Of Love and Life, Chapter 03

[twinkletofu]

TITLE : Of Love and Life
PAIRING : Yunjae
RATING : PG 13
LENGTH : Chaptered
GENRE : AU, Romance, Fluff, Drama, Mild Angst
DISCLAIMER : I do not own anything except the plot.
SUMMARY : It was a normal day for Jaejoong when fate decided to pawn him on his game.

chapter 03

Jaejoong was left alone as soon as he entered Absolute 9096. Yoochun had to answer an important call and he left him beside the bar counter with the promise that he’ll get back as soon as he can.  He never bothered sitting but instead, he stood there with hands tucked in his pockets and took a knowing glance on every side. It has been years since his last trip to Yoochun’s baby. Memories flooded him and he can’t help but smile. It all started as a joke during their high school years in US. He remembered Yoochun telling him that he will have his own pub one day so they can have unlimited drinks and they will not have to sneak around. But years after, his best friend’s nonsense idea turned into something. And he’s proud, like really proud.

He stood there enjoying everything. He can hear some slow music playing on the background mixed with people’s soft chatters. It was comfort to his ears, he didn’t even know why. Weekend nights are special, as Yoochun told him. Every Saturday and Sunday, quality artists or bands perform and most people choose those days to swing by 9096 just to see the live performances. Quality artists my ass. Definitely not for today. His smile automatically turned upside down when he remembered that they actually have to sing that night.

It wasn’t long enough when he heard someone cleared his throat and when he turned his head he’s ultimate nightmare was there standing a few steps away from him, looking all Alpha male than the last time they met.

“You’re here.”

His voice was flat and the noise drowns the whole place but Jaejoong heard him. He eyed the six-foot-one man from his designer clothes to his chiseled face. But shit’s going first; Jaejoong was reminded of that horribly fucked up incident a few days ago.

“What are you doing here?” he said as he narrowed his eyes. He doesn’t even know what to feel; whether to hate him or not. He wanted to punch the living daylights out of him but decided not to after convincing himself that it’s a waste:  waste of his face or waste of his time and effort. He decided it’s the latter.

“To drink of course”

“Of course.,” Jaejoong replied flatly. They kept rooted on their places while staring at each other and waiting to whoever will broke their silence. Jaejoong thought it was funny that a few days ago, he only saw coldness on Yunho’s eyes and that it actually sent shiver on his spines but now, he can see something different. Hesitance maybe? Yunho took a step towards Jaejoong,

“Hey, I’m –“

But to Yunho’s disappointment, some man called JJ before he even finish what he’s saying. He eyed him with discontent and his mask is up once again. He eyed the two men in front of him who seemed too close for his liking. What the hell Jung Yunho, what are you thinking?

“Hey JJ, we need to go.” Yoochun never forgets how his best friend wants to be called JJ when other people are around and Jaejoong was really thankful for that. And he would’ve hugged him that time if he can for coming to the rescue because the last thing he wants is to deal with that Jung Yunho or the other thing he was starting to feel down there.

“I have to go Mr. Jung” he slightly bowed his head and let Yoochun pull him. “Come on Yoochun.”

▪▪▪

“What happened? You totally forgot me back there, hyung.”

After giving their order to the waiter, Changmin turned to look at his brother and eyed him suspiciously. Yunho looked a bit distracted and his eyes are shifting like he was looking for something. Or maybe, someone, Changmin thought.

“He’s here, Changmin.”

“Who?”

“JJ. You know, the artist.”

Changmin can just answer him with a long Ooohh. They were served with drinks a few minutes later and nothing beats a good booze on a weekend night. They took their first sips and Changmin knew his brother is dragging their time. Probably to avoid more question but he’s the Changmin and if he wants to be nosy, he will be nosy as fuck.

“So that’s him. He’s cute.” He looked at his brother over his drink, but nothing…

“Oh, not cute. He’s hot. Like smoking hot. But do you think he’s too pretty to be a guy? I wonder if he’s gay… or a bi. Might as well hit on him later. What do you think?”

Changmin wants to laugh out loud. He wants to laugh like his lungs will literally pop out of mouth. Gross, he knows. But that look on his brother’s face is too precious. He never thought he will see his brother like that and just because of one guy.

“Stop it Changmin.” His voice is firm.

The younger had to bit his laughter, “Stop what?”

Being brothers have advantages, they can annoy the hell out of each other when they want too and since they are really close, they annoy each other far worse than others, or Changmin annoys Yunho far worse than others.

“I know what you’re doing.” Yunho sounded really serious and Changmin thought he really have to stop. But Changmin knew his brother well. After his brother told him about how he infuriated the hell out of Jaejoong  and how he acted like a total ass and that guilt on his face when he told him that he realized what he did, Changmin already knew something was up. Maybe his brother doesn’t know this, but he do.

“Anyway, did you apologize to him?”

“Almost.” He saw disappointment on his older brother’s face. “Some guy had to appear and drag JJ with him. I thought your favorite band is playing tonight?”

Changmin recognized Yunho’s shift in topic. He looked on his watch and checked the time. He only went to Absolute 9096 around 3 times after his friends recommended him the place. He was with friends the first time he went there. He enjoyed the live band playing that day and decided to come back like most other people do.

The slow background music stopped and a tap on the microphone was heard. The chatters stopped and everyone looked over the stage and saw a man dressed in tailored suit and black cardigan.

“Hello everyone, I’m Park Yoochun!” His low husky voice vibrated throughout the whole 9096 and it caught Yunho’s attention. He remembered that he’s the guy with JJ earlier and he looked at him with narrow eyes. “I know today is 9096’s Saturday Night and a band are supposed to play but due to some circumstances, they weren’t able to come. And you will never see me dressed like this around here. If you see some hobo-looking guy here, that’s probably me…”

He caught their attention and people laughed at him.

“Who is he?” Yunho asked his brother.

“He’s Yoochun, he owns the place. Cool guy.”

Yunho turned back to look at him, wondering why JJ was with him.

“I will probably get bricked after but I’m going to sing for you guys tonight.” The audience erupted with laughter again. “Before I forgot, somebody will sing with me so you can brick us together after. Anyway, he’s my best friend and we were on some kind of band during high school. Not a proper band but we used to sing together with friends. Here’s JJ.”

Jaejoong appeared from the side and bowed to their audience before sitting on the stool beside Yoochun. The instruments were being set up on their backs and both him and Yoochun fixed their mic stands and turned back to face their audience with a smile.

And Yunho could never miss that.

Never.

Changmin could only side-eye his brother who’s looking intently on the two men on stage.

Yoochun managed to get a grab of random musical playing chaps or Jaejoong and him will have to sing an acapella or sing-along to some second rate cds and he doesn’t want that for his baby. “Please enjoy the night!”

The song started with solid strokes on the keyboard and the two men seems like they are really feeling the song. Yunho observed the two and contrary to what he heard from Yoochun, they weren’t bothered by people’s gazes or the blinding lights, like it was the most natural thing for them.

Hold up, don’t be scared
You’ll never change what’s been and gone

Yoochun is far from getting bricked. They are singing some English song that Yunho thought he already heard from somewhere. He was never really into music and his knowledge on that field only extends to some really old classics and a few songs he heard blasting from Changmin’s room.

“He’s good.” Changmin voiced out like he can read Yunho’s mind. They never removed their gazes on the two sitting beside each other. Yunho noticed every little move JJ made and when he thought he’ll take his turn to sing, he focused on him, only him.

‘cause all of the stars are fading away
Just try not to worry you’ll see them some day
Take what you need and be on your way
And stop crying your heart out

Jaejoong sang the last line with Yoochun. Years ago, they discovered that they sound good together and they can perfectly blend their voices. They started singing in school together with some friends and the rest is history.

The tapping of JJ’s foot, the way he holds the mic, the way he bobs his head in sync with the beats, the way he looked up with eyes closed like he was so into the song, he noticed them all. Yunho noticed them all.

“I’m honestly thankful that the band didn’t come tonight.” Changmin told his brother and he turned to him with a small smile. This is really getting good. He eyed his brother again and grinned when he thought of some genius thing only the great Changmin can think.

“They sang in perfect English. Hyung, I wonder how they sound singing in Korean.” Yunho looked at him and turned back his gaze to those on stage. Oblivious to his brother, Changmin called the waiter and whispered him something.

Stop crying your heart out
Stop crying your heart out

Everyone is mesmerized. The song ended and everyone clapped their hands in awe. They both stood up from their chairs and went on the side of the stage where Yoochun talked to some of his staffs. They handled him with two bottles of water and one he gave to Jaejoong.

The brothers followed the two with their eyes but the only thing Changmin noticed is the waiter talking to Yoochun and he crosses his fingers for a positive result.

▪▪▪

“That wasn’t bad.” Jaejoong told Yoochun honestly.

“See? We can still sing.” Yoochun answered and pulled Jaejoong on the corner. They received some request a few minutes ago from some unknown person and Yoochun can’t say no.  “Jae can you just sing one more song please?”

“I thought I’m done after this one?”

“Please Jae? Please please please? People asked us to sing another one and I can’t say no but I have something to do…”

Jaejoong contemplated whether to agree or not. He actually enjoyed their performance and thinking that it wouldn’t be that bad, he agreed with Yoochun’s request, only with a small difference.

“You have to sing in Korean, Jae”

Jaejoong just sighed and handled the bottled water back to Yoochun, “You owe me free drinks.”

“Deal!”

Jaejoong went on the stage again and talked to the band. A few pointers here and there and they all nodded in agreement. Jaejoong thought it was weird. He never really noticed Yunho sitting across the room beside a guy he saw earlier with him when he sang the first song with Yoochun. He reckons that he’s the only person he can recognize so can easily point him out. He felt awkward, nonetheless.

But business is business, he nods on his accompaniment band and they started playing. The song started with slow sensual beats and people appeared to recognize the song he was about to sing as they nod their heads in rhythm.

Changmin was surprised that JJ went on stage alone. He didn’t request for him to have a solo but luck is definitely on his side. This is going to be great.

Sexy lover…

Yunho thought he’d choke.

Geudae gyeotae isseul ttaen nan nuneul pyeol suga eopseo

Everyone went quiet, listening to his every word and watching his every move. The song is slow and sensual and his actions are not far from it. People stared at him in awe and much more than that. They possibly want to bed him already, girls and boys alike.
The room fell too silent that the only thing that could be heard was Jaejoong’s voice. Even Yoochun, who was on the phone, stopped and watched his friend charm the whole Absolute 9096.

For a moment, Yunho didn’t notice that he stopped breathing. He wasn’t also sure but the he felt like the temperature increased. The way JJ sings should be illegal, he told himself. Then he caught his eyes. On that stage, Jaejoong felt akward when he saw Yunho staring at him. Well, he looked at everyone and noticed how they stared at him. Just like Yunho. He shrugged at his stupid idea and gets himself lost in the song again.

Insaenge dan  hanbeon, jinsilhan sarangi omyeon,
Geuddaeseoya alge dwegetjyo girl

They never thought it would be this great until they heard Jaejoong hit the high notes.

Hey girl

They had to hold their jaws from dropping in awe. People can’t even believe that he’s not a professional singer. Same with Yoochun but Jaejoong is a totally different story. He can be signed that day and time and earn millions with that voice of his.

Can I show you what love can do?
Sarangeul shimeul su ittjyo, ijen byeonhaji mayo
With me, Eternally

Soon the music faded and Jaejoong stood up and bowed to everyone. He saw his best friend standing on the side and immediately went to him.

“Ya, I need my drinks.” Yoochun looked like he won the lottery with Jaejoong’s performance. “Can I just hire you here?”. Jaejoong playfully pushed him and he strangled his neck and ruffled his hair in return.

▪▪▪

“Is he even real?”

Yunho’s thoughts were broken when he heard how serious Changmin sounded. They were both flabbergasted to say. When the music started to fade away, they both wish for more. Hell, the whole place wished for more. But Jaejoong immediately left the stage and went to Yoochun and they were all left hanging, wanting.

However, Yunho isn’t someone to state the obvious. He sips on his half-drank glass of Rémy Martin and listened to his brother voice out what he can’t.

“Look at those people. They look like they want to pounce on him anytime. But God, he’s blessed. It’s not really fair. With that face and talent –“

Changmin stopped when he saw Yunho turned his head on his right, obviously not listening to him anymore. They saw Yoochun and JJ sat on a table near theirs. He saw Yoochun brought JJ his drink and they are talking but they can’t hear anything, although they wish they could. Then with a nod, Yoochun stood up and left JJ drinking alone.

“Do you want to go there?” Changmin asked his brother and he gave him a stiff No. “You sure?” he asked again but Yunho ignored him and continued to stare at JJ, Changmin sighed.

They stayed there, not talking to each other and refilling their drinks from time to time. They are both heavy drinkers and after a few more glasses of alcoholic drink, they are still sober. They didn’t even check the time and only noticed how late it was when people started to go one by one.

“Hyung, you know you’re one big ass if you don’t apologize.” He told him as a matter factly. Yunho contemplated what to do. It’s not like him to beg for someone’s forgiveness and he can get away from anything. But he knew he was wrong and he needed to do what his brother told him.

“Fine.” He stood up along with Changmin and decided to go to Jaejoong’s table. However, it seems like luck’s fucking him out big time, Yoochun went to Jaejoong’s side and they both stopped on their tracks.

Jaejoong is too drunk. He was swaying on his seat while playing on his glass and his body is a bit hunched over the table. Yoochun was inside the bar counter when he saw his friend’s drunken state and he sighed. He went to his side and poked his forehead with his index finger.

“Ya! You enjoyed your free drinks?” Jaejoong looked up at him and smiled. He’s really drunk. “Come on, let’s go home.” He pulled his friend up but his legs gave up. “You can’t even stand straight. How much did you drink?” He took a loud sigh drop on his knees and pulled Jaejoong on his back. “If I break my back, I’ll make you pay.”

Yoochun stopped walking when he noticed two men standing on his way. He recognized them so he bowed to them and left the place.

▪▪▪

Jaejoong woke up with a head-splitting headache. He cursed under his breath and took one glace on his digital clock. It reads 2:00 PM and he groaned. He remembered drinking after singing in Absolute 9096 and the rest is a pure blur. He’s a heavy drinker but with the amount of drinks he drank last night, no wonder he woke up with his worst hangover in years.

He left his bed when he heard sounds from his living room and saw Yoochun sitting on his sofa whilst flipping through channels on his telly.

“Hey.” He greeted him and went straight to his kitchen across his living room. Yoochun followed him after turning off the TV. Jaejoong sat on his tool beside his kitchen counter with his hands massaging his temples. Yoochun cringed and gave him honey water.

“Suits you. I had to carry you on my back last night. You’re that drunk.” Jaejoong drank his glass of honey water and apologized to Yoochun. “No need. I seriously owe you yesterday. I just didn’t know you will abuse your unlimited drinks.” They just grinned at each other and Jaejoong just told him, “It was fun.”

“No. Killing your liver is not fun.”

“Take it to someone who owns the place. And you’re worse than me.”

“Anyway, I didn’t know you know the Jungs.” Yoochun told his best friend as he made himself his own peanut butter and jelly. “Jung who?”
“Jung Yunho and his brother. You were talking to them yesterday.”

“Ah that Jung Yunho. He is Mrs. Jung’s son.” Jaejoong didn’t know if he cringed because his head felt like splitting into two or simply because of that conceited bastard named Jung Yunho. “How’d you know him? Them?”

“Are you serious that you don’t know them? Jae, have you been hiding under a rock?”

“No, genius. I just got back remember?”

Yoochun decided to tell his friend about them. “You see, they are both Jungs but they have different mothers. From what I heard, Jung Yunho is the heir since he is technically a Jung in blood. You know the royal family before right? They still have descendants around the country. Although they don’t rule the country anymore, they still have a huge influence in politics and business world.”

“And how come you know so much about them?”

“Well a few months ago, those two were featured in one show and they made a huge deal about them being descendants of royals. See, if monarchs still rule the country, they are princes since they are direct descendants. And you know how people gag for royalties.”

“Yeah, like Prince William and Catherine.”

He left the comparison to Jaejoong. “Yes. They dressed them up in modern royal outfits and stuff. I heard they were doing that for the charity though. I’m not even sure why. They have money, they can just sign cheques and that’s it. After that, you can literally see them everywhere. On commercials, magazines, posters, everywhere.

Jaejoong took everything Yoochun told him. That explains the humongous house he saw a few days ago. If they did those for charity then they’re cool. But flashes of his first encounter with the older Jung crossed his mind and he cringed a bit. It is not in Jaejoong’s nature to stay angry. He knew he isn’t mad at him anymore. Just annoyed, maybe. He whines a lot when he’s mad at someone but after that, he’s fine. He remembered Yunho from last night and he just heaved a long sigh.



Next: Chapter 4 >>


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Author's note: Idek what happened to me but I was able to write 6 pages in one go. I don't know what to feel though. I feel like I somewhat failed the singing part. Anyway, please enjoy!
Author's note 2: In case you want to know the songs they sang, the english one is Oasis' Stop Crying Your Heart Out and the korean one is DBSK's Hey! Girl. So there,
P.S. This is really Yunjae, I promise! Not Jaechun, people. Not Jaechun. Please hold on, okay. I have plans so, yeah. I'm excited for the angsty parts =)
Author's note 3 (impt.): GUYYYYS, I HAVE NO PLANS FOR THIS TO HAVE A SIDE JAECHUN. I'M REPEATING, NO JAECHUN... NO JAECHUN.. COME ON FOLLOW MY PENDULUM, YES THAT'S IT, YOU'RE BEING HYPNOTIZED RIGHT NOW.
But really, the love between Jaejoong and Yoochun here is all brotherly. No love triangle thingy will happen. The story is just starting and I  just want to show that they have their own separate lives before they got to know each other. So yeah, no jaechun. Hahahaha