Chapter Text
Billboard calls Kim Doyoung ‘the new voice for teenage romance’. Lee Taeyong, Doyoung’s best friend and manager, calls him ‘the whiniest bitch of the 21st century’. Dong Sicheng, Doyoung’s ex-boyfriend from college, calls him ‘the saddest fuck I ever dated’. Ten, his second boyfriend after Sicheng, calls him ‘the one that got away’.
No matter what you call him, Doyoung could care less, because the words that follow usually are ‘successful’ and ‘talented’, because he is. Doyoung found success with his self-titled debut album, where he sung about breakups and hook-ups. Teenagers and young folks in search of love and all things heartbroken connected to him instantly, and soon Doyoung became the music industry’s newest favourite. And if you look around his studio, where big platinum records of his hand and awards adorning his shelves, you will know that his failed romantic adventures have played to his advantage.
Which is why he was so shocked when his manager Taeyong and publicist Yuta, told him to do something that went against what he became famous for.
“Excuse me, you want me to do what?” Doyoung looked at his staff like they were aliens from Mars.
“We want you to go on a date.” Taeyong said. “You know, go for dinner and hold his hand and…”
“I know what a date is,” Doyoung rolled his eyes. “I just can’t believe you are asking me to go on one.”
“Look, the public knows that you are a sad repressed fuck…” Yuta said.
“I am not sad.”
“But you are repressed.” Yuta pointed out. “We just think, and coming from professional experience, that maybe it would be better for your public image if you went out a little more.”
“And don’t you think your songs are a little…anti-love?”
“What do you mean anti-love? A lot of my songs are about love, and in a good way too!!”
“Yes but I don’t count Big Ass as a love song because it’s all about you wanting a piece of Oh Sehun’s ass.” Taeyong rolled his eyes and Yuta nearly choked on his coffee. “Thank god that never made it on the album.”
“That’s too bad. Did you know that was the only song where I rapped?”
“And that will be the last song you ever rapped.”
“Fine, whatever, but I don’t agree with you on this because one…” Yuta and Taeyong sighed collectively as they leaned back against the leather sofa in the studio. Doyoung was a law major (something lesser known to the public) and every time he started with ‘fine, whatever, but’, they knew they were in for the longest hearing of any court history.
“One, I don’t need a relationship to better my image, I’m fine where I am. Second, I can’t find someone to date. Three, I’m not going to lie to my fans or the public.”
“Right, but you see,” Yuta sat up “One, a relationship would show to the public that you are just like everyone else, capable of falling in love and it also increases your attraction to the public. Second, you’re not lying because you are dating. Third, we found someone for you.”
“Oh?” Doyoung perked his eyebrows. “You found someone for me to date? What are you, my mother?”
“His name is Jung Jaehyun, and he’s a famous model.”
“Jung Jaehyun? How come I’ve never heard of him before?”
“He spent years in the US as a model, but recently he’s been getting work in Korea so he wants to expand his business profile here. We checked him out and he is absolutely perfect. He’s smart and handsome, very polite…”
“And how is he agreeing to this? Did you talk to his agent or something?”
“Actually, they came to us.” Taeyong explained.
“Jaehyun came to you, to talk about a publicity stunt like this, with ME? Does he even know me?”
“Oh yes! Apparently he is a huge fan of your work.” Doyoung didn’t notice the rather strange look Taeyong gave Yuta. “He thinks you are incredible and has, I quote, the voice of an angel.”
“And he thinks you are pretty hot.”
“Oh, then I guess he can’t be that bad.” Doyoung snickered, smiling a little. “At least he has good taste.”
“Sure he does.” Taeyong tried very very hard to keep his eyes in his sockets. “He’s coming tomorrow afternoon to meet you for the very first time.”
“So what do you say? Yes? Or no?”
“Well…” Doyoung put a finger to his chin and tapped it for a bit. “Can I back out of it?”
“Anytime. He told us there would be no strings attached.”
“Then…maybe I ought to meet the guy first.”
“Just a yes or no please.”
Doyoung thought for a little while. Since I have the option of backing out, it should be fine. What’s stopping me from meeting him? He sounds incredible.
“Yes.”
“Good because I already said yes for you anyways.”
“You little shits.”
**********************
Doyoung spent the whole morning fussing about what he was going to wear in his first meeting with Jaehyun. His stylist Irene was about to slap him by the time he changed out of his 15th shirt and 4th pair of jeans for the day. Finally, he decided on a printed dark blue shirt and plain jeans. Irene had complained to Taeyong for at least an hour after that, but all Taeyong could do was just shake his head and begged her to keep quiet.
The hour when Doyoung, Taeyong and Yuta were supposed to meet Jaehyun and his team came, and it seemed like they would be a little late.
“Gosh when are they coming? They were supposed to be here a few minutes ago.” Yuta tapped his foot impatiently, checking his watch.
“Maybe they got lost or something. Just be patient. How are you holding up Doyoung?”
“Just fine,” Doyoung smiled rather unenthusiastically. “I feel like a bride on her wedding day who is also 9 months pregnant and about to drop a baby anytime soon at the altar. How do you think I feel?”
“Cranky.” Doyoung slapped Taeyong’s arm and huffed. Truth be told his hands were cold and his knees were shaking. He was so nervous, even more nervous than his first time in a recording studio. Doyoung’s flight and fight mechanism for such occasions is to a complete asshole to everyone.
“They’re here!” Yuta jumped to his feet and everyone stood up. A tall man with light brown hair knocked on the door before coming in.
“I am so sorry for the delay.” He huffed, shaking Yuta’s hand. “Traffic is terrible. Got stuck a couple of miles away. I’m Johnny Suh, Jung Jaehyun’s manager and this is my associate, Ji Hansol the publicist.”
“Hello, I’m Nakamoto Yuta, I spoke to you on the phone and this is Lee Taeyong, our manager and last but not least, Kim Doyoung himself.”
“It’s a huge honour to meet you.” Johnny smiled, shaking Doyoung’s hand warmly and Hansol followed shortly afterwards. “I am a huge fan of your music. Back to You was awesome, it’s like my go-to song to belt out in the car.”
“Thank you.” Doyoung smiled shyly. Even after all this time, he still gets shy when he receives praise for his music. Johnny was warm and friendly, while Hansol looked like a freaking Vogue model himself. Doyoung was already impressed by the two men, and he felt much more at ease. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
“This is Jung Jaehyun.” Johnny stepped aside and a tall, absolutely gorgeous man appeared. With black hair as dark as night, skin as light as pearls and a set of eyes as deep as the abyss and two freakishly adorable dimples, not to mention a body Hugh Jackman would be jealous of. Doyoung dropped his jaw at the sight, but not for good reason.
“Jung Yoonoh?!?!?!?!”
*******************
“I could shoot you now and no one would find out.”
“You technically could but you would be without a manager and no one is capable of withstanding your whiny ass.”
“How could you do this to me?!” Doyoung backed Taeyong into a corner of the men’s room. “Did you know he was really Yoonoh?”
“Of course not!”
“Look at me when you lie, you peanuts-for-brains.”
“Okay fine,” Taeyong sighed. “I did, but how was I supposed to know that your high school ex grew into Adonis?!?!? And besides, he’s giving us an offer we can’t refuse!”
“I don’t care how or what it is, all I know is I will not…”
“He’s paying 2 million USD per date.”
“Then again how bad can my ex-boyfriend be?” Doyoung looked up, wondering if God could take phone calls. “How much did you say he was paying?”
“He said he was willing to pay 2 million USD for a date. With you. With his ex.” Taeyong said slowly, making sure he enunciated everything. “Yeah I know. It sounds weird when said out loud.”
“Why?” Doyoung ran two hands through his hair in horror. “Why is he doing this?! What does he want with me?! I haven’t seen him since he moved and this happens!! This is not supposed to happen!!” Doyoung and Jaehyun, or Yoonoh as he used to be known, were high school lovers. In fact, Yoonoh was Doyoung’s first boyfriend, but their teenage romance did not end well when Yoonoh had to move to the US, leaving Doyoung bitter, and in need of a place to vent. That was how his first song was written.
Except the person outside in the meeting room was no longer Yoonoh. Yoonoh was a skinny kid with glasses and a soft voice. Yoonoh could have never been a model, he was too quiet and shy. That person outside was Jaehyun, a model with a figure to die for and a deep voice filled with confidence and charisma. Doyoung wasn’t sure who Jaehyun was but he sure as hell isn’t Yoonoh, and yet he has Yoonoh’s face. Doyoung wanted to bend down and cry.
“I don’t know what you have between him, all I know is he’s paying us money to take you out and I want a Mercedes so I need you to get out there.”
“I can’t do this Tae, I can’t…please…” Doyoung grabbed his best friend. “What do I say…what do I even…oh god… he heard the songs I wrote, some are about…” Doyoung wanted to die from shame.
“Now you listen up here Kim Doyoung.” Taeyong grabbed Doyoung by the shoulders and shook him. “You are going to go out there and be a civilised human being for heaven’s sake. You can’t keep being selfish and screwing up things for everyone. There is a lot of money riding on this deal and if you screw it up, I won’t get my Mercedes, Irene won’t be able to afford her new apartment, Mark would not be able to pay your background dancers and you won’t be able to afford equipment for your next album.”
“Oh god…”
“I need you to get out there and be brave. Look, the man out there is no longer your ex, okay? He is a young model looking for a publicity opportunity so you need to calm yourself and stop behaving like a child, do you hear me?” Taeyong was usually a very docile person, but damn it he could be a stick up the ass if he wanted. Which is why he was hired to be manager. Only Taeyong could handle Doyoung as his worst moments.
After a few minutes of washing up and some more pep talk, Taeyong and Doyoung returned to the meeting room, where Yuta was busy keeping the guests company. Although he seemed to be more interested in only one person’s company.
“I’m sorry about that.” Taeyong smiled politely. “Doyoung hasn’t been feeling too well lately.”
“It’s understandable. I’m sure this must be a shock to you.” Johnny nodded somewhat apologetically. It seems everyone on Jaehyun’s team knew the truth behind the situation. If they knew, and so then Taeyong and Yuta, then Doyoung was the only one left in the lurch. He felt like a huge fool.
“Right, so let’s get down to business.” Yuta took his place as they all finally seated behind the table. Jaehyun was opposite Doyoung, and now that Doyoung could see him up close, he saw a pair of familiar brown eyes. The same brown eyes that looked at him from across the hall in high school. Doyoung felt his heart racing, and he tried to put a hand over it to calm himself down.
“My artist is interested in this publicity stunt that you called us about, and we…”
“Hang on a minute, why are you speaking for me?” Doyoung said. “This is between Jaehyun and I since we’re the ones actually doing this.”
“Yes but we have to make sure we come to an agreement about certain things before we do this.” Yuta said.
“I think Doyoung is right.” Jaehyun spoke up, surprising Doyoung. “This between us. Please, leave us alone for a bit.”
“Right.” Johnny and Hansol both stood up to leave. Taeyong looked at Doyoung, who also gave him a nod to leave. Taeyong patted his best friend on the back and left with Yuta in tow.
Now, the two were finally alone, and it was even more awkward than when they met and Doyoung almost threw up in his mouth from shock.
“You’ve changed.” Was all Doyoung could say.
“So have you.” Jaehyun said. “I didn’t know you could write songs.”
“I developed a hobby after you left.” Doyoung could almost feel his eyes rolling and his tone dropping. Stay civil, stay calm. He is not your ex that you are still bitter about.
“I really enjoyed them. You are incredibly talented.”
“What do you want?” Doyoung spat out.
“A chance for some attention.” Jaehyun placed his arms on the table. “You see, I know this is a rather awkward situation I have placed you in, but I’m working on a new line of clothing to be released in Seoul, and it would help to have more people know my name before I release it.”
“So you’re using me?”
“Just like you are. Didn’t your publicist talk you into this?”
“I can’t believe you would stoop so low as to asking your ex for help on a ridiculous move like this. You have got some nerve Jung Yoonoh.”
“Listen, it’s not like we’re strangers or anything…”
“We might as well be because I’m not doing anything with you.”
“Doyoung…”
“Get out of my studio.” Doyoung stood up, pointing a finger at the door. “Now.”
“Fine,” Jaehyun stood up, hands in the air as if he conceded defeat. “but this isn’t the last you have heard of me.”
“Go to hell.” And with that Jaehyun shrugged, opening the door and walking out. Taeyong and Yuta were outside, looking absolutely horrified and Doyoung sunk back down in his seats, head in his hands and the feeling of the world crashing down on his shoulders.