Chapter Text
It’s been about an hour since Dan left his office. Jaekyung is leaning back, feet kicked up on the coffee table, staring up at the ceiling as if looking for an answer to all of his confusion. Jaekyung was not used to being on this end of a cat and mouse game. He was so used to being the one in control. Being the one pulling the strings. But now? Now his own heart was being toyed with. Dan unintentionally had this monstrous man on a leash. Jaekyung didn’t know how to feel and it scared the sh*t out of him. Finally, a ring from his phone broke the overwhelming silence in his office. He answered the call without looking at the caller ID.
-Now is not a good time.
-Now, now Jaekyung. That’s not a proper way to answer a phone call.
It was Heesung, of all people that could have called. He sighed and was tempted to just hang up.
-Before you ultimately hang up on me, I just wanted to ask you something.
-What is it?
-Dan, was it? Is he going to be our new photographer?
-MY new photographer.
-Well given that he is working for the agency and not directly contracted to you, I would say he is OURS.
-I swear, if you even think about laying a hand on him, I’ll f*cking kill you,
-Ah! There it is.
Before Jaekyung could respond. There was a knock on his door. As soon as he jiggled the knob to open the door, Heesung was standing there and nonchalantly pushed his way past his ‘friend’.
“Things have gotten quite entertaining around here lately. Right, Jaeky? Now why have you been acting so out of character? Hmm?”
“Shut the f*ck up and get out. I am really in no mood to entertain you right now. My head is all f*cked up right now and I don’t need you making it worse.”
“Don’t do this again Jae. You shouldn’t keep your emotions bottled up. I thought the therapy you received after you retired from the MFC helped you to better navigate your emotions. This looks like a huge leap backwards if you ask me. I am the closest thing you have to a friend and you know it. Now speak up.”
Jaekyung looked Heesung up and down. First with a look of disgust, ’Who does this f*cker think he is?’ Next with confusion ‘How the f*ck am I supposed to open up if i don’t even know what the f*ck is happening in my own damn head?’ Then finally, he dropped his gaze in defeat.
“Heesung. I don’t even know what the f*ck is happening to me. How can I open up if I can’t even figure out how or what I’m feeling?”
“Start with what you do know. What do you feel when you see Dan?”
“f*ck, I don’t know? Happy I guess? Nervous?”
“Jaekyung. Breath and be an adult. Jeez, It's hard to believe we are the same age sometimes.”
“f*ck you. Haaa… My heart feels tight. Like the moment I see him, it starts to feel like he’s tied a loop around it. The moment he speaks or even smiles, it's like he is pulling on the strings around my heart. God, I sound sappy as sh*t” Jaekyung scoffs and runs a hand over his temples.
“Jaekyung, Who. The. f*ck. Cares how ‘sappy’ it sounds? You’re allowed to express yourself. It sounds like you’ve fallen for him already.”
“I don’t believe in that ‘love at first sight’ bullsh*t. We barely know each other. I’ve been trying to convince myself that I'll get over it. That it’s just some weird infatuation I have.”
“Are you only trying to convince yourself because you’re used to being the one that's running away? Not the one chasing? The one making the first move? Or the fact that you have to try harder than flashing a smile at Dan for him to come running to you?”
“I’ve never been in this position, ok? I am confused as sh*t and I don’t know what to do. Aren’t friends supposed to tell the other what to do or some sh*t? Help me out here.”
“Pretty with our words aren’t we? Do you even want my help though? I don’t know if you’ll even be able to follow what I would instruct you to do.”
“I am pretty confident in myself. You should know that better than anyone else. Just spit it out already, I’m aging here.”
“Uh-huh… I’ll get straight to the point. Become his friend first. Get to know him! Don’t treat him like some quick piece of ass. It’s quite obvious that your heart feels for this man, not just the monster below your waist. Take him out on dates and understand who he is as a person before you even try anything else.”
“You make me sound like some kind of sex obsessed demon. I’m pretty sure I can handle something as simple as that.”
“Aren’t you though? Do you even remember the names or faces of the people you’ve slept with? You lack a lot in the romantic category too. When was the last time you even had a proper date?”
“Of course I do! Don’t be ridiculous. Last month I was out with.. Uuhh.. Holy f*ck.”
“Step one is complete. You’ve finally figured out how big of a tool you really are. Good! I’ve done my part, now it's time you do yours. Dan seems delicate and if I’m being honest, a bit inexperienced. Don’t break him, both mentally and physically. I have a meeting to get to, good luck with your journey to a beautiful relationship.”
“I am not a tool! I also don’t intend on hurting him, so just get out of here already. I’ve heard your voice enough today.”
Heesung snickered as he made his way out of the office. ‘Man he really is hopeless. Poor Dan is in for one hell of a ride.’ The door slowly shut, leaving Jaekyung alone with his thoughts once again. He walked over to his desk and opened his laptop. Opening his browser he began to type.
‘How to be romantic’
‘How to ask someone on a date’
‘How to make your friend fall in love with you’
After about 45 minutes of mindless clicking and reading awful blogs, he huffed and slammed his laptop shut. ‘What the f*ck am I doing? Am I making this harder than it needs to be? f*ck, maybe if we kissed earlier it’d be a whole hell of alot easier to ask him out.’ Frustrated, Jaekyung shot up, grabbed his coat and left his office. He needed to blow off some steam and he knew exactly what would do the trick.
An hour later he found himself in an empty room. The only things that could be heard are labored grunts and the sound of padded fist smacking against a sandbag. Jaekyung has been retired for about a year now. An unfortunate shoulder injury ended his reign as champion. It was a dark time for the ex fighter. He lost so much during that time, It was truly the lowest point in his life. The best thing to come out of that whole ordeal was that he was finally able to heal emotionally. His coach forced him to see a therapist to help him navigate through his angry mess of a brain. Jaekyung was one angry individual back then, taking his rage on any unfortunate soul that just so happened to cross his path. When his career crashed, it didn’t take long for his ‘friends and teammates’ to leave his side. The only people to stay by his side were his coach and Heesung. Heesung helped him get a real career started in the modeling industry, since Jaekyung had some experience from previous brand deals.
Fast forward a year later, and here we are. Mixed martial arts is still this man's number one form of stress relief. The injury healed completely but by this point, he couldn’t go back even if he wanted to. The world moved on, dropped him like he didn’t give them 7 years of his life, like he didn’t destroy his own body to stay champion. It was a harsh reminder that he is easily replaceable and that those around him can and will leave him behind. Maybe that's why he never dated? Why he never allowed his sexual partners to stay more than a few hours? Why he never remembers their names? He stopped his relentless assault on the bag, trying to steady his breath.
“Why is he so different? Why the f*ck am I so infacuated with Dan? f*ck! sh*t was easier when my dumbass heart didn’t work. Everything made sense then.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan was practically running back to Yoon-gus apartment. The events of the meeting replayed back in his head over and over again. The feeling of his hand caressing his face. The warmth of his breath. The overwhelming smell of his cologne. All of that was embedded into Dans mind. He didn’t understand why Jaekyung was acting like this. He is a freaking model. He could have anyone, so why was he trying to come on to Dan like that. Dan knows he is pretty, but only because others repeat it constantly to him. The irritating burn on his cheeks was finally starting to annoy him. ‘Why? WHY! I just don’t understand why he is f*cking with me. I’m not some toy he can just pick up because he is bored!’
Dan managed to get to his best friends apartment. He frantically knocked on the door, hoping he was still home. Only a second later did the door finally swing open. Dan collapsed into his friends arms.
“HE TRIED TO KISS ME”
“Well hello t- WAIT, HUH?!”
“HE. TRIED. TO. KISS. ME.”
“YES, I UNDERSTAND THAT MUCH. Are you okay? Here, get up. Let's head to the couch to talk. You seem pretty exhausted. Did you run here?”
Dan was too embarrassed to admit that he did in fact run all the way here, simply nodded and walked over the couch. Yoon-gu made some tea and brought out some snacks.
“Now, get on with it. Tell me everything.”
Dan explained everything from beginning to the end. Expressing how their first meeting ended in a similar matter. Jaekyung was flirting with him back then too and he finally realized that it in fact was not in his head. Jaekyung was making moves on him and he couldn’t understand why.
“I think he might like you Dan. Like actually like you. I’m pretty sure if he just wanted to use you for sex, he would have attempted to do something far more scandalous than a kiss.”
“But why though? Why me? I thought he wanted me for my skill. Not for my looks. I already signed the contract because it's something I want to do, but it kind of hurts that i only got the offer because he likes me and not my work.”
“Have you asked him about that?”
“No, I just ran out as soon as his manager left the room.”
“Dan.. We need to work on that. You have to remember that no one will know and understand how you feel if you don’t speak up and express yourself. If you don’t want to have that kind of relationship with Jaekyung, it’s best to tell him now. You’re contracted to the company after all.”
Dan pondered the thought for a bit longer than he’d care to admit. The silence was loud. Loud enough for Yoon-gu to understand what was going on in Dans head.
“Oh my god, Dan… Do you have a crush on Jaekyung?”
“A crush? I don’t know Yoon-gu! I mean he is handsome and he smells nice. Plus my whole body surrendered to his touch. That has to mean something right?”
“Holy sh*t. Well this got way more complicated. Okay, new approach. Do you want to pursue a career in photography or pursue a relationship with Jaekyung?”
“I- Photography has always been my passion. It would be silly to throw it away for a chance with Jaekyung. Plus there is no guarantee that he is truly interested in me. I should focus on work. It’d be best if I kept him at arm's length.”
“I’ll be here to support you through everything! Is there anything else that you’d like to talk about?”
“No, I think that's all I needed help with. Do you have any food? I’m starving!”
“I thought you’d never ask! I have some ramen and beer, is that good enough?”
“It's just perfect!”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Across the city, Jaekyung was at one of the usual bars he frequented. He wasn’t much of a drinker but would usually come to find some company. Even though he was a celebrity, he was still quite lonely. He was a difficult person to befriend and most of the time he was just used for content. Lower status models and actors would approach him, strike up a conversation, take a picture (without his consent) and leave. Was it too much to ask for someone to care? Even if it was just for 5 minutes? Since he was here and feeling like sh*t, he opted out of his usual co*ke and settled for a double whisky on the rocks. He was approached by a few different men that wanted to take the model to the private rooms on the second level. It has been forever since he had sex and maybe this is what he needed to clear his head. He hesitated at first but walked over the stairs eventually.
Moments later, Jaekyung was being straddled by the random man that lured him here. Leaning back into the large leather couch, he let his body relax, allowing the smaller man to touch his body. His neck was being nipped and sucked on, wet kisses trailing up to line his jaw. The mystery man began to reach down and untuck his shirt from his pants, undoing the button of his trousers. Normally Jaekyung would have taken control of the situation, but he just sat there, completely limp. His partner noticed and got visibly upset. He huffed and got off the couch, dropping to his knees. Just as this stranger was moving to free his limp co*ck, Jaekyungs phone lit up. He reached over and saw he had a text from Kim Dan. Seeing his name instantly sobered him up, shooing the impatient stranger away from his lap. The model straightened himself up and left without a word.
Walking to the bartender, he gestured for a bottle of water and his tab. He paid and left the building, still staring at the name on his screen. Once he was finally in the confront of his own car, he opened the message.
‘Hi Jaekyung, I unmuted your messages. Please forward my number to your manager that way we communicate about your upcoming shoots. Have a good evening.’
‘I mean, I could be the one to communicate my schedule with you, it doesn’t have to be Yosep.’
‘It would be far more professional if I communicated with Yosep. You must be so busy, so I wouldn't want to bother you.’
‘You could never bother me’
‘Um, anyways. Please give him my number. Good night!’
‘I’ll think about it. Sweet dreams, Dan.’
Jaekyung dropped his phone, smiling ear to ear like a fool in love. There was no denying it now. He wanted Dan to be his and no one was going to stop him from getting him.
“f*ck” He chuckled. “I’m in trouble now, aren’t I?”
