Open Up (Jaeyong) [Complete]

nine

That woman eyes turned to ice as she looked over at Jaehyun.

"And you would be?"

"Oh, that's right, I'm Jaehyun, Taeyong's roommate and best friend. I'd say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I haven't seen anything pleasurable about this evening yet, so I'll reserve my judgment."

Taeyong groaned next to him.

He reached under the table and squeezed his thigh, making Taeyong turn and glare at him.

"Shall we order?"

Somehow Taeyong's father made it sound more like a demand than a request.

"Wonderful idea." Jaehyun picked up his menu and looked at it, trying to find the most expensive thing possible.

Taeyong also moved his menu so it would cover his face.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?"

"Just having fun," Jaehyun whispered back. "You don't have to take shit like that from this bitch just because she is going to marry your dad."

"Yes I do, you don't understand."

"I understand you've been afraid of him since you're mother died."

He knew he'd hit the nail on the head when he saw Taeyong's hands jerk.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore, Taeyong. I'm not going let you face this alone."

"Jaehyun..."

The night went on fairly silent after that.

Mr. Lee Hyunsik and his fiance talked animatedly, primarily ignoring Taeyong and Jaehyun after that.

When dessert rolled around, Jiyoon looked up at Taeyong and batted her eyes innocently.

"You don't plan on coming home for Christmas, do you?"

"Excuse me?"

"I said you don't plan on coming home for Christmas, do you? Your father and I are having a family get together and we both feel it would just be inconvenient if you come and we have to introduce you to my family. You know, having a stepson at my age? How silly would that look?"

Taeyong looked up at his father, hopping he would deny this horrible plan.

"Father?"

His father looked at him with no emotion.

"Perhaps it would be best for all if you just stayed at school this year, Taeyong. I want this Christmas to be as special as it can be for my new wife."

"You bastard! You're throwing over your own son for some tart," Jaehyun yelled, rising to his feet.

Taeyong placed his hand on Jaehyun's arm to stop him from continuing.

Not looking at anyone, he rose himself and said, "Yes, of course. We wouldn't want your new wife to have a bad Christmas."

"But Taeyong-"

Jaehyun started, but Taeyong wouldn't look at him.

"It was an enchanting evening. I'm sure you will be everything my father was looking for in a wife, not that that is saying much, mind you."

Taking a deep breath, Taeyong stepped away from the table.

"Please, enjoy the rest of the night. I– I have to go."

Jaehyun watched Taeyong leave, weaving in and out of waiters.

He looked back at Taeyong's father and just managed not to punch him. The last thing he needed was an assult charge.

"You disgust me. Money doesn't make you classy or kind or a good person like your son. How he ever came from you, I will never know."

Hurrying out the door he tried to catch up to Taeyong only to find him out on the sidewalk.

It had begun to ran hard enough, people were running for cover. But Taeyong just stood there letting the rain beat down on him as though he didn't even feel it.

"Taeyong?"

He turned Taeyong around to face him.

Taeyong just stood there with his head down, tears sliding down his face at full force, mixing in with the rain. His body shook with years of pent up emotion.

"I hate it, I do. I hate all of it. I let him hurt me physically and mentally every time and I hate it."

Jaehyun's heart began to break as Taeyong's head came up and looked him right in the eye.

He could see the child Taeyong and the man he was now in that look, both of them hurting for so long with no one to turn to.

"Why can't I hate him, Jaehyun? Why can't I hate him the way he hates me?"

A gate broke inside of him somewhere and Taeyong began to sob uncontrollably. He couldn't remember crying like this since his mother had died, leaving him alone with his father.

Jaehyun gathered Taeyong in his arms and rocked him, letting him cry.

He found himself losing his heart to his best friend in ways he had never thought he would.

He wanted to protect Taeyong however he could and in that moment when Taeyong's arms came around him, holding tight, he swore he would.

"It'll be okay. I don't know how, but I know it'll be okay."