Redeeming Eden Chapter Fourteen
Title: Redeeming Eden
Length: Chaptered
Rating: PG and growing
Pairings: YooSu, JaeHo, MinOther
Summary: Love, Hatred, Gratitude, Revenge. Is love worth all the pain they have to go through?
lmaii 's creation!
30th December
The feel of Christmas remained by the landscape covered in a dazzling white.
By a rare break of the habitual irregularity of the weather, it had been snowing non-stop for the past week. Peaceful gentle cold that kept families at home, children indoors and lovers huddled together.
However, it was clearly different in this apartment.
Popcorn was strewn all over the coffee table, a European soccer match was being televised 'live' and 2 very excited young men were hardly keeping still on the sofa. Actually, it was 1 very excited young man and another less excited in company.
Yoochun was in a rather unfortunate dilemma, getting unwillingly excited and trying not to get too excited. Biologically, that is.
Apparently, the control to his degree of excitement happened to be the action on the field. Just his luck that they were playing the quarter finals tonight and it was an action packed match.
Junsu was practically sitting on Yoochun's lap; butt on the sofa, legs on his lap and hands around his neck.
The older man would usually be more than glad to have his younger lover 'hanging' around this way, but today was a different case.
Whenever the field got some serious action, Junsu did too. He would shift in his seat or bounce and even jump up and shout when he got excited.
Friction turned into an undesired distraction tonight. Yoochun tried to follow the heat of the game, trying harder to ignore his own.
Unfortunately, the culprit was blissfully unaware of his provocative actions.
Enough was enough.
Half time. Junsu was about to hop off the seat when he felt his movements being restricted.
"You really have no idea? Are you for real, you little devil?" An evil grin, but his tone made it clear that it was a tease.
Eyes grew wide as Yoochun leaned forward, his hardness pressing into the side of a thigh, following which a blush swiftly appeared.
"I.. I.. Mmph.." Warm lips pressed against his, pushing words back.
Having savored the sugared fragrance, Yoochun added a light punishing nip on the pouty lips. "If you don't behave yourself later, I'll not hold back anymore!"
Looking into the gentle eyes, Junsu could not help it as his own started to fill with tears. How could I not understand that you've already forced yourself over your limits to hold back for me? Thank you, thank you so much.
Leaning in for another kiss, a deep rumble of a curse was heard as the shrill ring of a mobile phone went off.
Junsu chuckled as he picked up the device from the coffee table.
"Junsu-ah, it's Junki Hyung."
"Ah, Hyung! It's nice to hear from you. How have you been?"
"I'm fine. But.. I called to tell you something else, Junsu. It's about Komo, she passed away in Germany, in a car accident."
"..."
"Junsu-ah, you still there?"
"Y-yes." The shaky voice drew concern not only from the other end but also from the pair of eyes that never left the speaker's face.
"The funeral's in 3 days. I'll fill you in on the details again."
"Yes, Hyung. And.. thank you."
"No problem. Take care."
As soon as the call was ended, strong arms enveloped the smaller body into a comforting embrace.
Yoochun did not want to ask what sort of disturbing news had been received. All he knew was to protect the one he loved from any sign of distress.
A large patch formed at his chest, Junsu letting his tears flow freely, knowing that there was no reason for him to hold back in the other's arms.
"Chun, Imo treated me like her own, she was really like a mother to me. Why did this have to happen? Why?" The quiet weeping turned into uncontrollable sobs as his memories of the elder woman returned.
He instantly understood the happenings that would have brought upon the sorrow but Yoochun could only suppress his own emotions to offer solace to his younger lover. "Hush, Baby. It's alright, everything's alright. I'm here. I'm here with you." Fingers repeatedly stroking the soft brown hair in an attempt to ease the tightness in his heart.
---
2nd January
The ground was not covered by snow but that did not mean the weather was any better.
It had been gloomy skies all morning, and just as the service started, so did the expected snowfall.
Senior management of the company, some old employees, and close friends formed the cortege. A sea of black stood around the grave, men solemn and some of the women tearing at the loss.
Family members lined up right in front. Jang Ji Dong, Yunho and Junki each wore an expression with varying degrees of sorrow and weariness.
Amongst the assemblage stood the lovers, shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed in respect for the departed. The corners of Yoochun's eyes were moist whilst Junsu's simply could not hold back the overflowing tears.
Ironically, the service seemed to further sink the hearts of the attendees.
After the last prayer came to a close, the dispersal began.
Only the 3 men remained where they stood, unwilling to let go of this last moment with the woman closest to them.
However, one of them had a pain magnified indefinitely as his eyes followed a set of intertwined fingers that slowly moved further out of the grounds of grief.
---
20th January
Junki could not understand the reason for his presence at such an exchange.
Even though it presented a glimmer of hope to him, the refusal of an engagement was still hardly a joyous ocassion.
Being the 'third party' only made it more awkward for him.
Seated with Yunho and Eun Ah, he could only keep looking down at the table after exchanging pleasantries with the young lady.
Having been the one to arrange this meet up, Yunho was well prepared with what he had to say. "Eun Ah-sshi, I apologize for calling you out for this impromptu meeting. And also for what I'm going to say next."
She nodded calmly, acknowledging his words and waiting for the next delivery.
"I'm afraid that we would be unable to proceed with engagement as planned."
"I understand. I'm sorry for your loss."
"This would be more appropriate if brought across by our parents but I take the initiative to bring this up today. And since this concerns the 2 of us, perhaps it would be better for me to give an explanation personally. I meant to say that I plan to cancel the engagement." He stood and bowed in apology. "I'm sorry."
Obviously shocked by the sudden movement, Eun Ah's first reaction was to get the standing man seated again. "Please, there's no need for an apology to this. You were not the one who wanted to get engaged in first place. And.. thank you..."
Junki added to Yunho's surprised face with his own, both of them staring at the woman with questioning looks.
"I could tell that you were not willing right from the beginning. It's alright, I really don't mind. And it's better that you stop it here instead of letting it go on to an unhappy marriage. So, I should thank you." The gentle smile proved that she was indeed glad with the way things had taken a turn for.
The mutual glances of satisfaction were joined by the ring tone of Yunho's mobile phone.
Taking over the family business officially ensured that more of his time was to be devoted to work. "I'm sorry but I'll have to leave first. I'm needed back at the office. Hyung, could you please send Eun Ah-sshi back after lunch?"
"Of course." There was no reason for him to reject the arrangement.
As Yunho stepped out of the restaurant, he caught a glimpse of the pair chatting happily. At least I can still give happiness to others.
---
Jang Ji Dong tapped a finger on his kneecap, staring at the inscription plate in Yunho's new office while impatiently waiting for his secretary to leave the room. 'Jung Yunho, Chairman'
Without wasting another second, Yunho went straight into the intended topic. "Appa, I've decided to do away with the engagement. I've spoken to Eun Ah-sshi on this and she has agreed to it. Please don't worry about the benefits from the marriage, I'm sure that can be recovered with hard work."
The older man was stunned for a moment before he managed to fully digest the information. "Yunho-ah, this was already fixed! And you just decided to go back on your words, is it because of that thing again? Why do you still refuse to let go of the past? It's over between the 2 of you, he's with another man now. There's nothing that can be done to bring him back again!"
He expected the outrage, and just waiting for the other to finish ranting. "I never once agreed to the engagement, you insisted on it. And even if I'm without him, I will still not get engaged."
"This is unacceptable! As your father, I order you to continue with the plans for the engagement." Bringing out the last card he knew he held.
I don't want to go there, I tried not to, but you're forcing me. "You are not my father. Please ask yourself how you treated my Omma. Don't think that we do not know about your affair with your secretary. We know, Omma knows, but she didn't want to bring it up. She felt that she could try to keep the family together. But ask yourself what you've don.."
Perhaps embarrassed by the revelation of his betrayal, Ji Dong cut off his words with a slap to the face. "I admit that I've done wrong to your mother, but I'm sure that I've done my duty as a father to you all these years."
The door closed with a loud bang, leaving a young man with his regrets, running through memories of his growing years with the man who willingly shouldered the responsibilities of a father figure.
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A/N: Ahhh.... Writer's Block! Took me forever to get this out. Already trying my best to churn out the next chapter..
1) I know the Euro Cup plays in June/summer but I just needed a match here in winter for the story. Please ignore the mismatched timing.
2) Jang had nothing to do with Yunho's mother's death. It really was an accident.
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Jung Yunho x Kim Jaejoong
Park Yoochun x Kim Junsu
Shim Changmin x Tei