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The material of the dress felt luxurious under Jeno's fingers, though he knew it was probably a cheap copy of a more expensive piece. No one who came to the Pine Motal had the funds to buy costly clothes and leave them on the floor. The guest who left that dress behind for Jeno to find was no different.
Stood naked in front of his full-length mirror, Jeno remembered the couple that had checked in a few days before. The woman in the dress was so pretty, but the man with her was so sleazy, grabbing at her hips and pressing against her while Jeno grabbed their key. Jeno put them in room one despite his disgust for the man. He watched them fuck from his special spot, quiet as a mouse while the man took the women from the back. She was so gorgeous, opened up for the man so well, and Jeno ached with envy. He wanted to feel the ecstasy she felt. He wanted to be fucked. He wanted to be loved.
The couple had left in a rush when the woman's husband called. She'd hurried out of the room in her slip, and they drove off into the night. Jeno waited until the car disappeared from view before retrieving the dress and taking it back to the house.
Jeno lifted the freshly cleaned dress to his bare body and looked into the mirror. The chiffon dress was emerald green with spaghetti straps, made to drape over the body and make for a fine silhouette. With pale and uncertain hands, Jeno slipped the dress on. It was tight at the top, not meant for his broad shoulders. The fabric ended just above his ankles, and the slit started at his right knee. Jeno stared at himself in the mirror and flushed bright red.
He looked so pretty, smiling back at his reflection. Jeno adjusted his thick black rimmed glasses and played with his freshly washed black hair and did his best at playing coy.
"Hello," Jeno whispered, bowing his head politely and trying to sound…flirty. "Nice to meet you."
An unrestrained giggle burst from Jeno's mouth before he could contain it. He felt too good to hold back for once. Jeno rubbed his hands against the dress, smoothing it over his skin. The fabric grazed against his belly and his soft cock between his legs. Jeno bit his lip, ignoring his stirring cock and pressing his hands into his waist. He thought of the woman again. Jeno remembered the way her lover grabbed her hips possessively. He wanted someone to hold him just like that. A man made just for him.
A loud, accusatory bang wracked through the house, and Jeno cried out in surprise. He was quick to pull the dress off, ball it up, and hide it in his bottom dresser drawer. Jeno rushed to get his other clothes out of his dresser while calling out.
"I'll be right out, mother!"
Beige slacks, black oxfords, a white button down, and a checkered sweater vest. Jeno fixed his sleeves, making sure that the scar tissue on his wrists stayed properly covered. Once dressed, Jeno styled his hair with some gel and chastised himself under his breath. He was being silly, indulging in such things when Mother needed to be taken care of. Jeno hurried out of his room and into the kitchen, the most pristine room in their aging house.
Jeno nibbled on some toast while he cooked Mother's breakfast. He'd have a proper breakfast at the motel once his singular guest checked out. Jeno shuddered at the thought of old Mr. Wendice while he plated mother's food.
Rice porridge with kimchi on top, a fried egg, and some leftover fish from the night before. Even after forty years of living in the pine forest of the States, Mother still preferred a simple Korean meal. Jeno carefully placed each dish on a wooden tray along with a glass of juice and a dish of pills.
Gentle and lightfooted as always, Jeno walked up the old creaky stairs. He passed by his old bedroom that had sat empty since Mother's sickness got worse. It was easier for him to sleep on the first floor. Jeno stood in front of Mother's door, gingerly set the tray down, then knocked twice.
"I made you breakfast, Mother." Jeno's voice echoed through the otherwise silent house. "Please eat something. And don't forget to take your medicine."
No answer. She was ignoring him again. A lump formed in Jeno's throat, and he whimpered softly.
"Please don't be mad at me anymore. I'm sorry, I'm sorry for taking things that aren't mine."
No answer.
"I'll be good, I promise. I won't keep any more things."
No answer. The only person that Jeno had in this life and she was giving him the silent treatment. Jeno swallowed down another whimper and stepped away from the door.
"I'm going to work now. Please eat a little."
*
Their house sat in a clearing of the pine forest, with a dirt driveway, a garage, and a rocky walkway that led through the woods. The outside of the house was falling apart, worn by age, elements, and negligence. Missing roof tiles, broken porch steps, and cracks in the dusty windows. Jeno had done his best to keep the place clean, but he was busy taking care of the motel and Mother. They could afford to hire someone to do it, but Mother refused to waste the money. Jeno walked out of the house and locked the door, hurrying down the porch and the rocky walkway into the woods.
On the other end of the walkway, the Pine Motel sat in another large clearing. The motel had ten two-bed rooms and a receptionist's office and break room. Jeno had been working as the lone full-time receptionist since he was seventeen. He'd helped his mother run the place since he was twelve. It was the only thing Jeno knew. In the busy season, he'd hire a housekeeper and a part-time receptionist, but more often than not, Jeno was all alone.
Jeno entered the clearing, the back of the motel being the first thing he saw. He rounded the brick building and found Mr. Wendice's car parked in front of the man's room. The man had been staying for a week, apparently on business in a nearby town. He was an older man, at least twenty years Jeno's senior. The age difference didn't stop Mr. Wendice from making lecherous comments about Jeno's body and looking him up and down whenever he got the chance. As Jeno stepped off the gravel parking lot and onto the paved walkway, he hoped that Mr. Wendice would finally check out and leave Jeno to his solitude.
The receptionist's office was in immaculate shape, just like Jeno had left it. He turned on the lights and rounded the desk to boot up his computer. The desk was long, with a tall counter in front for the customers to use. It held a computer, a phone, and a small stack of books that Jeno liked to keep. Most of the drawers were locked, with a key that only Jeno had. Ten sets of keys hung on the wall just behind the desk, minus the keys that Mr. Wendice had.
After confirming that everything was in place, Jeno sat down at his desk and stared out the glass doors. The sky was grey and Jeno felt empty inside.
It was going to rain.
The used car lot had been sketchy, full of overpriced pieces of shit that Jaemin would sooner take to the junk yard than try to fix. Under different circumstances, he would have cursed out the salesperson for even trying to sell him a car with so many miles on it. But Jaemin didn't have many options, so he drove the old black car out of the lot, filled up the tank, and stopped by an auto parts store to buy little things that would help in case the thing decided to collapse on him in the hallway.
That had been a day ago, and after almost an entire day of driving, Jaemin still didn't feel safe. He made sure to use the backroads and stay under the speed limit. He tried to sleep a few hours tucked away in a parking lot, but his mind was working too fast to allow it. So he just kept driving, eyes occasionally straying to the duffle bag in the front passenger seat.
Two hundred fifty thousand dollars. A quarter of a million in cold hard cash, stolen from his boss Harry's safe in the dead of night. Enough to patch up old wounds and start a new life if Jaemin could just make it across the border.
Jaemin tapped at the steering wheel over and over again, driving himself crazy just to keep himself awake. Harry wouldn't go to the police because he was too wrapped up in illegal shit. That wouldn't stop the man from tracking Jaemin down and ripping him to pieces. Jaemin had given himself a headstart by shooting our Harry's tires. With the gun still tucked in his old leather jacket, Jaemin knew he should have killed Harry to save himself the trouble.
It was early morning, full of dark grey clouds. With thick forests on either side of the road, the colors were starting to blur in Jaemin's eyes. The burner phone in his pocket vibrated, and he blinked rapidly to focus before answering.
"About fucking time, Mark."
"You called me at four in the morning, dude, what the fuck?"
Jaemin's eyes caught a road sign. He still had at least a day of driving before he would be near the Canadian border.
"I got the money. I did it, Mark."
Mark shuffled around on the other end. Jaemin knew the bastard was still wrapped up in his cozy bed.
"Are you serious?"
"I've got ten thousand with your name on it if you can get me some new papers in a day."
"Easy. You sent me your pictures already?"
"Sent it before I dumped my phone," Jaemin looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror. His freshly bleached locks were dry and out of place. He hadn't had time to use the brown dye he'd planned. "New hairdo and everything."
"Call me when you're close. I'll meet you on your side of the border and take you back the next day."
"Thanks, Mark. If I don't call, I'm probably dead."
"Don't even joke about-"
Jaemin hung up the phone and stuffed it back into his pocket. He had been awake for a full day, and it was getting hard to think, let alone talk. Jaemin had to keep moving or Harry would make him pay.
The first fat rain drop that his his windshield made Jaemin jump. The second had him cursing under his breath, and the rest came in quick succession. It turned into a total downpour in minutes, and Jaemin was losing sight of the road in front of him. Red hot anger struck through him harder than lightning, and he slammed his hands on the steering wheel.
"Fuck! Fucking piece of shit!"
His fist came down again, hitting the horn in the middle of his tantrum. The sound made him jump, and Jaemin lost himself for a moment, swerving on the slick road. The few cars also on the road honked in reply, and Jaemin slowed the car down. There was no way his sleep-deprived brain could navigate through so much rain without getting into an accident. His mind supplied the image of Harry finding him in a hospital bed and smothering him with a pillow.
Jaemin squeezed the wheel and looked at the road signs for any places he could stop
Lodging
Pine Motel
The rain hitting the metal roof of the motel was a peaceful sound for Jeno. He much preferred the rain showers of spring and summer over the harsh winters. Jeno often wondered why his great-grandparents had decided to settle in the forests rather than someplace with a climate more like their homeland. The thought usually made his heart ache, longing for a place he'd never known firsthand. Instead of wallowing, Jeno pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and read his book behind the receptionist's desk.
Movement from outside caught his eye and Jeno looked up to see Mr. Wendice walking toward his car. The older man hurried to open the back door and throw his bag. He slammed it shut and headed toward the receptionist lobby. Jeno set his book down and prepared himself for yet another uncomfortable conversation before Mr. Wendice finally left him alone. Mr. Wendice shoved the door open rudely, making the bell ring, and spoke too loudly for the small room.
"Damn freak storm," He grumbled, patting as much rain off himself as he could. He turned to Jeno with that concerning grin. "Staying dry in here, aren't you darling?"
"Trying to," Jeno whispered, keeping his head down. Mr. Wendice walked over to him and loomed over the desk. The way he stared down at Jeno made him squirm. "Are you ready to check out, Mr. Wendice?"
"What are you reading?"
Jeno slid the book further from him. Mother would throw a fit if she knew he'd been reading on the job.
"It's just an old novel."
Mr. Wendice leaned down closer, forcing Jeno to smell the thick odor of cigarette smoke on his mouth and clothes. It made his stomach turn, but Jeno did his best not to react.
"Rebecca. Old Hitchcock movie, isn't it?"
"Yes. Are you ready to check out?"
"Never got into Hitchcock. Too dramatic for me."
Jeno didn't want to talk to Mr. Wendice about books or movies, so he pulled up the guest profile on his computer and went through the motions.
"Six nights total, but you paid for the first two nights at check-in. That leaves the remaining balance at two hundred even. Did you want to put it on the credit card on file?"
"I'll pay cash." Mr. Wendice took out his wallet, flipping through the old leather bifold. He pulled out two crisp hundred-dollar bills. Jeno stood up and took the bills, opening up the cash drawer and stuffing the bills inside. Mother would kill him for not checking the bills first, but he wanted Mr. Wendice out of his personal space as soon as possible.
"I'll write you a receipt."
One more hundred-dollar bill was placed on the counter before Jeno could pick up a pen. Jeno stared at the money, then looked up at Mr. Wendice. The man looked proud of himself, licking his yellow teeth while he looked Jeno up and down.
"Should be enough for an hour, shouldn't it?"
"I don't understand," Jeno mumbled, taking a step back from his desk just to hit his legs on the chair. Mr. Wendice took a step to the side, edging closer to the only exit from the receptionist desk.
"Don't play dumb, Jeno. You know what I want from you."
Jeno did know what he wanted. Mr. Wendice expected Jeno to get down on his knees or bend over for just a hundred dollars. He wanted to fuck him over his desk to take the edge off before driving back home.
"This isn't that kind of place." Jeno insisted.
Mr. Wendice rolled his eyes and pulled out another hundred-dollar bill, adding it to the counter. Jeno's stomach twisted in shame, and he looked down at his shoes. He could hear Mother scolding him for looking so easy that customers were openly offering him money for sex.
"I'll pay extra to break you in. You're a virgin, aren't you?"
Jeno's face burned, and he stepped away from his chair, easing his way toward the opening. Mr. Wendice's eyes stayed locked on Jeno, openly staring at his chest and waist.
"What other prospects do you have?"
Jeno didn't have time to think and made a run out from his desk toward the door. He'd rather get stuck in the rain than stay in the room alone with Mr. Wendice. But that had been a mistake. Mr. Wendice might have been slower than him, but he was much stronger. Before he could make it to the door, Jeno was grabbed by the wrist and toppled back into the front of the desk. He found himself between the desk and Mr. Wendice.
"I'll make it good for you, darling."
Jeno didn't believe that for a second. He pushed Mr. Wendice's hand off his wrist and leaned back as far as he could.
"I'm not for sale!"
"What, are you saving yourself? You think someone's going to marry a little whore like you? Teasing me for all this time just to act coy?"
"Stop it!"
Mr. Wendice didn't heed his words, putting a hand on Jeno's stomach and sliding toward his pants. Jeno wanted to throw up, a sob crawling up his throat, and tears threatening to fall. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He wasn't supposed to be forced by a strange man onto his desk. His life was over.
The front door whipped open so violently that the glass vibrated and sent shockwaves through the room. Mr. Wendice and Jeno both jumped at the sound. Mr. Wendice dropped his hand and looked back at whoever had come in. Jeno stared at the stranger who had just saved him.
The man was soaked from his blonde head down to his leather boots. He was tall, broad, and so handsome that Jeno's breath caught in his throat. His eyes were murderous, and they were narrowed at Mr. Wendice.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"Who the hell are you?" Mr. Wendice growled, annoyed at the interruption.
"He's my boyfriend!" Jeno blurted out, his whole body shuddering with adrenaline. "So you'd better just leave!"
"Boyfriend?" Mr. Wendice turned back to Jeno. "You expect me to believe-"
Turning his back on the stranger was the biggest mistake Mr. Wendice could have made. The stranger grabbed him by the back of his collar and ripped him off Jeno with one strong pull. Mr. Wendice fell on his back with a choked shout. Jeno slid slowly down the floor in a daze, watching the stranger whip one long leg over Mr. Wendice. Standing over the man, the stranger crouched down.
"You picked the wrong day to fuck with someone."
The stranger punched Mr. Wendice square in the face. The disgusting crunch of Mr. Wendice's nose made Jeno's stomach curdle. Blood gushed, and Mr. Wendice screamed in pain. The stranger didn't miss a beat, punching Mr. Wendice a few more times for good measure. Jeno couldn't take his eyes off the stranger who had come out of nowhere to save him.
"Get the fuck out of here." The man pulled Mr. Wendice back up like a dead weight. "If you ever come back, I'll fucking kill you."
He threw Mr. Wendice outside the office, and the older man stumbled and fell into the gravel of the parking lot. He picked himself back up and ran for his car.
"Are you okay?"
Jeno looked away from Mr. Wendice's retreating frame to the stranger in front of him. The blonde man kneeled in front of him and looked down at him with concern.
"You saved me."
The stranger lifted his fist to inspect it, marveling at the blood covering his skin. He blinked slowly at his first, and his body started to sway.
"Shit-" He mumbled, "Probably shouldn't have done that."
Before Jeno could ask what he meant, the stranger leaned forward and passed out right into Jeno's open arms. His body was heavy, clearly consisting of toned muscles. Jeno moved him until the man's head lay comfortably in Jeno's lap. Jeno looked up at the door to see Mr. Wendice's car leaving the parking lot. The rain poured down on an old black car left alone.
Jeno looked back down at the man in his lap, smoothing the wet blonde hair out of his face. Up close, he was even more beautiful with a strong jawline and perfectly carved brow. Jeno traced the sharp line of the man's jaw down to his neck, his soft, manicured finger stopping just at his Adam's apple. Despite the blood and water messing up the floor, despite everything that had just happened, Jeno felt a smile stretch across his face.
"A man made just for me," Jeno whispered. He leaned down to get a better look, his hand sliding down the man's neck and over his chest, down to his waist. Jeno slipped his hand into his front pocket and pulled out his wallet. He looked away from the man's face to look at the wallet.
"Jaemin Na." Jeno looked back at the man's face. At Jaemin's face. He looked peaceful, like he had meant to be in Jeno's arms. "I'm going to keep you."
When he came back to consciousness, Jaemin expected to open his eyes in a jail cell. Assaulting a random man was probably the worst thing he could have done while being on the run from a crazy criminal. But the soft material on his back was more comfortable than anything a jail would provide. Jaemin blinked his eyes open to look at a low, off white ceiling with a spinning fan. He was on a couch with his feet hanging off the edge.
"You're awake."
The voice is pleasantly deep in Jaemin's right ear, so he turns to it. For a moment, he wondered if he was still dreaming because there was no way this angel in front of Jaemin was real. The stranger's face wasn't soured up in fear anymore. In fact, he was smiling at Jaemin with perfect, advertisement white teeth. He's got perfectly soft features, carefully chiseled out from marble and dotted with a pink blush. Jaemin stared into pure brown eyes and swallowed hard.
"How long was I out?" Jaemin croaked out, breaking eye contact and sitting up. The stranger had been kneeling in front of the couch, but he finally stood when Jaemin swung his feet off the edge of the couch to the floor. Jaemin took in the room. It looked like an office breakroom, small and square. The room fit a couch, a table and two chairs, a tiny kitchenette, and a tiny bookshelf.
"An hour."
"Shit," Jaemin groaned, rubbing the back of his neck to work out the knot. "Sorry about that."
"Don't be sorry. You saved me."
Jaemin wished he had done what he did to be noble. In reality, he saw it as a good opportunity to take out his anger on someone who deserved it. If he pretended that he was beating the shit out of Harry instead, that was his own business. Jaemin held up his first to examine the bandages that had been carefully wrapped around his mildly sore knuckles.
The stranger sat next to Jaemin on the couch, head down and teeth pressed into his bottom lip. He was clearly shy, and Jaemin couldn't stop staring at his pretty eyes. Still, a part of him knew he needed to get back on track.
"You think that guy will come back? Or call the police."
"Actually…" The man lifted his head to look at Jaemin, worry all along his brow. "A couple of police officers stopped by not too long again."
Jaemin's heart leaped into his chest, and he wondered how he wasn't in handcuffs. The man pulled two things out of his pocket and handed them over to Jaemin. His wallet and the car keys. Jaemin held them in his hands, brows pinched when he looked back up at the guilty-looking angel.
"After Mr. Wendice left, I moved your car into our family garage, not far from here. The police showed up after that, but I told them that you were already gone. I told them everything that Mr. Wendice did and that you were only defending me. I didn't tell them your name or anything, I promise. They won't bother us again."
Jaemin sighed, feeling slightly better about the whole thing.
"I put your duffle bag in room one," The stranger continued, eyes trained on Jaemin's neck rather than his face. "I didn't see any other bags."
"You didn't have to do that," Jaemin muttered, putting his keys and his wallet back into his pocket. His clothes had dried a bit, but they were still uncomfortably damp. Thankfully, Jaemin had stashed the gun and his phone into his duffle bag before he walked into the motel. He started to get up off the couch. "I've got to get back on the road."
The stranger's hand grabbed Jaemin's bicep, gently holding him in place. His voice came out a little frantic.
"But it's still raining! It's too dangerous to drive in such bad weather."
Jaemin was stunned, looking down at his entrapped arm and back at the stranger. He must have realized what he'd done and let go of Jaemin. Even though he was free, Jaemin didn't move away.
"What's your name?"
The stranger pushed his thick-rimmed glasses back up the bridge of his nose. He smiled bashfully before answering.
"I'm sorry, I'm being rude. My name is Jeno."
Jeno. It was a cute name and fit the man in front of him well. If Jaemin wasn't quite literally on the run for his life, he'd take his time to get to know Jeno. But Jaemin worried that if he stayed any longer, he might never leave.
"Jeno. Thank you. My name is Jaemin."
Finally, Jaemin stood up from the couch and looked around the room again. There were two doors; one shut and the other led back to the receptionist's office. The breakroom didn't have much personalization save for a small, crumpled poster taped to the wall above the table. Jaemin recognized the heavily stylized picture of Gyeongbokgung Palace. He read the big, bold letters printed near the bottom of the picture.
Visit South Korea!
Jaemin looked back at Jeno, who had stood up to stand beside him.
"Are you from Korea?"
"My mother was," Jeno said, coming closer to Jaemin than a shy boy should. "She moved here for college, and she's been here ever since. My father's family moved here a few generations ago. I've never visited. Are…are you from Korea as well?"
"Yeah, I am." Jaemin looked over to the table and the small bookshelf. There were a few well-loved novels stacked up. Vertigo, The Birds, To Catch a Thief, and other titles that Jaemin didn't recognize. He noticed a couple of Korean language books in the mix. "My parents moved us here when I was a kid. Further South, east coast."
"Really?" Jaeno's voice had a cute, excited tone to it. "Do you remember it?"
"I visited a few times since. Haven't been back since I moved out of my mom's place."
"Wow." Jeno sighed, looking at the poster on the wall. Jaemin stared at the side of his face. He looked so gentle, so innocent in the low lighting of the breakroom. Jaemin couldn't understand why he was so entranced by a person he'd only just met. Jeno looked back at Jaemin with a peaceful smile.
"Are you hungry, Jaemin?"
"Starving."
"Let me feed you, at least."
"…I guess I have some time to eat."
*
The small fridge in the breakroom had enough food for Jeno to make a sandwich packed full of meat, cheese, and veggies. It was the first meal Jaemin had eaten in at least a full day, so he scarfed down the first half of it. He polished off a full glass of ice-cold juice, then ate the second half of the sandwich slowly. Jeno didn't seem to mind the way Jaemin ate, filling up his glass of juice and sitting down in the other chair just to watch him eat.
"So, you live around here?"
"Mhm. Our house is just in the other clearing. I keep food here for guests, and since I don't go home for lunch."
"It can't be so busy that you can't walk home in the middle of the day."
Jaemin knew he wasn't wrong, but he didn't like the way Jeno curled in on himself. Even though he wasn't a small guy, the actions made him look tiny. He clasped his hands together in his lap and squeezed his legs together.
"Mother says I shouldn't leave when there's work to be down. It's better for me to stay here until the end of the day."
Jaemin squinted, sucking his teeth to dislodge a piece of spinach. Jeno looked like he could be Jaemin's age, but he acted like a school kid at times.
"How old are you?"
"I just turned thirty," Jeno said, pushing his glasses up again. Jaemin figured it was a nervous habit. He blinked, the age registering a moment late.
"What? No way, you look like you could be younger than me!"
"Well, how old are you?"
"Twenty-four, but I'll be twenty-five soon. Come on, Jeno, be honest. You just turned twenty-one, right?"
The laugh that burst out of Jeno's lips surprised both of them. It was more like a giggle, soft and melodic. Jeno covered his mouth with both hands, but Jaemin had already decided that he wanted to make Jeno laugh over and over again.
"I'm just kidding," Jaemin assured. "Not like thirty is old or anything. Some people are sexiest in their thirties."
Jaemin was pleased to find that Jeno's blush spread quickly. Pink blossomed under his shirt collar, and his reddened ears peeked through his pretty black hair. Jaemin licked his teeth before biting into his sandwich again.
"Where are you going?" Jeno asked, an attempt to change the subject.
Jaemin didn't answer, suddenly very focused on the glass of juice in front of him.
"I didn't mean to pry…" Jeno whispered in fear that he had overstepped. Jaemin felt guilty immediately and looked up.
"I'm going to Canada."
"What are you running away from?"
Jaemin tensed, squeezing his sandwich a little too hard. He maintained eye contact with Jeno as he swallowed down worry.
"Why do you ask that?"
Jeno's eyes shifted away and back toward the crumpled poster on the wall.
"It's very cold up there, isn't it? You don't have a proper jacket."
Jaemin let the words sit in the air while he finished his sandwich and juice. He hadn't planned on staying in Canada that long, but he didn't want to tell Jeno his entire escape plan.
"I'll buy one when I get up there."
"You could take one of ours. I'm sure one of my father's coats would fit you."
Jaemin shook his head and waited until Jeno finally met his eyes again.
"Hey. You don't owe me anything, alright? That fuck should have never touched you. Don't feel like you have to pay me back."
"I know." Jeno sat up, placing his hands on the table. They were beautiful, well-kept hands with rounded finger nails and pronounced veins. Jaemin resisted the urge to touch them. "I want to do things for you. You seem stressed. I want to help you."
Jaemin let the statement digest. Now that his stomach was full, his eyes felt heavy, and his body wanted to fully relax. Rain still pattered on the roof. It wasn't safe to drive, and there was no one out here but the two of them.
"You said my bag is in room one?"
Jeno was too excited to feel guilty about what he did. He knew that lying was wrong, but he couldn't help but think about how warm and callused Jaemin's hands were went Jeno gave him his room key. So what, if the police hadn't actually come? Jeno just wanted Jaemin to know that he was protected.
Jaemin. Jaemin. Jaemin. Jaemin.
Jaemin was everything that Jeno had ever dreamed of. A knight in shining leather armor. Jeno couldn't stop thinking about how savagely Jaemin had beaten the hell out of Mr. Wendice. He couldn't stop thinking about the way Jaemin smiled at him. No one had ever smiled at Jeno that way.
Jeno was happy that Jaemin decided to check in. He worried that the bit of sleeping medication he put in the juice might hit at the wrong time. It was barely enough to put Jaemin to sleep; Jeno just wanted to urge him to rest a little more.
Jaemin's car was already locked away in the garage next to Mother's old SUV. Even if Jaemin figured out the way to the garage, he couldn't get in without Jeno's key. Driving while exhausted was so dangerous, and Jeno couldn't let Jaemin put himself in danger. It was good that Jaemin ate the sandwich Jeno made for him. He couldn't wait to make him a proper meal. He'd have to grab something from the house for dinner.
The thought of the house, of his mother, made Jeno's stomach turn. Mother was going to be so angry that Jeno had broken his promise so quickly. He could already hear her screaming and throwing things all night to disturb Jeno's sleep. Introducing Jaemin to Mother would have to wait until Jeno could convince her to be calm.
Jeno made sure to lock the door to the receptionist's office, just in case someone tried to show up while he was busy. He stepped into the breakroom and pulled out his keyring, finding the key that only he had. Jeno unlocked the door to the linen room, where the towels, sheets, pillows, and industrial washer and dryers were. Jeno shut the door behind him but didn't bother with the light.
Once the door was closed, Jeno could hear the sounds coming from Room One, only separated by a thin wall. The shower was running.
Jeno groped around in the dark to find his seat, an old chair that was comfortable enough. Jeno pressed his ear to the wall and listened for any sound other than the rush of the shower head. He didn't hear Jaemin's voice, so Jeno figured it was safe. Carefully, Jeno peeled off the piece of wallpaper-covered cardstock that hid his peephole.
The hole was just large enough for Jeno's one eye to see into room number one. Jeno had been precise when he positioned the hole. It was closest to the wall that made up the bathroom, giving Jeno a perfect view of the long side of the bed, the nightstand, and the window on the opposite side of the bed. The room was mostly like Jeno had left it, with Jaemin's duffle bag still in the corner of the bed where he had put it. It had been tempting to open it and see why it was so heavy, but he didn't want to be rude.
Jaemin's wet clothes were in a pile on the floor. Jeno wished he could take them and wash them for him, just to show Jaemin how diligent and caring he was. But there would be plenty of time for that later on.
Jeno turned his head back toward the door, listening to the rain as it started to slow down. He doubted that he would get any other customers in the middle of the week, even if the rain stopped. Something told Jaemin that it wouldn't be the last wave of harsh rain in the next couple of days.
The shower turned off and Jeno turned his attention back to the hotel room with bated breath. It only took a few moments of waiting before Jaemin stepped out of the bathroom completely naked. He stalked over to his bed while towel drying his blonde hair. Jeno bit his bottom lip hard to keep the needy whimpers in his throat from coming out. His eyes traced the lines of lean muscle all over Jaemin's body, from his biceps to his ass and down his toned thighs. Jaemin stood at the foot of the bed, giving Jeno a view of the front.
Jeno's hand pressed hard against his groin, squeezing his already hardening cock. Jaemin's chest and stomach were well defined, like the rest of him. He wore a gold necklace, but Jeno couldn't parse out what the pendant was. Jeno's eye lingered on the happy trail of coarse hair before finally landing on Jaemin's cock. It hung limp between his legs, thick and long, even in his softness. Jeno squeezed his cock harder, imagining what Jaemin's dick would look like hard. What it smelled like. What it would taste like.
Just looking at Jaemin makes Jeno's body temperature rise, coloring his neck pink with arousal and embarrassment. Jeno had never even kissed anyone. He'd only watched couples fuck through his peephole. Occasionally, he'd pick up left-behind porn magazines and look through dirty sites on his computer when there were no customers. A few nights a week, Jeno muffled his sounds with a pillow and jerked off in his bedroom. His experience was probably nothing compared to Jaemin's. Still, as he watched Jaemin through his hole in the wall, Jeno fantasized about just how it would feel to be under the man made just for him.
Jaemin tossed the towel on the floor with his dirty clothes and zipped open his back. He pulled out a change of underwear and slipped on the black boxer briefs. Jeno watched with slowly widening eyes as Jaemin pulled a gun out of his bag. Jeno recognized it as a revolver, shiny and deadly. Jaemin contemplated for a moment before placing it on the bed. Then, Jaemin pulled out a brick of cash. The bills looked new, banded together like they were when Jeno got petty cash from the bank. Jaemin pulled out several bricks of money, searching for a place to store them.
He settled on the small safe at the bottom of the wooden TV stand. Each motel room had them, and Jeno had the master key. Jeno wondered if Jaemin was a drug dealer or some kind of thief. Jaemin reset the safe and put in a new code. When he finished storing the money away, Jaemin turned on the TV and let the sounds of an old movie fill the room.
"What's a logical explanation for a woman taking a trip with no luggage?"
"That she didn't know she was going on a trip and where she was going she wouldn't need any luggage."
"Exactly."
Jaemin let his bag drop onto the ground and picked the gun back up. Once it was placed safely in the nightstand drawer. Jeno watched him lie on the bed on top of the covers, committing every line of his body to memory. Jaemin yawned and got comfortable on his back. Jeno watched Jaemin until he fell asleep.
Late afternoon sunlight woke Jaemin from the most peaceful sleep he'd had in years. He groaned and rolled over onto his belly, nestling his face in his arms in an attempt to get back to dreamland. Already, his dream was leaving his memory, and he grasped onto pieces. He'd been in a field, and someone had been next to him. They had been watching him, but Jaemin didn't feel scared. For once, he wanted to be seen by someone else. And though he hadn't seen anyone in his dream, Jaemin knew who he was dreaming about.
Jeno hadn't left his mind for a second since they had properly met. Jaemin couldn't stop replaying every second of their interaction. Jeno was pretty, sweet, and everything that Jaemin wasn't. There was an air of gentleness around him that Jaemin never knew he needed. But there was something just under the surface that Jaemin was desperate to figure out.
Jaemin gave up trying to sleep and sat up in bed. He shouldn't have even gotten off the road, let alone checked into that hotel. When he remembered the greasy old fuck that tried to take advantage of Jeno, Jaemin couldn't make himself regret it. He looked at his bruised fist, bandages tossed away before he showered, and decided that he just needed to talk to Jeno one more time.
As he got dressed in his only other outfit, Jaemin listened to the old, black and white movie playing on the TV.
"I've been thinking…"
"Now why would you want to go and do something like that for?"
A pair of jeans and a henley shirt with some thick socks. Jaemin sat on the edge of the bed to tie his boots back up. He wondered if Jeno would be sitting at his desk or lounging in the breakroom. He wanted to know if Jeno was into younger guys. Jaemin briefly wondered if Jeno was a bottom before biting his tongue. He lifted the curtain and looked out into the parking lot. No cars.
"Right, he hid it," Jaemin said to himself. "I'll just get my car and go."
The outside air was moist and warm from the passing storm. Jaemin breathed in the fresh, clean air as he made the short trip from room one to the receptionist's office. Jeno was visible through the glass door, sitting at his desk with his head down.
The bell above the door jingled when Jaemin entered, and Jeno responded like a trained dog. He stood up with a big, fake smile, but it changed when he registered who was standing in front of him.
"Oh, Jaemin," He was so coy, his shy smile making Jaemin feel hungry all over again. "Did you get some rest?"
"First time I've slept that long in a long time. Much needed. "
Jeno sat back down on his chair, and Jaemin approached the desk. He let his bare forearms rest on the counter, relaxing his weight on it and looking down at Jeno. The other man looked up with those pretty brown eyes framed by long and thick eyelashes. He bit his lips again, pearly whites digging into plush pink. A face like that didn't deserve to be stuck in the middle of the woods. Jaemin forgot his main objective embarrassingly fast.
"You really run this place all by yourself?"
Jeno nodded, and Jaemin noticed the way the other man stared at his neck as he spoke.
"My grandfather started it years ago and passed it along to my father. When my parents got married, Mother took charge, and I helped her."
"Dad didn't want it?"
Jeno shrugged. "He left when I was still a kid, haven't seen him since."
"Prick," Jaemin muttered, and Jeno smiled a little. "Just you and mom, then?"
"Yes."
"Same here. My dad passed when I was like, twelve."
Jaemin wasn't sure why he divulged the information. He rarely told anyone about his father. He didn't like to tell anyone about his family in general, especially not while he worked for Harry.
"How did he die?"
The question should have offended Jaemin. Most people said 'oh, sorry for your loss' or 'you poor thing'. Others skirted past the topic entirely. Jeno was the first to take it head-on and ask the question that everyone wanted to know. Jaemin felt like the question was the most natural thing he'd ever heard. He made sure to maintain eye contact with Jaemin while he answered.
"He killed himself."
Jaemin was close enough to see the way Jeno's pupils got wider. Unlike before, Jeno didn't shy away; his mouth pressed into a straight line.
"How?"
Something twisted in Jaemin's chest, and he needed to get closer. He leaned forward until the unforgiving surface of the counter started to hurt his skin.
"Razor blade to the wrist. Bled himself out."
"Did you find him?"
"Yeah. In our bathtub."
They stared at each other for a while, both searching for something in the other's eyes. Jaemin had never told anyone about finding his father. He always said that he heard noises from the bathroom, got afraid, and called the police. Maybe he was testing Jeno. Seeing if he was worthy.
Jeno's mouth turned up in a soft smile again, and Jaemin's heart lit up like fireworks.
"Are you hungry, Jaemin? I made you some food."
"Sure," Jaemin said, forgetting about the rest of the world in favor of the man in front of him. "I've got plenty of time."
*
They don't talk much while they eat what Jeno made. Jeno had made pork chops and mashed potatoes, much richer than any meal Jaemin usually ate. Since moving out, he lived off of ramen and take-out food. He relished every single bite and liked the way Jeno watched his mouth work and the way he swallowed.
Instead of leaving after eating, Jaemin accepted Jeno's offer of coffee. The coffee was warm and bold, rich from the cream and almost too sweet from the sugar. To go with it, Jeno cut Jaemin a thick slice of strawberry cake to go with it. The cake stuck to the roof of Jaemin's mouth as he ate, but it went down easily with the coffee. Jeno sat with his own piece, looking a little proud.
"You bake too?"
"Mother thinks it's useless to hire someone to make anything. And buying premade just isn't the same. I've been making all our food for years."
Jeno licked the cake off his teeth, watching Jeno drink his black coffee. His mom sure had a lot of rules and strange sayings.
"Where is Mom, anyway? She can't help?"
"She's very sick; she doesn't work anymore."
"Cancer?"
"Something like that."
Jaemin didn't think he was getting the full truth from Jeno. But Jaemin wasn't being honest either, so he didn't get too wrapped up in it.
"So, she stays in the house? Who takes care of her?"
"I do."
"Aren't there nurses for that?"
"We used to have a nurse but…" Jeno frowned, staring into his coffee mug. "Mother can be very abrasive. She chased her off."
"Kind of surprising then," Jaemin mumbled.
"What is?"
"The fact that you're so sweet."
Jeno's frown melted into a big smile, turning his eyes into cute half moons.
"Do you have to leave, Jaemin? I so enjoy talking to you."
"I've got time, Jeno. Let's talk."
*
And so they talked. For hours, Jaemin watched as Jeno's shy outer shell cracked away. Jaemin talked about his life first, leaving out all the unsavory details. He didn't talk about his father anymore and focused on what little good there was. His job as a mechanic, the stray cats he used to feed, and his many, many, foolish escapades.
"Of course, the boat tips over and all three of us are suddenly in the lake," Jaemin was animated when he recounted another story. "The water's freezing, my phone gets ruined, and the cops are still on our ass."
Jeno was obviously smitten, entranced by the story, and sitting on the edge of his seat.
"Did you get caught?"
"Come on, who do you think I am?" Jaemin leaned back, legs spread in the cocky way men did. "Three-time high school distance swim champion. I swam to the opposite bank while the cops fished my friends out of the water."
"What?!"
"Yup. Got out of the bank and ran back home. Almost gave my mom a heart attack when I climbed through the window soaking wet."
Jeno's laughter at the story had Jaemin's heart thumping. It was cute, genuine, and loud. Once he caught his breath, Jeno asked a question.
"Why didn't you go to college for swim?"
Jaemin shrugged, rolling his shoulders back in fake nonchalance.
"Didn't have the grades for it, or the drive. Got my job at the garage before graduation, they sent my diploma in the mail." His lips ticked up in a smile. "What about you, Jeno? Surely a smart guy like you made it into a fancy college."
Jeno bit his bottom lip again, and Jaemin felt the urge to press his thumb to the plush flesh.
"I started college right out of high school. Nothing fancy, just a community college, the next town over. The plan was to transfer to a university and get a degree in literature."
"Ah, hence all the books, right?"
Jeno nodded, and his smile didn't reach his eyes. Jaemin could sense the sadness in his eyes, in his big sigh before he continued.
"Then, Mom got sick. I had to take care of her and the motel full-time. I managed to get my associate's online but…" Jeno trailed off and finished with a shrug.
Jaemin could feel anger bubbling up in his chest. Jeno's mother seemed like a selfish bat, and Jaemin knew all about those. She had sucked the energy out of Jeno, and it was infuriating to see.
"You can always go back. Online school is all the rage now."
Jeno shook his head, finishing his coffee that had long gone cold.
"Mother says it'd be useless now."
"What does she know?" Jaemin said, feeling more than a little defensive. Jeno frowned, his eyebrows pinching most endearingly.
"You shouldn't say that."
Jaemin suppressed an eye roll but gave Jeno a break and changed the subject.
"What do you and your friends get up to around here?"
Jeno squeezed his thighs together, and Jaemin stared at them. He wondered how much of Jeno his hands could hold.
"I'm not very social."
"But you've lived here all your life. Surely you have some school friends."
Jeno chuckled, his smile sweet and wistful. "I wasn't popular in school. Not like you."
"What do you mean?" Jaemin slid his chair a little closer.
"I bet you were the popular type. A total jock."
Jaemin laughed good-naturedly. He really couldn't believe that Jeno was six years older than him. There was an innocence to him, a naivety that Jaemin hadn't known in years. It was an alluring charm that made Jaemin want to see how deep that blush could get. He'd lost all care for Harry or Mark or getting back on the road. None of that compared to sweet, naive Jeno just begging to be plucked out of the middle of the woods.
"Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. But I do know that I would have been chasing after you if we had been in school together. Bothering you at lunch, sitting with you in the library."
"You're teasing me." Jeno pouted.
"I'm serious. You're just my type, you know?"
Jaemin wanted to lick the pout off Jeno's lips, and he was never one to beat around the bush. He leaned over until he could grab the back leg of Jeno's chair. In one swift, strong movement, Jaemin pulled Jeno closer until their thighs touched, and the older let out a full-body shiver.
"Jaemin!"
"What? I'm making up for lost time, that's all."
That close, Jaemin could see the bright red of Jeno's ears. He could smell the detergent on his clothes and see the hair standing on the back of his neck. If Jeno wanted a fantasy, Jaemin could provide.
"And during school breaks, I'd come visit you while you work the front desk. Wait until dark when it's nice and quiet." Jaemin leaned forward and was pleasantly surprised when Jeno didn't pull away. "Then I'd ask you if one of the rooms was empty."
Jeno's breaths came out in nervous, short spurts, and he leaned in for more. Their noses brushed together, and Jaemin felt electricity.
"Jaemin…"
"Have you ever been kissed, Jeno?"
"No," Jeno whispered. Jaemin tilted his head just right, barely two centimeters between their lips. Jaemin knew that he shouldn't. That once he dove in, there was no way Jeno would be able to escape.
"Would you like to be?"
"Please," Jeno begged, and Jaemin pressed their lips together with no more hesitation. He grabbed Jeno's chin in a soft grip.
Jeno's lips felt like heaven, plush but flaky from obsessive lip biting. It was obvious that he was inexperienced, so Jeno let Jaemin lead him. Jaemin pulled back just to lick his lips and kiss Jeno again. Jeno didn't hold back sweet whimpers as he let Jaemin take the lead. Jaemin licked into Jeno's mouth and was let in with protest, tracing his tongue past his lips.
Jaemin pulled away first, and Jeno chased him for more. Jeno kissed him in a shy and painfully innocent way. His cheeks were red, and his glasses sat crooked on his nose when they finally stopped kissing.
"Pretty good kisser, for your first time." Jaemin teased as he fixed Jeno's glasses. Even after he let go of Jeno's chin, Jeno stayed in the place Jaemin put him. Submission came naturally to him, and that made Jaemin's stomach pang with need. Jeno was perfect, and Jaemin was very, very bad for him.
"I've thought about it a lot," Jeno admitted, and Jaemin rewarded his honesty with another soft kiss. "I feel like I dreamed you up."
"I think I had a dream about you, too."
It was a line that Jaemin might have used to pick up someone at a bar, a white lie to get them back to his place. This time, there was more truth to it than he'd like to admit. Jaemin just hoped the rapid beating of his heart was obvious.
"We don't have to do more," Jaemin whispered, putting his hand on Jeno's back and staying close. "We can just kiss."
Jeno's hands finally moved from his lap to grasp the soft material of Jaemin's shirt just above his waist. A few centimeters lower, and Jeno's hand would cover Jaemin's hardening cock through his pants.
"We can-" Jeno started, panting into Jaemin's mouth. "I mean, I want to do more, Jaemin."
Jaemined pressed forward so their noses touched, nuzzling against Jeno's soft skin.
"Want me to be your first?"
Jeno nodded his head quickly, clinging to Jaemin like a lifeline.
"This might be a bad time to ask, but… do you have any lube?"
Jeno had to take a moment and catch his breath, then he stood up. He took Jaemin's hand, and Jaemin went with an easy smile. Jeno led him out of the lounge to the receptionist desk, letting go of his hand and opening up one of the drawers. Jaemin leaned forward curiously, examining the contents before him.
"People leave things all the time…" Jeno explained.
Jaemin's eyes danced over the mismatched jewelry and socks, sunglasses, earbud cases, toiletries, and a plethora of other little things. Things that you would only realize you'd lost until you got back home.
"No stray underwear?"
Jeno's gave him a weak glass, but his blush stayed red.
"That's unsanitary."
Jaemin hummed as Jeno reached into the drawer and pulled out a tube. Jeno deposited the small squeeze tube into Jaemin's hand, and he inspected it.
"No drip, thicker formula, long-lasting? Are you trying to tell me something?"
"It's the only one that was unopened!" Jeno insisted, shutting the drawer and not meeting Jaemin's eyes.
"I'm only teasing, baby. Come on, let's go to the room."
The evening air was humid and heavy. Jaemin took Jeno's hand once he locked the office door and pulled him into room one. It was just like he left it, dark and quiet, with some wet clothes by the bed. Jaemin took his boots off and left them by the door before sitting on the bed. Jeno set his smart brown shoes beside Jaemin's boots, but hesitated by the door.
"Don't be scared. Come here." Jaemin offered a hand, and Jeno stepped forward to take it. Jaemin pulled him closer until Jeno stood between his legs. "I'll be gentle, Jeno."
"I don't know what to do."
"Do whatever you want. Just ask me, I'll give it to you."
Jaemin lifted Jeno's hand and placed it on his shoulder to encourage him. Lit up by the moon and the bedside lamp, Jeno looked so pretty in his indecision. He bit his lips and adjusted his glasses with his free hands. Jeno tugged on Jeno's shirt.
"Can you take this off?"
"Yessir." Jaemin obeyed, taking his shirt off and sending it over to the dresser. Jeno placed both hands on Jaemin's body. He ran his hands across Jaemin's shoulders and chest, momentarily tugging at the gold necklace around his neck. It felt good to be so admired by someone else. Jeno looked at him like he wasn't even real, but a fantasy.
I feel like I dreamed you up
"Can you get down on your knees for me, Jeno?"
Jeno stopped his ministrations and nodded. He knelt down on the motel carpet and gave up the high ground. His hands obediently go to the waistband of Jaemin's jeans, right above his already hard cock.
"Take it out."
Jeno fiddled with the buttons and zipper, opening up Jaemin's jeans. He slid his hand down the waistband of Jaemin's underwear until he found Jaemin's cock. He pulled Jaemin's dick out of his underwear. Jeno let out a needy noise as he held Jaemin's hard cock in his hand. Jaemin gently placed his hand on Jeno's hair, stroking it softly.
Jaemin didn't have to prompt Jeno to lean forward and lick the head of his cock. It was a barely there motion, and Jeno's grip was tedious and uncertain. Jaemin's hand glided down to Jeno's jaw. He pressed his thumb inside Jeno's mouth and pushed his jaw down. He put his other hand on the one already on his cock, guiding the tip into Jeno's mouth. Jaemin didn't press hard or force anything, languishing in the soft heat around him.
"I can teach you how to take me down your throat later," Jaemin whispered, taking himself out of Jeno's mouth. "But do you think it's fair that I'm the only one with my clothes off?"
Jeno shook his head and let Jaemin help him take his clothes off. Jaemin pulled him onto the bed, and the rest of their clothes ended up on the floor. Once Jaemin had Jeno fully naked, he put him on his back on the bed, sitting beside and hovering over him. He took in Jeno's soft, toned body, admiring his shoulders and his waist. When he ran his hand down between Jeno's thighs, he stroked his cock a few times. Jeno wasn't as thick as Jaemin, but he was about as long.
"You're so pretty," Jaemin whispered, taking off Jeno's glasses and putting them on the nightstand. Jeno was less shy than before, running his hands across Jaemin's chest and groping his body. "How do you want it?"
"Inside," Jeno whined. "I want you inside."
"So good for me, letting me fuck you."
Jaemin found the lube again, tingling with excitement to get his hands on Jeno again. He couldn't figure out what it was that made Jeno so irresistible, but he didn't care either. He was going to take all that he could get from Jeno and give him everything he had.
"Lift your legs, tilt your hips, just like that."
The lube was cold on his fingers as Jaemin coated three of his fingers. He warmed it with his skin and teased Jeno's thighs with the stick substance. Jaemin ran fingers against his balls before sliding between soft cheeks and finding the tight hole in the center. He leaned against Jeno's body and kissed his forehead. Jaemin pressed a single wet finger inside, and Jeno whimpered in response.
"You're so tight. Relax, baby."
"I don't know how."
Jeno reached out and clung to Jaemin's arm, tensing against his finger.
"Be a good boy for me," Jaemin whispered against his temple, but Jeno's muscles stayed tight and unyielding. Jeno pulled out and pressed back in, trying to find the magic words.
"I can't, Jaemin!"
"You can't be a good girl for me?"
It's meant to tease, to catch him off guard and maybe make him laugh. Instead, Jeno's muscles go taut for a second before finally yielding to Jaemin, letting him get another finger in and start a slow rhythm. Jeno whined low, and his legs trembled, but he stayed relaxed.
"Oh, I see now. You're my good girl, Jeno. Just let me work you loose, then I'll fuck you on your back like I should."
Jaemin pulled out just to add more lube to his fingers, pressing two back inside and working them all the way inside. Jeno's whines turned to soft moans the deeper and faster Jaemin went. When he found Jeno's prostate, Jaemin pressed it hard until Jeno cried out.
"Jaemin, Jaemin, what are you doing-"
"Found your spot, pretty girl," Jaemin grinned, meanly pressing it with every thrust. "Wonder if I can make you cum on my fingers."
"Wanna-" Jeno cried, squeaky words coming out harshly. "Wanna cum on your co-cock!"
Jaemin pulled out and pushed back into with three fingers, eager to get inside Jeno but not willing to rush and hurt him.
"Fuck, I'm so lucky I found you. Little slut, waiting for me to break you open."
"Just for you," Jeno whined, holding his leg to keep it open for Jaemin. "I'm only for you."
Jaemin fucked Jeno with three fingers until he was good and stretched. He changed position again, getting between his legs and squirting more lube on his hand. They both panted, already slick with sweat. Jaemin guided the tip of his cock to Jeno's hole, looking Jeno right in the eye.
"Beg me to fuck you."
Jeno didn't hesitate. He didn't have the experience to be coy or teasing in that moment. He was keyed up and desperate, and it drove Jaemin inside.
"Please, please fuck me, Jaemin. I saved myself for you. I want you to fuck me all you want. Use me, use me, use me."
Jaemin moaned and pressed forward, slow and controlled, into the burning, tight heat of Jeno's body. Jeno's body tried to tense up and reject him, but Jaemin tilted his hips just right and bottomed out in just a few seconds. Jeno's cock throbbed and dripped onto his stomach, useless and swinging. Jaemin put his hands on the back of Jeno's thighs and pushed him into the bed. He let Jeno adjust to the feeling, staring down at his angel's blissful face.
"I'm going to ruin you,"
"I want you to, please-"
Jaemin pulled out halfway and thrust back inside quickly, starting a fast and smooth pace. With every motion, Jeno shook and moaned and cried out. He didn't know what to do with his hands, thrashing around or grabbing the covers. Jaemin laughed breathlessly and let him squirm for a moment more before grabbing Jeno's wrists and bringing them above his head. Once their chests and faces were close, Jaemin kissed Jeno roughly. Jeno let him plunder his mouth, only moaning against his lips. When Jaemin runs his thumbs against the skin of Jeno's wrists, he notices the slight difference in texture.
Still holding Jeno down with his hips and his hands, Jaemin looked up. It was too hard to see in the dim lighting, so he decided he'd ask about the scars later. It didn't matter at that moment, not while Jeno was begging for more.
"H-harder! Jaemin, please!"
"Already begging for more, sweet thing?"
Jaemin let go of Jeno's wrists to hold his cinched waist in a bruisingly tight grip. Jeno kept his wrists in place when Jaemin started hammering inside him harder. It was so good inside him, and Jaemin couldn't remember the last time he felt so euphoric. Jeno's moans and his tight body were going to send Jaemin over the edge quickly. Not wanting to go over by himself, Jaemin grabbed Jeno's cock and stroked him in time with his thrusts.
It only took three strokes for Jeno to cum all over his stomach and his chest, dotting skin with sticky cum. Jaemin fucked him throughout, the clench of muscle milking his cock. He didn't ask if he could come inside, but the way Jeno clung to him told Jaemin what he needed. With a pleased groan, Jaemin came, hips stuttering and cock throbbing.
He dropped his body in Jeno's welcoming arms, cooing when the other man wiped the sweat from his forehead and stroked his hair. He caught his breath for a few minutes, then pressed a kiss to Jeno's neck. Jeno sighed happily, and the kisses turned to soft licks. Even Jeno's sweat tasted sweet.
Jaemin pulled out with a soft noise, but they couldn't let go of each other. Jaemin wanted to be under Jeno's skin, to crawl deep into his heart and never leave.
"Can you go again?" He asked, looking into Jeno's eyes.
"Yes, whatever you want."
"Jaemin! Jaemin, Jae-" Jeno cut off his pleas with a wanton, squeaky moan. He was too far gone to be embarrassed, drowning deeper into pleasure with every thrust.
"Neighbors'll hear you, baby."
They'd changed positions, and Jeno was face down on the bed, one pillow cushioning his head at the other stuffed under his hips. Jaemin covered him like a weighted blanket, fucking him deep and hard. He kept constant pressure on Jeno's back so he stayed in place. Jeno's hole was wet with lube and cum, well stretched from the first round, and taking Jaemin's cock easily. Each thrust drove right into Jeno's prostate, and his cock was a leaky mess pressed against his stomach.
Jeno didn't care who heard him. He'd never felt so much pleasure in his life as he did pressed between a strong man and the cheap hotel blankets. Jaemin's legs were framing his own, and his chest was pressed against Jeno's back. Every time Jaemin moved his head, Jeno could feel the necklace the man wore scrape along his skin.
"You're so good," Jaemin whispered into his ear. " My good girl,"
Jeno's eyes rolled back, and his whole body shook, a whine of pure pleasure escaping his lips. He turned his head, Jaemin nosed his cheek before kissing him again. A strong hand trailed up Jeno's arm until it reached his hand, pulling it away from the sheet to tangle their fingers together. Jeno squeezed his hand and clenched down on Jaemin's cock, making the man moan into his ear. It was a beautiful sound to Jeno, and he wanted to keep them all for himself.
Jaemin slammed down possessively, hitting Jeno just right. Being fucked like this was everything he wanted and more. He'd stay under Jaemin forever if he could, open and submissive. Lightning struck down his spine, and his eyes rolled back.
"I'm cumming, Jaemin, I'm-"
His cock twitched, and Jeno came all over himself and the blanket underneath him. Jaemin slowed, but he didn't stop fucking him. Jeno felt a sharp tug on his scalp, and his head was lifted from the pillow.
"Beg me to cum in you."
"Please," Jeno whined, overstimulated and wrung out. "Please cum in me, Jaemin."
"Do you deserve it?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm a good girl, I'll be good."
Jaemin filled him up again, and Jeno had never felt so whole. He squeezed Jaemin's hand in his grip. Jaemin pressed kisses to his neck and cheek when they came down, and Jeno knew that their hearts were beating in sync.
*
"Careful, be careful."
"I can do it myself."
"No way, I'm not letting you fall."
Jeno huffed, but let Jaemin hold him close as they got into the small shower. His legs were wobbly, but it still felt silly to have someone else help him clean up. Jeno's tune changed once they were under the hot stream of water. He hugged Jaemin's body and tucked his face into the other man's neck.
"Does it hurt?"
"It's a little sore," Jeno mumbled, biting his lip when Jaemin slid his fingers over Jeno's fucked out hole. Jaemin gently cleaned him out, lube and cum sliding out and down the drain.
Jaemin washed him up, and Jeno returned the favor. As he used a washcloth on Jaemin's slim back, Jeno whispered.
"Do you remember how to speak Korean?" His Korean came out choppy and unpracticed. Mother refused to speak to him in anything other than English when she spoke to him at all.
Jaemin chuckled, moving away from the stream of water.
"I remember. My mom still only talks to me in Korean so I don't forget."
"My Korean is so bad…I sound like a kid."
"I'll teach you," Jaemin muttered, turning back to face Jeno and kissing him softly. He switched back to English when he spoke again. "Let's go to bed."
*
They got back into bed naked, under a single sheet. The soiled comforter and pillow were tossed to the ground and left for tomorrow. Jeno rested his head on Jaemin's shoulder and placed his hand on the other man's chest, just about his heart. His fingers danced against the gold chain around Jaemin's neck, and Jeno stared at the little pendant. It was a gold ginkgo tree leaf.
"You like it?" Jaemin asked, quiet and soft to match the vibe of the room. He wrapped his arm around Jeno's waist, holding him close to his body.
"It's so pretty. What does it mean?"
"Just a good luck charm. Used to be my dad's."
Jeno wanted to ask more questions about Jeno's father. He was utterly fascinated by the story Jaemin told him. Jeno could imagine a young, sweet Jaemin finding a bathtub full of blood. It reminded him of something he'd forgotten, but it was fuzzy around the edges. Instead of bringing it up himself, Jeno mentioned something else.
"My mother has a very pretty necklace. It's a silver rose on a silver chain. My father gave it to her just before he left us. She doesn't even wear it. It's such a waste."
"Where does she keep it?"
"In her jewelry box," Jeno pouted, not caring how childish or petulant he sounded. "She'd never give it to me."
"My old man was the same. Said he'd give this to me over his dead body."
They looked at each other at the same time, and Jeno didn't even need to ask the question.
"Before I called the police, I stuck my hands in that water and took what was mine."
Jaemin smiled at him, pressing a kiss to his brave Jaemin's lips. Jeno knew he was a poor kisser, so he let Jaemin take whatever he wanted from him.
"I'll get you a necklace," Jaemin promised. "I'm sure there's a jeweler in Canada that can get me a silver rose on a silver chain."
Something nasty rose in Jeno's chest, and he let go of the necklace just to wrap his arm around Jaemin. Why wasn't his plan working? Why did Jaemin still want to leave him?
"You can't go. You can't leave me here."
Jaemin sighed, lifting Jeno's chin to look at him in the dim of the room.
"I wouldn't leave if I didn't have to. I…" His eyes twitched to the side, and Jeno knew what he was looking at. The safe just a few feet away. "There's something I have to do first."
Jeno huffed and separated himself completely from Jaemin and turning over on the bed. A second later, Jaemin was spooning him from behind. Jeno jumped a little, his hips and butt sore from their coupling, but he didn't move away. He wanted to tell Jaemin that he didn't care about the money or the gun or whatever Jaemin was running from.
"I'll come back," Jaemin promised, kissing the back of Jeno's neck. "I'll take care of things and come back to you, Jeno."
"Why can't I make you stay?"
The question hung in the air until everything went silent again.
*
Jeno couldn't sleep. He waited until Jaemin's breathing went deep and even before wriggling out of the man's arms and rolling out of bed. It hurt him to let go; he wanted nothing more than to wrap around Jaemin and go to sleep. But Jeno didn't have much time.
If Jeno didn't do something, the man made for him would disappear. He thought of that woman, the guest whose dress he'd taken. She didn't let anything get in the way of her and her man. Not even her husband.
As Jeno dressed, his plan raced through his head. His head moved from the safe to the bedside drawer, and up to the standard alarm clock sitting there.
Shit.
He'd forgotten about Mother.
*
Much later, Jeno carried Mother's dinner up the stairs. Every step he took was full of apprehension and worry. If his plan didn't work, he'd be trapped alone with Mother for the rest of his life.
The tray of food, water, and medicine rattled as Jeno walked up the creaky, old stairs. When he reached the top, he looked at Mother's door, eyes trailing from the top to the bottom. There, the tray he'd made up for her breakfast was still sitting. Cold and untouched.
Jeno's lips wobbled with anger, sadness, and exhaustion. He stomped the last few steps toward the door and yelled.
"How do you expect to ever get better? You won't let me in and you won't come out, why are you so difficult?!"
His shouting rattled the entire house, but he got no answer from the other side. Jeno sobbed out and kicked the breakfast tray out of the way. The wooden tray flipped, and the contents went everywhere. He set the steaming hot dinner tray down in its place and faced the door.
"Eat. Or don't. I don't care anymore! I'm…."
Jeno kept Jaemin to himself. Mother didn't deserve to know about him yet. Jeno had to keep Jaemin to himself until Mother came back to her senses.
"One day I won't be here, and you'll be sorry for the way you treated me." Jeno finished, turning back to the stairs.
Jeno walked down the steps with tears in his eyes, regretting his words immediately. He wanted to run back to Jaemin so badly, to curl up in his arms and fall asleep.
Just as his foot touched the first floor, the barrage started.
Loud, unrelenting banging came from the second floor. Mother was stomping and banging along the floor and the walls. A moment later, she started screaming. Unintelligible, rabid screams that struck Jeno's brain like a physical assault.
Every night. Every single night. She screamed and she banged on the door like an animal, and nothing Jeno said or did could stop it.
Jeno crawled into his bed and covered himself up in his blanket. Tears flooded his eyes and drenched his pillow. He should have stayed with Jaemin, curled in the warmth of his arms. The banging was still loud and clear, ringing in his brain over and over again. Mother's screams were shrill, animalistic, and terrifying.
"Jaemin," He whispered to himself, sobbing into his hands. "Jaemin, don't leave me, please don't leave me."
Jaemin woke up on his back, tangled in the cheap motel sheets. He reached an arm out to find Jeno, but came up empty. A grumble came out of his mouth before he was able to form words.
"Jeno, baby?"
When he didn't get an answer, Jaemin opened his bleary eyes and sat up. Jeno's clothes were gone, and so were the soiled linens. Jeno had left him alone in the hotel room.
Jaemin got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom, unable to ignore the aching feeling in his chest. Waking up without Jeno felt painfully wrong, despite how little he knew about him.
Jeno was different from anyone else Jaemin had ever met. He was gorgeous, painfully sweet, and innocent. So innocent and naive that he allowed himself to be bullied but his own mother. Too innocent and naive to be left alone. Jaemin couldn't help but think about what vagrants came across Jeno and wanted to have their way with him. Vagrants like Jaemin.
Jaemin spat foamy toothpaste into the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. His mother used to tell him he looked like his father. After his father's body had been wheeled out of their apartment, she never said that Jaemin looked like anyone. She'd been naive too, and it had ruined both their lives.
"I can't leave him." He told himself. He'd grown attached too quickly, and he was going to get himself killed acting like this. "I can't leave without him."
*
The receptionist's office was empty when Jaemin walked inside. The smell of food wafted in from the breakroom, and an angelic voice called out.
"I'll be right with you!"
"It's me," Jaemin called out, not missing a step as he headed toward the cracked open door. "I'm coming in."
Jaemin pushed open the door and stepped into the breakroom. The small table was already full of breakfast food. Fresh-cooked meats, eggs, and toast sat perfectly plated with two empty plates in front of them. Jeno set two cups of coffee on the table, next to some glasses of water.
Jeno approached Jaemin with his head down, pushing his glasses up. He wore a dark colored sweater, dress pants, and black dress shoes.
"Good morning, Jaemin. I washed your wet clothes from yesterday and your linens."
Jaemin didn't like the apprehension in Jeno's words and the tension in his stance. He reached out for Jeno's chin, forcing him to look into his eyes.
"Why'd you leave? I was worried about you."
Jeno's shoulders relaxed, and he gave Jaemin the saddest smile. God, Jaemin hated to see how sad and pathetic Jeno was in this place.
"I'm sorry. Mother has to have more medicine with dinner, and I didn't want to disturb you by coming back late."
It was an acceptable answer for someone normal, but Jaemin felt the selfish part of him itch. He didn't want to compete with that dying woman for Jeno's attention. Why should he? He deserved more than she did.
Jeno cut off Jaemin's thoughts by wrapping him up in a hug. Jaemin hugged him back, letting go of his chin to smooth a hand down his back. He kissed Jeno good morning and decided to forgive him. This time.
"Come eat breakfast."
"You should have woken me up," Jaemin added, sitting down in his seat. "I would have waited up for you."
"It's alright," Jeno assured. "I kept myself busy."
*
Jeno wouldn't allow Jaemin to wash the dishes, so he watched him from the chair. Jeno had the most pleasing figure with broad shoulders and a pretty waist. What a ratio. But before Jaemin could think about the night before, he remembered that he wasn't on vacation.
"I've got to go, Jeno." He watched as Jeno's shoulders froze up and his motions stopped. "I can't stay another night."
Jaemin stood up from his chair, taking two steps forward when Jeno didn't respond.
"I wish it were different, but I should have already been in Canada."
Jeno dropped the dish he had been washing back into the sink with a harsh clink. He grabbed a towel to dry his hands, but still didn't speak.
"Please say something."
"What can I say?" Jeno lashed out with a crack in his voice that made Jaemin's heart clench. He faced Jaemin with tears in the corners of his eyes. "You know I don't want you to leave. How could you be so heartless?"
"You think I'm leaving for fun? Jeno, there's something you don't understand."
"But you're not helping him understand. You're just running."
Jeno tossed the towel on the counter and tried to walk past Jaemin to get to the door. Jaemin wouldn't allow it, stepping in front of him and grabbing his shoulders.
"Come with me."
It hadn't been the plan, not at first, but what else could Jaemin do? He couldn't protect Jeno if he was dead, but he also couldn't do anything from a country away.
"We'll go to Canada, I'll take care of business, and we'll come back. Or, we can go somewhere else, anywhere."
"You're lying," Jeno said, sounding more hurt than before and fighting out of Jaemin's hold. Jaemin let him go so he wouldn't hurt himself. "You're trying to trick me."
"No, I'm not, I swear! We can go anywhere, but we can't be here now."
Jeno shook his head, covering his eyes and holding back tears. Jaemin panicked, looking around the room for something, anything else that could convince Jeno. The crumpled poster on the wall caught his eye, and he blurted out the answer.
"Korea. That's where you want to go, right?"
Jeno stopped in his tracks, taking in a shaky breath. Jaemin closed the gap between them and hugged Jeno from behind.
"I can take you there, Jeno. My friend can get us there no problem."
Jaemin held Jeno's shaking body tight to his own, whispering promises in Jeno's eyes.
"We'll visit all the sights. Get a place near the river. I'll buy you the prettiest hanbok I can find, yeah?"
"Mother will never let me leave, Jaemin."
"We'll come back, eventually."
Jaemin knew it was a terrible thing to say. If Jeno's mother was as sick as he said, there was no way she could be left alone. Jaemin had already decided that it wasn't Jeno's problem anymore. The old lady was on her own.
"Jaemin," Jeno snuffled, rubbing at his eyes. "What if she ties me up?"
Jaemin didn't even get a chance to process Jeno's words because a car was pulling into the parking lot. Jeno pulled away from Jaemin and rubbed his eyes, attempting to get it together.
"I have to take care of this."
"Fine," Jaemin said, following him out of the room. "I'll get my stuff."
"Wait-" Jeno said, turning back to him as they stood in the doorway. Jaemin looked out the glass and stared at the car that had just pulled in. He knew that car and had worked on it plenty of times. Had shot out one of its tires not too long ago.
"Fuck."
Harry found him.
"What are you doing?!"
Jeno was prepared for Jaemin to rip him back into the breakroom by his sweater, so he stumbled and almost fell. Jaemin slammed the door closed and locked it, turning off the light for good measure.
"Be quiet, just be quiet for a second," Jaemin whispered, righting Jeno and moving them both away from the door. He sounded scared, and fear ran up Jeno's spine in response.
Through the door, Jeno heard the glass door of the office swing open. A man's voice called out as the bell finished ringing.
"Hello? Anyone in here? Looking for a room."
Jaemin's grip on Jeno's arms became painful. Jeno bit his lip to keep any sound from coming back. They blindly moved through the room until Jeno's back hit the door to the laundry room.
"He found me," Jaemin whispered. "Shit, I left my-" He patted his pockets, but Jeno knew that it was no use. He pulled out his keys and opened the laundry room after a couple of tries.
"This is the person you're running from?" Jeno whispered, pushing Jaemin into the laundry room. "The one you stole from?"
Jaemin let go of Jeno's arm and tried to grab onto his face. In the dark, he missed, and Jeno stepped back.
"Hello?" The man called out again.
"How did you know that?" Jaemin asked.
"I'll be right with you, sir!" Jeno shouted out, then turned back ot Jaemin and whispered. "Stay here. Don't move. And don't turn on the lights."
Jeno shut the door to the laundry room and walked back across the breakroom. He took big, deep breaths and fixed his appearance. Jeno bit his lip one more time and opened up the door.
"Sorry about that," Jeno spoke politely, keeping his head down as he walked over to his desk. Once he was safely behind his desk, Jeno looked up at the man waiting for him. He was average height and on the slimmer side, at least fifteen years older than Jeno himself. The man was gruff with a scratchy-looking beard. He was desperately in need of a shower and scowling hard at Jeno.
"You needed a room?" Jeno asked, his customer service voice doing its very best to stay steady.
"Yeah." The man had the scratchy voice of a long-time smoker. He stared at the door that Jeno came out of. "Working all by yourself out here?"
"Just me." Jeno nodded, typing away at his computer. He was working on muscle memory alone, too shaken up to make up an elaborate story. "I'll need your ID and a credit card to put down. How long will you be staying with us?"
"One night." The man produced his wallet, barely looking at Jeno. His eyes kept roaming around the room, like he was casing the place. "Just passing through." He set his cards down, and Jeno took them. Harry Dent.
"Alright, Mr. Dent." Jeno tapped in the information. It's fifty dollars a night. Check out is at eleven, any later and I'll have to charge you for another night."
Jeno was sweater as he handed Harry's cards back. Jaemin had stolen from his man, and it was clear he was worried about what Harry would do when he found him. If Harry got even an inkling that Jaemin was there, both of them would be in danger.
"You seen anyone else driving North?" Harry asked as Jeno grabbed the key to room ten. "Anyone stopped here lately?"
"My last guest left yesterday morning. I think he was traveling back West."
Jeno set the key on the desk and finally looked Harry in the eyes. Big mistake.
"You sure about that?"
Harry's eyes were so dark that they looked black. He stared all the way through Jeno, and it was easy to see the danger he possessed. Even with the wide desk between them, Jeno knew he wasn't safe.
"I think I would know if someone else was here. The parking lots empty. Save for your car."
"I'm looking for an Asian guy," Harry continued, seemingly ignoring Jeno's statement. "About your height, broad at the shoulders. Had black hair last time I saw him, probably changed it."
Jeno pushed the keys farther up the desk, the sound of them scraping filling the room.
"Haven't seen anyone like that out here. Probably best to get in your room," Jeno said, tilting his head towards the clouds outside.
"It's about to rain."
*
Harry made a big show about heading towards his room. He went outside and smoked a cigarette by his car, throwing glances back at Jeno. Jeno didn't so much as glance over at the other door that Jaemin was behind. Instead, he pretended to read his book and do busy work around the office.
Sweat soaked Jeno's collar, and he just wanted to cry. Jaemin was so close, but couldn't provide any comfort. Jeno hated to leave him in the dark for so long. Half an hour later, Jeno watched Harry crush another cigarette into the pavement when a few fat raindrops hit the windows. Before long, it was raining heavy sheets again, and Harry had no choice but to grab a single bag from his car and get into his room.
Jeno waited another twenty minutes before getting up, locking the front door, and going to the breakroom. As soon as he turned on the lights, Jaemin opened the door to the laundry room with wide and wild eyes.
"He's in room ten-" Before Jeno could say more, Jaemin collided with him, backing Jeno back into the wall. As soon as Jeno hit the wall, Jaemin grabbed his chin and forced his head back. It was nothing like the soft touches from before; this was a tight, bruising grip that made Jeno clench his teeth.
"How'd you know I stole something?" Jaemin asked, his voice heavy with anger. Jeno reached out for him, holding onto Jaemin's shirt tightly. "Why'd you say that?"
"I'm sorry, Jaemin," Jeno whined, and Jaemin loosened his grip just enough to let him speak more easily. "I took it."
"You took my money?"
Jeno shook his head quickly, looking Jaemin in the eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. His plan was going to be ruined.
"I took your gun."
Jaemin's heart had been beating hard for nearly an hour, and it threatened to come right out of his chest as he stared at Jeno. He stared into Jeno's eyes while he pinned him to the wall, looking for deception. Jeno's eyes were tearful, but neither of them backed down. Jeno wrapped his hand around Jaemin's wrist. They were both shaking.
"I didn't know what you stole, or anything about any money." Jaemin pleaded, "I opened the nightstand drawer to write you a note before I left. I put it together that you were running from something. I'm sorry, Jaemin. I panicked and took it with me. I just didn't want you to be in trouble."
Jaemin released his hold of Jeno's chin like he'd been burned. He'd sworn to himself that he'd protect Jeno, and he was already the person hurting him. Jeno held tight to Jaemin's wrist to keep him from going very far.
"I'm sorry, I-" Jaemin stumbled over his words, "I need to get out of here."
Jeno pulled Jaemin's arms closer, holding the back of his palm against his chest.
"You can't go. He'll see you or he'll follow your car."
Nothing made sense to Jaemin. He'd spent so much time alone with his thoughts, making up things about Jeno and himself. Trying to understand how Harry had found him. Not understanding how he got so off track from his plan. He pinched the bridge of his nose and let Jaemin keep speaking.
"What if- what if you just give the money back? Maybe he'll just leave."
Jaemin looked up at Jeno with scrunched eyebrows and a disbelieving smile.
"You're so fucking naive," He bit out, and Jeno teared up. "Harry's a fucking criminal, the worst of the worst. It's not just about the money anymore. I crossed him, so he's gonna kill me as soon as he gets the chance. He might even kill you just for helping me, just for seeing his face."
Regret filled him as soon as Jaemin finished speaking, and he pulled Jeno into his arms without a second thought. Jeno went easily, wrapping his arms around Jaemin and squeezing tightly. Hot tears soaked into his shirt, and Jaemin pressed his hand to the back of Jeno's neck.
"I won't let that happen, I promise. All we have to do is wait him out. If he thinks I'm still running, he'll leave."
Jeno sniffled, holding back what Jaemin was sure was a liter of tears, and nodded his head.
"Hiding in the house would be safer. It's close, we can walk there."
Jaemin agreed; the more space between himself and Harry, the better. Jeno slowly let go of their desperate hug and went back into the office. Jaemin watched from the break room as Jeno unlocked the drawer of left items. He looked out the glass door, making sure that Harry hadn't shown up. He pulled the revolver from the drawer and scurried back into the breakroom.
"Is there a back door?"
Jaemin took his gun back, making sure that the safety was still on before tucking it back into his jeans.
"We can go out the back windows in the laundry room."
"Okay, let's go."
Jeno led the way toward the laundry room. As they passed by the sink, shiny metal caught Jaemin's eye. "Hold on," He mumbled, reaching forward and grabbing the black handle of the kitchen knife. "Take this, just in case."
*
The rain and the forest made for good cover, but it slowed them down. The rocky steps were unkept and slippery, causing them to move with caution. Jaemin followed Jeno's lead up the steps and into the next clearing.
Jaemin faltered in front of the house. Just fifty yards away from the front door, Jaemin couldn't believe that anyone lived there. It was falling apart on the outside, looking like a haunted house in the rain.
"Jaemin?" Jeno called out, just a few feet ahead. His glasses had fogged up, and his hair stuck to his forehead. "We need to hurry."
Jaemin started walking again, pressing a hand into Jeno's back to urge him on. His sweater was already soaked with rain.
"As soon as it's clear, I'm taking you away from here."
"Jaemin."
"Come on, before Harry gets a clue. The next time I see his ugly face, I'm gonna kill him."
"How did you meet him?" Jeno asked, letting Jaemin push him up the creaky steps of the house. Sticking the kitchen knife in his pocket, pulled his keys out, head down to pick the right one.
"Doesn't matter."
Just as Jeno picked the right key and went to insert, the ear-splitting crack of a gunshot rang out through the clearing. The bullet whizzed right by Jeno's ear and embedded itself into the door.
Jeno screamed, and they both stumbled back and into each other, tumbling down the porch steps. Jaemin got back to his feet first and pulled out his gun, aiming in the direction the bullet came from. Jeno was slower to recover, scrambling on his knees.
"The keys! I lost the keys!"
Another bullet came from the trees, too close to Jaemin's ear for comfort. Harry stepped into the clearing, and Jaemin shot, making the man duck and waver.
"Where's my fucking money, Jaemin?" Harry shouted, aiming again.
"Jaemin, I can't find the keys!" Jeno whined.
"Split up, into the trees, now!" Jaemin said, still staring down at Harry. "Run and I'll cover you."
Jeno let out a soft sob but obeyed, scrambling to his feet and taking off toward the trees. Harry aimed at him as soon as Jeno moved, but Jaemin shot at him and barely missed. Harry turned his attention back to Jaemin, and he took off into the woods in the opposite direction. He could only hope that Harry would follow him instead of Jeno.
Jeno's plan was ruined in more ways than one. Trying to convince Jaemin that he'd be safer at the house had been ruined by Harry showing up. No, Jeno knew it had been ruined as soon as Jaemin saw the state the house was in. Nothing would work, and Jeno was running for his life.
Tree branches whipped against Jeno's face as he ran. His glasses were useless, covered in water and debris. Every step had his shoes digging into the soft ground and slowing him down. Jeno gripped the knife in one hand as he ran, not that it would do him any good.
Jeno stopped behind a large tree, pressing his back against the wet bark to catch his breath. He rubbed furiously at his glasses while gulping down air. More gunshots rang out, and Jeno started to run again.
One wrong step and Jeno's foot got caught on a root. He overcorrected and sent himself down a muddy slope. The knife went flying while Jeno rolled down the slope. A sharp, red-hot pain burned through his ankle, and Jeno screamed before he could catch himself. The rain and muck had no care for his dilemma.
Before Jeno could get his feet under himself again, he heard someone crashing through the woods. He scrambled on all fours away from where he'd fallen, holding back cries of pain not to give himself away.
Jeno's scream stopped Jaemin dead in his tracks. Despite knowing the amount of danger they were both in, Jaemin turned tail and ran towards the sound of Jeno's voice. At best, the other had fallen and could still hide. At worst, Harry caught him, and Jaemin needed to get him back. He cut out of the woods and rounded the back of the house. Jaemin gripped his gun so tightly his hand stung.
Back into the woods, Jaemin saw the side of Harry's head. He crouched down and made quick work of the distance between them. Harry stood at the top of a slope, staring at the forest floor ahead of him. Jaemin watched Harry lift his gun and aim. Before he could get a shot off, Jaemin shot near Harry's feet. Harry jumped and faltered.
"You fucking bastard!" Harry shouted and turned quickly to shoot back, but Jaemin was already circling him, hidden by the thick foliage.
Once he was on the other side, Jaemin aimed for the back of Harry's head. He pressed the trigger, and the gun clicked. Empty. Jaemin's jaw was so tense that his teeth ground together painfully. He growled and took off toward Harry, not giving the man enough time to react. Harry was halfway turned to him when Jaemin tackled him, sending them both down the slope.
Their guns went flying while their hand desperately grabbed for each other. Both of them rolled around in the mud until Harry hit the ground with Jaemin on top of him. Jaemin raised his fist and struck the older man in the cheek.
"Shouldn't have come after me, Harry!"
Jaemin got another punch in before Harry bucked him off and flipped their positions. When Jaemin hit the ground, something unnaturally hard pressed against his back. Something metal.
"You stole from me, after all I did for you?!"
"All you did for me?" Jaemin screamed back, struggling under Harry's deceptively strong body. "You ruined my family! You stole from my mother!"
Harry punched him, and Jaemin saw stars for a moment. He didn't stop fighting as Harry searched for the truth on his face.
"You're Gena's kid?"
"It's Jinah, you fucking asshole."
Hands wrapped around Jaemin's throat, and Harry started to apply pressure. "Should have killed you back then."
Jaemin kicked and clawed at Harry's wrist, but couldn't buck him off. Water streamed over Jaemin's face and leaked down his mouth and nose. His vision went blurry, and his throat burned.
When fighting didn't work, Jaemin tried reaching underneath himself, but it was futile. His muscles wouldn't listen to him, and he was a few seconds away from passing out. Just when the world went black, a gunshot went off. In shock, Harry's grip loosened, and Jaemin took a big, painful breath and turned his head toward the sound.
Jeno stood a couple of yards away, both shaking hands on Harry's gun. He was covered in mud and favoring his right ankle. Jaemin looked back at Harry, whose face twisted in a condescending smirk. Jaemin never let his eyes leave Harry as he lifted his body just enough to get a hand under his back.
"You missed, you dumb bitch. Now I'm gonna kill you and your boyfriend."
Harry pressed down again, and Jaemin's hand finally gripped the handle of the kitchen knife. He pulled the knife out from underneath him and jammed it right under Harry's ribcage, aiming for the heart.
Harry crumpled, making a strange gasping sound, before Jaemin threw him off and sat up. The stabbed man landed on his back and grasped for the knife still lodged in his side. Harry only managed to pull it out a few inches when Jeno shot two more times. One of the bullets reached their target and tore through Harry's chest.
Harry didn't move anymore. He could only stare ahead with glassy, red eyes.
"Are- are you o-o-okay?" Jeno stuttered, still holding the gun toward Harry. His voice was small and broken, on the edge of sobbing.
"I'm alright." Jaemin croaked out, leaning back on a tree and spitting out water and mucus. "Are you hurt?"
"I think…I think I sprained my ankle."
"Come here, and give me that thing."
Jeno limped the few steps over and knelt beside Jaemin. He handed Jaemin the gun carefully, shaking like a dog in the rain. The gun was empty, but Jaemin put the soft on anyway. Jaemin threw his arms around him, and Jeno melted into sobs.
"I killed someone," Jeno cried out, clinging to Jaemin like his life depended on it. Maybe it did. "Oh, Jaemin, what have I done?"
"You saved my life," Jaemin assured, holding him tight and whispering into his ear. "We're gonna get rid of him, okay? We're gonna take care of this."
They didn't speak very much while they cleaned up the scene. Jeno threw off his sweater, working in just his undershirt to empty the room Harry had occupied. He shoved everything into the man's care and drove it into the clearing, bumping through overgrown driving paths. The rain had lessened to a little more than a sprinkle by the time they had wrapped Harry's body in blankets and thrown it into the trunk. Pain shot up Jeno's left leg with every step, but Jaemin couldn't do all the work himself.
Jaemin drove the car deeper into the woods, down paths Jeno hadn't even known were there. Driving it into the lake felt too risky, so they found an enclave with plenty of coverage. Then, they cleaned. They both scrubbed the car down with hotel cleaning products, looking over it and making it free of any fibers or markings that would point back to him. Jaemin wiped down Harry's gun and left it with the man's body.
Jeno couldn't walk anymore once they got rid of Harry, so Jaemin carried him on his back toward the house. They'd gone far, and Jaemin talked on the long way back. He told Jeno about how he had originally met Harry. After his family moved to the States, Harry had convinced Jaemin's father to work for him under the table. He was taken advantage of immediately, and the work became more labor-intensive and less profitable over time. When Jaemin's father tried to back out and work legit, Harry threatened to expose his part in illegal activities.
"My dad was a coward. He probably thought death was better than jail, so he left my mom some money and killed himself." Jaemin muttered, sounding more annoyed than sad. Jeno was careful not to move suddenly, nuzzling against Jaemin's wet hair.
But Jaemin's mother had been naive, and she trusted Harry. Harry took what little money they had and left town. Jaemin and his mother only had each other to rely on to get out of the bad path they'd been put on.
"I'll send her some money when it's safe. She deserves that much."
Once Jaemin grew up and moved out, he put all his extra time and energy into finding Harry. The original plan was to kill the man and run, but Harry hadn't even recognized him when Jaemin applied at his mechanic shop. So Jaemin bided his time and got the money he was owed and more. With Harry dead, Jaemin had gotten everything he wanted.
"You're very brave," Jeno mumbled, sliding off Jaemin's back in front of the house and crouching down to find the keys. Jaemin got down on his knees beside him. Jeno could see the bruising on Jaemin's neck.
"I don't feel brave. I feel wet, and cold, and fucking hungry."
The keys had fallen under the steps, and Jeno had to lean down far to grab them. He held them up to Jaemin, and they both forced a smile.
"I can make you something to eat after we shower."
*
Mother didn't make a sound when they came into the house, and Jeno prayed she would stay asleep all night. After they ate, Jaemin showered in Jeno's room, and Jeno took the downstairs guest bathroom.
The water couldn't get hot enough for Jeno to scrub away that day, but he tried his hardest. His sobs and fresh tears were washed down the drain of the small square of a shower.
Jeno had killed someone. Even if Harry deserved it, even if he did it to save Jaemin, Jeno couldn't believe he was capable of that. What if someone came to investigate the gunshots? What if Mother found out? Jeno cried until he had no tears left, and his ankle hurt so badly that he had to get out.
Jaemin was waiting for Jeno with some gauze and medical tape from the hotel's first aid kit. Jeno obediently sat on the bed, wrapped in his towel, while Jaemin examined his ankle. He rolled it from side to side, then up and down.
"It's not broken," He assured, starting to wrap the swollen and bruised ankle. "You'll just have to be careful."
"Okay," Jeno whispered.
"Let me get you some clothes."
Jeno watched Jaemin turn on his knees and open the bottom dresser drawer. He pulled out a few options, then tugged out a rumpled, green dress. Jaemin stood, holding the dress up by the straps to his body. Their eyes met through the reflection of Jeno's mirror.
"Where did you get this?"
Jeno looked back at the dress, and the soft material that had given him just a moment of comfort. He wondered if Jaemin would understand him or sneer at Jeno's desires.
"I found it. A guest…she left it. She never came back for it."
Jaemin nodded in understanding, and Jeno looked back at his body. He was only wearing a pair of Jeno's underwear, hair still damp from his shower.
"It's pretty," Jaemin muttered, then he turned back to Jeno. "Can I see you in it?"
Jeno looked at Jaemin, then back at the dress. Jaemin waited patiently for Jeno to walk over to him and drop the towel wrapped around him. He helped him slip it on, and the dress draped over Jeno like it had before. It felt like a lifetime ago.
Jeno faced the mirror, and Jaemin stood behind him. Jaemin's hands came around his waist, and he rested his chin on Jeno's shoulder.
"You're so pretty."
Jeno felt like he was going to break into a million little pieces. He stared at himself, at the way the dress scrunched up where Jaemin was holding him.
"She looked so free when she was wearing this," Jeno whispered. "So confident. Like she could go wherever she wanted, do whatever she wanted."
"Now you can be like her," Jaemin said. "I can take you wherever you want."
"Jaemin," Jeno whined, desperate and afraid. "I can't-"
"It's only a matter of time before someone finds that body." Jaemin's hand pressed flat against Jeno's stomach, applying pressure. Jeno maintained eye contact with him through the mirror. Jaemin's eyes were serious, like they had been when he was beating Mr. Wendice. "This place will be overrun by police. They'll ask questions, over and over, and over again. All they need is for you to trip up once, and they'll take you to jail. Is that what you want?"
Jeno shook his head, tears filling his eyes again. He was terrified of someone else finding out about what had happened.
"Then come with me." Jaemin lifted his head, kissing Jeno's temple. He was so gentle with Jeno, treating him like a treasure. "I'm the only one that can keep you safe, baby."
Jeno turned to face Jaemin, kissing him on the lips and wrapping his arms around him. When they pulled away, they whispered.
"You're coming with me, right?"
Kiss.
"Yes. Yes, I want to go with you."
Kiss.
"I'll give you a good life, yeah? Anything you want."
Kiss.
"Jaemin, let's go to bed."
Jeno ended up on his back, looking up at Jaemin in the dim light of his bedside lamp. With a gentle hand, he traced the bruise on Jaemin's cheek that was already purpling. Jaemin rested on his elbow, one hand on Jeno's waist. He slowly pulled up the material of the dress to leave Jeno's leg bare to the cold air of the room. Jaemin's hands were warm, and the calluses felt good on Jeno's sore skin.
"Can I?" Jaemin asked, lips ghosting over Jeno's. "Do you have anything?"
Jeno leaned back and opened his bedside drawer, grabbing the small tube of lube there. Jaemin took it and squirted out enough to cover two fingers.
Jeno hid his face in Jaemin's neck and curled his hand between their chests. Jaemin was gentle as he parted Jeno's cheeks and slid his fingers over his hole. He still felt the stretch when Jaemin pressed two fingers inside, but it was easier than the night before. Jeno bit his lip to muffle the whimpering moan as Jaemin fingered him open.
"We have to be quiet," Jeno whispered, lifting his leg over Jaemin's to give him more access.
"Okay, okay, baby. I'll go slow."
Jaemin put Jeno on his back and slid between his legs. He pushed in slowly, covering Jeno's mouth with his own to muffle his moan. Jeno arched his back and wrapped his legs around Jaemin's waist. Jaemin stayed true to his words, fucking Jeno in slow, deep thrusts. Jeno whined into Jaemin's mouth with every thrust, and his dick twitched where it was trapped under his dress.
Jeno didn't care about anything else when he was under Jaemin. He felt like he was made for it, made for Jaemin. To take care of, to fuck, to do whatever he wanted to. As long as Jaemin kept him, Jeno would never complain.
"Gonna do this every night," Jaemin whispered into Jeno's ear. "In a different pretty dress every time."
"Mm, please," Jeno whined softly. "Wan-Wanna be like this forever, Jaemin."
"Now we can be. No one else is in our way."
Jaemin pressed all the way in and ground down on Jeno's prostate, and Jeno let him have his way until they were both satisfied. Jaemin fucked him on his back, and again on his side, careful with his ankle. He kissed every part of Jeno he could reach, and Jeno passed out after he came twice.
*
Jeno woke up to the sound of Mother. She'd infected his dreams with her biting words and wrenched him out of his dreams. The screaming and banging on the walls felt like it came from right outside of Jeno's doors. Jeno bit his lip and rolled over in bed. He was naked but clean, and Jaemin was fast asleep beside him.
"Jaemin?" Jeno whispered, but the man didn't move or respond.
How could he sleep through it?
Jeno didn't think about it anymore, because Mother was never going to stop. She was still in their way. She would try to keep Jeno from leaving with Jaemin. Jeno got out of bed and moved through his room quietly.
There was one more thing he had to do.
Jaemin thought he was still dreaming when he heard the soft cries from the other side of the bed. He rolled over and reached his arm out for Jeno, only to find nothing but blankets. His fingers kept searching until he touched a solid, shuddering back.
"Jeno?" Jaemin whispered, lifting his head off the pillows.
"I can't do it," Jeno sobbed, and Jaemin sat up quickly. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes and readjusted to the dark.
Jeno was facing away from him, sitting on the edge of the bed and curling in on himself. Jaemin shuffled behind him and placed a hand on his back to soothe his sobs, getting on his knees to look at him.
The knife in Jeno's hands gleamed in the bright moonlight coming from the window. It was an old chef's knife with a worn wooden handle, and it shook in Jeno's unsteady hands. Jaemin moved to sit beside Jeno, thighs touching, and took the knife from him. Jeno barely noticed and stayed hunched over at crying.
"Talk to me, Jeno, tell me what you can't do?"
Jeno spluttered and sighed, trying to speak through the tears. After a couple of false starts, he finally whispered.
"When I was fifteen, I ran away. I wan- wanted to go find my dad and live with him, so I packed a bag and went out into the woods." Jeno sniffled, wiping his face with his hands. "But I got lost. Mom found me in the middle of the night, and she beat me, right there in the woods. She used a tree branch; she broke it over my back."
Jaemin had already decided to let the old woman shrivel up and die for neglecting Jeno, but the story made him want to march upstairs and take care of her quickly. He gripped the knife hard in his hand and squeezed Jeno's hand with the other.
"She dragged me back home, kicking and screaming… Then she… She tied me to the bedposts."
Jaemin could see a bruised and battered Jeno pulling at the restraints with all his might, causing deep scars that had never gone away. The scars were almost invisible in the dark of the bedroom, but Jaemin could imagine them fresh and bloody.
"She's not gonna hurt you anymore. Not while I'm here."
"But she'll find me, no matter where we go." Jeno choked out, lips quivering and nose dripping. "I can't leave if she's still alive."
The implication was clear. Jaemin stared down at the knife in his hand, clenching his hand over the soft wood of the handle. He'd already stabbed one person today. What was one more?
"You killed Harry for me," Jaemin looked up at Jeno, who looked at him with such precious, red rimmed eyes. "I'll kill her for you."
"Really?" Jeno choked out, sniffling. "We can be together?"
"Of course, baby. I'll do anything for you."
The honesty of the words was new to Jaemin. He didn't have anyone in the world that he would kill for. He didn't have anyone in this world, period. His relationships were transactional, and everyone in his life kept him at an arm's length away. They were all afraid of the moment he would blow up in passionate fury. But not Jeno. Jeno wasn't scared of him, and he was just as alone in a world full of people. Jaemin leaned in a pressed a soft kiss to Jeno's tear-stained mouth.
"Pack your things. We're going to leave at sunrise."
*
"I should stay with you."
"No, you shouldn't see this." Jaemin insisted, pushing Jeno into the passenger seat of his car. He had to be careful with him as his ankle was still stinging. "Are you sure you got everything you need?"
The backseat wasn't nearly as full as Jaemin thought it should be. His duffle bag, stuffed with his money and the money Jeno's mother had stashed, was joined by two of Jeno's bags and a cooler stuffed with food. Jeno had lived his entire life in that old house and only had two bags to show for it.
"That's all," Jeno said softly. Jaemin crouched by the car and looked Jeno in the eyes. He could feel the knife at his side, tucked between his belt and his jeans. Jeno pleaded with his eyes, but Jaemin stood firm.
"I'll be right back. Stay here."
One more precious kiss to his lips, and Jaemin stood up. He closed the car door and stepped toward the house once more.
It was a gross, crumbling structure that seemed like a strong breeze could send it to pieces. If Jaemin wasn't trying to lay low, he'd light the place on fire and drive off with Jeno. Instead, he crossed the threshold one last time.
Without Jeno, the house was unnaturally quiet, save for the creaking of old wood with every step. It gave Jaemin the creeps, and he didn't know how Jeno could have lived so long in that place. The scent of rot and dust got heavier as he walked up the stairs, pulling the knife from his belt as he went. He promised himself that after that, Jeno would never have to be afraid.
On the second floor, Jaemin found the door with a tray sitting in front of it. The food had long gone cold and nasty. Another tray was overturned a few steps away, with food on the floor and the wall. Jaemin slid the tray to the side with a boot and gripped the crusty metal of the doorknob.
It would be easier for them both if she were asleep. Jaemin knew how to make it quick. But in the back of his head, all he could think about was the scars on Jeno's wrists and the fear in his voice. So what if he made her suffer a little? Jeno didn't have to know.
Jaemin tried the knob with no luck. The metal was stuck like it hadn't been moved in a long, long time. Instead of fumbling with it again Jaemin took two steps back and inhaled. All it took was one solid kick to send the bloated door swinging open.
He expected a scream, a shout, something from the occupant of the room. The smell of rot increased tenfold, and Jaemin almost doubled over with nausea. His eyes watered from the dust kicked up, and Jaemin wiped at them to clear his vision. He blinked once, twice, then three times. Still, Jaemin didn't believe what he was seeing.
"What the…what the fuck?"
The figure on the bed had been dead for so long that they were unrecognizable except for the sleeping gown, discolored and falling apart. The hair had shriveled up and fallen out, and the skin was encased in nothing but bones. Mrs. Lee had died in her sleep some years ago, and what was left of her had rotted into the old bed. Flies flew around the room, buzzing between cobwebs.
Stomach acid crawled up Jaemin's throat, and his mouth filled with sour saliva. He stared at the body with big eyes and a twisted expression. Jeno had been living underneath a body for god knows how long. Living in fear of a woman who couldn't hurt him anymore. Jaemin swallowed his bile back down and stood up straight.
"You fucking bitch," Jaemin growled, his disgust quickly being replaced with anger. "What the hell did you do to him? Tying him up and beating him wasn't enough? You had to keep him here?"
Jaemin advanced toward the bed before he could rethink. In one quick motion, Jaemin drove the knife straight into Mrs. Lee's chest. The skin and bones gave way with a sickly crack, releasing an eye-watering wave of foulness.
"You can't have him anymore," Jaemin said. "He's mine."
Jaemin left the knife in its place and scanned around the room. He found the dresser and pulled out his phone as he started searching. It only rang twice before Mark picked up.
"Holy shit dude, you're alive?!"
"Plans changed," Jaemin muttered, overturning the jewelry box over the dresser. "I need another set of the papers. I'll text you the pictures."
"What? You're bringing someone with you? I don't know, man. That's risky."
"I'll double what I'm paying you."
"Shit, you're serious. Okay, okay."
"One more thing. You still know that doctor who'll write me a script?"
"What kind of pills do you need?"
Jaemin shuffled through the corroded and dirty jewelry until he found what he wanted.
"Anti-psychotics. Something for hallucinations."
Jeno twisted his hands in his lap while he stared at the front door. Jaemin was right, he hadn't wanted to see or hear what the other man was going to do. He wasn't even able to go up the stairs and confront Mother himself. Her screams the night before had rattled Jeno so badly.
But…Why hadn't Jaemin heard them? He couldn't have been that much of a deep sleeper, but he never mentioned all the noises Mother was making. Jeno bit his lip hard enough to leave indents.
"We're going to be free," Jeno muttered to himself, turning it into a mantra. "We're going to be free. We're going to be free."
When Jaemin walked out of the front door, he was talking on the phone. Jeno's heart beat faster at the sight of Jaemin unharmed and relaxed. Jaemin hung up the phone and stuffed it into his jeans on his way to the car. His knife was gone, and his expression was steely. Jeno waited in his spot, like he was told, until Jaemin got into the car.
"Are you alright?" Jeno whispered. "Did you…do it?"
"She's dead," Jaemin said. He stared ahead for a few seconds more before looking at Jeno. A smile spread across Jaemin's lips, and he lifted his fist between them. "I got something for you."
"What? What is it?"
Jaemin opened up his fist, and a silver chain unraveled from his grip. The rose pendant glinted in the early morning sun and dripped with water.
"Her necklace!"
"Your necklace." Jaemin corrected, unfastening the necklace and leaning forward to put it on Jeno's neck. It fit perfectly, and Jeno forgot all about the anxiety and worry that clouded him.
"I'm free," Jeno whispered, happy and so in love with the man before him. Jaemin was a man made just for him. "We're free."
"Let's go," Jaemin turned back and started the car, driving away from Jeno's house. "In a couple of days, we've got a flight to catch."
Jeno didn't look back as Jaemin drove them away. He didn't look back when Jaemin got back on the highway and sped further and further from the only home he knew. There was nothing left for him back there. Jeno was going to start a new life with Jaemin. They were going to be happy, and Jeno was going to be sure of that.
So if Jaemin couldn't hear the rattling from the trunk, then Jeno wasn't going to say anything.