Of Love and Life, Chapter 04
May. 15th, 2013 07:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
twinkletofuTITLE : 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.
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 04
Yunho shut down his laptop for the first time that day when he realized that nothing is working out. He kept on spacing out and his mind drifts to several hours ago.
He remembered following Yoochun and JJ after they left the club. He doesn’t even know why but the urge to follow them that time won his contemplation. He wanted to see him, to apologize, or to just simply talk to him but seeing him being dragged out of the car wasted and utterly sleeping like a log sent him back home. Deciding that the business can wait, he took his coat in one swift and left to see JJ.
Soon he found his self in front of the building he remembered seeing several hours ago, alone. He clutched his steering wheel as he felt the last minute urge to back out. But before he can even drove off, he saw a familiar beauty walking towards the building with a grocery bag in one hand. He sets on his feet and approached him.
“JJ-sshi –“ Jaejoong stopped on his tracks and saw his full glory standing in front of him. He would be a total hypocrite if he denies how gorgeous Yunho is. He’s stunning, breathtaking and… a complete d-bag. The last was a mental slap and it helped him get back to reality.
“What brought you here, Jung Yunho-sshi”
Yunho lost it when he saw those black doe eyes staring at him. But this is do or die. Do it now or you’ll regret later. “I – Can we talk?”
Jaejoong noticed how people around them kept looking and Yunho is definitely aware of the attention he’s getting. Now he knew everything Yoochun said was true. He can hear the subtle murmurs and giggles from the passersby and no way had he wanted to talk here.
“If it’s important then let’s go up and talk.”
It wasn’t a question but Yunho could only agree. He tried to keep his composure the whole time they were walking although the presence the artist gave him shoots flare to his soul. The elevator ride isn’t any better. They stood side by side but it was way too suffocating.
They reached Jaejoong’s humble abode in no time.
Jaejoong asked his guest to sit first on the sofa before he made his way to his kitchen to drop the groceries he bought and fix Yunho something to drink. His kitchen is directly across his living area and he can fully see everything from there.
What are you even thinking inviting him here, Kim Jaejoong, he chastised himself.
Yunho eyed Jaejoong’s place with sheer interest. It’s simple; sophisticated in some ways but undeniably comfy. Jaejoong handled him his drink and sat comfortably across him.
“I’m sorry I had to put them on the fridge.” Jaejoong told him, “What do you want to talk about Yunho-sshi?”
Jaejoong’s voice sounded calm and not at least a bit irritated but that doesn’t soothe his nerves. Although he appears as composed as ever, there’s a terrible turmoil going on inside him. “I – I’m here to apologize.”
Jaejoong was quite stunned to hear this from someone like Yunho. He knew he isn’t someone to lower his pride and apologize to something he did. He was annoyed and disappointed at first, yes, but he isn’t someone to hold grudge against others.
Yunho waited for Jaejoong’s reaction but he gave him nothing. He knew what he did was horrible and it’s totally unfair to Jaejoong. “I’m sorry I acted like a real bastard that day. I’m really sorry.”
The silence is deafening as he patiently waited for Jaejoong’s reaction but what he told him was the total opposite of what he’d been foreseeing. It’s okay, he heard him say. He doesn’t know if it’s really okay or he just doesn’t care of whatever he’s saying.
“I was really harsh on you. I told you awful things and you didn’t deserve that. I – I tried to apologize yesterday but I don’t even know where to start. If you want to hate on me, so be it. I deserve that.”
He knew he was mumbling but he felt like he needed to, Jaejoong sighed then smiled at him. “Don’t worry, it’s okay.”
Stunned at what came out of the artist mouth, Yunho spared him a questioning look and waited for anything – explanation, maybe; but Jaejoong acted like nothing happened. Noticing the look on Yunho’s face, Jaejoong felt obliged to speak.
His voice came out subtly and asked, “Did you go here just to apologize?”
Yunho nodded at him and Jaejoong gave out a small Oh. They sat there in silence until Jaejoong saw the time on his clock. The sun is setting down and it’s almost dinner but he totally forgot to cook. Thanks to his guest, that is.
“Come stay for dinner Yunho-sshi”
▪▪▪
Placing down the magazine on his lap, Yunho had to ask himself again as to why he was sitting comfortably in JJ’s place when a pile of papers to sign are waiting for him at home. Jaejoong asked him earlier to stay for dinner and before he can reject his offer, his mouth already answered him with a yes. Stupid mouth of his. He couldn’t say no to the raven-haired artist and he felt quite weird that he, Jung Yunho, isn’t a tad bit like his usual self. There’s something about JJ that draws people in and he’s unquestionably one of the victims himself.
He is a man for Pete’s sake but he can’t ignore the ache forming between his legs. He had admired people from both genders before and his orientation isn’t a secret to him and his brother. Only Changmin knew about it, for he will be doomed and screwed in no time.
He dismissed the idea of liking Jaejoong for it’s too soon, too early – and to save himself for an indecent display of a hard on. He’s interested, fine. But that’s only how far he can go.
Yunho found how JJ moves around the kitchen enticing. He was lost on his own world as soon as he stepped on his kitchen and that leaves Yunho all the time to freely gawk at him.
But Jaejoong isn’t dense. No, not at all. He was aware of the looks Yunho is giving him and he couldn’t quite place as to why. He got his fair share of men and women staring at him like he’s a piece of meat but never did he felt this awkward.
After what seemed like forever, Jaejoong asked Yunho to join him on the table to eat and the latter willingly agreed.
‘There’s a lot’ he told Jaejoong after seeing how plenty he cooked.
‘Ah, I’m sparing some for Yoochun.’
Jaejoong saw that questioning look from Yunho’s face and he felt the need to explain. ‘He’s my bestfriend, he leech food for who knows how often. He stays one floor before mine.’
Nodding at JJ, Yunho savored the taste of his first sip of the stew. And God, was it heavenly. He was used to fine dining but he instantly loved this homemade cooking he knew he’ll soon get attached to.
The dinner went by really peaceful. They’ve talked about so many things, about themselves and whatnots: their families, friends and even work. They may have started out on the wrong foot but they sure got really comfortable with each other. They talked like men who knew each other for the longest time and it surprised Yunho that he can talk so much to someone other than his brother.
Remembering his brother at dinner made Yunho chuckle and Jaejoong’s brows furrowed in puzzlement. ‘My brother, Changmin, would kill to be here’ he said before chuckling again.
‘Your brother,’ Jaejoong repeated with a baffled expression. ‘Why?’
Yunho smiled again, glint obvious in his eyes, ‘My brother is a food monster. He loves food more than me’
‘You don’t say!’ Jaejoong responded before he gave a short giggle.
The usual dinner time stretched so much that both decided to stay on the dining table just to chat with each other while enjoying the dessert Jaejoong had served.
‘This is really good, JJ-sshi’ Yunho complemented the man across him.
‘Thank you and please call me Jaejoong.’ He doesn’t even know why he disposed his real name to a person he only knew for quite some time but he did and he wanted Yunho to call him by his name. ‘My name is Jaejoong. Kim Jaejoong.’
‘Oh – Jaejoong-sshi’
Not liking the formalities, Jaejoong told him to drop the –sshi and Yunho was pleased.
‘Then call me Yunho. I’m sick and tired of formalities too.’
▪▪▪
Yunho have come home to a nosy Changmin. He was waiting for him on their door and trailed him behind as soon as he set his feet on their home. Changmin knew him all too well and he keeps on asking and bugging him and he knew he can’t win.
‘I have something for you in the car’ Yunho threw his keys to Changmin and went straight to his room to clean up and change his clothes.
Silence never really lasted long when he heard Changmin shouting his name from afar, making him grin. Jaejoong had packed some food for his brother although he deliberately refuses him at first.
‘YUNHO HYUNG!!’
Changmin came running to his room with the packed food in hand.
‘HYUNG, WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU GET THIS?’ Changmin was shouting and almost shoving the pack on his face and swear, at the moment, he looks like a grade school student buzzing because of his new toy.
‘Jaejoong packed it for you.’ He answered his brother nonchalantly and Changmin only gave him a scrutinizing look.
‘Who’s this Jaejoong you’re saying?” Ohh. He forgot that Changmin doesn’t know JJ by his real name. ‘It’s JJ.’
‘I’m ignoring the fact that you went to see him today. Come join me in the dining area. You have a lot to explain.’
Yunho arrived on their dining room and Changmin already transferred the stew and other foods on separated bowls. He joined him on the table as Changmin ate the food Jaejoong prepared. The younger man groaned in satisfaction and Yunho can only smile at him.
‘Oh God, hyung, I love him already!’
‘Manners, brother.’ Yunho warned his brother, though the smile on his face betrays him.
Changmin ate in silence, ignoring Yunho as he relished everything prepared for him. After eating everything, he put his spoon on the table and turned his head to his brother.
‘So, what happened?‘
‘Nothing, really. Just talked.’
Furrowing his brows, Changmin decided not to pry so much and let his brother talk. Remembering the incidents after they went to Absolute 9096, he knew his brother’s main purpose of going to the artist’s place.
‘Did you get to apologize?’
‘I did.’ Yunho answered but Changmin isn’t satisfied with it. ‘And?’
‘And he said, it’s fine.’ Even Yunho can’t believe that Jaejoong acted like nothing had happened. He can recall how pissed the guy was on their first encounter and if it was him, he will sure make the other pay.
‘So that’s it? Then you miraculously got along and he cooked you food?’
Yunho can’t help but smile at the image of Jaejoong going around his kitchen. He felt foreign emotions but instead of being scared, he enjoys them well. The other guy interests him so much that he found it rather difficult to remove the smile plastered on his face.
On the other hand, Changmin saw the play of emotions on his brother’s face. He can’t quite remember the last time he saw his brother pleased like this.
‘You’re weird, hyung’
His brother looked at him with absolutely perplexed expression and he decided to ignore the nagging urge to explain. His words shadowing knowledge and understanding that his hyung still can’t notice by himself.
He felt the need of a new topic and so he dismissed their last conversation. ‘By the way hyung, did you see JJ-sshi’s painting already?’
Not yet, he told him as he reminded himself to check his painting as soon as he can.
▪▪▪
It was half past three in the morning and Yunho can’t seem to find sleep after working for a good three hours and so he decided to give in to curiosity. Yunho strode on their corridor with ease and reached her mom’s special room in no time. It was his mom’s room for her vague collections of artworks. It was huge and complete with proper amenities to showcase her prized artworks. Some are hanged and some stood on platforms and inside cabinets. Yet, when Yunho entered the room, a painting, which seems to be occupying the whole lot on the middle, greeted him. It was hanged on a wall without anything beside it. Spotlights like those in museums give it a dramatic effect and he was instantly drawn in.
He stood in front of it and saw the artist’s signature on one side. ‘JJ’
So this is Jaejoong’s work.
His gaze moved from the signature to the whole painting itself and his breath hitched.
A pair of eyes like dark orbs stared at him and he felt himself shudder. It was a portrait of an angel – a chained angel, with withering feathers and a damnable expression that makes its audience quiver . But what strikes Yunho the most is the angel’s utter resemblance to Jaejoong. The similarities on their features, though subtle, are perceptible. It was like looking at the real Jaejoong being tormented and he can’t do anything but stare.
The painting is a mirror of pain and suffering, a picture of misery and torment enclosed in one painting, and Yunho’s heart ached. The raw emotion a person can get while and after looking at Jaejoong’s work sure sends collectors chasing after it. He now understood why his mom had been adamant in getting one of Jaejoong’s works. But he can’t understand how – how can a person like Jaejoong paint something like that painting? He saw him as a sheer optimist, a person with unwavering positive view in life. Are his works all like this or it’s the only one?
He stood there eyeing the painting for what it seems like forever and he wished to know Jaejoong more and to see past behind the personality he ought to show people.
▪▪▪
Few weeks had passed and to say that Jaejoong and Yunho became close isn’t going to give justice to what they really had become. They got really close that even Changmin can’t help but cringe his nose every time he notice the changes on his brother.
They have spent a whole lot of time together and they absolutely enjoyed the company of each other. Jaejoong fast became Changmin’s new confidant too and Jaejoong enjoyed catering to a whiny giant like him. The brothers met Yoochun also when they all dropped by Absolute 9096.
Yunho’s circle of friends extended in no time. He knew his brother has his fair share of friends but he’s different and having two more added friends is totally new to him.
He was too busy and the pile of work isn’t decreasing either but he was surprised at himself that he can even fit Jaejoong on his schedule. For the past few days, he would work his arse off on his free time so he could find a time for them to meet.
It felt new and weird but what he is starting to feel inside can trample all these things.
▪▪▪
“Chun, are you fucking listening to me?”
While cradling the phone on his chin, Jaejoong was moving around his pad in a beeline, attempting to do last minute fixes on his clothes and hair. He was dressed in a white button up that matches his faded jeans and a pair of designer boots.
‘Yes, I am. So?’ Jaejoong sighed when he heard his bestfriend’s nonchalant reply.
‘My dear bestfriend. ‘ he started with an added dramatic tone ‘I said, I’m going with Yunho to the exhibit. Aren’t you even happy for me?’
‘Of course, I am happy for you, my dear gay friend.’
‘HOW CAN YOU?’ Jaejoong scoffed and he heard him laugh over the line.
‘Fine, you’ve told me about this numerous times. My ears can’t take this anymore.’ Yoochun whined. ‘You’re excited because you’re going to show him your works, right? When did you learn to brag your works to people?’
‘I am not bragging. He told me he would love to see my works.’
‘-And?’ his friend questioned him. ‘That’s it.’, Jaejoong responded.
‘You know what, you’re acting like a smitten high school student, baby.’ Jaejoong heard his best friend, teasing obvious on his tone.
Smitten it is, maybe yes, but in a short period of time, Yunho had managed to creep under his skin. They became really good friends and the way he can attract him bothers Jaejoong. He doesn’t even know what Yunho prefers in a lover.
A lover? Oh dear God, why was he thinking such thing?
No, he’s only a friend. A friend that is attracted to his friend.
He dismissed his thoughts and went back to his phone call. A few minutes had passed and Jaejoong heard his door bell goes off.
‘Hey, I’ll end this call, Chun. Yunho’s here.’
Yunho picked Jaejoong up after his work. He insisted to go with him on the exhibit that will showcase some of Jaejoong’s works. The artist refused him at first, telling him that he doesn’t want to be there when people look at his works, but after a round or two of persuading, he agreed.
Yunho is wearing a black tux and matching pants, making him look sharp, if he can get any better. Yunho delibaretly left his driver at home and drove his own car. The car ride was a short one and they pulled on the curb in no time. It was past the opening time and only a few people strode on the hall while eyeing the canvases hanged on the walls. Jaejoong was given the exhibit plan and he knows where the organizers put his works. He ushered Yunho to the second floor and entered another room with dim lighting that complements the artworks one by one.
They walked side by side and before they reach the farthest side of the hall, they saw a man standing in front of an artwork. Jaejoong’s artwork. They can only see his side profile but it can already make Jaejoong halt.
‘Jaejoong.’
The man turned to face them and uttered Jaejoong’s name. He was tall and attractive as hell and Yunho wondered who this guy was.
‘David.’
Dead silence enveloped them before the guy moved towards Jaejoong and hugged him. Yunho was shocked by the sudden action but what made him flip inside was Jaejoong hugging the guy back.
__________________________
Author's note: This came in really really late. Sorry for the mistakes, if there's any. I apologize profusely.
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no subject
Date: 2013-05-15 01:30 pm (UTC)Always looking forward to the next chapter..
*Can you add me back hun..so i don't miss your update^^
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Date: 2013-05-16 02:09 pm (UTC)I think, you can add me as friend instead to see updates? I'm not really sure how LJ works now. I'm posting this in Jaeho-detox too, so if you are subscribed, then you'll see this :)
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Date: 2013-05-15 04:37 pm (UTC)jae's ex?
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Date: 2013-05-16 02:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-15 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-16 02:17 pm (UTC)Hmmm, let'see. Thank you for reading! =)
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Date: 2013-05-16 12:08 am (UTC)So who is this David..an ex....mmmm....interesting.
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Date: 2013-05-16 02:28 pm (UTC)You'll see! Thank you for reading =)
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Date: 2013-05-16 03:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-16 02:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-16 09:52 am (UTC)Now the problem is David. Who is he? O_O
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Date: 2013-05-16 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-16 02:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-16 05:45 pm (UTC)