Chapter Text
He clears his throat to cut the awkwardness in the air. " i'm really sorry jen". it was a peaceful saturday night, lee taeyong was having a refreshing slumber. Being interrupted with his phone vibrating he finally decides to put a stop to it by turning on his phone "can i call?" just that simple text took Taeyong to sit up right.it wasn't often that jennie, his bestfriend ever since he was 5 years old , would send a message like that. it was something between the lines that made him worry.
jennie had just broke the news that her boyfriend of 3 years have dumped her. in some kind of way it made taeyong sad and sympathetic towards the girl after witnessing her messy love life, he finally thought she settled down. And he admits, that guy was her best shot. "just let it out jen." He reminds the crying girl on the other side of the line.
"i just don't get it, why? i finally thought i have someone to settle with." jennie says with sobs in between.
"i thought so too jen, well i guess this guy really isnt meant for you.", "you're right, fuck him, i guess i can date girls now"
taeyong was caught off guard with how jennie turned 180 in just a snapped, well she is not a girl boss for nothing.
"that's funny" "no i swear taeyong, do you know what jaewon said when he dumped me? he said he can't look into my eyes that looks for someone else, and do you know who he said i always look for?" taeyong was quiet, meaning "no", " park chaeyoung, and honestly he's not lying. i had a crush on her before i dated him. maybe he filled that void, but i really did love him."
taeyong shrugged his eyebrows, he is definitely not against her liking girls, but he just knows jennie will be back to having hookups and short lasting relationships. more like she'll go back to her roots. " you can't just date someone again, honestly you need a break and have sometime for yourself. i don't know go to a concert or party or something"
"concert," he hears jennie mumble. "omg lee taeyong you are a genius"
"what?" taeyong grew even more confused, it's like he's talking to 3 people.
"jaewon, he gave me tickets to see my favourite band, Dead Roses," Taeyong shakes as he hears that name
"well he's not with me so I have an extra ticket." he clears the lump in his throat before saying.
"see thats great, why don't you invite park chaeyoung to go with you as a plus one?"
"no way i'm going to do that, the event will take place in 3 days. and for once i don't really want to dress up, i'm down to go to the concert looking like a zombie, i just want to scream my lungs out, but then again, i always look hot no matter what." taeyong scoffs at the girl's last words.
"hey yongie, remember that one time i pretended to be your girlfriend in order to stop that creepy guy from flirting with you" the girl fakes vomits to remind him how disgusted she felt.
"are you telling me to act like your boyfriend to make jaewon jealous? no way im acting straight for one day, i can never go that low." taeyong clearly showing disgust in his face and voice.
"how about you shut up and let me finish? and i too will never go that low and pretend to date you, you are definitely not my type." taeyong lowly growls which causes jennie to chuckle.
"you owe me favor, so i'm inviting you to go to the concert with me. it's free and plus you're the last person i care about looking good for."
"um- "oops sorry, i just remembered i have to wake up early tomorrow. think about it and i'll see you tomorrow. mwa, toodles" "k, by-" next thing taeyong knew, the line cut off.
After that phone conversation, taeyong found it difficult to go back to sleep. so that completely marks the end of his sweet slumber from earlier. after tossing and turning between the sheets, he simply could not sleep at all. he takes out his phones, yawns as he scrolls through social media. well obviously, who would want to post something at 4 a.m? he follows his conscious and searches for "Dead Roses". years and years of avoiding this name, taeyong finally gather up the courage to even spell these words out. scrolling through the bands instagram feed, a certain picture caught his attention, without knowing he actually presses it causing the picture to be zoomed in and clear to his orbits. there it is, a photo of jaehyun. his past lover looking so focused as he plays the guitar. he recalled the times jaehyun would play his guitar to look for some chords, then follows his big smile, that showed his dimples and cat whiskers like feature shown on his face when he finds a new chord. following that, jaehyun proceeds to freestyle even more with taeyong trying to come up with a melody. just like that, the two would make wonderful musical pieces, the two not only had chemistry romantically but also musically. the two worked so well together. i mean there's a reason why their fanbases wished for the two to be a subunit by the time their contracts expired. but who would've known that plan came crashing down the moment a producer of a big label contacted jaehyun.
You see, at the age of 19 Taeyong and Jaehyun was in a band named "Blazed Out" along with their good friends Seo Youngho, or Johnny, and Kim Doyoung. The band was going steady, and made a few hit songs within their career of 7 years. Each member has grown their own fanbase, there's no denying Jaehyun had the largest one. Of course, his sex appeal, handsome face and talent brought in so much fans, specifically girls. Taeyong on the other hand had the most following after Jaehyun. There's no way no one would fall for his pretty face. But comparing the two, Jaehyun's fanbase were more hardcore you may say, any idol that even said Jaehyun's name would immediately post an apology video as his fans would dig up any kind of dirt of the idol. You could say idols career were on the line whenever they spoke on Jaehyun. Taeyong's fan were more on the chill side, they would support Taeyong and the band overall. They were more mature.
Everyone was worried by the time they had to renew their contract. The infamous "7 year curse" that had always been lingering in their mind had unfortunately became their reality. Jaehyun had been reached out by a bigger label, from the states to add to that. The youngest has talked to all his members. He was contemplating if he should join the label , he loved his band and had no problem with renewing his contract. And he knows that no matter what, they will always support him. But something told him it was time for change, it could be a sign for him to try to go solo. He already had a big fanbase to support him so he thinks he would have it easy. However, he completely ignored the consequence of his relationship with his lover of 5 years, Lee Taeyong. It just hit him, and Taeyong that they would have to do long distance relationship. That already sounded hard, but the fact that he's on the other side of the world and that they had to adjust to their time differences added more to the challenge. After talking and talking, the two had come to choice that they would have to put a pause to their relationship, not a complete break up. Because the two loved each other too much. But a break of 3 years, for Jaehyun to have proper time to adjust to the US and to start his career in a smooth flow and to test the waters whether he wants to settle down in the US. If anything changes his mind, he would have Taeyong to run to.
Taeyong respected Jaehyun's decision, but to others that was the most selfish thing Jaehyun would do.
3 years ago
"What about you hyung? you can't hold yourself back for the sake of letting Jaehyun fly high." Taeyong drops his forehead to the table after hearing Doyoung nag. Among the band, Doyoung was Taeyong's bestfriend, his ride or die. Whilst Jaehyun and Johnny were each other's bestfriend. Though Johnny and Taeyong are the same age, their friendship was more on respecting each other and admiring each other company, they didn't always had to talk but they were still good friends. Probably because it would be awkward time to time since Johnny wasn't as fluent in Korean. Johnny was born in Chicago, though his parents are full Korean, Johnny's first language was English, Johnny would often speak in English to Jaehyun, which caused the two to grow close.
" What do you mean? Me and Jaehyun would be doing our own thing when we're apart."
"Are you sure? because I don't think you can function without him. But why would you agree to this? I'm sorry but this is so selfish of Jaehyun, you can't be the cut that always bleeds"
"He loves me and I love him, that's why I'm letting us do this."
"Taeyong, Jaehyun suggests you two ignore each other for 3 years. He'll be out there making a career, fulfilling his dreams. And what? you'll be here just waiting for him to come back? Are you sure he loves you?"
Taeyong shakes his head "Of course he does, if he doesn't he would've broken up with me. At least we will be together sometime later."
"Are you hearing yourself hyung?" and whatever doyoung said after, it just didn't click in Taeyong's head. He adjusts the watch on his wrist "10:05"
"It's getting late Doyoung. I'll just head to bed. And don't worry about me, I don't want you to go to bed with a headache. Doyoung scoffs, not believing his hyung.
"It's going to take a few days for all of this to get to your head hyung. But whatever happens I'll always be here."
Taeyong doesn't says a word but Doyoung knows Taeyong got the memo. The older gets up and walks out slowly, feeling heavy on his shoulders. That gives enough time to the guy, leaning outside the door, who have heard the whole conversation enough time to run away to their shared bedroom.
Taeyong slowly closes the door as he thinks his lover was sleeping on their shared bedroom. Turning around, he sees Jaehyun sitting on the bed, with his back leaning on the headrest and the lights on top of the bedside table switched on.
"Oh hi love." Taeyong breaks the silence, Jaehyun smiles softly. "Did I wake you up?" Taeyong looks into Jaehyun's eyes as he takes of his shoes. Jaehyun shakes his head cutely, these were the same responses as Taeyong bombards Jaehyun with questions of "Are you hungry? Should I cook for you? Are you thirsty?" It was part of Taeyong nature's to be caring
"Come here" Jaehyun says as he widely spreads his arms, it doesnt even take a second before Taeyong jumps on the bed and falls into his lovers arm. Immediately, Jaehyun wraps his arms around the smaller's waist. Taeyong inhales the scent of his lover, knowing that he doesn't have much time before he does that one last time.
Jaehyun gently places a kiss on Taeyong's head and runs his hands through his hair.
"I love you." Taeyong breaks their intimate silence,
"I love you too. even if-
"Please don't say anything else." Taeyong didn't wanted to be reminded that they will be away from each other. Next thing Taeyong knows, he's holding his breath to stop a sob from leaving his mouth