Obstacles 7a
Obstacles
Title: Obstacles Chapter 7a/8
Pairing: Jonghyun/Key, slight Minho/Taemin, Onew
Rating: R
Genres: Romance, slight angst
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...
“So, see you at eight tomorrow for breakfast?” Jonghyun made sure while coming out of his room, Kibum behind him. He remembered the other couldn’t see his lips so he turned and repeated once more what he had just said. This time he was answered, affirmatively. He pretended not to notice his friends, who panicked slightly when they got out and tried to look busy, like they hadn’t been eavesdropping the whole time.
He waved goodbye to the blonde boy and closed the door frowning, ready to deflect all the curious questions he was sure his friends would throw at him. As he walked past them to the kitchen, they still remained preoccupied with the TV (Jinki), a car magazine (Minho) and fumbling with his boyfriend’s clothes (Taemin).
“What? You’re not going to ask anything?” Jonghyun plopped down on a chair and opened a beer. “I see. I bet Minho’s jeans are more interesting.”
“You two made up?” a bright eyed Taemin was balancing on the arm of his chair in an instant, imaginary stain completely forgotten.
“Yep.”
“That’s all?”
“We’re having breakfast together. Tomorrow before classes.”
“You.Little.Rascal.” Taemin started tickling him. “You worried us for nothing!”
“Stop, stop it! Somebody save me!” Jonghyun shouted trying to escape but instead of helping him his remaining friends joined Taemin, creating an ultimate tickling attack that left him curled in the -too small for this position- chair with tears escaping his eyes, panting hard.
He saw them high-five one another and laugh hard, Jinki so hard that he lost his balance and ended up on the floor. Minho laughed even harder and Taemin was laughing almost hysterically and clutching his stomach at the sight. Even Jonghyun managed to choke out something that resembled a laugh seeing Jinki's fall.
They sat there for a while, trying to calm down. A few giggles occasionally escaped Taemin or Jinki at first but they gradually faded too.
“What the hell was that?” Minho asked incredulous when he was breathing evenly again.
“I guess it is our way of releasing the pent up stress of the previous days?” Taemin offered.
“By tickling me? What a great way.”
“It is your fault in the first place.” Jinki pointed at Jonghyun. “If it wasn’t for your fit, we wouldn’t be stressed in the first place.”
“Whatever. I’m fabulous.” Jonghyun dismissed the accusation with a flick of his wrist in a high pitched voice. Minho snickered knowing what was coming and Taemin bit his lower lip stifling another laugh attack.
“Ew. You know how I hate when you act all sassy. Stop, it's not your style at all.” Jinki wrinkled his nose, disgusted.
“What do you mean?” he batted his eyelashes playfully at him.
“Oh my god, stop it. Right now!”
“You didn’t stop when I asked you to.” Jonghyun moved to sit beside his roommate, putting dramatically on leg over the other and leaning towards him.
“They didn’t as well! Why am I the only one that gets payback?”
“Because you’re the easiest to pick on.” he blew small air-kissses at Jinki.
“I’m gonna be sick.” Jinki covered his mouth.
“Be glad I’m in a good mood.” Jonghyun stuck out his tongue and returned to his seat. Jinki let out a relieved breath.
“What? That’s all?” Minho sounded disappointed.
“Who’s up for a movie?” Taemin suggested, aiming to distract them from teasing each other. He knew too well how long this could last and who was usually offended and angry at the end. “We already have popcorn.”
“I’m in.” Jinki accepted quickly, thankful for the rescue.
“Sounds good.” Minho consented as well.
“A comedy.” Jonghyun declared and Taemin opted to the kitchen to bring the two large bowls while Jinki shuffled through their DVD stuck.
When everyone was settled and the dvd had just started playing Jonghyun suddenly asked curious “Why was the popcorn ready beforehand? Were you planning on watching a movie tonight? ”
“Yes, something like that.” Minho replied fighting a giggle as the other two dissolved into laughter once more, Jonghyun giving them a look that clearly showed his worry about their mental health.
***
Morning found a disheveled Jonghyun running up and down his apartment, or more precisely, between the bathroom and his room.
“What’s the hurry?” Jinki complained, voice think from sleep and eyes opened just enough for him not to bump into anything on his way to the kitchen. Which happened four times anyway, Jonghyun counted from the number of his friend’s yelps and the objects that were cursed just for being there.
“I’ll be late for my breakfast with Kibum!”
Jinki made a sound that Jonghyun chose to interpret as sympathetic, but it probably was a sarcastic remark, and leaned against the wall sipping his coffee.
“You overslept too.” Jonghyun pointed out.
“There’s a something at work… and I was told to come in… later today.” Jinki explained, not very coherently and with weird pauses in between as the caffeine hadn’t woken him up yet.
“Right.” he slipped in his shoes and took his keys. “Whatever you say. Bye.”
Jinki watched the door closing. Yesterday they hadn’t pressed for details but he knew Jonghyun. Well, it would be weird if he didn’t after three years of living in the same house. His roommate’s burdens may have been lifted significantly but they haven’t disappeared entirely.
Jonghyun was in deep thought while walking the familiar path to the café. Yesterday he had made up with Kibum. Or rather he was reprimanded for disappearing, declared stupid, chastised for reaching useless conclusions and then invited for breakfast.
The big question is not where he stands but where he is heading to from this point on. Should he go on with this friendship, suffering inwardly and silently or should he stop it, once and for all? Could he stop it? Could he go back to the time he didn’t see him every day, didn’t think about him every free minute he had?
He felt a tap on his shoulder and Kibum fell into step with him. “Good morning.” Kibum greeted him.
“Good morning.” Jonghyun perked up immediately.
No, he couldn’t go back to the time he didn’t know this gorgeous person. The younger’s bright smile, his energetic and hyper personality had grown strongly on him. He needed it like flowers need bees, like the trees need water, like people need oxygen. It doesn’t matter what exactly their relationship classifies as, the important fact is that he is here with him. Having reached this conclusion he cheered up.
They talked like the last few days never happened and the brief breakfast was filled with laughter and teasing. Jonghyun wondered when was the last time he started his day in such a relaxing and refreshing way. Probably long ago when he still lived with his family and they had these family meals his mother loved to prepare.
I tell you, his nose is fake. It’s obvious!
“No, it’s not! Come on, don’t talk like that. He’s my favorite actor.”
Mine too but the truth is the truth. Kibum stubbornly insisted.
“Geez, don’t be so abso...” Jonghyun stopped midsentence because the blonde was no longer paying attention to him. He followed the other’s gaze to the line of people that were waiting to order but couldn’t understand what was so fascinating about it. Looking back at Kibum he noticed the other’s slight blush and frustration.
“What’s wrong?” Jonghyun waved his hand in front of Kibum so that the boy would look back at him.
Nothing. I thought I saw someone. the blonde answered quickly, eyes darting with incredible speed between Jonghyun and the line.
“Did that someone…” he was interrupted yet again, this time by a tall brunette that came to their table and greeted Kibum. In sign-language. Jonghyun watched the brief interaction (from which he didn’t understand a thing) worried for the younger’s, secretly upset behavior. Kibum was good at hiding his feelings from most people but Jonghyun was just as good at deciphering them.
When his patience was about to run out, the other finally left. He didn’t waste any time and asked right away “Who was that? Are you okay?”.
The blonde sighed and smiled bitterly. You really are observant. After a momentarily hesitation he added, He’s my ex.
Jonghyun cursed silently but made sure not to give away any hint of his irritation. “What did he want?”
I don’t know. He only said that he wanted to talk with me.
“And you? Do you want to meet him?” Jonghyun found it difficult to swallow as he waited.
I… I’m not sure yet. came the hesitant answer.
“Oh.” was the only thing he managed to choke out. For some reason, it never occurred to him that maybe Kibum had someone he liked. Not that it is strange for him to be interested in somebody, it’s just that Jonghyun never imagined that he would have to worry about something like this…
A/N Ok, I know, it’s been ages since my last update but I didn’t want to leave the story unfinished. I hate it when this happens in a fic I read so I cannot possibly do that to (the few people) who actually took time to read mine. So, I promise I will finish it soon, as you can see only 2 chaps left! ^
Chapter 6 Chapter 7b