Soon enough, those ten days passed by and Thursday rolled around. During which, I
bought a few more soft furnishings and unpacked all those boxes containing memories,
books and CDs etc. It was starting to feel more like a home than it's original showroom-esque atmosphere. Managed to get off work at 5pm with some extra help from Gina who
seemed all to eager to do so.
It was slowly approaching 7pm, and I inhaled deeply a scent only a new house can bring – but there was also the faint smell of seemingly delicious cooking. Setting down a now
finished cup of corn tea, I went to the new mirror I'd bought in the entranceway and applied
a subtle pink lipstick. Gotta look nice for the dinner-date. 'date'? Is that what I thought of it
now.... “Arrasso” I puffed, grabbing my keys off the hook and heading out the door, down
the hall, to ring Jaejoong's bell. Smoothing my dress down slightly, the door swung open to
that smiling red-head wearing, surprisingly, a Hello Kitty apron.
“Muni! - someone's a little early” he chided moving out of the way to let me in. “Well how
could I keep myself away when I have this gorgeous smell wafting through my window?”
That made him laugh, his whole demeanour open and happy. I daren't mention the apron,
though it still made me giggle. His puppy padded up to me curiously, it's tan fur bobbing
about with all the curls. It was so cute. “Omo! Aniyong!” I couldn't help but smile. “Jyuni,
come here boy” JJ was already crouched down, patting the floor for his pet to go to him.
Jyuni squeaked out a bark and went to him willingly. “Jyuni? He is so sweet! What breed is
he?” I asked watching Jaejoong rub Jyuni's tummy. “A Bichon-Poodle mix” with that he
stood up and led me through to the dining table on the terrace, telling me to sit
as he served dinner. Refusing to let me help, I sat there slightly awkward as he brought out the
dishes.
JJ had cooked Budae Jjigae in a large pot which he placed in the centre of the table, along
with Chap Jae and a salad. Homely and delicious food. “This looks fantastic, not to
mention the view” - he took his seat across from mine and cracked open a bottle of Soju
and our night began.
A few hours later I'd learnt that he moved to this bachelor pad to be closer to one of his
close friends and band mate, Junsu. Also, that he lived in the same complex as us. We
talked of our hobbies and shared recipes & tips for our cooking. But the time eventually
came to talk about relationships; and that's when we became a little down as we weren't
exactly sober... “come on” he grabbed my hand and took me to the lounge to sit on one of
the couches. “it's better to talk comfortably about these things, right? Besides, we can't
mope about our luckless love lives - we'll find that someone now that you and I both have
become successful.” smiling gently, he put his arm around my shoulders and rubbed my
arm in comfort. JJ smelt really comforting and masculine admittedly....Something that I
hadn't been around for a long while. I sighed happily and patted his leg “you're right, and
for what it's worth – you're too wonderful not to find anybody.” I turned to face him only to
find that he'd been looking at me the whole time. Well that makes me blush – can't deny
that he is one beautifully handsome man, there are enough pictures of him everywhere in
Seoul to justify that. “Aaaaaaahhh cuuuteeee!” he exclaimed, putting his hands on my now
red cheeks. His smile was almost blinding to me but I couldn't tell whether it was the Soju
emphasising it more. I smiled and scrunched up my eyes, shaking my head “noooo! Yah
stop, it's embarrassing” my hands jokingly beat on his chest. Ugh, I act so childish when
I'm drunk!
He let his hands go from cupping my face, still laughing at my reaction. “you're adorable, I
hope you know that.” he reached for the remote and switched on the TV, pulling me closer
so my head was resting on his shoulder. Through my slightly Soju-nummed haze, any
awkwardness I had for this situation faded, his hand sat on my waist and I admit, it felt
really warm and comfortable to be this close to him. I looked around to see two graphic
novels on the table. I smiled and asked “ah, you like comics? I used to read quite a bit but
recently I haven't had much time.” he seemed really happy to know that “ yeah, when I
travel or have time to read them, it's how I relax. I like a lot of darker story-lines.” it was
good to bond over that, maybe I could get him a comic or two to repay for the dinner...
I nuzzled a little into his shoulder and we watched a random drama on TV for a while until I
suddenly got woken up by him falling to his side slowly. Ah crap, must've dozed off. JJ
looked quite funny, now on fallen to his side on the sofa, still snoozing. I looked at the
clock on the wall and saw it was 2:30am already. I quietly took in the dishes from outside
and put them in the dishwasher to save him the trouble. Then going over to him, I knelt
down in front of his frame and shook his shoulder gently “Jaejoong.....JJ, wake up, it's not
good to sleep out here...” his eyes fluttered open and he seemed a little surprised that he
had fallen asleep. “Ah I'm sorry Muni, I didn't realise...” his hand reached up towards me
and brushed a lock of hair from my face gently, and sat himself up, stretching. Ah.... those
muscles- I mean. I shouldn't think about that.
I went to stand up but he held my hand. “Do you want to go?...” he trailed off, looking
quite sad. The action shocked me a little “I didn't want to impose... don't we both have
work tomorrow?” I didn't want to leave, but also I didn't want to end up like a lot of the
mistakes I'd made in the past...He suddenly looked hopeful though, “I have an idea!” JJ
said excitedly “you can stay in my guest room, and I will make you breakfast before you go
to work. You start at 11am right?” it's true that I started later on a Friday, and it seemed that
his Friday was relaxed enough to propose the offer. The idea mulled in my head for a while
before I nodded and gave in. “Okay, okay, I’ll stay. It's been a really nice evening so far
anyhow” I smiled at him and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. JJ thanked me and he
showed me where the guest room was. It was a really interesting design, a little masculine
but at the same time, had that 'family-friendly' appeal, with a feature wall of a drawn car
and some free-standing lights in the shape of abstract-looking dogs. Very modern,
and very comfortable. He bid me goodnight and my hair before he left the room; god
this man made my heart beat unusually fast!
8am, and I awoke to the glorious combination of Jaejoong singing and the smell of him
cooking us breakfast. After brushing my hair I donned a bathrobe and made my way to the
kitchen's breakfast bar. JJ greeted me with a wide smile as he flipped an omelette. He had
prepared a leafy salad to go with it and also some granola with yoghurt if we wanted any.
“Did you have a good sleep?” he asked, and I sat down on one of the stools. “Yes, thank
you JJ, I'm glad I took you up on the offer” I smiled with my head in my hands, JJ walking
around the large counter to sit beside me. “How about you? It was cute last night when
you fell asleep like that” I giggled slightly at the memory. “Oh you know, fell asleep quickly
but I woke up a little cold...” he glanced at me then from the corner of his eye as he started
cutting the omelette. I lightly slapped his shoulder, making us both laugh “Here – 'aaaah'”
he fed me a piece of his creation “mmm, it's so good! Jae you should go on TV with your
cooking – so yummy~” I beamed and fed him a piece in return. “Ah I forgot something
to drink!” he started, but I swiftly went to the fridge, “let me get it, you've done so much for me
already” I was about to turn around when a pair of warm arms encircled me, Jaejoong
placing his head on my shoulder “but I want to do this for you” he spoke softly now, his
breath tickled my neck. I was glad he couldn't see my expression – eyes almost popping
out of my skull – I'm glad I had enough sense not to drop the orange juice. I relaxed
and leant back into his embrace “...thank you. I don't know why you want to but I really
appreciate it” I replied in the same tone. Closing my eyes, JJ lifted one of his arms and put
his hand on my head and....kissed...my hair... “you're always welcome...” still speaking
softly, he took the juice from my hand noticing my slight daze and led me back to the bar.
This was all very sudden...but...it felt like we had known each other for years...it was just
so comfortable. Throughout the rest of breakfast we kept holding each other's hands and
talked about what we had to do for the rest of the week. I did the clear-up while Jae fed his
pets, JiJi and Jyuni. I left his apartment a little early so I could change and grab my work
stuff. At the door he held both my hands, swaying them gently “I really enjoyed dinner and
this morning, thank you Muni.” His large eyes held my gaze, even just him looking at me
was enjoyable. “No, thank you JJ, you're the one who made this all happen.” I hugged him
then, his smooth, muscular arms wrapped around me – warm, kind. I felt miserable
knowing the fact I had work in a few hours...
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