Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 38 : Kim Jae's side story (2)

Jae turns his head towards the door upon hearing it was clicked open. He smiles when he sees the person stepping in.

"Baby~~" he called,  standing up from where he sat to greet the man. "Eh, what's with the long face?" asked Jae, seeing a frown on his boyfriend's face as he walked over. Jae could assume that there were problems at work. Hyunsuk raises his head, looking into the deep brown orbs of the older and then sighs before giving in.

"Jae hyung..."  he starts, his voice heavy and laced with fatigue. Jae just hums in acknowledgment as the other continues to speak. He reaches out to gently cup both cheeks in his hands,  lifting them so that he is looking directly at him now. Jae leans forward so he can press a soft kiss on the other's lips.

"Tell me what's wrong," he says softly as they pull away. Hyunsuk sighs once more but then looks into Jae's eyes. He then pushed his body closer to Jae, wrapping his arms around the elder's waist and leaning his head against his chest. The sound of Jae's heartbeat was comforting,  like home. Hyunsuk closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't until a few seconds later that he spoke again.

"I think I might have gotten fired," he admitted, his voice slightly muffled by the fabric of Jae's shirt.  Jae chuckled and moved their foreheads together.
"Why would you get fired? You're amazing!" Jae exclaimed, pulling away from his boyfriend but still keeping his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He pulled back enough to see Hyunsuk's expression. His pouty bottom lip was slightly trembling.

"But I keep getting scolded for something I didn't do and some people are even saying things about me," Hyunsuk said, burying himself further in Jae's embrace. Jae rubbed small circles onto Hyunsuk's back, trying to reassure him that everything would be fine.

"Mind telling what they're said about my lover?" Jae asked teasingly causing Hyunsuk to blush. He tightens his hold around Jae's waist.

"They said I was accepted to the company just because I am the director's son. That I'm not good or talented enough to be there. I...I too went through what they experienced to be accepted. I didn't have it easy as they said..."

Jae pulls away from the hug just long to give a little space between them. He then lifts Hyunsuk's chin and presses their lips together sweetly. When he pulls back he looks Hyunsuk straight in the eye.

"Don't listen to what those people say.  They're wrong. They don't know anything about how hard you worked yourself for this opportunity.  Or how hard you fought to prove yourself worthy of the position. You deserve to be here. And if these people can't accept that, then so be it," Jae said, his words sending shivers down Hyunsuk's spine.

The tears threaten to fall as he heard the conviction in his lover's voice. He never know he was finally able to hear the words he always wanted to hear. The words of reassurance, validation, and love. Hearing those words when he was on the verge of breaking down made all of Hyunsuk's stress melt away. The tears that previously threatened to spill finally fell. He can't hold it in anymore. He lets out a choked sob, clutching onto Jae tighter. The older wraps his arms securely around Hyunsuk and squeezes him as tight as possible. This is his comfort zone, the place that allows him to feel protected and loved. It also gives him time to release the emotions that constantly plague him. Jae just holds him close as he cries, knowing the other has been bottling up the stress since he got accepted by the company.

When Hyunsuk calmed down a bit, Jae led him to sit down at the dinner table. He then brings him a glass of water which Hyunsuk takes gratefully.

"Are you feeling better babe?" Jae questioned, looking concerned at the tear tracks across his boyfriend's cheekbones. Hyunsuk nods and takes a sip of his water before smiling up at Jae.

"Yes. I'm sorry for making you worry like that." Jae shakes his head in response. "Hey, you should tell me earlier that your co-workers bullied you, you know. I'll come to your office and  punch every last one of them if you want."

Hyunsuk let out a  small laugh at the thought.  "No need for that. What if you get arrested because of that? I'll be lonely," he responded in a dramatic tone.

"Then I won't punch them. I don't want you to be lonely," Jae retorted. Hyunsuk smiles at his boyfriend's response. He is so lucky to have someone who cares so much for him. Someone that always assures him of how important he is. Someone who makes his life complete. Someone who is his world, and will continue to be his.

He couldn't imagine his life without Jae,  nor does he want to.

"If you keep staring at me like that, I might jump on you right here and now," Jae teased, leaning closer to Hyunsuk who was now blushing furiously. "I... I'll take a shower first," Hyunsuk stuttered, standing up abruptly and almost spilling his water. Jae chuckles as he watched the younger speed walk away.

He then moves to the kitchen to prepare dinner, humming softly to himself.

"Still working on that article?" Hyunsuk asked as he peeked the laptop over the older's shoulder. Jae was sitting at a table in the corner of their room, typing furiously on the keyboard. At some time, he would scribble furiously into the notebook and then return to his laptop.

A stack of papers, magazines, recorder devices, and notes, was all piled on the table. Jae glanced up from the screen. He looked exhausted and stressed.

"Did I wake you up?" Hyunsuk shook his head, stepping closer and peering at what Jae was doing. Right after having their dinner earlier, Jae continued working on his article which he had worked on since a few days ago while Hyunsuk do the dishes.

After graduating from college, Jae started freelance journalism for various newspaper and magazine articles, mostly about politics. It was quite challenging, but it was a hobby that Jae loves to pursue. He has been interested in politics ever since a young age due to his curiosity about how different societies interact together. He is passionate about this subject, not to say that most people are, but it still amazes him to see how some countries operate around the world. It also fascinates him about human society and its structure.

Recently, Jae is working on writing an article about the new era in Korea and how it works. The topic itself is quite controversial and Jae is struggling with the subject matter at hand. Hyunsuk then wrapped his arms around Jae's from behind and rested his chin on top of the older's head. He could tell that Jae was tired but nothing he could do to help him out.

Jae sighed heavily, turning his chair so he can face Hyunsuk. He pull the younger one towards him and hugged his waist.

"Ahh, I need to recharge~~"  Jae whined, burying his face in Hyunsuk's stomach.
Hyunsuk giggled softly and pressed a kiss on Jae's forehead, running his fingers through the older's soft blonde hair. He could feel the exhaustion coming off of Jae.

"I'm so lucky to have you by my side, right now. You're always there when I need you. Thank you," Jae smiled, hugging Hyunsuk even tighter.

"Mhm, I love you. Let's get some rest." Hyunsuk replied, pressing a gentle kiss on Jae's temple. Both of them decided to live together after Hyunsuk graduated from university. As they live together, they come to realize that they fit each other's needs perfectly. Jae would be filled with what Hyunsuk lacks, while Hyunsuk provides what Jae needed. They both loved living with each other, they were happy in each other's company and it gave them something to look forward to every day.

For as long as they're alive, they'll be together, forever.