is the jealous type,” Yoochun whispered back.

Junsu grinned. “Let’s shake on that.”

Yunho frowned at the two’s sudden exchange of handshakes, and briefly wondered what it was about. He settled on his friends just being their usual weird selves… and decided to just ignore them.

It wasn’t long before Yoochun’s theory about Yunho was put to test. He actually lied about the phone conversation earlier. In fact, Jaejoong informed him that he was already heading to the club and was bringing Changmin along so he could introduce him to everyone.

Yunho, clearly surprised, looked on in confusion when he saw Jaejoong appear from the crowd, and was already strutting towards them. His eyes narrowed at the tall man following closely behind him.

Junsu eyed Yoochun suspiciously and sported the same confused look as Yunho, while Yoochun just beamed knowingly the entire time.

“Hey guys!” Jaejoong cheered happily. He pulled the tall newcomer inside, and lightly pushed him forward. “As you all now, this is Shim Changmin. He’s a very good friend of mine.”

Jaejoong then introduced the other men in the room. When he got to Yunho, he grinned as he excitedly introduced him to Changmin as his boyfriend. He chuckled, rolling his eyes at the surprise look on Yunho’s face.

After the quick introduction, Jaejoong sat in between Yunho and Changmin, while Yoochun and Junsu were in a deep discussion on the other side, secretly peeking at the three guys across from them.

Changmin tried to engage Yunho in a conversation, but the awkwardness was agonizing especially with Yunho constantly giving a short, stiff reply.

“Okay, enough with the formalities you two. Lets party!” Jaejoong grinned. “Yunho-yah, dance with me?”

“I don’t dance,” Yunho said gruffly.

“It’s a shame,” Jaejoong muttered disappointedly. He then turned to Changmin. “Are you going to turn me down as well?”

“Never,” Changmin chuckled. He took Jaejoong’s hand, and then pulled him to the dance floor.

Yoochun grinned wolfishly and then elbowed Junsu on his side. As they silently observed how Yunho’s eyes glowered at the retreating backs of Jaejoong and Changmin, Yoochun could only think that he was going to win it tonight.

***

“Is he looking? Is he looking?” Jaejoong muttered hurriedly to Changmin’s ear, arms around the tall man’s neck. His back was turned to the group and only Changmin had the clear view of the people behind them.

“Yes,” Changmin groaned. He took a glance at Yunho and he could see the guy assessing him with narrowed eyes. “Hyung, I really don’t get you sometimes. Are you trying to make your boyfriend jealous?” he asked.

“Shush,” Jaejoong lightly tapped Changmin on the head. “Shut up and just work with me here,” Jaejoong grumbled and then resumed moving his hips.

Changmin danced stiffly, sneaking a glance at Yunho. “But uh, he is looking at me like he wants to dice me into pieces. I think your boyfriend wants to kill me, hyung.”

“Really?” Jaejoong cheered.

“Great. You’re actually trying to get me killed.”

“Dance,” Jaejoong flicked Changmin’s forehead once more when the other refused to budge.

“Ouch!”

“Oh for the love of God, just get that stick off your ass and dance properly!” Jaejoong snarled.

“This is ridiculous,” Changmin blurted out. “I went here expecting to meet girls! But I can’t do that if I’m here dancing with you… a man! They’re probably thinking I’m… uh-”

Changmin stilled. “Jaejoong hyung,” he tapped him briskly on the back. “Heads up, jealous boyfriend approaching,” he whispered but Jaejoong didn’t hear properly because of the loud music assaulting his ears.

“What-?” Jaejoong yelped in surprise when he felt a hand circle on his wrist, untangling his arms around Changmin’s neck. He turned and was suddenly face to face with Yunho, a blank expression on his face.

“Oh, Yunho-yah,” Jaejoong squeaked. “What, you want to dance?”

“It’s late,” Yunho replied blandly. “We should go.”

Yunho thought it would be weird if he left the club without Jaejoong. After all, they were dating… to the public’s knowledge at least. So he figured it was just logical that they left the club together… right? He hummed to himself, convinced that it was the right thing.

“What?” Jaejoong scowled. “But we just got here,” he complained as the three of them left the main floor, and moved to a less crowded area.

Yunho ignored him and faced the other man who was just standing idly on the side. He smiled at him, and said, “Changmin-sshi, you don’t mind if I take Jaejoong home now, do you?”

To Changmin’s ears, that didn’t sound like a question at all. He especially didn’t miss the trace of possessiveness in there. “Oh, I don’t mind at all,” Changmin rejoiced because finally he could do what he came here for. “You go ahead and do your sweet couple things.”

“Okay but, let me say goodbye to Yoochun and Junsu first,” Jaejoong muttered.

“That’s not necessary, I already told them we’re leaving,” Yunho insisted.

“But…” Jaejoong looked over to their table and his brows furrowed. Yoochun was grinning at him widely, waving a hundred-dollar bill in the air, next to a sullen looking Junsu. Weirdo.

“Fine.” Jaejoong frowned then turned to Changmin. He handed him his car keys. “Here, take my car. Drive safely, okay? And don’t forget to call me when you get home.” Jaejoong firmly said before moving closer to give his loving dongsaeng a hug.

Yunho coughed, eyeing the other two in a warm hug. “Okay, that’s enough,” Yunho yanked Jaejoong away quickly with a force laugh. He said his goodbye to Changmin and then pulled Jaejoong with him outside.

When they’d reached the deserted parking lot, Jaejoong jerked his wrist away from Yunho’s hold. Yunho glared, but continued marching towards the car.

“Hey!” Jaejoong shouted, stomping after Yunho. “Why did you do that? You were being rude. We weren’t finished dancing and-”

“You call that dancing?” Yunho huffed, opening the front door of the car. He shot a look of annoyance when Jaejoong slammed the door shut again. “Okay, would you rather take a cab then?”

Jaejoong approached Yunho with a wicked smile on his lips. “Why are you acting like a jealous boyfriend so suddenly?”

“W-what? I’m not!” Yunho stuttered. Feeling cornered, his brain instinctively started building a wall of defense.

“Frankly, I don't care what you do or who you try to hook up with,” he replied, eyes glazed in appearance. “I wouldn’t bat an eye if it were not for the deal we made. But if you’re too busy flirting so carelessly in public, then how do you expect this to work?”

Oh. Jaejoong bit his lip, ignoring that strange tightness in his chest. He didn’t let it affect him and quickly put on that façade of indifference.

“Are you done lecturing me?” Jaejoong deadpanned. “Okay, I understand. If you’re so concerned about that, then I’ll try to keep my affairs private from now on.”

Keep his affairs private? Yunho’s eyes narrowed, chest puffing out a little. “I’m just saying, you have to be careful with your actions. Remember that one mistake can mess up everything we’ve accomplished so far.”

Jaejoong snorted. “Because we can’t afford to sully that flawless reputation of yours, you mean.”

Yunho sensed the heavy sarcasm in his words. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh please, I know why you don’t want people to think that I’m cheating on you,” Jaejoong smirked. “Because it could mean that something’s lacking from the Jung Yunho,” he teased while wriggling his eyebrows. “Are you worried about people questioning your capability in bed?”

“What are you talking about?” Yunho’s eyes widened. “I-It’s not like that!”

“Yeah, I believe you,” he grinned, as he inched closer and then sensually whispered in Yunho’s ear. “Because we both know you’re capable enough to satisfy my needs.”

“T-that’s not what I meant!” Yunho’s cheeks bloomed in color, bewildered at how Jaejoong kept twisting his words. He yanked the door open, and slid inside the car as he grumpily yelled at Jaejoong to get in.

“Always the sourpuss,” Jaejoong laughed, his lips quirking upwards.

***

Three days after Soojin left for the overseas promotion, Jaejoong was already complaining to Yoochun about Yunho. He observed how the other man kept to himself in the past days, and even declined every time he invited him to hang out with Changmin. He really wished Yunho would try to get to know Changmin because the younger guy secretly looked up to him.

He pursed his lips in annoyance. Jaejoong came to a conclusion that Yunho was probably just moping around because he was sad about Soojin.

“Yoochun-ah, he’s ignoring me again!” Jaejoong mumbled into the phone. He was on his fluffy bed with both feet perched atop the headboard. The sound of the television could be silently heard on the background as he yapped away in misery.

He flipped over to his stomach, keeping the phone glued to his ears. A music video of some boyband was playing on his TV. It looked like a summer video. He chuckled a little looking at that one guy who kind of looked like Yunho.

He continued to whine at Yoochun while watching five grown men dance on his screen, when out of nowhere, like a brick had been thrown at him, his head swirled as an idea hit him in the head. He screeched whole-heartedly, shocking Yoochun thinking that Jaejoong was in danger.

“No, no, I’m fine!” he giggled. “Yoochun-ah, can you do something for me?”

***

Yunho sat beside Yoochun on the bench in the departure hall boringly flipping through a travel magazine. They were heading for a photoshoot in Bora-Bora and would be gone for a week. He was booked for only 2 days, so the rest of the week would be a time of relaxation for him. He just couldn’t wait to get away from… He cleared his thoughts, sighing in relief when he heard the call for boarding.

They stood in line as they waited for their turn for final check-in. Yunho turned to Yoochun when he felt him tap his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

“I… I need to pee!” Yoochun was hopping comically, face scrunched in discomfort. “I’ll meet you inside.”

“Okay, hurry up,” Yunho laughed as Yoochun hurriedly ran to the toilet. He went ahead, and showed his boarding pass to the ground personnel and then followed the line of people ahead of him.

Finally inside the aircraft, he made his way to the business class and settled on his seat by the window side. Sensing a pair of eyes on him, he smiled at the charming flight attendant who immediately blushed in embarrassment.

He looked around and noticed that it was almost getting full with passengers. He frowned, fishing out his phone on his pocket to call Yoochun. He searched through his contacts list, but when he finally saw Yoochun in the corner of his eye occupy the vacant seat on his side, he stopped scrolling and turned off his phone as the aircraft was now ready for take off.

He turned, not ready for the surprise that awaited him. “Yah, what took you so-” Yunho gasped. There was no way in hell.

“What in the world are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Jaejoong told him as if he were daft for not realizing. “I’m coming with you.”

“W-What?” Yunho’s ears buzzed in confusion and panic. “How about Yoochun? He…” Suddenly putting two and two together, he cursed under his breath. With eyes looking so deadly, he stared at Jaejoong looking more than pissed.

“There is no photoshoot, is there?” he hissed through gritted teeth.

“Nope, it’s just the two of us,” Jaejoong grinned sweetly, leaning forwards as he reached for Yunho’s seatbelt. “Come on, buckle up.”

No doubt, it was going to be one hell of a crazy ride.

A/N: Oh what you gonna do now Yunho-sshi? One whole week with Jaejoong? DUN DUN! Like what leader Yunho have said, TVXQ became men in Bora-Bora. ;) teeheehe.

I also have a little news to share, just like Yunho and Jaejoong, I’ll be gone for a one-week vacation starting on the 29th. Hopefully, I can give you one last chapter before I leave because I won’t be able to update until the 2nd week of June. But who knows, maybe some miracle will allow me to post an update while on vacation.

And of course, as always, THANK YOU FOR READING! I’m not kidding when I tell you that reading your comments motivates me to update. There are times when I suddenly lose the inspiration to write, but your comments put me back on track. T_T Thank you guys so much for inspiring me to write. GROUP HUG! <3

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