Zen's POV
"Ahh, fuck…"
I heave out a soft moan as I stroke myself, trying to cum quickly and relieve this tension. The water of the shower beats down on my back with relentless heat. And I imagine it's Jumin. Jumin at my back, hot and eager, taking me from behind. He hits that spot, that same spot he found with his finger, but this time with his cock. I'll take him all in, just like I did with my mouth. And he'll… I can practically feel his hand gripping my hair again, all while he whispers 'you're perfect' in my ear with husky confidence.
"Unh!" I whimper as I cum, each spray dripping from my hand to the shower floor.
I lean back against the wall, the cool tile helping to calm my affected state.
"Shit," I hiss through my teeth.
My heart pounds relentlessly in my chest, but it's not just exertion. It's not just nerves. I feel it. The warmth. The buzz. The emotions fluttering around inside me are only growing.
I turn the water to a more tepid temperature and hang my head under the stream, letting it pour down the back of my head and neck. Am I going crazy? I cinch my eyes shut. Everything is moving so fast, and yet… He makes me feel so good. I mean, fuck! I think with exasperation. How am I supposed to resist him? Ah… then again, I turn my head up so the cool water falls directly on my face, I think we may be well past that point.
I… I really do want to be with him. I want him to continue to look at me with fire in his eyes. To praise me endlessly. I want to… take care of him. Because as much as he has been taking the lead romantically… Over these past few days I've noticed all these moments that crack his composure. And they're such little moments. Like me welcoming him home. Eating dinner with him. Saying I'll be waiting for him. I've always thought of Jumin as such a spoiled brat… but maybe he had his own hardships?
I finish cleaning up and turn off the shower. Stepping out, I dry my hair first to keep it from dripping, but I pause as I hear muffled talking. It's probably a phone call, right? Not someone here? But as I continue to towel off, I realize I didn't grab any clothes. Well, shit, I don't want to walk out there and flash one of his employees. I wrap the towel around my waist and go to the door, cracking it open to listen and make sure it's just a work call.
"Yes, Father. I assure you, I will apologize to the girl and her family."
Ah, he's talking to his father? Crap, that was so awkward yesterday. I hope he didn't just show up again.
"I know you're disappointed," Jumin continues. "No. … No. … Of course not. … No, it's unrelated. … I will still be working, just from home."
Okay, so yes, just a phone call. Well I guess I can go get my clothes then…
"Yes, the helicopter was for Zen."
I freeze in the doorway.
"Well, he's important to me, Father. … Yes. … Do what again? … Yes. In a heartbeat. … I didn't use company funds, so I don't understand why you feel the need to say anything. … I'll handle PR."
My heart pounds so hard I can feel it beat against my ribcage. Shit. I didn't even think about the money. Or his company PR. I've been so… distracted.
"Actually, speaking of Zen. Father, I believe you owe him an apology. You were terribly rude to him yesterday."
My breath catches.
"He's not. … He's actually very talented. … Yes. … Have I ever given you reason to doubt my judgment? … The next time you see him, treat him with the respect he deserves. … I'm very serious. In fact, I think that is all I have to say. I should be going. … Yes. … Goodbye, Father."
My intention had been to listen for just a second. To make sure it was just a phone call. And yet here I am, shaking and barely holding my towel up. I throw my head back, replaying what I heard of Jumin's conversation, all while my chest thrums with affection. My eyes dart across the ceiling as my mind reconciles the thoughts and feelings that are overwhelming it.
After a few moments, I finally drop my head, determination set in my gaze. My hand grips the towel tightly to my waist as I walk out.
Jumin is sitting at the table, still in only his boxer briefs, and working away at his laptop. I take swift steps as I approach him, not hesitating when his gaze finds me and widens. In a matter of seconds, I am leaning over him, hand on his cheek, kissing him. In his surprise, the kiss begins stiffly. But I feel him relax, and he matches each slow shift of my lips as I try to pour my appreciation into each caress.
When I feel his tongue enter my mouth, I pull back, straightening my back to standing. As tempted as I am to let this continue, I want to do more with him than this. I want to talk with him. I want to learn more about him. I want to make him breakfast.
"Can I touch you?" he asks through heavy breaths. His eyes skate up and down my naked body with obvious hunger.
"Nope," I say playfully, giving him a wink.
His gray eyes look darker than usual as they shoot up to meet mine. "What if I just use my mouth?"
I can't help the surprised laugh that slips out, or the way my body goes hot at his words. Wow, I think as a teasing smile spreads across my face. Maybe asking first is a good rule for him after all. I have a feeling he'd keep me pinned to the bed all day otherwise. …Damn. I can feel myself starting to get hard at just the thought. Focus, Zen!
"Sorry, babe. Go shower. I'll get dressed and start cooking."
His mouth sets into a thin line, but he stays silent, not voicing his obvious complaints.
I walk over to my suitcase and mull through my clothes. Ah… what's the plan for today? Jumin's working from home apparently… so maybe I can practice memorizing lines and then work out before dinner… I pull on boxers and some loose sweatpants. Before I put on my tee, I glance over my shoulder and see Jumin standing in the bathroom doorway staring at me with a heated gaze.
"Go!" I laugh.
Grinning, I ball up my towel and toss it at him. It falls a couple feet short of him, but it elicits a small smirk before he disappears through the door.
Horny bastard, I think with a contented sigh. I look back down to my suitcase, which is filled with only the same few outfits I had originally packed, not planning to stay longer than a few days. Thankfully, Seoyung does laundry almost every day, so I've never run out of clean clothes.
Fully dressed, I head to the kitchen and start poking through the fridge and drawers looking for what I need to make omurice omelettes. I gather everything and set to work, but once the smells start filling the air, Elizabeth starts weaving through my legs.
"Meow~"
"Begging again?" I set the skillet off the heat for a minute as I scoop her up and scritch under her chin. "I don't know if I dare feed you today. What if your daddy catches me?"
She purrs and turns her shining blue eyes to the pan where the omelette is cooking.
"Mmm," I grumble, "It isn't fair. I can't resist either of you." I give Elly a little snuggle and then set her down. I spoon out a little chunk of the chicken and rice mix from the middle of the omurice and crouch down so she can lick it. "Shhh… our little secret, okay?"
"What secret?"
I go rigid as I hear Jumin's voice behind me. "Run, Elly, run!" I hiss in a whisper between my teeth. Then I stand and turn, hiding the spoon behind my back. "Nothi-" I start to say, but go silent when my eyes lock onto Jumin, standing a few feet away, completely and totally naked. He has a towel, but it's on his head as he idly dries his hair. I feel myself go red from my neck to my roots as I drop the spoon to cover my eyes. "Jumin! What the fuck! Why are you naked?!"
"Why not? You have already seen all of me. Is there a reason for modesty between us anymore?" His voice sounds so calm and steady, even as I know he is completely exposed. Does he not get embarrassed?
"Yes!" I shout. "Please, go get clothes on!"
"What reason?" I hear his voice come closer and my heart starts to race. "If you can explain it clearly, I will be happy to oblige."
"I… Just because!" I take a step back, and peek through my fingers as I do.
Through the small slit I see Jumin leaning in close, a playful smirk emblazoned across his face. His damp locks are sticking out in all directions, some even curling slightly. One word flies through my mind at the sight; sexy. I close my fingers back over my eyes and take another step back, this time my back bumping into the counter.
"Could it be," he begins, his voice coming in softly near my ear, "that my state of undress makes you… feel a certain way?"
My body goes hot. I swallow hard and set my teeth, knowing that he could so easily take this further, and I would absolutely let him.
Jumin lets out a long sigh, and the sound follows him back a few feet. "Here," he says, "is this better?"
I slowly drop my hands and open one eye, then the other. Jumin stands with the towel now wrapped around his waist. Unfortunately for me, it does nothing to reduce his allure. His still damp and glistening skin looks devine on his lean, sculpted form. And the wet hair. The vulnerable state of his nudity. I had no idea that Jumin could look so fucking hot. I drag my teeth along my lower lip as my eyes drink him in.
"Ooo… Not the lip," he growls in a low timber. "Not if you're going to deny me."
My lip pops free as my mouth falls agape. He likes when I do that? As excitement courses through me I feel my teeth move to do it again, and slap my hand over my mouth. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. No. I'm supposed to be finishing breakfast, damn it!
"Sorry," I mumble. I flip my hair over my shoulder and look away, trying to play it off as if I'm not completely smitten. "You just keep surprising me, is all. Now go get dressed. The food's almost done."
I walk around him and move in front of the stove, attempting to stay calm as I turn the heat back on the skillet. Jumin gives a soft hum of disapproval, but retreats back to the bathroom. The bathroom door clicks, and as if on cue, I hear a soft tink tink tink at my feet. I look down to see Elizabeth licking the spoon that's still on the floor. I pick off another piece of the omurice and kneel down to feed it to her.
"Thanks for waiting," I whisper. "I'd never live it down if Jumin knew how much I've been spoiling you."
I grin at her as I stroke her soft head. Her bright eyes turn up towards me with a knowing recognition.
By the time Jumin is dressed - surprisingly in his full dress shirt, vest, and tie - I have the table set and the food served with orange juice.
"Thank you for the meal," he says with a cool smile as he pulls out his chair and takes a seat.
"My pleasure," I smile, sitting across from him. "I hope you like it okay. It's not like I'm a professional chef."
"Ah, speaking of. I was thinking of asking Chef Baek back tonight. Would you like that?"
My eyes widen. "I mean, yeah! But Jumin, isn't it expensive? Don't call him out here on account of me."
"Hmm," he mumbles as he chews through his first bite of my omurice, "It is no amount of consequence. Besides, if not Chef Baek, I would still need someone to make me dinner."
"Do you… never cook for yourself?"
He tilts his head to the side and looks into the distance thoughtfully. "No. I can cook a few things, but I find it rather tedious. I prefer to just have someone do it for me."
I sigh, and can't stop myself from mentally calling him a spoiled trust fund kid like I always used to. Better to just change the subject. "So… Have you heard any updates on the girls? I've been wondering how they're settling in."
Jumin pauses his eating and lifts his eyes to mine with a narrowed gaze. "Are you still worrying over your would-be kidnappers?"
My jaw tenses at his harsh tone. "Of course. They're not evil, or some bull crap like that. They've just had hard lives, and got a little desperate. They need help."
"Lots of people have hard lives, and they don't go around committing felonies."
"Oh, yeah?" I grit out. "And what do you know about living a hard life? Or the things someone will do when they feel they have no choice?" My hands tighten into fists on the table.
Jumin's eyes are slits as he scrutinizes me, but the rest of his demeanor remains calm. I finally look away. Fuck. What am I saying? I wanted to do something nice for him this morning, not yell at him. My chest rises and falls with deep breaths as I try to steady myself. Besides, he won't understand me, or what I've been through, what I've done. He can't. We come from two different worlds, and his has a silver spoon. God, why did I think we could work out?
"You're right," he says finally. My eyes widen and flit back to him as he speaks. "I'm sure I have never experienced many of the hardships and tribulations that many others are forced to endure. In life, we are all limited to our own perspectives and experiences." He pauses, and as he studies me, obvious concern woven through his gray eyes, I feel my tension slack. "Zen. I know you left home when you were young, but that is the extent of my knowledge of your youth. Is it possible," his mouth opens to continue, then closes again.
"Just spit it out." I don't really want him to ask. I don't want this thing between us to end before it's even really begun.
"Ah… Zen. Is it possible that you are… identifying with these girls? Did you perhaps… have a hard childhood? That led you to… feel you had no choice?"
My jaw twitches as I struggle to hold back the emotions associated with that part of my life. "Yeah. I've done some things I'm not proud of." My fists tighten again as I lean forward, raising my voice to make my point. "But I had no choice! I couldn't stay in that house! And how am I supposed to feed myself?! To protect myself?! It doesn't make me a bad person!" I slam my fists down on the table.
I realize I'm shaking, tears falling to my lap. I sniffle and wipe them away, looking anywhere but at Jumin. I don't want to see his face. I can't bear to see his disappointment.
"Anyway," I mumble, "it's the same for these girls. They just needed some hope to hold onto, and in their case, it happened to be me. I want to help them however I can. But if you don't want to get involved," my voice begins to raise again, "then I'll check on them myself and take care of things on my own."
"...I can see this is important to you." Jumin's tone carries his usual collected poise, and yet it feels softer.
I try to stop myself, but my eyes drag to meet his, begging for his judgement. His expression is hard to read, but he seems mostly… uncertain. Not mad. Not disgusted. Not disappointed. Not like Mom. Not like Hyung.
"It is," I say cautiously.
"What sorts of things will help them? These girls, and others in their position? What would have helped you?"
"Ah, um… Well, access to supportive housing, help getting jobs, mental health support and counseling for the…" I trail off, not feeling comfortable labeling what happened to me as abuse, but knowing that what these girls went through definitely was. "...everything."
"I see," Jumin says simply. "And is there a local organization that helps with this?"
"Umm," I shake my head slightly, not sure where he's going with this, and also not sure what the correct answer is. If there is such an organization, I never found it. "I think there are small charities that deal with each thing separately, but I'm not really sure."
"But none that works on these issues as a whole? It would seem obvious to have one organization to help out these troubled individuals and provide support and guidance."
"Like I said, not that I know of, but I'm not really sure… Jumin, what are you getting at here?"
"Hmm." One corner of his mouth quirks up for a split second. He rests his elbows on the table, joining his fingers together lazily. Leaning forward, he rests his chin on his hands, and tilts his head loosely to the side. "I think C&R could use a new charity outreach branch. How about it? Think 5 billion won would be enough to get it started?"
A/N:
*5 billion won is approximately 3.85 million USD. Sorry it took me a bit longer for this chapter! I'll try to resume my (about) once a week posting, but you know, life happens lol If you're still enjoying, please let me know, as I potentially have a LOT more chapters in mind with these two knuckleheads ^_^ I'm currently trying to plan out and decide how long I want this entire fic to be (basically where and how to end it, and what ideas I want to include). It's already longer than I had originally planned! ^^; I had meant to go kind of short and sweet for my first shared fanfic, and yet here we are... lol Jumin and Zen are just too perfect for each other _