It's The Little Things
Title: It’s The Little Things
Author: trieze0713
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Length: oneshot
Genres: AU, Romance
Rating: PG
Summary:
It’s not always the pretty things that make you fall in love with someone.
~ o ~ o ~
Jaejoong sighed for the nth time that day as he walked into the kitchen and saw the dirty plates from this morning’s breakfast were gathering ants around the sink. Again, Yunho must’ve forgotten that he should get rid of crumbs and remnants before he left the dishes there. He woke up late to get to the office and it seemed that the reminder to NOT just put dirty dishes in the sink that he had plastered right above the faucet did nothing to improve his messy behavior.
After he cleaned up the kitchen and checked on the supplies, he decided that some groceries shopping was badly needed. No matter how irritating Yunho had been, today’s a special day and he wanted to make a surprise for him. It’s their 5th anniversary. The romance in him shout out for a candle light dinner with the food that he cook followed by glasses of expensive wine, a dance and maybe… well, hopefully, a night of hot passionate sex with jasmine scent aromatherapy burnt all over the room. Or maybe a shower in a tub of Rose petals? He couldn’t’ stop grinning from ear to ear just imagining how tonight is going to be.
But his smiled dropped as he saw dirty laundry that Yunho had FAILED to throw in the basket. Gosh, this man is so sloppy! And what the heck did his slippers do INSIDE the toilet?? Did he get IN with that and OUT barefooted?
He wanted to scream but he took a deep breath instead and chanted a mantra inside his head: ‘Jaejoong, don’t be angry… this is a special day, don’t get angry at him. You’re supposed to get used to it. You’re in love with him, so please please please no arguments.’
Fine. He could live with that.
Since he knew how forgetful Yunho is considering that he even has to be reminded of his own birthday, he assumed he must’ve forgotten how special today is. Jaejoong also knew about this annoying character of his beloved husband when they were dating, but after 5 years he THOUGHT that he had accepted it as part of him too. Or so he wished.
Anyway, let’s not ruin his mood further, there’s no harm in sending him a message to get home early. And whenever he told him to get home early, this was one thing that he never failed at. He ALWAYS got home early because he knew that whatever surprises Jaejoong had for him, it always included a night to remember. So he sent him one.
‘Honey, please come home early. If you don’t remember what day is today, just trust me ‘cause a surprise is waiting for you. Love you.’
Message sent. Yunho usually replied right away when he’s not busy. Or maybe later when he’s not very busy.
So Jaejoong went out for groceries shopping and bought some little things to make the celebration more memorable. He returned home, cleaned up the bedroom, changed the sheets with the red satin that he bought two months ago, checking if the tub was shining and he’s ready in the kitchen.
As he was preparing to cook he glanced at the clock, 4pm. Why the hell there was no reply from his husband at all? He ALWAYS replied even with a short one like ‘Can’t wait to be home, Baby.’ He frowned as he typed another message.
‘I hope you read my previous message. Believe me when I said it’s a VERY SPECIAL DAY. You might want to check with your brother to refresh your memory. Still love you.’
His mood soured a bit but it’s still early. He really hoped that Yunho was just busy and forgot to reply earlier. He continued cooking, cleaned up the kitchen once again, set the table with their finest china and silver and the aromatic candle and took a quick shower. He wore his tightest leather pants and a see through top, no underwear. He dimmed the living room lights and sat himself on the sofa. 6.30pm. Still, no reply from his husband. He sent another message.
‘I hope you know that I’m waiting for you and I won’t have dinner until you get home.’ No ‘love you’.
By 7.30pm he called his brother in law.
‘Min, thanks for the flower, I love it. I hope you reminded your brother like you always did. You can’t call him all day? Can you try again? Tell him if he doesn’t call me or let me know where he has been in the next half an hour I want to consider a divorce. No Min, I’m serious, I’m sick and tired of all this, I’m his husband and not his maid! Great, thanks, love you too.’
By 9pm he’s already in bed in his pajama, candles and dishes thrown into the trash bin, dirty plates dumped at the sink, tub’s drained. And he cried so hard for the first time in his 5 years of marriage.
People always said that Yunho’s not good enough for him when they first dated. He was just an intern at the construction company where Jaejoong was working as an advisor. He’s messy, forgetful and didn’t have a single romantic vein ran through him. It was Jaejoong who said ‘I love you’ first. It was Jaejoong who took the initiative for their first date. But at least Yunho was the one who proposed to him after 2 years of dating. Nah, it wasn’t a grand ‘bend my on knees and a diamond ring’ thing.
He called and asked, ‘Look Babe, I’m sorry that I can’t come and see you. But the company wants to send me to America for a year for job training before I get promoted as the head of accounting. I haven’t said yes but they’re only giving me 1 hour to give my answer. And… I don’t want to spend a year without you, so… will you marry me and come with me?’
He said yes in a heartbeat. He loved him and he was so flattered by the idea that Yunho couldn’t live without him. They got married in the US after all, Yunho took a month early leave before he started his training. They traveled to Vegas and the honeymoon was totally mind blowing with Yunho showered him with kisses and 100% attention before they returned to the place where Yunho was stationed and introduced him to his new boss and colleagues as the new Mr. Jung.
Jaejoong always thought that it was alright, at least with him he never had to worry about the guy cheating on him. If there’s one thing that Jaejoong could be thankful of was that his husband couldn’t lie to save himself, he’s the most honest person he’s ever known though it didn’t make him feel better tonight.
Maybe they should take some time off to review their marriage. Maybe this thing was not meant to be.
He heard the sound of Yunho’s car and peeped through the blinds. It’s him alright. 5th Anniversary and he came home very late without a call or telling him where he had been. He’s had enough. He sat himself on the edge of the bed and waited.
There’s a soft a click and he saw his husband’s surprised face.
“Jae, I thought you’re asleep already. I’m sor-”
“Where have you been?” He asked coldly without waiting for him to finish his sentence.
“Sorry, I got held back and I hav-“
“Do you remember what day was today?”
“…”
“Do you?”
He sighed as he put his briefcase and approached him. “Look, I’m really really sorry, you know I’m not good at remembering th-“
“It’s our 5th Anniversary.” Jaejoong could see guilt in his eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Oh God, I’m sorry honey, I really am!”
“And why didn’t you reply my message?”
“Message? Ah!” He ran to the drawer next to his side of the bed and there it was. He turned it on and read the messages that Jaejoong & Changmin had sent him the whole day. He looked like he wanted to cry. “I forgot to bring it with me this morning. Look Jae, I’m know I’m a jerk but I really didn’t mean to-“
“Let’s have a divorce.”
“Eh?”
“I don’t think I can take this anymore. You’ve been forgetting our anniversary every year, you never remember birthdays or any other special day that we have, and all I asked of you was just a little understanding. I’m still human and I want to be special. But you- you never-“ And he broke down and cried.
Yunho tried to embrace him, “How can I apologize to you, honey, I know I don’t have the right to make an excuse but-“ Jaejoong pushed him away.
“I’ve had enough excuses for the past 5 years. And I'm not sure that you’ll ever change. Please understand me, if you really do then let’s have a divorce.”
Yunho stood in front of him looking dejected. But then he smiled.
“You’re right. I’m sorry… I know it’s not enough but I’m really sorry. You deserve someone better. I- I haven’t been a good husband for you and I know that I always make you mad and angry. I guess you’re right, you do deserve someone better.”
He faced him and gave him his best smile and hugged him. “I hope you'll find someone who will make you happy, someone who doesn’t forget your birthday and anniversary, someone who can cook for you in return when you’re tired, someone who will never make you cry like I do.” Yunho pulled off and wiped his husband’s tears, “I’m sorry for being a jerk who’s only made you cry. I’m going to crash at Changmin tonight and I’ll be back tomorrow to get my stuff.”
He kissed his cheeks softly and walked out the door. That’s it. 5 years of marriage ended just like that. He heard the sound of Yunho’s car getting away… and suddenly Jaejoong felt lost. Did he do the right thing? He didn’t know but his head hurts so much from crying and heartache.
He was still drowned in his thoughts when a ring was heard next to his ear. He jumped in surprise. Yunho has left his phone on the bed. He looked at the caller ID, ‘Boss Park’, and picked up.
“Hello…”
“Yunho? Are you home now?”
“I’m sorry, Yunho left his phone at home.”
“Oh, is this Jaejoong? Hey Jae, it’s me. I’m sorry that Yunho has to come home late tonight, I guess he must be on his way home by now.”
“Actually he’s home already, but he just- left… somewhere.”
“I see. Look, I have to thank him for staying with me through the investigation at the police station. I really appreciate his help and I want to thank you too for never complaining whenever he’s held back in the office.”
“Investigation? Police station?”
“Well, the thing is, someone reported me of embezzlement and I was called to the station. I need to bring a witness and since Yunho is the accounting junior director I kinda asked him to come along and he’s been staying with me the whole day. I was so stressed out but after the investigation I selfishly asked him to accompany me for a quick dinner. I hope you’re not angry at him.”
“…”
“You’re a lucky guy Jae, you really don’t have to worry about him cheating on you. He even proudly showed his wedding ring and a picture of you in his wallet to the girls at the night club whenever he’s going out with me to entertain some clients. You have some fangirl-hostesses out there!” A heartfelt laughter from the other line.
“He even refused relocation to London because he thought you would prefer to stay in Korea, you didn’t enjoy much of that 1 year in the US, right?”
“What relocation?”
“…He didn’t tell you? There was an opening for a finance director in our London branch and the board had voted him as the best candidate but the flatly rejected the offer for you. Anyway, nice talking to you. Please forgive him tonight, it’s my mistake. See you at the annual company dinner next week!”
“Yeah… see you.”
The phone fell on the floor.
Despite the flaws and things that he did to annoy the hell out of him, Yunho had been nothing but a perfect husband.
He forgets birthdays and anniversaries but he remembers how Jaejoong wants his pasta cooked at the Italian restaurant they frequented.
He’s messy and dirty but he always makes sure that Jaejoong’s car’s leather seats are spotless and shining like the one in the dealer shop whenever Jaejoong is going to drive himself to see some clients.
He left his stuff everywhere but he calls him every night in his business trip no matter how tired he had been and never failed to bring him a present or two from every cities and countries he visited.
He rejected several job offers from foreign companies because he knew Jaejoong hated to live outside Korea. He knew about the offers not because he told him, but only because Jaejoong always found the rejection letter that he wrote to each company in his study’s laptop. He thought of him first before himself.
And he just asked him to have a divorce at their 5th Anniversary.
He cried again at his stupidity and ran to the door when he heard the sound of Yunho’s car for the third time that day. He really didn’t expect him to return after his request.
When he door flung opened he was met with hundreds of whites roses shoved in his face and Yunho was already on his knees.
“Yunho…”
“I know it’s not enough but I’m going to ask you once again, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.”
He threw the gigantic bouquet aside, jumped on him and showered him with kisses. When they parted with panting breaths, Yunho put his temple on his.
“I’m sorry that I always make you cry, but you’re the only one for me. I promise I’ll change, please be patient with me and give me some time to change.”
He smiled at him, “I’ll give as long as you needed. But please, don’t ever leave you phone again and let me know when you’re late?”
“I promise Jae… I promise…” And they kissed again… and again… and again… before Jaejoong broke off the kisses.
“Hold on! Where did you get so many white roses at this hour?”
His husband smiled at him sheepishly. “Remember the complex that we passed by where they had all these florists along the way? They lived on the 2nd storey of the flower house and I banged on one of the door to open their store and sell me the white roses or I’ll be a divorcee by tomorrow.”
“But one shop can’t have this much, no?”
“Errrr, I begged him on my knees and he had to wake up all the store owners along the street to give him their flowers.”
Jaejoong’s laughter boomed across the house.
It’s the little things that made Jaejoong fell in love with Yunho. The smile on his face, the mole above his lips, the shy request to kiss him on their first date, the flower that he picked on the road home on their first anniversary, the burnt toast on his plate on their first night as a couple…
Sometimes it doesn’t take pretty things to make you stay with someone. But when he puts you first above all else, and he kisses you goodnight so gently and he embraces you when you’re down; and you feel everything’s right again.
It’s the little things that he does that make you alive.
END