The Prince and the Pauper

[dinotabbi]

Title: The Prince and the Pauper
Genre: Romance
Rating: R
Pairing: Taecyeon/Wooyoung
Summary: Wooyoung is a wealthy boy who is the son of two famous perfumers. He doesn’t act spoiled but he can be childish at times. His parents open up a small shop in the middle of downtown, despite already owning many bigger store around the nation. They buy the old, abandoned shop and after hiring a company, they start the construction. Wooyoung wanders into the shop as construction is going on to look around. Upon his findings is a boy, who looks dirty and a bit scruffy. Wooyoung can’t control his curiosity as the words fly out of his mouth before he can stop himself, “Hey, how old are you? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
The look Wooyoung receives from this young worker will be one he never forgets.
NOTE: this thing is long...................
Disclaimer: I do not own 2PM or ... anything




Help Wanted

It was the only thing that caught Taecyeon's eye as he passed the rundown shop. His eyes scanned the plain looking paper, pulling from it the most important words, seeking able-bodied male for construction work. Taecyeon paused, “Construction work experience required. Tch.” He left the paper untouched as he continued to walk down the sidewalk. As desperate as he was, he should've applied for the job anyways but he knew all to well from experience. Without that certain skill, they weren't going to look twice at him. His body was built for heavy lifting and it was suitable for construction work but without that experience and familiarity with tools, he stood no chance.

Taecyeon shoved his hands into his pockets as he grumbled. How hard could it be to nail and drill and build? He wasn't an ace in math but he wasn't half bad. He passed, that was all that mattered. “Where am I supposed to get experience?” The ad bothered him all day, which it shouldn't have. He was distracted all day as he loaded bags of rice onto trucks.

He stood there, debating the ad once more. He was shaking his head and mumbling when his boss's voice interrupted him, “Hey! I don't pay you to stand around!”

Taecyeon bit his lip to prevent himself from saying what was in his head. The only reason he put up with his boss was because he desperately needed this job. He needed a job period. Finding work was hard with his little experience and living status, no one wanted him. Taecyeon needed money to pay for his rundown one room apartment. Food was scarce but he managed. He wasn't one for extra spending, new clothes, jewelry, fancy home decorative items, he was happy with what he had. By happy, it meant satisfied. Sure, Taecyeon would've loved to have a place where his bedroom wasn't also his living room, dining room and almost kitchen but he was surviving.

He sighed, wiping the sweat off his brow quickly before grabbed a few bags of rice to throw onto the truck. His muscles were used to the heavy work now and were far too strained for him to even feel pain. Taecyeon's lack of food was making his body thin but his muscles pulsed and tightened with every lift.

“Alright, take a break!”

Taecyeon sat down at the edge of the loading dock, letting his tired feet dangle off the end. The pads of his feet throbbed but he ignored it, feeling it day after day. He knew by now that it was easier just to pretend that pain didn't exist. If he let anything bother him, his angry growling stomach, swollen feet, tired muscles, sunken face, he would just have to quit life all together.

“Man, you really need to eat,” Seulong, a friend or co-worker said. The older boy was more just someone to talk to at work rather than someone he'd see outside of the strenuous job.

“I am eating... Just not at the moment.”

The older boy would've smacked Taecyeon but he was afraid the other boy would've broke into pieces, “That's not what I meant. Come to my house, I'll feed you.”

Taecyeon sighed, if there was one thing he hated, it was pity or sympathy, pity with remorse, “I'm fine.”

The younger boy's face was easy to read but Seulong just shook his head and shrugged. He wasn't going to argue with Taecyeon, it was pointless, a waste of voice and strength. He had tried once and it didn't end without a couple black eyes and bruises. Taecyeon was stubborn and that was the way he was going to keep it. He slapped his hand against the younger boy's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before leaving Taecyeon.

Taecyeon breathed out, letting his stomach growl loudly now. He had kept it in and was started to be able to hold everything in. He was learning how to prevent himself from looking desperate for sleep or food. He had been living in his apartment for long enough now that he was able to ignore all the sounds that were emitted around it. The sound of the mice (or rats) running through the walls, the railway just to the east, the kids screaming down the halls, the energetic couple upstairs. Taecyeon chuckled, he had to admit, the couple sometimes aroused him though and he didn't need porn or a girl when he had them. Whatever the man was doing to his girl, he had her screaming and moaning to Taecyeon's satisfaction. Though some nights he was too tired to move and he just wanted them to shut up.

He was back to hauling the sacks of rice and sweating out more than his intake of water, even that wasn't free. Sweat covered his entire body like it did every day and Taecyeon wished he could just go home and shower but it wasn't possible. Sometimes his neighbour, a low-grade stripper, would offer him her shower but he knew she was offering him more than hot water. He had politely refused countless times but sometimes he feel desperate.

Taecyeon wobbled to the restroom, washing his hands before scrubbing at his face. His eyes followed his boss as the older man walked in and watched him. He sighed, grabbing his jacket and leaving. If he was lucky, he was able to wash off as much sweat as he could from his body but today, under a watchful eye, he was not fortunate.

“Hey honey, fifty for a suck.”

“Do I look like I have any money? Get away from me,” Taecyeon hissed.

His apartment was in an unfortunate part of town but it was the only reason he could afford it. His job wasn't even minimum wage but it kept him alive, or under a roof anyways. On the corner of his street, girls gathered, dressed in sleazy outfits and it almost made Taecyeon throw up as they continuously hit on him. He knew that thing had been around the block and back more than a few times. He never imagined being one of those hundreds guys that ended up in the alley, pressing her against the wall and screwing her hard.

Taecyeon shuddered as he entered his apartment, feeling safer there. He was strong sure but those girls knew how to handle themselves. They weren't as innocent as they all seemed. If they really wanted you, they wouldn't just use seducing tactics and if they had their way with you and you didn't offer to pay, their pimp would be after you. Taecyeon didn't know from experience but he knew from enough people at his work. It was a backwards world if the hookers would cornering customers.

He pulled off his sweaty shirt as he filled the bathroom sink of water. He dipped his head in it, soaking his hair and massaging in the water. “Mmm,” he moaned, feeling the cold water soak into his skin. He scrubbed the water into his scalp before pulling his head from the water. Taecyeon felt the drips of cold liquid stream down his neck and over his back. A soft knock interrupted his peace.

“Hey.”

“What do you want Eunsook?” Taecyeon asked, staring the tall girl up and down. She was standing there in nothing but a silky, somewhat see-through gown. This stripper thought he was too easy and tonight, he was.

“How about taking up my shower offer? You won't regret it,” she winked.

Taecyeon sighed, looking back at his messy room. He tensed when he felt Eunsook's finger run along his sweaty chest. He turned his attention back to her as she slipped her finger into her mouth and started to suck on it. He was following her into her apartment and it was the first time he had ever been in it. He was surprised to find it nicer than his but when he really thought about it, maintenance had been at her apartment more than his. He bet that it was because of her seducing tactics that she had a nicer place.

“Shower is this way,” she had a towel hanging off her finger and Taecyeon took it before closing the door to the bathroom.

He couldn't help but let out a groan as the hot water hit his sore muscles. He couldn't remember the last time he had a decent shower or even had hot water. Taecyeon kept still under the spray, letting it massage his aching body before moving his hands to rub it in. He was so used to not using soap that he jumped when a bottle was offered to him.

“Use it,” Eunsook said, her hand thrust into the stall.

Taecyeon could see her form on the other side and she was probably admiring him from behind the door. He took the bottle, pouring the slippery fluid into his hand and smearing it onto his body. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as the delicious aroma of strawberries and melons drifted into his nose. Nothing this elegant had been around him in a long time and it was like he was in heaven. He quickly noted that he was wasting water as he quickly washed up and turned the shower off. Taecyeon climbed out, finding his pants missing and the only thing there was a towel. He rolled his eyes, picking up the one piece of material and wrapping it around his hips. He wasn't going to escape tonight.

“Better?” Eunsook asked with her back to him. She was bent over, fiddling with something.

“Much... Thank you. About my clothes...”

“You know, if you need them washed you can come to me,” she picked up his wet boxers that she had been hand washing, “These were quite dirty.”

Taecyeon's eyes left her face and stared down at the ground. The first and last person that had seen his dirty boxers was his mother.

“Your clothes will need time to dry,” Eunsook turned after hanging his clothes up to dry, “Why don't you stay here until they're done?”

“Do I have a choice? All I'm wearing is a towel.”

“Mm,” she smirked, stepping closer to him, “Guess that leaves you kind of vulnerable, doesn't it?”

“Your guess is right.” He sighed when Eunsook kissed his collarbone softly.

“When was the last time?” she asked, running her fingers along the edge of the towel.

“I don't know,” Taecyeon closed his eyes.

The last thing he remembered saying was “Do you have a condom?” before his eyes fluttered open the next morning. He rubbed his head as he sat up. He looked down and Eunsook was curled up against him. Taecyeon sighed, pulling the blanket away from him and shivering as the cold air touched his naked body. He grabbed his dry clothes, slipping them on before going back to the bed to lean over and kiss Eunsook on the forehead, “Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” she whispered.

Taecyeon looked at the clock on his wall, sighing as he was only five minutes late for his alarm. He was so used to working and getting up at the same time that he had a mental alarm. He got dressed, grabbing all that he needed for work and left. He passed by the rundown shop again, seeing a few people standing in it with the front door open. He glanced passed the window as the people stared back at him.

“Excuse me.”

“Sorry, don't have time,” he said, waving them off.

That day was hotter than any day Taecyeon could ever remember. The sweat poured off his body, dripping onto the platform he was standing on. He was working overtime and the sun was glaring into the dock and blinding him. Taecyeon grabbed a loose sack, pulling it off the crate and hearing a large rip and before he knew it, rice poured out everywhere. “Shit!”

“Taecyeon!”

He paused, seeing his boss coming at him and looking infuriated, “Get out of here. You're help is no longer needed.”

“What?” Taecyeon spat, “Are you firing me?!”

“Yes, now leave.”

“You can't fire me over one sack of rice!”

“I can do what I want. I'm the boss.”

“This is bullshit! I need this job!”

“Not my problem.”

Taecyeon felt his blood boil and as his boss turned his back to him, he raced towards him with his fists up but Seulong caught him. “Stupid, don't get yourself in more trouble. You can't afford a lawsuit.”

“Fuck!” Taecyeon threw his gloves down, pacing and holding his head. He hopped down from the dock and started his long journey back home. His body temperature was rising and it never calmed as he walked down the sidewalk in rage. He thought of stupid things, killing the boss or holding him for ransom. He had been working there loyally for almost a year and always showed up on time and had never made a mistake.

“Excuse me.”

Taecyeon growled as he raised his head when a shadow appeared in front of him. He narrowed his eyes when he stared at the figured, the one from earlier that day, “What do you want?”

“Oh my,” the other male sneered, “Quite the look on you. I saw you eyeing this advertisement yesterday but you didn't apply.”

“You want someone with experience. I'm not experienced.” Taecyeon watched the smaller male walk around his form as if checking him out.

“Well you seem to have the right body type. Why not apply anyways?”

“I don't fill your requirements.”

“Can you take orders?”

“Yes.”

“Then you can do this job. Meet me here tomorrow. I assume you don't have other plans.”

Taecyeon felt furious as this airheaded male spoke. He wanted to punch him out but something restrained him. He just simply nodded before heading home again. He stood in his doorway, pausing for a moment to look around, “Where am I supposed to go?” Taecyeon sighed, he could barely afford where he was living now.

After washing up, he started to gather his things, only leaving out his bedding before laying his head on his pillow.

His mental alarm rang out in his head and he sat up, “I'm not going to get any sleep with this... I'm not working anymore.” Taecyeon rubbed his face, grabbing his razor and carefully shaving off his stubble. He hissed as the blade cut into his skin.

“Taecyeon?” Eunsook opened the door to his apartment and peeked her head in. “Oh, you're bleeding.”

“Yeah... What's up?”

“Not going to work today?” she asked, pulling a tissue from her purse and wiping the tall boy's cheek. She already knew the answer because it was obvious for anyone who lived around there. “You know... We're looking for waiters.”

“No thanks,” Taecyeon grabbed her wrist gently, pulling it away from his face. As kind of his neighbour was, it was not in his interest to see her dance around a pole or strip, despite the fact that he had already slept with her. Intimate was different, he didn't want to see her flaunting her goods out in public.

“Taec, are you going to have to leave?”

“Probably,” he looked into the mirror, rubbing his cheek before pulling on the skin to make it smooth so that he could run the razor against it.

“Where will you-” Eunsook sighed, “I'm sorry.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

Taecyeon patted her head, “I'll go out to look for another job, don't worry.”

He sent her off and he started to pack the rest of his items. He knew why Eunsook wanted him to stay and he secretly wanted to stay as well, not only because his place was perfect for him, but he wanted to protect her. It had only a few weeks after he moved in and he had told himself that whatever business was going on inside the apartment building, he would not involve himself. Any business here had to be shady business but he couldn't stop himself when it came pounding on his door.

Eunsook was laying on the floor, looking up at him with a bloody face. He couldn't leave her out in the hallway so he helped her into his apartment. After tending to her face, a loud knock startled them both and Eunsook grabbed him, telling him quietly and desperately not to answer it. Taecyeon brushed her off gently and was greeted by a fist from the other side of the door. One of Eunsook's customers had followed her home drunk and was violently requesting more service. She had politely turned him away but he refused to leave her alone.

Calling the police was futile in that area because they would never take sides. They left the area to defend for itself because there was always too much trouble to deal with.

Taecyeon defended himself, throwing out the trash into the street and he never came back. Eunsook was forever grateful but she was terrified to leave and go back to work. Taecyeon had comforted her until she was ready to be on her own again. After that incident, he felt like he needed to keep an eye on her as much as he could.

He slipped on his only clean clothes, giving one last glance in the mirror before leaving his apartment. He wasn't sure how many times he'd had the privilege to come back but he was going make sure this wasn't the last time he'd walk out. Taecyeon fixed his collar as he stepped into the shop, pausing in his step as he noticed the room to be filled with a group of older men. The man from the day before noticed him and nodded. Taecyeon walked in slowly, standing behind the group and waited.

“Alright. You all know why you're here so I won't waste time. I'll explain the layout to you and give you your needed tools so that you can start.”

Taecyeon made sure to listen to every word the older male said. He learned that the old building was bought by two perfumers, a couple who wanted to expand their company. Apparently they were popular but not being in the high life, Taecyeon knew nothing of this. The couple bought the small shop hoping to bring in a new list of customers, both of young and old. The male introduced himself as JoKwon and showed the layout of the construction. It wasn't that complicated, at least to Taecyeon's eyes. His body and clumsy inexperience said otherwise as the building finally started.

“No, this one here,” his elder said, telling him which board to grab as he nailed it.

Taecyeon felt stupid and he never remembered apologizing so profusely before. His supervisor just waved him off and he was thankful. The man was older and gentle looking for a construction worker. Taecyeon felt like he was being too kind to him and he didn't deserve it. He was making so many mistakes and he couldn't help but think of his other job. He made one mistake and he was out of a job. “I'm sorry.”

The old man sighed, “S'alright boy. You don't need to apologize, I know you're not used to this. Kwon-ah told me all about it.”

'Kwon-ah?'

“I've worked with that brat too many times now. I can handle him, don't chu worry.”

“Oh, so you know the couple we're building this for?”

The older man nodded, “They're a sweet couple. They have a son too, he's probably around your age.” he gave Taecyeon a look up and and down.

“I'm twenty-two.”

The man nodded, “I was right. You don't look it, don't get me wrong,” he waved his hand, trying not to show offence, “I can just tell with these old eyes. That boy doesn't look it either. He looks much younger. Must be his face or something. He's got these cheeks-”

“Yah, back to work!” JoKwon yelled, interrupting the workers' break.

“We'll continue this later my boy,” he patted Taecyeon's knee before getting up.

Taecyeon smiled, watching the older man walk away. He reminded him of someone had once had in his life that was no longer there.

“Yah, that means you too slowpoke,” JoKwon snarled.

He pressed his lips tight together as he nodded, “Sorry.”

“Don't have time for sentimental feelings,” the smaller boy grumbled.

Taecyeon raised a brow, the somewhat kind boy that JoKwon had been at the beginning was turning into a bitter old crow. The small boy would squawk at everything and always seemed to be moody. Taecyeon would ask the older man later how he managed to deal with JoKwon all these years.

“They have a son too, he's probably around your age.”

He'd ask about that later too.

Taecyeon flopped down on his blankets, feeling his body burn everywhere. New job meant that he was exhausting different muscles and his body was almost useless now as it all came to him. He gasped, feeling the pain stream into his veins and everything throbbed. “It only happens the first week,” he assured himself.

“What does?”

He jumped, groaning immediately as his body jolted in pain. “Is this going to be a habit, letting yourself in?”

“Sorry, I heard you come home.” Eunsook looked over his tense body, “This can't be from looking for a job.”

“I'd say that I got one... But I'm doing such a shitty job that they'll probably fire me.”

Eunsook smiled, “Now what would you be doing a shitty job for Taec?”

He narrowed his eyes, “You're lucky I hurt all over or else I might trap you in a headlock.”

“You hurt huh? I can ease that.” She quickly scrambled to her feet and left. She held a bottle in her hand as she came back. “What hurts more, front or back?”

“Back.”

“Roll over then.”

Taecyeon did as he was told and groaned in the process of turning over. He felt his shirt being pulled over his head as Eunsook set it on the floor neatly. He heard the snap of a cap twice before something cold pressed against his skin and he hissed.

“Sorry,” Eunsook whispered.

She started at his lower back before moving slowly up his spine. She moved her fingers in a circular motion as she worked her way up, making sure to coat every inch of skin in the cream. Taecyeon felt the slightly burn as it soaked into his skin. He could smell the menthol as Eunsook rubbed it between his shoulder blades. He left out a loud grunt as she pressed her thumbs into the back of his neck.

Taecyeon exhaled, closing his eyes as she worked her fingers into his skin. He felt his body relax completely and the cream did it's job. His fingers twitched before the numbing sensation kicked in.

“Do you feel better?” Eunsook whispered into his ear.

“Mm...”

“Want me to do the front too?”

Taecyeon thought for a moment, not wanting to roll over or move, “No, this is fine.” He felt Eunsook's weight come off his backside as she wiped her fingers off on a cloth.

She stroked his cheek, “Rest.”

Taecyeon could feel his body become stiff again, even after a week of doing the same routine. He rolled his shoulder and he heard JoKwon's voice ring out.

“Yah, back to work!”

He rolled his eyes, picking up the long piece of lumber and throwing it onto his shoulder. He turned, almost smacking JoKwon with it.

“Yah!”

Day by day, Eunsook started to make daily visits to his apartment to apply her magical cream to his abused muscles. He felt guilty for being bad company because he would fall asleep before she was done massaging him. She just smiled and assured him that it was fine.

He found JoKwon to be a little unruly for a few days, “Is it possible for a guy to be on his period?”

“I don't think so,” Jinyoung, the older man, said. “Everyone has their days... Kwon-ah has his life.”

Taecyeon snorted, continuing to hammer down as the said boy looked over at him. It was true. JoKwon was the moodiest boy that he had ever met. The small boy rarely ever smiled or acted polite around them.

He ignored JoKwon's chipper tone as he figured he was just putting out his fake persona to impress someone. Taecyeon didn't realize how right he was until a gentle voice reached his ears.

“Excuse me.”

Taecyeon turned around, his eyes growing wide as he looked down at the smaller boy before him. He swore that he died and went to heaven or something. A small boy was standing in front of him with bleach blonde hair, dressed in a white polo shirt and khaki shorts. It wasn't until the small boy's bottom lip jut out just slightly that his cheek became plump and something clicked in his head.

“Sorry but... Shouldn't you be in school?”

His jaw dropped but he was too blinded by the smaller boy to produce an insult.

“I'm sorry,” he apologized, “That was really rude of me. Please ignore that. I'm sorry.” The blonde boy looked away embarrassed, waving his hands around before walked away.

“Don't apologize to him Wooyoung-sshi, he doesn't deserve your kindness,” JoKwon said, shooting a glare at Taecyeon.

“If you hadn't guessed, that's the son I was talking about,” Jinyoung said.

“Yeah... I guessed...”

“Don't let that appearance fool you,” the older man laughed, “That boy isn't an angel.”

Taecyeon choked, turning back to his work quickly as Wooyoung looked back at him. The blonde boy stuck around the whole day, distracting Taecyeon from his work. He would occasionally steal glances at Wooyoung before the other boy would look at him. The small boy's skin was almost as fair as his hair colour and the white of his shirt only blended. So much pure white on one person made Taecyeon wish he was wearing sunglasses so that he could pick out the flaws, he knew there had to be some.

As he stole another glance, he noticed something wrong starting to unfold. The board of wood was starting to shake above Wooyoung's head and Taecyeon moved quickly. A high pitched yelp stopped everyone from what they were doing and JoKwon's scream made everyone jump.

Taecyeon opened his eyes slowly, feeling a horrible pain in his back. He let out a breath as he looked down and his eyes widened. Wooyoung was staring up at him, his eyes open just as much. The two boys stared into each others eyes for a moment before Taecyeon cleared his throat, “A-are you alright?”

Wooyoung nodded his head, “Are you?”

“Y-yeah, I think so.”

“Oh my god! Get up already!” JoKwon squealed, pulling at Taecyeon's shoulders.

He felt stronger arms pull him up and set him onto his feet as JoKwon scrambled to help Wooyoung off the floor to start patting him down.

“I'm so sorry! You're all dirty!”

“Are you okay?” Jinyoung asked, looking at the tall boy. “That was a heavy piece of wood.”

“It hurts a bit... But I'll live.” Taecyeon looked at the small boy, who was staring back.

“Come come, let me take you home,” JoKwon ushered the blonde boy out.

“He could've at least thanked you,” Changmin said, “He could've been hurt bad and you sacrificed yourself... What a prick.”

Taecyeon didn't think about it but the shorter boy was right but he'd give it a day, he was sure Wooyoung was probably just shocked.

Well a day turned into a couple and another week passed before Wooyoung showed up again. Taecyeon had already heard an earful from Eunsook about him demanding gratitude or some kind of compensation for his injury. An injury he hadn't noticed to be that bad until she had lifted his shirt to look at the large ugly bruise on his back. Taecyeon didn't think bruises were covered in the benefits.

So, when he caught sight of the blonde hair again, he waited for Wooyoung to say something. To Taecyeon's surprised, the smaller boy avoided him all together. He'd walk to the other side of the room but when he was about to step inside the building, he paused.

“Kwon-ah!”

Taecyeon dropped the hammer in his hand. Wooyoung's usually calm, shy face was gone. He couldn't believe what he was looking at, the small boy held a glare that could burn a hole through stone.

“Kwon-ah!” Wooyoung yelled again and the said boy stumbled out of the office.

“Y-yes Wooyoung-sshi?”

“What is this?” Wooyoung hissed. “This is all wrong!”

“W-wha - wrong?”

“This isn't what my parents discussed with you at all! Now I know why they told me to keep an eye on you!”

JoKwon swallowed nervously as the workers paused to see what the commotion was. “W-Wooyoung-sshi, can we talk about this in my office?”

“No,” he said firmly. “My parents need to know about this.”

“Do you want us to take this all down Wooyoung-sshi?” Taecyeon asked sarcastically.

“No, we don't have time.” The blonde ran his fingers through his hair, “Damn it.”

With new plans, all the direction was thrown off and they had to work around JoKwon's new layout. The small boy was now replaced by Wooyoung as the blonde boy gave out orders. Taecyeon wasn't surprised when the small boy didn't touch a thing. Wooyoung showed up every day in bright clothing, never once getting it dirty while Taecyeon went home covered in sawdust, grease and whatever else he could get his hands on.

Eunsook turned into a nagging wife as she washed his clothes and worked out the kink in his muscles. With the more money he was bringing in, he was able to buy food and she would cook for him. Taecyeon was growing accustomed to having hot showers, sleeping in a better bed and wearing more than one pair of clothes.

“Think you can throw these out now?” Eunsook held up the pair of boxers she had first washed.

“No, those are special.” Taecyeon smirked when her lip curled in disbelief.

“Why, are these ones you can freely soil when you need to? Always rub one out in these? There is always stains in it.”

The tall boy blushed, “I can't help it! They create good friction...”

Eunsook rolled her eyes, “If you want something to create friction, I'll get you one of those toys that you put on your dick and stroke off.”

Taecyeon raised a brow and tilted his head. He was sure that she knew of every toy out on the market but with him only being in construction and warehouses, he knew nothing.

She sighed and sat down in front of him. She grabbed a banana before curling two fingers over the top, “It's like this. It's made of stretchy rubber. You slide your dick in it and-” Eunsook moved her fingers up and down, “like that.”

“Does it really work?” Taecyeon asked in disbelief.

“How would I know? I'm a female stupid. I hear it works.” She got up off the floor, “I'll get you one... You can test it out yourself.”

Wooyoung wiped the sweat off his brow, looking down at the cooler provided for the higher ups. He blew out a puff of air before grabbing two bottles of water and padded towards Taecyeon, “Take a break with me.”

Taecyeon felt a drop of sweat fall off his chin as he raised his head to look at the blonde boy. He paused for a moment before Wooyoung shoved the cold, dripping water bottle at him. He followed Wooyoung out the door as the two boys sat on the sidewalk. He twisted off the cap, downing as much as the ice cold water as he could. His body was burning from that days heat and the sun wasn't letting up despite it's setting. Taecyeon exhaled loudly, having not noticed the way the smaller boy's eyes watched his adam's apple bob when he took a drink.

Wooyoung pressed the bottle between his legs, shuddering as the cold radiated against his crotch. He fanned himself with a paper he had grabbed earlier and made into a makeshift fan, “Damn, it's so hot.”

“You're all white... How do you think I feel? I'm dressed from head to toe in thick clothes.”

The small boy swallowed when Taecyeon pulled at his collar, pulling it down and waving it, “Y-yeah... Can't imagine.” He blushed when the taller boy looked down at him.

“How old are you anyways?”

“Twenty.” Wooyoung smirked a bit, “Why, do I look younger?”

“Mm, a bit, probably these cheeks,” Taecyeon pinched the small boy's flesh between his fingers.

“Watch it,” the blonde boy hissed jokingly, “These cheeks are full of poison.”

“Yeah, I can believe that.” Taecyeon pulled his hand away, “Ah sorry, got dirt on you prince.” He licked his thumb before rubbing the dirt off. “Kwon would go nuts if he noticed that I touched you.”

“I'm not a prince.”

“Kwon sure treats like you one. He treats you like a prince and I guess I'd be the pauper boy,” Taecyeon chuckled but was cut off when the small boy looked down at the ground.

“I hate that... I hate how Kwon-ah treats me like royalty. I'm just a normal kid. I know my parents are rich but it's not like I could help that... I was raised into it. I don't take advantage it, at least, not when can help it. I try not to take everything for granted. I want to work for things, I want to show my parents that I can do anything I set my mind to. They keep telling me that I can have whatever I want but they also support me.” Wooyoung laughed, “Sorry... You don't need to hear this. Talking too much about myself,” he got up but Taecyeon grabbed his wrist.

“It's fine. We haven't spoken since we met... I mean, we don't have to. People just assume because of our relation in age that we should be friends but we don't have to be.”

“You don't want to be friends?” Wooyoung bit his lip.

Taecyeon shook his head, “That's not what I mean. I don't want be friends because people tell us to.”

The small boy smiled, “Do you have an interest in me Taecyeon-sshi?”

“I-”

“Because I have an interest in you. I hope we can be friends.”

Wooyoung left the older boy as he went back into the shop. Taecyeon looked back out into the street, wondering what the smaller boy's words had meant. No one else would've thought too hard about it but he there was something.

“What kind of interest?”

“That's what I want to know,” Taecyeon said, tapping his chopsticks against his bowl.

“Maybe he means that kind of interest.”

“Stop that Eunsook,” he narrowed his eyes as the girl winked at him.

“You never know Taec. He's wealthy... He's probably never been near woman that he was allowed to show interest in.”

“So he's automatically into guys?”

“That's not what I'm saying. His parents are perfumers. I'm not really thinking straight boy. Does he show up in style?”

“In style?” Taecyeon shoved food into his mouth.

“You know, like clothing wise. Something not appropriate for construction.”

“Of course he does... He has an image to keep up with.”

Eunsook rolled her eyes like he had missed something. “There's style and there's an image. Maybe I'll give you things to look out for.”

“No,” Taecyeon crossed his arms, “Don't even think about it. I don't want to be thinking about that the next time I see him.”

“He might try to kiss you.”

“Eunsook!”

She giggled, “Well I know you're not gay. I've seen the way you look at me,” she smiled and he rolled his eyes. “Then again, you could go both ways. Love is genderless.” Eunsook yelped as Taecyeon flicked rice at her.

Taecyeon couldn't help it now and he promised that he was going to torture Eunsook later by shoving rice down her throat when he got home. He paused, a box of books in his hands as he watched Wooyoung bend over a table. The small boy's rear stuck out and it was the only time that Taecyeon noticed it. It was certainly not flat, in fact, in his eyes, it was perfect. He saw it wiggle as Wooyoung struggled to grab whatever it was behind the table, “Ah! Damn it!” The small boy turned, “Ah Taecyeon-sshi, perfect.”

'Perfect?'

“Your body is just what I need.”

Taecyeon choked, his fingers slipping from the box.

“Bring that giant thing over here. I need you to bend over here and-” Wooyoung jumped as the books hit the floor, “Are you alright?” he didn't miss the deep blush on Taecyeon's face.

“W-what do you need my body for?”

“I can't reach the file on the shelf...”

“Oh...” Taecyeon leaned over the table, grabbing it with ease to come back at Wooyoung as the smaller boy held a childish pout.

“Thanks...” He snatched the folder, walking way a bit angrily. He couldn't understand why he hadn't grown any taller since he had hit eighteen, he was sure you were supposed to grow more. He envied Taecyeon, the other boy was only a few years older.

“Anything today?” Eunsook asked.

“What?”

“Did he come on to you?”

Taecyeon chuckled a pillow at her head, “You better stop that.”

Eunsook fixed her head, “You better appreciate me more.” She threw a box on top of his stomach, making him sit up.

“What's this?”

“Open it.”

Taecyeon flipped open the small box, dumping out a small container into his hand. “A bottle of lube?”

Eunsook shook her head an laughed, “No stupid, open it.”

He popped open the cap before starting at it with wide eyes. He couldn't help himself as he slid his fingers over the jelly lips of it, “Holy shit.”

“Like it? I heard this is the best one.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle. “Don't use this all at once. I can only steal you so much lube, okay?”

“I-I'm not going to use this!”

“I'm sure you get tired of using your hand... I'm sure it's tired too. Just use it, happy birthday or something.”

Once Eunsook left, he shoved the toy back into the box and stashed it away along with the bottle of lube, “No way.”

“Ah Taecyeon, higher!”

Taecyeon choked and the plastic light case hit him in the face.

“Are you okay?” Wooyoung yelled as he stood on the floor, holding onto the ladder that the taller boy was standing on.

“Fine...” he rubbed his face, screwing in the fixture before getting down. Taecyeon jolted when the younger boy touched his face.

“You've been really clumsy lately Taecyeon-sshi... Is everything alright?”

“Fine,” he brushed off Wooyoung's hand.

“Hey Taecyeon-sshi... Want to go somewhere after work?”

Taecyeon tensed, “A-after work?”

“Yeah, like for dinner or something? I-I mean like casual not dress up... Fast food!” Wooyoung stumbled over his words.

The tall boy bit his lip, “I guess.”

'Jesus it's only a god damn straw!' Taecyeon's mind screamed as Wooyoung wrapped his lips around the small, round plastic. His mind worked in stupid ways as the small boy's mouth stretched to take in the large burger. Taecyeon kept his eyes on his food, eating it as quickly as possible.

“Hungry?”

“Yes.”

“Hey Taecyeon-sshi, let's go see a movie.”

“Tonight?” Taecyeon looked outside, seeing the sun setting.

“Well we don't have to... We could wait till we have a day off.”

The older boy choked, a whole day with Wooyoung, he wouldn't be able to hand it, “No today is fine.”

They shuffled into the packed theatre and Taecyeon tensed when he noticed the only seats open where couple couches.

“In a theatre? Really?”

“Come on, before someone else gets it,” Wooyoung pulled the tall boy towards the seat and pushed him down. He plopped down next to Taecyeon, setting his drink down in the holder.

Taecyeon couldn't keep his mind off the younger boy as Wooyoung started to slide down against him. By the time he looked, he noticed that the smaller boy was sleeping. Wooyoung's head accidentally fell into his lap and he jolted. 'Why am I panicking?! We're both straight!'

After sitting through the whole movie tensed up, Taecyeon let out a sigh of relief when it ended. Wooyoung rubbed his eyes tiredly, apologizing for falling asleep. He waited with the younger boy until his cab arrived and he shrugged off the offer for a ride home. As much as he wanted to get home, he would've rather not had Wooyoung see him home.

He quickly paced in the apartment, happy to see that Eunsook was gone to work for the night. Taecyeon paused, looking down at the red box staring back up at him. “No... God no...” A thud on the ceiling made him jump. He shook his head, having a soft moan through the thin walls. Taecyeon scrambled to the floor, grabbing the box and dumping out its contents. He stared at it before reading over the instructions.

He squeezed the bottle of lube into the rubbery inside, moving his finger inside it to lubricate it fully and it sent a jolt through his body. The jelly-inside stroked his digit as he moved in and out and he moaned. He paused once he realized what he was doing before quickly pulling his finger out. His cock twitched in his pants, reminding him of how hard it was.

Taecyeon set down the toy before dipping his thumbs under his waistband to pull it off his hips and left it to squeeze his thighs. His eyes rolled back in his head as he wrapped his fingers around his leaking shaft. He let out a moan as he slowly pumped himself to full hardness. Taecyeon grabbed the toy, placing the jelly lips at his tip. He tried to shake the embarrassing and stupid thought out of his head before sheathing his cock with the toy. A low moan ripped through his throat as the slick walls clung to his shaft. He pulled the toy up, letting out a shuddered breath as the suction left him. He couldn't hold in a gasp that escaped his lips as the tight tube sucked in his cock. This had felt better than anything he had ever felt before.

He moved faster, feeling greedy as the toy gripped his cock tighter with every pump. “Fuck,” Taecyeon hissed, started to thrust his hips upwards. He arched his back off the floor, throwing his head back as the skin around his length tightened. Images flashed in his mind and his pleasure heightened, sending shocks throughout his body.

Taecyeon-sshi

“Ugh!” Taecyeon pumped his cock faster as his hips jerked. The toy suddenly moved even faster over his shaft before it was pulled up and it stroked the head of his cock. “Ooooh fuck.” The tube moved back down his dick harder and he felt it squeeze his throbbing length.

Ah Taecyeon!

“Yes...” he panted, thrusting off the floor. His cock moved in and out of the tube quickly, slipping in and out but he grabbed the base pushing back in, never once realizing that he wasn't holding onto the toy anymore. He fucked it harder, rocking his hips as a different angle, “Shit... I'm going to cum... Damn it,” Taecyeon moaned. He let out a grunt as he bucked his hips, “Wooyoung!” he called out before spilling his hot seed into the toy.

“Well I wasn't expecting that.”

Taecyeon opened his eyes, looking down at the figure between his legs. “E-Eunsook!” He quickly scrambled back, looking at the toy in her hand.

She flipping it upside down, squeezing out the thick cum he had shot into it. “Damn, was the toy really that good? That's a lot of cum... Or maybe it was Wooyoung.” Eunsook looked up at the tall boy as he stared at her with wide eyes, “You called out his name Taec, you know what that means.”

“It doesn't mean anything.”

“I can imagine whispering his name while your sleeping but you screamed it... During an orgasm.”

“Eunsook-”

“Hush. Don't deny this Taec.” She got up, setting the toy on the floor. She grabbed a couple tissues, cleaning off the tall boy's softening length, “Did you ever figure out if he was straight or not? You came home pretty late. Did you two go out on a date?”

“I-” Taecyeon hissed as she rubbed the tissue against the sensitive head of his dick, “W-we went to eat... Then saw a movie.”

“So it was a date... Hm, lucky you. Did anything happen?”

“What?”

“You know, like kissing or something.”

“No! It's not like that!”

“Taec,” Eunsook sighed, looking up at him, “How can I not be like that? Your subconscious is trying to tell you something.”

“I haven't been around him enough to even think of developing feelings... How can I like him?”

“Well you've been working with him almost ever since you've started this job. Week by week you've been getting closer. Don't you follow him around while he tells you what to do?”

“Yeah... So? Are you saying that I like it when he controls me?”

Eunsook laughed and shook her head, “No stupid, maybe you like being around him. Maybe you like his voice, his personality... His body.”

Taecyeon bit his cheek, jumping when she snapped the waistband back on his hips. He hadn't started thinking about Wooyoung in any such way until- “It's your fault.”

“My fault?” Eunsook raised a brow.

“Ever since you pointed out that he might be gay, it was all I could think about. I looked at him differently!”

“Well then you might have just gotten help with your feelings.”

“No! You could say that about anyone and I would've felt that way!”

“Even that old man? Or what about that annoying guy?” Eunsook smirked when the tall boy's face twisted, “See?”

Taecyeon sighed, rubbing his eyes, “This isn't - it can't...”

“Think about it some more before you jump into anything. Be rational. There's obviously something and it starts at you.” She patted his thigh before getting up, “Oh, don't forget to clean that out. It'll get gross if you leave your... Fluids in it. Glad you enjoyed it though.”

“Hey.”

Taecyeon jumped, not lifting his eyes off the project he was working on, “Hey,” he muttered.

“Listen... About yesterday...”

“What about yesterday?” he reached up, adjusting something. He started to unintentionally annoy Wooyoung as he paid no mind to him.

“Yah! Look at me!”

Taecyeon blinked in surprise, looking down at the smaller boy.

Wooyoung blushed at his outburst, “I'm sorry it was so sudden so... What I was wondering was...”

“Wooyoung-sshi, if you have something to say, out with it. I have work to do.”

The younger boy stared at Taecyeon, not used to being talked to that way, especially not from Taecyeon. It surprised him so much that he couldn't remember what he wanted to say. When the tall boy grabbed his shoulder gently to bring him out of his stupor, he pushed him away.

“Woo - ah...” Taecyeon sighed as the smaller boy stormed off. He gritted his teeth, feeling regret for talking to Wooyoung the way he did but he was annoyed. Eunsook's words were snapping him into reality and he wanted to deny every piece of it.

“Hello? Miss Jang?” JoKwon said quietly, smirking as he watched Taecyeon.

Taecyeon didn't see Wooyoung for the rest of the day and it worried him. Not only did it bother him but he was left with barely any work. He left the shop feeling guilty and empty.

“You're an asshole.”

He growled, “Why did you even have to say anything? Things would've been fine...”

“I doubt that... You obviously had a thing before I mention anything. You saved him remember? Then you let it bother you that he didn't thank you. You like him OK Taecyeon.”

“He wanted to ask me something...”

“You're feeling regret, aren't you?” Eunsook set the bowl of rice in front of the tall boy.

“If I hadn't snapped, he would've told me.”

“I bet I know what he wanted to ask.”

“You do? What?”

“Tch,” her lips curved, “You want me to stop talking, I'm not tell you shit.”

Taecyeon rolled his eyes, stuffing rice into his mouth to stop himself from grumbling. Tomorrow he'd try to find Wooyoung, apologize then somehow try to get out what he wanted to ask. Tomorrow... He sighed.

“Stop dwelling on it and eat.”

“Morning!” JoKwon called out as Taecyeon stepped into the shop.

“What are you doing here?”

“Tch, how rude,” the small boy scowled, “I'm your boss incase you forgot.”

“Wooy-”

“Is my boss, not yours. He took over for a bit because his parents had another job for me.”

“Are you sure it wasn't because you went behind their backs and changed the layout?”

“Watch your mouth pauper boy!”

Taecyeon was about to swing his arm but he paused, seeing JoKwon flinch, “You aren't worth it.”

“Y-yeah! You better enjoy it today!” he called out as the tall boy walked away.

“What's that supposed to me-” Taecyeon paused, not seeing the other boy.

He sighed as he adjusted a few more things. Construction was almost done and it slightly worried him. When the shop was done, Taecyeon would no longer have a job. He had saved up but he couldn't live off of it forever. He felt the guilt sink deep down as he never spotted blonde hair at all throughout the whole day, “Where the hell is he?”

Taecyeon pulled off his gloves, about to set them down when JoKwon popped into his vision, “You can keep those. I'll be nice.”

“Keep them?”

“Yeah, bring them home.”

“Why would I do that?”

JoKwon handed him an envelope, smiling while he did so. Taecyeon's eyes widened as he snatched it and quickly opened it.

“What the hell is this?!”

“You're free to go. You're no longer needed. We're almost done now.”

“Why?! I'm supposed to work until this complete!”

“The bosses changed their mind. We're letting you go. Goodbye.”

Taecyeon's mouth moved but his voice was lost. He didn't find it until JoKwon turned his back on him, “Hey! What do you mean they changed their mind?!”

“They didn't like the way you were treating their son. He's a prince you know. You can't just talk to him however you please. Also, keep your filthy paws off him.”

“How - what? I never-”

“I saw everything,” JoKwon said, pointing to his eyes. “You dirty pauper.”

Taecyeon launched himself at the small boy, ready to beat the shit out of him when Jinyoung pulled him off.

Eunsook looked down worried at the tall boy. She didn't know what to say and she was afraid for him. She worried that the other boy would press charges. She contemplated on going down to the shop and persuading this JoKwon to keep quiet.

“Don't waste your time... He wouldn't be interested.”

Eunsook raised a brow.

“He's gay,” Taecyeon said.

“I'm becoming readable,” she pressed her lips tightly together. She sat down on the floor next to him, leaning against Taecyeon's shoulder. “I've been hanging around you too much.”

Weeks went by and Taecyeon found himself slowly sinking into the rut he had been months ago. His saving was dwindling away to almost nothing and he decided then to go back out to apply for another job.

Wooyoung held the paper in his hand, staring up at the building that read the same address, “This can't be right but...” He gripped the paper as he walked into the rundown building. He stopped as he got to the number written down and stared at the door. Now that he was there, he wasn't sure what to say or do. Well first thing was first, he wanted to apologize for the way JoKwon had acted. He wanted to apologize for getting him fired.

Just as he raised his hand to knock on the door, it opened. “Oh! Can I help you?” she asked.

“I - um, does OK Taecyeon live here?”

“He does,” she smiled, leaning against the doorway. She recognized him right away, even with his hat and hood covering his blonde hair. She paused for a moment before remembering what Taecyeon's apartment looked like, “Wait, you can't come in!”

Wooyoung blinked, looking at the girl. Her attire startled him as she stood in a sexy nightgown. “I-I must have the wrong place.. I'm sorry.”

“No, it's right - hey wait!”

He quickly left, ripping the paper up and feeling his eyes sting. “Stupid Wooyoung-ah.... Stupid... Of course...” His pace started to build up and he was running out of the building, bumping into a tall form but he kept running.

“Can't even say sorry?” Taecyeon shrugged. He climbed up the stairs to his apartment, seeing Eunsook panic and pace. “What's the matter?”

“Oh my god Taec! You have to go catch him!”

“Catch who? That guy who was running? Is he a thief?”

“No stupid! Didn't you recognize him?!”

Taecyeon shook his head.

“It was that guy! Wooyoung! He came looking for you!”

His eyes widened and he quickly bolted out of the building. He stopped once he got outside, not sure what way Wooyoung had run. Taecyeon thought for a moment and decided to trust his instincts. He ran, moving as fast as his long legs could carry him. He looked down every alley way to make sure the smaller boy didn't make an accidental turn. He cursed as the streetlight stopped him but it gave him a moment to look up and down the street.

He remembered what Wooyoung was wearing but a dark blue hoodie was not easy to spot. Half the area dressed like that. He sprinted as the light turned green and he barely missed a car trying to run the light. The air was no longer filled his lungs as he took in desperate breathes, panting as he ran. “He couldn't have... Gotten this far...”

Taecyeon stopped, looking left and right before running back up the street to turn down another. The streets slowly took him into busy downtown, the less ghetto area and soon he was greeted with intense green trees and grass. He slowed his pace as he took in the area. He turned passed a bridge coming down and seeing the familiar blue hoodie, “Wooyoung!” he shouted, running, grabbing and hugging the figure from behind. “I'm so sorry,” he panted, “I - I'm sorry... Wooyoung...” the body in his arms tensed, “I didn't mean to be an ass to you... I was... Scared. My feelings are real and I've realized that. I'm not going to deny them anymore. You need to know them Wooyoung.” Taecyeon tightened his arms, “You need to know that I don't want you to run anymore. I promise not to be awkward. I will go with you after work to see a movie, even if it's midnight. I will go on a date with you so that I can see you all day. I will tell you... That I love you Wooyoung.”

The figure sniffled and he felt cold fingers on his hands. He loosened his grip and turned the small boy. Taecyeon chuckled softly as the other boy hid his face with his hood.

“You're stupid Taecyeon-sshi...”

“I know.”

“I hate you, you know.”

“That's okay. You'll grow to love me.”

“Stupid!” Wooyoung raised his head, letting the tears fall from his eyes, “I already love you.”

Taecyeon's smile grow as he caressed the small boy's cheek. He leaned down slowly before pressing his lips softly against Wooyoung's. The moment made time freeze as they remained connected. Taecyeon felt his heart stop and everything seemed right. Wooyoung's hands slid up his chest before they wrapped around his neck. He slowly pulled the younger boy's hood before his hands returned to Wooyoung's waist as he pulled back. “Gosh, you're so cute when you cry.” He grunted when the small boy gently punched his chest.

As if Wooyoung was his angel, Taecyeon's life got better. Wooyoung's parents had been told of JoKwon's deceitful ways and soon Taecyeon found a permanent job as Wooyoung's personal handyman. He got his own apartment that the younger boy came to often to visit. Taecyeon felt his life slowly revive itself but he didn't let it get too spoiled. He often visited Eunsook and he introduced Wooyoung to her properly, apologizing for the nature of her image the day they had first met. Taecyeon made a promise to tell the smaller boy about his life later when they were alone and possibly months into their relationship. He didn't want to be single just yet.

“Here,” Eunsook said, handing Taecyeon the little red box.

“Naw, I don't think I'm going to need that.”

“Oh?! Already? I underestimated you two.”

Taecyeon's eyes widened, “No! Not like that!”

Wooyoung appeared in the room, his eyes immediately going down the the object. “This yours Taecyeon-sshi?”

The tall boy swallowed nervously.

“Think I could... Try it out too?”

Taecyeon felt his legs give out and Eunsook laughed loudly, handing Wooyoung the box and leaving the two. “Have a good life.”