You Make Me...Crazy

Chapter 9：9 - Because of You, I can be Myself

9. Because Of You, I can be myself

Dan poured Jae another shot and sat back to watch him toss it back. They had stopped at a convenience store near his building and he had bought a six-pack of Soju. They sat on the carpet in the middle of his living room, a low wooden table between them. Jae was happily drinking without any worries. Dan frowned at the five empty bottles of Soju that littered the space to his right.

Jae glanced at him with a wide smile.

"Dan, don't you think it's inappropriate to frown right now?"

"You're already tipsy and heading towards your alcohol limit," Dan said, shaking his head. "Here I thought we were going to talk or something."

Jae took the bottle from Dan and poured him a drink.

"Stop complaining and drink. I haven't been able to drink without worrying lately. This is the first time, Dan. Don't spoil it."

Dan frowned and took his glass. He took a sip, because at the rate Jae was going, moderation was the best course.

"I like your apartment," Jae said, staring out the windows that showed off the city. "It reminds me of my old place. I used to lie down on the carpet when it rained and watch the city for hours. Of course, those times were limited to three or four per year. I usually escaped the Black Shade dorm and I ended up in trouble with the manager. But those few hours, just laying down there doing nothing, seemed like paradise."

In the past three years, Dan had never heard Jae talk about his Black Shade era. Jae had chosen to concentrate on Rebellion, never once discussing Jaesun or N-sang, not even with Junghee and Andre. This small glimpse into Jae's life before made his heart ache imagining him alone in that apartment looking for peace.

"You can do that here if you like," Dan offered, hating the dark shadow that had fallen over Jae's eyes. He took the bottle and filled Jae's glass. "I'm rarely here, so, if that's what you want to do, I'll give you the door code."

Jae sipped this time and smiled at him.

"Who told you I want to be here alone?"

Dan blinked.

Jae laughed and leaned his elbows on the low wooden table.

"If I'm going to be in your apartment, you should be here. I don't want to spend any minute without you inside this place."

Dan laughed.

"Jeez, a few hours ago, you were protesting our relationship."

"Why are you rarely here?" Jae asked, studying him with curious brown eyes. "Is it because you're always in the office? It's not good to spend so much time at work. Think of your health."

"I'm usually working to make you happy." Dan answered with a small smile. "You're counting on me to make Jade Entertainment successful. I can't let you down."

Jae tossed back his shot and placed the glass on the table with a frown.

"What do you want me to say to that? Want me to say thank you, good job or work harder?"

"Say, you're sorry," Dan said, filling Jae's glass.

"Sorry?" Jae asked.

"Yes. Say you're sorry for making me worry all the time."

Jae tossed back his short again and gave a wince as he put his glass beside the table.

"I'm sorry for causing you concern," Jae said quietly. "What happens if I don't mean it?"

Dan chuckled.

"You'll have to kiss me to apologize."

Jae nodded and took their unfinished bottle of Soju. He placed it on the floor beside all the empty bottles, and then pushed the table in the opposite direction. Dan hid a smile as Jae moved closer until their knees touched.

He sighed when Jae caressed his jaw. Jae's fingers gentle as they moved to the back of his neck and tagged him closer still, until their lips touched. He tasted Jae's exciting flavor as well as the apples from their Soju. Closing his eyes, he leaned into the kiss, sinking his fingers into Jae's hair. He exhaled a minute later when Jae pulled back and laid his head on Dan's chest.

Dan wrapped an arm around Jae, his body trembling with need. He had waited so long for this. Jae let out a snore and Dan groaned.

Typical, drinks until he passes out, Dan thought his hand moving to Jae's neck. Closing his eyes, he leaned his chin on Jae's head.

He carried Jae to his bed and spent a few minutes getting him comfortable. Undoing Jae's belt, he removed his jeans and sat him up to get the black t-shirt off. He paused with Jae leaning against him to touch the tattoo on Jae's left shoulder blade.

'Keep the faith.'

Jae's determination to keep his dreams alive humbled him sometimes. Laying him back against his pillows, he drew the sheet over him, pressed a kiss on his forehead and smiled when Jae hugged his pillow.

Dan left the bedroom to go clean up the bottles in the living room. Taking them into the kitchen, he put them in the sink and paused when he saw the bag Jae had brought with him. Opening it, he smiled when he found a container of kimchi. There was a yellow sticky note on the top.

'Eat well, C.E.O. Suk Dan. >_>[EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD]