Escape - Chapter 20: Marked

[swallowtt]

A wrinkle of the eyebrows indicated that the pale beauty was about to wake up.

“Jaejoong,” Yunho addressed as his hands clamped tightly to his lover’s frail one. Reaching over to sweep the wisps of platinum bangs aside, he caressed Jaejoong’s cheek drawing the other out from his unconscious state.

Gradually, the creases on his eyelids deepened as he glided open his eyes to a blurry view of someone gazing at him with worry marring his face. “Yun…ho…” Jaejoong’s words were a mere whisper, but Yunho could hear him clearly from the quiet of the room. “You’re…okay…?”

“I am because of you.”

Attempting to sit up, Jaejoong flinched from the pain throbbing at his core. “Ngh…”

“Slowly.” Yunho assisted him whilst plopping pillows on the headboard for him to lean on. “Your wounds have not closed.”

“Did we have sex?”

“We did.”

“I…can’t remember much of it,” Jaejoong admitted.

“You must have fainted from the pain. I’m sorry I hurt you so badly.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is my fault. You’re still bleeding as a result of what I did. I…” Yunho choked.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m going to be okay. I’ll just eat more to make up for the blood loss.”

“What would you like to eat?”

“A strawberry muffin.”

“Out of all the things you could pick, you want a muffin?”

“Yes.”

“All right.” With his index finger, Yunho lightly tapped the tip of Jaejoong’s nose like he would to a child. “I’ll go to Misty’s Bakeshop tomorrow and get you one.”

“Could you get two? It’s also Junsu’s favorite.”

“Of course,” Yunho replied. “Are there any other requests?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Jaejoong,” he hesitated. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

“What is it?” The seriousness in Yunho’s tone made him anxious.

“It’s your hair.”

“My hair?”

“It’s no longer brown.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not sure what happened, but it became platinum blond after we…”

“Does it matter to you what color my hair is?”

“No.”

“Then, it doesn’t bother me.” Jaejoong touched the bandage on his neck. “Did you mark me?”

“I did.”

A tinge of pink brushed his pale cheeks and a smile lifted the corners of his plump lips. “I’m Yunho’s from now on.”

Yunho couldn’t contain all the emotions escalating within his heart and bent forward to hug the smaller man. “And I’m Jaejoong’s.” Stroking the back of his lover’s head, Yunho rested his chin on Jaejoong’s shoulder. “I love you.” Drawing away to take a better look at Jaejoong’s face, he gently caressed the other’s cheeks. “I love you very much.”

“I love you very much too, Yunho.”

***

When Joongki brought out the lobster pot pie to place on the dining table, Changmin didn’t know how to react. He gawked at it blankly as thoughts of Se7en invaded his mind.

“Are you not hungry, young master?”

Noticing that his butler was staring at him with a concerned expression, Changmin picked up his fork and began eating from the portion Joongki had put on his plate. “I’m starved.” He pretended. “This is very good.”

“I’m glad it’s to your liking.”

“Your bruise has faded quite a bit.”

“The herbal oil you gave me worked very well. Thank you.”

Changmin took another bite and mumbled, “Where’s hyung?”

“Master Yoochun called earlier,” Joongki informed. “He won’t be home for dinner tonight. There was an emergency at the Jung’s.”

“An emergency?”

“Yunho-sshi was wounded during an encounter with Rain.”

Fear clouded Changmin’s widened eyes as he gripped his fork tighter. “Rain is back?”

“You know who he is?”

“He nearly killed hyung five years ago.” A tear glided down his cheek and he quickly wiped it off. “I ended up betraying Ahin in order to save my brother.”

Joongki knew exactly what Changmin was speaking of, as he remembered how that incident transformed the kindhearted Ahin into the vengeful man he was today. “Do you still love him?”

“I’ve never stopped loving him.”

“Have you told him?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t deserve him anymore. He’s better off without me.” Changmin put the utensil in hand down and stood up from his seat. “I’m sorry, Joongki. Could you put my unfinished food in the refrigerator? I’ll eat it later.”

“As you wish.”

Joongki watched as the younger Park slowly disappeared into his room and worry creased his face. ‘Ahin, please don’t hurt him. I beg you…’

***

“I saw you handing that kid an invitation to your party next Saturday.”

“And hopefully, he’ll show up.”

“Damn it, Dongwook! What the hell are you thinking? Hasn’t that boy ruined your life enough?”

“Jiyong, don’t say that about Changmin. He is not like that.”

“You’re my best friend and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“It’s my choice.”

“You’re an idiot, you know that?”

“I know.” Se7en chuckled. “I can’t help what my heart feels.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Perhaps.”

“But…”

“Come on, Ji.” A hand grasped the blond’s and dragged the shorter boy away. “It’s late. Let’s go home. Dongwook is capable of handling his own things.”

“The last time he handled his own things, he nearly died,” Jiyong retorted. “Let go, Seunghyun. I need to talk some sense into that stubborn head of his.”

“Love doesn’t make sense. It just happens...like it did for us.”

“Yah! What do we have to do with this?”

“Aish! I guess negotiating isn’t going to cut it for you.” Seunghyun slouched forward and lifted Jiyong over a shoulder. “Sorry Dongwook. It’s hard to reason with him sometimes.”

“Let go of me!”

“Never.” Seunghyun grinned and threw Se7en a wink whilst carrying Jiyong out. “See you tomorrow.”

Opening the door for them, Se7en smirked. “Bye.”

“Seunghyun, I’m not done talking to him,” Jiyong protested with his arms flailing.

“His ears are burning from your nagging. Give them a break.” Seunghyun gave Jiyong’s butt a slap. “And…quit wiggling that sexy ass of yours. I’m getting hard from you rubbing up against me.”

Jiyong halted his struggling with a frown and allowed Seunghyun to transport him to their SUV. Se7en gave them one last wave of the hand before he shut himself back inside his place. ‘Will you show up…Changmin?’

***

Lying on the couch with his right cheek resting on Yoochun’s thighs, Junsu blinked sleepily at the television which was on a random channel.

“Yoochunnie.”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Shouldn’t you be getting home? It’s already midnight and your brother is alone.”

“Min is not a child.” Yoochun stroked Junsu’s hair comfortingly. “He doesn’t need his hyung to babysit him.”

“It’s not that.” Junsu turned to face up at Yoochun. “It’s just that, I see a sadness lingering in his eyes when he thinks no one is looking.”