What is love #23
Title: What is love
Author: argh
Part: 23 of 25(ish)
Rating: PG-13 for now
Word count: 2,974
Pairing: Onew/Minho, Taemin/Kibum
Summary: Jinki loves working in this cafe, until a particular person begins to frequent it, and the person that Jinki tried so hard to get over. University!AU. I suck at summaries ;_;
Warnings: long neverending fic XD (around 75k).
Notes: This was my nanowrimo fic back in 2010!
Dedications: written entirely for ryukilla no matter what she thinks.
Previous parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen & nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two,
Note: Man I abandoned this fic majorly :( oops. I'll post the rest now...
*
Jinki paced up and down in the room after his tutorial had finished, he thought he was alone, that the students had all left. He frowned and traced his steps around, walking around in circles, completely unaware of his surrounding settings, he was far too focussed on his thoughts and how he was going to tell Kibum.
“Hyung, stop it, you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet.”
Jinki’s head jerked up in surprise, he froze as he saw Minho casually leaning against the doorframe, the taller male winked across at him. He blushed and looked down at the floor, feeling slightly embarrassed about his pacing up and down.
“Hey Minho,” Jinki said sheepishly running his fingers through his hair, “I didn’t realise you were here.” He looked down, and in the seconds that he took to lift his face, Minho had moved to stand right next to him. “Minho,” Jinki murmured happily, as the other boy placed his arm around his waist lightly.
“What’s worrying you,” Minho murmured with a frown, “I mean hyung, why were you pacing? I don’t like seeing you troubled.” He pouted before leaning in to kiss Jinki’s cheek lightly, “So hyung, what’s wrong?” He patted Jinki’s back lightly.
“I just haven’t told Kibum yet, about us moving in together,” he swallowed, “he’s really upset right now over Jonghyun and the café. I just worry that telling him I’m moving out will be the last straw.” Jinki swallowed, “he’s seriously upset, and I’m just worried about what he will do.” Jinki sighed, shaking his head, “Sorry Minho.”
“You don’t think it might cheer him up?” Minho’s fingers tapped against his back lightly, “Our news I mean,” he smiled, “I used to be jealous of how close you were to Kibum, but now I just think your relationship is so cute, I love how much you care about him. You’re such a caring person, hyung, and I love that about you.” Minho couldn’t help smiling as he saw how happy Jinki looked hearing his words.
“Maybe you’re right, but I guess we need to sort out our stuff first?” He shook his head reaching across to lightly pinch Minho’s cheek, “I think you’re even more caring than me,” Jinki smiled across at him, “I’m not as caring as you.” He leaned in to kiss his cheek when a polite cough startled them both, Jinki blushed as he looked over to see a random student standing there staring at them.
“Hey, um I have a class in here,” The student blinked, looking shocked and slightly stunned.
“Ohh, sorry,” Jinki blushed, stepping away from Minho immediately, he felt embarrassed and mortified. Minho grabbed his hand tugging him forward, laughing as they pushed past the student, “Sorry!” Jinki called out on the way past, as they left the room.
*
Kibum glared across at Jonghyun, ignoring the way the older boy smiled at him. He breathed out heavily, crossing his arms in front of his chest to indicate he only came under duress. Kibum could not understand why Jonghyun had called this meeting, as far as he could tell the older male had said everything he needed to say. Kibum looked around the café, trying not to feel sad as he saw how empty it was, he wondered about its future, which made him want to cry.
Kibum could still remember going there with Jinki after school, when Jonghyun’s Uncle Heechul ran the café, and how kind and generous he was to them. It had been his sanctuary for so long, it had been like his home, it was hard to imagine being without it. Kibum struggled to imagine Heechul being so mean about the café and not just letting Jonghyun continue to run it. Kibum looked up, glaring across Jonghyun when he could see that he was about to say something.
“Okay, I just wanted to tell everyone that the café has been sold, I’m not sure what will be happening with the new management. But I thought it was best to tell you all in advance.” Jonghyun smiled warmly, “It’s been great working with you all, and I am sorry things had to end like this,” his smile faded as he glanced across at Kibum. Kibum felt weird, Jonghyun’s words sounded like he was saying his last words to them or something, he just frowned across at him.
“I don’t think anyone will lose their jobs, so don’t worry, and I hoped to introduce the new management to you today, but they couldn’t make it today sorry.” Jonghyun, “You will meet them soon,” He grinned, “anyway I better get going, bye and thank you all. Oh yeah I wanted to give everyone a bonus.” He took out some white envelopes and handed them out to everyone.
Kibum felt slightly guilty when Jonghyun eyed him sadly before he handed him his envelope, grasping his wrist lightly before he stepped away, looking even sadder when he saw that Kibum refused to acknowledge him. Kibum tried to act coldly but he did feel guilty and upset, it really was the end of an era for him. If Jonghyun was not going to be there he did not want to work there anymore.
*
The next day Kibum knocked on the café door, trying not to wince as he saw the “closed” sign, it was only after he unlocked the door that he realised that Jonghyun was gone. There was a note for the new owners, and Kibum felt sick when he realised that all of Jonghyun’s stuff was gone, there was no trace of him left. He sat down and almost burst into tears when the door opened and Minho and Jinki walked in.
“Kibum, Kibummie?” Jinki rushed across the room, “what’s up?”
“He’s gone,” Kibum swallowed trying not to cry as Minho came to stand next to him, he was too upset so didn’t even wonder why they were there. Kibum felt incredibly strange, he had no idea how to classify his feelings, or how he really felt. Kibum felt varying degrees of anger, hurt and upset, swirling inside him in a confusing mix, “All his stuff is gone.” Kibum sounded numb even if that was not how he felt at all.
“That’s weird,” Jinki mumbled, reaching for the envelope on the table. Kibum just sat there blinking, not even caring that Jinki had ripped the letter open and was reading it. “Kibum, did he not say anything to you?” Jinki looked up from the letter, eyeing Kibum carefully, the younger male just shook his head.
“No, he sounded like he was saying goodbye the other day, but I just assumed he meant to the café.” Kibum stared guiltily up at Jinki, “I didn’t expect him to go be gone so suddenly like this, I mean, I knew he would move out, but I didn’t expect it immediately.” Kibum swallowed, looking pale and uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry Kibummie,” Jinki ignored the way Minho eyed him pointedly, he patted his friends back lightly, “Don’t worry I’m sure he’s just moved out, he’s not gone forever.” Jinki felt confused when he saw how upset Kibum was over the whole situation, considering that Jonghyun had just moved out, it wasn’t like he had left the country.
“I guess I just wanted to talk to him today,” Kibum looked down at the floor, feeling ashamed for overreacting so much. He hated how he had a tendency to overreact over the slightest things, and act totally irrationally. It made him look like a bitch a lot of the time, the way he would misunderstand someone’s words and then react badly, occasionally throwing a tantrum.
“It’s okay,” Jinki reassured his friend knowing what Kibum and his moods were like, “you will talk to him, but just not today.” Jinki nodded his head, smiling when Minho touched his waist, smiling down warmly across at him.
*
Taemin let out the breath he had been holding, feeling sad as he saw the ‘closed’ sign hanging in front of the café. It felt sad to see that sign there, and to see the lack of activity and life in the café. He turned around, wheeling his bike away to leave, when he saw Kibum walking up to the café. Taemin stopped and waited for the other boy to approach him.
“Hey,” Taemin managed to smile, things had been a little awkward between them but he hoped they would remain friends, because he figured it was more painful to lose their friendship. It would be worse for Taemin to know that he had lost an amazing friend because of something stupid that happened. But he also knew it was not up to him alone, if Kibum chose to avoid and ignore him, there was nothing that he could do.
“Hey, Taeminnie,” Kibum smiled back at him, “Oh,” his smile faltered, “still closed huh, wonder when the new management will come.” He turned back to Taemin, “I thought I was working today, but it’s still closed. Makes me feel so sad,” Kibum pouted slightly across at the other boy, “Sorry, how have you been? I haven’t talked to you for a while.”
“I’m okay, how are you Kibum-hyung?” Taemin asked tilting his head to one side, “Shall we go and get a drink somewhere else since the café is shut?” Taemin hoped that Kibum would say yes, he wanted to just talk to him, even if they could not be more. Taemin had accepted it and he realised it was better when they were just friends.
“Yeah, I’m okay too, I’m really sorry for what happened between us.” Kibum looked sad as he looked over at Taemin, “But I’d love to go and get a drink with you.”
“It’s fine, hyung,” Taemin smiled shyly at Kibum, “Really, it’s probably best this way.” Taemin knew it was for the best, even if it still did hurt a little. “Shall we go?”
They walked in comfortable silence, Taemin pushing his bike along as they walked towards the other café. Taemin grinned as he approached the café, humming some unknown tune to himself, he could feel Kibum’s eyes curiously staring at him.
“Minho-hyung took Jinki-hyung here,” Taemin murmured as they stepped up the steps, “once, I remember him being so excited about it, he thought it was like a date even if it wasn’t.” Taemin fastened the padlock around the bike, turning to face Kibum again, “Sorry hyung, I guess you don’t care.”
“Why would you say that?” Kibum frowned, “Jinki-hyung is my best friend in the world, well after Jjong. I just want him to be happy. They came here? Recently?” Kibum stuck his lower lip out in a pout, “traitors, coming to another café.”
“No ages ago before they were dating,” Taemin grinned loving how offended Kibum was, “Minho ran into hyung in the library, and they came here.” Taemin smirked, “I think it’s cute, even if you don’t.” Taemin shrugged, “Ahh sorry, I’m rambling again.” Taemin straightened up, feeling embarrassed until he saw how fondly Kibum was smiling across at him.
“No its adorable, how much you care for Minho. Really those two are lucky to have friends like us, even if they don’t realise it.” Kibum beamed across at Taemin, “I guess I should’ve realised there was something there with the way Jinki persistently kept liking Minho. It amazed me how he did that, really did.”
“I know,” Taemin nodded his head politely as the waitress showed them to a table, “I can’t believe Minho kept it hidden from me. It took me so long to get it out from him, but once he started to talk,” Taemin’s eyes widened and he shook his head, “he wouldn’t shut up.”
“Ah I see,” Kibum replied before he glanced down at the menu, studying it so intently that Taemin felt at a loss.
“Yeah,” he mumbled feeling lame and weird all of a sudden, he looked around the café, blinking when he saw how full it was. The other time he had been there, no one else had been in the café. It made sense for it to be full, but it still surprised him.
“Sorry, hey at least you got it out of Minho, those two are stubborn idiots.” Kibum rolled his eyes, wriggling his arm to emphasise his point, “I was starting to think they would never get together, I guess our relationship only worked when we were working towards that common goal.” Kibum tapped his fingers against the table, as if he was nervous.
“I guess,” Taemin stared across at him, “It makes sense, I mean we did mostly talk about them,” he shrugged his shoulders casually, deciding not to tell Kibum that he had liked him a lot. Taemin figured it was not worthwhile mentioning that to him.
“Yeah, I never thought about it at the time but it’s true.” Kibum sighed, taking a sip of his iced trim latte, “I miss Jjong so much too.” He frowned, “I can’t believe he just left like that without even saying goodbye.” Kibum swallowed, stabbing at the ice with his straw, eyes dark and upset looking, Taemin stared across at him curiously.
“He didn’t say anything?” Taemin frowned, he was sure Minho had mentioned something about Jonghyun.
“No, not to me,” Kibum lifted his face up and Taemin could see how upset he was, the liquid sheen of his eyes, “He didn’t say anything just to me, he did leave something for the new owner.” Kibum frowned shaking his head slowly, Taemin could see him thinking, something about the way he pursed his lips together thoughtfully.
“Oh,” Taemin had no idea what he was meant to say, but it hurt to look across and see how much Kibum liked Jonghyun. He could see it now, it hurt inside his chest but at the same time, he felt happy. It was strange to feel happy but sad, but somehow he did. In a way, he knew things could not work out between them, but it still hurt a little, the feelings still lingering like a bad smell in his heart. He would get over Kibum, but it was not something that would happen overnight.
*
Jinki felt nervous as he paced around the room, waiting for Kibum to get home, he could feel Minho watching him pace. Jinki knew he should stop walking, he knew that Minho would say something in a moment, but it was hard to stay still, he felt so restless and uneasy. Jinki had honestly no idea how Kibum would take this, he had a tendency to overreact, and Jinki worried after Jonghyun had gone, this might just destroy Kibum.
“Hyung,” Jinki felt Minho’s hand before he heard him, the fingers grasping his hand, fingers lacing together tightly. The way Minho wrapped his arm around his waist, his warmth and body pressed right against Jinki, supporting him physically. “Hyung, it’s going to be fine.” He murmured leaning in to kiss the tips of Jinki’s ears. He let his eyes shut, smiling as Minho kissed his ears softly. Minho loved kissing his ears, sometimes Jinki wondered if he had an ear obsession but Minho always claimed to just love Jinki’s ears.
“I hope so,” Jinki swallowed, “I just hate seeing him upset, and the last thing I want to do is,” Jinki trailed off, as he heard a soft click he glanced over to see the door opening and Kibum walking in. Jinki swallowed and straightened up, pouting slightly when Minho moved away, but he could feel his hand resting lightly on his waist.
“Hey,” Kibum sounded tired, and seemed deflated, Jinki looked worried across at Minho before turning to look at Kibum again.
“Hey, we um need to tell you something.” Jinki mumbled, feeling his heart race more, he felt relieved to have Minho right there with him. Sometimes it scared Jinki how much he needed and relied on Minho, how the younger male had become a pillar of support for him, the rest of the time it just made him insanely happy.
“Okay, what is it,” Kibum frowned and looked around, “Please god, don’t tell me you just fucked on the couch?”
Jinki winced at Kibum’s bluntness, stepping back to avoid him because he felt nervous. He could feel Minho’s hand, fingers splayed out across his back, his arm wrapping firm around his waist as he shifted. He felt so awkward; they hadn’t slept together yet, because Jinki felt uncomfortable. He was eternally grateful that Minho was patient to take things like that slowly with him.
“Well,” Kibum had one had on his hip, blinking at Jinki like he had grown an additional set of arms, “Did Minho fuck you on the couch? Do I need to sterilise it?”
“God no!” Jinki squawked, giving a good impression of a dying animal, “Kibum!” he practically hissed, making him realise he really had spent far too much time with the other boy. “No, no why would you even say that?” Jinki tried to stay calm, when he realised he could hear Minho chuckling at his side, his face flaming hot. He hated how the mention of sex and things like that made him blush like mad, it was so embarrassing.
“Good,” Kibum smirked looking deeply amused by his roommates reaction, “Now what did you want to tell me?”
“Ah,” Jinki swallowed, rubbing his palms together nervously, “Maybe you ah should sit down for this.” Jinki tried to smile, but he felt so nervous even with Minho right there. Kibum just stared at him blankly before he nodded and moved over to the couch. Jinki and Minho turned around to stand in front of Kibum, Jinki turned to glance at Minho, smiling when the other boy took his hand lightly.
*
Author: argh
Part: 23 of 25(ish)
Rating: PG-13 for now
Word count: 2,974
Pairing: Onew/Minho, Taemin/Kibum
Summary: Jinki loves working in this cafe, until a particular person begins to frequent it, and the person that Jinki tried so hard to get over. University!AU. I suck at summaries ;_;
Warnings: long neverending fic XD (around 75k).
Notes: This was my nanowrimo fic back in 2010!
Dedications: written entirely for ryukilla no matter what she thinks.
Previous parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen & nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two,
Note: Man I abandoned this fic majorly :( oops. I'll post the rest now...
*
Jinki paced up and down in the room after his tutorial had finished, he thought he was alone, that the students had all left. He frowned and traced his steps around, walking around in circles, completely unaware of his surrounding settings, he was far too focussed on his thoughts and how he was going to tell Kibum.
“Hyung, stop it, you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet.”
Jinki’s head jerked up in surprise, he froze as he saw Minho casually leaning against the doorframe, the taller male winked across at him. He blushed and looked down at the floor, feeling slightly embarrassed about his pacing up and down.
“Hey Minho,” Jinki said sheepishly running his fingers through his hair, “I didn’t realise you were here.” He looked down, and in the seconds that he took to lift his face, Minho had moved to stand right next to him. “Minho,” Jinki murmured happily, as the other boy placed his arm around his waist lightly.
“What’s worrying you,” Minho murmured with a frown, “I mean hyung, why were you pacing? I don’t like seeing you troubled.” He pouted before leaning in to kiss Jinki’s cheek lightly, “So hyung, what’s wrong?” He patted Jinki’s back lightly.
“I just haven’t told Kibum yet, about us moving in together,” he swallowed, “he’s really upset right now over Jonghyun and the café. I just worry that telling him I’m moving out will be the last straw.” Jinki swallowed, “he’s seriously upset, and I’m just worried about what he will do.” Jinki sighed, shaking his head, “Sorry Minho.”
“You don’t think it might cheer him up?” Minho’s fingers tapped against his back lightly, “Our news I mean,” he smiled, “I used to be jealous of how close you were to Kibum, but now I just think your relationship is so cute, I love how much you care about him. You’re such a caring person, hyung, and I love that about you.” Minho couldn’t help smiling as he saw how happy Jinki looked hearing his words.
“Maybe you’re right, but I guess we need to sort out our stuff first?” He shook his head reaching across to lightly pinch Minho’s cheek, “I think you’re even more caring than me,” Jinki smiled across at him, “I’m not as caring as you.” He leaned in to kiss his cheek when a polite cough startled them both, Jinki blushed as he looked over to see a random student standing there staring at them.
“Hey, um I have a class in here,” The student blinked, looking shocked and slightly stunned.
“Ohh, sorry,” Jinki blushed, stepping away from Minho immediately, he felt embarrassed and mortified. Minho grabbed his hand tugging him forward, laughing as they pushed past the student, “Sorry!” Jinki called out on the way past, as they left the room.
*
Kibum glared across at Jonghyun, ignoring the way the older boy smiled at him. He breathed out heavily, crossing his arms in front of his chest to indicate he only came under duress. Kibum could not understand why Jonghyun had called this meeting, as far as he could tell the older male had said everything he needed to say. Kibum looked around the café, trying not to feel sad as he saw how empty it was, he wondered about its future, which made him want to cry.
Kibum could still remember going there with Jinki after school, when Jonghyun’s Uncle Heechul ran the café, and how kind and generous he was to them. It had been his sanctuary for so long, it had been like his home, it was hard to imagine being without it. Kibum struggled to imagine Heechul being so mean about the café and not just letting Jonghyun continue to run it. Kibum looked up, glaring across Jonghyun when he could see that he was about to say something.
“Okay, I just wanted to tell everyone that the café has been sold, I’m not sure what will be happening with the new management. But I thought it was best to tell you all in advance.” Jonghyun smiled warmly, “It’s been great working with you all, and I am sorry things had to end like this,” his smile faded as he glanced across at Kibum. Kibum felt weird, Jonghyun’s words sounded like he was saying his last words to them or something, he just frowned across at him.
“I don’t think anyone will lose their jobs, so don’t worry, and I hoped to introduce the new management to you today, but they couldn’t make it today sorry.” Jonghyun, “You will meet them soon,” He grinned, “anyway I better get going, bye and thank you all. Oh yeah I wanted to give everyone a bonus.” He took out some white envelopes and handed them out to everyone.
Kibum felt slightly guilty when Jonghyun eyed him sadly before he handed him his envelope, grasping his wrist lightly before he stepped away, looking even sadder when he saw that Kibum refused to acknowledge him. Kibum tried to act coldly but he did feel guilty and upset, it really was the end of an era for him. If Jonghyun was not going to be there he did not want to work there anymore.
*
The next day Kibum knocked on the café door, trying not to wince as he saw the “closed” sign, it was only after he unlocked the door that he realised that Jonghyun was gone. There was a note for the new owners, and Kibum felt sick when he realised that all of Jonghyun’s stuff was gone, there was no trace of him left. He sat down and almost burst into tears when the door opened and Minho and Jinki walked in.
“Kibum, Kibummie?” Jinki rushed across the room, “what’s up?”
“He’s gone,” Kibum swallowed trying not to cry as Minho came to stand next to him, he was too upset so didn’t even wonder why they were there. Kibum felt incredibly strange, he had no idea how to classify his feelings, or how he really felt. Kibum felt varying degrees of anger, hurt and upset, swirling inside him in a confusing mix, “All his stuff is gone.” Kibum sounded numb even if that was not how he felt at all.
“That’s weird,” Jinki mumbled, reaching for the envelope on the table. Kibum just sat there blinking, not even caring that Jinki had ripped the letter open and was reading it. “Kibum, did he not say anything to you?” Jinki looked up from the letter, eyeing Kibum carefully, the younger male just shook his head.
“No, he sounded like he was saying goodbye the other day, but I just assumed he meant to the café.” Kibum stared guiltily up at Jinki, “I didn’t expect him to go be gone so suddenly like this, I mean, I knew he would move out, but I didn’t expect it immediately.” Kibum swallowed, looking pale and uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry Kibummie,” Jinki ignored the way Minho eyed him pointedly, he patted his friends back lightly, “Don’t worry I’m sure he’s just moved out, he’s not gone forever.” Jinki felt confused when he saw how upset Kibum was over the whole situation, considering that Jonghyun had just moved out, it wasn’t like he had left the country.
“I guess I just wanted to talk to him today,” Kibum looked down at the floor, feeling ashamed for overreacting so much. He hated how he had a tendency to overreact over the slightest things, and act totally irrationally. It made him look like a bitch a lot of the time, the way he would misunderstand someone’s words and then react badly, occasionally throwing a tantrum.
“It’s okay,” Jinki reassured his friend knowing what Kibum and his moods were like, “you will talk to him, but just not today.” Jinki nodded his head, smiling when Minho touched his waist, smiling down warmly across at him.
*
Taemin let out the breath he had been holding, feeling sad as he saw the ‘closed’ sign hanging in front of the café. It felt sad to see that sign there, and to see the lack of activity and life in the café. He turned around, wheeling his bike away to leave, when he saw Kibum walking up to the café. Taemin stopped and waited for the other boy to approach him.
“Hey,” Taemin managed to smile, things had been a little awkward between them but he hoped they would remain friends, because he figured it was more painful to lose their friendship. It would be worse for Taemin to know that he had lost an amazing friend because of something stupid that happened. But he also knew it was not up to him alone, if Kibum chose to avoid and ignore him, there was nothing that he could do.
“Hey, Taeminnie,” Kibum smiled back at him, “Oh,” his smile faltered, “still closed huh, wonder when the new management will come.” He turned back to Taemin, “I thought I was working today, but it’s still closed. Makes me feel so sad,” Kibum pouted slightly across at the other boy, “Sorry, how have you been? I haven’t talked to you for a while.”
“I’m okay, how are you Kibum-hyung?” Taemin asked tilting his head to one side, “Shall we go and get a drink somewhere else since the café is shut?” Taemin hoped that Kibum would say yes, he wanted to just talk to him, even if they could not be more. Taemin had accepted it and he realised it was better when they were just friends.
“Yeah, I’m okay too, I’m really sorry for what happened between us.” Kibum looked sad as he looked over at Taemin, “But I’d love to go and get a drink with you.”
“It’s fine, hyung,” Taemin smiled shyly at Kibum, “Really, it’s probably best this way.” Taemin knew it was for the best, even if it still did hurt a little. “Shall we go?”
They walked in comfortable silence, Taemin pushing his bike along as they walked towards the other café. Taemin grinned as he approached the café, humming some unknown tune to himself, he could feel Kibum’s eyes curiously staring at him.
“Minho-hyung took Jinki-hyung here,” Taemin murmured as they stepped up the steps, “once, I remember him being so excited about it, he thought it was like a date even if it wasn’t.” Taemin fastened the padlock around the bike, turning to face Kibum again, “Sorry hyung, I guess you don’t care.”
“Why would you say that?” Kibum frowned, “Jinki-hyung is my best friend in the world, well after Jjong. I just want him to be happy. They came here? Recently?” Kibum stuck his lower lip out in a pout, “traitors, coming to another café.”
“No ages ago before they were dating,” Taemin grinned loving how offended Kibum was, “Minho ran into hyung in the library, and they came here.” Taemin smirked, “I think it’s cute, even if you don’t.” Taemin shrugged, “Ahh sorry, I’m rambling again.” Taemin straightened up, feeling embarrassed until he saw how fondly Kibum was smiling across at him.
“No its adorable, how much you care for Minho. Really those two are lucky to have friends like us, even if they don’t realise it.” Kibum beamed across at Taemin, “I guess I should’ve realised there was something there with the way Jinki persistently kept liking Minho. It amazed me how he did that, really did.”
“I know,” Taemin nodded his head politely as the waitress showed them to a table, “I can’t believe Minho kept it hidden from me. It took me so long to get it out from him, but once he started to talk,” Taemin’s eyes widened and he shook his head, “he wouldn’t shut up.”
“Ah I see,” Kibum replied before he glanced down at the menu, studying it so intently that Taemin felt at a loss.
“Yeah,” he mumbled feeling lame and weird all of a sudden, he looked around the café, blinking when he saw how full it was. The other time he had been there, no one else had been in the café. It made sense for it to be full, but it still surprised him.
“Sorry, hey at least you got it out of Minho, those two are stubborn idiots.” Kibum rolled his eyes, wriggling his arm to emphasise his point, “I was starting to think they would never get together, I guess our relationship only worked when we were working towards that common goal.” Kibum tapped his fingers against the table, as if he was nervous.
“I guess,” Taemin stared across at him, “It makes sense, I mean we did mostly talk about them,” he shrugged his shoulders casually, deciding not to tell Kibum that he had liked him a lot. Taemin figured it was not worthwhile mentioning that to him.
“Yeah, I never thought about it at the time but it’s true.” Kibum sighed, taking a sip of his iced trim latte, “I miss Jjong so much too.” He frowned, “I can’t believe he just left like that without even saying goodbye.” Kibum swallowed, stabbing at the ice with his straw, eyes dark and upset looking, Taemin stared across at him curiously.
“He didn’t say anything?” Taemin frowned, he was sure Minho had mentioned something about Jonghyun.
“No, not to me,” Kibum lifted his face up and Taemin could see how upset he was, the liquid sheen of his eyes, “He didn’t say anything just to me, he did leave something for the new owner.” Kibum frowned shaking his head slowly, Taemin could see him thinking, something about the way he pursed his lips together thoughtfully.
“Oh,” Taemin had no idea what he was meant to say, but it hurt to look across and see how much Kibum liked Jonghyun. He could see it now, it hurt inside his chest but at the same time, he felt happy. It was strange to feel happy but sad, but somehow he did. In a way, he knew things could not work out between them, but it still hurt a little, the feelings still lingering like a bad smell in his heart. He would get over Kibum, but it was not something that would happen overnight.
*
Jinki felt nervous as he paced around the room, waiting for Kibum to get home, he could feel Minho watching him pace. Jinki knew he should stop walking, he knew that Minho would say something in a moment, but it was hard to stay still, he felt so restless and uneasy. Jinki had honestly no idea how Kibum would take this, he had a tendency to overreact, and Jinki worried after Jonghyun had gone, this might just destroy Kibum.
“Hyung,” Jinki felt Minho’s hand before he heard him, the fingers grasping his hand, fingers lacing together tightly. The way Minho wrapped his arm around his waist, his warmth and body pressed right against Jinki, supporting him physically. “Hyung, it’s going to be fine.” He murmured leaning in to kiss the tips of Jinki’s ears. He let his eyes shut, smiling as Minho kissed his ears softly. Minho loved kissing his ears, sometimes Jinki wondered if he had an ear obsession but Minho always claimed to just love Jinki’s ears.
“I hope so,” Jinki swallowed, “I just hate seeing him upset, and the last thing I want to do is,” Jinki trailed off, as he heard a soft click he glanced over to see the door opening and Kibum walking in. Jinki swallowed and straightened up, pouting slightly when Minho moved away, but he could feel his hand resting lightly on his waist.
“Hey,” Kibum sounded tired, and seemed deflated, Jinki looked worried across at Minho before turning to look at Kibum again.
“Hey, we um need to tell you something.” Jinki mumbled, feeling his heart race more, he felt relieved to have Minho right there with him. Sometimes it scared Jinki how much he needed and relied on Minho, how the younger male had become a pillar of support for him, the rest of the time it just made him insanely happy.
“Okay, what is it,” Kibum frowned and looked around, “Please god, don’t tell me you just fucked on the couch?”
Jinki winced at Kibum’s bluntness, stepping back to avoid him because he felt nervous. He could feel Minho’s hand, fingers splayed out across his back, his arm wrapping firm around his waist as he shifted. He felt so awkward; they hadn’t slept together yet, because Jinki felt uncomfortable. He was eternally grateful that Minho was patient to take things like that slowly with him.
“Well,” Kibum had one had on his hip, blinking at Jinki like he had grown an additional set of arms, “Did Minho fuck you on the couch? Do I need to sterilise it?”
“God no!” Jinki squawked, giving a good impression of a dying animal, “Kibum!” he practically hissed, making him realise he really had spent far too much time with the other boy. “No, no why would you even say that?” Jinki tried to stay calm, when he realised he could hear Minho chuckling at his side, his face flaming hot. He hated how the mention of sex and things like that made him blush like mad, it was so embarrassing.
“Good,” Kibum smirked looking deeply amused by his roommates reaction, “Now what did you want to tell me?”
“Ah,” Jinki swallowed, rubbing his palms together nervously, “Maybe you ah should sit down for this.” Jinki tried to smile, but he felt so nervous even with Minho right there. Kibum just stared at him blankly before he nodded and moved over to the couch. Jinki and Minho turned around to stand in front of Kibum, Jinki turned to glance at Minho, smiling when the other boy took his hand lightly.
*