hostage || jaeyong

seventeen

He should have felt like he didn't belong, but, in truth, Taeyong was a bit proud, if only inwardly, of how good he looked.

The casual clothes he was wearing were not a suit, but they weren't his usual jeans and t-shirt either.

Jaehyun had great taste in clothing and Taeyong was not regretting a bit, seeing the vaguely surprised look in Mingyu's eyes, when he made his entrance.

Maybe he was not just a mutt, after all.

Plus, the visit to the doctor, earlier that day, had not been so bad. It looked like he didn't have cooties, at least.

The light blue shirt had the last two buttons open. Taeyong had just taken a shower, and his hair was just a tiny bit damp.

Both Mingyu and Jaehyun watched him hawkeyed like he was some prey worth hunting down.

Taeyong caught them staring, but didn't linger.

He looked over the large room filled with guests and wondered, for the umpteenth time, why Jaehyun needed him there.

Soon, Jaehyun, as patron of the party, was stolen away by a couple in their 50's, apparently very interested in the businessman's latest project.

Taeyong didn't manage to exchange even a few words with Jaehyun before he found himself close to Mingyu.

That was uncomfortable, he thought.

Mingyu was observing him, without even pretending he was not doing it. With everyone around too preoccupied to care, Taeyong started thinking about an exit strategy.

Mingyu moved closer to him.

"So, Taeyong, don't you think a bit of fresh air would be nice?"

He nodded.

He had already made a promise to himself that he would not show any sign of weakness towards the guy, so there was no harm in chatting him up a little.

Plus, he was curious about Jaehyun and wanted to know more. Maybe Mingyu was more of the talkative kind.

They stepped out on the balcony and sat in silence for a few minutes, Mingyu fiddling with his glass, and Taeyong leaning against the railway.

Inside, the party looked pretty animated but too formal for Taeyong's taste.

"Jaehyun will not give up," Mingyu spoke all of a sudden.

Taeyong remained silent.

"He will eventually get you between the sheets and have his way with you."

"I assume you're talking from experience." Taeyong could no longer keep it inside.

Mingyu chuckled softly.

"I am not your rival if that is what you are afraid of. That ship sailed a long time ago," the man admitted, although a bit regretful.

"Then why-"

"Why am I talking to you? You are young and naïve, Taeyong. Jaehyun always has the best intentions, but he is too self-centered to care for a guy longer than a few months."

"Why are you telling me this? There's nothing between him and me," Taeyong shrugged a bit too energetically.

"You will get burned. If you are in this just for fun, that is fine. But do not get your hopes high. Jaehyun will not stay here for your sake. He will move on and so should you when the time comes."

"I am not a-"

Taeyong was about to use the word 'fag', but he refrained.

"I am not gay. I have no problem with you two being that, but I'm not. So all this conversation ..."

Mingyu interrupted him with another chuckle.

"Who knows? Maybe Jaehyun will get so engrossed into convincing you to jump in bed with him, that he will stick around a while longer. Maybe you are the one he needs to get down from his high horse."

"I don't understand a word you're saying."

"Jaehyun is all ice, and, by the looks of it." Mingyu measured him up and down, "You are all fire. Do not fall for him; it is all I am saying."

Taeyong took a deep breath. He could not chase away the unpleasant sensation Mingyu's foreboding words caused somewhere, right into the pit of his stomach.

"You don't have anything to worry about," he spoke slowly.

Mingyu touched his arm featherlike.

"Is this your poker face? If it is, then I wonder how your brother has not suspected anything by now."

Taeyong frowned.

"My brother? What do you know about my brother?"

"Only that he is your guardian and he would not take well the fact that his baby brother prefers having sex with guys."

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not gay?!" Taeyong said defensively.

Mingyu laughed.

"For experienced guys like Jaehyun and me, it is as clear as day that you are batting for our team."

The man winked at him, and Taeyong blinked a few times, nervously.

"Now, seeing that you have no big plans to fall for Jaehyun, how about you and me have some fun together?"

Suddenly, Taeyong's stance became guarded.

The other bit his lips, trying hard not to laugh.

"You are so easy that it is too funny. What I meant was that I know where Jaehyun's game room is, and, although I am a little rusty, I am pretty sure I can still kick your ass in any game you want."

"Are you sure?" Taeyong stared back, this time relieved.

"Let's go, and we will see who will go crying in a corner after that." Mingyu smiled broadly.

Taeyong threw another look inside.

Jaehyun seemed to be as engrossed in conversation with his guests as he had been for the last half hour.

What was the harm in ditching a boring party and going to unwind a little?