hostage || jaeyong

ten,

"It is not like you to act so jealously," Jaehyun said with a frown.

"I was hoping to get together with you again. I would not have bothered to make this detour otherwise. And I'm not jealous. I'm just annoyed that you are willing to play with a new toy, while I'm here. Especially since this new toy does not seem to behave that well."

"Mingyu," Jaehyun's voice grew a bit colder. "You are making my situation difficult by telling him to his face he is nothing but a toy."

"Isn't it the truth?" Mingyu asked with a shrug. "And he is not your usual type."

"My usual type? What is that supposed to mean? Please enlighten me," Jaehyun fiddled with his glass of wine.

"You know, high class, sophisticated. What are you doing with a piece of street trash like this one?"

"I'm tired of high class and sophisticated. They're nothing but a bore," Jaehyun spoke while slowly sipping his drink. "Plus, I've never had a virgin," he added matter-of-factly.

"A virgin? This one? Please," Mingyu snorted. "You should seriously take him to the vet and have him checked," the guest said sourly.

"And what exactly makes you say that? Except for the fact that he didn't look impressed with your attempts to put him down."

Mingyu took the offense well.

"He has a mouth on him, apparently."

"So? He's from a poor neighborhood; I don't expect him to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, hence the language."

"Then tell me what makes you think he's a virgin," Mingyu said in response.

"Let's just say I had the pleasure to enjoy a solo performance from his part... to one point, when I had to take over and experience firsthand how affected he was to be touched by another man."

"Don't force him if he's not gay," Mingyu said with a small frown. "It's not like you to do that. I know very well you have never been crazy about bi guys, either."

Jaehyun seemed to ponder for a bit.

"Then how do you call a guy you catch masturbating while smelling your t-shirt?"

Mingyu laughed softly.

"For real? He's just in denial, that's all?"

"I do understand him, you know. I met his brother."

"Older brother, I assume," Mingyu fiddled with his glass.

"Yes. He's leading one of the gangs I'm trying to pacify to get things done around here. He's the embodiment of all things macho. Taeyong seems very shy around him. I bet he cannot just go tell his brother something like that."

"I suppose that would not go down well."

"Plus, doing something forbidden like hooking up with a guy, in a neighborhood where everyone knows everyone... well, I think you get the picture now. Unless he sodomized himself with whatever he thought he could use as a dildo, I venture to say those are uncharted territories," Jaehyun allowed himself a joke.

"You know, the offer is still standing," Mingyu looked at his friend, his eyes at half-mast.

"And I still have to decline. I'm afraid I'm not that much of a hypocrite to use you as a substitute when I desire another."

"True that," Mingyu admitted. "You're the type that always gets involved body and soul in everything you do. Although I've always pegged you for the restrained type in your relationships."

"Really? In what sense?" Jaehyun seemed genuinely surprised.

"In the sense that you don't get attached, even if you focus on a single person. I must admit that after we hooked up the first time, I was surprised to feel flattered and insulted at the same time by your interest."

"Mingyu, I can assure you..."

"Don't bother, Jaehyun. It is just how you are. You are... cold, I think. Not between the sheets. I used to have the bruises to prove it," Mingyu chuckled softly. "But there is a wall between you and your lovers, always. In the beginning, I thought it was just me, but I have seen you treating everyone with the same passion and indifference at the same time."

Jaehyun remained silent, seemingly examining the contents of his glass.

"So, after you break him in, what's next?" Mingyu asked.

Jaehyun just shrugged.

"I will not stay here forever."

"Of course, there is always some new business somewhere that needs your skilled hand to get going. I think you're addicted to beginnings, nothing more."

"I frankly think I'm too young to settle down if this is what you are asking of me."

"You're doing this for what, 5-10 years?"

"8, to be precise," Jaehyun admitted.

"Aren't you growing tired?"

"Aren't you?" the host answered with another question. "You're traveling a lot."

"I would have settled down for you. And let's face it, Jaehyun, I am not going through lovers with the speed of light, the way you do it. At least, whenever I meet someone new, I am thinking whether or not they are worth the trouble to be considered 'the one'."

"The one?"

A superior smile crept on Jaehyun's lips.

"There is no such thing. When the time comes, I will settle for someone. If I choose so, I will shape him up into becoming this ideal you are talking about."

Mingyu shook his head.

"That is not how it works, Jaehyun."

"I've never thought you would be the romantic type, my friend," Jaehyun laughed.

"Me neither. It must be the wine talking," Mingyu took another sip from his glass. "Well, I will let you play and go looking for Kim ahjumma."

"I'd like to accompany you," Jaehyun rose from his chair.

"There is no need. I will just ask ahjumma for directions," Mingyu refused.

"Good night, Jaehyun, and I mean it," he added with a small smile.

For a couple of minutes, Jaehyun remained unmoving, staring over the perfect landscape, without actually seeing anything.