Aftermath
Title: Aftermath
Chapters : Prologue / Chapter 1 - 9th Heaven
Author: frmdbutterflie
Fandom: ZE:A
Rating: ( gets higher in later chapters )
Pairing: Implied!KevShik
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Disclaimer: I don't own ZE:A. Inspired by the Huis Ten Bosh mini-film
He didn’t have time to knock on the door, his hand halfway in the air, before the door burst open, revealing a man in a black tank top and grey sweatpants,with outstanding red hair. The man smiled and walked forward to shake his hand.
“ I am so sorry about earlier ! Siwan just call me to tell me you were here, I was busy upstairs and I didn’t hear anything over one of my roommate’s music” he admitted,smiling sheepishly.
“ My name is JunYoung, we talked on the phone last week.”
Taehun smiled and shaked his hand with a smile of his own. So far,he had a good first impression of the inhabitants of the house.
“ But please, come in, you look exhausted.” Junyoung said before stepping aside to let the other man walk in. Taehun stared at his surroundings with wide eyes, barely caring to hide his astonishment. The hall was huge, with a high ceiling. On both sides there were doors ,and stairs were splitting in two at the top, leading to the two wings of the mansion.He was rapted in contemplation when he heard Junyoung laugh softly next to him, bringing him back to reality.
“ Impressive,isn’t it ? This house was Kevin’s parents summer residence. His parents went back to Australia and he decided to live here. We’re friends for a long time and we thought “ Hey, why not looking for roommates, there’s plenty of space and it would be too lonely living here by ourselves” . That’s the best and the worst decision we made.” He joked,before patting Taehun’s arm gently. “ But please, follow me, we’re going to get you something to drink before you get completely dry.” he chuckled, leading the way to a door on the left. They crossed a roomy living room, which was empty for the exception of a beige, long-haired dog who was sleeping on the white-leather couch.
“ It’s Cherry, Siwan’s dog. Oh, I hope you’re not allergic to animals ? We have plenty of them here...Especially cats. Heechul is hoarding them I believe” he said in an amused tone, before opening another door . They entered a spacious kitchen, and the host pulled out a chair for Taehun to sit on. “ Please take a seat. What would you like to drink ? We have coke, juices beers, sodas...”
“ A coke, please, and thank you” Taehun replied, before propping himself up on the stool with a little smile. One of Taehun’s secret passions was cooking, and he was already picturing himself preparing food in here, with all the space that the kitchen offered.
Junyoung came to sit across the table, facing the other man, with two large glasses of coke. Taehun thanked him again before taking the glass and chunking down the content in a few large gulps. Junyoung smiled again and went to get the bottle of coke, before sitting back on his stool and setting the bottle on the counter.
“ I’m sorry we made you wait.The others are away.But please, let me introduce myself “ he said, while pouring some more coke in his interlocutor’s glass.
“ I’m Moon Junyoung, I am a bartender. I work at night and sleep during the day. Sorry about the outfit, I woke up early not to miss you. Which I did “ he added will a roll of his eyes.
“ It’s ok”, Taehun said with a reassuring smile. “ I got lost so I was late myself”
“Ah, don’t be sorry. Nevermind. So, I live here for about 3 years. As I stated earlier, I came here to keep Kevin company, He used to live in the town centre at his parents’ apartment, but he really loves this house and didn’t want his parents to sell it, so he asked them if he could keep it. He was scared of feeling lonely though, so I came to live there with him. But it would be a waste of space to be just two, and Kevin is a very sociable person, so we decided to get roommates.” he said, before taking a sip of his coke. The small dog Taehun saw earlier quietly trotted inside the kitchen to have a drink of water in one of the numerous bowls on the kitchen floor.
“ How many people are living here?” Taehun asked, sipping on his coke as well.Junyoung was looking at Cherry lapping water in her bowl.
“ If you decide to live here with us we’ll be 9.’
The other man almost choked on his drink when he heard it, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“ Are you surprised ? That’s what usually withdraws people from the idea of living there in the first place” Junyoung admitted with an annoyed smile. “ This and the fact that it’s 30 minutes away from the centre. We really had troubles finding roommates, yet slowly but surely people started calling and now....Well, we’re 8” he said with a genuine smile.
Taehun nodded slowly.
“ Well, seen as the house is really roomy, there wouldn’t be a problem for me to share it with many roommates. I’m rather quiet, but I enjoy being surrounded with people, it will be different from the room I rent on the campus so...”
“Oh, so you’re a university student, aren’t you ? What are you studying exa---”
Both men looked in the direction of the door when they heard it open.
“ Hi! I’m back....Wow, hi there! “ a young man said in a cheerful voice.
He was rather short, yet broad , and looked younger than the three other men Taehun had encountered that day. He stood up and bowed
“ Hello! My name’s Taehun, and I am...”
“ Our new roommate!” Junyoung exclaimed gleefully, standing up himself. “ Taehun-sshi, meet Dongjun. He joined us this fall , at the start of new term. He’s also in University.”
The young man came to shake Taehun’s hand.
“ Nice to meet you! I hope you will enjoy your stay. Are you moving in today ? I will probably have to move Hyungshik’s things around to make some place for you in my room though..”
Junyoung laughed and patted Dongjun’s back.
“ He’s not moving in today, he’s here so I can show him around.”
“Oh, alright then, it gives me time to arrange the room then !” the younger man said with a smile.
“Ok, I should give you a tour of the house now, shouldn’t I ? Come on” Jungyoung said. Taehun nodded, surprised that Junyoung had almost made him their new roommate by default, but he was actually relieved by the other man’s kindness.The sooner he would move out, the best it would be, and he already liked the house and it’s inhabitants. He followed Junyoung around, listening to his explanations, Dongjun adding funny comments about his roommates habits , or little anecdotes that made the three of them laugh.
They visited the first floor, then the second, where Dongjun had the room he shared with a surnamed Hyungshik. “ He’s in a private boarding school, he only comes here on weekends or during vacations. But he doesn’t even sleep in his room.” Dongjun said, before stopping dead in his track after a quick, warning glance of Junyoung.
Taehun didn’t question anything and kept on following the two men across the house.
After the second floor came the third. They stopped in front of a door, behind which they could hear some rock music blasting.
“ Here is Heechul’s room, he claimed it for himself. He’s nice to be around most of time, so please don’t focus on the unwelcoming introduction” Junyoung said in an amused tone, seeming not as upset as his words were expressing. They walked past the door so Junyoung could show him the rest of the house.
“ Here you are! So ? What are your impressions ? Are you in ?” he asked, Dongjun bouncing happily next to him.
“Please say yes ! Please please !” he chirped, a huge grin plastered on his lips.
Yet, Taehun had already made his decision. He put a stern expression on his face, and Dongjun stopped bouncing.
“...Is anything wrong ?” Junyoung asked, worried painted all over his face.
Taehun, seeing the sincerity of the two men, couldn’t pretend anymore and looked up at them with a little smile.
“ When can I move in ?”