[one-shot] Nothing More
Title: Nothing More
Characters/Pairing: Jonghyun/Key only
Genre: Drama, Romance, Angst?, Friendship, AU [high school]
Rating: PG-13 [swearing]
Plot: Gossip destroys what should've been the strongest thing Kibum believes in.
A/N: My 2nd JongKey fic! It's the total opposite from my other one, Flat Number 49, which is humorous - this one's srs business. Sorry for the fail scenes and crappy ending and if it seems rushed. I'm not that good with describing scenes anymore D: Hope you all enjoy it anyway and please comment :D
btw sorry MS word/LJ killed the indentation and it's too tiring to fix every single new line ToT
Everyone knows them as the inseparable duo. The partners in crime. The two most popular guys in the district.
Everyone would gather around them in a circle every morning, lunch break, after school, just to talk, to mingle, to feel popular with them.
Everyone wants to go on a date, to spend a single minute alone, to walk in the park, to have fun in an amusement park with them.
“Jonghyun and Kibum were soooo cool with their hair pulled back today~”
“Did you see Kibum throw that can of Pepsi into a trash can from like 7 meters away and it went in? Oh God how does he do it?”
“Have you seen Kibum? We have a basketball tournament practice today. We need our ace!”
“Ahh the things I’d give up just to hold Jonghyun’s hand~”
“I overheard them planning to go karaoke this weekend you know… wanna stalk?”
“Their friendship is so touching and strong. I wish I can be part of them!”
But they don’t want everyone. They only want each other - Jonghyun for Kibum, Kibum for Jonghyun. Best friends forever. And no-one else will ever enter their world, or destroy it.
“KIBUM! KIBUM!”
Kibum swerved his head, a huge open-mouthed smile glued to his face, and saw his best friend come running towards him with arms wide open. They crashed against each other smiling, crying, laughing.
“You won! You guys won!” Jonghyun took a moment to catch his breath. “And you made the last shot! That’s so cliché for a popular kid but you did it man, haha!”
“Shut up! Cliché can be a good thing sometimes alright?” Key said. “I know, I can’t believe it either… we freaking won! Thanks for cheering me on, seriously.”
Arms still wrapped around each other, Jonghyun not caring about the fact that Kibum was drenched in sweat, they both giddily jumped in spot. Finally, some quality celebration time together. Before, tons of students smothered Kibum and flooded him with words of congratulations, hugs, fangirl shrieks; there were even camera flashes. He felt appreciated and loved, thanks, but all he really needed was his best friend, nothing more.
“So, to karaoke then?” Kibum beamed.
“Totally!”
They linked arms and ran out the door.
“Cold heart baby~” Kibum finished.
They had been singing from when the sun was high ‘til it sank. It was only the two of them, but going to karaoke is most fun just like that, nothing more.
Jonghyun was lazily resting on the couch, vigorously drinking bottles of water. He looked at his younger friend who was standing on the table, not considering the many hands that will touch it later tonight. The atmosphere significantly differed from both corners of the room. “Hey Kibum, aren’t you exhausted at all? Let’s go home already, there’s still school tomorrow.”
“OK OK, after this song. Besides, my apple juice didn’t arrive yet~”
“Fiiiiiiine.”
Kibum continued to holler out random English lyrics when the waiter came. The former was having too much fun to notice so Jonghyun politely took it for him. “Here’s your drink man, hurry up!” The full-spirited karaoke enthusiast hopped off the wooden table and gulped down the entire glass in one sitting, but then spat what seemed to be most of it all out on the floor. “YAH! WHAT THE FUCK, THIS ISN’T APPLE JUICE!” he spluttered and shouted. Jonghyun proceeded to grab tissues and wipe off the mess, sniffing a little to figure out what it could be that Kibum drank.
“Tch, we’re never coming back to this place OK Jjong?”
“I can’t make out the smell of this drink…”
“Dude it just got fired from my mouth, of course you can’t. Now forget about that, I’m pissed off right now. Let’s go home.”
The duo grabbed their bags and made their way outside to the black streets.
“Ah, I didn’t even do my English homework yet,” Jonghyun said.
“I’ll copy from you tomorrow OK?”
“Haha, what?! You just spent the last two hours singing English songs, go do it yourself!”
Kibum pouted. “It’s not like I understood what they said!” He started wobbling a bit and Jonghyun’s best friend instincts sensed so before he even looked with his own eyes.
“Whoa Kibum pay attention to the road,” he said.
Kibum was seeing stars and three Jonghyuns in front of his face now and they kept spinning, and spinning… He tripped over his own foot and his other half caught him halfway down. “Something’s wrong with me… I feel so damn dizzy,” he touched his forehead, wondering if a fever suddenly struck his previously healthy self.
Jonghyun looked at him skeptically. “Nah, you’re just worn out from all the stuff you did today.” He grabbed Kibum’s right arm and slung it over his neck to ensure that he won’t fall again. “Guess I’ll have to go all the way to your house at this rate.”
“N…no… you don’t have to,” Kibum hiccupped and turned his head to see Jonghyun, who stared back at him with worried eyes. Even with a blurry vision, he could still see that his best friend looked as handsome as usual - blonde hair, large eyes, perfect jaw line. He felt like throwing up, or going to sleep…
But that wasn’t what he did.
Usually his older partner would be waiting down in the living room but apparently this morning was not so. Kibum wondered why, and what happened last night? His memory recalled zilch. After grabbing some bread and putting on his shoes, he ran to school as fast as he could so there’s enough time to copy off the English homework from Jonghyun.
“Hey look, it’s Kibum!”
“Oh my God, after what happened they don’t go to school together?”
“It can’t be ‘cause of that, probably something came up…”
“They’re such an item! Ah I’m super jealous~”
“Sick bastard.”
What the hell is everyone talking about? Kibum thought. He began walking up the stairs when a picture stuck on the wall caught his eye.
Jonghyun buried his head in his hands as all his classmates and random people from other classes surrounded him and shot him questions simultaneously. He didn’t know how, or what to answer and he didn’t WANT to. Let Kibum do it. It was his fault.
Suddenly the door flung open with him shoving the picture in his hands in front of people’s faces. “WHAT THE BLAZING FUCK IS THIS? WHO’S THE EVIL PHOTOSHOP MASTERMIND?”
“KIBUM FINALLY ARRIVED!”
“CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO~”
Kibum gave death glares to all the students present. He shoved them out of the way so he can grab his best friend’s wrist and run off to a corner, but the teacher came in far too early and told everyone to sit down and quietly read for the next 15 minutes.
The next available time for discussion was lunch break, so the partners-in-crime (a gay one) secluded themselves in a normally isolated area in the school grounds. However, about 200 students found them and around ¾ each held up the photograph in the air, shouting, “WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU, JONGKI!” and the other ¼ seemed to reject the idea of gay love.
How on earth did this happen? Why the hell would I kiss Jjong? Kibum stepped up to the desk bench and shouted, “THIS ISN’T TRUE! JONGHYUN AND I ARE NOT IN THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP!”
“Then what does this picture mean?”
“Yeah, guys don’t kiss each other unless they’re in love with each other!”
“It’s OK Kibum, most of us approve of this even though we’re even more jealous than before!”
“YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING SHAME TO OUR SCHOOL BY BEING GAY!”
“Look at both of your lips interlocking, they fit so perfectly~ How romantic~”
“I think I’m gonna barf,” Kibum whispered at Jonghyun, who remained silent during all this. He continued shouting, “WHOEVER TOOK THIS PICTURE, SHOW YOURSELF!”
A girl with long curly hair and a slender figure stepped to the front of the crowd and her eyes smiled. “It was me, and I saw it with my own eyes!”
I’m assuming she’s also a supporter… “You sayin’ this isn’t photoshopped?” Kibum glared at her.
She had a smug look on her face. “No, I’ll tell you all the story,” she said, and the entire field went quiet. Kibum felt in danger. “Last night I happened to pass by these two walking on the streets at night, like 6-ish? Kibum had one of his arms around Jonghyun’s neck, then they both just looked at each other for a while and Kibum suddenly wrapped his other arm around Jonghyun and kissed him! It lasted like five seconds! I’m kind of surprised they didn’t notice me there watching…”
“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!” Kibum screamed. “I DID THAT?!”
“YES!”
Jonghyun finally spoke up, “Yeah you did, Kibum.”
“What the - dude, why? Tell me what happened!” He was even more surprised hearing that from Jonghyun.
“I don’t know man! You’re the one who kissed me first!”
Messed up black hair, Kibum faced the crowd again. “Look everyone. I honestly can’t remember anything. PLEASE disregard this, I’m sure it was an accident. But I can assure you - some best friends fall in love with each other, but not me and Jonghyun. Seriously. We may be best friends, but we’re freaking GUYS. SO WE’RE JUST BEST FRIENDS AND NOTHING MORE, OK. Please believe me!”
Everyone murmured a bit before someone shouted, “We believe you Kibum! We love you!”
A huge load of worry and potential horrible reputation escaped his chest. Kibum grinned with all he’s got and made a heart sign with his fingers and all the girls squealed.
Well that was the story for 200 people. Many others still believe there’s a popular homosexual couple in their school. The girl who took the photo and showed all her friends who decided to print a thousand copies and stick it on walls and bulletin boards and lockers apologised and bowed to Kibum and Jonghyun so much they found it irritating and let her off. Sometimes being popular isn’t so fun.
“Does gossip die?” Kibum asked Jonghyun who doesn’t seem to find the issue much of a big deal.
“This is my first time being gossiped as a gay… not sure.”
The day was finally over and they were walking home, thankful no-one was creepy enough to follow them. Grey clouds were looming across the sky and the streets were as silent as graveyards. Slight wind appeared from time to time, blowing off several green leaves in their direction.
They both sighed in harmony. Kibum still couldn’t believe he kissed his best friend. A guy. On the lips. Besides it being his first kiss, what’s worse is that he doesn’t even remember it happened, nor its feel. So he thought it would be OK to ask Jonghyun. “Jjong… how was it, kissing me?”
Jonghyun whipped his head towards Kibum, who was planting a serious expression. “What are you talking about? What do you think?”
“Just tell me,” Kibum said.
Little by little dark grey spots formed on the ground.
Jonghyun stared at him. Kibum suddenly felt worried - there was something in his partner’s eyes that seemed… even after being attached together for ten years, he had never felt such an aura before from him. Then Jonghyun grabbed Kibum’s shoulders. He pushed him against the wall. Kibum winced. The tip of Jonghyun’s nose was only a few inches apart from his. Kibum couldn’t speak a word - all he did was breathe, and so did Jonghyun, until the pattern of their breathing was in synch, like they shared the same two lungs. Like they were together in one body.
The clouds got darker.
Then Kibum in a snap became conscious of how they’re positioned. “J-Jonghyun, what the hell are you doing?” he managed to say.
“I think I should be asking you the same thing about that kiss yesterday.”
“Dude, I don’t even know! I think I was freaking drunk!”
“But seriously, is it normal for a drunk guy to kiss a guy?”
“How should I know? I’m sorry for stealing your first kiss OK! I really am!”
Jonghyun touched Kibum’s cheek and the latter suddenly felt hot. The intervals between his breathing grew shorter.
“Does this make your heart beat faster?” Jonghyun whispered.
Kibum pushed his best friend in full force and screamed. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN? OF COURSE IT DOES, YOU ASSHOLE. MY BEST FRIEND, SUDDENLY WHAT, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?”
Jonghyun failed to stumble then shrugged. “Maybe you wanted another kiss or something?” he smiled.
Kibum’s mouth flew open in shock. “NO I DON’T, KIM JONGHYUN. YOU’RE ONLY MY BEST FRIEND. JUST MY BEST FRIEND. NOTHING MORE. I HAVE -3000% INTENTION TO KISS YOU AT ALL. GAYS ARE SICK. THERE, YOU’VE CONFIRMED NOW RIGHT? SO DON’T EVER. DO THAT. AGAIN.”
A hard rain started to fall.
“I’m - I’m going home in that direction!” Kibum said, still loudly, without waiting for answer, and ran with all his might. He knew Jonghyun had an umbrella with him, but for some reason, he believed that the cold water pouring on his body could erase all the heat he absorbed and felt from his best friend’s touch.
Kibum woke up in a daze and recalled the day before. Great, how am I supposed to face Jjong today? He did his morning routine and yawned as he walked downstairs but then fully woke up after seeing his best friend sitting on the couch like usual, waving at him.
“Good morning~” he said with sunshine in his smile.
“H…hey,” Kibum slowly said. He decided not to bring up yesterday’s incident ‘cause most likely Jonghyun decided to forget about it too. This thought was pleasant to his former anxious brain, so after a few seconds, he smiled back.
From then on days went by as normal as before.
At least, that’s what Kibum hoped.
Jonghyun was grabbing his bag ready to leave when Kibum pulled the end of his shirt. “Where are you going so early? We still gotta get some junk from the vending machine, it’s pig-out Tuesday remember?” he pulled a jokingly stern look.
“Sorry, I need to go somewhere,” Jonghyun smiled apologetically.
“Like where?”
“Some restaurant… need to get some food.”
Kibum sat up from his chair. “I’ll come with you!”
“No no don’t, it’s too far away. I wanna go alone, alright? See ya tomorrow Kibum!”
“What the hell…”
It’s not normal for Jonghyun to go places without his partner-in-crime, the bathroom and his house being an exception. They’re supposed to always be together. As clingy as that sounds, that’s how an inseparable duo’s meant to work right?
The next day his best friend was missing until the bell rang for registration. He asked Jonghyun where he was but the blonde only replied that something came up. Kibum sneered about what kind of excuse that was, but Jonghyun promised to make it up later by letting him buy all the chips he want. However, he disappeared again after school unlike those TV characters that arrive during critical situations.
Jonghyun kept up his actions for several more days and Kibum started to think his older friend was having family problems, because what other issue could there be? Jonghyun tells him everything. Everything.
So how come when the school magazine published a front page picture of him with some long red haired girl Kibum’s never seen before - with the caption ‘Hot Couple’ - he felt like dying of shock?
“OI, KIM JONGHYUN!” Kibum shouted at his partner who just came in class, gripped hard on his wrist and dragged him to the rooftop.
“Hey, hey, Kibum! No need to be so rough!” he felt Jonghyun squirm.
Kibum shook his head as he climbed up the stairs, pressing his fingers harder on Jonghyun’s skin. “SHUT UP, YOU DESERVE THIS!”
It looked like it was going to rain again as the duo reached the rooftop without a breath. Re-enacting a past scene, Kibum pushed Jonghyun against the wired fence and gritted his teeth. He shoved the magazine cover in front of the no-longer-single boy’s face and said as calmly as he could, “Explain this to me, Jonghyun.”
Jonghyun looked down. “What is there to explain? I got a girlfriend.”
“Of course I know that, smartass. Don’t tell me you’re doing this to prove wrong of the gay gossip?” Kibum hoped.
Then his best friend gazed straight at his eyes. “No, not really. I’m in love with her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m really really sorry Kibum. I just wanted to make sure our relationship is true before actually telling you. But then the school magazine…”
Silence filled the area.
“… I guess I understand,” Kibum finally lied. “Well, now that I know, hope you guys last forever and stay happy alright?” he punched Jonghyun’s arm playfully, unsure of how he felt about the last sentence. “You can go back to class first. I wanna stay up here a little longer.”
Jonghyun smiled. “See ya bud,” he said and walked away.
Kibum waited until he disappeared before leaning his head against the fence, which had just begun to get wet from the rain. “What the hell, Jonghyun. How long have you kept your feelings for her a secret from me?” he stared at the picture of Jonghyun holding hands with the unknown girl, drinking his favorite Starbucks frappucino, all smiles.
But that wasn’t the problem. “Do you care about her more than me now?” Kibum quietly said.
After accepting the fact that his best friend is really now taken and found someone more than - or just as important as - him, Kibum started to feel a little better. This means he won’t ignore me all the time anymore, because I already know he has a girlfriend. I’ll get his attention back!
“I have a date with Jessica tomorrow,” Jonghyun said.
Kibum gasped. “But every month on the 20th we ALWAYS spend ten hours in the arcade!”
“I know right? I’m pretty bummed too man. But Jessica needs someone to keep her company shopping for her sister’s birthday present. She says that when she goes alone lots of perverts make moves at her.”
“Can’t she take her mom or something?”
“Her mom has work,” Jonghyun explained.
“Well then… how about coming over to the arcade when you’re done?”
“Sorry man, she wants me to have dinner with her too.”
Kibum processed a dark feeling towards Jessica. “Then the day after tomorrow OK?”
“You two there, stop talking and get on with your work!”
Straight after the bell rang Jonghyun ran out the class and Kibum didn’t feel like chasing him.
It was the loneliest weekend he ever experienced. He had a lot friends, so why not call some up and hang out together? Somehow, he just didn’t want to go anywhere without his best friend. Kibum’s gotten used to ten years of spending every single day with the same one person. It never bored him. He was never sad about it. Isn’t that what they call being grateful?
Kibum stared at his phone and flipped the cover open, not surprised that there were no seven miscalls or three texts like usual. He sighed and buried his face on his feathery pillow - honestly, Jonghyun’s firm shoulders felt more comfortable - wondering if it was normal to cry.
“Jessica and Jonghyun were at the mall together yesterday, I bumped into them!”
“Kibum’s in the basketball court a lot more now…”
“Have you noticed?”
“I hardly see Jonghyun and Kibum together anymore.”
It’s been a month already since the news broke out. Loneliness swells him up day by day, as Jonghyun started to hang out in his girlfriend’s class every morning, lunch break and after school, to use up all his weekend either for her or for doing his homework. Kibum recalled the few instances they had the time to talk or play together but found them lifeless.
One afternoon, he couldn’t take it anymore. He caught the ‘2Js’, as the entire school calls them, holding hands laughing, walking towards the front gate. He shouted, “Jjong, I need to talk to you in private right now!” The couple, which Kibum refused to admit they are, turned their heads around.
Jessica courteously nodded at Kibum and said to Jonghyun, “I’ll head over to the café first.”
“Let’s talk over at -“ Kibum punched his supposed-to-be-partner on the face without letting him finish. Everyone in the surrounding turned to look and some let out gasps, but then remained silent. Jonghyun touched his cheek and groaned. “Ouch… ah, Kibum… why did you that?”
“DON’T PRETEND YOU DON’T KNOW, BASTARD,” Kibum bellowed, ignoring all the eyes, the gossip or other shit that people will spread tomorrow, the sorrowful face in front of him. He grabbed Jonghyun’s shirt so hard it looked like it was going to rip. “ALL THIS TIME… YOU’VE IGNORED ME TOO MUCH ALL THIS TIME!” Jonghyun didn’t take notice of the pain he felt and simply listened. “WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE INSEPARABLE DUO REMEMBER? PARTNERS-IN-CRIME? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT?”
“We are still that.”
Kibum threw his best friend on the ground. “YOU LIAR. YOU FUCKING LIAR,” he continued to shout. “YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND. THAT’S WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN. I’M SO FUCKING LONELY WITHOUT YOU. EVERYDAY IS LIKE HELL DAMMIT, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT?”
Jonghyun looked at his younger friend’s face and gently said, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“WELL YOU SHOULD’VE KNOWN -“
“Kibum. How old are we? Do you seriously think guys would spend more time with their best friends than the girl they love?” Jonghyun picked himself up and dusted off the dirt from his shirt.
Kibum’s eyes widened.
“It’s normal for the boyfriend to give his girlfriend all of his attention right?”
Kibum took a few seconds to come up with an answer. “I wouldn’t know that.”
“Then get a girlfriend, idiot,” his former other half laughed lightheartedly, obviously not caring about the action that had just been inflicted on him.
Kibum was appalled. “DON’T SAY THAT AS IF IT’S AS EASY AS LEAVING ME ALONE!” he thrust another punch with all his bottled up feelings at Jonghyun’s face and ran off. It was dramatic, it was cowardly, but who the hell cares. It was clear their friendship wasn’t as important to him as it was to Kibum.
He skipped school for an entire week. He believed heartbreak was a better excuse than the damn flu or cough. For seven straight days, Kibum stayed in bed thinking about everything that’s happened since the kiss. That fucking stupid kiss. If it wasn’t for the damn waiter giving him the wrong drink, none of this would’ve happened. He knew so well that getting a girlfriend was Jonghyun’s escape from that incident and its gossip. He knew so, so well. He still couldn’t believe how letting his best friend go was so easy - Kibum would never be able to do that. Then he remembered the day that blonde imprisoned him on the wall. What the fuck was that all about? He recalled the serious gaze Jonghyun gave him, the moment they breathed together. The awkward silence. He slowly placed his hand on his left cheek and his heart started beating a million times per second.
Hey, meet me in the usual place tonight at 7pm. I have to talk to you. Please come. I’ll be waiting.
Kibum didn’t know why he was walking to school. To meet Jonghyun. It’s not like he was gonna forgive him for all that’s he done anyway. He just wanted to know what he could have to say - after hearing it, he’ll go straight home. All the lights were off and when he neared their bench, the bench they’ve dominated ever since the first day of highschool, he felt a sense of warmth. Jonghyun was already sitting down, staring at his fingers.
“Oh, you decided to come. I’m so glad,” he laughed. “It’s pretty cold isn’t it?”
Kibum didn’t look at him. “What the hell do you want?”
“I broke up with Jessica.”
Kibum froze. In such darkness, it would be pointless to see Jonghyun’s face to find out his expression. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“Oh Kibum, stop playing it cool. I broke up with her for you.”
“Well I don’t give a damn anymore. You’ve hurt me enough already and I’m not prepared to hear you confess your love for a different girl next time.”
“What if it’s for you?”
This time Kibum looked at Jonghyun’s face. He still couldn’t read his expression and wished someone would turn the lights on.
“I love you Kibum. I’ve loved you since the end of junior high. God, I sound so cheesy I know - don’t punch me again - but I do. At first I thought gay was… gay, but how could I help how I truly feel?”
Kibum didn’t say anything.
“When you kissed me that night - ugh, I couldn’t believe it. But then turns out you were drunk. And you kept denying it to everyone. We’re nothing more than best friends right? Well… anyone would be happy if the person they love ranks you as high as their best friend, but I was still depressed anyway. I mean, that’s how love is. I thought… if I got a girlfriend, I would forget my feelings for you and the impossible relationship I dreamed we could have.”
Kibum just stared at Jonghyun. He couldn’t tell the look on his face, but all the words he said seeped through his heart and he could just imagine it.
“This week while you were away from school, I kept thinking about what you said and regret hurting you. I’m really really sorry Kibum. But, hey! I broke up with her. So, we can continue being best friends right?” Kibum could hear Jonghyun’s broken tone when he asked the question.
He was confused on what to answer.
“Haha, you’re still stunned, are you?”
For the next few minutes, all they both could hear was the quiet whistle of the wind.
“Hey, Kibum,” Jonghyun whispered. Kibum continued gazing at his eyes - and noticed it felt exactly like the time they were against the wall. “Kibum… can I kiss you one last time?”
Kibum still remained silent, and five seconds lasted like eternity.
“S..sorry, never mind. We’re cool right?”
Then in the speed of light, Kibum wrapped his arms around Jonghyun’s neck, leaned in and at last felt the first kiss he never remembered experiencing. After their lips parted, he finally said, “As long as the school doesn’t catch us, I’ll kiss you as many times as you want. But nothing more.”
Gah now I feel like making this into a manga XD
Characters/Pairing: Jonghyun/Key only
Genre: Drama, Romance, Angst?, Friendship, AU [high school]
Rating: PG-13 [swearing]
Plot: Gossip destroys what should've been the strongest thing Kibum believes in.
A/N: My 2nd JongKey fic! It's the total opposite from my other one, Flat Number 49, which is humorous - this one's srs business. Sorry for the fail scenes and crappy ending and if it seems rushed. I'm not that good with describing scenes anymore D: Hope you all enjoy it anyway and please comment :D
btw sorry MS word/LJ killed the indentation and it's too tiring to fix every single new line ToT
Everyone knows them as the inseparable duo. The partners in crime. The two most popular guys in the district.
Everyone would gather around them in a circle every morning, lunch break, after school, just to talk, to mingle, to feel popular with them.
Everyone wants to go on a date, to spend a single minute alone, to walk in the park, to have fun in an amusement park with them.
“Jonghyun and Kibum were soooo cool with their hair pulled back today~”
“Did you see Kibum throw that can of Pepsi into a trash can from like 7 meters away and it went in? Oh God how does he do it?”
“Have you seen Kibum? We have a basketball tournament practice today. We need our ace!”
“Ahh the things I’d give up just to hold Jonghyun’s hand~”
“I overheard them planning to go karaoke this weekend you know… wanna stalk?”
“Their friendship is so touching and strong. I wish I can be part of them!”
But they don’t want everyone. They only want each other - Jonghyun for Kibum, Kibum for Jonghyun. Best friends forever. And no-one else will ever enter their world, or destroy it.
“KIBUM! KIBUM!”
Kibum swerved his head, a huge open-mouthed smile glued to his face, and saw his best friend come running towards him with arms wide open. They crashed against each other smiling, crying, laughing.
“You won! You guys won!” Jonghyun took a moment to catch his breath. “And you made the last shot! That’s so cliché for a popular kid but you did it man, haha!”
“Shut up! Cliché can be a good thing sometimes alright?” Key said. “I know, I can’t believe it either… we freaking won! Thanks for cheering me on, seriously.”
Arms still wrapped around each other, Jonghyun not caring about the fact that Kibum was drenched in sweat, they both giddily jumped in spot. Finally, some quality celebration time together. Before, tons of students smothered Kibum and flooded him with words of congratulations, hugs, fangirl shrieks; there were even camera flashes. He felt appreciated and loved, thanks, but all he really needed was his best friend, nothing more.
“So, to karaoke then?” Kibum beamed.
“Totally!”
They linked arms and ran out the door.
“Cold heart baby~” Kibum finished.
They had been singing from when the sun was high ‘til it sank. It was only the two of them, but going to karaoke is most fun just like that, nothing more.
Jonghyun was lazily resting on the couch, vigorously drinking bottles of water. He looked at his younger friend who was standing on the table, not considering the many hands that will touch it later tonight. The atmosphere significantly differed from both corners of the room. “Hey Kibum, aren’t you exhausted at all? Let’s go home already, there’s still school tomorrow.”
“OK OK, after this song. Besides, my apple juice didn’t arrive yet~”
“Fiiiiiiine.”
Kibum continued to holler out random English lyrics when the waiter came. The former was having too much fun to notice so Jonghyun politely took it for him. “Here’s your drink man, hurry up!” The full-spirited karaoke enthusiast hopped off the wooden table and gulped down the entire glass in one sitting, but then spat what seemed to be most of it all out on the floor. “YAH! WHAT THE FUCK, THIS ISN’T APPLE JUICE!” he spluttered and shouted. Jonghyun proceeded to grab tissues and wipe off the mess, sniffing a little to figure out what it could be that Kibum drank.
“Tch, we’re never coming back to this place OK Jjong?”
“I can’t make out the smell of this drink…”
“Dude it just got fired from my mouth, of course you can’t. Now forget about that, I’m pissed off right now. Let’s go home.”
The duo grabbed their bags and made their way outside to the black streets.
“Ah, I didn’t even do my English homework yet,” Jonghyun said.
“I’ll copy from you tomorrow OK?”
“Haha, what?! You just spent the last two hours singing English songs, go do it yourself!”
Kibum pouted. “It’s not like I understood what they said!” He started wobbling a bit and Jonghyun’s best friend instincts sensed so before he even looked with his own eyes.
“Whoa Kibum pay attention to the road,” he said.
Kibum was seeing stars and three Jonghyuns in front of his face now and they kept spinning, and spinning… He tripped over his own foot and his other half caught him halfway down. “Something’s wrong with me… I feel so damn dizzy,” he touched his forehead, wondering if a fever suddenly struck his previously healthy self.
Jonghyun looked at him skeptically. “Nah, you’re just worn out from all the stuff you did today.” He grabbed Kibum’s right arm and slung it over his neck to ensure that he won’t fall again. “Guess I’ll have to go all the way to your house at this rate.”
“N…no… you don’t have to,” Kibum hiccupped and turned his head to see Jonghyun, who stared back at him with worried eyes. Even with a blurry vision, he could still see that his best friend looked as handsome as usual - blonde hair, large eyes, perfect jaw line. He felt like throwing up, or going to sleep…
But that wasn’t what he did.
Usually his older partner would be waiting down in the living room but apparently this morning was not so. Kibum wondered why, and what happened last night? His memory recalled zilch. After grabbing some bread and putting on his shoes, he ran to school as fast as he could so there’s enough time to copy off the English homework from Jonghyun.
“Hey look, it’s Kibum!”
“Oh my God, after what happened they don’t go to school together?”
“It can’t be ‘cause of that, probably something came up…”
“They’re such an item! Ah I’m super jealous~”
“Sick bastard.”
What the hell is everyone talking about? Kibum thought. He began walking up the stairs when a picture stuck on the wall caught his eye.
Jonghyun buried his head in his hands as all his classmates and random people from other classes surrounded him and shot him questions simultaneously. He didn’t know how, or what to answer and he didn’t WANT to. Let Kibum do it. It was his fault.
Suddenly the door flung open with him shoving the picture in his hands in front of people’s faces. “WHAT THE BLAZING FUCK IS THIS? WHO’S THE EVIL PHOTOSHOP MASTERMIND?”
“KIBUM FINALLY ARRIVED!”
“CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO~”
Kibum gave death glares to all the students present. He shoved them out of the way so he can grab his best friend’s wrist and run off to a corner, but the teacher came in far too early and told everyone to sit down and quietly read for the next 15 minutes.
The next available time for discussion was lunch break, so the partners-in-crime (a gay one) secluded themselves in a normally isolated area in the school grounds. However, about 200 students found them and around ¾ each held up the photograph in the air, shouting, “WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU, JONGKI!” and the other ¼ seemed to reject the idea of gay love.
How on earth did this happen? Why the hell would I kiss Jjong? Kibum stepped up to the desk bench and shouted, “THIS ISN’T TRUE! JONGHYUN AND I ARE NOT IN THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP!”
“Then what does this picture mean?”
“Yeah, guys don’t kiss each other unless they’re in love with each other!”
“It’s OK Kibum, most of us approve of this even though we’re even more jealous than before!”
“YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING SHAME TO OUR SCHOOL BY BEING GAY!”
“Look at both of your lips interlocking, they fit so perfectly~ How romantic~”
“I think I’m gonna barf,” Kibum whispered at Jonghyun, who remained silent during all this. He continued shouting, “WHOEVER TOOK THIS PICTURE, SHOW YOURSELF!”
A girl with long curly hair and a slender figure stepped to the front of the crowd and her eyes smiled. “It was me, and I saw it with my own eyes!”
I’m assuming she’s also a supporter… “You sayin’ this isn’t photoshopped?” Kibum glared at her.
She had a smug look on her face. “No, I’ll tell you all the story,” she said, and the entire field went quiet. Kibum felt in danger. “Last night I happened to pass by these two walking on the streets at night, like 6-ish? Kibum had one of his arms around Jonghyun’s neck, then they both just looked at each other for a while and Kibum suddenly wrapped his other arm around Jonghyun and kissed him! It lasted like five seconds! I’m kind of surprised they didn’t notice me there watching…”
“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!” Kibum screamed. “I DID THAT?!”
“YES!”
Jonghyun finally spoke up, “Yeah you did, Kibum.”
“What the - dude, why? Tell me what happened!” He was even more surprised hearing that from Jonghyun.
“I don’t know man! You’re the one who kissed me first!”
Messed up black hair, Kibum faced the crowd again. “Look everyone. I honestly can’t remember anything. PLEASE disregard this, I’m sure it was an accident. But I can assure you - some best friends fall in love with each other, but not me and Jonghyun. Seriously. We may be best friends, but we’re freaking GUYS. SO WE’RE JUST BEST FRIENDS AND NOTHING MORE, OK. Please believe me!”
Everyone murmured a bit before someone shouted, “We believe you Kibum! We love you!”
A huge load of worry and potential horrible reputation escaped his chest. Kibum grinned with all he’s got and made a heart sign with his fingers and all the girls squealed.
Well that was the story for 200 people. Many others still believe there’s a popular homosexual couple in their school. The girl who took the photo and showed all her friends who decided to print a thousand copies and stick it on walls and bulletin boards and lockers apologised and bowed to Kibum and Jonghyun so much they found it irritating and let her off. Sometimes being popular isn’t so fun.
“Does gossip die?” Kibum asked Jonghyun who doesn’t seem to find the issue much of a big deal.
“This is my first time being gossiped as a gay… not sure.”
The day was finally over and they were walking home, thankful no-one was creepy enough to follow them. Grey clouds were looming across the sky and the streets were as silent as graveyards. Slight wind appeared from time to time, blowing off several green leaves in their direction.
They both sighed in harmony. Kibum still couldn’t believe he kissed his best friend. A guy. On the lips. Besides it being his first kiss, what’s worse is that he doesn’t even remember it happened, nor its feel. So he thought it would be OK to ask Jonghyun. “Jjong… how was it, kissing me?”
Jonghyun whipped his head towards Kibum, who was planting a serious expression. “What are you talking about? What do you think?”
“Just tell me,” Kibum said.
Little by little dark grey spots formed on the ground.
Jonghyun stared at him. Kibum suddenly felt worried - there was something in his partner’s eyes that seemed… even after being attached together for ten years, he had never felt such an aura before from him. Then Jonghyun grabbed Kibum’s shoulders. He pushed him against the wall. Kibum winced. The tip of Jonghyun’s nose was only a few inches apart from his. Kibum couldn’t speak a word - all he did was breathe, and so did Jonghyun, until the pattern of their breathing was in synch, like they shared the same two lungs. Like they were together in one body.
The clouds got darker.
Then Kibum in a snap became conscious of how they’re positioned. “J-Jonghyun, what the hell are you doing?” he managed to say.
“I think I should be asking you the same thing about that kiss yesterday.”
“Dude, I don’t even know! I think I was freaking drunk!”
“But seriously, is it normal for a drunk guy to kiss a guy?”
“How should I know? I’m sorry for stealing your first kiss OK! I really am!”
Jonghyun touched Kibum’s cheek and the latter suddenly felt hot. The intervals between his breathing grew shorter.
“Does this make your heart beat faster?” Jonghyun whispered.
Kibum pushed his best friend in full force and screamed. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN? OF COURSE IT DOES, YOU ASSHOLE. MY BEST FRIEND, SUDDENLY WHAT, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?”
Jonghyun failed to stumble then shrugged. “Maybe you wanted another kiss or something?” he smiled.
Kibum’s mouth flew open in shock. “NO I DON’T, KIM JONGHYUN. YOU’RE ONLY MY BEST FRIEND. JUST MY BEST FRIEND. NOTHING MORE. I HAVE -3000% INTENTION TO KISS YOU AT ALL. GAYS ARE SICK. THERE, YOU’VE CONFIRMED NOW RIGHT? SO DON’T EVER. DO THAT. AGAIN.”
A hard rain started to fall.
“I’m - I’m going home in that direction!” Kibum said, still loudly, without waiting for answer, and ran with all his might. He knew Jonghyun had an umbrella with him, but for some reason, he believed that the cold water pouring on his body could erase all the heat he absorbed and felt from his best friend’s touch.
Kibum woke up in a daze and recalled the day before. Great, how am I supposed to face Jjong today? He did his morning routine and yawned as he walked downstairs but then fully woke up after seeing his best friend sitting on the couch like usual, waving at him.
“Good morning~” he said with sunshine in his smile.
“H…hey,” Kibum slowly said. He decided not to bring up yesterday’s incident ‘cause most likely Jonghyun decided to forget about it too. This thought was pleasant to his former anxious brain, so after a few seconds, he smiled back.
From then on days went by as normal as before.
At least, that’s what Kibum hoped.
Jonghyun was grabbing his bag ready to leave when Kibum pulled the end of his shirt. “Where are you going so early? We still gotta get some junk from the vending machine, it’s pig-out Tuesday remember?” he pulled a jokingly stern look.
“Sorry, I need to go somewhere,” Jonghyun smiled apologetically.
“Like where?”
“Some restaurant… need to get some food.”
Kibum sat up from his chair. “I’ll come with you!”
“No no don’t, it’s too far away. I wanna go alone, alright? See ya tomorrow Kibum!”
“What the hell…”
It’s not normal for Jonghyun to go places without his partner-in-crime, the bathroom and his house being an exception. They’re supposed to always be together. As clingy as that sounds, that’s how an inseparable duo’s meant to work right?
The next day his best friend was missing until the bell rang for registration. He asked Jonghyun where he was but the blonde only replied that something came up. Kibum sneered about what kind of excuse that was, but Jonghyun promised to make it up later by letting him buy all the chips he want. However, he disappeared again after school unlike those TV characters that arrive during critical situations.
Jonghyun kept up his actions for several more days and Kibum started to think his older friend was having family problems, because what other issue could there be? Jonghyun tells him everything. Everything.
So how come when the school magazine published a front page picture of him with some long red haired girl Kibum’s never seen before - with the caption ‘Hot Couple’ - he felt like dying of shock?
“OI, KIM JONGHYUN!” Kibum shouted at his partner who just came in class, gripped hard on his wrist and dragged him to the rooftop.
“Hey, hey, Kibum! No need to be so rough!” he felt Jonghyun squirm.
Kibum shook his head as he climbed up the stairs, pressing his fingers harder on Jonghyun’s skin. “SHUT UP, YOU DESERVE THIS!”
It looked like it was going to rain again as the duo reached the rooftop without a breath. Re-enacting a past scene, Kibum pushed Jonghyun against the wired fence and gritted his teeth. He shoved the magazine cover in front of the no-longer-single boy’s face and said as calmly as he could, “Explain this to me, Jonghyun.”
Jonghyun looked down. “What is there to explain? I got a girlfriend.”
“Of course I know that, smartass. Don’t tell me you’re doing this to prove wrong of the gay gossip?” Kibum hoped.
Then his best friend gazed straight at his eyes. “No, not really. I’m in love with her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m really really sorry Kibum. I just wanted to make sure our relationship is true before actually telling you. But then the school magazine…”
Silence filled the area.
“… I guess I understand,” Kibum finally lied. “Well, now that I know, hope you guys last forever and stay happy alright?” he punched Jonghyun’s arm playfully, unsure of how he felt about the last sentence. “You can go back to class first. I wanna stay up here a little longer.”
Jonghyun smiled. “See ya bud,” he said and walked away.
Kibum waited until he disappeared before leaning his head against the fence, which had just begun to get wet from the rain. “What the hell, Jonghyun. How long have you kept your feelings for her a secret from me?” he stared at the picture of Jonghyun holding hands with the unknown girl, drinking his favorite Starbucks frappucino, all smiles.
But that wasn’t the problem. “Do you care about her more than me now?” Kibum quietly said.
After accepting the fact that his best friend is really now taken and found someone more than - or just as important as - him, Kibum started to feel a little better. This means he won’t ignore me all the time anymore, because I already know he has a girlfriend. I’ll get his attention back!
“I have a date with Jessica tomorrow,” Jonghyun said.
Kibum gasped. “But every month on the 20th we ALWAYS spend ten hours in the arcade!”
“I know right? I’m pretty bummed too man. But Jessica needs someone to keep her company shopping for her sister’s birthday present. She says that when she goes alone lots of perverts make moves at her.”
“Can’t she take her mom or something?”
“Her mom has work,” Jonghyun explained.
“Well then… how about coming over to the arcade when you’re done?”
“Sorry man, she wants me to have dinner with her too.”
Kibum processed a dark feeling towards Jessica. “Then the day after tomorrow OK?”
“You two there, stop talking and get on with your work!”
Straight after the bell rang Jonghyun ran out the class and Kibum didn’t feel like chasing him.
It was the loneliest weekend he ever experienced. He had a lot friends, so why not call some up and hang out together? Somehow, he just didn’t want to go anywhere without his best friend. Kibum’s gotten used to ten years of spending every single day with the same one person. It never bored him. He was never sad about it. Isn’t that what they call being grateful?
Kibum stared at his phone and flipped the cover open, not surprised that there were no seven miscalls or three texts like usual. He sighed and buried his face on his feathery pillow - honestly, Jonghyun’s firm shoulders felt more comfortable - wondering if it was normal to cry.
“Jessica and Jonghyun were at the mall together yesterday, I bumped into them!”
“Kibum’s in the basketball court a lot more now…”
“Have you noticed?”
“I hardly see Jonghyun and Kibum together anymore.”
It’s been a month already since the news broke out. Loneliness swells him up day by day, as Jonghyun started to hang out in his girlfriend’s class every morning, lunch break and after school, to use up all his weekend either for her or for doing his homework. Kibum recalled the few instances they had the time to talk or play together but found them lifeless.
One afternoon, he couldn’t take it anymore. He caught the ‘2Js’, as the entire school calls them, holding hands laughing, walking towards the front gate. He shouted, “Jjong, I need to talk to you in private right now!” The couple, which Kibum refused to admit they are, turned their heads around.
Jessica courteously nodded at Kibum and said to Jonghyun, “I’ll head over to the café first.”
“Let’s talk over at -“ Kibum punched his supposed-to-be-partner on the face without letting him finish. Everyone in the surrounding turned to look and some let out gasps, but then remained silent. Jonghyun touched his cheek and groaned. “Ouch… ah, Kibum… why did you that?”
“DON’T PRETEND YOU DON’T KNOW, BASTARD,” Kibum bellowed, ignoring all the eyes, the gossip or other shit that people will spread tomorrow, the sorrowful face in front of him. He grabbed Jonghyun’s shirt so hard it looked like it was going to rip. “ALL THIS TIME… YOU’VE IGNORED ME TOO MUCH ALL THIS TIME!” Jonghyun didn’t take notice of the pain he felt and simply listened. “WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE INSEPARABLE DUO REMEMBER? PARTNERS-IN-CRIME? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT?”
“We are still that.”
Kibum threw his best friend on the ground. “YOU LIAR. YOU FUCKING LIAR,” he continued to shout. “YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND. THAT’S WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN. I’M SO FUCKING LONELY WITHOUT YOU. EVERYDAY IS LIKE HELL DAMMIT, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT?”
Jonghyun looked at his younger friend’s face and gently said, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“WELL YOU SHOULD’VE KNOWN -“
“Kibum. How old are we? Do you seriously think guys would spend more time with their best friends than the girl they love?” Jonghyun picked himself up and dusted off the dirt from his shirt.
Kibum’s eyes widened.
“It’s normal for the boyfriend to give his girlfriend all of his attention right?”
Kibum took a few seconds to come up with an answer. “I wouldn’t know that.”
“Then get a girlfriend, idiot,” his former other half laughed lightheartedly, obviously not caring about the action that had just been inflicted on him.
Kibum was appalled. “DON’T SAY THAT AS IF IT’S AS EASY AS LEAVING ME ALONE!” he thrust another punch with all his bottled up feelings at Jonghyun’s face and ran off. It was dramatic, it was cowardly, but who the hell cares. It was clear their friendship wasn’t as important to him as it was to Kibum.
He skipped school for an entire week. He believed heartbreak was a better excuse than the damn flu or cough. For seven straight days, Kibum stayed in bed thinking about everything that’s happened since the kiss. That fucking stupid kiss. If it wasn’t for the damn waiter giving him the wrong drink, none of this would’ve happened. He knew so well that getting a girlfriend was Jonghyun’s escape from that incident and its gossip. He knew so, so well. He still couldn’t believe how letting his best friend go was so easy - Kibum would never be able to do that. Then he remembered the day that blonde imprisoned him on the wall. What the fuck was that all about? He recalled the serious gaze Jonghyun gave him, the moment they breathed together. The awkward silence. He slowly placed his hand on his left cheek and his heart started beating a million times per second.
Hey, meet me in the usual place tonight at 7pm. I have to talk to you. Please come. I’ll be waiting.
Kibum didn’t know why he was walking to school. To meet Jonghyun. It’s not like he was gonna forgive him for all that’s he done anyway. He just wanted to know what he could have to say - after hearing it, he’ll go straight home. All the lights were off and when he neared their bench, the bench they’ve dominated ever since the first day of highschool, he felt a sense of warmth. Jonghyun was already sitting down, staring at his fingers.
“Oh, you decided to come. I’m so glad,” he laughed. “It’s pretty cold isn’t it?”
Kibum didn’t look at him. “What the hell do you want?”
“I broke up with Jessica.”
Kibum froze. In such darkness, it would be pointless to see Jonghyun’s face to find out his expression. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“Oh Kibum, stop playing it cool. I broke up with her for you.”
“Well I don’t give a damn anymore. You’ve hurt me enough already and I’m not prepared to hear you confess your love for a different girl next time.”
“What if it’s for you?”
This time Kibum looked at Jonghyun’s face. He still couldn’t read his expression and wished someone would turn the lights on.
“I love you Kibum. I’ve loved you since the end of junior high. God, I sound so cheesy I know - don’t punch me again - but I do. At first I thought gay was… gay, but how could I help how I truly feel?”
Kibum didn’t say anything.
“When you kissed me that night - ugh, I couldn’t believe it. But then turns out you were drunk. And you kept denying it to everyone. We’re nothing more than best friends right? Well… anyone would be happy if the person they love ranks you as high as their best friend, but I was still depressed anyway. I mean, that’s how love is. I thought… if I got a girlfriend, I would forget my feelings for you and the impossible relationship I dreamed we could have.”
Kibum just stared at Jonghyun. He couldn’t tell the look on his face, but all the words he said seeped through his heart and he could just imagine it.
“This week while you were away from school, I kept thinking about what you said and regret hurting you. I’m really really sorry Kibum. But, hey! I broke up with her. So, we can continue being best friends right?” Kibum could hear Jonghyun’s broken tone when he asked the question.
He was confused on what to answer.
“Haha, you’re still stunned, are you?”
For the next few minutes, all they both could hear was the quiet whistle of the wind.
“Hey, Kibum,” Jonghyun whispered. Kibum continued gazing at his eyes - and noticed it felt exactly like the time they were against the wall. “Kibum… can I kiss you one last time?”
Kibum still remained silent, and five seconds lasted like eternity.
“S..sorry, never mind. We’re cool right?”
Then in the speed of light, Kibum wrapped his arms around Jonghyun’s neck, leaned in and at last felt the first kiss he never remembered experiencing. After their lips parted, he finally said, “As long as the school doesn’t catch us, I’ll kiss you as many times as you want. But nothing more.”
Gah now I feel like making this into a manga XD