we could have been
We Could Have Been
homin; pg
romance
3,262 words
01.
a series of unrelated one-shots for the holidays. all homin, all love ♥
Changmin waits alone at a two-person table. It’s just a little booth, tucked away romantically in the corner of the restaurant.
The waitress hovers over him with an apologetic smile. “Sir, I’m sorry, but we have a long list and if your other party isn’t here soon…”
“No, it’s fine.” He’s been waiting for a half-hour. No sense in letting a good reservation go to waste. “I’ll just order the Lobster Fra Diavolo…and a bottle of the 2004 Guigal Condrieul, thank you.”
She nods and walks away and Changmin runs a hand through his hair. He loosens his necktie and pulls out a thick file from his briefcase.
He should have known better than to agree to this ridiculous date. A blind date - on Christmas Eve, of all days. It isn’t that he’s disappointed to be stood up; he’s experienced it more than enough times. Even when they do show up he is more inclined to not like them anyway.
But Yunho is his closest friend, and when the man had insisted he show up to La Cage D'or at 8:00 on the dot, the businessman had given in without much fight.
At least the booth is quiet. He’ll be able to get some work done, in addition to having a decent meal. Since he started working on his company’s latest acquisition, he’s had to make due mostly with the take-out ordered by his secretary. It’s fitting that the holidays should bring him at least a small reprieve.
The waitress returns with his bottle. She pours him half a glass; he examines the cork first, then swirls the glass, watching the wine swill and examining the clarity. A small sniff to determine its balance, the hint of its floral aromatics; a smaller sip reveals it’s dryness and complexity. It will do.
He nods and she pours it in full, leaves the bottle on ice by his table with a soft proviso. “Your dinner should be out shortly.” He acknowledges her with a small gesture of the fingers before absorbing himself with his work.
Changmin is a formal person, a busy person, and he wonders what it was about him that deterred this appointed paramour. He knows he is not unattractive, not unintelligent or unsuccessful. He is barely out of his twenties and should, by all standards, be ‘quite the catch.’ And yet here he is, single and alone on Christmas Eve.
He knows what Yunho would say to such thoughts. “Don’t be so serious, Changmin-ah. You’re still young - you just have to get out there!”
And Changmin knows exactly how he would respond. They’ve had the conversation enough times. “I have my work, Yunho. I don’t have the time or the patience, you know that.”
Changmin gives this for his answer every time. He doesn’t know how to tell Yunho that he isn’t interested in the women the lawyer is constantly setting up him with. He doesn’t know how to tell Yunho he isn’t quite sure he’s interested in women, period.
His oldest friend would no doubt be accepting - that is just how the man is. He doesn’t have a bone of prejudice in his body. But Changmin is not certain, and he never does anything unless he is one-hundred percent certain, at the very least.
And Yunho is too precious a friend to waste on uncertainty. They were close in high school, drifting apart in their university years because of distance. It was only a few years ago, when Changmin’s company moved its headquarters to Seoul, that they were able to reconnect, becoming even closer than before. And given that Yunho is, in fact, one of Changmin’s only friends, it makes him close by default.
They are very similar, the both of them logical, competent, driven. Changmin has always admired Yunho’s dedication and work-ethic, and had often called his hyung to mind even during the years that they were separated. Changmin, many would say, has a soft spot for the man - though many still would argue that he doesn’t have a soft spot for anything at all, let alone anyone. The businessman has a steady reputation for his no-nonsense attitude.
Yunho, on the other hand, has a very obvious fondness when it came to his dongsaeng. Even Changmin knows this well. Yunho always makes sure to keep a close eye on Changmin, doting on the younger man even when his attention isn’t necessarily wanted. He is never put off by Changmin’s less-than-social tendencies, and actively encourages him to engage with the world around him.
At first he attempted to bring Changmin out with him - to clubs and café’s after work, and then business dinners and office parties, then simple nights at Yunho’s apartment, where they’d enjoy a meal and good conversation. Changmin had secretly delighted in the attention, but after a few years Yunho’s attempts changed from personally bringing Changmin into the world to bringing the world to Changmin.
The ‘world’ being women.
Changmin has indulged his friend in these arranged meetings, but nothing has come of them, nor does he expect so. He, even more secretly, misses the nights with just the two of them, together. But Changmin’s feelings on such matters aren’t the type that one just announces. Instead he analyzes, just as he examines and evaluates the spreadsheets laid before him.
So far, such analysis has not provided anything too conclusive. Fortunately, the spreadsheets offer comfort in their predictable progressions.
He is in the middle of pouring himself another glass when someone slides into the booth beside him. He jumps in surprise but manages not to spill a drop.
“Oh, sorry about that,” Yunho smiles pleasantly at him, settling into his seat.
Changmin looks at his friend quizzically. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah, I know. I’m sorry I’m late. I got held up at the office - my secretary wouldn’t even let me call. Is that a Voignier?”
“Guigal Condrieul,” he replies.
“2006?”
“2004.”
Yunho clucks his tongue. “Your taste is expensive as always, Mr. Shim,” he teases.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Changmin replies archly. “What are you doing here?”
“Just checking in on you,” the lawyer trills. He slides off his coat, hanging it over the back of his chair, and undoes his cuff links so he can roll up his sleeves. “I was hoping you wouldn’t have brought your work.”
“Seeing as how I was stood up, it was for the best,” he says drolly.
“Aish,” the other man scowls playfully, “how can you say that when I’m right here in front of you?”
“You…? You set me up on a blind date with you?” It comes out sounding less mocking and more surprised than he means it too.
Yunho ignores Changmin, lifting a hand to signal the waitress. “Another menu, please?” he asks. When she brings it he looks it over idly, continuing to ignore the glare being directed his way.
“Well, if you want to be like that, I assume you’ll be paying for this meal?” Changmin quips, trying to get the man’s attention.
“Of course,” Yunho says, but doesn’t look up from his menu.
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t spend Christmas Eve, of all nights, holed up in your office. You should take some time out for yourself.”
“You could have just said that without resorting to all this.”
“And you wouldn’t have listened. The only time you do is when I set you up on these dates with girls. It starting to hurt my feelings, that you’ll hang out with those women but not me,” he pouts.
Changmin shakes his head. “I thought you wanted me to go out with ‘those women.’”
“Have you ever had the Filet mignon here? Is it any good?”
The businessman accepts his friend’s change of subject and gives his recommendation. From there they fall into the usual discourse about work and the state of the global market and the evils of ill-tempered secretaries.
The food is delivered and they begin eating with the appropriate self-possession expected of some of Seoul’s top professionals. The Filet mignon is indeed delicious - he knows because Yunho lets him try a bite or two - and Changmin is pleased with his own Lobster Fra Diavolo. They toast it off with one more glass of wine each, finishing the bottle. Changmin stares into the rose-colored drink and watches the way it picks up the flickering of the candles, little patches of refracted light dancing across their hands.
Conversation weaves naturally between them, and soon they dive into talk of the holidays - Yunho’s cancelled plans due to his latest big case and Changmin’s nonexistent ones.
“I worry about you, Changmin. You work too hard.”
Changmin brushes it off with a shrug and a sip of wine. “Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you need to be so concerned. I’m not even Christian, and these days’ holidays are nothing but commercial marketing ploys, anyway.”
Yunho reaches over to place his hand over Changmin’s. “I’m always concerned with you, Changmin. Maybe it’s just because it’s the holidays that you’ve noticed.”
Changmin huffs good-naturedly and does some subject-changing of his own. “So what is this rumor about the naked man in the parking garage of your building?”
Yunho laughs, and tells him the story about the copyboy who slept with the female intern in a mail room, only to be caught by the security guard and be chased out - pantless - into the parking garage.
“It was evening so almost everyone had left, but it wasn’t any less embarrassing. We were already in the car when we saw him stumble out and I thought I would die from second-hand shame - and Junsu would die from laughing. I didn’t find out why he was being chased out until the next day, of course, but…”
“Your building sounds so much more interesting than mine,” Changmin chuckles. “The biggest scandal we’ve had was a few missent emails from I.R, and even those were mildly entertaining at best.”
They both laugh, only interrupted by the waitress with the check. They both reach for it at the same time.
“Ah, I said I was paying, remember,” Yunho says.
The businessman slaps his hand away. “I was joking, of course I’ll pay. It’s the least I can do, since it was your idea to come.”
Yunho slaps his hand back pointedly. “But I invited you here. And I was late - so I should pay.”
“I ordered with the intent of paying. It wouldn’t be-”
“-acceptable for me not to pay. It’s not like I can’t afford it; I want to do this for you.”
Changmin rubs two fingers to his temples. He knows this could go on forever; they’re both just too stubborn. But… he can compromise this once - it is Christmas, after all. “Dutch?” he offers.
Yunho clucks his tongue again but agrees. They split the bill evenly and are waiting for the waitress to pick up the check when Changmin asks. “Why did you invite me here? Was there ever a girl?”
Yunho braces his elbows on the table, his head on crossed hands. He smiles slowly at Changmin and he wonders if it is the wine that is making him flush. Yunho looks good under the dim lighting, and Changmin is struck not for the first time by how handsome his friend is. His rolled-up sleeves hug the muscles of his arms and his tie accentuates the length of his neck. Changmin gulps. A good wine always hits him slower.
“There was never a girl,” Yunho answers, never taking his eyes off Changmin.
“Then why pretend?” Changmin responds. He tugs at the knot of his necktie, loosening it again.
“I never pretended. I said I wanted you to go to this dinner and meet someone. I never said who.”
Changmin thinks back, and realizes it to be true. “That was very sneaky, Mr. Jung.”
Yunho shrugs elegantly and Changmin swears he can hear the shifting of his shirt against his skin. “All part of my master plan,” he winks.
“I see,” Changmin says slowly, mostly because he is unsure how else to respond. He doesn’t get a chance, as just then the waitress comes to pick up their respective cards.
“Aren’t you going to ask what that is?” Yunho prompts, after she leaves.
He smirks; he can be playful, too - though he thinks the term ‘cunning’ suits him better. “Not in particular.”
The lawyer huffs and leans back in his seat. “Ruin my fun, why don’t you?” He pouts.
Changmin leans back as well, crossing his arms languidly. “Don’t be like that. Just tell me why, you’re making me anxious.”
“What if I said I just wanted to spend Christmas Eve with you?”
If Yunho said that, Changmin thinks he would be very happy. But Yunho isn’t saying just that. “I would say that’s pretty anticlimactic for a master plan.”
“Well, what if Christmas Eve was only a part of it - a very integral part, but not the whole thing?”
“I’d have to believe you, I think,” Changmin says, and Yunho smiles at him in such a way that makes him flush again. This time he knows it’s not the wine, but he hopes it isn’t visible on his face.
“Then that’s what I’m saying.”
Changmin tries to be diplomatic, murmuring around another sip of his drink. “Then I’m sorry you had to settle for me. I’m sure I’m a poor substitute for going home to your family.”
Out of the corner of his eye Changmin can see Yunho unlace and lace his fingers awkwardly. The older man seems to hesitate before he speaks. “…And what if I said I’m glad the case kept me here?”
“Then I’d say I’m glad you’re here, too. This was very nice,” he says honestly; he’s dealt enough in business to know this game of discretion. “We should do it again.”
“Is that something you would want?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well…” and it seems its Yunho’s turn to flush, tugging at his collar in a familiar way. “It’s always hard to tell with you. I can’t tell if I’m helping you or annoying you.”
He laughs nervously, but Changmin frowns. “It annoys me when you pester me away from my work.”
“But-”
“For women I don’t particularly want to meet.”
Yunho sighs, finally averting his eyes and toying absently with his near-empty glass. “I thought that’s what you were interested in.”
That’s a veiled question if Changmin has ever heard one. He runs a hand through his hair, thinking carefully.
Interested in those women…? No, he definitely isn’t. If he were to compare his feelings towards Yunho to those women - any woman - there would be no competition. He doesn’t know when he would have ever given Yunho any indication otherwise.
He chooses his words carefully. “Not… exactly. At this point in time. Why would you think that?”
“I’ve said it before. I worry about you; I want you to get out there, have fun, live, fall in love. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“You don’t seem it.”
Changmin starts to reply but the waitress returns with the bill. Yunho eyes him carefully but Changmin focuses on signing his part of the bill, handing the pen and receipt back to the girl as Yunho does the same.
“Thank you gentlemen. Merry Christmas,” she says politely. They respond in kind, only to be left in awkward silence at her departure. It would be improper to linger at the table; no doubt there are still many people waiting. With unspoken understanding they get ready to go. Yunho rolls down his sleeves and Changmin tightens his tie. They reach for their coats and leave the restaurant.
Outside it’s freezing and Changmin wraps his overcoat tighter around him. Yunho goes to ask the doorman to call for a cab, and even as Changmin shivers he notices that the lawyer asked for one - not two.
The man comes back to his side, and Changmin wonders if they should just drop the subject. But Yunho clears his throat, picking up right where they left off. “I wanted you to be happy, and it didn’t seem like you were with just me. As your friend,” he adds quickly, a sharp and sudden prod to Changmin’s emotions.
His mind reels. He knows he is a formal person, a busy person - but is he so much so that Yunho never realized how much he meant to him?
“That was never the case,” he says lowly, his words almost drowned out by the carolers that are paid to stand outside the restaurant and serenade waiting customers. A horse-drawn carriage wheels buy, its sides wrapped in blue lights, and as it passes there is a sign on the back that advertises rides for forty dollars an hour. He wants to scoff, but doubts it would be appropriate at the present moment.
“I took a chance,” Yunho says eventually. “Because it’s Christmas. And - even if you don’t like that sort of thing - because it’s romantic.”
Romantic.
It’s Changmin’s turn to be silent. The taxi pulls up to the curb, the doorman steps up to open the door for them, and Yunho motions for Changmin to go first. He nods and slides in, all the way to the other end of the bench and against the window, his arm set upon the ledge so can gaze out across the road. His mind is still reeling. He knows what Yunho is saying; he knows that this is a confession, of sorts. He is shocked. Not by the sentiment - which, now acknowledged, is easy to see, to find in his memories - but more by the fact Yunho actually acknowledged it in the first place.
He doesn’t know what to do with it.
“Changmin…?”
Yunho has slid in beside him, the cab has pulled away from the curb, they are driving through clear streets. It is nearly 11:00, and few enough people are out to cause traffic. Changmin can see Yunho looking at him through the reflection in the glass.
“Changmin…” Yunho repeats.
Changmin doesn’t say anything, but he turns to look at Yunho. The man’s eyes are dark, serious; crow’s feet gather in the corners from his worry.
If Changmin says yes, what will happen? They spend more time together, kiss, make love. They are happy and love each other. They protect their jobs and never tell their families or friends or coworkers. They pretend to be bachelors all their lives and maybe when enough time passes, they pretend to be saving money on rent when they move in together. They grow old together.
If Changmin says no, is it worth losing what he could have?
“Are you certain?” He asks. His hands tense around his briefcase. He knows he never does anything unless he is one-hundred percent certain, at the very least. Yunho has to be, at the very least.
“Of course,” Yunho says quickly, earnestly. He flashes the businessman a smile. “What if I said that I’ve known for a long time?”
Changmin manages a smile. “The ‘master plan’?”
“Correct, Mr. Shim.”
“Then I’d say… I’d have to believe you. But I’d need a written statement… preferable notarized and reviewed by my lawyer.”
Yunho laughs. He is Changmin’s lawyer.
Yunho reaches out to touch Changmin’s hand, but Changmin catches the action and gives him a wry glance. With a sheepish grin Yunho retracts his hand, placing it over his crossed knees. Changmin returns his gaze to the window, but it’s with a smile that reaches his eyes.
It’ll be midnight - Christmas, by the time they reach Yunho’s flat. There will still be enough time to celebrate.
| 03. | 04. | 05.
started writing: 12/15/09
finished writing: 12/19/09
master list
Free Hit Counter
This was a bit of a challenge, so soon after writing the last piece - trying to construct a different character and different voice, while still from the same point of view... it was a good exercise, and though the end was rushed because I wanted to post it by today, I did attempt to put a plot somewhere in there, really xD Not quite sure if I pulled it off, or if it’s even really interesting, lol, but the idea of men in suits is always askldjasf 8Db
homin; pg
romance
3,262 words
01.
a series of unrelated one-shots for the holidays. all homin, all love ♥
Changmin waits alone at a two-person table. It’s just a little booth, tucked away romantically in the corner of the restaurant.
The waitress hovers over him with an apologetic smile. “Sir, I’m sorry, but we have a long list and if your other party isn’t here soon…”
“No, it’s fine.” He’s been waiting for a half-hour. No sense in letting a good reservation go to waste. “I’ll just order the Lobster Fra Diavolo…and a bottle of the 2004 Guigal Condrieul, thank you.”
She nods and walks away and Changmin runs a hand through his hair. He loosens his necktie and pulls out a thick file from his briefcase.
He should have known better than to agree to this ridiculous date. A blind date - on Christmas Eve, of all days. It isn’t that he’s disappointed to be stood up; he’s experienced it more than enough times. Even when they do show up he is more inclined to not like them anyway.
But Yunho is his closest friend, and when the man had insisted he show up to La Cage D'or at 8:00 on the dot, the businessman had given in without much fight.
At least the booth is quiet. He’ll be able to get some work done, in addition to having a decent meal. Since he started working on his company’s latest acquisition, he’s had to make due mostly with the take-out ordered by his secretary. It’s fitting that the holidays should bring him at least a small reprieve.
The waitress returns with his bottle. She pours him half a glass; he examines the cork first, then swirls the glass, watching the wine swill and examining the clarity. A small sniff to determine its balance, the hint of its floral aromatics; a smaller sip reveals it’s dryness and complexity. It will do.
He nods and she pours it in full, leaves the bottle on ice by his table with a soft proviso. “Your dinner should be out shortly.” He acknowledges her with a small gesture of the fingers before absorbing himself with his work.
Changmin is a formal person, a busy person, and he wonders what it was about him that deterred this appointed paramour. He knows he is not unattractive, not unintelligent or unsuccessful. He is barely out of his twenties and should, by all standards, be ‘quite the catch.’ And yet here he is, single and alone on Christmas Eve.
He knows what Yunho would say to such thoughts. “Don’t be so serious, Changmin-ah. You’re still young - you just have to get out there!”
And Changmin knows exactly how he would respond. They’ve had the conversation enough times. “I have my work, Yunho. I don’t have the time or the patience, you know that.”
Changmin gives this for his answer every time. He doesn’t know how to tell Yunho that he isn’t interested in the women the lawyer is constantly setting up him with. He doesn’t know how to tell Yunho he isn’t quite sure he’s interested in women, period.
His oldest friend would no doubt be accepting - that is just how the man is. He doesn’t have a bone of prejudice in his body. But Changmin is not certain, and he never does anything unless he is one-hundred percent certain, at the very least.
And Yunho is too precious a friend to waste on uncertainty. They were close in high school, drifting apart in their university years because of distance. It was only a few years ago, when Changmin’s company moved its headquarters to Seoul, that they were able to reconnect, becoming even closer than before. And given that Yunho is, in fact, one of Changmin’s only friends, it makes him close by default.
They are very similar, the both of them logical, competent, driven. Changmin has always admired Yunho’s dedication and work-ethic, and had often called his hyung to mind even during the years that they were separated. Changmin, many would say, has a soft spot for the man - though many still would argue that he doesn’t have a soft spot for anything at all, let alone anyone. The businessman has a steady reputation for his no-nonsense attitude.
Yunho, on the other hand, has a very obvious fondness when it came to his dongsaeng. Even Changmin knows this well. Yunho always makes sure to keep a close eye on Changmin, doting on the younger man even when his attention isn’t necessarily wanted. He is never put off by Changmin’s less-than-social tendencies, and actively encourages him to engage with the world around him.
At first he attempted to bring Changmin out with him - to clubs and café’s after work, and then business dinners and office parties, then simple nights at Yunho’s apartment, where they’d enjoy a meal and good conversation. Changmin had secretly delighted in the attention, but after a few years Yunho’s attempts changed from personally bringing Changmin into the world to bringing the world to Changmin.
The ‘world’ being women.
Changmin has indulged his friend in these arranged meetings, but nothing has come of them, nor does he expect so. He, even more secretly, misses the nights with just the two of them, together. But Changmin’s feelings on such matters aren’t the type that one just announces. Instead he analyzes, just as he examines and evaluates the spreadsheets laid before him.
So far, such analysis has not provided anything too conclusive. Fortunately, the spreadsheets offer comfort in their predictable progressions.
He is in the middle of pouring himself another glass when someone slides into the booth beside him. He jumps in surprise but manages not to spill a drop.
“Oh, sorry about that,” Yunho smiles pleasantly at him, settling into his seat.
Changmin looks at his friend quizzically. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah, I know. I’m sorry I’m late. I got held up at the office - my secretary wouldn’t even let me call. Is that a Voignier?”
“Guigal Condrieul,” he replies.
“2006?”
“2004.”
Yunho clucks his tongue. “Your taste is expensive as always, Mr. Shim,” he teases.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Changmin replies archly. “What are you doing here?”
“Just checking in on you,” the lawyer trills. He slides off his coat, hanging it over the back of his chair, and undoes his cuff links so he can roll up his sleeves. “I was hoping you wouldn’t have brought your work.”
“Seeing as how I was stood up, it was for the best,” he says drolly.
“Aish,” the other man scowls playfully, “how can you say that when I’m right here in front of you?”
“You…? You set me up on a blind date with you?” It comes out sounding less mocking and more surprised than he means it too.
Yunho ignores Changmin, lifting a hand to signal the waitress. “Another menu, please?” he asks. When she brings it he looks it over idly, continuing to ignore the glare being directed his way.
“Well, if you want to be like that, I assume you’ll be paying for this meal?” Changmin quips, trying to get the man’s attention.
“Of course,” Yunho says, but doesn’t look up from his menu.
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t spend Christmas Eve, of all nights, holed up in your office. You should take some time out for yourself.”
“You could have just said that without resorting to all this.”
“And you wouldn’t have listened. The only time you do is when I set you up on these dates with girls. It starting to hurt my feelings, that you’ll hang out with those women but not me,” he pouts.
Changmin shakes his head. “I thought you wanted me to go out with ‘those women.’”
“Have you ever had the Filet mignon here? Is it any good?”
The businessman accepts his friend’s change of subject and gives his recommendation. From there they fall into the usual discourse about work and the state of the global market and the evils of ill-tempered secretaries.
The food is delivered and they begin eating with the appropriate self-possession expected of some of Seoul’s top professionals. The Filet mignon is indeed delicious - he knows because Yunho lets him try a bite or two - and Changmin is pleased with his own Lobster Fra Diavolo. They toast it off with one more glass of wine each, finishing the bottle. Changmin stares into the rose-colored drink and watches the way it picks up the flickering of the candles, little patches of refracted light dancing across their hands.
Conversation weaves naturally between them, and soon they dive into talk of the holidays - Yunho’s cancelled plans due to his latest big case and Changmin’s nonexistent ones.
“I worry about you, Changmin. You work too hard.”
Changmin brushes it off with a shrug and a sip of wine. “Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you need to be so concerned. I’m not even Christian, and these days’ holidays are nothing but commercial marketing ploys, anyway.”
Yunho reaches over to place his hand over Changmin’s. “I’m always concerned with you, Changmin. Maybe it’s just because it’s the holidays that you’ve noticed.”
Changmin huffs good-naturedly and does some subject-changing of his own. “So what is this rumor about the naked man in the parking garage of your building?”
Yunho laughs, and tells him the story about the copyboy who slept with the female intern in a mail room, only to be caught by the security guard and be chased out - pantless - into the parking garage.
“It was evening so almost everyone had left, but it wasn’t any less embarrassing. We were already in the car when we saw him stumble out and I thought I would die from second-hand shame - and Junsu would die from laughing. I didn’t find out why he was being chased out until the next day, of course, but…”
“Your building sounds so much more interesting than mine,” Changmin chuckles. “The biggest scandal we’ve had was a few missent emails from I.R, and even those were mildly entertaining at best.”
They both laugh, only interrupted by the waitress with the check. They both reach for it at the same time.
“Ah, I said I was paying, remember,” Yunho says.
The businessman slaps his hand away. “I was joking, of course I’ll pay. It’s the least I can do, since it was your idea to come.”
Yunho slaps his hand back pointedly. “But I invited you here. And I was late - so I should pay.”
“I ordered with the intent of paying. It wouldn’t be-”
“-acceptable for me not to pay. It’s not like I can’t afford it; I want to do this for you.”
Changmin rubs two fingers to his temples. He knows this could go on forever; they’re both just too stubborn. But… he can compromise this once - it is Christmas, after all. “Dutch?” he offers.
Yunho clucks his tongue again but agrees. They split the bill evenly and are waiting for the waitress to pick up the check when Changmin asks. “Why did you invite me here? Was there ever a girl?”
Yunho braces his elbows on the table, his head on crossed hands. He smiles slowly at Changmin and he wonders if it is the wine that is making him flush. Yunho looks good under the dim lighting, and Changmin is struck not for the first time by how handsome his friend is. His rolled-up sleeves hug the muscles of his arms and his tie accentuates the length of his neck. Changmin gulps. A good wine always hits him slower.
“There was never a girl,” Yunho answers, never taking his eyes off Changmin.
“Then why pretend?” Changmin responds. He tugs at the knot of his necktie, loosening it again.
“I never pretended. I said I wanted you to go to this dinner and meet someone. I never said who.”
Changmin thinks back, and realizes it to be true. “That was very sneaky, Mr. Jung.”
Yunho shrugs elegantly and Changmin swears he can hear the shifting of his shirt against his skin. “All part of my master plan,” he winks.
“I see,” Changmin says slowly, mostly because he is unsure how else to respond. He doesn’t get a chance, as just then the waitress comes to pick up their respective cards.
“Aren’t you going to ask what that is?” Yunho prompts, after she leaves.
He smirks; he can be playful, too - though he thinks the term ‘cunning’ suits him better. “Not in particular.”
The lawyer huffs and leans back in his seat. “Ruin my fun, why don’t you?” He pouts.
Changmin leans back as well, crossing his arms languidly. “Don’t be like that. Just tell me why, you’re making me anxious.”
“What if I said I just wanted to spend Christmas Eve with you?”
If Yunho said that, Changmin thinks he would be very happy. But Yunho isn’t saying just that. “I would say that’s pretty anticlimactic for a master plan.”
“Well, what if Christmas Eve was only a part of it - a very integral part, but not the whole thing?”
“I’d have to believe you, I think,” Changmin says, and Yunho smiles at him in such a way that makes him flush again. This time he knows it’s not the wine, but he hopes it isn’t visible on his face.
“Then that’s what I’m saying.”
Changmin tries to be diplomatic, murmuring around another sip of his drink. “Then I’m sorry you had to settle for me. I’m sure I’m a poor substitute for going home to your family.”
Out of the corner of his eye Changmin can see Yunho unlace and lace his fingers awkwardly. The older man seems to hesitate before he speaks. “…And what if I said I’m glad the case kept me here?”
“Then I’d say I’m glad you’re here, too. This was very nice,” he says honestly; he’s dealt enough in business to know this game of discretion. “We should do it again.”
“Is that something you would want?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well…” and it seems its Yunho’s turn to flush, tugging at his collar in a familiar way. “It’s always hard to tell with you. I can’t tell if I’m helping you or annoying you.”
He laughs nervously, but Changmin frowns. “It annoys me when you pester me away from my work.”
“But-”
“For women I don’t particularly want to meet.”
Yunho sighs, finally averting his eyes and toying absently with his near-empty glass. “I thought that’s what you were interested in.”
That’s a veiled question if Changmin has ever heard one. He runs a hand through his hair, thinking carefully.
Interested in those women…? No, he definitely isn’t. If he were to compare his feelings towards Yunho to those women - any woman - there would be no competition. He doesn’t know when he would have ever given Yunho any indication otherwise.
He chooses his words carefully. “Not… exactly. At this point in time. Why would you think that?”
“I’ve said it before. I worry about you; I want you to get out there, have fun, live, fall in love. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“You don’t seem it.”
Changmin starts to reply but the waitress returns with the bill. Yunho eyes him carefully but Changmin focuses on signing his part of the bill, handing the pen and receipt back to the girl as Yunho does the same.
“Thank you gentlemen. Merry Christmas,” she says politely. They respond in kind, only to be left in awkward silence at her departure. It would be improper to linger at the table; no doubt there are still many people waiting. With unspoken understanding they get ready to go. Yunho rolls down his sleeves and Changmin tightens his tie. They reach for their coats and leave the restaurant.
Outside it’s freezing and Changmin wraps his overcoat tighter around him. Yunho goes to ask the doorman to call for a cab, and even as Changmin shivers he notices that the lawyer asked for one - not two.
The man comes back to his side, and Changmin wonders if they should just drop the subject. But Yunho clears his throat, picking up right where they left off. “I wanted you to be happy, and it didn’t seem like you were with just me. As your friend,” he adds quickly, a sharp and sudden prod to Changmin’s emotions.
His mind reels. He knows he is a formal person, a busy person - but is he so much so that Yunho never realized how much he meant to him?
“That was never the case,” he says lowly, his words almost drowned out by the carolers that are paid to stand outside the restaurant and serenade waiting customers. A horse-drawn carriage wheels buy, its sides wrapped in blue lights, and as it passes there is a sign on the back that advertises rides for forty dollars an hour. He wants to scoff, but doubts it would be appropriate at the present moment.
“I took a chance,” Yunho says eventually. “Because it’s Christmas. And - even if you don’t like that sort of thing - because it’s romantic.”
Romantic.
It’s Changmin’s turn to be silent. The taxi pulls up to the curb, the doorman steps up to open the door for them, and Yunho motions for Changmin to go first. He nods and slides in, all the way to the other end of the bench and against the window, his arm set upon the ledge so can gaze out across the road. His mind is still reeling. He knows what Yunho is saying; he knows that this is a confession, of sorts. He is shocked. Not by the sentiment - which, now acknowledged, is easy to see, to find in his memories - but more by the fact Yunho actually acknowledged it in the first place.
He doesn’t know what to do with it.
“Changmin…?”
Yunho has slid in beside him, the cab has pulled away from the curb, they are driving through clear streets. It is nearly 11:00, and few enough people are out to cause traffic. Changmin can see Yunho looking at him through the reflection in the glass.
“Changmin…” Yunho repeats.
Changmin doesn’t say anything, but he turns to look at Yunho. The man’s eyes are dark, serious; crow’s feet gather in the corners from his worry.
If Changmin says yes, what will happen? They spend more time together, kiss, make love. They are happy and love each other. They protect their jobs and never tell their families or friends or coworkers. They pretend to be bachelors all their lives and maybe when enough time passes, they pretend to be saving money on rent when they move in together. They grow old together.
If Changmin says no, is it worth losing what he could have?
“Are you certain?” He asks. His hands tense around his briefcase. He knows he never does anything unless he is one-hundred percent certain, at the very least. Yunho has to be, at the very least.
“Of course,” Yunho says quickly, earnestly. He flashes the businessman a smile. “What if I said that I’ve known for a long time?”
Changmin manages a smile. “The ‘master plan’?”
“Correct, Mr. Shim.”
“Then I’d say… I’d have to believe you. But I’d need a written statement… preferable notarized and reviewed by my lawyer.”
Yunho laughs. He is Changmin’s lawyer.
Yunho reaches out to touch Changmin’s hand, but Changmin catches the action and gives him a wry glance. With a sheepish grin Yunho retracts his hand, placing it over his crossed knees. Changmin returns his gaze to the window, but it’s with a smile that reaches his eyes.
It’ll be midnight - Christmas, by the time they reach Yunho’s flat. There will still be enough time to celebrate.
| 03. | 04. | 05.
started writing: 12/15/09
finished writing: 12/19/09
master list
Free Hit Counter
This was a bit of a challenge, so soon after writing the last piece - trying to construct a different character and different voice, while still from the same point of view... it was a good exercise, and though the end was rushed because I wanted to post it by today, I did attempt to put a plot somewhere in there, really xD Not quite sure if I pulled it off, or if it’s even really interesting, lol, but the idea of men in suits is always askldjasf 8Db