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~ 20 ~

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"Kim Jaejoong."

Hearing his name spoken so sternly by the imposing looking Yunho dressed impeccably in a suit, Jaejoong dipped his head down in panic. He shifted his hand subtly over his mouth to hide his lip, hoping the pose made him look like he was deeply reflecting on his actions.

"Ah Yunho.. Good afternoon.. What a coincidence meeting you here..." Jaejoong tried to hide his nervousness with a casual greeting but was met with grim silence from the other man.

Averting his eyes from Yunho's unchanging expression, Jaejoong took a small breather before continuing.

"You don't have work today? Or..." A thought struck Jaejoong and he glanced at Yunho in concern. "Yunho are you hurt? You need to see the doctor?" 

"I don't want to hear that from you Jaejoong." Yunho finally spoke up. So his naughty boo was playing the innocent card. Jaejoong was also looking silly talking with a hand over his mouth but he decided to ignore that for now, cutting to the chase.

"I came over because I got a call that someone, the only one, I've ever asked to be let into this school, has been fight-"

"I was trying to help you, Yunho!" Jaejoong interrupted in a muffled whine.

Ah there he goes again, Yunho thought to himself, maintaining his stiff poker face. Although he was annoyed, he had to admit he was slightly amused. Only one person dared to interrupt Jung Yunho on such a regular basis.

"How is this helping me? Tell me Jaejoong." He cocked his head and checked the time on his watch before re-crossing his arms, waiting impatiently for the probably absurd reply that was about to come from Jaejoong's lips. "Well?"

"Well.. Because... Seungri was saying bad things about you..." Jaejoong spoke slowly, wary of Yunho's hardening glare.

Yunho didn't look too happy so he added in helpfully. "But don't worry Yunho! I defended your honor!"

"Defended? You mean by fighting?" Yunho asked incredulously. He didn't know if he should feel moved or angry that Jaejoong got into a fight over something so trivial.

"Yes..." Jaejoong nodded quickly. "I punched him and he took back his words."

Sighing to himself, Yunho closed his eyes and rubbed his temples for a brief moment. "Jaejoong ah. Do you think I care about what he says about me? I don't. There's no need to fight over-"

"But I care, Yunho!" Jaejoong protested, standing up indignantly with his fingers balled into fists. "I won't let anyone say anything bad about you!"

"Yah! He was talking about me not you, you don't have to care Jaejoong!" Yunho felt his anger rising within him upon seeing the now exposed cut on his baby Jae's lower lip. Was that a wound from the fight earlier? Mad at Jaejoong's disregard for his own safety, Yunho raised his voice impatiently. "Can't you just stop causing trouble-"

"You're right! Why should I care?" Jaejoong shot back, trying to hold back the tears that were starting to fill his eyes. "You don't even care about me, you didn't even text me back!"

With that, the upset boy turned away stomping towards the infirmary bed, and heaved himself on the mattress facing away from Yunho with a strangled sob.

Aish.. Yunho groaned inwardly and knew immediately that he would be defeated if he saw Jaejoong's crying face again. He stepped forward and sat next to his curled up baby boo on the bed, leaning down to press a kiss on his soft hair. "Don't cry, Jaejoong.."

There was a sniffle from Jaejoong but he didn't resist Yunho's arms slipping around his body, mumbling forlornly. "Yunnie is mean..."

"Don't say that Jae.. I have a reason for not replying to your text.." Yunho sighed and rubbed his baby Jae's arms soothingly.

"Your phone broke?" Jaejoong sounded too hopeful for Yunho's liking. Yunho did have a reason, he was caught up with something and too busy to text back. Besides, his texting speed was nowhere as fast as Jaejoong's. He'd never tell but after a sleepless night, Yunho had been overwhelmed with relief to know Siwon in Jaejoong's bed was just a setup from Heechul.

"No boo, I received your message. The police chief came to my office, he put me under questioning the whole morning." He explained dryly, the public relations disaster still fresh in his mind. "So.. I didn't have time to text you back. "

"Police? Why?" Mumbling softly, Jaejoong still refused to look at Yunho but contrary to his teary sulk his hands were pulling and tugging on Yunho's fingers, secretly wishing for more skinship and attention.

Of course Yunho could never resist the longing soft touches his Jaejoong was giving him. Yunho obliged, laying down next to him and embraced him in a back hug. Eyes closed, he pressed a loving kiss on the nape of Jaejoong's neck and breathed in the scent so alluring to him, before murmuring.

"You forgot to tell me your Hannie appa is from the Chinese black society, didn't you?"

There was a sharp intake of breath from Jaejoong and he fidgeted guiltily, but Yunho just pulled him in closer. "Don't worry, they couldn't prove anything. And the police chief owes me a favor now."

"I.. I made trouble for you.." Jaejoong whispered in a small voice, fingers clutching onto Yunho's arms as if afraid he would leave. "Sorry.. Yun.."

"Shh.. I already said not to worry about it, boo." Yunho shushed him with a comforting squeeze. "Anyway.. You cut your lip didn't you? Let me see.."

Yunho's hands guided Jaejoong's waist as he turned reluctantly to face him nervously with lowered eyes. "Does it hurt?"

"It hurt at first but not so anymore..." Jaejoong answered, finally daring to look into Yunho's eyes. The tender gaze of Yunho staring at his lip and the light touch of Yunho's fingers on his cheek made Jaejoong's heart start racing and once again, it felt hard to breathe.

Yunho gave a sigh and pressed a brief kiss to his baby's forehead, before getting up to take the bottle of disinfectant left on the table by the nurse earlier. He was more than angry that someone had dared to injure his baby Jae, but tending to his injury came first and he knew Jaejoong would only allow him to do so if he remained calm.

"I'll disinfect it for you." He said gently as he moved nearer to Jaejoong who was now sitting up and covering his mouth yet again. "Move your hands away."

"No.. I don't need that.." Came the muffled response from the wide-eyed boy who was shaking his head slowly.

Refusing the urge to roll his eyes, Yunho inched nearer. "It'll grow germs, Jaejoong ah."

"It won't Yunho.."

"Jae.. Do you know how worried I was when I got the call?" Yunho asked, his intense gaze leveled at Jaejoong's beautifully wavering eyes. "I was worried.. I don't know how many traffic rules I broke driving here.. Just to see you joking around with that Seungri boy.. He's the one that gave you that wound, right?"

"But.. It was a misunderstanding Yunho.."

Closing his eyes briefly, Yunho willed his anger away as he composed himself. It was time to use his trump card.

"Jaejoongie.. I'll take you to the Hello Kitty cafe if u let me do it."

"Really?" Jaejoong's eyes lit up, but his face fell again a moment later. "I can't go.. I'm grounded.."

"You're grounded..." Yunho repeated dryly, once again reminded of the childishness of his baby. "We'll go after that then."

Nodding slowly, Jaejoong moved his hands away from his lip, letting Yunho dab the disinfectant gently on his wound. Seeing a single tear slide out from the corner of his eye, Yunho couldn't help but feel his chest clenching. "It'll just hurt for a little while Jaejoongie, bear with it.."

"It's not that.." There was a sad sniffle. "I... I've never been grounded before, Yunho... I'm a bad boy..."

"Aish.." Yunho grabbed him around his waist, guiding Jaejoong's head to rest on his shoulder as he patted his baby's back comfortingly. "It's okay baby... Parents ground their kids all the time.."

"Yun.." Jaejoong whimpered, laying snugly against Yunho's warmth. "Were you grounded before too Yunho?"

Yunho couldn't help but smile at his cute baby boo's questioning. "No, I've never been grounded. How long are you grounded for anyway?"

A soft sigh escaped Jaejoong's lips, his breath tickling Yunho's neck. "One day..."

"Oh?" All this fuss for a one day punishment, his boo was a crybaby indeed. "That's terrible.."

"I know!" Jaejoong sniffed and cuddled tighter into Yunho's arms. "But it's okay because you're here.. Yunho.."

Aww. There his baby goes again, making his heart all warm and fuzzy. "Come on. I'll take u home."

"Chullie appa is fetching me today..." Jaejoong mumbled, still clinging on tightly to Yunho's neck. He wondered how he was going to explain his cut lip to his father, Heechul would surely go into a raging fit.

"I've already called him and told him what happened. He's fine with me sending u home." Yunho detached himself and straightened out his suit. "Let's go."

Biting his thumb worriedly, Jaejoong asked tentatively. "Did... Did he sound mad?"

"Yeah. He screamed a lot." Yunho said as he pulled Jaejoong's hand away from his mouth and entwined their fingers. "Don't worry boo.. I'll be by your side.."

...


"Kim Jaejoong!" Heechul's screeched once Jaejoong and Yunho stepped into the hotel lobby.

"Chullie appa... I..."

"What did I tell u about fighting in school?" Glaring with his arms crossed and tapping his foot on the floor, Heechul was absolutely fuming.

Jaejoong's eyes widened in surprise as he neared Heechul, exclaiming. "Chullie appa did you get a new hairstyle? It looks so nice!"

Heechul smirked and ran his fingers gently along his fringe. "Thanks Joongie. I used a relaxer and straightened it before doing a wavy perm-"

"You did your hair because you knew I would be coming over today, didn't you Chullie?" Hangeng said as he strolled over smirking. "That's so sweet Chullie.."

"Shut up! As I was saying to my son, Joongie when you are fighting in school make sure you have a helmet on so you don't injure your face! Aren't I right, Siwonnie?"

Yunho blanched and put an arm around Jaejoong's shoulder protectively. Nearby, Siwon was sitting next to Shindong nodding meekly with a resigned look on his face. Heechul sure had the former playboy whipped. Yunho counted himself lucky that Jaejoong was too sweet and gentle to control him like his diva of a father. But he would have to make sure his boojae got it through to his head that getting into fights was not something he approved of. He sighed inwardly again. It was almost like he had to bring up a child.

"I couldn't take my helmet out in time appa..."

"I put the helmet in your schoolbag Joongie! Is it so hard to bring it out and put it on before fighting?"

"Chullie ah.. You're missing the point.." Hangeng said, walking over to Jaejoong.

Yunho breathed a sigh of relief. At least one of Jaejoong's parents had common sense to tell him fighting was bad.

 "The most important thing is..." Hangeng placed both hands on Jaejoong's shoulders, staring earnestly into his son's eyes. "Did you win, Jaejoong ah?"

Jaejoong nodded happily. "I won! Hannie appa!"

"Ahhh!" Hangeng gave a shout and did a fist pump of victory. "Aigo my Joongie has grown into a fine young man!" He beamed with pride and grabbed both Yunho and Jaejoong in a big bear hug. "Let's all go celebrate!"

"No!" Heechul interrupted, glaring imperiously. "Jaejoong is grounded."

Ignoring Hangeng's protests, Heechul turned to Yunho. "Yah dongsaeng. Take my Joongie to his room and make sure you feed him and bathe him and put him into bed. And do his homework. You're the cause of his injury so you take responsibility."

"But-" Hangeng protested again, whimpering as Heechul grabbed his ear painfully and pulled him close.

"You and I will have a nice long talk, Hannie-yah!" Heechul said, seductively dangerous.

Yunho felt a slight chill up his spine at Heechul's scary antics but tilted his head in acknowledgement, slipping an arm around Jaejoong's waist. "Come on boo. I'll take care of you."


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