Chapter Text
Whenever Doyoung had a problem, sometimes he found it more comfortable to talk to Sicheng instead of Yuta, his best friend and the only person aside from his parents (and Jaehyun) who was allowed to see him naked. It wasn’t because Yuta was not a good friend, but because Sicheng was the better listener. At least Sicheng would wouldn’t interrupt him with questions like “are banana-flavoured condoms actually good or just a funny irony?”.
“Are you guys still talking?” Sicheng asked when Doyoung came over to their apartment on a Sunday afternoon to hang out. Yuta was running errands while Doyoung focused on his big piece Jaehyun had given him exclusive permission to write about.
“Yeah.” Doyoung nodded. He eyed Sicheng from the corner of his eye, who was smirking mysteriously. “What’s that smile for?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I just think it’s a very romantic thing. What he has done for you.”
“I guess.”
“He obviously still cares a lot about you.”
“Uh huh.”
“Do you care about him?”
Doyoung paused his typing and nodded. “I do.”
“Then what’s holding you back?”
“There’s nothing holding me back.”
“Oh please,” the Chinese man scoffed. “You and Yuta have the same stupid look on your face when you lie. He gives me that look every time I ask if he was the one to eat all the ice-cream in the fridge.”
“I’m fine. Seriously.”
“Really?” Sicheng raised an eyebrow. He watched Doyoung run his fingers across his laptop’s keyboard a few times before sighing.
“I don’t know. I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Scared of getting hurt. Scared he’s not serious about me.”
“Scared you are not good enough for him?”
Doyoung nodded his head slowly as Sicheng gave him a sideways hug. “But you care for him, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s all that matters. Two people who care and adore each other. That’s what love is about, that’s what relationships are for.”
“I wish it was that simple.”
“It is.” Sicheng shrugged. “The only reason why it’s complicated is because people make it complicated. They make up stupid rules like you can’t kiss on the first date or you can’t marry someone a different class than you because they want to exert control. Humans hate it when they can’t control things, especially one of the most powerful forces on earth.”
“Wow.” Doyoung chuckled. “I have never heard anyone say that before.”
“Are you going to quote me? Because I request a small fee.” Sicheng laughed. “Promise me you’ll talk to him?”
“Only if you promise me that you will make Yuta put on some clothes before answering the door.” Doyoung said. “You’re lucky it was me. If it was some random delivery dude the poor man is going to be scarred by the sight of Yuta’s small penis.”
“Hey!!” Sicheng slapped him. “The only reason he did it was because it’s you, you know. You should be flattered.”
“I can live without this flattery.”
****************************
Jung was only 16 when he and Kai had sex for the first time. Although he insists it was mutual, Jung admitted that the relationship was not a happy one.
“With Kai it was like a rollercoaster. When it was good it was great. When it was bad it was hell.”
Jung also confessed that this was not the first time Kai exhibited abusive behaviour. It became difficult for him to talk to anyone about it, especially with growing concern over his own sexuality. He said hiding it only gave Kai more room to ‘explode’, although Kai never physically abused him, his erratic behaviour scared him.
Jung finally came out to his father a few years later, and his father helped him escape his relationship. Jung kept his past a secret, including his sexuality, but after the traumatic incident last Friday, he realized he could no longer keep quiet. Kai was arrested after the assault and was released on bail. He will be on trial this coming November.
Jung Jaehyun’s knew his coming out news would shock the industry, especially since he recently confirmed his relationship with socialite Jennie Kim, however the pair split hours after the incident. Jaehyun said that the relationship was ‘an extortion game’.
“Her father is my biggest investor, and she used that against me.”
It is unclear how the Kim family will accept the news, and Jung seems to be preparing himself to a stock decline after this news is released. However, he insists that this reveal would only bring him benefit in the future.
“I have hurt a lot of people by trying to be someone I am not. I can’t do that anymore.”
******************
“Great reporting work.” Joonmyun smiled at Doyoung and patted him on the back. “This issue sold even more than Lisa’s. We have other newspapers and TV reporters calling all our phones and the whole office is a mess.”
“I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.” Doyoung grinned.
“You know what they say, a quiet newsroom spells trouble.” Joonmyun chuckled. “It’s a great piece. Very nice work.”
“Thank you, sir.” Doyoung bowed politely. It was funny because when he started out he would have loved nothing more than Joonmyun’s approval. Now that he has it, it didn’t feel quite as amazing as he imagined.
Oh, it still felt fucking fantastic, just maybe not up to the level he had in his head.
Doyoung left the office feeling good and walked back to his desk with his head held high. His colleagues looked at him shyly, some with no expression, some tried to pretend they didn’t, and others gave him a thumbs-up. Amber gave him a high-five while Jihoon just bowed shyly.
“This is bullshit.” Yuta rolled his eyes. “They should be kissing your golden ass like they did Lisa’s. Your front-page news sold even more issues than she did.”
“Just cool it Yuta.” Doyoung said, taking a seat at his desk. “I don’t need the attention.”
“Fucking bunch of hypocrites.” Yuta scoffed. “I don’t care though. My man here made headlines, YO YOU HEAR THAT JIHOON?! MY MAN MADE THE FRONT PAGE!!”
“Shhhh!!!” Doyoung threw a pen at him and they both laughed. Jihoon was a little red in the face but he pretended he didn’t hear a word. Doyoung went back to work and a few minutes later, he saw Lisa speeding by his desk back to hers. He stood up and called her. “Lisa!!”
“Yes?” she turned, her long hair flipping over her shoulder.
“Did you see my front page?”
“I did.” She answered coldly. “What do you want me to say?”
“I just wanted to have a word with you.”
“Make it fast. I have a meeting with the Ambassador of Russia.”
Doyoung nodded and motioned to Yuta. Both of them led Lisa to the stairwell and Lisa leaned against the wall with her arms folded.
“What is it?” she asked.
“How much did you get paid to write that article about Jennie and Jaehyun?” Doyoung asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“That’s a pretty expensive pair of shoes on a journalist’s pay check.” Yuta looked down at her silver Jimmy Choo’s.
“I have my means.” She mumbled.
“Either you have external income, or you have a sugar daddy, and at this point either one of them is going to ruin you.” Doyoung said.
“You know, you’re not the only one who leaves their computer unlocked at the desk.” Yuta smirked.
“You went through my computer? How dare you?!” Lisa yelled.
“You went through mine when you saw Doyoung’s essay.”
“You left it on display! I never leave my emails on display!”
“That’s a pretty nice sum you guys agreed on.” Yuta clicked his tongue. “Nice enough to get you that pair of shoes.”
“I didn’t take all the money.” Lisa explained. “I only took half of what she offered.”
“Then what about that picture of Ryan Gosling having anal sex with a cow?!”
“WHAT?!?!” Lisa yelled in confusion. “What are you talking about?! I don’t have that picture in my computer.”
“Of course you don’t,” Doyoung smirked. “Because Yuta made it up.”
The realization of what had happened hit Lisa a little too late. Her face turned pasty white when Yuta said, “I never went into your computer.”
“You…you lied to me.”
“And you took a bribe.” Doyoung said, his face cold and stern. “You took a bribe from Jennie and wrote that ridiculous article.”
“For all you know it could have been true.”
“But you didn’t even bother to check your sources because you knew it wasn’t. You just wanted the money.” Doyoung said. He looked at Yuta and nodded, motioning for him to leave. Now that it was just the two of them, Doyoung could finally have his last say with Lisa.
“I always knew you were a bitch, but I just wanted you to know that you have made not only my life, but the man who is dearest to me miserable. You don’t take responsibility for your actions because you never think of others. You’re a selfish, greedy gold-digger who just ruined the integrity of newspapers and the truth.”
“You think you’re better than me but you’re not.” Doyoung snapped. “This is your last warning to stay away from me and the people I love, or I will ruin you the way you ruined me.”
Doyoung didn’t wait for a response before walking away from her and out of the office. The air was crisp, and the sun was warm. He inhaled deeply before letting out a yell of relief.
“Letting out some stress kid?”
“Oh my gosh! You’re the old man from the park!”
“That I am.” The familiar old man greeted. He held up his newspaper that featured Doyoung’s work on the cover. “Is this your work?”
“It is.” He smiled.
“Good article.” The old man beamed. “I knew you would get your time in the spotlight.”
“Yeah well,” he shrugged. “I went through a lot to get that.”
“I can imagine.” The man nodded. “You feel good now?”
“Better.” Doyoung nodded. “Thank you so much for your kind words the other day. It really helped me.”
“Anytime kid.” The old man gave him a thumbs-up as he crossed the road, ready to catch the bus home. Doyoung found himself smiling genuinely for the first time. It wasn’t because he achieved the breakout he wanted, but rather he felt like a million doors were beginning to open for him.
This was truly the beginning.
******************
“Let’s go out and celebrate!!!” Yuta said, packing up his things as the office started to close and everyone began to head home. “We can go dancing at that new club tonight! Sicheng knows the bartender so he can hook us up.”
“I can’t. I made plans with someone else.” Doyoung said. Both of them walked down the stairs with their fellow co-workers, all rushing home as the day ends. Doyoung spied Lisa following behind, pretending to be busy on her phone.
“Who are you going out with?”
“You’ll see.” Doyoung grinned. They walked out of the building and heads turned as a beautiful black Mercedes Maybach rolled into the building’s porte cochere. Doyoung heard everybody gasp in shock and surprise when the driver revealed himself.
“Hey Jaehyun.”
“Hello there.” Jaehyun grinned. He was indeed wearing his good suit and looking absolutely stunning. Lisa dropped her jaw in shock and Amber was busy taking photos. Doyoung turned to Yuta and asked. “Do you want a ride?”
“Forget it.” He scoffed. “I don’t want to be the third wheel.”
“After you.” Jaehyun teased, opening the passenger door for him. Doyoung tossed his stuff in the back seat and before he could get in Jaehyun pulled him in for a brief kiss. Doyoung heard the staff gasp and squeal. He turned his head and saw Lisa practically turning green with jealousy.
They drove off in the Mercedes and Doyoung turned his head, making sure Lisa saw them drive off. “Yes!!!! FUCK YES THAT FEELS SO GOOD!!!” Doyoung pumped his fist in excitement and stomped his feet.
“I’m kind of jealous.” Jaehyun laughed. “You didn’t give me that kind of reaction when we had sex.”
“You don’t know how long I have been waiting for this.” Doyoung sighed in content. “All that day-dreaming and fantasising. This feels even better than I have imagined.”
“Are you literally having an orgasm right now?” Jaehyun asked, one eyebrow raised in the air.
“Why shouldn’t I? This feels even better than sex.”
“Pssht.” Jaehyun scoffed. “We’ll see about that.”
******************
Jaehyun said that he had a surprise for Doyoung that night. They went back to his place and Jaehyun revealed a beautiful set dinner table. Doyoung was confused at first because he was under the impression that they were going to a restaurant.
“I thought we were going out.”
“Nope,” Jaehyun rolled up his sleeves. “We’re having it here.”
“Who’s preparing it?”
Jaehyun gave him a knowing grin and Doyoung practically slapped his arm. “No way. No way.”
“I cooked with my grandmother all the time when I was a kid.”
“Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more perfect.” Doyoung smirked. “A man who can cook is even sexier than the man who has a Maybach.”
“Will this give you an even bigger orgasm than the one in the car?” Jaehyun laughed.
“It depends.” Doyoung huffed. “It has to taste good.”
“Then brace yourself, because my blue cheese and pear tartlets will get you rock hard, my steak and porcini mushrooms entrée will make your knees weak and the chocolate soufflé will get you begging to come.”
Doyoung shivered in response. “Stop teasing me.”
“You can go and wash up.” Jaehyun said. “And dress light. You’re not going to need those clothes later anyways.”
******************
“You are a man of a million surprises.” Doyoung said, licking his spoon clean from the soufflé. “Honestly, how did you get so perfect?”
“I am not.” Jaehyun scoffed. “I took all these recipes off the internet. Anyone can do it.”
“But still.” Doyoung licked the last bit of chocolate.
“Did you like it?”
“Everything was perfect. Really,” Doyoung beamed. “Thank you so much for everything.”
“You’re welcomed.” Jaehyun smiled. “You’re the first person I actually made a whole three-course meal for.”
“It seems like I am your firsts for a lot of things.”
“Indeed.” He laughed. “Here’s to your first front-page cover.”
“And here’s to your coming out story.” They clinked their glasses and took a sip of wine each. “How is everything after the news came out?”
“In the office it was fairly normal.” Jaehyun said. “Johnny got a bit upset I didn’t tell him the truth first, but I made it up to him.”
“I heard your share price dropped after the news.”
Jaehyun just shrugged. “That’s not a big deal. It’ll come back up. How was your day?”
“My boss said I did a good job and I told Lisa to fuck off. It was perfect.” Doyoung laughed. “How do you feel now that your story is out?”
“I feel good.” Jaehyun sighed. “I feel like there is this huge weight off my shoulders. Jennie’s father was in shock but he didn’t say he wanted to retract his contract. Not that he could or we would have sued him for every penny.”
“What about Jennie?”
“I didn’t hear a word. Chanyeol called to apologize for what happened.”
“Kai?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “And frankly, I don’t want to know either.”
“He didn’t deserve you.” Doyoung said. “You are too good for him.”
“I just want to put all of this behind me and start all over.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Jaehyun took Doyoung’s hand in his. “Do you think maybe we can start all over again?”
“You still want to?”
“I do.” Jaehyun nodded. “Maybe we moved too fast last time.”
“Yeah, I mean we slept with each other when we barely knew each other.”
“Maybe we can take things slow. Take the time to really know each other and make a connection.”
“I’d like that.” Doyoung said. “A normal relationship sounds nice.”
“I don’t know how normal that will be.” Jaehyun laughed. “You’re dating a public figure now.”
“But just so you know, I have issues.” Doyoung said. “I’m stubborn, whiny, a real bitch at times and I’m pretty clingy too.”
“What a coincidence.” Jaehyun said. “I have trust issues, am a workaholic and possessive. We sound like the perfect match.”
Laughter rung in the air as they lean in to kiss each other. It was innocent at first, but then hands started moving everywhere and buttons were getting ripped off. It was back to square one again.
And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
******************
“So what do you think dad?” Jaehyun asked his father when he visited him at the office with the newspaper in his hand. Jaehyun talked to his father about his latest TV interview regarding his coming out story and the old man was no less proud of him.
“I’m proud of you son.” He smiled. “You did the right thing by being honest.”
“That’s great because I really couldn’t do this without your approval.”
“You still need your old man’s approval?” he teased. “You’re old enough to make your own decisions.”
“The last thing I would want to do is disappoint you.” Jaehyun smiled. “Which is why I have to introduce you to somebody I have been seeing for the last few months.”
“Who is he?”
“Kim Doyoung. He’s the reporter who broke the news. You don’t exactly know him.”
The old man gave Jaehyun a sly grin. “I like him.”
“But you haven’t even met him.”
“You would be surprised.” He chuckled.