Something There ××× for wintryriots

Nov. 7th, 2014 01:50 pm
Written for: wintryriots
Title: Something There
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 16,000
Summary: Some people think fairy tales are just stories to tell but what they don't know is that each story holds truth.
Warning/s: possibly historically inaccurate, (kind of) story within a story, mostly self-beta'd
Author's Note: I want to thank R for letting me work out ideas with her and looking over parts of the fic, S for giving me helpful tips to keep me on track, and D and T for feeding me. To my dearest recipient: This might not be what you were expecting, but I hope you like it regardless!


Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a prince lived in a towering castle – no, wait, that’s not right.

Since the beginning, there has been a single force that brings two people together – ah, that doesn’t feel right either. Okay, one more time and this time we’ll start from the beginning.

There is a myth about soulmates. Someone who you are destined to be with, someone who you feel a connection with that cannot be explained with words, someone who is without a doubt the one you will fall in love with.

This is the story about how a demon and a human found each other and how everything changed when they fell in love.

--


“--‘One day,’ the demon prince began, his eyes glowing red as he held a candle in front of him. ‘History will repeat itself and the lives of humans and demons will intertwine once more. When a human and a demon are able to love each other for who they truly are, then life will return to how it once was.’ And, he blew out the flame.”


“Wait,” a little girl says when the man finishes speaking. Her outburst draws the attention of the other two children - a boy and a girl - sitting in the circle and the inquisitive eyes of the young man who was telling the story. The male gives her a patient smile as he leans his back against the tree behind him, “Yes?”


“Does that mean the land is cursed?” She continues curiously, the light browns of her eyes shining with wonder.


“Who knows,” the male answers mysteriously, staring into each of the children’s faces. He looks down and carefully closes the book, thick fingers holding the pages flat so they won’t tear. “Decades, maybe even centuries, have passed since this book was written, but demons are everywhere.” His eyes cast away from the children to wander over their surroundings. The four of them had walked to a grassy field located away from the busier parts of the town, having strayed from one of the dirt paths to sit under one of the few trees scattered around that provide shade from the sun. They’re still close enough to the town that the rooftops of the shops are still visible, and it’s easy to spot the smoke rising from the chimney of the bakery where Mister and Misses Kim are probably making a fresh batch of bread for suppertime.


“I will tell you this, though,” he continues, the corners of his lips twitching in amusement when all the kids pause their chatter and turn their attention to him, their eyes wide and imploring. “Just because something is viewed to be evil does not mean it is true. Do not -”


“Luhan!” A voice interrupts, calling from the behind them. The male - Luhan - looks back and sees a figure approaching them, and he smiles.


“Ah, I suppose that is my cue to leave,” Luhan laughs. He takes the book into his hand before using his other to lift himself off the ground, patting the back of his trousers to brush off any lingering grass or dirt.


“Will you read us a different story next time?” The other little girl asks, tugging lightly at the bottom Luhan’s brown tunic to gain his attention. The two other children are standing behind her, looking at him with hopeful expressions on their faces.


“If time permits it,” Luhan smiles at them, gently patting the little girl on the head. He turns to look at the sky, squinting his eyes against the rays of the sun and noticing the way the yellow rays are beginning to disappear behind the mountains, the gentle blue being overcome with the shades of pinks and oranges that appear when the sun sets. “It’s almost suppertime. We should head back before it becomes dark and your parents begin to worry.”


The children nod and begin to walk up to the path that heads into the town, their laughter bright and carefree as they begin to race to see who will get to the town first. Luhan shakes his head in amusement, the dark brown of his hair falling into his eyes from the movement. He’s just about to brush it out of his eyes when a different hand surprises him by pushing it away and he is greeted by a familiar face with sharp eyes and soft cheeks.


“Found you,” the male teases with an easy smile. He stares thoughtfully at Luhan’s hair for a moment, then lightly flicks him in the forehead. “You should tie your hair back. It looks like the length is long enough now.”


“You are one to talk,” Luhan counters, pointedly staring at his friend’s hair falling in messy strands around his face. His friend shrugs, smile still on his face, and Luhan can’t help but smile back, “I did not even hear you approach. You are quite light on your feet, my dear Minseok. Are you finished with your work?”


“I am,” Minseok nods, setting his hand on Luhan’s lower back and nudging him to walk forward. “You should heed your own advice and head home before it becomes too dark.”


Luhan laughs and throws his arm over Minseok’s shoulder and pulls the smaller man into his side. Minseok allows himself to be lead, easily falling into step alongside his friend. “When are you patrolling the town?” Luhan asks as they near the buildings. He hears the familiar sounds of the marketplace, traders and merchants trying to sell their goods to potential customers and others beginning to pack up before the night.


“I believe I patrol tomorrow night, why?”


“I was just curious,” Luhan replies. He removes his arm from around Minseok’s shoulder and that’s when Minseok notices that Luhan is carrying a book under his arm.


“Were you reading again?” Minseok asks, brown eyes looking at the book curiously before he looks up and catches Luhan’s gaze.


“You make it sound like a bad thing,” Luhan pushes his hair away from his eyes again, “but, yes, I had just finished reading to the kids when you found me.”


Minseok nods, pursing his lips in thought as the two of them walk the path through the town, acknowledging and waving at those who greet them. They’re walking past the Kim’s bakery when they notice that it’s the owner’s son, Jongin, who is making dough. There’s a smudge of flour on his cheek and more covering the front of his apron, but he looks right at home in his parents shop, moving around with fluid familiarity as he walks around to pick up certain ingredients to add to the bowl. Minseok and Luhan glance at each other and nod before heading towards the entrance of the bakery.


“Welcome!” Jongin calls out when the little bell above the door jingles as the door opens. He chances a glance at the door and when he sees the two older men entering, a smile blooms on his face and he sets the bowl down to walk over to them, wiping his hands on his apron. “Luhan! Minseok!” He greets brightly. “I trust you two are doing well?”


“I am doing well,” Luhan agrees, the natural sparkle in his eyes seeming to glow brighter as he looks around the shop. “Everything looks delicious.”


A light blush spreads across Jongin’s cheeks and he grins, pleased. “I do enjoy helping around the shop,” he says. His eyes travel over to Minseok and his blush seems to darken, “How is your work with the blacksmith going, Minseok?” Jongin asks, and Minseok’s attention is drawn away from the rye bread to look over at the younger male.


“I think I finally have the hang of it,” Minseok says, moving closer to the counter, his fingers lightly tapping on the wood. “I even finished some original work.”


“That’s wonderful!” Jongin grins, his eyes curving up adorably, and Luhan grins when he notices the way the tips of Minseok’s ears are turning a light pink.


“Well,” Luhan interrupts, his eyes twinkling mischieviously as he steps up to the counter as well, effectively stealing Jongin’s attention from Minseok. “I regret having to cut into your conversation short, but I was wondering if I could buy some bread.”


“Of course,” Jongin says, immediately switching to shopkeeper mode. “How many loaves would you like?”


“Two is fine,” Luhan replies, chancing a glance at Minseok who is avoiding catching his gaze and once again staring at the rye bread. Jongin quickly wraps up the two loaves of brown bread and slips them into a paper bag before handing it over to Luhan who slides over a couple coins as payment. “Thank you.”


“It is my pleasure,” Jongin smiles, then he turns to the other male, “would you like any, Minseok?”


“One of the rye, please,” Minseok says, reaching into his tunic for his coin pouch which is dangling from a string around his neck. He pulls out a few coins and hands them over before Jongin can even move to get his bread. Jongin accepts the money with a confused look but gets Minseok’s bread and hands it to him after wrapping it up.


“Thanks you two!” Jongin says when Luhan and Minseok move to leave the shop with their bread. Luhan turns back and waves, while Minseok opens the door, the bell jingling again, and the two leave.


“He has really grown into a fine young man, has he not?” Luhan says absently, peering at Minseok from the corner of his eye. The smaller male stumbles slightly, and Luhan snorts out a laugh when a pretty flush rises to cover Minseok’s cheeks and the tips of his ears. The latter looks down at the bread in his hands and a tiny smile plays on his lips. “I suppose he has.”


They walk in comfortable silence after that, passing the remaining shops of the marketplace before they reach the beginning of the housing district. Their town isn’t a big town, so the houses are small, either made of stones or a mixture of mud, branches, and sticks with thatched roofs made of straw. Each house has only one or two small windows with wooden shutters that the inhabitants would close at night or during bad weather, otherwise they remain open. The forest is just past the houses, outside the stone wall, and Luhan notices how the tree leaves are changing from their vibrant green to the fiery reds and oranges that come with the beginning of fall.


“Minseok?” Luhan asks. The paper bag in his arms crackles as he moves to carry his book in a more comfortable position. He feels Minseok lightly knock their shoulders together to show that he’s listening. “Do you… ever feel like this town is never enough?


“What do you mean?” Minseok kicks at a rock that’s in the path, one of his hands shoved in the pocket of his trousers while his other hand carries his bread. “Everything I have ever known is here.”


“Do you not want more, though?” Luhan stops and turns to Minseok, his eyes are serious, and Minseok stops walking too, surprise evident on his face from the change of his friend’s behavior.


“What?”


Luhan gestures to the marketplace then to the houses they had just past. “Is this really enough for you?”


Minseok follows the movement, his brown eyes traveling from each of the shops to the houses until they land back on Luhan.


“This is home for me,” Minseok finally says. His eyebrows are knit together in confusion, though, like he can’t comprehend the thought of a life outside of this town and he shakes his head. “Everything I want is here. Why?”


“I just,” Luhan pauses, trying to find the correct words. “I want so much more than this town.”


“If that is how you feel, then who am I to criticize your feelings? I would be such an awful friend if I did that,” Minseok gives him a soft smile and begins to walk forward again. Luhan follows suit, easily matching their strides as he listens. “Your life is under your control, it is not my place to decide it for you. I do not know if you are planning to leave, but if you choose to do so, I will not stop you. Instead, I will help you however I can because even if you leave the town, we will still always be friends, Luhan. Nothing will change that.”


Luhan doesn’t know how to respond, his thoughts a jumbled mess as he tries to find the words that express his gratitude and appreciation towards his friend, but he blurts out, “you are such a sap, Minseok.” But the knowing smile Minseok throws at him tells him that he understands what he was trying to say.


The two reach Minseok’s house first, and Luhan pats him on the shoulder, sending him one last thankful smile, before continuing down the path to his own house. Only a few minutes have past, but the sun has nearly set when Luhan’s house comes into sight so he picks up his pace. He walks up the path and pushes open the door to his home, and like he expected, it is dark inside. Luhan quickly steps inside and sets his bread and book down on the table before grabbing the small tinderbox off the table to start a fire. He quickly lights a fire in the fire pit and sits down next to the table, smoothly breaking off a small piece of bread to eat before wrapping the rest up again. He has just taken a bite when he wonders if he should go to the stable and check on his horse, Snow. He recalls how earlier he had left her with a considerate amount of hay after they took a ride on the trail and how he had changed her drinking water right before he left to head into town and thinks that she will be fine through the night.


Luhan takes another bite and absently looks around his home. It’s only one room so there’s not much, just the small table he’s sitting at pushed to the side, with two old, thin blankets folded into neat squares on top and an empty candle stand placed on the corner. There’s a small chest in the corner of the room containing the rest of his belongings, which isn’t much. He has a straw bed to sleep on next to the chest, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s better than sleeping on the floor, especially since he could use both his blankets to cover himself. It’s cold at night, especially in the winter, but Luhan has been alone for a long time now, so he’s figured out how to get used to it.


In any case, there is a fire pit in the middle of the room that provides warmth at night and gives him light when the sun falls. The window by the door lets out the smoke that rises from the fire and makes it easier to breath. There are times when Luhan also uses the fire pit to cook, even though he doesn’t do it that often. He mostly eats bread but sometimes he makes porridge. It’s plain since he’s unable to afford anything else, but he has a small garden in the back with lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, and carrots that he adds in when they’re ripe. If it was a good hunting day for the merchants, Luhan is able to bring home fish to cook or other meats, but he can only do so every few months since meat is expensive as well.


After he finishes eating, Luhan crawls over to his chest, pulls out a candle, holds it above the fire until it catches a flame, and then he puts it in the candle stand. He crosses his legs under the table and moves the candle away from the edge and pulls his book closer to him. His fingers trace over the curly script of ‘Fairy Tales’ written on the cover before he opens the book up to his favorite story - the one he read earlier to the children. Sure, the tale was dark, but if he omitted certain details when he read it out loud, the kids couldn’t tell.


Aside from the clergy, Luhan may be the only other literate person in his town since learning to read and write is uncommon. He stares at the words on the page and suddenly thinks it’s silly how attached he is to this book. He had received it from his father when he turned ten, his father telling him how it’s been passed down in their family for generations. Luhan smiles as he remembers how his father first taught him how to read using this book and how he would read to his mother when his father was out in the field. It’s nostalgic remembering his parents since nearly four years have gone by since they both passed away. There’s a sense of loneliness that fall over him, so he shakes his head to clear it from his thoughts and fiddles with the bottom of his tunic. His eyes travel over the fading ink of the handwritten letters and the yellowing of the pages from the constant exposure to the sun and it’s comforting, so he loses himself to the text and begins to read.






Luhan wakes up, confused, with his head pillowed on his arm and the book still open in front of him. The candle had burned out some time into the night, leaving it unlit and slightly melted. He’s about to close his eyes and go back to sleep when he hears the sound of knocking on his door, and he stands up to answer it, swaying slightly from the sudden movement and the stiffness of his muscles from sleeping in such an awkward position.


“Hello?” Luhan asks, voice groggy and still laced with sleep, as he opens the door. The sunlight is bright on his eyes, making him squint as he tries to see who’s at his door, but the loud laugh he hears is an unfamiliar one.


“Good morning, sunshine,” Minseok teases, his face appearing far too close in Luhan’s vision. A hand wraps around his wrist and pulls him out of his house, and he is greeted by two other men. One is around Minseok’s height and seems rather intimidating with the way he stares at Luhan with a calculating look in his wide eyes. His dark hair is short and neatly brushed out of his face, his full lips pursed slightly in a natural pout that makes him appear young. In contrast, the other male is tall and gangly, his ears sticking out slightly from a mess of short, brown hair, and he’s smiling down at Luhan with a friendly expression. Both men are standing behind Minseok who is smiling at Luhan with a genial expression. “This is Kyungsoo,” he gestures to the male with intimidating eyes, “and this is Chanyeol,” he points to the other male.


“Pleased to meet you,” Luhan says, tossing a confused look to Minseok before offering them his hand.


“The pleasure is ours,” Kyungsoo responds, his grip firm as he shakes Luhan’s hand. The taller male simply grins when he shakes Luhan’s hand with too much enthusiasm.


“Is there anything I can help you with?” Luhan asks, eyes flickering between the three males curiously.


“Well,” Minseok says, shifting his weight on his feet while the other two men remain silent. “Remember what you said yesterday about wanting more than this town?” Luhan nods, hesitantly. “Well, these two gentlemen are from the next town over and are searching for a temporary scribe.”


“You will be provided with housing, if you are worried about that,” the taller male, Chanyeol, interjects, nearly bouncing on his feet with energy. Luhan is momentarily thrown off guard by the deepness of his voice. “You will only be needed for a short while at the -”


Kyungsoo elbows Chanyeol in the side, effectively making him fall silent. “What Chanyeol is trying to say is that we just need you to be able to write down a few administrative duties so we can complete our records.” Kyungsoo says. His voice is pleasant, not too loud or too soft, and clear when he speaks. “As I am sure you know, there are very few people who are literate, and we are desperate to find anyone who is able to complete this task. Would you be up for it?”


Luhan stares at the two of them feeling speechless. A scribe? Him?


“This is such an honor,” he says, feeling overwhelmed with the sudden possibility of traveling. “May I have a day to think about it?”


“Of course,” Kyungsoo agrees easily. “Thank you for your time.”


Both Kyungsoo and Chanyeol glance at each other before looking at Minseok, “The two of us will see our way back to the town,” Kyungsoo says then turns to Luhan, “we will be at the town Inn. When you have your answer you may find us there.”

Luhan nods, running a hand through his hair, tugging slightly when his fingers catch on the tangles. Kyungsoo and Chanyeol both nod at him and at Minseok before heading down the path back to town.


“They are really something, are they not?” Minseok says, drawing Luhan’s attention away from the two males.


“That they are.”


“Are you going to go?” Minseok asks, getting right to the point.


“I… am not sure,” Luhan sighs, rubbing at his eyes to wipe the sleep away. “I need to think about it,” he says through a yawn.


“Alright,” Minseok bumps his shoulder with Luhan’s. “Remember, I will give you my support with whatever your decision is.”


Luhan gives him a sleepy smile, “yeah, I know.”


“I need to head back to town myself,” Minseok says, “will you be alright?”


“Yes, I am just going… to think”


“Well, try not to hurt yourself.”


“Will do,” Luhan snorts, waving at Minseok as he, too, goes down the path. Luhan looks at the sun and realizes with a shock that it’s nearly midday and he still has errands he needs to do.



--


It all started one peaceful night when the moon, round and bright, shined down onto a kingdom below. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves as they danced with the autumn wind and the soft chirps of crickets as they sang their song to the night. There was a demon sitting on the roof of a house, his legs stretched out in front of him as he leaned back on his hands to stare up at the dark sky, silently watching as the stars twinkled above him.


Tonight he was going to do something no other demon has done before - get close to a human.


--



The rest of the day passes by rather quickly and before he knew it, it’s already nightfall. Luhan is sitting in front of his house and staring up at the sky, enjoying the shine of the moonlight and the peacefulness of night that comes when the sun sets. He has been thinking about the offer to be a scribe the whole day, but he still isn’t sure if he’s confident enough to leave the town. He won’t be gone forever, possibly only a few weeks depending what he needed to write, but the whole idea of actually leaving feels so… overwhelming. With a groan, Luhan falls onto his back and the long grass tickles the sides of his face. It’s quiet for a while and Luhan just watches the way the stars blink at him from the sky, his fingers absently fiddling with the string of his tunic.


Luhan hears footsteps heading towards him and he sits up instantly, looking around to find the source of the sound when his eyes land on a familiar figure holding an oil lamp.


“Beautiful night, is it not?” The figure says with a gentle voice once he’s close enough.


“It is,” Luhan agrees, a small smile on his lips. “It has been a while, Yixing.”


Yixing laughs lightly, stopping next to Luhan. “You should go inside or you will get sick.”


“I will in a moment.”


Yixing hums, turning his head away from Luhan to look back at the path. He lifts the lamp slightly, and Luhan is in awe by the ethereal glow emitting from his pale skin thanks to the flame.


“Sometimes I think you must be an angel or something, Yixing,” Luhan tilts his head to the side, squinting his eyes in mock-suspicion when Yixing gives him a confused look. “You are far too handsome to be human.”


He gets a delighted laugh from Yixing, the latter’s eyes curving up cutely as he covers the lower half of his face shyly. “I think you are mistaken. If anyone is the angel, it is you with your sparkling eyes and pretty face,” Yixing says back and earns a scowl from Luhan.


“I am not pretty.”


“You are.”


“I am not.”


“You are.”


“I thought Minseok was the one to patrol tonight.”


“He is,” Yixing laughs again, allowing the subject change. “He is on the other side of town right now, though. I decided to look around here first because I like to listen to the forest.”


“The forest?” Luhan glances to the forest, confusion written all over his face.


Yixing nods, “the forest sometimes feels like it is speaking does it not?"


“What?”


“I need to finish my patrol, do not forget to go inside soon,” Yixing says instead and smiles sweetly before he resumes walking the path, leaving behind a very perplexed Luhan.


“Speaking? The forest?” Luhan gives the forests an uncertain glance, but he closes his eyes and listens. He feels a bit silly like this but something inside him is telling him to believe Yixing. Nothing happens at first just the sound of Luhan’s own breathing but then there’s something else. At first he thinks it’s his mind playing tricks on him, but the longer he listens, the less skeptical he becomes. It’s subtle, just barely louder than the whispers of the wind, but it becomes clearer with each passing second. It sounds like someone is singing, their voice hauntingly beautiful as they continue to sing in a language that is foreign to him. The song is mesmerizing, soft and captivating, and it almost feels like the voice is calling to him, trying to pull him into the depths of the forest, but what’s shocking is that Luhan thinks he wouldn’t mind that. It’s when the voice stops singing that Luhan opens his eyes and lets out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. It feels like he is in a new world despite being in exactly the same place in front of his house. For some reason, though, he feels lighter, like he can do anything, and it’s decided. He’s going to accept the offer and leave the town.






“Are you nervous?” Chanyeol asks, riding up to Luhan on his horse. He’s smiling again, his teeth on full display as he stares directly at the shorter male.


“Is it obvious?” Luhan asks back. The two of them are waiting at the town entrance for Kyungsoo to arrive with their last minute supplies since it’s going to be a “three day, two night” journey through the forest. Chanyeol laughs, loud and honest, and he shakes his head.


“I am not sure if you’ve noticed but you have been fiddling with the knife Minseok gave you for the past couple of minutes.” Luhan’s eyebrows knit together and he looks down at his hands and finds that Chanyeol is right. His hand is gripping the handle of the knife Minseok handed him when he told him he was going to go to the next town with Chanyeol and Kyungsoo. Minseok had looked at him with such a proud expression, exclaiming, ‘my little brother is growing up!’ before handing him the knife. He said he was going to wait until Christmas, but decided that Luhan might need it to protect himself when he went into the forest. Luhan’s just about to retort when he hears the sound of hooves hitting the dirt and he turns his head to see Kyungsoo riding towards them, his cloak flowing behind him from the speed.


“Ready?” He asks, pulling the reins of his horse and stopping between them. Luhan takes one last look over his shoulder to the town before turning to Kyungsoo and nodding his head. Kyungsoo’s lips quirk at the corners like he’s holding back a smile and instead nudges his foot against his horse’s side and rides forward. Chanyeol quickly follows suit, whistling quietly when his horse beings a slow trot, and Kyungsoo peeks at Luhan over his shoulder and a flash of what looks like amusement crosses his face when he sees he still hasn’t moved. “Well, are you coming?”


Luhan takes a deep breath, a determined look in his eyes as he involuntarily tightens his grip on the reins, and presses his foot into his horse’s side. “Go,” he exhales and his horse moves forward.






Time seems to pass slowly now that Luhan isn’t in the town anymore. The two other males are mostly silent - well, Kyungsoo is mostly silent, choosing to keep his attention focused on the path and only speaking when necessary, while Chanyeol keeps trying to engage a conversation with him. Whenever Kyungsoo becomes annoyed with the incessant chatter, he throws a glare in Chanyeol’s direction, who will then try to pull Luhan into talking with him.


“--and when I asked him if his face was frozen in a frown, he slapped me!” Chanyeol huffs, crossing one arm over his chest like a child while gripping the rein with the other. “What man slaps another? He is a disgrace to all of us men.”


“Ignore him,” Kyungsoo says, his eyes are still facing forward, but his head is angled slightly towards Luhan. “Chanyeol is just jealous that sir frowns-a-lot became a knight in such a short amount of time.”


“I am not! I would never be upset over such a petty issue, Kyungsoo,” Chanyeol presses his free hand against his chest and looks at Kyungsoo with a wounded expression.


“Oh, my mistake,” Kyungsoo says drily, then says to Luhan, “he really is just jealous.”


“Hey!”


Luhan laughs then, surprised and amused. “You two must be close.”


“Yes!”


“Unfortunately.”


“Kyungsoo, that was mean.”


“Be quiet before I--”


“How long have you two known each other?” Luhan interrupts, earning a grateful look from Chanyeol and a thoughtful one from Kyungsoo.


“Since we were kids, I suppose,” Kyungsoo answers, biting lightly at his lower lip in thought. “I think I was four.”


“You were,” Chanyeol agrees easily. “He had the cutest round cheeks. I really wanted to touch them, but he never let me. He said he would break my fingers if I tried.”


Kyungsoo doesn’t say anything and simply shrugs. Luhan thinks it’s slightly disconcerting that a young kid would threaten another like that.


“Kyungsoo is a big softie, though,” Chanyeol says, addressing Luhan’s unvoiced concern. “He secretly worries and cares about his friends.”


“Be quiet, Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo sighs, exasperated, which pulls a laugh out of both Chanyeol and Luhan.


To Luhan, it seems like the three of them grew closer after the short exchange. They might not be friends yet, but they can no longer be considered strangers who are traveling together. The trio stop their horses after it is past midday, allowing them to take a short rest while they walk around and stretch their muscles.


“I am always stiff after riding,” Chanyeol complains, stretching his arms above his head like he’s reaching for the sky. Kyungsoo doesn’t grace him with a response, and Luhan is too busy sprawled across the grass to care.


“We should find the river soon,” Kyungsoo says, staring at the trees before turning to the two others. “Our horses will need water and we probably could too.”


The three of them wait a few more minutes before mounting their horses and taking off down the path again. Luhan enjoys the feeling of riding through the forest. He has never been in these parts before and everything is so new to him, the tallness of the trees the deeper they walk into the forest, the new sounds of animals he didn’t even know existed, and even the plants and vegetation that don’t grow in the town were interesting to him. Kyungsoo and Chanyeol are both quiet the better part of the afternoon, and Luhan thinks is strange compared to their - Chanyeol’s - earlier behavior, but he brushes it aside as they’re just tired. They stopped by the river, like Kyungsoo suggested, to allow themselves and their horses to drink before continuing their journey.


“We should find somewhere to set up for the night,” Kyungsoo says after a few moments after the sun begins to set. “Traveling through the dark is unsafe and we do not know these parts very well.”


The two others agree so the three of them begin to look for a place to stay for the night. It’s Chanyeol who finds a place - a small clearing, in fact. Kyungsoo circles the area once, wide eyes surveying the surroundings, and when he’s satisfied, he nods to Chanyeol with acceptance, and the taller beams brightly. The clearing is pretty, the grass a healthy shade of green, and the sound of rushing water close by is comforting. The land it flat, albeit slightly uneven, but it would be okay to sleep on, and there are trees they can tie their horses to so they won’t run off. They get off their horses and do just that, tying the reins around separate trees, and they begin to set up for the night. They want to build a fire before it gets too dark, so Chanyeol has gone into the forest to find sticks and fallen branches to use as firewood, and Kyungsoo begins to dig a hole to make a fire pit. He keeps the dirt in a neat pile they can later throw on the fire to put it out, and Luhan is amazed by how Kyungsoo keeps everything as easy as possible but still efficient.


Luhan isn’t sure what to do, so he goes around picking up an armful of stay rocks and setting them next to Kyungsoo who turns and gives him a small smile. “Thanks,” he says, placing the rocks around the hole so the fire will have no where to travel and standing up once he’s done. “Now we just need to wait for Chanyeol.”


Chaneyeol comes back not even two minute later carrying a lot more wood than should be possible in his arms, and he the proudly puts down next to the hole.


“We should not have to go back and find more if we resource them well,” Chanyeol grins, plopping down onto the floor and putting some of the smaller branches in the hole first. Soon, they have a small fire started and they all sit around it in silence. Chanyeol’s head is drooping forward, and he would have fallen face first into the grass if not for Kyungsoo reaching out a steadying him.


“You fool,” Kyungsoo mumbles, retracting his hand when Chanyeol gives him a sleepy smile and flicking him in the forehead. “Why is it that the sun has yet to set and you are already falling asleep?”


“We were riding all day,” Chanyeol pouts.


“I am sure our horses are more exhausted,” Kyungsoo glances to where they’re tied up. Their heads are hanging low and they are eating grass, and Chanyeol lets out a laugh that startles the two smaller men.


“Sure, exhausted,” Chanyeol grins while Kyungsoo just stares at him with a deadpan expression. Chanyeol just wiggles his fingers at him before turning to Luhan, “I do not think we ever thanked you for agreeing to come. You are really helping us out.”


“You are welcome,” Luhan stretches his legs out in front of him and is momentarily confused when something shifts at his side from the movement. It’s then that he remembers he is carrying a satchel at his side carrying his book and some other items he felt he needed, like his tinderbox, a small whetstone to sharpen his knife on, the rest of the loaf of bread he bought, and one of the thin blankets from his house. Chanyeol must have noticed his expression because he looks at Luhan curiously who then wordlessly pulls out the book from his satchel. “I forgot I brought this with me,” he explains. Chanyeol’s eyes seem to widen with delight as he scoots closer to Luhan, peering at the book in his hands. Even Kyungsoo seems to be intrigued, a curious glimmer in his eyes.


“This book holds many fairytales,” Luhan explains, opening the book slowly and turning to a story about mermaids. There was a colorful drawing of a mermaid on the page. She was sitting on a rock facing the shore, her tail a shimmery green and long hair falling down her back.


“Pretty,” Chanyeol says.


“This is a sad story, though,” Luhan stares at the page. He always tells these stories differently to the children, usually leaving them open ended, or changing the ending so it’s a happy one. “But not all the stories are sad.”


“My father used to tell us stories all the time,” Chanyeol says after a few beats of silence. “He did not know how to read, but he had a good memory, so he just often told them to us from memory. There is one, though, that I remember the most. Do you know the story about the demon prince cursing the land?”


“That is one of my favorite stories,” Luhan turns a couple pages past the mermaid story until he lands on the correct one. “This one,” he holds up the book to Chanyeol, the art for this one is darker than the one of the mermaid. It took place at night, the sky a vivid black with a large moon glowing from the corner. There were candles placed into a circle on the floor with a figure standing in the center of it. The figures head is cast downwards, but the shadows of the flame on his face give him a sinister appearance. Chanyeol nods, “yes, that one.”


Chanyeol looks at Luhan thoughtfully, his head tilted slightly as he eyes survey Luhan’s face. “Do you believe in it?”


“The story?”


“Yeah. Like, do you think it really happened and that the land it curse? Do you believe in soulmates?”


“I think,” Luhan pauses and looks up at the sky. The sun has set and the stars are beginning to make their appearance against darkness of the sky. “I think each story holds some truth to it. As for soulmates,” he smiles at the way Chanyeol glances at Kyungsoo to see if he’s listening. “That is for you to decide.”





Luhan wakes up to see wide eyes staring down at him and lets out a noise of surprise and throws his hand up in shock.


“Ow!” Chanyeol cries when Luhan’s hand connects with his cheek and he falls onto the ground with a grunt.


“I told you not to stare at him while he slept Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo chides, shaking his head.


“But he just looked so pretty,” Chanyeol whines, turning his pout to Luhan who is scowling at him. “You hit me.”


“I am not pretty,” Luhan says instead, wiping the side of his mouth. He turns to Kyungsoo to see that he has already put out the fire and is now adjusting his cloak around his shoulders. “Are we leaving now?”


“We are,” Kyungsoo answers. “We can cover more land the earlier we travel.”


“Okay.” Luhan stands up, shaking his head slightly to wake himself up more. He stretches his arms over his head to get the kinks out of his back and notices that Chanyeol is still pouting on the floor, so he offers him a hand. “I apologize for hitting you,” he says, and the seems to satisfy Chanyeol because he grips Luhan’s hand and pulls himself up, clapping his hands on both of Luhan’s shoulders before walking over to his horse. Luhan hears Kyungsoo snort a laugh behind him, and he grins to himself, feeling pleased.





Traveling through the forest is just like how it was yesterday with Chanyeol talking up a storm and Kyungsoo only speaking when he wants to. Luhan mostly keeps to himself, but he indulges Chanyeol with conversation occasionally. The weather starts off nice, the sky free of any clouds and the sun radiating a pleasant heat in the otherwise cold, autumn air, but as the three keep walking, the temperature begins to drop. The trees are getting thicker the closer they are to the heart of the forest, so it’s difficult to be able to figure out the time since there is limited sunlight and only thin minimal slivers of light are able to get past the leaves. The path here is unkempt and rocky, the horses having difficulty moving past all the large stray branches in their way, but they are able to maneuver themselves through, what they hope, is the worst of it.


Luhan is just surveying his surroundings, when he hears a rustle come from his right and suddenly, his horse stumbles backwards and shakes her mane furiously.


“Woah, girl,” Luhan tries to soothe her, pressing his hand to the side of her head, but she suddenly rears up, her front legs leaving the ground, and Luhan panics. He leans forward in his saddle, pulling on her reins to keep her steady, trying to bring her back to the ground, but his horse lets out a loud whine. He hears Kyungsoo and Chanyeol shouting, but the sound of his heart pounding in his ears prevents him from understanding what they’re saying. He pulls on her reins again, but she twists away, and begins to run full speed off in a different direction off the path. Luhan yells out commands, hoping that his horse will listen to one of them, but she just keeps running past the trees. Low branches are whacking against Luhan, slicing thin cuts into his arms and face where they drag against his skin. He digs his feet into his horse’s side, hoping she’ll stop, and he thinks she will when she begins to slow down, but then he feels his horse’s weight shift under him and he is suddenly thrown off when his horse rears back again. The force of the throw combined with the speed his horse was travelling at has him launched against a tree, his head hitting the side of it with a loud ‘thunk’ and pain shooting up his left arm as he falls to the floor.


His vision is fuzzy as he tries to push himself up, but he only succeeds in rolling onto his side, his arm throbbing unpleasantly underneath him. The trees are swaying to the side and the last thing he sees is back of his horse running away before his vision turns black.






Pain. All Luhan can feel is pain when he regains consciousness. His head hurts, his arm hurts, his is pretty sure one of his legs hurts, but he can’t tell. The first thing he notices when he opens his eyes is that it’s dark. And that he’s alone. Carefully, he uses his good arm to push himself up, wincing in pain when the shift causes his other arm to pulse is annoyance. His vision swims slightly when he jostles his head but it quickly clears up when he is finally able to settle into a sitting position. He squints his eyes, trying to see in the darkness, but nothing looks familiar. Then again, with the way his horse was running, there is no way he’d be able to figure it out anyways since they strayed off the path. Luhan sighs, clutching his hurt arm lightly and looks up. He can’t see the sky very well, but he’s sure he could probably find his way back to his town if he can figure out his position. He just needs to find an area with a clear view of the sky.


With a new sense of determination, Luhan pats down his legs to see if either of them are twisted or broken, and they seem to be fine, just a little bruised, so he can still walk, which is good. He uses his good arm to push himself and he leans his weight against the tree until he’s sure he’ll be able to move forward without his vision turning hazy. He walks slowly, carefully testing where he steps with the tip of his foot before taking the step. It’s a slow process trying to walk in the dark, but he needs to find out where he is if he wants to survive. He has been walking for a while when he hears something growling. At first he thinks it’s all just in his head, but then he hears the growling again, and he stops walking. He looks around, trying to find any movement in the darkness, when his eyes land on a pair of glowing eyes staring back at him.


A gray wolf steps out from behind a tree, snarling and baring it’s teeth threateningly and Luhan feels his blood runs cold with fear. He stays still, eyes watching the wolf as it takes a step closer to him and his hand hovers over his knife, ready to pull it out when he hears another growl come from behind him. There’s another wolf. He gulps when the wolf walks from behind him to join the one in front of him, both of them watching him with golden eyes as they walk forward. Luhan tries to take a step back when the first wolf lunges at him, and he hurriedly jumps out of the way, unsheathing his knife in the process. He hold it in front of him as he turns to face the wolves, but his eyes only see the one. Suddenly, he’s pulled to the ground, and he cries out in pain when he lands on his bad arm trying to catch himself and drops his knife on the ground. The other wolf has it’s teeth clamped around the bottom of his trousers, barely missing his ankle, and Luhan begins thrashing, trying to kick the wolf in the head, but to no avail. Luhan hand is blindly searching the ground for his knife, while he tries to kick the wolf off, but his fingers only touch dirt and dead leaves. Just as his fingers touch the smooth surface of metal, the wolf shakes it’s head violently, the movement ripping the cloth of his trousers and then it bites down into Luhan’s calf. Hard.


He shouts out in pain, fingers digging into the dirt as he feels the wolf’s teeth tear into the flesh, and he thinks that this is going to be the end. Suddenly, a blur of movement flashes next to him, and he doesn’t feel the pressure of the wolf’s jaw fastened around his leg anymore. In fact, he doesn’t feel anything anymore. He doesn’t feel the dull throbbing of his arm, he doesn’t feel the pounding in his head, and he doesn’t feel like his leg is being ripped from his body. He turns his head, his breathing harsh even to his own ears, and he feels a tear fall from his eye when he blinks. His vision is slightly unfocused, but he sees someone standing next to him, and a wolf on the floor at their feet. He briefly wonders where the other wolf is, but then he sees it running past him back into the forest. The figure turns to him, but Luhan’s eyes can’t focus on their face, their features blurring together, but he gives them the best smile he can, “thanks,” he breaths, closing his eyes. He feels a cool hand press against the side of his face and he instinctively leans into the touch, his mouth parting in a sigh.


“I am going to help you stand,” the stranger says, gingerly sliding his arm under Luhan’s back. “If you feel you are in too much pain, I will stop.”


“My body feels numb,” Luhan mumbles, opening his eyes when he is lifted into a sitting position. His vision hasn’t cleared up in the slightest, and he wonders if he hit his head again when the wolf pulled him down, but he can’t remember. The stranger is crouching next to him, and Luhan is about to ask him something when he feels himself pulled into a standing position, most of his weight resting against the stranger, and whatever he was going to say is instantly forgotten.


“We are going to move now, are you ready?”


“Yes,” Luhan affirms and the stranger leads him forward.



--


The demon hesitated before he took a step towards the human, and then another and another, gaining a little more confidence when she continued to show no signs of fear before stopping a little more than a foot away.

“You are not afraid of my presence?” He asked quietly, moving to sit on his knees so he was at eye-level with her.

“You have no given me a reason to be afraid of you,” she smiled at him.


--



Luhan is sitting on a bed when his mind clears up. It’s a nice bed, too, with a headboard and a gorgeous red canopy hanging from the top with beautifully embroidered hangings. There was something stitched into the fabric of the canopy and Luhan could make out the lone letter ‘J.’ The mattress is unbelievably soft, probably stuffed with geese or duck feathers and then covered by fine linens. The blankets he’s sitting on feel heavy but warm, probably made of wool, and Luhan is left thoroughly confused because he doesn’t remember how he got here. He gives the room a cursory glance, and there isn’t really anything inside aside from the bed and an averaged size chest at the other side of the room, but it’s big and open. There is a soft, orange glow thanks to the torches lit in the room to providing light and keeping him warm, and there is a window, tall and large covered with glass covering it instead of shutters. The design on the glass is unfamiliar, a series of colorful circles covering the entire pane, but it’s pretty with the way the purples and blues and greens compliments each other.


Luhan shifts on the bed and a sharp pain shooting up his leg has him looking down at his feet and he realizes that someone had taken off his shoes and wrapped up his injured leg in bandages. He also notices that he’s wearing a different clothes, a new tunic, this one dark gray instead of the faded brown of his own, and the trousers a similar shade that fit almost perfectly. There’s a knock on the door, and Luhan’s head shoots over to look at it and the door opens to reveal an incredibly attractive man with unreadable eyes and a sharp face. The man walks inside without waiting for Luhan to say anything and that’s when Luhan registers the color of the man’s eyes - red eyes, and his mouth opens in shock.


The man - no, demon halts in his steps, his face carefully expressionless as he waits for Luhan to react.


“Thank you for helping me,” Luhans says at last and gestures to his leg, “and for wrapping this up too.”


“You are not afraid?” The demon asks, carefully staring at Luhan’s face to see if there’s any hint of fear or disgust, but Luhan shakes his head.


“You saved me from a wolf,” Luhan laughs slightly. “If anything, I am terrified of them now.”


The demon studies him for a moment longer before his expression softens slightly, and he nods. “You are welcome.”


“I am Luhan,” Luhan introduces himself. He looks around the room again, eyes lingering on the ‘J’ stitched on the canopy. “Is this your room?”


“It is one of them,” the demon replies, still standing in the same spot he stopped at. He hesitates for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing for a split second, and he says, “My… name it Jongdae.”


“Jongdae,” Luhan repeats, the syllables nice on his tongue. “Well then, it is a pleasure to meet you, Jongdae.”


“Likewise.” The two of them are silent after the small exchange. Luhan’s biting on his lower lip as he looks at Jongdae. He’s nothing like he imagined a demon to look like, he doesn’t look evil or harmful in any way. In fact, he’s actually quite beautiful. His hair is dark, almost black, that softly falls across his forehead. His skin is pale, much like Luhan’s own, and his features are positively striking against his light skin. His jaw is square, giving the shape of his face a masculine appearance, but the long lashes of his eyes make him appear delicate as they caress the tops of his prominent cheekbones. His lips are a lovely shape, thin but sharp at the corners where they have an natural, upward curl that make it look like he’s smiling.


He has a small frame, but he looks like he is able to handle himself, and Luhan faintly remembers the strength in the demon’s hands as he lead him to… wherever he is. Looking at him now, Luhan would never believe he had taken down a wolf more or less his size down and sent a different one running, but appearances can be deceiving.


There’s a knock on the door, and a soft voice calls out, “Master?” Luhan stares at the door, confused, but Jongdae simply says, “Enter,” and the door opens to reveal a different man.


“I brought the items you requested,” the male speaks, eyeing Luhan curiously, his eyes also a vibrant red. Luhan waves at him, his eyes traveling down to see what the items are, and he lets out a small gasp, which draws the attention of the Jongdae.


“Is that…?”


“You were wearing this,” Jongdae confirms, taking the satchel from the other demon’s hands. The other demon nods once and quickly leaves the room, tossing one last look over his shoulder to Luhan before he shuts the door behind him. Jongdae walks over to the bed and places Luhan’s satchel on the table the latter didn’t even realize was next to him, and Luhan stares at it curiously.


“Was there something wrong with it?” Luhan asks, lifting his eyes to look at Jongdae. The demon’s eyes are really pretty up close, a strong, dark red color, but Jongdae looks away first, his hand reaching out and touching the satchel.


“Nothing at all. I just left it in the other room,” Jongdae says, fingers lightly tracing over the stitches, “Your knife is safe, by the way. It is also in this satchel.”


“Thank you,” Luhan says sincerely. Jongdae just nods without meeting his gaze.


“You should get some rest. Someone will come change your bandages in the morning,” Jongdae walks to the door, his footsteps light and almost soundless as he crosses the stone floor. “Sleep well,” he says, closing the door behind him after he exits the room.


“Good night,” Luhan says to the empty air, scooting down the bed until he’s lying flat on his back with his head resting comfortably on a pillow. Then, he closes his eyes and waits for sleep to come.






Sleep doesn’t come that night, though. At least, not much. Throughout the night, Luhan’s mind kept flickering back to Jongdae, and he can’t believe he’s resting in a castle with a demon (demons his mind supplies when it remembers to the other male demon who brought his satchel). It’s strange, but he doesn’t feel afraid. In fact, he’s more intrigued than anything. When morning comes, light seeps into the room from the glass pane, revealing Luhan to be sitting up in bed with his back leaning against the headboard. He’s holding his book in his arms, having taken it from his satchel earlier to make sure it’s not ruined, when a knock sounds at his door.


He’s not sure what to answer when the door opens a creak and the same demon from yesterday pops his head out to peer inside.


“Good morning, sir,” the demon says once he realizes that Luhan is awake. He gives a hesitant smile and steps into the room carrying a bowl and a piece of cloth. “I have come to clean your wound.”


“Oh,” Luhan peers down at his leg before looking back to the demon standing in the doorway. “Okay, please come in.”


The demon walks over to the table and sets the bowl and rag down. “My name is Joonmyun, and I will be the one who will take care of you.” He’s still smiling as he moves the stool over to the side of the bed before maneuvering the bowl on top and taking the rag into his hand. “Would you mind if I sit on the bed so I can reach?”



“Go right ahead,” Luhan places his book next to him on the bed as Joonmyun gingerly sits at the edge of the bed and reaches forward to unravel the bandages around his leg. Luhan winces when the bandages pull at the skin, and Joonmyun softly apologizes when it’s completely off. The demon dips the cloth into the water, ringing out the excess drops before beginning to softly pat at the wound.


The skin around the wound is colored a violent purple, bruises forming around where the wolf’s teeth punctured into the flesh. The bite look deep, open cuts that look painful, and Luhan feels disgusted looking at it, so he turns his head away. Luhan bites his lip to keep in the sound of pain when Joonmyun presses a bit too hard, and Joonmyun glances up at him.


“I am almost finished,” he says softly. Joonmyun spends a bit more time cleaning the cuts, rewetting the cloth a few times before he’s finally satisfied. He pulls out new bandages from somewhere on his person and begins to wrap them around Luhan’s leg.


“There,” Joonmyun nods to himself, standing up from the bed and gathering the soiled bandages and cleaning supplies. He turns to smile at Luhan again, “Are you feeling hungry?”


“After that?”


Joonmyun laughs, a light bell-like sound, “It could have been worse.”


“True,” Luhan agrees, stretching his arms in front of him and feeling the soreness of the muscles. “A meal does sound nice.”


“I will have it prepared,” Joonmyun says. “Please wait a moment.”


“Okay,” Luhan leans back against the headboard and fiddles with the bottom of the tunic, his mind wandering to the two demons he’s encountered. So far they have been nothing but kind to him and that makes him feel safe. He looks to the side, eyes catching on the cover of the book, and he trails his fingers over the front like he always tends to do when he’s thinking. He wonders if his horse is okay, he wonders if Chanyeol and Kyungsoo arrived town already and if they haven’t when they will be able to, and he wonders when his leg will be healed enough for him to walk. He’s not used to having nothing to do since all his life he’s grown up managing the farm and going to the town for supplies. He’s used to riding his horse through the town trails or walking around and attending to his garden, making sure the vegetables were growing properly.


He’s getting lost in his thoughts when he hears the door open again and Joonmyun enters carrying a tray with what looks like a bowl of porridge. Joonmyun carried the tray to the table and sets it on top before his red eyes flicker to Luhan’s leg for a brief moment. “Would you like help?” He asks.


Luhan wants to tell him he’ll be fine but when he tries to move his leg, pain flares all the way up to his thigh and yeah, okay, maybe he might need a little help.


“Um,” Luhan says sheepishly, “that would be great, but how?”


Joonmyun fights a smile, amusement dancing in his eyes and he sits on the stool still by Luhan’s bed with the bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. “I can feed it to you,” he says, laughing when Luhan’s face morphs into confusion, then shock, then distaste.


“That is quite alright,” Luhan insists, and Joonmyun laughs again before he hands him the bowl and spoon. He has just taken a bite when he notices that Joonmyun is still sitting on the stool and staring at him. “Is something wrong?”


“No, no, everything is alright,” Joonmyun shakes his hands in front of him, flustered. Luhan watches his carefully, eyes squinting suspiciously, and Joonmyun clears his throat before saying, “I was just wondering if it tastes okay.”


“It is delicious,” Luhan says, taking another spoonful, which makes Joonmyun smile, pleased.


“Is it alright if I stay here?” Joonmyun asks, gesturing to the seat and Luhan nods, “sure.”


Joonmyun remains in his seat, hands folding neatly in his lap as he looks around the room, biting on his lower lip like he’s trying to figure out how to say something. “I am curious about something,” he says at last, looking straight at Luhan.


“Which is?”


“Why were you wandering through the forest at night?” Joonmyun asks. “I mean, humans are usually in their towns or in of the clearings. No one has ever wandered so far from the path before.”


So, between bites of porridge, Luhan tells him the story about how how he was travelling to the next town for some business, but then his horse suddenly began acting strangely and began running blindly through the forest. He told Joonmyun how he tried to stop his horse, pulling the reins, digging his feet into her sides, shouting commands, but she just wouldn’t listen and kept running. Just when he thought she was finally going to stop, she through him off her back and he landed against a tree, hitting his head in the process and losing consciousness. Joonmyun remained silent as Luhan told him how he was trying to find his way to a clearing so he could find out his position and head back home in the morning when it was light out, but he was attacked by a wolf.


“That must have been terrifying for you,” Joonmyun sympathizes. “I am glad the prince was able to find you in time, then.”


“Prince?”


“Yes,” Joonmyun nods, “Prince Jongdae was the one who brought you here yesterday after finding you in the forest. This is his castle.”


Luhan’s face morphs into a look of surprise, his eyes wide and his jaw dropping in shock, “a prince?”


“Yes, a prince,” Joonmyun chuckles, taking the empty bowl from Luhan’s hands. “It was pleasant talking with you, sir.”

It’s then that Luhan realizes he never told Joonmyun his name, “Luhan. You can just call me by my name, Luhan.”


“Luhan it is, then.”


“You cannot stay?”


“My deepest apologies, but I really should go,” Joonmyun stands up and resituates the stool back next to the table, and he leaves the room with one final glance. “Please try to rest.”





Luhan has been sitting on the bed and staring at the glass pane for a while. He’s in a castle. That explains why the walls are made of stone and why the ceiling is high, and Luhan wonders how he didn’t piece it together earlier. Luhan turns his head when there is a knock on the door.


“Hello,” Luhan greets when Jongdae walks into the room a moment later. “Did you sleep well?”


“I slept fine, thank you,” Jongdae says. He lingers near the corner of the room, his clothes similar to the ones Luhan is wearing now, and Luhan realizes they probably are his. Luhan watches as Jongdae stares at him, red eyes surveying his face and trailing down his body before lingering on his legs. “Are you in pain?”


“A little,” Luhan shrugs, wiggling the toes of his leg that isn’t injured. “But Joonmyun was very kind and I will be alright. How are you?”


“Me?”


“Yes, you,” Luhan laughs, pushing his hair away from his face. “Were you hurt by the wolf? I forgot to ask you yesterday.”


“No, I was not hurt,” Jongdae gives a small smile, his eyes seeming to brighten up, and Luhan is surprised to feel a pleasant flutter in his chest. “Do you need anything?”


“No,” Luhan shakes his head, “you have done so much for me already.”


“You do not want to leave the room?”


Luhan opens his mouth to decline but the offer to leave the room and explore is really tempting.


“I would really like to,” Luhan admits, looking at Jongdae, “but I have to decline.”


“Why?” Jongdae asks, his eyebrows furrowing curiously.


Luhan laughs lightly and gestures to his leg, “I am not able to move that well.”


“Oh,” Jongdae’s expression falls briefly before he schools it into a neutral expression. “Right.”


“I… could read to you, if you want,” Luhan says. He picks up his book that has been lying next to him, untouched since he put it there when Joonmyun changed his bandages. “I would normally read to the children in my town.”


“You like to read?” Jongdae asks, intrigued, and walking closer.


“I do,” Luhan beams, tapping his finger on the cover of the book. “I do not have much to read, though.”


“Why?”


“There are not a lot of books in my town,” Luhan shrugs. Jongdae has walked to the center of the room, clearly interested in the conversation.


“What do you read in your town?” Jongdae asks, stepping closer and tilting his head to the side.


“I mostly read fairy tales,” Luhan says, holding out the book to Jongdae. “You can choose one, if you want.”


Jongdae carefully takes the book into his hands and sits on the opposite side of the bed. “Do you have a favorite?” Jongdae asks, red eyes turning away from the pages to peer at Luhan.


“I do have a favorite.”


“Can you it read it to me?” Jongdae asks, handing the book back to Luhan with a gentle smile on his face, and Luhan feels like his breath was stolen from him by how handsome Jongdae is. Ha has a really has angelic appearance, the darkness of his lashes, the pink of lips, the red of his eyes, every feature looks like it was sculpted to perfection.


“Sure,” Luhan answers, shaking his head slightly to stop his thoughts. Then, he tells the tale about the curious demon and the bold human who fell in love just to be torn apart by those who didn’t approve. When he’s finished, Luhan looks up to see Jongdae staring at the glass pane of the window, his lips pressed into a line and his eyebrows knit together.


“Is something wrong?” Luhan asks worriedly, closing the book on his lap.


“I know that story,” Jongdae says, turning his head to look at Luhan. There’s a bitter smile on his lips and his eyes shine with sadness.


“Was the story… about you?” Luhan speaks hesitantly, watching Jongdae carefully, but Jongdae shakes his head in the negative.


“No, it was not,” Jongdae chuckles, turning back to the window. “But all demons know that story. It is why we choose to stay hidden from the humans.”


“Then why did you save me?”


“Not all demons live in fear,” Jongdae smiles to the window. “We can be open minded too.”



--


“I think,” the demon breathed, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to face the girl completely. “I do not mind taking risks for you.”


--



It’s amazing how quickly Luhan feels a connection with Jongdae. He isn’t sure what it is, but he always feels inexplicably happy when Jongdae comes to visit him. Sometimes he’ll come into the room holding a new book and he let’s Luhan read it to him.


“Are you able to read?” Luhan asks him one day when Jongdae comes in carrying a different book.


“I am,” Jongdae nods, taking his usual spot on the opposite side of Luhan’s bed and crossing his legs in front of him.


“Then why…”


“Your eyes light up when you see a new book,” Jongdae says, fiddling with his fingers in his lap. “In any case, it is more fun to read to a story with others, is it not?”







Luhan doesn’t know how much time has past since he was last able to walk, but he thinks his leg has healed enough that he can try.


“Jongdae,” Luhan asks one day, “Is it okay if I try walking?”


“Will your leg be okay?”


“I hope so,” Luhan laughs. He gingerly sets his both his feet on the floor, testing his weight before rising to a standing position. Jongdae stands next to him, his arms out to steady Luhan in case he falls, but as Luhan begins to take small steps around the room, he smiles.


“It seems you are just fine,” Jongdae chuckles lightly, “Are you up for a tour?”


“Definitely,” Luhan beams.


Jongdae shows Luhan around the castle, gentle guiding him with a hand on the small of his back.


“This is the second level where the kitchen is located,” Jongdae announces, stopping in front of the kitchen door. He holds it open for Luhan and the two of them walk inside to see Joonmyun cutting up carrots on a wood board.


“Oh!” Joonmyun says, surprised when he sees the two of them. “Good afternoon.”


“Afternoon, Joonmyun,” Luhan waves, curiously looking around kitchen. The kitchen is mostly made up of stone, various cooking utensils scattered around, with different size cauldrons around and open fire located in the middle of the room where there seems to be a piece of lamb cooking on a skewer.


“I see you are walking again,” Joonmyun smiles, setting the knife down and turning his attention to Luhan.


“A bit,” Luhan agrees, moving his leg around. “Jongdae is taking me on a tour.”


“Is he now?” Joonmyun asks, sounding amused. “Well, I will leave you two to it.”


“Thanks,” Jongdae says, steering Luhan by the elbow out of the kitchen. He lets go when they’re out of the room and leads him down a long hallway. He shows Luhan around, stopping occasionally when he feels like walking might be becoming too much for Luhan. He leads him through the rooms, explaining the purpose of all of them, and Luhan tries to follow along, but soon all the room purposes begin mixing in his head and he has no idea what room is for what. When he tells Jongdae, though, Jongdae just laughs and tells him that it’s fine.


When the tour is almost over, Jongdae takes Luhan over to a “special room,” claiming it will probably be his favorite. Luhan follows him, curious, and when Jongdae reaches back and pulls Luhan along by the hand, he feels his heart jump pleasantly in his chest.


“Close your eyes,” Jongdae says, sounding excited, a big smile forming on his face, and Luhan obeys, shutting his eyes and waiting. He hears the sound of something scraping against the stone and his eyebrows furrow, confused. “Okay,” Jongdae nudges Luhan in the side, “you can look now.”


When Luhan opens his eyes, he is greeted by shelves of book and his mouth falls open in shock.


“What,” Luhan gasps, turning in circles as he takes in all the rows and shelves filled with books.


“Do you like it?” Jongdae asks, feeling nervous.


“This is amazing,”Luhan laughs, walking over to a shelf and pulling a book out. “Thank you for showing me all of this.”


“I am just glad you like it,” Jongdae smiles. He feels a pleasant warmth begin in the pit of his stomach, but he ignores it in favor of watching the way Luhan practically glows with excitement as he looks at all the books.


--


The girl has lost count of how many times she has interacted with the demon, but she does know that everything she has heard about them isn’t true. She no longer believes they are the culprits for all the maladies of the body such a sickness and disease, nor does she see them malevolent creatures who are malicious and vengeful when in the presence of humans.


Not all demons are evil.

--



It’s late one night, when Luhan rouses suddenly from his sleep. Confused, he looks around the room, vision slightly fuzzy from being half asleep, but he doesn’t see anything out of the ordinary, so he rolls over in the bed. He has just made himself comfortable under the blankets when he hears a faintly familiar song being sung and he recognizes it as the one he heard the day before he left town. The song is calling to him again, the pull stronger now, urging him to follow the voice and find the owner. This time he follows it.


He slips out of bed and walks down the corridor, listening to the alluring voice as it guides him forward. There’s a door partially open at the end, and the voice is coming from inside. Curious, Luhan peeks into the room and he sees that Jongdae is the one who’s singing. He loses himself to the song, leaning his back against the wall as he hears Jongdae continue to sing, his voice almost yearning as he sings the foreign lyrics. Luhan waits until the song is over before he knocks on the door, and Jongdae looks over to him with wide eyes.


“Luhan?”


“I apologize, I did not mean to eavesdrop, but...,” Luhan speaks, “your voice is beautiful. I just wanted you to know that.”


A bashful look crosses Jongdae’s face and he sends Luhan a gentle smile. “Thanks.”


Luhan smiles back and waves before heading back to his room, Jongdae’s voice stuck in his head.






Luhan and Jongdae are walking outside the castle. It had snowed earlier so the ground is covered in a white blanket of snow, and the two of them are having fun making footprints in the snow as they walk the path. The weather has been getting colder and colder it’s obvious that this winter might be one of the coldest ones yet.


“Do you like winter?” Luhan asks, crouching down to a pile of snow and touching it. He pouts since the snow doesn’t stick together when he tries to make a snowball and just drops it back to the ground.


“This year I do,” Jongdae nods. He looks up at the empty trees, his eyes gleaming in the sunlight. “It is a time of both coldness and warmth.”


“Coldness and warmth?”


“The weather is cold,” Jongdae explains, breathing out and watching as a cloud of his breath forms. He then peeks over at Luhan to see that he’s staring at him curiously. “But being with you makes me warm.”



--


The demon felt heartbroken as he watched the one he loved walk away and he wondered if this is what love is always like.


--


The weather is beginning to heat up, and Luhan can’t imagine a life without Jongdae now that they’ve spent so much time together, but he knows he should probably head back to his town. When he tells Jongdae, Jongdae had simply turned his back to him and said that he should do what he felt was right and left the conversation at that.


Although Luhan felt a bit disappointed, he knew he shouldn’t overstay his welcome at the castle either. The two demons had been very kind and hospitable towards him, and he shouldn’t abuse their kindness. So, the next day, he packed up his satchel, tied the knife around his waist, and was set to leave.


“Thank you for making my days less lonely and dark,” Jongdae tells Luhan as they walk across the courtyard to where Jongdae had prepared a horse.


“What?”


“Things were difficult when it was just me and Joonmyun in the castle but having you there has really made things feel less lonely.”


“Thank you for allowing me to stay so long,” Luhan smiles. He hesitates before wrapping his arms around Jongdae in a brief hug. “I will never forget about you.”


“Nor I you,” Jongdae says, his eyes downcast as Luhan pulls away. “If you ever want to come back, you can.”


“Thank you, Jongdae. Please take care of yourself,” Luhan mounts the horse, sliding into the saddle easily. “Farewell.”


Jongdae doesn’t respond as he watches Luhan ride away, just waits until he’s out of sight before returning back inside the castle.






When Luhan arrives at his town, he is swarmed by many of the townspeople wondering what happened to him because his horse had come back without a rider, and then Chanyeol and Kyungsoo had come back to explain they had lost sight of Luhan in the forest. Luhan explains to them how he lost control of his horse and was knocked out in the forest until it was nightfall. Then how he was saved by a demon and had been staying with him and another for the past couple of months.


At first the townspeople were terrified of the notion of demons actually being in the forest, but Luhan assured them that the demons were friendly, and while they were still skeptical, the fact that Luhan was alive and in one piece did support him. Then, when Luhan was finally able to breathe again, Minseok came out of no where and tackled him into a hug, holding on to him tightly and smiling so widely, Luhan thought his face was going to break. But Luhan is happy to see the familiar faces around his town, and he hopes that he can get used to it again.






Luhan sighs. A week has past since he arrived back at his own town, back at his own house, back with familiar faces, but he feels lonely without Jongdae. He was so used to living with him, talking with him, spending time with him that now being separated from him just feels so… wrong. He glances at the book Jongdae gave to him lying on the table, the cover staring at him mockingly, reminding him that he’s not at the demon’s castle anymore, and his heart clenches painfully in his chest. He needs fresh air.


He takes the dirt path down to the town, his hands shoved in his trouser pockets. It’s funny, he has taken this path hundreds of times but never has he felt so out of place before. He looks up from the dirt to see the town coming into view, the familiar buildings of shops and the familiar shouts of merchants selling their produce giving of a sense of normalcy.


Luhan walks through the town, waving at people occasionally when they wave at him, telling him they are glad to see he is well followed by other polite pleasantries that he returns. When he finally enters the blacksmith shop, he instantly feels relieved. He sees Minseok working by the fire, sweat glistening on his skin from the heat of the flame and a smudge of soot on his face.


“Hello,” Luhan calls, biting at his lower lips when Minseok turns his head to look at him. Minseok’s mouth opens in shock before he schools it into a smile, his gums showing when he spots his friend.


“Hello,” Minseok greets, wiping his forehead with the sleeve of his tunic. “What brings you here, Luhan?”


“Can I talk to you?”


“Sure, just give me a moment.” Minseok pulls a piece of metal from the open flame where he held it with his pincers before leaving it on a hard surface. “Okay, I am ready. What did you want to talk about?”


“Minseok,” Luhan looks around the shop, his eyes glancing over all the various types of weapons and armor before locking onto his friend. “I do not belong in this town.”


“What do you mean?”


“I mean…” Luhan pauses. “I mean I want to go back to Jongdae.”


“The demon?”


“Yes.”


Minseok is quiet, his face carefully neutral as he studies Luhan. “Okay.”


“Okay?” Luhan’s eyes widen, his mouth parting with shock.


“Have I not told you before, Luhan?” Minseok chuckles softly. “Your life is under your control. I will still be your friend if you choose to leave the town.”


“Minseok,” Luhan trails off, something heavy lodging itself in his throat. “Thank you.”


“For what?” Minseok snorts, but he’s smiling widely. “Just be sure to visit me.”


Luhan laughs himself and goes over to pull Minseok into a hug, burying his face in his neck as Minseok softly pats his back. When he steps away, he feels a hundred times better, and he knows what he needs to do.




--



But love works in mysterious ways.



--





Luhan’s right in front of Jongdae’s castle, staring up at the tall columns of the archway, and he steps towards to the door. He feels nervous, his palms sweaty and his heart pounding insanely fast in his chest, and he thinks it’s both exhilarating and nerve-wracking to be standing at this castle again. Luhan knocks on the door, biting his lip as he waits for someone to answer it. Just as Luhan is beginning to grow anxious, he hears the door open and he stands up straight, his fists clenched at his side. Jongdae is the one standing on the other side of the door, his face showing absolutely shock when he sees Luhan standing there.


“Jongdae,” Luhan breaths, feeling like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders as he looks at the demon’s face.


“Luhan?” Jongdae is still staring at him like he can’t believe he is actually there in front of him. “Is it really you? Are you really here?”


“I am,” Luhan affirms, reaching forward and taking Jongdae’s hand in his. “I am here.”


And Jongdae pulls Luhan into his arms, burying his face into his neck and holding him close. “Luhan, Luhan,” Jongdae mumbles into the skin, and Luhan clings back, feeling undeniably happy that Jongdae missed him too.


“I am back.”






Luhan and Jongdae are sitting in the commonplace of the castle, the two of them exchanging shy glances between one another before looking away, only to repeat the process.


“Jongdae,” Luhan says at last, wringing his hands together in his lap. He turns to face the demon, his eyes sharp and determined. “I have something I want to confess.”


Jongdae tilts his head, silently encouraging Luhan to continue.


“I like you. A lot. Even more than a lot, I cannot imagine myself without you by my side and I--” But Jongdae cuts him off by quickly crossing the room and bringing their mouths together for a kiss. It’s slow, hesitant, but Jongdae’s lips are warm as he presses against Luhan. He pulls away slightly to mumble, “me too,” before leaning forward once more.


The way Jongdae kisses is addicting. His mouth gently caressing Luhan’s own, lips soft and warm and sure, and Luhan leans into him easily, sighing into the kiss, and wrapping his arms around the demon’s neck. He tangles his fingers in the soft strands of his hair while Jongdae’s hands, soft and warm, wander up the human’s back, pulling him closer until their chests are pressed flush against each other. It feels nice being held like this and Luhan enjoys the heat that spreads through his body at the contact.


He adjusts his head to fit their lips together more properly, parting his lips and nipping slightly at Jongdae’s, but he feels the demon growl against his mouth, his fingers digging into his back before he pulls away, both of them panting heavily with flushed faces.


“My chambers,” Jongdae breaths, his lips red and slick, and his pupils blown wide with both desire and lust. Luhan’s about to untangle himself when Jongdae growls again and tightens his arms around him, but the confused protests die in his throat when Jongdae kisses him again. To Luhan’s surprise, Jongdae easily lifts him up and his legs immediately finding purchase around the demon’s waist. Jongdae stumbles slightly down the hallway in his haste before he walks them into his room and to the bed. His arms that were firmly wrapped around Luhan ease up, and Jongdae places him on the bed, guiding him down onto his back while their mouths are still attached. Jongdae breaks the kiss again, and Luhan opens his eyes to see Jongdae hovering over him with a look of absolute adoration on his face, red eyes warm and fond as he gazes at Luhan with a tender smile on swollen lips.


“Is something wrong?” Luhan asks, dazed. Somehow Luhan’s hands had dropped from around Jongdae’s neck to linger against the latter’s chest and he feels how fast the demon’s heart is beating against his palm.


“I am glad that I can call you mine,” Jongdae whispers, and Luhan feels like his heart is about to burst from happiness.


“Me too,” he says, gripping Jongdae’s tunic and pulling him down on top of him and tangling their legs together. Luhan reclaims Jongdae’s mouth with his, yielding under his touch as Jongdae licks his way past his lips, tongue sliding against the roof of his mouth and tracing the backs of his teeths before tasting Luhan’s own. Jongdae lets out a gasp when he feels Luhan shift against him and he notices the way Luhan is beginning to harden against his thigh. He experimentally pushes back, relishing in the sounds of pleasure escaping Luhan’s throat, and suddenly there are far too many clothes for this to continue.


Jongdae slides his hands down Luhan’s sides, deft fingers untying the belt around his waist and tossing it to the side before gripping the bottom of the tunic and pulling it upwards. Luhan removes himself from Jongdae’s mouth, lifting his arms up to allow Jongdae to take off the piece of clothing, and once it’s gone, Jongdae sits back on Luhan’s thighs, admiring the pale skin of his chest.


“Off,” Luhan demands, impatiently tugging at Jongdae’s clothes, feeling self-conscious that he’s the only one bare chested, but Jongdae simply presses a kiss to the corner of his mouth.


“Be patient,” he says, softly tracing his hands over warm flesh. Jongdae’s hands are hot on Luhan’s skin and he arches into the touch, gasping when Jongdae leans down and begins mouthing at the flesh, sucking marks into the pale skin of his throat. Luhan grabs Jongdae by the hair and pulls him back up into a sloppy kiss, using Jongdae’s surprise to his advantage as he quickly switches their positions so he’s laying on top. He moves back to grin devilishly at Jongdae, his eyes sparkling with challenge as he begins to roll their hips together slowly.



*



“Please, Jongdae,” Luhan whimpers, his voice breathy and filled with desperation. Jongdae has finally rid himself of his trousers, leaving him as bare and naked as Luhan, his erection hot and heavy between his legs. He looks at Jongdae through half-lidded eyes, his hair clinging to his face from perspiration, his chest flushed, and Jongdae mouth goes dry at the way Luhan is spread out in front of him so readily. “I need you.”


He watches Luhan’s face as he grabs the vial of oil he took out of the chest earlier and smearing the liquid onto his fingers to slick them up. He makes sure they are properly coated and unhurriedly inserts a finger into Luhan’s body. Luhan tenses against the intrusion, his eyes closed shut in discomfort and his breath comes out in harsh pants.


“Relax,” Jongdae whispers, leaning up to press their lips together as he begins to move his finger at a slow, even pace. He presses kisses down Luhan’s neck, sucking and mouthing at the underside of his jaw before he trails down his chest and bites. Soon, he inserts a second finger, pausing for a moment when Luhan hisses in pain before moving them slightly in a scissoring motion.


“Are you okay?” Jongdae whispers, halting his movements when Luhan doesn’t respond, only for him to whine, “keep moving,” through gritted teeth. Jongdae slips his fingers out to pour more oil onto them before sliding back in and stretching Luhan open.


It’s not long before Luhan is a writhing, moaning mess, his fingers desperately digging into the blankets, as Jongdae pumps into him with three fingers now. He adjusts his hand to a different angle and Luhan lets out a sharp cry of pleasure when the tips of his fingers brush against a small bundle of nerves inside of him. Curious, Jongdae presses against that spot again and Luhan’s jaw drops as a loud moan escapes past his lips.


“There,” he groans, pushing his hips down onto Jongdae’s fingers to get him to do it again. Instead, Jongdae removes his fingers and spreads Luhan’s thighs farther apart to settle between them, making sure to coat himself thoroughly with more oil before aligning himself with Luhan’s entrance. Jongdae looks up and catches Luhan’s gaze, his sparkling eyes trusting and filled with love as he stares back, and he slowly eases himself in. It’s tight and hot, Jongdae’s breathing becoming harsh as he pushes past the resistance until he’s sheathed all the way inside. Luhan’s fingers are digging angry red marks into the pale flesh of Jongdae’s back, his breath coming out in quick puffs against his neck. He has never felt so full in his life, the feeling of Jongdae’s dick pulsing inside of him sends a rush of both pain and pleasure down his spine, and he knows it’s probably taking every ounce of patience Jongdae has left for him to hold still so Luhan can adjust to the stretch of his dick inside of him. A few moments pass and Luhan is shifting slightly, rolling his hips down, and Jongdae gets the hint to move.


Jongdae thrusts shallowly at first, and Luhan moans loudly and grinds up into him, clenching around Jongdae’s length and feeling pleased when he groans in pleasure. Jongdae begins to pick up the pace, encouraged by Luhan lifting his hips to meet his, and thrusts in earnest, pulling out until just the tip of his cock remains and then thrusting back inside in one swift movement. They both groan in pleasure, their bodies continuing to move at a quickening pace and making it impossible to figure out where one ends and the other begins. Luhan leans up to press their mouths together, slipping his tongue past Jongdae’s lips, and kisses him. Both his hands travel up to tangle in his hair as pleasure begins to pool in Luhan’s stomach and he circles his legs around Jongdae’s waist. Jongdae pulls out completely only to drive back in at a different angle, thrusting deeper than before and Luhan presses their bodies closer, throwing his head back as he shouts in pleasure from each drag of Jongdae’s cock against his walls. Suddenly, Luhan arches against the demon, his mouth open in a silent cry, and his head falls back against the pillow, and Jongdae knows he has found the spot he was looking for. He continues to push into that spot repeatedly, loving the way Luhan becomes a babbling mess under him, grinding his hips up to meet each one of Jongdae’s thrust.


“Jongdae,” Luhan moans, reaching down to fist his cock, twisting and pumping his hand around his length. He looks at Jongdae through hooded eyes and long lashes, his lips red and slick, and the latter feels his heart stutter in his chest because he caused this. Jongdae feels his own release approaching and he drives into Luhan faster, hips snapping forward, and his vision momentarily goes white when Luhan purposely clenches around him and he comes with a loud cry. Luhan comes just seconds later with a low groan to the feeling of Jongdae still buried deep within him, strips of white painting both their stomachs, and Jongdae falls forward, exhausted. Luhan grunts under him, and Jongdae rolls them onto their sides, both of them hissing from oversensitivity when Jongdae’s softening cock slips out of his opening. He sighs and pulls Luhan against him ignoring the cooling come on both their stomachs.


“You are mine,” Jongdae mumbles against Luhan’s hair, placing a soft kiss on his forehead, his hand rubbing soothing circles on Luhan’s lower back as he tangles their legs together.


“Yours,” Luhan smiles, pleased, and presses closer to Jongdae, tucking his head under the demon’s chin.


The two of them fall asleep together in each other’s arms, both their hearts happy and content and beating as one.





EPILOGUE


A few months later...



“Come on,” Luhan laughs, pulling an unwilling Jongdae by the hand to the stable where their horses are at. “You promised we could go into town today.”


“Can we just not go?”


“We have to go,” Luhan insists, stopping in front of Jongdae to look at him. “It is Minseok’s birthday! I want to greet him.”


Jongdae sighs, red eyes flashing as he looks at Luhan. “Why are you still so close with him?”


“He is my best friend,” Luhan says, “of course we will be close.”


“I do not like it,” Jongdae turns his head to look at the side, kicking at the dirt.


“Are you jealous?”


“Well, what do you expect?” Jongdae snaps, pulling his wrist out of Luhan’s grip and walking into the stable to his horse. “You are mine.”


Luhan stares after him, shocked by the admission, but he smiles, his eyes turning fond as he watches Jongdae pet the mane of his horse.


“Jongdae,” Luhan whispers, walking up to the demon and grabbing his hand to link their fingers together. “You know I love you.”


“Do I?” Jongdae challenges, turning until he’s facing Luhan, their heads just inches apart. Luhan smirks before leaning forward and capturing Jongdae’s lips in a kiss, using his free hand to tangle in the demon’s hair and pull him closer.


“Do you?” Luhan mumbles against his lips, his breath warm against Jongdae’s face, and Jongdae smiles, his heart beating faster in his chest because he does know. He pinches Luhan’s side and laughs when he flinches back.


“We should leave now if we want to make it,” Jongdae says, and when Luhan smiles at him, his eyes sparkling with happiness and love, he thinks this is a great way to start their beginning.



--


There is a myth about soulmates. Someone who you are destined to be with, someone who you feel a connection with that cannot be explained with words, someone who is without a doubt the one you will fall in love with.

As it turns out, it is the heart that controls the feeling of love, not us. We cannot choose who we fall in love with because our heart is the one that decides. Each person has someone they are meant to be with, someone who brings out the best in them, someone who will accept both the good and the bad and continue to love them all the same, and this someone is their soulmate.

Then, well, you know the rest.

--
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The Bright Lights [Have Always Blinded Me] ××× for xogeneration

Nov. 6th, 2014 04:48 pm
Title: The Bright Lights [Have Always Blinded Me]
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 14.6k
Summary: Lu Han lives out his idol life unapologetically as his manager tries to keep him in check.
Warning/s: brief Lu Han/Jongin, mentions of multiple past relationships
Author's Note: I sincerely hope this is close to what you were hoping for. I had a lot of fun moments writing this wonderful prompt despite my constant complaining. Also, thank you to A for perfecting it and to everyone who pushed me to get through it in one piece.



It’s raining.

Lu Han hates the rain.

He watches from the living room window of his penthouse as beads of water fall from dark clouds and rush down toward the ground, splattering on some poor soul who’s left home without an umbrella. From this high up, the people below look like rats scurrying through a maze to get to the not-quite-worth-it prize at the end. He pities their daily shuffle, the monotony of going through the same routine day in and day out.

Lu Han’s never been the type to stick to one thing. His parents call it a character flaw, but there aren’t a lot of qualities in Lu Han that his parents are particularly fond of. In fact, it's their insistence that he's a worthless, good for nothing, dishonorable son that has spurred Lu Han into proving them wrong.

And here he is, standing on top of the world with his parental issues behind him as a load-bearing beam in the foundation of his fame, and looking ahead to a future with his name in spotlights. If he squints, he can make out the billboard that rises high over the buildings a block down - a billboard with his face plastered on it. It’s one of many littered throughout the city and it fills Lu Han with a sense of pride every time he sees one.

Modeling is only one of the many things Lu Han dabbles in. He also slaps his face on high end brand names, works the variety show scene, acts in dramas if the character is right, and above all else, Lu Han sings. It’s his voice - combined with his boyish good looks and charms - that got his foot in the door of the entertainment industry and it’s kept him there through thick and thin. When all else fails, put out an album.

He reasons it shouldn’t be long before the company head pulls him aside to talk about what Lu Han has in the works for new songs. The last time it had been a ballad, so it’s most likely they’ll want something more pop to attract the teenage audience for the next single. Plus, there’s that whole thing with the paparazzi catching him coming out of that actor’s house at god-awful early in the morning so there’s that to contend with now that it’s out in the tabloids.

Superstar Lu Han Does It Again the headline reads. Lu Han already has a copy stored in his closet amongst all the other scandalous articles they print about him. The image quality is poor and the company will probably spin that angle to clear Lu Han’s name even though he’s completely guilty. It won’t matter; he’s just going to end up in trouble again anyway. It’s his nature.

Without warning, the door to Lu Han’s apartment swings open and in walks Jongdae, Lu Han’s manager and self-proclaimed wrangler. Even from across the expanse of his living room Lu Han can see a copy of the tabloid tucked under Jongdae’s arm and he smiles to himself. Nothing makes Lu Han’s day like a lecture from his favorite person.


“Do you hate me?” are the first words that spill from Jongdae’s mouth. There’s water soaked around the bottom of his black slacks, the pair that run just the littlest bit too tight around his thighs for it not to be on purpose. Lu Han’s eyes linger.

“‘Course not,” Lu Han answers mechanically, habitually.

Jongdae unfolds the paper and tosses it face up on the coffee table as if Lu Han hasn’t seen it already. “I’d ask why, but you wouldn’t give me a straight answer.”

Lu Han shrugs. “He was hot.”

There’s a vein in Jongdae’s neck that tends to stick out noticeably when he’s attempting to contain his anger and Lu Han sees it appear just before Jongdae folds his arms across his chest, hip cocked. Lu Han wishes he could duplicate the image a thousand times and use it to wallpaper the backs of his eyelids.

“Bullshit,” Jongdae spits. “You wanted the attention.”

Lu Han rolls his eyes, acting as if something that childish was beneath him. But the truth is, Jongdae is right. Kim Jongin - model and newly aspiring actor - is stealing the spotlight and the hearts of the many around the country. They’d met during a chance encounter at one of the smaller studios downtown, both auditioning for the same part in an upcoming movie. The role wasn’t big and Lu Han found himself unable to care about Jongin getting it over him when Jongin was on his knees every other night sucking him off.

Lu Han’s just surprised they managed to keep out of the papers for so long considering he’s been fucking Jongin for a month. And now that they’ve been found out, he’s waiting for the call Jongin’s company is going to force him to make, cutting their whirlwind romance short. Lu Han will act hurt and Jongin will apologize because he’s really such a sweet kid.

It’s a pity, honestly. It’s not everyday Lu Han finds someone as flexible as Jongin.

“Lu Han,” Jongdae starts with a sigh, exasperation laced in his tone. It’s one of Lu Han’s favorite sounds. “Why can’t you just rub one out in the shower every morning like the rest of us and give me a break for once? My job is hard enough without having to jump in for damage control every time your ego and libido conspire to fuck their way through a conga-line of celebrities.”

Lu Han chooses to mostly ignore Jongdae’s advice, raising an eyebrow at his adorably frustrated manager. “You jerk off every morning before coming to see me?” he asks teasingly, sauntering over to where Jongdae is staring him down, a sway in his hips. Jongdae doesn’t appear amused when Lu Han brushes his thumb just underneath his lower lip. “You should start coming over early so I can help.”

Jongdae smacks Lu Han’s hand away and walks off toward the kitchen. Lu Han can’t help watching, eyes devouring the way the fabric of Jongdae’s pants lovingly molds to the globes of his ass, his grey polo tucked in to enhance his thin waist. Lu Han whines low in his throat.

He’s been physically attracted to Kim Jongdae since the day they met and Lu Han has had both the pleasure and torture of watching him only grow hotter as time passes. All his attempts at getting Jongdae in bed, however, have been met with disdain. He doesn’t have any problem seducing all his other partners so it’s not him that’s the issue.

“Are you out of honey?” Jongdae calls from the kitchen and Lu Han flops face first on his couch.

Jongdae is a long-term goal and Lu Han’s feeling too short-sighted today to bother.




The thing about Jongdae being in charge of Lu Han’s schedule is that over the last few years they’ve spent together, he’s stopped telling Lu Han where they’re going until they’re actually there. It saves Lu Han the effort of complaining and Jongdae the motions of pretending to care. It’s nice that their relationship has past that boundary of professionalism where they can speak comfortably to each other.

Of course, this leaves Lu Han unprepared to be herded into a board room with a team of publicists - only a few of them his - along with Jongin. He’d barely managed to grimace at a pleased looking Jongdae before chaos erupted. Apparently Kim Jongin is the next golden boy and everyone is on top of clearing any association his name has with Lu Han. It’s mildly insulting, but Lu Han understands. He has a reputation, after all.

Lu Han doesn’t even know why they bothered having him there seeing as he’s essentially shunted to the side and told to keep his mouth shut if anyone asks about Jongin. It’s old hat at this point, Lu Han teetering his chair back on two legs and rocking as he sends Jongin a smirk. Jongin smiles back, far less upset than Lu Han had figured he would be.

The suits drone on, drawing up a plan to debunk the grainy photos as Lu Han entertains himself by examining Jongin from across the room. He bites his lip, admiring the artfully tussled way Jongin’s dark hair falls in his eyes, the fullness of his mouth and how low his shirt dips to draw attention to what Lu Han knows is a well-defined chest.

Lu Han remembers how it looks covered in sweat, a red flush racing down from Jongin’s cheeks all the way to his nipples when he bounces on Lu Han’s cock or lies under him, hands fisted in black sheets and jaw slack from pleasure. Damn, Lu Han is going to miss the way Jongin moans his name, the way he whispers how he likes to be fucked in Lu Han’s ear before kissing down his neck. If there’s one thing Lu Han’s learned it’s that in this business, most of the people are all talk. He’s bedded quite a few celebrities - actors, models, the CEO’s daughter - who claim they know how to fuck him . . . until they’re actually in the bedroom and Lu Han has to take over.

It’s one of the main reasons he doesn’t stick with anyone for long. Lu Han doesn’t want a student; he wants someone who can handle him in and out of the bedroom. Jongin had been one of the few who actually knew what he was doing and it’s a shame, but the end was inevitable.

Lu Han sighs, rolling his head until his neck pops before glancing back over at Jongin again. This time, Jongin is looking back and there’s a thrill that runs up Lu Han’s spine. He knows that look.

As soon as the meeting is over, Jongin excuses himself and Lu Han slips out after, following him down to the private bathroom. Lu Han barely gets inside before Jongin locks the door and pushes Lu Han against it. He tastes like peppermint coffee when he kisses Lu Han, his tongue darting into Lu Han’s mouth and swiping over the roof.

“A parting gift,” Jongin breathes against Lu Han’s lips, his hands hot as they run down Lu Han’s sides and to his jeans. “For everything you’ve done for me.”

Lu Han would ask what he’s done - other than give Jongin the dicking of his life - but it’s not high on his priority list when Jongin sinks to his knees, pulling Lu Han’s half-hard cock free. The sound of Lu Han’s head hitting against the door echoes and so does the moan he lets out when Jongin fits his lips around the tip of his dick and sucks.

Image be damned; Lu Han grabs Jongin’s hair with both hands and holds tight as Jongin takes more of him into his mouth, teeth scraping just enough to send a jolt straight to Lu Han’s balls. “Christ, Jongin,” Lu Han groans, “you’re in the wrong fucking industry.”

Jongin grins around his cock, the vibrations of his soft laughter stealing Lu Han’s breath away. Definitely the wrong industry. Jongin could make a killing in porn.

With his tongue and enviable throat muscles, Jongin gets Lu Han off quickly enough. He swallows around the crown of Lu Han’s cock and Lu Han’s knees nearly give out as Jongin drinks every drop down. He’s a fucking champ, swiping his tongue over the slit of Lu Han’s softening cock and then kissing it affectionately before tucking it back into his pants.

Jongin’s hair is a mess from Lu Han’s hands and his lips are puffy, swollen red and slick. “You’re going places, kid,” Lu Han says as a farewell and Jongin smiles, and it's something genuine and it makes him look so much younger than his twenty years.

“With a little help.”

Jongin adjusts himself in his pants before walking out, nearly slamming into Jongdae who, it seems, has been waiting outside the door for a while. His arms are crossed and the polite upturn of his lips fades as soon as Jongin walks past.

“I’m going to say this in the nicest way possible,” Jongdae begins, “You’re a sleaze.”

“That wasn’t nice at all.”

“And yet that’s as nice as I can make it.” Jongdae slaps the roll of papers in his hand against Lu Han’s arm. “We came here to end things with Jongin, not for you to get your dick wet.”

Lu Han screws his face up in a pout, resting an arm over Jongdae’s shoulder. “Jongdae,” he begins with a soft whine, “don’t you care that this break-up is hurting me? I just needed a little comfort.”

Jongdae shakes Lu Han’s weight off him and uses his hand this time when he smacks Lu Han on the back of the head. “Let’s get out of here before you cause another scandal that I’ll have to clean up.”

Lu Han feels mildly apologetic for putting Jongdae through so much, but Jongdae is well paid to deal with Lu Han’s idiosyncrasies and annoyance looks good on him. Very good.




Lu Han really should have known better. If there is one thing Jongdae does well, it’s revenge. Lu Han finds himself under house arrest until the flurry of this latest scandal can die down. There are reporters and photographers camped out all along the perimeter of his apartment building. Most of them at least try to remain subtle by staying in their cars or pretending to loiter while talking on their phones. And then there are the ones sitting right outside the doors with their cameras and tape recorders poised to pounce the moment he might make an appearance.

Jongdae has even taken to using the backdoor to the building, complaining bitterly about it as he went over Lu Han's rearranged schedule since he has to stay lowkey for a while.

But lowkey has never been Lu Han's style. He's simply dying to get out of his apartment and it's even more maddening because he knows that if he hadn't been ordered to stay put, he'd be perfectly content to be at home. The temptation to sneak out grows daily, bubbling up the more he checks on his dedicated fan sites, flicks through television stations or attempts to get experimental with his cooking.

He runs out of food five days in.

"Jongdae," Lu Han whines into his phone, unhappy that Jongdae has dared let his call go to voicemail. "Are you hoping I'll starve to death? I'm your meal ticket!" he informs his manager even as he wonders if Jongdae will actually listen to the message or just send it to the trash. "As your employer, I am ordering you to rush over with food and entertainment or you’re fired."

Lu Han hangs up and tosses his phone to the other end of the couch, sitting pleased with himself for approximately thirty seconds. He lunges for his phone, quickly calling Jongdae again. And it goes to voicemail. Again.

"I'm sorry," Lu Han apologizes breathlessly. "You know how I get when I'm hungry. And bored. And hungry. Jongdae you have to save me before I start gnawing on my arm. If I'm disfigured, it'll be all your fault."

Lu Han hangs up and rolls to the floor, groaning with his face in the rug. He lays sprawled out, mind numbingly bored and counting the minutes to see how long it takes Jongdae to call back - or show up. For a brief moment he considers calling someone else, but now that he's already called Jongdae, it's too much of a risk.

Hours (half an hour tops) later, Lu Han hears his front door open. There's the rustling of plastic bags and he scrambles to his feet. Jongdae looks over at Lu Han with clear disapproval before heading straight for the kitchen, the heavy scent of fresh takeout wafting behind him. Lu Han follows obediently.

Jongdae rounds on him the moment the bags are down on the counter, finger poking relentlessly against Lu Han's chest. "Don't you ever threaten my job again," he hisses. "The company employs me, not you, and if I see fit to let you starve, they'd probably support me."

Lu Han pouts and Jongdae blinks, unmoved. Sighing, Lu Han slumps. "You could at least act like you like me," he grumbles.

Jongdae snorts. "But I don't."

Lu Han's heart does this weird wobble in his chest that makes him feel a little nauseous, but the sight of food soon pushes the sick sensation away.

Twenty minutes, three vicious, well-aimed stabs of the fork on the top of his hand (from trying to steal Jongdae's chicken), and much pouting later leads to Jongdae staring warily at Lu Han as the full grown man reclines on the couch with his head in Jongdae's lap.

"Scratch my head," Lu Han commands, softening his words by batting his eyelashes. All he gets in return is a palm to his forehead and Lu Han frowns. "I need the attention. I can feel myself shriveling up without the adoration of my fans. My fan sites must be pining for me."

Jongdae shudders and his nose scrunches cutely. “You make them sound like your personal harem.”

Lu Han loses focus for a moment, his eyes glazing over and a slow smile spreading over his mouth at the idea of all the people who run his personal fan sites sitting at his feet to praise him, adore him, be willing to do anything for him. A sharp knock in the temple clears his head and he glares up at Jongdae who is looking at him with disgust.

“You know,” Lu Han begins with a smirk, “there’s a fan site out there dedicated to you too.”

Jongdae blinks. “Please say you’re joking.”

“All it took was a few well-timed comments on a sock account about that hot piece of ass always following me around and BAM! Magic.”

Jongdae sighs. "I wish I could say that’s one of the most disturbing things you’ve ever done, but it’s not."

Lu Han stares at Jongdae - at the sharp edge of his jaw, at the high cut of his cheekbones and the way his eyelashes cast shadows when he blinks - and Lu Han swallows through the dryness in his mouth and pushes down the swelling in his chest. Jongdae is unfairly attractive and sometimes Lu Han feels so tired from trying to gain his attention in the right way.

"Stay with me?"

Jongdae quirks an eyebrow. "What?"

"Tonight," Lu Han clarifies, sitting up to scooch close to Jongdae, clasping his hands. "It's so lonely here without company and you're the only person I'm allowed to see."

"Sorry," Jongdae answers, although he doesn't really look sorry. "I have plans tonight."

Lu Han blinks. "You what?"

"Plans," Jongdae repeats slowly.

Lu Han has never really given Jongdae's life outside his managerial responsibilities much thought before. In Lu Han's world, Jongdae - as an entity - does not exist when he's not working. He simply materializes when Lu Han needs him. This new information has him reeling a little. Imagining Jongdae out with people, carefree and happy, makes Lu Han feel wistful.

"How arrogant you must be to think my life revolves around you," Jongdae laughs. "I have friends and plans and hobbies that have nothing to do with you and I'd quite like it to stay that way."

Ow. Lu Han's heart thuds. That's painful.

"Take me out!" Lu Han suddenly demands, a smile lighting up his face. "Let me tag along. I'll be discreet. You'll never even know I'm there.

Jongdae snorts, his face screwing up in this incredulous look that still manages to be attractive. "Nothing with you is ever discreet. There's no power on earth that can convince me to take you out. You are going to keep your little butt in this apartment and think about your actions like a good boy."

Jongdae stands abruptly to leave and Lu Han follows. "But I'm dying here and I want to meet your friends!" Lu Han stops and tilts his head as Jongdae slides on his shoes. "And I do not have a little butt. My ass is amazing."

"Your ass leaves much to be desired." Jongdae turns to Lu Han. "Clean up the food in the kitchen and don't call me unless you're dying." Jongdae opens the door and steps halfway out before looking over at Lu Han again. "On second thought, don't call me at all."





Lu Han has never been the most obedient person, especially when given a direct order not to do something. It’s like dangling a perfectly sculpted ass (like Jongdae’s) in his face and telling him not to touch. It’s simply not going to happen.

Lu Han sinks low behind the wheel of his car, half his face hidden behind a large pair of Raybans. His dark hair is tucked neatly under a black cap and he's dressed in the most nondescript clothing he owns. Lu Han watches, mostly tucked out of sight, until Jongdae walks into the bar across the street from where he’s parked. The neighborhood leaves much to be desired and Lu Han’s nose wrinkles at the graffiti decorating the front of the building.

After a few nerve-wracking minutes, Lu Han follows. The sun is low in the sky, casting long shadows across the road and Lu Han slinks through them as casually as he can manage. His knees are bent, shoulders hunched and people stare at him warily, but Lu Han sees none of it, eyes to the ground to avoid being noticed.

The inside of the bar is, thankfully, much more pleasing to the eye than the outside. It’s nothing special - definitely not somewhere Lu Han would find himself for entertainment - but he can see the appeal in the dark wood furnishings, the low lighting and the plush looking booths. The first thing he does is find Jongdae, recognizing his manager from the back with one glance before darting to a booth far away so he isn’t discovered, but near enough to keep an eye on him.

It’s damn near sinful how damn good Jongdae looks with his hair styled out of his face and a hint of eyeliner around the corners of his eyes. Lu Han can feel the effects of it in his groin and he nearly groans aloud when Jongdae smiles, laughing as he sits. It’s only then that Lu Han notices Jongdae has company.

There’s a tight pinch in Lu Han’s chest when he sees the woman sitting beside Jongdae, her eyelashes batting flirtatiously and a smug smile on her pink painted lips. Her long brown hair falls over her nearly bare shoulders, framing her striking face and Lu Han frowns deeply. He’d never really considered Jongdae’s preference for men or women because Lu Han is everyone’s type, but now he’s having doubts.

Is she why Jongdae refuses him?

They seem intimately familiar with each other, Jongdae walking two fingers over her hand and up to her wrist before she giggles and pulls away, biting her lip. It makes Lu Han queasy.

“Can I get you something to drink?” comes a voice and Lu Han jolts in his seat, pushing his sunglasses back up the bridge of his nose.

“Just water please.”

The smile the waiter gives Lu Han is tight, forced and he momentarily feels bad, but his attention snaps back to where Jongdae is now playing with the strands of this mystery woman’s hair and Lu Han slumps in his booth. It squeaks in protest and Lu Han is suddenly appreciative of the low, sullen music playing in the background.

The whole situation leaves Lu Han with a bad taste in his mouth that glass after glass of ice water won’t wash down, although it does leave him bloated. It’s a bad idea, a disastrous decision when Lu Han finds himself examining this woman closely. Her eyes are smudged with smoky black, sparkling when she laughs, her pink lips shining in the tacky overhead lighting when she speaks. Her shoulders are too broad, but her figure tapers to a slim waist that curves out around her hips.

Lu Han sighs. He doesn’t have hips like that, or delicate fingers that can trace over the side of Jongdae’s neck to pull him in and whisper something in his ear. Lu Han’s never seen Jongdae smile this brightly, laugh this boisterously. He imagines himself in her place, bearing the brunt of Jongdae’s relaxed, open face and his throat closes.

Lu Han’s never felt this heavy, hollowed out ache in his chest before and he leaves before it gets worse, stumbling out the door like a drunk, only it’s not alcohol that’s rushing through his system.




Lu Han sleeps in the next day, sluggishly zombie-shuffling his way through his morning routine. His face is swollen from all that water, highlighted by the bags under his eyes because he spent the better part of his night staring at his ceiling. His hair is in disarray, his stomach is gurgling loudly to get his attention and this is perhaps the worst morning he’s had in a long time.

And it’s all Jongdae’s fault - Jongdae and his stupid face and his stupid perfect ass and his stupid attractive girlfriend whom Lu Han can never be.

It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just Jongdae’s physical appearance that Lu Han was drawn to. During his sleepless night, eyes glazed and fingers drumming on his stomach, Lu Han had come to the horrifying conclusion that he’s fallen for the entire Jongdae Package. It’s a foreign concept to him - wanting someone on a more-permanent-than-a-quick-fuck basis - and he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

It’s not as if he hasn’t expressed his interest in Jongdae, but now it’s too late.

Lu Han frowns at himself in the mirror before splashing his face with cold water to snap himself out of it. It’s too early to dwell on feelings.

The sound of the front door opening and promptly slamming shut after is Lu Han’s cue to paint a smug smile on his face and head out of his room. His arms raise over his head, walking on his toes into the living room as his shirt rises up.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Jongdae yells at him.

Lu Han’s arms drop and so does his smile. “Well good fucking morning to you too, sunshine.”

“Don’t you sunshine me, Lu Han,” Jongdae threatens, his cheeks already dusted with pink and that neck vein pulsing. “I ask one thing - one thing - of you and you can’t even do that!”

Lu Han wheezes when Jongdae shoves a large envelope against his chest, forcing him back a few steps. Curious, he opens it to find a stack of pictures inside. He peers at the images, a mild case of guilt - or possibly indigestion - brewing in his stomach. “Huh,” he breathes. “That kinda looks like me. What are the odds?”

Jongdae plucks one of the photographs from Lu Han’s fingers and holds it up, pointing at the back of a man sneaking his way across the street and into the same bar Jongdae had been visiting the night before. “Don’t fuck with me, Lu Han. I’m not in the mood.”

Lu Han shrugs with a grimace. “I thought I was discreet.”

“Discreet?” Jongdae nearly shrieks. “You call a pair of sunglasses that cost more than most people’s cars discreet? What the hell were you even doing?”

“I was curious,” Lu Han snaps and Jongdae takes a step back, some of the anger fading from his face although his posture is still tense.

Jongdae takes in several deep breaths, a hand on his chest and the color fading from his cheeks. “What exactly were you curious about?” His voice is deceptively gentle and Lu Han isn’t fool enough to let down his guard. An angry Jongdae is more prone to snap than a threatened viper.

“You,” he admits weakly. “You never talk about yourself,” Lu Han adds, his grip on the photographs tightening enough to wrinkle the stack.

Jongdae gives Lu Han a sad half-smile that doesn’t make it to his eyes. “Lu Han, you’re not the easiest person to talk to,” Jongdae begins. “Your world begins and ends with you.”

“Yeah, well, my world revolves around you.”

The silence that follows is suffocating. Lu Han rocks back on his heels, fingers trailing through his still messy hair and trying to flatten it out. It’s been a long time since Lu Han’s been nervous and it’s hitting him full force. Jongdae makes his insides feel like they’re suffering from an infestation of small winged creatures trying to flutter their way out. Perhaps tiny dragons because he’s feeling hot all over too.

So Lu Han does what he knows how to do. He puts on his idol face.

“Can I just say that your taste in women is atrocious?” he announces and Jongdae’s eyes narrow. “If you were aiming for a one night stand, I can see why you’re lowering your standards, but that woman all over you last night was laughable.”

“Really?” Jongdae questions, voice tight as he takes a step toward Lu Han.

Lu Han resists the urge to flee for his life. “Really,” he answers with a smirk pulling up the right side of his mouth. “A guy like you could have anyone he wanted.”

Jongdae takes another step forward and Lu Han swallows because they’re so close. He can feel Jongdae’s minty fresh breath on his face, smell his aftershave and see the flecks of light brown in his eyes. “Yeah? Like who?”

Lu Han tips his head down, raising his hand to trail his fingers over Jongdae’s cheek. “Like me.”

Lu Han’s heart is racing and he licks over his lips, anticipating Jongdae’s next move. What he isn’t expecting - although he totally should have - is the sharp pain in his shin from the tip of Jongdae’s shoe connecting hard with the bone and it sends him to his knees. He glares up at Jongdae while putting pressure on what’s going to be a colorful bruise judging by the amount pain radiating from the area.

“You look so pretty on your knees,” Jongdae coos and Lu Han’s eyes grow wide, voice caught in his throat. Jongdae pats Lu Han on the cheek and leaves without preamble, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

Lu Han is left with the weirdest boner of his life.




“I look ridiculous,” Lu Han snaps, gazing in the mirror and attempting to untangle his fingers from his newly colored, or rather, destroyed hair. The strands are coarse and thick, puffing from his head unattractively from all the chemicals used.

Behind him, Jongdae shrugs one shoulder, but he can’t hide the satisfied grin pulling on his lips. “It’s not that bad.”

Lu Han stands, spinning on Jongdae. “It’s white,” he seethes. “I’m not a damn anime character.”

Jongdae coughs and it sounds suspiciously like a covered laugh. “It’s platinum blond and it makes you look less . . . you. I’d call that a good thing.”

“This is revenge, isn’t it,” Lu Han accuses, crossing his arms and tapping his foot as he stares down his manager. “This is because I tried to kiss you, isn’t it?”

Jongdae smiles. “The stylists will be back soon to fix you up for filming. Try not to be snappish.”

“Wait, are you leaving me here? Alone?”

“You’ll be fine.”

Fine is an overstatement. Lu Han has never done well with being plucked and primped and poked at with the exception of one particular stylist who just looked so incredibly delectable. Minseok, Lu Han remembers, was the best stylist Lu Han had ever had, although Lu Han had never had any other stylist who’d given him that fucked out sex hair by actually fucking him in the chair either. The things Minseok’s hands could do to Lu Han’s hair were miraculous. It was a shame he'd found a more permanent significant other. Lu Han could have used the distraction.

His scalp stings from all the tugging, the flat iron straightening out the strands of his poor frazzled hair until they fall in his eyes with a bounce. He dreads to think about how much conditioner his hair is going to need to soak in tonight. Bleach jobs are the worst.

The small room smells like burnt hair, cologne and bb cream by the time they’re finished with him. Lu Han glares at his reflection, resenting his school boy looks because if there’s one thing he isn’t, it’s this innocent facade they’ve given him. With his platinum blond hair and the natural make-up they’ve spread over his face, he looks more like a sixteen year old than the adult he is.

Jongdae slips into the room - Lu Han can see him in the mirror - as the stylists leave, shutting the door behind them. “Well don’t you look precious,” Jongdae announces with far too much smarm for someone in his position. It’s a good thing Lu Han likes him, otherwise he’d have been fired in an instant.

“Was this really necessary? I’m selling hand lotion, not water from the fountain of youth.”

Jongdae scoffs. “You don’t look that good, Lu Han, and the company requested your new hair color. They said it would help clear your reputation if you looked innocent or cute or some shit. I think it’s a load of crap, but seeing your distaste for it is enough for me to be all on board.”

Lu Han scowls at Jongdae’s reflection, huffing like an annoyed child. “I’m twenty-four,” Luhan sneers, nose turned up at the prospect. “I’m over the cute. I’m not cute.”

“You can be when your mouth is shut,” Jongdae fires back without hesitation.

“Tell them I won’t do it. It’s sexy or I walk.”

This time Jongdae fixes a stare on Lu Han that has his stomach lurching. “You do enough sexy in your down time. That’s why we’re here. You’ll stick with the cute concept and you’ll do it without complaint. Oh, and you’ll be needing this.” Jongdae pulls a bottle of hand lotion from his satchel and Lu Han takes one look at it and stands, backing away with his hands up.

“Just take the fucking bottle,” Jongdae sighs, storming over to shove it in Lu Han’s face. Lu Han takes it, cautiously - only touching it with two fingers and staring at it with disdain. “It’s not like it’s the first phallic object to get near that precious mouth of yours so suck it up.”

Jongdae pauses and snorts at his own joke as Lu Han scowls at him.

“If you think I’m going to let you get away with this,” Lu Han warns, his lip curling at the offending bottle still dangling from his fingers.

Jongdae clucks his tongue, unmoved by Lu Han’s threat. “Remember - be cute, Lu Han. Put away the smirks and lip bites and smoldering looks, and bat your eyes like a besotted teenage girl.” Lu Han scowls as Jongdae demonstrates.

Someone knocks on the door before opening it just enough to poke their head through and call Lu Han to the set.

“Remember,” Jongdae trills. “Aegyooooooo.”

By the time Lu Han is on the small set, a faux waterfall behind him and plastic greenery placed to add to the all natural aesthetic, the fight has gone out of him. Fighting with Jongdae isn’t going to get him anywhere. He needs to be - gulp - nice.

The pathetic script they’ve given him is easy to memorize, plastering on a bright smile as the lights overhead burn through his cotton sweater until sweat beads on the back of his neck. It’s sad that for something boasting all natural ingredients, he’s inside and surrounded by plastic and incandescent spotlights.

But that’s what this industry is.

Lu Han the idol is a mask of sweet smiles and carefully chosen polite words all spun to entrance an audience and pull them in. His job depends on coercing people to love him, to want to know him, date him, be him. He charms the masses with ease and yet . . . Lu Han’s eyes dart to where Jongdae is standing to the side, propped against the wall as he watches with disinterest.

Perhaps Lu Han shouldn’t have shown his real personality to Jongdae if he’d hoped for any chance of courting him. It’s too late for that now and - as he reads over his lines with an exaggerated smile and the horrific bottle of lotion up to his mouth - Lu Han wonders how many circles of Hell he’s going to have to suffer through before Jongdae understands that Lu Han isn’t playing around.

The best part of doing a CF is how short filming can be. They get several good takes from start to finish before Lu Han is clapped off the set with smiles and praise, stopping twice for autographs from a few of the staff. Jongdae has a hand pressed to Lu Han’s lower back, guiding him forward and to the changing room. A shiver races up Lu Han’s spine and he looks over his shoulder once at Jongdae, but he doesn’t notice.

Lu Han doesn’t make a fuss, doesn’t complain about his hair or the fact that he’s itchy or uncomfortable. He changes his clothes in silence, ruffling his hair to get out some of the stiffness after pulling on his t-shirt and grabbing his shades to slide on the collar.

Jongdae leads them out to the car and Lu Han chooses to sit in the front passenger seat instead of the back today, slouching down into the leather. The drive is silent, Jongdae driving from the studio back to Lu Han’s apartment because his schedule is done for the day. Lu Han thinks about maybe asking Jongdae to stop off somewhere for a late lunch, or for a drink but neither of those would probably be met with enthusiasm.

“Are you alright?” Jongdae asks after he parks, twisting in his seat to look over at Lu Han with concern.

Lu Han pulls on the door handle and slides out of the vehicle. “Why wouldn’t I be?” And then he shuts the door.

Jongdae follows suit, walking to intercept Lu Han before he can get to the entrance of the building. “You’re not acting like yourself,” he muses. “I’m expecting some sort of verbal, childish explosion and I’d like to be prepared if that’s what you’re planning.”

Lu Han sighs. “I’m fine.

“For someone who gets paid to act, you suck at lying.”

“Have dinner with me.”

Jongdae tilts his head, staring blankly at Lu Han for a moment. “Did the chemicals finally seep through your scalp and into your brain?”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m busy,” Jongdae replies.

“With her?”

“That’s none of your business,” Jongdae snaps, his tone defensive, but it’s not long before the tension bleeds from him and he’s looking at Lu Han sadly. “Get inside before the photographers descend, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Lu Han does as he’s told, hands shoved in his pockets and his teeth worrying his bottom lip. When he steps into his apartment, the silence is nearly overwhelming. He’d always thought more room was better, but right now the empty space is taunting him, mocking him for being alone. So he pulls out a nice bottle of scotch from the cupboard over his refrigerator and twists off the cap.

Drinking will be his catharsis.




Drinking will be his death.

Lu Han valiantly attempts to keep his pillow over his head to block out the bright light even as Jongdae fights with him to steal it away. Jongdae wins.

“I regret giving you the key to my place,” Lu Han groans, squeezing his eyes shut in an effort to subdue the drilling pain behind them.

“Giving is a generous term. I remember having to fight for it.”

The memory floats through Lu Han’s groggy mind and he almost smiles. “You had to touch my butt to get it.”

A sharp jab in his ribs has Lu Han hissing and recoiling, rolling to wrap up in his comforter to provide some sort of protection against Jongdae’s unprovoked attack.

"I see you wear fine well," Jongdae grunts, pushing at Lu Han's back until he rolls all the way to the floor.

The brunt of the impact is absorbed in the thick blanket around him, but Lu Han groans when he opens his eyes to see the room spinning dangerously. "Well I'm obviously not fine right now," he grumbles in reply. "I'm hungover."

Jongdae snorts from his new position on Lu Han's bed. He's on his hands and knees, peering over the edge and Lu Han wonders if Jongdae's managed to get a printed copy of his fantasies because this is dangerously close to one he's had multiple times.

"And you weren't fine yesterday," Jongdae announces, looking irritated that he has to put up with Lu Han's shenanigans so early in the day. Really, he should be used to it by now. "If you don't want to tell me what's going on, that's fine, but if it impedes your job, it's my job to handle it."

Lu Han lets his head fall to the floor gently. "You could definitely handle me."

"Is there a switch I can flip to get you to stop with the innuendos and flirting? I'm starting to think there really isn't anything behind your looks except the libido of a seventeen year old and an overgrown ego."

"There is nothing wrong with having a healthy sex drive," Lu Han comments with a frown, slowly starting to pick his way out of his comforter. Crawling back in bed, however tempting, will be impossible with Jongdae around to stop him.

"Healthy," Jongdae repeats with a roll of his eyes. "Your sex drive will possibly ruin your career if you can't control it. One too many scandals and no one is going to bother with you."

Lu Han sits up enough to prop his head on the mattress between Jongdae's arms. "You will though, won't you? You won't leave me."

Jongdae peers down at Lu Han with a sigh. "Keep this up and I'll be the first to jump ship."

"That's not reassuring!" Lu Han yells at Jongdae's back as he leaves the room, presumably to head to the kitchen.

“When’s the last time you went grocery shopping?” Jongdae yells and Lu Han flops onto the floor in defeat.




It’s been a long while since Lu Han’s had reason to sulk. And right now he’s making up for lost time. It’s all because of Jongdae and the worst part is that Jongdae isn’t caving in and asking him about it. Jongdae continues to take Lu Han to his schedules - a meeting to discuss a new album (called it), a potential movie role and a quick appearance in a nearby mall to stir the pot - and Jongdae performs his job to the letter, but that’s it.

Jongdae doesn’t ask Lu Han how he’s doing. Jongdae doesn’t mention Lu Han’s heavy sighs or meaningful pouts and he certainly doesn’t offer Lu Han his shoulder in his time of Great Need. Lu Han’s feeling the brunt of his emotions and the kicked puppy look isn’t working for him.

Lu Han leans back in his chair, listening to it creak dangerously before dropping back to the floor with a jolt. When he glances over at Jongdae, he finds his manager glaring at him with his arms and legs crossed, the papers in his hand that he’d been reading from, left abandoned on the desk. They’re in a small board room after having just gone through a number of songs Lu Han could record on his next album. (It’s not unusual for Lu Han to pick through a selection of songs written by official company songwriters for his albums, but they let Lu Han write his own title track now that he’s proven himself capable.)

Lu Han had shrugged his way through the entire meeting, uninterested.

“Either you can tell me what crawled up your ass and died, or I’m going to recommend we scrap your entire schedule and send out word that you’re on a much needed break.”

Lu Han narrows his eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

Jongdae simply cocks his head and purses his lips and Lu Han has to restrain himself from lunging at him to throttle the man for the being so blind.

“You really don’t know?” Lu Han asks, testing the water, hopeful.

Jongdae sighs, running both his hands over his face before they fall to his lap. “If this is about finding you someone to screw around with to cure your boredom, then you’re going to have to settle for a blow-up doll.”

“What about you?”

Jongdae looks momentarily scandalized. “I don’t need a blow-up doll.”

Lu Han laughs, his first real laugh in days. “I meant you instead of a toy. I bet you’d even like it.” The look Jongdae gives him is one of exasperation and Lu Han holds up his hand with a shake of his head. “Don’t even bother. I know what you’re going to say.”

“Do you?” Jongdae queries, an eyebrow raised.

Lu Han lets his eyes drag slowly over Jongdae’s form, from lips to shoes and back up to Jongdae’s burning eyes. “Yes.” Slowly, he stands, stretching out the muscles in his arms as Jongdae remains watchful. “I’ll listen to those tracks again at home.”

And that’s the end of the discussion, Lu Han walking out and Jongdae stumbling to keep up this time.

Lu Han fingers the business card in his hand, letting the edge drop to his counter before picking it up again and repeating. Every so often he'll stop and read the number printed on the back in slanted white scrawl that stands a brilliant contrast to the heavy black paper it's printed on - the number he has memorized. He ponders calling, but hesitates long enough to talk himself out of it each time.

"I'm just calling as a friend," Lu Han tells himself, letting out a deep breath and finally pulling up Yixing's number in his phone - the same one on the card that falls to the counter, discarded. On the front reads, "I'm sorry, it's just not working out," in large flowery lettering. The number on the back is one for Lu Han's preferred therapist, someone to call for the person Lu Han hands the card to for their impending broken heart. He found giving out personalized dump cards - as Jongdae calls them - easier than having to face his soon-to-be-ex. It works.

The line rings twice before Yixing picks up. “Lu Han,” he greets without surprise. “It’s been a while. I was wondering when you’d be calling.”

Lu Han’s nose scrunches and he slouches over the top of his kitchen counter, letting the cool marble soothe his burning heart. “Yixing,” he whines only to hear Yixing’s laugh follow. Yixing is one of the few people Lu Han is relaxed around, mainly because they went to high school together and got into all sorts of trouble. They chose different career paths, but never lost touch and Lu Han finds comfort in his oldest friend.

“So this is a personal call then.” Lu Han makes a small noise of affirmation through the receiver and lets the silence settle around him. After a minute, Yixing huffs out a short laugh. “Does this need to be face-to-face?” he offers, knowing how Lu Han can get tongue-tied in the face of personal quandaries.

“No,” Lu Han answers after a moment’s thought. The old Lu Han - pre-Jongdae Lu Han - would have jumped at the chance to experience the magic of Yixing’s hips, but it doesn’t even sound remotely enticing anymore.

“Are you broken?” Yixing jests, only to sound serious when all he gets is a soft groan in response. “Holy shit, did someone finally tame you?”

“What do I do?” Lu Han asks. “He’s immune to my natural charms. I’ve never had to work to get someone to go out with me before.”

“You mean your natural charms or your idol charms?” Yixing inquires with a knowing tone in his voice.

“Both? I mean, he’s my manager so obviously he sees the idol me, but now that I want to actually date him and not just fuck him, he doesn’t believe me. Or he’s straight.”

“Please,” Yixing responds and Lu Han can hear Yixing’s eyes roll. “You’re everyone’s type.”

“Then how do I make him believe me?”

"Sounds like you're going to have to put some work into this one," Yixing observes with a light hum. "You can't just tell him; you have to show him, convince him, seduce him and be sincere about it." Yixing pauses. "And don't use any of your lines," he adds as an afterthought.

"But what if that doesn't work?"

"One problem at a time," Yixing answers. "Try being honest and if that doesn't sweep him off his feet, then we'll figure something else out."

Lu Han lets out a sigh, knowing Yixing is right. He just has to be himself - or the self that isn't an insatiable horndog as Jongdae is so keen to point out. "Thanks, Xing."

"Of course. What are friends for if not to entice some poor innocent man into your bed?"

Lu Han snorts, finally sitting up from his position on the counter. The marble is warm now, but his cheek is cold and he rubs over it. "So how're things with you? Did you ever get that bartender - what was his name again? - to let you psychoanalyze him?"

Yixing barks out a laugh and Lu Han has really missed this. He's been so caught up in himself that he hadn't realized how much he needed the normalcy of simply catching up with an old friend. No matter how much time passes between phone calls or visits, just hearing Yixing’s voice is enough to put Lu Han at ease.




Being sincere and sweet - which Lu Han can be when he tries - is easier said than done when Jongdae seems intent on bringing out the worst qualities in him.

"A cooking show," Lu Han deadpans. "You let them schedule me for a cooking show?"

Jongdae looks pleased with himself, only casting Lu Han a momentary glance before going back to the tablet in his hands. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I can't cook!" Lu Han exclaims, complete with a stomp of his foot. It's a good thing they're sequestered in a small dressing room or Lu Han would be drawing a crowd.

“As your manager, I feel that it’s my responsibility to teach you something of value for the poor bastard you eventually force into some form of contracted relationship. Your pretty face is only going to get you so far.”

“I’m not pretty,” Lu Han spits, seething. Jongdae makes it so hard and Lu Han is wondering what it is about Jongdae that makes him all that great. Sure he knows how to handle Lu Han’s moods and he’s ridiculously, unfairly hot, but there are other men out there with the same qualifications aren’t there?

Lu Han doesn’t think his day can get any worse until the door opens and in walks the last person he wants to see. Kyungsoo stops in his tracks, eyes wide in disbelief as Lu Han mirrors his reaction. There’s a cold ball of dread that sinks down Lu Han’s throat to drop in his stomach when Kyungsoo narrows his eyes at him, plush lips pursed in a thin line. Behind him, Joonmyun - Kyungsoo’s manager - appears amused before stepping around Kyungsoo to join Jongdae.

Of all the flings and one night stands Lu Han has in his ledger, Kyungsoo is the one he handled the worst. Sweet, willing, oh so seductive Kyungsoo turned out to be a soul-sucking ball crusher when dumped. Perhaps Lu Han could have been a little gentler about it. (He’d left a dump card on Kyungsoo’s pillow before sneaking out before dawn a full two weeks into their relationship.)

Lu Han slowly, so as to not antagonize the beast, side steps his way to Jongdae. “Are you trying to get me murdered on television?” he hisses in Jongdae’s ear.

Joonmyun chuckles and Lu Han resents even knowing that Joonmyun’s getting some sort of pleasure out of this. Not that Lu Han can really blame him because it was Joonmyun Lu Han had dumped to get into Kyungsoo’s pants. Joonmyun, however, was a far better sport about it.

It’s none too soon when Lu Han is called for makeup, slipping out of the room even as Kyungsoo threatens to burn a hole in his head. If he can just keep cool during the broadcast, perhaps he can get through this broadcast unscathed.

Ten minutes in, with Kyungsoo standing directly on Lu Han’s foot behind the makeshift kitchen counter, he figures mostly unscathed is still acceptable. But he should have known better. Kyungsoo is the picture of innocence, even blushing as the hostess compliments him and Lu Han has to muffle the sound of pain when something sharp stabs into his side.

It’s gone a moment later, the potato peeler conveniently slid back onto the counter without anyone the wiser. His side smarts, but he puts on a smile for the camera, hoping he isn’t making a complete fool out of himself in front of the live audience.

Lu Han makes a complete mess of cooking, which is to be expected, but it’s easy to play on it, smiling bashfully and explaining that his ideal type will cook for him so he doesn’t have to. He has them all eating out of his palm, the audience cooing at him. And then comes the pain, Lu Han sucking in a sharp breath as Kyungsoo’s pestle grinds down on the back of his hand until he's close to turning around and attacking his co-guest.

The camera pans down and Kyungsoo is gone, weapon back on the counter and a pleased, triumphant look on his face.

Lu Han makes it out alive, but cursing Jongdae and Kyungsoo both under his breath while trying not to drop the smile until he’s backstage. “Is my career a game to you?” Lu Han growls at Jongdae as soon as the door shuts behind him. He doesn’t even care that Joonmyun is still there, sitting at the table with Jongdae as they converse.

Jongdae blinks up at him. “Is there a problem? Are you incapable of acting like a likeable person for an hour?”

Lu Han clenches his teeth and breathes out through his nose, resisting every urge to either punch the smug look off Jongdae’s face or kiss it. “You know there’s bad blood between Kyungsoo and I and you still -”

“Put you up in front of an audience of your fans who are aware of your past rumored history with Kyungsoo to prove that those rumors were baseless and untrue. Part of my job is maintaining your image, Lu Han. I know what I’m doing.”

Lu Han scowls at Jongdae, feeling as if he’s been scolded like a small child. Joonmyun excuses himself, patting Lu Han on the shoulder for luck before heading out the door to track down Kyungsoo. “You could have warned me so I was prepared.”

“And listen to you bitch about it incessantly? No. I did what was best.”

“He physically assaulted me out there!” Lu Han yells. He can still feel the sting in his side and the throbbing that goes along with the red circle on the top of his hand.

Jongdae rolls his eyes. “It can’t have been that bad if no one saw it. Besides, you’re the one who turned him into a jilted lover.”

Lu Han sighs, slumping in defeat. How is it that he can never get the upperhand? “Can we just go now?”

With a soft look of understanding, Jongdae quickly packs his things back into his satchel. On their way out, he pauses, a hand on Lu Han’s lower back to push him gently toward the door. “I have some pain killers in the car, but don’t take them on an empty stomach.”

“Have dinner with me,” Lu Han blurts out, stumbling toward the door. “It’s the least you can do for putting me through all this.”

“I’m taking you home,” Jongdae says firmly, walking around Lu Han to open the door and leave him behind.

Lu Han has to jog to catch up. “We can grab takeout then, make it a night in; we can eat, watch a movie, maybe make out a little.”

Jongdae shakes his head, picking up the pace to get out of the building with Lu Han on his heels. ““Go peddle your mediocre dick game to someone who might actually buy it.”

There’s an unpleasant lurch in Lu Han’s chest at Jongdae’s blatant refusal and it’s just so damn frustrating. “Fine. But if you’re not going to take me asking you on a date seriously, please at least stop wearing skinny jeans. Your thighs are killing my will to live.”

Jongdae gives Lu Han a withering look that has him shrinking back. “Just get in the damn car.”





Something is off today.

Lu Han lays in bed, staring at his ceiling and wondering what it is that’s niggling at him. His covers are warm, the sunlight dim through the curtains and he sighs heavily, wondering what the hell could possibly be keeping him from sleeping in.

With a grunt, he rolls to bury his face between his pillows, hoping it’ll help block out everything so he can rest. It doesn’t work. He’s too jittery, too curious as to what’s out of place and it’s aggravating.

The tinkling of his ringtone fills the room and Lu Han suddenly sits up, batting at his nightstand to grab the device. “You aren’t here!” he exclaims in lieu of a greeting. That’s what had been wrong. Jongdae isn’t yelling at him to get his lazy ass out of bed because he’s late.

There’s a sniffle on the other end and Jongdae’s voice cracks when he speaks. “Obviously,” he replies. “You’re going to have to drive yourself to the company for your meeting with the producer. I’ve emailed you your schedule and there’s nothing you can’t handle without me.”

Instantly, Lu Han’s heart melts and he winces when he hears Jongdae coughing through the speaker. He envisions Jongdae laying alone in a small bed somewhere, his face waxy and covered in sweat, abandoned by his cold-hearted girlfriend to fend for himself while he wastes away. “Are you taking medicine? Do you have food you can eat, or can you eat? Wait, water - you’re keeping hydrated, right? If you need - “

“Lu han!” Jongdae yells and Lu Han’s rambling stops. He’s clutching his sheets dramatically, imagining Jongdae in the most dire of situations all alone. “I’ll be fine. I know how to take care of myself. You focus on taking care of you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There’s a finality in Jongdae’s commanding tone, but Lu Han pays no heed to it. He’s not about to let one of the very few people he cares about be miserable when there’s something he can do to help. The producer can wait.

Lu Han manages to throw on something wearable in public - just in case - while darting from the bathroom to the kitchen, preparing porridge and attempting to make sense of his hair at the same time. In the end, he thinks he looks rather dashing when he shows up on Jongdae’s doorstep, porridge in hand after sweet talking his manager’s address from one of the higher up secretaries in the company. (It’s a little unfair that Jongdae is allowed to invade Lu Han’s home at any time of day, but it takes a small army to discover where Jongdae lives.)

He knocks softly, fidgeting nervously as he tries to flatten his hair in the reflection of the thermos. The door opens and Lu Han thrusts the thermos forward into . . . not Jongdae’s face. “You’re not Jongdae,” he says smartly.

There’s something about the slight man leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and a smile curling up one side of mouth, that pulls at Lu Han’s memory, but he can’t quite catch why. He’s greeted with a pair of eyes scraping over him from head to toe and even in his expensive jeans and shirt, Lu Han feels judgement radiating off the man.

“I was told not to let you in.” His eyes flicker to the thermos Lu Han is now clutching against his chest. “Especially if you have porridge.”

Lu Han huffs. “My porridge is amazing and Jongdae would know that if he’d man up and try it.”

“Maybe we can trick him into it,” the man suggests and Lu Han decides he likes him. “I’m Baekhyun,” he introduces as he ushers Lu Han into the small apartment. There isn’t a lot of space, but it’s all filled with photos and snapshots of memories scattered over shelves and walls. It’s colorful and warm and Lu Han suddenly thinks about his own, mostly monochrome home and it feels cold, lonely.

“I’m surprised to see you here. Jongdae told me you’d probably just stay at home and ignore your meeting later, then complain that he wasn’t around to make sure you got there.”

Lu Han frowns, but mostly because that does sound like something he would do.

“Don’t worry,” Baekhyun says with a wave of his hand. “Jongdae inherently thinks the worst of everyone as some weird form of self-preservation. It took me years to con him into being my friend.”

Baekhyun beams at Lu Han and holds his hand out, plucking the thermos from Lu Han’s tight grip. Lu Han’s entire reason for coming over has been deemed moot with Baekhyun’s presence and he thinks about leaving, but this is his real first chance at proving to Jongdae that he’s serious. So he takes the opportunity to follow after Baekhyun, leaning against the wall to observe the man going through Jongdae’s cabinets.

“So what does he think of me?” Lu Han queries only to be met with a mischievous smile.

“That you’re a pompous, air-headed, arrogant bastard with - “

“Seriously?” he cuts in, his ego deflating under the assault.

Baekhyun peers over at Lu Han as he twists the top of the thermos off. “You should feel fortunate. Jongdae has a weakness for assholes, especially the egotistical ones with pretty faces.”

Lu Han’s too taken aback to bristle at the term pretty being used to describe him. “Baekhyun you have to help me,” Lu Han gets out in a rush, his voice low just in case Jongdae is lurking.

Baekhyun looks contemplative, giving Lu Han the once over again. “Do you really have feelings for him? Because if you think I’m helping you get into his pants just to drop him like one of your flings, I will hunt you down and cut off your balls with a butter knife.”

Lu Han shudders at the mental image. “I can promise you that I want more than sex from Jongdae. He just won’t take me seriously.”

“No surprise there,” Baekhyun mutters. He sighs, going back to pouring the still steaming porridge into a bowl. “Yes, Jongdae is attracted to you,” Baekhyun finally admits. “And he absolutely hates that he likes you, so don’t get too confident just yet.”

Lu Han chews on his lip contemplatively because something doesn’t add up. “But doesn’t Jongdae have someone already?” he voices more to himself than to Baekhyun.

“Jongdae’s been depressingly single for years,” Baekhyun answers with a short laugh. “I’ve tried to help, but he’s resistant. You’d think he’d appreciate my efforts; it’s not everyday you have someone as wonderful as me dress up as a woman to make him look more appealing.”

Lu Han nearly chokes on his spit. “The woman at the bar!” he exclaims. “That was you?!”

Baekhyun turns, hip-cocked and eyes narrowed with a smug grin on his mouth. Lu Han imagines Baekhyun in makeup, his hair longer and wow he should have put that together sooner. “I make a gorgeous woman, if I do say so myself. Jongdae should have appreciated it more.”

A curt cough at the door to the small kitchen startles both men and they turn, guiltily, to see Jongdae standing there with a fluffy orange comforter wrapped around his body. He looks tired, unwell and Lu Han has to remind himself that rushing over to coax Jongdae back into bed to rest would probably be met with disdain and a few well aimed kicks.

“I indulged you so you could live out your crossdressing fantasies,” Jongdae rasps. “And I distinctly remember you leaving with someone else at the end of the night.”

“Would you look at the time,” Baekhyun observes with a cheeky grin, darting out of the room before Jongdae can move to stop him. “You two don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” he calls out just before Lu Han hears the front door shut.

Jongdae glances at the bowl of porridge on the counter and the thermos beside it. “I’m not eating that,” he croaks. “And you’re supposed to be in a meeting.”

“I took a sick day.”

The way Jongdae stares at him has Lu Han shrinking down like a scolded puppy, but he offers no other excuse. With an exasperated sigh, Jongdae turns and shuffles off toward his room. “I give up,” he grumbles.

Lu Han follows, curious eyes drinking in the litany of colors and decorations all over Jongdae’s bedroom. His bed is covered in comforters that don’t match and half a dozen old pillows and the mattress sinks down when Jongdae curls up on it, still cocooned in his blanket. It takes Lu Han all of two seconds to slip off his shoes and crawl up beside Jongdae to cuddle. There’s an entire blanket separating them, but Lu Han still fits an arm around Jongdae and settles against his back.

“Why are you really here?” Jongdae asks as soon as Lu Han has stopped shifting around to get comfortable. “If you wanted to make fun of my sick face, you could have asked for a picture.”

Lu Han barely hears him, too distracted by how the entire bed smells so much like Jongdae. He’d bury his face in the pillows to inhale deeply if it wasn’t creepy. “I wanted to take care of you like you always take care of me,” Lu Han explains, his cheeks burning with the beginnings of a blush. It’s such an odd thing, Lu Han being flustered, that it only makes him flush harder.

Jongdae rolls over, looking up at Lu Han with his red nose and sneeze-watery eyes. “Why?”

Lu Han’s never seen Jongdae look so vulnerable, his guard down and it makes his heart squeeze in his chest. He’s never wanted to protect someone so much. “Because I like you. I say it and you don’t listen, but maybe now you will.”

It’s clear that Jongdae still doesn’t believe him and, really, Lu Han has nothing left to lose so he goes for it. Jongdae doesn’t suspect a thing and Lu Han manages to dip low enough to leave a soft, chaste kiss on his lips before pulling away, his heart attempting to flutter up his throat. Jongdae stares up at him, shrinking back with wide eyes.

“Don’t do that,” Jongdae chides, but there’s no strength behind his words. “You’ll get sick.”

“You’ll get sick,” Lu Han sing-songs, grinning as he leans down to press another kiss to Jongdae’s slightly chapped lips. “Is that the best excuse you have?”

Jongdae weakly shoves at Lu Han’s chest, but his face is redder than before and all the abrasiveness Lu Han is used to is gone, replaced by a shy, almost timid look. Lu Han carefully sweeps sweaty strands of hair from Jongdae’s forehead before trailing his fingers down Jongdae’s face, thumbing over his cheek and to his mouth. “I’m really going to kiss you now,” he warns.

Jongdae breathes in sharply through his nose just as Lu Han kisses him, lips firm together and Jongdae leaning in instead of trying to pull away. Warmth spreads in Lu Han’s chest, filtering into his veins and he feels light-headed, giddy even as Jongdae kisses him back. When they break apart, Lu Han doesn’t even fight the ridiculous grin that spreads over his face.

“You’re really going to get sick if you don’t stop,” Jongdae chides.

“Stop what?” Lu Han drops a kiss on Jongdae’s mouth before he can answer.

“That,” Jongdae breathes.

Lu Han kisses him again. “That?”

“That,” Jongdae affirms, but when Lu Han goes back in, Jongdae pulls him forward and holds him steady for longer.

“Worth it,” Lu Han teases, only to be dragged in for another series of kisses that threatens to drive him a little crazy.




Lu Han wakes up in Jongdae’s bed the next morning, aching everywhere and with half his nose stopped up. He can barely breathe and moving leaves him dizzy, falling back down into the fluffy pillows. Beside him, Jongdae looks much better; Lu Han likes to think it’s because he spent the entire day waiting on him, feeding him and snuggling him to sleep.

Lu Han sneezes.

“I told you you’d get sick,” Jongdae announces with a grin.

Lu Han sniffles. “Worth it.”





Lu Han wakes up in Jongdae’s bed for the second morning (technically afternoon) in a row, convinced he’s in a fantasy when he’s greeted with Jongdae’s smiling face and not a scowl. But then Jongdae is rolling Lu Han off the mattress and to the floor, and reality snaps into place.

“What was that for?” Lu Han whines, rubbing his aching hip.

“This is ridiculous,” Jongdae huffs, peering at Lu Han over the side of the bed, his own hair still sleep mussed. “You can’t keep taking days off.”

“You’re my manager,” Lu Han taunts, smirking up at Jongdae. “Aren’t you supposed to keep me in line?”

Lu Han almost wants to take his words back as Jongdae crawls off the bed, hovering over where Lu Han is still helpless on the floor. Almost. He swallows, cock already stirring in his boxers as Jongdae settles directly on it, his ass warm even through two layers of cloth.

“You want me to keep you in line?” Jongdae damn near purrs and it sends a shiver down Lu Han’s spine and all the way to his toes. Jongdae trails his fingers over the skin just above Lu Han’s boxers from where his shirt had ridden up during the fall. The air in Lu Han’s lungs freezes and he stares up at the man over him reverently. Jongdae leans down, his breath hot on Lu Han’s face when he speaks. “It looks to me like you’re already where you belong.”

Lu Han can’t help taking the bait. “And where is that?”

Jongdae smirks. “Under me.”

Lu Han groans out a soft, “fuck,” before rising enough to kiss Jongdae, nipping at his lower lip before teasing over it with a lick. Jongdae forces Lu Han back onto the floor and his head hits with a loud noise. Lu Han’s noise of pain is muffled in Jongdae’s mouth, soothing over the sting with his tongue and the warmth of his body. His palms settle on Jongdae’s hips, fingertips gripping tight when Jongdae rocks against him purposefully.

By Lu Han’s standards, he’s gone a long time without sex and Jongdae is the forbidden fruit, but he’s not so forbidden anymore and Lu Han can’t wait to sink his teeth into him. He tries to lift, but Jongdae pushes him back down. Lu Han can feel Jongdae’s smile against his mouth.

“Did I say you could move?”

His full body shudder doesn’t go unnoticed and Jongdae threads his fingers in Lu Han’s hair gently, kissing the corner of his mouth and leaving a trail to his ear. “Good boy,” he whispers and Lu Han truly feels like he’s going to explode.

The grip in Lu Han’s hair tightens and Lu Han hisses when Jongdae pulls back sharply. Jongdae’s other hand teases along Lu Han’s neck, skimming over his adam’s apple with a gentle pressure that has Lu Han swallowing.

“If you want anything more from me,” Jongdae begins, voice low and still a little gravelly from his cold, “you have to behave. No more acting out, no more scandals and,” he emphasizes by tugging even harder on Lu Han’s hair, “no more fucking around with anyone but me.”

Lu Han drags his hands up Jongdae’s sides, grabbing hold of him firmly. “As long as I have you, I won’t need anyone else.”

Jongdae’s face cracks and he drops his head with a pained noise. “What did I do to deserve this? I take it back; you can fuck anyone you want, just leave me out of it.” He makes to get up, but Lu Han is quicker, his arms around Jongdae’s waist to pull him face-to-face.

“But you’re the only one I want,” he teases, nosing at Jongdae’s cheek as Jongdae tries to squirm away, embarrassment staining his cheeks pink.

“You’re the fucking worst,” Jongdae complains even as he finally goes lax, deadweight in Lu Han’s arms.

Lu Han hums, content with cuddling on the floor - or mostly content because Jongdae is still sitting on his dick and his dick is definitely taking an active interest. And Jongdae seems to notice too because he’s moving his hips, rocking gently with a low chuckle as Lu Han’s dick twitches, hardening.

Lu Han’s fingers twist in Jongdae’s shirt, his mouth searching for Jongdae’s as he indulges in the heat, the slow mounting pleasure that spreads from between his legs and into the rest of his body. This time, when Lu Han moves, Jongdae doesn’t try to stop him. Lu Han struggles, trying to balance Jongdae’s weight now that Jongdae’s wrapped his legs around Lu Han’s waist as he slowly lifts from the floor. They land mostly on the mattress, Jongdae already working on ridding Lu Han of his shirt and, well, Lu Han figures it’s only fair to take off Jongdae’s too.

Jongdae’s eyes are warm, inquisitive, as his hands explore, thumbs flicking over Lu Han’s nipples. His lips quirk into a smug smile when Lu Han makes a quiet noise in the back of his throat.

Lu Han wants so much; he wants to touch, to learn what makes Jongdae scream, what makes him moan, what makes him dig his nails into Lu Han’s back and leave marks for days. He finally gets to pin Jongdae beneath him, and kiss his way down the column of Jongdae’s neck and to his chest. Lu Han listens to Jongdae’s breathing steadily growing heavier, soft whines filtering into the room as Lu Han slides down enough to leave a dark mark low on Jongdae’s stomach - one that will certainly be there for a while.

There are so many things Lu Han wants to do to Jongdae - tease him, taste him, fuck him and be fucked by him, but he’s still weak from being sick and he only has the energy for one. Lu Han rises to his knees, about to pull off his boxers, but Jongdae beats him to it and then shimmies out of his own one leg at a time.

Jongdae is gorgeous naked and Lu Han groans at the sight, taking a moment to admire the planes of muscle, the flush that runs down his chest, the way his cock lays curved against his stomach.

“If you’re going to sit there like an idiot, you could at least be useful and grab the lube and condoms from my dresser.”

With a fond sigh, Lu Han does as he’s told, holding up the pair of small black lace panties he finds in the drawer and glancing back at Jongdae. “Later,” Jongdae promises. Amidst the toys and other decidedly naughty looking costume pieces, Lu Han finally finds the lube - strawberry scented - and condoms.

“You and I are going to go through everything in that drawer,” Lu Han tells Jongdae as soon as he’s back over him, Jongdae’s hands running down Lu Han’s back to grab his ass.

Jongdae nips at Lu Han’s ear, rolling his hips up impatiently. “You have to earn the drawer.”

Lu Han kisses Jongdae with fervor, pushing him deep into the mattress as he flicks open the cap on the lube. The scent of strawberries fills his nose and Jongdae’s legs fall open before Lu Han’s even touched him. He’s so fucking eager, so willing to let Lu Han have him and under all the lust and hormones, Lu Han’s heart thuds with a different emotion.

Jongdae keens when Lu Han feels around his rim, slicking it up before pushing the tip of his finger inside. A roll of Jongdae’s hip has it slipping in further and Jongdae makes a noise that Lu Han wants to hear again. He busies himself sucking a nice, possessive mark on Jongdae’s shoulder as he works him open, one finger soon becoming two. They slip so easily into Jongdae, spreading him apart as Jongdae ruts down on them.

Lu Han adds more lube, lets it drip down Jongdae’s crack and around his hole before he pushes back in with three fingers. Jongdae’s nails dig into Lu Han’s back, using him as leverage to push down faster, lifting his hips impatiently.

The condom package proves to be problematic, but Jongdae takes it from Lu Han’s slippery hands and tears it open quickly, using both hands to roll it down Lu Han’s cock. He pushes into the ring of Jongdae’s fingers before batting them away so he can wipe the rest of the lube over himself.

“Come on,” Jongdae urges, hooking his calves around Lu Han’s thighs to bring him closer.

Lu Han nearly huffs out a laugh, but he’s just as ready. He drags his cock over Jongdae’s balls and to his stretched entrance, pausing. “Last chance to back out.”

Jongdae glares up at him, both arms snaking around Lu Han’s neck. “If you don’t get in me right now, I swear -”

Jongdae cuts off with the most beautiful moan Lu Han’s heard in his life, the crown of his cock opening Jongdae wide. The rest slips in easily with a squelch that goes mostly unheard, Jongdae coaxing a moan out of Lu Han with the way he clenches around him. Lu Han needs a moment to breathe, but Jongdae doesn’t give it to him.

Jongdae lifts his hips, head back and mouth open, the vein on his neck drawing Lu Han’s attention. Lu Han fixes his mouth to it as he surges forward, fucking as far into Jongdae as he can before pulling out slowly, only to push back in hard. Jongdae encourages Lu Han to keep going, praise spilling from his lips that contradicts everything he’s ever said about Lu Han before.

Lu Han thrusts into Jongdae with a ferocity he didn’t think he could muster, the sound of their skin slapping and unbroken moans filling the small room. There’s no finesse, the two of them moving too fast, too desperate for it to be anything but overwhelming as the bed shakes under them.

Jongdae is better than anything he’d imagined, his hips moving earnestly, his nails digging into Lu Han’s ass to push him deeper, his breathy moans of encouragement zipping straight to Lu Han’s cock. He wants to be the best Jongdae’s ever had, wants to fuck him until Jongdae can’t walk, can’t think, can’t want anyone other than Lu Han.

Jongdae’s eyes roll back, his movements jerky and Lu Han reaches between them to fist Jongdae’s cock, stroking him off to the rhythm of his thrusting. It feels like a vice squeezing around Lu Han’s cock when Jongdae comes, his back bowing off the bed and thighs clamping around Lu Han’s waist. It’s a beautiful sight.

Lu Han fucks Jongdae through his orgasm, doesn’t stop the hand on Jongdae’s cock until his body goes lax and he collapses onto the mattress with a soft whimper. His eyes are half-lidded, burning as he stares up at Lu Han. Jongdae’s hair is a mess, sticking up in all directions from sweat, his face is red and his breathing labored and Lu Han drinks it all in.

Lu Han pulls out, sliding off the condom hastily to jerk himself off. Jongdae looks surprised, but only for a moment before he takes over, his fingers warm and tight as Lu Han thrusts through them. Jongdae sits up, pulling Lu Han into a kiss, and Lu Han comes with Jongdae’s tongue in his mouth and Jongdae’s deft hand still pulling at his cock.

There’s a sticky mess on Jongdae’s stomach that Lu Han ignores in favor of collapsing mostly over Jongdae as he tries to catch his breath. He doesn’t even care that Jongdae is combing through his hair with his dirty hand - mostly because they’re both going to end up in the shower soon anyway.

“Does that qualify for the drawer?” Lu Han asks, mostly as a joke, his voice muffled in the blanket his face is buried in.

“Definitely,” Jongdae answers, fingers skating up Lu Han’s side affectionately. And then Jongdae pinches Lu Han’s side, forcing him to sit up fast enough for his head to spin.

“What the hell was that for?”

“Taking the day off,” Jongdae says and then pinches him again. “Don’t even think about backing out of tomorrow’s schedule. You have a red carpet appearance to make.”

Lu Han groans about Jongdae being unfair and ends up with a soft punch in the chest and a scathing look for his efforts. Lu Han sighs. Some things will always stay the same.




Lu Han is up early for a change, admiring the view from the living room window and enjoying the sunlight warming his skin. The night before had been easy enough. All he had to do was rub elbows with other celebrities on the red carpet, pose for a few photos and talk to a reporter before he’d been ushered inside to spend the rest of the evening eating expensive appetizers and drinking champagne all in the name of fashion.

(However, the reason he’s awake and not hiding under a mountain of pillows is because he didn’t pick anyone up. Jongdae had been asleep when a tipsy Lu Han had called and he’d been instructed to go straight home or else. Lu Han told him he sounded cute when he was jealous and then hung up, teetering into a cab alone.)

Jongdae makes his appearance half an hour later and Lu Han instantly reverses his decision to kiss his new boyfriend when he sees the vein on Jongdae’s neck pulse.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Jongdae accuses and, for once, Lu Han has no idea what Jongdae’s talking about. It must be obvious because Jongdae is digging a paper out of his satchel. He clears his throat before he begins reading. “Lu Han says of his scandalous past, and I quote, Those days are behind me. I’ve finally found someone who can handle me - my manager.”

“Well the way you say it makes it sound dirty,” Lu Han comments flippantly.

Jongdae balls the article in his fist. “I asked you not to get into any scandals!”

“And I didn’t!” Lu Han exclaims. “I just told them the truth.” Lu Han rocks back on his heels. “Besides, you should thank me. Two more fansites opened up dedicated to you after that article posted. One of them has an affinity for your thighs.”

Jongdae stares at Lu Han in wonder. “You have to be joking.”

Lu Han takes a seat on his couch, patting the cushion beside him for Jongdae to join him as he opens up his laptop. He’d found the sites early this morning while perusing pictures of himself in a tux from the night before. Even blond, he still rocks a black suit and tie.

Jongdae settles next to Lu Han with a defeated sigh and Lu Han looks down at him. “Why aren’t you wearing the same pants you were in earlier?” he inquires. There’s nothing wrong with the dark grey slacks he’s in now, but the navy ones he’d been in had clung more to his ass.

“Why would you think I changed?”

Lu Han clicks over to a tab dedicated to his favorite Jongdae fan site, scrolling to a picture of him leaving the company this morning. Jongdae looks less than impressed.

“How is this not considered creepy?”

Lu Han shrugs. “You get used to it. You should see what they’re saying about you.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Oh come on, you’re not the least bit curious?”

Jongdae directs a baleful look at Lu Han, but soon drops it in defeat. “Whatever.”

Lu Han seizes the opportunity to scroll down to his favorite one and points to the caption for Jongdae to read.

“Just look at those thighs. I’d love to push him into a chair and ride him like a stallion.”

Lu Han turns to Jongdae and swings his leg over his thighs, settling on Jongdae’s lap. “It sounds to me like your fan has a really wonderful idea.”

Jongdae’s hands rest on Lu Han’s hips and the manager is gone, replaced with the boyfriend. “I bet it’s been a while since you’ve had a good ride,” he teases.

It has been a long time, but Lu Han shows Jongdae that he still knows what he’s doing when - twenty minutes and one lube accident later - he’s sinking down on Jongdae’s cock, feet on the floor to keep the chair from rolling. It’s the only chair Lu Han owns that won’t stain, but now that Jongdae’s cock is lodged up his ass, he doesn’t care.

Jongdae’s hands hold Lu Han’s cheeks apart as he thrusts into Lu Han’s ass with sharp, quick jabs that have Lu Han nearly screaming and pulling at his own hair. Lu Han pushes up with the balls of his feet, bouncing on Jongdae’s cock as the pleasure builds, twists, snaps. He tips forward when he comes, face in Jongdae’s neck, begging him not to pull out. Jongdae plants his feet on the floor and slams into Lu Han until he comes, his cock pulsing and Lu Han shuddering from the enjoyable ache that follows.

“Is this how we’re going to start every day?” Jongdae jokes, head lolling back to rest on the chair.

Lu Han leaves a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “If we’re lucky.”
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chenandluhan

November 2014

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