Jaejoong couldn’t think of any place besides his old home he used to share with Junsu when he first came to Seoul.

He rang the bell but no one answered. Usually Junsu is there at this time of the night and sometimes Yoochun too. But it could also be that both of them are at Yoochun’s apartment.

He didn’t want to intrude because he doesn’t live here anymore but Jaejoong saw no other choice but to open the door himself.

He hitched Changmin higher on his shoulder so he hold him with one arm and used the free hand to enter the passcode which Junsu hasn’t changed since forever. His friend is forgetful and initially Junsu would wait a long time for Jaejoong to return home and unlock the door. So Junsu still keeps the same code because he can always call Jaejoong to ask and additionally, it is easier than memorising a new number.

Jaejoong typed 2615 in the keypad and a soft click was heard. Jaejoong turned the door knob and pushed the door open with his foot as he entered carrying a sleeping Changmin.

After taking off his and Changmin’s shoes, he placed Changmin on the couch for a moment before he went and wheeled his bag in. wondering what to do since Junsu isn’t here, Jaejoong just went to his old bedroom.

He placed the bag by the door and then looked at the room. It was still the same. Junsu maintained it well as a spare bedroom and a few times Yoochun used when they had a quarrel and Junsu refused to share a bed for him. Jaejoong found it commendable that whenever they fought, Yoochun refused to leave Junsu. He would camp in the spare bedroom and give Junsu some space to cool off before going to him and talking things out.

It was unlike what happened to Jaejoong and Yunho. They fought and Yunho didn’t give themselves a chance.

Jaejoong saw his and Junsu’s pictures were still on his old dresser. He remembered the times when Jaejoong and Junsu would spent late nights in this room and talk about relationships or they would binge-watch dramas in the living room TV and then fight over who gets watch their programme- Junsu wants to watch soccer and Jaejoong wanted to watch Running Man.

Jaejoong wished he could go back to the times when everything was so simple. Not that he regrets Yunho and especially not Changmin but he wished he had never met Ilwoo or if he fell for Yunho instead of the evil older Jung.

Jaejoong stepped out of the bedroom just in time to catch Changmin roll off the couch.

“Minnie?” Jaejoong whispered to see if he was awake. Changmin’s eyes were closed and he squirmed before curling into Jaejoong’s body.

His forehead was knitted and he looked like he was having a nightmare. His cheeks were stained with tears and his eyelashes were stuck together by the wetness. His forehead and were sweaty and his hair was matted against his scalp because of the sweat.

Jaejoong feels horrible for what he’s putting Changmin through.

The toddler cried the entire time in the car. He was loud and almost looking at Jaejoong with eyes that said ‘why are you taking me away from my father?’ Even when his throat choked and his voice became hoarse from crying, he was hiccupping and flailing trying to escape the confines of his car seat.   

Jaejoong placed Changmin on his old bed and put the blanket over him. After a few minutes gazing at his sleeping toddler, Jaejoong went to the bathroom to wash the remains of tears from his face and then went to the kitchen to make some food for Changmin.

Around that time, Junsu returned. He opened the door and froze when he heard noises in the kitchen. He panicked; afraid a thief entered the house.

Slowly, he took the umbrella near the door and held it ready to hit any assailant and tiptoed to the kitchen.  

Near the wall of the kitchen, he mentally sent a prayer for strength before he showed himself with the umbrella held above his head like sword ready to strike an opponent.

“Are you going to hit me with that?” Jaejoong put his palms in front of his face instinctively seeing Junsu like that.

Junsu blinked, still in that position and then it clicked to him “Oh! It’s you…. I thought some thief broke in.” Junsu put the umbrella aside and then breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry for that.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s my fault anyway for just unlocking your door and coming unannounced.” Jaejoong apologised.

“Hey! It’s still your house. Nothing’s going to change that.” Junsu corrected his friend and then came over to hug Jaejoong. Junsu feels Jaejoong’s distress by the way his friend squeezed him as if he really needed the comfort. “Something happened, Jaejoongie?”

Jaejoong sniffed against Junsu’s shoulder. “I feel like dying Junsu.” He said through his tears. Jaejoong then tells him everything that has happened in the past few weeks and finally breaks down in front of his best friend.

Junsu is furious, but he’s not going to have an outburst just yet. His friend needs to be comforted first. He puts his arm around Jaejoong and ran his fingers through Jaejoong’s hair to soothe him. “You’ll get through this Jaejoong. You and Changmin will be fine. You can stay here for as long as want.”

Jaejoong pulled away and looked at his best friend through his tears. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. But Junsu-yah, you can’t tell anything to Yoochun, especially that I’m here.”

Before Junsu could voice out a ‘Why’, a loud cry cuts across the house. Both Kims rushed to the bedroom to find Changmin wailing while looking around the room fearfully.

He has woken to an unfamiliar place which is not his room and his parents aren’t around or his uncle and aunt, or grandparents or even the nanny from the manor. Jaejoong rushes to him and Junsu remained standing by the door. He looks from outside the room at the mother and son’s heart-warming bond.

“Hey there baby. Don’t cry. Umma is here. Umma is sorry for leaving you.” Jaejoong cooed his son while placing soft kisses on Changmin’s face.

Changmin holds his mother’s shirt as if scared he’ll disappear if he let’s go. His bottom lip is quivering and Jaejoong can see on his face the pain from the hurting throat. Even then Changmin speaks, “Ap…pa….” Junsu saw the painful expression cast on Jaejoong’s face when he hears the word from Changmin.

~~~

Jaejoong managed to feed Changmin some milk and porridge after much struggle. He wanted to be fed by Yunho and refused to eat but he became exhausted in a few minutes and couldn’t resist any more when Jaejoong would put small morsels in his mouth.

It worried Jaejoong how tired Changmin has become. Not eating and sleeping properly for two weeks has made him so weak, just crying for a few minutes has drained him. Jaejoong’s hands trembled as he put small spoonfuls of rice in Changmin’s mouth and the boy swallowed without even chewing, simply because he has no strength to even move his jaw.

He was put down for a nap right after. The almost comatose state Changmin that was in, was disconcerting to both Jaejoong and Junsu. If it weren’t for the frown on his face and whimpering mewls, occasional little movements and the grip on Jaejoong’s hand, they would think Changmin was dead.

Junsu pulled Jaejoong away from the bedroom and back to the kitchen. He brought out the simple meal of eggs and rice he made while Jaejoong was feeding Changmin.

“You should eat Joongie.” Junsu said and Jaejoong complied. Junsu sat opposite him and began eating. “So, what’s your plan?”

“I still haven’t figured it out….” Jaejoong answered. He was eating slowly, the food feeling tasteless on his tongue.     

Seeing Jaejoong like this made Junsu terribly sad. By Junsu’s reckoning, Jaejoong looks more depressed than the time he came to know Ilwoo’s true persona more than a year ago. It hurt to see his best friend like this.

“Hey Jae~” Junsu called for his attention but Jaejoong was too lost in his thoughts to hear. “Jaejoongie~!” Junsu spoke a little louder this time. But he pouted when Jaejoong didn’t hear him again. Just how much does it take for the person sitting across the table to look at you? “Yah Kim Jaejoong!” Junsu slapped Jaejoong’s hand on the table really hard.

“What?” Jaejoong gave his infamous pout while rubbing his stinging wrist. He feels like an elementary schoolboy who just got the proverbial ‘slap on the wrist’ as it were.

“Don’t give me that sass! I’m the one who should be upset.” Junsu wagged a finger telling Jaejoong to drop the scowl. “I kept calling you. How much does it take for your highness to acknowledge us mere mortals?”

“You melodramatic , there are less violent ways to get attention.” Jaejoong bit back.

“Whatever!” Junsu brushed it off now that he has Jaejoong’s full attention. “Now that you're here, make me cupcakes. I want your lemon curd ones…oh and cookies.”

Jaejoong gave Junsu an exaggerated incredulous look. “Yah! How can you think of confection at this time!?”

“But I’ve been craving for lemon cupcakes for days!” Junsu gave a kicked puppy face. “Craving? Yoochun knocked you up or what?” Jaejoong even looked over the table to see if Junsu has a baby bump. He sat back when Junsu shoved his shoulder indignantly at that remark. “If you want cupcakes, then go out and get them from a bakery.” Jaejoong looked away with a small ‘hmpf’ at the end.

“But they’re not like yours.” Junsu vibrated agitatedly in his seat. “Come on Joongie, it’s been our tradition since we were 16. You bake and I help you.”

“By making a mess.” Jaejoong deadpanned. Junsu pouted. His poor domestic skills were a sensitive topic. “Don’t be a prick. If you bake cookies and cupcakes, maybe Changmin would eat them too.”

That got Jaejoong thinking. With a jump, Jaejoong got off the chair. “Fine, but for my baby, not for you.”

“As long as I get my cupcakes.” Junsu hollered, following Jaejoong to help.

 ~~~

Yoochun is sitting in his office and his mood was not good. He looked at the mug of black coffee gone cold sitting on the table, his only food since morning. His day hasn’t gone well so far.

First in the morning he couldn't have breakfast with Junsu and he knows Junsu is angry. But he couldn't avoid the meeting. It was a joint venture between his company, Yunho's company and a company from UK.

He thought he would be late for the meeting but when he reached his office he didn't see Yunho and their partners had already arrived. So much for making it in time.

He asked his secretary to contact Yunho while he started the meeting.

The whole meeting ended but no sign of Yunho.

He asked his secretary after the meeting if she found out about Yunho’s location but she told him that Yunho has not reported anything to Dara and that even she doesn't know where her boss is.

The meeting was successful, but Yoochun felt half his hair go grey as he came up with some stupid excuses for Yunho’s absence so their partner won't cancel the deal. At that point he was questioning the sensibilities of the foreigner for buying his excuse.

“He came back from Nigeria and coughed at the airport so they thought he has Ebola and tried to forcefully quarantine him and he broke his nose in the fracas.”

The more Yoochun hears it in his head, the more ridiculous he sounds to himself. He should have kept it simple, like Yunho has a viral cold or something. But he was hungry and frustrated to think sensibly.   

Adding to his stress is Junsu’s sulking. He kept on calling Junsu to apologize but all his calls went unanswered. He knows Junsu is angry and they didn't have the time to solve everything immediately because he had to rush. He normally stays over until he has a good talk with Junsu but today he had to leave very early and hence missed breakfast too. His secretary could only fix him coffee on such short notice.

Anyhow, the other thing pricking at the back of his mind is Yunho. He knows his friend well enough to say Yunho has a work ethic that’s second to none. He especially wouldn’t miss an important meeting like this deliberately.

Meaning, something happened. 

Yoochun decides to go to check on Yunho first. He had this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was something wrong and he could sense it.

~~~

“Yunho! Jaejoong!” Yoochun kept shouting while ringing the bell. He has been at it for about five minutes. Usually the door opens in the first 30 seconds.

Worried, he places his ear against the door. In his experience, Changmin’s loud voice can always be heard outside the house. But there was silence, a disturbing silence.

He calls Yunho and Jaejoong’s cellphones but they go unanswered. Then he tries their landline number which goes unanswered too. He wants to think they’re not at home. Generally, if not here or the office, the small family is at the Jung manor.

He tries Halmeoni’s personal phone. The phone answered in the first ring, but the older woman speaks before Yoochun could ask anything. 

"Yoochun ah how are you dear? How was your and Yunho's meeting? Are you both coming here? Get Jaejoongie and Junsu with you too? It feels like ages since I saw you and your duckbutt."

Despite the good-natured woman’s jovial talk, Yoochun felt his heart come to his throat. He understood that Halmeoni knows nothing about Yunho or Jaejoong's whereabouts. Otherwise why would she ask for all of them to come over?

Yoochun gulped as he figured out what to respond. He doesn't want Halmeoni to worry so answers, "The meeting went perfectly Halmeoni. We got the deal. I just called to ask you about your health. Junsu and I will visit you soon."

"I am fine Yoochun ah. Thanks for calling." And he hangs up without asking about Yunho.

Yoochun’s heart was beating faster in worry. He knocked on the door this time. He grabbed the door’s handle and jiggled it and to his surprise, the door opened with a click.

The Jung couple never kept their door open ever since the assault incident during Jaejoong’s pregnancy and having a hyperactive toddler.

He is now worried that something wrong might have happened with his friend's family. Perhaps something that has Ilwoo and Yonghwa behind it.

Yoochun slowly opened the door. He looks around, ascertaining if the coast is clear before entering the house. 

He checks the living room. Everything is seemingly okay but still not really right.

/CRASH/

Yoochun jumped at the sound of the loud crash coming from the bedroom. He rushes to the room and the view shocks him. He sees Yunho in such a pitiful state.

Yoochun can see the bedsheets and pillows flung around...the side table flipped....lamp fallen on the side. He rushes to his friend and hugs him.

“Yunho! Yunho! What’s going on? What happened? Where are Jaejoong and Changmin?” Yoochun shook Yunho’s shoulders a bit while questioning frantically, but the man only sobbed harder.

“They’re gone…they’re gone…” Yunho cried. Yoochun tried to ignore the pungent alcoholic breath coming from Yunho the second he spoke. “What do you mean by they’re gone Yunho? What happened?”

“Il…woo…” Yunho said between sobs, “he hurt Jaejoong, he…he…photo…he wants to push Jaejoong to kill himself…” Yunho wasn’t speaking to Yoochun. More like spilling out his situation and scaring himself more. But Yoochun had a fair idea from what Yunho’s saying. “He…can get near Changmin….he got his hair…and DNA….and….and….he made me hurt Jaejoongie….I didn’t want to do it…he made me….I didn’t want to do it….” Yunho kept repeating that as he buried his face between his knees.

“He blackmailed you Yunho? Did your uncle, did Ilwoo do it? Please tell me Yunho.” Yoochun shook Yunho’s shoulders but the man remained as is, still crying.

“He made me….I didn’t want to do it….I’m sorry Jae…. there is nothing between me and Taemin….nothing between me and him….I’m sorry….I wanted to protect you….not hurt you….I didn’t chose Taemin….” At this point, Yoochun understood what happened even if he isn’t apprised with the exact sequence of events.

What’s there to expl