Beauty & The Geek [jongkey, onkey, 2min] [11/11]
Title: Beauty & The Geek
Pairing: Jongkey, Onkey, 2min
Genre: AU, Drama, Romance, Angst
Word Count: 2297
Rating: PG-13 [Language, Sexual Situations, Mentions of Attempted Suicide]
Disclaimer(s): I own nothing.
Summary: Office romances never come without drama.
Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten
A/N: Here it is! The final installment. /bows I hope it is worthy of my fabulous readers!
Also, I will have a whole slew of one shots coming out shortly, so don't think I'll drop off the face of thearth after this! Thank you!
Jinki reclines on the couch, taking in a deep breath of sandlewood and vanilla, proud of the spotless condition of the apartment. The amount of dusting he had to do was incredible, as if the place wasn't even lived in, but from now on that's going to change. He's positive.
The front door creaks open.
“Kibum?” He stands and goes to meet the man at the door.
Instantly, Kibum tries to hide his face. He doesn't want Jinki to see his tear stained cheeks, doesn't want him asking questions Kibum has no answers to. Why is he crying? Not because he lost his job, he's covered there, no, because of that look. That look Jonghyun gave him, like his heart has become to cold to even process his own pain. It's too similar to Daeho's hard exterior - to think, Jonghyun is becoming just like the man he hates most in the world. Kibum doesn't realize what's happening until he's being reeled into Jinki's chest.
“What's wrong?” Jinki asks, voice low and soothing.
Kibum shakes his head, bites down on the inside of his lip to keep his emotions under control. Understanding the need for no words to be exchanged, Jinki does the next best thing he can think of to comfort the man he loves and begins to gently rock back and forth, moving Kibum along with him. The motion effectively sets Kibum's breathing back to a normal state from the erratic way it had been earlier.
“Want me to make you some tea?”
Kibum nods his head against his warm body. He's upset when the warmth disappears as Jinki steps away to go into the kitchen. Instead of just walking away, he takes Kibum's hand firmly in his and leads him to the living room.
“Sit down while I make it,” Jinki orders lightly, turning up the heat on his way into the kitchen, “I'll be right back.”
Kibum stares at the pattern of the throw pillow tucked just under his arm, willing it to provide him with answers. Does he love Jinki? Does he love Jonghyun? He feels attached to both … But, is there a difference between attachment and love?
Kikwang fights the urge to ask him straight out “How'd the meeting go?” Instead, he fidgets. If there's anything Jonghyun can't stand, it's fidgeting. It grates at his nerves like nothing else. That's why Kikwang should have seen it when a hand clamps down over his to stop the constant movement, but never would he have foreseen that softness in the touch. He shifts in the cab seat so he can properly view the man beside him.
“Stop,” Jonghyun says, eyes squeezed shut as his free hand works at the bridge of his nose.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Jonghyun doesn't remove his hand. “I'm being transferred to the Busan branch. I guess whoever you talked to heard wrong.”
Taemin is never wrong … Kikwang isn't going to argue this. He feels the relief and exhaustion flooding from Jonghyun, so he reaches forward, pulling away from the gentle touch, so he can massage Jonghyun's temples. The man almost instantly relaxes and melts into the pressure until Kikwang is able to pull him so his head is resting in his lap and he has a better angle to work with.
“So ... you're moving to Busan, then?” Kikwang keeps his eyes forward, focused on the city passing by.
Jonghyun sighs. “I have to, yeah. It'll be nice to get away from this place.”
Kikwang bites down on his bottom lip. “Won't you be lonely?”
“Will I?”
The question holds more meaning than Kikwang thinks he can handle. “What about Kibum?”
“What about him?”
“You don't … love him, any more?” He hates the hope that seeps into his voice. He's just going to be rejected again and it'll be just as hurtful as the multitude of other times.
“I don't think I did,” Jonghyun admits, glad they're in an upscale cab with a dark, sound proof divider between them and the driver, “I thought I needed him, but he's always so unhappy when he's with me. It made me feel worse, to see him like that.”
“That's not why you … ?” Kikwang can't finish the sentence, just the thought of Jonghyun attempting to end his life too much.
Jonghyun shakes his head against Kikwang's thighs. “No. Well, I guess. Not really. I don't know.”
“You don't know why you did?”
“I … “ he stops, considers if he should consider. “I'm going to see a professional about it, once I'm in Busan.” Jonghyun takes a deep breath, slightly shaky. “I might have to go into rehab. I … I want you to be there, Kikwang.”
Ebony locks hood his eyes as Kikwang looks down at the fabric on Jonghyun's back, picks away a piece of lint. “I never helped you before.”
“I never saw you before.”
The words sting and soothe all at the same time. A spark of hope, a spark of hurt. Everything he'd done before really had gone by unnoticed, but now … now Jonghyun could see him? Kikwang blinks back his emotions. His heart feels like bursting.
“But now that I can, I want to see more.”
Jinki starts up the electric fireplace when he takes in the sight of Kibum curled around his mug of tea like he'll freeze without it. When he glides to the couch, he takes one of the expensive cashmere blankets folded in a hidden nook and drapes it around the brunette's shoulders, before finally taking a seat beside him.
“What about America?” Asks Kibum, seemingly to his cup of tea.
Jinki blinks. “What about it?”
“What do you think of it?”
“I've never been.” Jinki's forehead crinkles, trying to follow Kibum's thoughts.
His boss falls silent once again, back into his reverie of thought as he sips at his tea. Jinki draws his knees to his chest, pulls his sleeves over his hands and tucks his toes into the cushions. Kibum glances up. He breaks into the brightest little smile Jinki has ever witnessed.
“What?” He asks, tilting his head so that it rests on the back of the couch.
Kibum shakes his head. “You look like a little kid.”
Jinki's mouth form's into the shape of a small 'o' and he begins to uncurl himself, but is stopped by Kibum reaching out and placing his hand on his knee.
“Don't, it fits you.”
Jinki doesn't question him, he's comfortable anyway. “So, are you going to tell me what happened? Why are you talking about America out of the blue?”
“I've been fired,” Kibum states without skipping a beat, “I'm going to move to America.”
Jinki blanches. “You're kidding?” Kibum's expression doesn't change. “How? Why?”
The question 'why' was one Kibum knew he couldn't avoid, but was wishing desperately wouldn't come up. How does he explain to Jinki that he got caught on video having sex with one of the upper echelon of the company? Jinki accepted what had gone on between him and Jonghyun, but did he know about all the others? Kibum had made sure to hide it before. Even if it did go around the office like wild fire, Jinki's so sweet and naive. Could this affect their relationship, now that it felt somewhat stable?
“You've heard the rumors about me, right?” Kibum asks, swallowing down his fears.
Jinki looks down. “Yeah .. “
“They're true.” Jinki's looks up, eyes as wide as saucers. “I got caught, so they're letting me go quietly to avoid any leak of scandal.”
Jinki opens his mouth to talk, but no words come out. He pulls his lips into a tight line, eyebrows furrowing. He searches Kibum's face for something, anything for him to latch onto to make this okay. All he finds are hard lines and those dim eyes, back again. He takes a deep, steadying breath.
“I don't care about that, Kibum,” he says with finality, “It's in the past.”
Kibum looks toward the ceiling and a small laugh escapes his lips. Is this relief that's flooding over him? “Jinki, you don't know what you're getting yourself into,” he warns.
“I meant what I said before,” Jinki says, reaching forward and cradling Kibum's cheek, forcing him to look at him, “I love you.”
His eyes begin to water and Kibum has to hurriedly wipe them clean. “Jinki .. “ He doesn't say anything more, he doesn't need to.
Jinki leans forward until his face is inches away from Kibum's. Kibum's eye lids flutter shut as a gentle kiss is placed on his lips, sweet and soft just like Jinki. There's a promise in it - “I'll always love you.” He can't help the silent tears that begin to fall, but this time Jinki is there to wipe them away and pull him close to him.
Kibum allows sniffles and sobs to take over, unable to hide them anymore. It's been years since he's cried like this. There's been so much and now he finally feels safe enough to express the emotions that have been caged inside him.
The next morning brings with it a stiff neck and sore, puffy eyes for Kibum. He stretches and attempts to work the kink in his neck out, but to no avail. Better to focus on his outward appearance anyway. Sitting up, he blinks and tries to remember just when he got in his bed. Did Jinki … ? Kibum turns only to find the said man sprawled on the other side of the bed, hand under his shirt and resting on his stomach. He must have been tired, to not wrap himself up in the blanket like usual.
Kibum lets another serene smile makes it way across his lips - he can get used to waking up like this, sore neck aside - before reminding himself that he still has business to attend to. He slips out of bed as quietly as possible.
He spends a good amount of time in the bathroom, he's going to go into that office looking his best. As the bathroom door clicks shut behind him and he pads softly back into the bed room, Jinki stirs.
“Kibum?” He calls, eyes barely open as he looks around the room in confusion.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Where are you going?”
Kibum steps to the side of the bed and firmly presses Jinki's shoulders down when he continues to make a move to get up. “I'm going to the office, I'll be back in a little bit. Just … rest, okay?”
“Do you want me to - “
“I want you to sleep.” Kibum purses his lips together. This want to take care of someone other than himself, it's annoying. “Now, good bye.”
Jinki flops back onto the bed and mumbles a brief parting back before easily falling back to sleep. Kibum rolls his eyes. So much for his persistence.
The office is buzzing with activity when Kibum enters the door. He ignores the awkward lull in conversation as he strides past desks and printers and blue prints that he itched to pick up and examine, but no longer had the authority to. As soon as he reaches his office and he's in the door, the employees roar to life. Kibum is not going to miss them.
“Oh - “
Kibum shuts the door behind him and stares at the man in his old chair.
“Minho,” he greets simply, nods his head, “I'm just here to grab my things.”
Gentle brown eyes watch him as he begins to collect his few personal belongings into his leather satchel. Kibum debates whether he should say anything more to one of his few workers he could actually stand, but who now had his job. He should be enraged, but to get out of this company … it's the most freeing experience he's ever had.
Minho clears his throat. “Kibum, I … I don't know what to say to you.”
Kibum peers over at him. “There's nothing to say. This is how the business works.”
“But, I feel as if this is wrong. You've always led the department to success.”
“And now you will.” Kibum considers taking the expensive stationary and other writing tools, just to spite Daeho.
“What if I can't?”
Minho's eyes are young and Kibum feels as if he's decades older then the man only just a few months his junior. He rests his hip against the desk. “You're the most competent worker in this entire office, you'll do fine.”
Minho wrings his hands with uncertainty. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Kibum's fierce gaze scans the room. “Now, when you came in here, there didn't happen to be a brief case on the desk … ?”
With a motion in the direction of the cabinet, Minho nods. “I figured it was for you and put it in there.”
Kibum tentatively takes it out. Checking over his shoulder, Minho has his Blackberry out and is concentrated on the screen, he pops the top of the brief case open to make sure the contents are as agreed upon earlier. He breaths out when he sees all of the American dollars he asked for.
“What a fool,” he says under his breath, taking the brief case in his hand while slinging his satchel over his shoulder. “Well, this is good bye. And .. good luck, Minho.”
Minho gets up from his seat, bowing respectfully. “Good bye, Kibum.”
Kibum bows back before starting for the door. Just as his hand settles on the handle, Minho speaks again.
“Kibum?”
“Yes?”
“Take care of Jinki.”
He snorts and opens the door, leaving without another word.
“You're going where?”
Jinki winces as the curling iron falls from her grasp as Sunny stares at him, mouth gaping. He had known the reaction would be less than excited, but this? Like his going to America is his death.
“I already found a new job,” he explains calmly, hands shoved in his pockets despite the warmth inside the salon, “Kibum and I - “
“You two have only been back together for what? A few months? Now you're going to America with him?” Sunny excuses herself to her client, but her eyes are hold the fury of a mad woman. “Jinki, you're smart! No way you think this is a good idea.”
He smiles dumbly - lovestruck. “It'll be fine. Besides, we've been planning this from day one. It was just a matter of time.”
Sunny shakes her head vehemently, only slightly deterred by just how happy her brother looks. “This can't end well .. “
Jinki steps forward, takes Sunny by the shoulders. “Everything will be perfect.” He stares hard into her eyes, reassuring.
A moment passes and Sunny sighs. “Bro, you had better be sure about this.”
“Of course I am!” Jinki bounds forward to give her a peck on the forehead. “Now, don't forgte to tell mom!” And with that he's dashing out of the salon while calling over his shoulder, “See ya' in a few months, Sunny!”
Sunny kicks one of the empty chairs while cursing her “good for nothing, jack ass brother.”
There has never been a single most decisive change in his life that Jinki has felt so sure about. Going to America with Kibum is going to be perfect, he knows it. He walks briskly, body light, mind at rest, and heart pounding out a rhythmic tune of cherubs. He can check off saying goodbye to the family from his list of to-do's, which leaves him with really nothing left. Jinki heads back home, where he's moved in with Kibum. Their apartment is a mess of boxes and half packed belongings.
“Kibum?” He calls, having to leap over a bag.
Ebony hair damp, Kibum steps into the hallway with only a towel wrapped around his waist. “Over here.”
Jinki quirks an eyebrow. “Finished visiting with the girls?”
“Yeah. They were pissed.”
“Still don't approve of me?”
“Nope.”
Jinki discards his jacket and shoes, attention solely on his almost fully naked boyfriend. “That's okay,” he says, watching as a drop of water trails Kibum's jaw, “I don't care what Sulli and Krystal think as long as I have you.”
He closes the distance between them quickly, drawing Kibum flush against him. Kibum tries to protest, “I'm wet!”, but Jinki shushes him with a deep kiss. Jinki's arms wound around him as Kibum's hands seek out the soft hair at the nape of Jinki's neck.
“Wanna hop back in the shower?'
Kibum studies the smooth contours of Jinki's face - he never tires of just looking at the man. “Better now than later - we're not missing our flight tomorrow morning.”
Effortlessly, Jinki backs Kibum back into the bathroom, wicked grin in place. He plans on making up for the intimate time they're bound to miss due to jet lag - oh, he should make up for the time when he was busy getting his passport the other day.
Any excuse to love Kibum works for Jinki. Who can blame him? His prayers are finally answered, his dreams brought to life, and Kibum is sticking around to make sure he isn't stuck with fantasies ever again.
Previous |
Pairing: Jongkey, Onkey, 2min
Genre: AU, Drama, Romance, Angst
Word Count: 2297
Rating: PG-13 [Language, Sexual Situations, Mentions of Attempted Suicide]
Disclaimer(s): I own nothing.
Summary: Office romances never come without drama.
Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten
A/N: Here it is! The final installment. /bows I hope it is worthy of my fabulous readers!
Also, I will have a whole slew of one shots coming out shortly, so don't think I'll drop off the face of thearth after this! Thank you!
Jinki reclines on the couch, taking in a deep breath of sandlewood and vanilla, proud of the spotless condition of the apartment. The amount of dusting he had to do was incredible, as if the place wasn't even lived in, but from now on that's going to change. He's positive.
The front door creaks open.
“Kibum?” He stands and goes to meet the man at the door.
Instantly, Kibum tries to hide his face. He doesn't want Jinki to see his tear stained cheeks, doesn't want him asking questions Kibum has no answers to. Why is he crying? Not because he lost his job, he's covered there, no, because of that look. That look Jonghyun gave him, like his heart has become to cold to even process his own pain. It's too similar to Daeho's hard exterior - to think, Jonghyun is becoming just like the man he hates most in the world. Kibum doesn't realize what's happening until he's being reeled into Jinki's chest.
“What's wrong?” Jinki asks, voice low and soothing.
Kibum shakes his head, bites down on the inside of his lip to keep his emotions under control. Understanding the need for no words to be exchanged, Jinki does the next best thing he can think of to comfort the man he loves and begins to gently rock back and forth, moving Kibum along with him. The motion effectively sets Kibum's breathing back to a normal state from the erratic way it had been earlier.
“Want me to make you some tea?”
Kibum nods his head against his warm body. He's upset when the warmth disappears as Jinki steps away to go into the kitchen. Instead of just walking away, he takes Kibum's hand firmly in his and leads him to the living room.
“Sit down while I make it,” Jinki orders lightly, turning up the heat on his way into the kitchen, “I'll be right back.”
Kibum stares at the pattern of the throw pillow tucked just under his arm, willing it to provide him with answers. Does he love Jinki? Does he love Jonghyun? He feels attached to both … But, is there a difference between attachment and love?
Kikwang fights the urge to ask him straight out “How'd the meeting go?” Instead, he fidgets. If there's anything Jonghyun can't stand, it's fidgeting. It grates at his nerves like nothing else. That's why Kikwang should have seen it when a hand clamps down over his to stop the constant movement, but never would he have foreseen that softness in the touch. He shifts in the cab seat so he can properly view the man beside him.
“Stop,” Jonghyun says, eyes squeezed shut as his free hand works at the bridge of his nose.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Jonghyun doesn't remove his hand. “I'm being transferred to the Busan branch. I guess whoever you talked to heard wrong.”
Taemin is never wrong … Kikwang isn't going to argue this. He feels the relief and exhaustion flooding from Jonghyun, so he reaches forward, pulling away from the gentle touch, so he can massage Jonghyun's temples. The man almost instantly relaxes and melts into the pressure until Kikwang is able to pull him so his head is resting in his lap and he has a better angle to work with.
“So ... you're moving to Busan, then?” Kikwang keeps his eyes forward, focused on the city passing by.
Jonghyun sighs. “I have to, yeah. It'll be nice to get away from this place.”
Kikwang bites down on his bottom lip. “Won't you be lonely?”
“Will I?”
The question holds more meaning than Kikwang thinks he can handle. “What about Kibum?”
“What about him?”
“You don't … love him, any more?” He hates the hope that seeps into his voice. He's just going to be rejected again and it'll be just as hurtful as the multitude of other times.
“I don't think I did,” Jonghyun admits, glad they're in an upscale cab with a dark, sound proof divider between them and the driver, “I thought I needed him, but he's always so unhappy when he's with me. It made me feel worse, to see him like that.”
“That's not why you … ?” Kikwang can't finish the sentence, just the thought of Jonghyun attempting to end his life too much.
Jonghyun shakes his head against Kikwang's thighs. “No. Well, I guess. Not really. I don't know.”
“You don't know why you did?”
“I … “ he stops, considers if he should consider. “I'm going to see a professional about it, once I'm in Busan.” Jonghyun takes a deep breath, slightly shaky. “I might have to go into rehab. I … I want you to be there, Kikwang.”
Ebony locks hood his eyes as Kikwang looks down at the fabric on Jonghyun's back, picks away a piece of lint. “I never helped you before.”
“I never saw you before.”
The words sting and soothe all at the same time. A spark of hope, a spark of hurt. Everything he'd done before really had gone by unnoticed, but now … now Jonghyun could see him? Kikwang blinks back his emotions. His heart feels like bursting.
“But now that I can, I want to see more.”
Jinki starts up the electric fireplace when he takes in the sight of Kibum curled around his mug of tea like he'll freeze without it. When he glides to the couch, he takes one of the expensive cashmere blankets folded in a hidden nook and drapes it around the brunette's shoulders, before finally taking a seat beside him.
“What about America?” Asks Kibum, seemingly to his cup of tea.
Jinki blinks. “What about it?”
“What do you think of it?”
“I've never been.” Jinki's forehead crinkles, trying to follow Kibum's thoughts.
His boss falls silent once again, back into his reverie of thought as he sips at his tea. Jinki draws his knees to his chest, pulls his sleeves over his hands and tucks his toes into the cushions. Kibum glances up. He breaks into the brightest little smile Jinki has ever witnessed.
“What?” He asks, tilting his head so that it rests on the back of the couch.
Kibum shakes his head. “You look like a little kid.”
Jinki's mouth form's into the shape of a small 'o' and he begins to uncurl himself, but is stopped by Kibum reaching out and placing his hand on his knee.
“Don't, it fits you.”
Jinki doesn't question him, he's comfortable anyway. “So, are you going to tell me what happened? Why are you talking about America out of the blue?”
“I've been fired,” Kibum states without skipping a beat, “I'm going to move to America.”
Jinki blanches. “You're kidding?” Kibum's expression doesn't change. “How? Why?”
The question 'why' was one Kibum knew he couldn't avoid, but was wishing desperately wouldn't come up. How does he explain to Jinki that he got caught on video having sex with one of the upper echelon of the company? Jinki accepted what had gone on between him and Jonghyun, but did he know about all the others? Kibum had made sure to hide it before. Even if it did go around the office like wild fire, Jinki's so sweet and naive. Could this affect their relationship, now that it felt somewhat stable?
“You've heard the rumors about me, right?” Kibum asks, swallowing down his fears.
Jinki looks down. “Yeah .. “
“They're true.” Jinki's looks up, eyes as wide as saucers. “I got caught, so they're letting me go quietly to avoid any leak of scandal.”
Jinki opens his mouth to talk, but no words come out. He pulls his lips into a tight line, eyebrows furrowing. He searches Kibum's face for something, anything for him to latch onto to make this okay. All he finds are hard lines and those dim eyes, back again. He takes a deep, steadying breath.
“I don't care about that, Kibum,” he says with finality, “It's in the past.”
Kibum looks toward the ceiling and a small laugh escapes his lips. Is this relief that's flooding over him? “Jinki, you don't know what you're getting yourself into,” he warns.
“I meant what I said before,” Jinki says, reaching forward and cradling Kibum's cheek, forcing him to look at him, “I love you.”
His eyes begin to water and Kibum has to hurriedly wipe them clean. “Jinki .. “ He doesn't say anything more, he doesn't need to.
Jinki leans forward until his face is inches away from Kibum's. Kibum's eye lids flutter shut as a gentle kiss is placed on his lips, sweet and soft just like Jinki. There's a promise in it - “I'll always love you.” He can't help the silent tears that begin to fall, but this time Jinki is there to wipe them away and pull him close to him.
Kibum allows sniffles and sobs to take over, unable to hide them anymore. It's been years since he's cried like this. There's been so much and now he finally feels safe enough to express the emotions that have been caged inside him.
The next morning brings with it a stiff neck and sore, puffy eyes for Kibum. He stretches and attempts to work the kink in his neck out, but to no avail. Better to focus on his outward appearance anyway. Sitting up, he blinks and tries to remember just when he got in his bed. Did Jinki … ? Kibum turns only to find the said man sprawled on the other side of the bed, hand under his shirt and resting on his stomach. He must have been tired, to not wrap himself up in the blanket like usual.
Kibum lets another serene smile makes it way across his lips - he can get used to waking up like this, sore neck aside - before reminding himself that he still has business to attend to. He slips out of bed as quietly as possible.
He spends a good amount of time in the bathroom, he's going to go into that office looking his best. As the bathroom door clicks shut behind him and he pads softly back into the bed room, Jinki stirs.
“Kibum?” He calls, eyes barely open as he looks around the room in confusion.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Where are you going?”
Kibum steps to the side of the bed and firmly presses Jinki's shoulders down when he continues to make a move to get up. “I'm going to the office, I'll be back in a little bit. Just … rest, okay?”
“Do you want me to - “
“I want you to sleep.” Kibum purses his lips together. This want to take care of someone other than himself, it's annoying. “Now, good bye.”
Jinki flops back onto the bed and mumbles a brief parting back before easily falling back to sleep. Kibum rolls his eyes. So much for his persistence.
The office is buzzing with activity when Kibum enters the door. He ignores the awkward lull in conversation as he strides past desks and printers and blue prints that he itched to pick up and examine, but no longer had the authority to. As soon as he reaches his office and he's in the door, the employees roar to life. Kibum is not going to miss them.
“Oh - “
Kibum shuts the door behind him and stares at the man in his old chair.
“Minho,” he greets simply, nods his head, “I'm just here to grab my things.”
Gentle brown eyes watch him as he begins to collect his few personal belongings into his leather satchel. Kibum debates whether he should say anything more to one of his few workers he could actually stand, but who now had his job. He should be enraged, but to get out of this company … it's the most freeing experience he's ever had.
Minho clears his throat. “Kibum, I … I don't know what to say to you.”
Kibum peers over at him. “There's nothing to say. This is how the business works.”
“But, I feel as if this is wrong. You've always led the department to success.”
“And now you will.” Kibum considers taking the expensive stationary and other writing tools, just to spite Daeho.
“What if I can't?”
Minho's eyes are young and Kibum feels as if he's decades older then the man only just a few months his junior. He rests his hip against the desk. “You're the most competent worker in this entire office, you'll do fine.”
Minho wrings his hands with uncertainty. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Kibum's fierce gaze scans the room. “Now, when you came in here, there didn't happen to be a brief case on the desk … ?”
With a motion in the direction of the cabinet, Minho nods. “I figured it was for you and put it in there.”
Kibum tentatively takes it out. Checking over his shoulder, Minho has his Blackberry out and is concentrated on the screen, he pops the top of the brief case open to make sure the contents are as agreed upon earlier. He breaths out when he sees all of the American dollars he asked for.
“What a fool,” he says under his breath, taking the brief case in his hand while slinging his satchel over his shoulder. “Well, this is good bye. And .. good luck, Minho.”
Minho gets up from his seat, bowing respectfully. “Good bye, Kibum.”
Kibum bows back before starting for the door. Just as his hand settles on the handle, Minho speaks again.
“Kibum?”
“Yes?”
“Take care of Jinki.”
He snorts and opens the door, leaving without another word.
“You're going where?”
Jinki winces as the curling iron falls from her grasp as Sunny stares at him, mouth gaping. He had known the reaction would be less than excited, but this? Like his going to America is his death.
“I already found a new job,” he explains calmly, hands shoved in his pockets despite the warmth inside the salon, “Kibum and I - “
“You two have only been back together for what? A few months? Now you're going to America with him?” Sunny excuses herself to her client, but her eyes are hold the fury of a mad woman. “Jinki, you're smart! No way you think this is a good idea.”
He smiles dumbly - lovestruck. “It'll be fine. Besides, we've been planning this from day one. It was just a matter of time.”
Sunny shakes her head vehemently, only slightly deterred by just how happy her brother looks. “This can't end well .. “
Jinki steps forward, takes Sunny by the shoulders. “Everything will be perfect.” He stares hard into her eyes, reassuring.
A moment passes and Sunny sighs. “Bro, you had better be sure about this.”
“Of course I am!” Jinki bounds forward to give her a peck on the forehead. “Now, don't forgte to tell mom!” And with that he's dashing out of the salon while calling over his shoulder, “See ya' in a few months, Sunny!”
Sunny kicks one of the empty chairs while cursing her “good for nothing, jack ass brother.”
There has never been a single most decisive change in his life that Jinki has felt so sure about. Going to America with Kibum is going to be perfect, he knows it. He walks briskly, body light, mind at rest, and heart pounding out a rhythmic tune of cherubs. He can check off saying goodbye to the family from his list of to-do's, which leaves him with really nothing left. Jinki heads back home, where he's moved in with Kibum. Their apartment is a mess of boxes and half packed belongings.
“Kibum?” He calls, having to leap over a bag.
Ebony hair damp, Kibum steps into the hallway with only a towel wrapped around his waist. “Over here.”
Jinki quirks an eyebrow. “Finished visiting with the girls?”
“Yeah. They were pissed.”
“Still don't approve of me?”
“Nope.”
Jinki discards his jacket and shoes, attention solely on his almost fully naked boyfriend. “That's okay,” he says, watching as a drop of water trails Kibum's jaw, “I don't care what Sulli and Krystal think as long as I have you.”
He closes the distance between them quickly, drawing Kibum flush against him. Kibum tries to protest, “I'm wet!”, but Jinki shushes him with a deep kiss. Jinki's arms wound around him as Kibum's hands seek out the soft hair at the nape of Jinki's neck.
“Wanna hop back in the shower?'
Kibum studies the smooth contours of Jinki's face - he never tires of just looking at the man. “Better now than later - we're not missing our flight tomorrow morning.”
Effortlessly, Jinki backs Kibum back into the bathroom, wicked grin in place. He plans on making up for the intimate time they're bound to miss due to jet lag - oh, he should make up for the time when he was busy getting his passport the other day.
Any excuse to love Kibum works for Jinki. Who can blame him? His prayers are finally answered, his dreams brought to life, and Kibum is sticking around to make sure he isn't stuck with fantasies ever again.
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