Obstacles 2
Obstacles
Title: Obstacles Chapter 2/?
Pairing: Jonghyun/Key, slight Minho/Taemin
Word count: 1.455
Rating: R
Genres: Romance, Fluff (for now)
Summary: How would you react if you came across something totally unexpected? Something you never thought you would have to face? Jonghyun never imagined that there would come a time in his life when he would have to find a way to overcome this particular obstacle...
How could he have not noticed? Thinking back now it was kind of obvious. It wasn’t that Kibum could focus and block out the noise from the café; he didn’t hear it in the first place. Kibum wasn’t late to react to his warning about the falling tray; he didn’t hear it. When he asked if the other was okay he wasn’t ignored; Kibum just didn’t hear him. No, it’s not ‘didn’t’ but rather ‘couldn’t’. Kibum can’t hear him. Realization downed abruptly on him and he gasped softly, focusing finally on the boy sitting opposite of him, an expectant and curious expression on his face.
“Um, sorry” he apologized embarrassed, “it’s not that I have a problem with you being, you know, deaf, you just caught me by surprise, that’s all.”
Kibum smiled a knowing smile and started writing something again.
It’s okay. It’s not everyday that you meet a deaf person. Actually your reaction is better that most people.
“Better than most people? What do you mean?”
Well, the most common reaction is extreme awkwardness and then they suddenly loose whatever interest they had for that person and try to get away as fast as possible.
“That’s horrible! You shouldn’t be treated this way!”
Kibum nodded in a nonchalant way and shrugged. It was beyond his understanding why people were such jerks to him.
Even though Kibum had just told him he was deaf he didn’t feel any less motivated in getting to know him; quite the opposite, it spiked his interest even more. “So can you speak or not? Because I swear I heard you speak earlier.”
Kibum dissolved into a silent laughter and covered his mouth as if not to let any sound escape by mistake. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm down and suddenly became very concentrated and serious.
“I can. But not much. And I did speak to you earlier.”
“Why not? Is it difficult for you?”
It’s not particularly difficult, I’ve had speech therapy and all but it still requires a lot of concentration and effort. Plus I just met you. I don’t want to sound mean but it’s easier for me to speak to people I feel comfortable with. was his answer.
“I see. So when you’ll feel more comfortable around me you’ll talk more?”
Kibum laughed and nodded in agreement.
“Well, that just means that I have to work hard to make you feel at ease with me quickly.”
Kibum made a funny expression and three fast hand gestures. Jonghyun gave him a mock semi-angry look and said “You think that’s funny? You know I don’t understand sign language.”
Kibum had another fit of his silent laughter and denied to explain what he had just signed. Jonghyun sighed and looked at his phone. Crap, he was supposed to be at Taemin’s twenty minutes ago.
“I’m so sorry but I must leave. A friend of mine is sick and I’m supposed to go see if he’s dead yet or not. But” he raised a finger to empathize his words “do not think that you’ll get rid of me that easily. Tell me your number so that we can meet again.” he passed his cell to Kibum. The other typed quickly a bunch of numbers and returned it to him. Satisfied Jonghyun stood up and grabbed his latte. “See ya.”
Kibum waved him goodbye and he was out of the shop in the blink of an eye. Taemin could be a real pain in the ass when he was sick. The usually cute and easygoing youngling morphed into a spoiled kid. He was going to get it for being late; still, he couldn’t contain the big grin that was plastered on his face.
***
“Hyung you’re late!” he heard his friend whine as soon as the door was opened, a disheveled Taemin with bleary eyes leaning heavily against the door.
He didn’t waist any time and put a hand on his dongsaeng’s forehead. “Taemina-ah you’re burning up! Go to your bed and I’ll be with you in a sec.” he ushered the younger and stepped into the house. Taemin mumbled something incomprehensible but left for his bedroom.
Jonghyun was lucky that the other was too out of it to complain fully. He went to the kitchen to check the contents of the fridge and was relieved to see that the ingredients he needed were there. It would suck to go out again to buy groceries. After that he took the thermometer and went to the bedroom. Taemin was lying face down, feet hanging in the air. With some effort he managed to reposition him in a more comfortable position and tuck the thermometer in place so that he could see how high the fever was. Then he went to get a bowl with cold water and some towels.
When he returned he checked Taemin’s temperature and cursed. “Woah, 39°C again. If you don’t get better by tomorrow I’m taking you to a hospital.” He said as he wet a towel and put it on the other’s forehead. “Did you take your medicine?”
“No. It tastes bad.” Taemin said and managed a disgusted grimace.
“Don’t be stupid. I’m bringing it now and you will take it, you hear me?” he chastised the young one as he searched for the pills. After he forced the younger to swallow two of them and had him all set under the covers, he went to the kitchen to cook something. He was dead sure the day had passed without Taemin having eaten anything and that wasn’t good for this health.
He was startled when he heard the bell ring and almost dropped the spoon he was using to stir the porridge he was making. “Who could it be?” he wondered aloud and went to answer the door.
A very worried Minho passed him in a hurry as soon as he opened the entrance and Jonghyun was left speechless standing by the open door. He muttered something under his breath, closed the door and went back to his porridge. After a few minutes Minho entered the kitchen.
“How bad is he? I went to him but he’s sleeping and I didn’t want to wake him.”
“Well, it’s just a fever but it is really high. 39°C. I gave him medicine though and I’m making food so he should start getting better soon. Otherwise we’re taking him to the hospital. By the way, hello and why the hell are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at Jeju-do for an interview thing?”
“Oh, yes. I came back because I was worried.” he sighed and sat down heavily on a chair.
“Come on, cut it out. He’s not going to die.”
“I know. But I can’t help but worry.”
“If you were my boyfriend I would’ve killed you by now. You’re such a worrywart.” Jonghyun rolled his eyes and put out the fire.
“Who said I want to be your boyfriend? For me there’s only Taemin.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve heard your declarations of love countless times. Don’t you ever get bored of repeating the same thing over and over again?”
“You’ve never been in love so you don’t understand.”
“Maybe. Have you calmed down? I want to talk with you.”
“Shoot.” the other allowed.
“Do you remember about that boy I mentioned before? The one I see at the café all the time?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. The one that inspired you to write your last song?”
“Yeah. That one. I finally got to meet him.”
“Good for you I guess?...” Minho trailed off not quite getting what his friend’s enthusiasm was about.
“You won’t believe what I learned about him.” Jonghyun added seriously.
“What?” Minho’s interest was peaked against his will.
“He’s deaf.”
Minho focused on his friend. He didn’t detect the smallest hint of mocking. So the boy was really deaf. He wondered were this bizarre fascination for the deaf boy originated from. It was his first time seeing Jonghyun like this.
“That’s too bad?” he was unsure of what to say.
“No, no. He isn’t the least bit ashamed of it! Even though I always thought that people like him would be completely different from us, he proved me wrong. It’s just that he doesn’t talk much. That’s the only difference.”
“So, you still want to be friends with him?”
“More than ever! It’s so fascinating.”
“Whatever. Do as you like. I’m going to Taemin.” Minho stood up, took a bowl of porridge and went to his boyfriend to try and make him eat something.
Jonghyun was left alone but he didn’t mind at all. He was grinning while thinking about a certain someone with blond hair and a funny accent.
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a/n : I want to thank kinkitup for her continuous support and for being the beta of this story. <3
Chapter 1 Chapter 3