Past, Present & Future, Chapter 18
~ Previous Chapters ~
Chapter 18: Friends
The weekend getaway at Changmin’s Guest House turned out to be better than expected. They left Seoul on Friday night, Moonbin prepared his father’s luggage and picked him up at the office before going to fetch Kim Halmeoni. It’s already midnight by the time they reached the log house and they went to bed right away after Changmin showed them their rooms. He’s rooming with his Appa and Halmeoni occupied another room.
Moonbin paid attention to his father’s lingering gaze at the door of the Kim mansion when they were loading Halmeoni’s overnight bag at the trunks. He sighed and wondered why his father couldn’t admit that he wanted Jaejoong to come along too. Let’s save the big question for the father and son talk that he planned to have with him.
But they were having too much fun the next day that he forgot about it right until Sunday morning while they were having breakfast. They were supposed to leave after lunch.
“Changmin, thank you for allowing this old lady for a wonderful weekend here.” Yun-Ah told his uncle in the middle of their conversation.
“I’m glad that you enjoyed it though it wasn’t a very special stay.”
“Don’t say that, sweetheart. I really enjoyed the trip to the traditional market yesterday, I haven’t been gone to one since I got married. My husband wouldn’t allow me to go and always had the maids to do that.” She smiled gratefully at him and Moonbin noticed a tint of pink on his uncle’s cheeks. Huh, he blushed! He blushed, people!
“If you say so…”
“So, what do we do before lunch? Come on, we still have a few hours to spend!” He chirped in.
“Jeez, kiddo… looking at your face it seemed to me that you already have something in mind?” Changmin-ahjussi snickered at him.
“Uhm… I actually do. Do you think we have enough time to go to the fish market again? And drop by at Son Yo Jin-ahjussi’s place again? I kinda wanted to learn how to cut up a fish for sashimi.”
“Oh, I guess my poor brother must be ready to find a successor since my only nephew is more interested to be a sashimi chef.”
“I didn’t say that!” Min-ahjussi really knows how to piss me off.
“Min, stop annoys him.” Appa finally said something. “Let him do what he want to do, now do we have enough time to do that?”
“Yeah, sure… Let me call him so he knows we’re coming over.” Min-ahjussi got up to make the call.
“Great. I think we should pack up before we leave to the market too so when we get back we can have lunch then leave.” He got up to get to his room. “Ahjumma, we’ll drop you off first from here, you can have a nap in the car.”
“Oh, thank you Yunho, but you don’t have too. Someone will pick me up. You must be tired dear, you can go straight home from here.”
“Someone?” He asked her, stopping his walk.
“In fact, he should be-“
Just then one of his Uncle’s staff walked into the dining room, “Excuse me, Kim-ssi, you have a guest.”
Someone stepped out from behind the guy and his father was frozen on spot.
“Oh, sorry to interrupt your breakfast. I- uh, I was bored so I came early.”
I grinned and walked over to him, “Jae-ahjussi, come in, join us for breakfast! It’s only 8am, you must be leaving Seoul around 2 or 3am! Are you driving by yourself or-“
“As if he would drive himself in the middle of the night.” Someone else came up behind him.
Moonbin jumped from his seat, “Yoochun-ahjussi! You came too! Oh, let me get the cook to make some more bacons and eggs.” He ran to the kitchen.
Yun-Ah pulled Jaejoong and seated him on one of the empty chairs while Yoochun shook hands with Changmin who just finished his phone call.
Moonbin walked out with a wide grin and searched for his father who’s nowhere to be seen. “Halmeoni, where’s Appa?”
He saw Jaejoong’s eyes twitched at the mention of his father.
“I guess he returned to your room to pack.”
Moonbin nodded in understanding and told Jaejoong and Yoochun to wait for breakfast while he ran after his father to their room. He opened the door and instead seeing his father packing, he was sitting at the edge of the bed, hands covering his face. He sat beside him and nudged him with his shoulder.
“Hey… I thought you said you’re packing.”
“I will, just still a bit sleepy.”
“You always woke up early Appa, stop lying to me.” He didn’t say anything back. “Appa, is it bothering you?”
“What’s bothering me?”
“That Jae-ahjussi came here too?”
“No, why should I be bothered with his presence?”
“You didn’t look comfortable when you saw him.”
“I was just… I- I wasn’t uncomfortable, just a bit surprised that he would drive in the middle of the night here.”
“Hmmm… may I ask you something?” He didn’t wait for his father to say yes. “How come you didn’t visit him again after we went to his mansion when he was sick? You didn’t even call him or ask him how he had been.”
“How would you know whether I call him or not?”
“You didn’t call him at all.” It was a statement, not a question. His father looked at him and sighed.
“No I didn’t.”
“You still mad at him?”
“No, I don’t have a reason to.”
“Then why are you ignoring him again? I thought that visit was a start and that you guys were going to be friends again? Or even more.”
“Do you really want me to get back with him again?”
“It’s not about what I want, it’s about what you want… what you need… Appa, I’m not a six year old anymore. I know what I want, but you’ve been taking care of me since you were young. I just thought that it’s never too late to start over and enjoy your young life again. Come on, you’re still young and handsome, you’re the best looking Appa out there.” He playfully pinched his father’s cheek. Yunho winced.
“Oh, the guts to pinch me! You think I’m 6 years old?” His father started tickling him and there were rolling on the bed laughing until Yunho was running out of breath. “I guess you’re wrong, I’m not young anymore. I’m running out of breath already!”
“Nah, you’re still young for me.” Moonbin hugged him and he felt his father’s arms around him.
“And you’re not a little boy anymore. You’re graduating from high school next year and you won’t let me tickle you anymore.” He pulled off and put his hands on Moonbin shoulders. “Look at you… my wise and handsome son…”
“I inherited my wisdom and good looks from my Appa, you know.” He winked. Yunho laughed out loud.
“You won…” He took a deep breath. “Maybe I’m still scared that he’ll hurt me again. I mean… look at us now. He’s been in the business for many years, I’m just starting. If not because of my father’s will and Min Sook-ahjussi, I wouldn’t be in this position. It won’t do him any good to be with me again. And I don’t want to be left behind again if one day he realized just how different we are today.”
“You think he’s not afraid? Why would he humiliated himself by coming to your office every now and then and created headline news gossip? I doubt he did that if he didn’t want to get back to you for real. He practically had been throwing himself at you, Appa.” He stood up, “Take your time. Ask yourself again what you want, what you expect from him. And tell him what you think.”
Yunho looked at his son walking around the room to pack and smiled, “You must be as old as your Uncle Changmin, you’re not 18!”
“Shut up, just help me pack. I want to leave soon to my sashimi practice.”
Yunho laughed and got up to help his son pack their stuff. He’d take his time and calm himself down before he gets out and see Jaejoong.
* * * * *
Jaejoong was fidgeting on his seat. It’s hard to swallow the food in front of him. Yoochun was enjoying it too much while having a light conversation with Changmin of how nice the place is and that he wants to bring his boyfriend here too on their days off. He felt out of place.
“Jaejoong, are you tired? Did you sleep in the car last night?”
“Ah, a little. I couldn’t sleep well in the car with the way Yoochun drove.”
“I though you’re leaving Seoul in the morning and gets here around noon. I’m sorry that you lost sleep for picking me up, you didn’t have to.”
“That’s fine… Umma.” His mother didn’t hide her surprise to hear him calling her that way but she didn’t ask anything, he could see her eyes were glistening. “Am I- am I coming at the wrong time?”
“What made you think so?”
“Yunho… he just…”
“Don’t take it to heart, give him some time. It must be awkward for him too.” Just as she finished saying it Moonbin and Yunho walked back in into the dining room.
“I’ve packed and ready! Min-ahjussi, Son-ahjussi doesn’t mind if we come now does he?”
“Nah, he’s happy. We can leave when Jaejoong-ssi and Yoochun-ssi finish their breakfast.”
“Oh, I- do you mind if I stay here instead?” Jaejoong asked him.
Yun-Ah quickly strode over to him and put her hand on his temple. “You’re a little warm, I think it’s better if you stay. Are you sick?”
“I’m fine, just didn’t sleep at all in the car last night. I want to enjoy the fresh air here and rest before we return to Seoul.”
“I’m coming though! I want to learn how to make sashimi too, a practice before I serve a special dinner for my baby.” Yoochun grinned. “I’m not as weak as Jaejoong, I’m fine losing a night’s sleep.”
“On a second thought, Appa maybe you should stay here with Jae-ahjussi! You told me when we’re packing that you were a little sleepy!” Moonbin winked conspiratorially at Yun-Ah.
“I’m not sleepy anymore!” His father protested.
“Oh, I’ll be fine by myself, no one needs to stay because of me.” Jaejoong retorted.
But Moonbin pretended that he didn’t hear any of them as he ushered his father to sit and remove his prosthesis in front of Jaejoong who kept turning his gaze away from Yunho’s arm.
“That’s not your only concern, look at this!” He pointed at the red marks around his arm where the prosthesis was connected. “When we got here we both forgot to take this off and you slept with it! Yesterday you wore it the whole day too and just took it off for a couple of hours last night! It hurt, didn’t it? You should use these few hours to let the circulation flow normally again otherwise it would swell later!”
“Bin, it’s fine…” Yunho made another effort for not staying alone with Jaejoong but Moonbin couldn’t be convinced.
“Appa, I promise I’ll get back soon then I’ll massage your arm, ok?”
Jaejoong shifted uncomfortably on his seat, “Uhm, I can help with that… I mean- if- if you don’t mind me to help massaging your arm.” He said timidly and looked away at Yunho’s penetrating gaze.
“That’s settle it!” Moonbin clapped his hands. “Let’s go Min-ahjussi, Halmeoni! Appa, Jae-ahjussi, see you both later!”
The boy was practically bouncing his way out with the adults following behind him; saying goodbye to the both of them. And they soon were left sitting awkwardly in the dining room with Yunho holding his prosthesis like a lost child.
Jaejoong cleared his throat in his attempt to start a conversation. “So… you have to take it off every now and then?
“What? Oh, yes, I do.” Yunho replied, realizing that Jaejoong was talking about his prosthesis. “We were tired ‘cause Moonbin left after school and I was from work, and we just- well, forgot to take it off and fell asleep.”
“Do you- well, Moonbin said your arm need a massage, I mean- well- I… I’m not doing anything so I could- I could help with that.” He stumbled with words, afraid that the other man would turn him away.
“Ah, you don’t have to if you want to rest, Bin-“
“I want to!” He replied too quickly and Yunho’s eyes widened. Jaejoong didn’t want to waste the golden opportunity. “Please… let me…”
“Oh… that’s- great. I appreciate it.” He smiled sheepishly at him.
“Shall we move to the lounge instead? I think it’s more comfortable on the sofa.” He offered and Yunho agreed. Yunho walked over to the ‘sitting room’ (the way Changmin preferred to call the lounge) while Jaejoong put away the remaining dishes to the kitchen.
Jaejoong returned and sat himself on Yunho’s left side. “So, mind to show me which part that should be massaged?”
Yunho pointed at some place and soon sighed contently as Jaejoong worked his hands gently on his arm. He closed his eyes and buried his back on the soft cushion.
“This part is really stiff… Moonbin was right, it might get swollen if you don’t take it off for a few hours.”
Yunho chuckled with his eyes closed, “He’s always right. But I’m his father, I don’t want him to look smarter than myself.” They laughed at his statement.
“Yunho…” Jaejoong stopped massaging his arms. “I-…” He saw the other man opened an eye. “I’m sorry about the last time… I wasn’t- I was just…” Now Yunho sat up straight and paid attention. “I was just a little shocked. I’ve… I’ve never seen prosthesis before and it- it surprised me, that’s all… I didn’t mean anything else, I swear! I’m-…” He gulped, “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Yunho looked at him intently. Jaejoong held his breath. Only when he saw that man smiled he could breathe again.
“Apology accepted. I understand. You don’t have to feel sorry, Jae.” Jaejoong was more relaxed now as he continued to massage Yunho’s arm.
“Yunho…”
“Yes…”
“Thank you for visiting when I was sick.”
“You’re welcome, Jae.”
“Can we- can we be friends again?” Now it’s the other’s turn to stop breathing as he slowly tore Jae’s hands away from his arms. He quickly spoke again, “I’m sorry! It’s fine if you don’t want to be my friend again, I understand! I’m sorry, just- just don’t hate me…” He said the last words in whispers and turned away from Yunho’s gaze.
“Actually… I wanted to ask you the same thing but you beat me to it.” Yunho scratched his cheek. “Yes, Jae. Let’s be friends again.”
Smile bloomed on both men’s faces. But Yunho seemed to catch something in his face and he asked. “You look like you have something else to say to me.”
“Yunho… can I- may I kiss you?” The man’s eyes widened. “Now that we’re friends, I just want to make up for the last time.” He shifted closer to Yunho and unconsciously the other did the same.
“Do friends kiss each other?” His breath ghosted over his lips.
“I don’t know.” Their faces were only a centimeter away and they could feel each other’s breath. “But we can be that kind of friends.” He whispered and closed the gap between their lips.
The kiss was brief and sweet. Almost like their first… or perhaps even better. It ended sooner than they both expected. Yunho was the first one to open his eyes.
“That was… that was nice. Thank you.”
“Yeah, that was nice.” And the awkwardness was back between them. The stretched silence was deafening until Yunho broke it.
“You said you want to enjoy the fresh air here. Shall we take a walk outside?”
“That would be a good idea. You want to wear your prosthesis again?”
“I don’t think so. Moonbin will go ballistic if he sees me wearing it already when he gets back. I think it’s fine, there’s not much people around, I won’t shock anyone walking around with only an arm.”
“Will you teach me how to attach and take it off too?”
“If you want…”
“I want that…”
They shared meaningful look between them. They’re starting over. And it was a good thing.
It’s a perfect start. First friends… and maybe more…
That’s what filling both men’s mind as they took a stroll in the greens and under the shade, breathing fresh air into their lungs.
As friends… indeed it’s a perfect start.
* * * * *
Chapter 19
Chapter 18: Friends
The weekend getaway at Changmin’s Guest House turned out to be better than expected. They left Seoul on Friday night, Moonbin prepared his father’s luggage and picked him up at the office before going to fetch Kim Halmeoni. It’s already midnight by the time they reached the log house and they went to bed right away after Changmin showed them their rooms. He’s rooming with his Appa and Halmeoni occupied another room.
Moonbin paid attention to his father’s lingering gaze at the door of the Kim mansion when they were loading Halmeoni’s overnight bag at the trunks. He sighed and wondered why his father couldn’t admit that he wanted Jaejoong to come along too. Let’s save the big question for the father and son talk that he planned to have with him.
But they were having too much fun the next day that he forgot about it right until Sunday morning while they were having breakfast. They were supposed to leave after lunch.
“Changmin, thank you for allowing this old lady for a wonderful weekend here.” Yun-Ah told his uncle in the middle of their conversation.
“I’m glad that you enjoyed it though it wasn’t a very special stay.”
“Don’t say that, sweetheart. I really enjoyed the trip to the traditional market yesterday, I haven’t been gone to one since I got married. My husband wouldn’t allow me to go and always had the maids to do that.” She smiled gratefully at him and Moonbin noticed a tint of pink on his uncle’s cheeks. Huh, he blushed! He blushed, people!
“If you say so…”
“So, what do we do before lunch? Come on, we still have a few hours to spend!” He chirped in.
“Jeez, kiddo… looking at your face it seemed to me that you already have something in mind?” Changmin-ahjussi snickered at him.
“Uhm… I actually do. Do you think we have enough time to go to the fish market again? And drop by at Son Yo Jin-ahjussi’s place again? I kinda wanted to learn how to cut up a fish for sashimi.”
“Oh, I guess my poor brother must be ready to find a successor since my only nephew is more interested to be a sashimi chef.”
“I didn’t say that!” Min-ahjussi really knows how to piss me off.
“Min, stop annoys him.” Appa finally said something. “Let him do what he want to do, now do we have enough time to do that?”
“Yeah, sure… Let me call him so he knows we’re coming over.” Min-ahjussi got up to make the call.
“Great. I think we should pack up before we leave to the market too so when we get back we can have lunch then leave.” He got up to get to his room. “Ahjumma, we’ll drop you off first from here, you can have a nap in the car.”
“Oh, thank you Yunho, but you don’t have too. Someone will pick me up. You must be tired dear, you can go straight home from here.”
“Someone?” He asked her, stopping his walk.
“In fact, he should be-“
Just then one of his Uncle’s staff walked into the dining room, “Excuse me, Kim-ssi, you have a guest.”
Someone stepped out from behind the guy and his father was frozen on spot.
“Oh, sorry to interrupt your breakfast. I- uh, I was bored so I came early.”
I grinned and walked over to him, “Jae-ahjussi, come in, join us for breakfast! It’s only 8am, you must be leaving Seoul around 2 or 3am! Are you driving by yourself or-“
“As if he would drive himself in the middle of the night.” Someone else came up behind him.
Moonbin jumped from his seat, “Yoochun-ahjussi! You came too! Oh, let me get the cook to make some more bacons and eggs.” He ran to the kitchen.
Yun-Ah pulled Jaejoong and seated him on one of the empty chairs while Yoochun shook hands with Changmin who just finished his phone call.
Moonbin walked out with a wide grin and searched for his father who’s nowhere to be seen. “Halmeoni, where’s Appa?”
He saw Jaejoong’s eyes twitched at the mention of his father.
“I guess he returned to your room to pack.”
Moonbin nodded in understanding and told Jaejoong and Yoochun to wait for breakfast while he ran after his father to their room. He opened the door and instead seeing his father packing, he was sitting at the edge of the bed, hands covering his face. He sat beside him and nudged him with his shoulder.
“Hey… I thought you said you’re packing.”
“I will, just still a bit sleepy.”
“You always woke up early Appa, stop lying to me.” He didn’t say anything back. “Appa, is it bothering you?”
“What’s bothering me?”
“That Jae-ahjussi came here too?”
“No, why should I be bothered with his presence?”
“You didn’t look comfortable when you saw him.”
“I was just… I- I wasn’t uncomfortable, just a bit surprised that he would drive in the middle of the night here.”
“Hmmm… may I ask you something?” He didn’t wait for his father to say yes. “How come you didn’t visit him again after we went to his mansion when he was sick? You didn’t even call him or ask him how he had been.”
“How would you know whether I call him or not?”
“You didn’t call him at all.” It was a statement, not a question. His father looked at him and sighed.
“No I didn’t.”
“You still mad at him?”
“No, I don’t have a reason to.”
“Then why are you ignoring him again? I thought that visit was a start and that you guys were going to be friends again? Or even more.”
“Do you really want me to get back with him again?”
“It’s not about what I want, it’s about what you want… what you need… Appa, I’m not a six year old anymore. I know what I want, but you’ve been taking care of me since you were young. I just thought that it’s never too late to start over and enjoy your young life again. Come on, you’re still young and handsome, you’re the best looking Appa out there.” He playfully pinched his father’s cheek. Yunho winced.
“Oh, the guts to pinch me! You think I’m 6 years old?” His father started tickling him and there were rolling on the bed laughing until Yunho was running out of breath. “I guess you’re wrong, I’m not young anymore. I’m running out of breath already!”
“Nah, you’re still young for me.” Moonbin hugged him and he felt his father’s arms around him.
“And you’re not a little boy anymore. You’re graduating from high school next year and you won’t let me tickle you anymore.” He pulled off and put his hands on Moonbin shoulders. “Look at you… my wise and handsome son…”
“I inherited my wisdom and good looks from my Appa, you know.” He winked. Yunho laughed out loud.
“You won…” He took a deep breath. “Maybe I’m still scared that he’ll hurt me again. I mean… look at us now. He’s been in the business for many years, I’m just starting. If not because of my father’s will and Min Sook-ahjussi, I wouldn’t be in this position. It won’t do him any good to be with me again. And I don’t want to be left behind again if one day he realized just how different we are today.”
“You think he’s not afraid? Why would he humiliated himself by coming to your office every now and then and created headline news gossip? I doubt he did that if he didn’t want to get back to you for real. He practically had been throwing himself at you, Appa.” He stood up, “Take your time. Ask yourself again what you want, what you expect from him. And tell him what you think.”
Yunho looked at his son walking around the room to pack and smiled, “You must be as old as your Uncle Changmin, you’re not 18!”
“Shut up, just help me pack. I want to leave soon to my sashimi practice.”
Yunho laughed and got up to help his son pack their stuff. He’d take his time and calm himself down before he gets out and see Jaejoong.
* * * * *
Jaejoong was fidgeting on his seat. It’s hard to swallow the food in front of him. Yoochun was enjoying it too much while having a light conversation with Changmin of how nice the place is and that he wants to bring his boyfriend here too on their days off. He felt out of place.
“Jaejoong, are you tired? Did you sleep in the car last night?”
“Ah, a little. I couldn’t sleep well in the car with the way Yoochun drove.”
“I though you’re leaving Seoul in the morning and gets here around noon. I’m sorry that you lost sleep for picking me up, you didn’t have to.”
“That’s fine… Umma.” His mother didn’t hide her surprise to hear him calling her that way but she didn’t ask anything, he could see her eyes were glistening. “Am I- am I coming at the wrong time?”
“What made you think so?”
“Yunho… he just…”
“Don’t take it to heart, give him some time. It must be awkward for him too.” Just as she finished saying it Moonbin and Yunho walked back in into the dining room.
“I’ve packed and ready! Min-ahjussi, Son-ahjussi doesn’t mind if we come now does he?”
“Nah, he’s happy. We can leave when Jaejoong-ssi and Yoochun-ssi finish their breakfast.”
“Oh, I- do you mind if I stay here instead?” Jaejoong asked him.
Yun-Ah quickly strode over to him and put her hand on his temple. “You’re a little warm, I think it’s better if you stay. Are you sick?”
“I’m fine, just didn’t sleep at all in the car last night. I want to enjoy the fresh air here and rest before we return to Seoul.”
“I’m coming though! I want to learn how to make sashimi too, a practice before I serve a special dinner for my baby.” Yoochun grinned. “I’m not as weak as Jaejoong, I’m fine losing a night’s sleep.”
“On a second thought, Appa maybe you should stay here with Jae-ahjussi! You told me when we’re packing that you were a little sleepy!” Moonbin winked conspiratorially at Yun-Ah.
“I’m not sleepy anymore!” His father protested.
“Oh, I’ll be fine by myself, no one needs to stay because of me.” Jaejoong retorted.
But Moonbin pretended that he didn’t hear any of them as he ushered his father to sit and remove his prosthesis in front of Jaejoong who kept turning his gaze away from Yunho’s arm.
“That’s not your only concern, look at this!” He pointed at the red marks around his arm where the prosthesis was connected. “When we got here we both forgot to take this off and you slept with it! Yesterday you wore it the whole day too and just took it off for a couple of hours last night! It hurt, didn’t it? You should use these few hours to let the circulation flow normally again otherwise it would swell later!”
“Bin, it’s fine…” Yunho made another effort for not staying alone with Jaejoong but Moonbin couldn’t be convinced.
“Appa, I promise I’ll get back soon then I’ll massage your arm, ok?”
Jaejoong shifted uncomfortably on his seat, “Uhm, I can help with that… I mean- if- if you don’t mind me to help massaging your arm.” He said timidly and looked away at Yunho’s penetrating gaze.
“That’s settle it!” Moonbin clapped his hands. “Let’s go Min-ahjussi, Halmeoni! Appa, Jae-ahjussi, see you both later!”
The boy was practically bouncing his way out with the adults following behind him; saying goodbye to the both of them. And they soon were left sitting awkwardly in the dining room with Yunho holding his prosthesis like a lost child.
Jaejoong cleared his throat in his attempt to start a conversation. “So… you have to take it off every now and then?
“What? Oh, yes, I do.” Yunho replied, realizing that Jaejoong was talking about his prosthesis. “We were tired ‘cause Moonbin left after school and I was from work, and we just- well, forgot to take it off and fell asleep.”
“Do you- well, Moonbin said your arm need a massage, I mean- well- I… I’m not doing anything so I could- I could help with that.” He stumbled with words, afraid that the other man would turn him away.
“Ah, you don’t have to if you want to rest, Bin-“
“I want to!” He replied too quickly and Yunho’s eyes widened. Jaejoong didn’t want to waste the golden opportunity. “Please… let me…”
“Oh… that’s- great. I appreciate it.” He smiled sheepishly at him.
“Shall we move to the lounge instead? I think it’s more comfortable on the sofa.” He offered and Yunho agreed. Yunho walked over to the ‘sitting room’ (the way Changmin preferred to call the lounge) while Jaejoong put away the remaining dishes to the kitchen.
Jaejoong returned and sat himself on Yunho’s left side. “So, mind to show me which part that should be massaged?”
Yunho pointed at some place and soon sighed contently as Jaejoong worked his hands gently on his arm. He closed his eyes and buried his back on the soft cushion.
“This part is really stiff… Moonbin was right, it might get swollen if you don’t take it off for a few hours.”
Yunho chuckled with his eyes closed, “He’s always right. But I’m his father, I don’t want him to look smarter than myself.” They laughed at his statement.
“Yunho…” Jaejoong stopped massaging his arms. “I-…” He saw the other man opened an eye. “I’m sorry about the last time… I wasn’t- I was just…” Now Yunho sat up straight and paid attention. “I was just a little shocked. I’ve… I’ve never seen prosthesis before and it- it surprised me, that’s all… I didn’t mean anything else, I swear! I’m-…” He gulped, “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Yunho looked at him intently. Jaejoong held his breath. Only when he saw that man smiled he could breathe again.
“Apology accepted. I understand. You don’t have to feel sorry, Jae.” Jaejoong was more relaxed now as he continued to massage Yunho’s arm.
“Yunho…”
“Yes…”
“Thank you for visiting when I was sick.”
“You’re welcome, Jae.”
“Can we- can we be friends again?” Now it’s the other’s turn to stop breathing as he slowly tore Jae’s hands away from his arms. He quickly spoke again, “I’m sorry! It’s fine if you don’t want to be my friend again, I understand! I’m sorry, just- just don’t hate me…” He said the last words in whispers and turned away from Yunho’s gaze.
“Actually… I wanted to ask you the same thing but you beat me to it.” Yunho scratched his cheek. “Yes, Jae. Let’s be friends again.”
Smile bloomed on both men’s faces. But Yunho seemed to catch something in his face and he asked. “You look like you have something else to say to me.”
“Yunho… can I- may I kiss you?” The man’s eyes widened. “Now that we’re friends, I just want to make up for the last time.” He shifted closer to Yunho and unconsciously the other did the same.
“Do friends kiss each other?” His breath ghosted over his lips.
“I don’t know.” Their faces were only a centimeter away and they could feel each other’s breath. “But we can be that kind of friends.” He whispered and closed the gap between their lips.
The kiss was brief and sweet. Almost like their first… or perhaps even better. It ended sooner than they both expected. Yunho was the first one to open his eyes.
“That was… that was nice. Thank you.”
“Yeah, that was nice.” And the awkwardness was back between them. The stretched silence was deafening until Yunho broke it.
“You said you want to enjoy the fresh air here. Shall we take a walk outside?”
“That would be a good idea. You want to wear your prosthesis again?”
“I don’t think so. Moonbin will go ballistic if he sees me wearing it already when he gets back. I think it’s fine, there’s not much people around, I won’t shock anyone walking around with only an arm.”
“Will you teach me how to attach and take it off too?”
“If you want…”
“I want that…”
They shared meaningful look between them. They’re starting over. And it was a good thing.
It’s a perfect start. First friends… and maybe more…
That’s what filling both men’s mind as they took a stroll in the greens and under the shade, breathing fresh air into their lungs.
As friends… indeed it’s a perfect start.
* * * * *
Chapter 19