Be There
TITLE: Be There
AUTHOR: giveitupjessica
PAIRING: 2min, jongkey
RATING: PG-13/15? (suggestive material)
GENRE: romantic fluffy goodness with a hint of angst, songfic, Oneshot!
SUMMARY: Whenever I try to hold on to something too tight. It gets away from me and my side. I start to lose it, then comes losing you. It's not my fault baby. Please don't, please don't go.
A/N: So this is the sequel to my OneShot Thunder and Lightning Again this was inspired by a song. This time it is Rock Kills Kid "Be There" Again I'm sorry for the long ass one shot. And the ending might be a little crappy too. But I still hope you enjoy it! Comments are love!
BE THERE
It was late and I knew that there was no way that we were going to head back to the dorm. We were both exhausted and I didn’t want to share you with anyone else tonight either. Or any night for that matter. I wanted to be able to enjoy the night we got back together. Even though this wasn’t the first time we had sex… Sex… that’s such a common word. It doesn’t seem to describe what it was that we shared tonight. It was so much more than that. So much more meaningful and beautiful. I can’t belittle it to such a word. Tonight there was and is no one else in the world but you and me. And that’s just how I want it.
I feel your arm lazily drape over my waist as you pull me closer to you. The smile that forms on my mouth is so big that my cheeks and jaw start to hurt. I’ve never been this happy before. And I don’t want it to end. I never want it to end.
“Taeminnie, go to sleep,” you mumble.
“How did you?”
“I can just tell. You need to get some rest, we have to get back to the dorm in a few hours.”
“I know, but I can’t seem to close my eyes long enough to sleep,” I reply as I shift on the bed so I can face you.
I watch as you open up one of your eyes a little and stare at me. I just smile back at you and kiss the tip of your nose.
“Try counting sheep,” you say as your eye closes again.
“That never works,” I complain as I snuggle closer to you, “Tell me a story.”
“Taeminnie, it’s the middle of the night. I’m exhausted, I can’t think of any stories to tell.”
“Hyung!!!” I whine.
“You know that won’t work on me.”
“Please!” I start to poke at your side and put on the cutest face I could muster even though your eyes are still closed.
“I really can’t think of a story babe,” you sigh as your eyes open and I can see you giving in once you take in my face.
“Then make one up,” I pout.
“Shiro.”
“Fine. Then I’ll just go out and watch some T.V. until I feel sleepy,” I move to get out of bed, but feel your grasp tighten on my waist.
“Don’t,” you groan, “Even think about stepping foot out of this bed.”
“And why not? You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“You’re right, I can’t. But I can prevent you from leaving this bed.”
“I can easily wriggle out of your arms. I’ve gotten quite good at it the past few years. So that’s not going to stop me.”
“Maybe not, but this will,” I feel you shift under me and before I know it, not only are your arms wrapped around me, but your legs are too.
“You’re not playing fair.”
“Who said anything about fair? Besides I just wanna cuddle with my squishy boyfriend. Is that so much to ask?”
“I’m not squishy,” I pout again.
“Yes you are,” I feel your arms and legs give me a quick squeeze.
“You do realize that you’re slowly starting to dig yourself into a hole right? I’d rather be called cute than squishy.”
“It’s okay. I know that you’ll rescue me from the hole when it comes down to it.”
“And what makes you so sure of that?”
“Because,” you begin to place soft butterfly kisses on my lips, “You love me.”
“Unfortunately,” I giggle as you begin to trail the kisses down my neck.
“Now,” you say as I feel your legs releasing their hold on me, “Go to sleep.”
“Do you really expect me to do to sleep after you tease me like that?”
“Yup,” I watch as your eyes close and your breath begins to even out. Within a few minutes I can tell that you are asleep.
“You really do expect me to just go to sleep,” I sigh as I place a kiss on your cheek and close my eyes.
*~*
I feel the bed shift under me and groan. What is going on? I’m tired. Is it really time to get up already? I just fell asleep. I flip over to my other side in an attempt to drift back off to dreamland. I was having such a good dream, I hope it continues.
The bed is still again and I smile. I wiggle further into the blankets and feel sleep wash over my whole body.
“Babe?” I hear someone say.
I groan in protest.
“Babe?” now there’s a hand on my shoulder softly shaking me.
“What?” I manage to mumble.
“Get up.”
“Five more minutes umma. Please!” again I turn over so that my back is facing whoever is trying to wake me.
“Umma? Is that your new pet name for me? I hope it isn’t. That’s just plan wrong. Not to mention gross.”
Then the bed begins to sink in on either side me, “What the hell?!”
“Wakey wakey time!” and that’s when I feel that the soft springs of the mattress are activated
I grudgingly open my eyes to find you straddling me and bouncing up and down, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Waking you up,” you say matter of factly.
“More like giving me motion sickness,” I answer. I notice that you’ve pulled on a pair of sweats, but didn’t bother to put on a shirt. I lick my lips at the sight of your abs.
“Are you sure about that?” you ask as you stop bouncing and gaze down at me, “Because by the way you just licked your lips, I think you’re feeling something completely different.”
“Can you blame me? I wake up to my hot half-naked boyfriend straddling me and bouncing up and down. Yeah, it’s gonna put thoughts in my head.”
“Well get your thoughts out of the gutter. We need to get back to the dorms. Key is probably going to call us any second now to scold us for not going back last night.”
“It’s not my fault that you didn’t text him like I told you,” I reply and you begin to shift off of me so I can get out of bed.
“Like you gave me a chance to text him,” you grab a pair of sweats and a shirt from your drawer and throw them to me, “You kept me pretty busy.”
“I didn’t hear any complaints.”
“I’m not complaining. I’m just stating the facts.”
Right at that moment I see my cell phone on the floor, which probably fell out of my pants pocket last night, light up. I bend down to pick it up as I pull the sweats up to my hips.
“Umma,” I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear as I try to get the shirt on. You grin as you walk over to me and take the shirt out of my hands.
“I swear you can be completely hopeless sometimes,” you bunch up either side of the shirt in your hands and slip it over my head. You grab my arms one at a time and guide them through the holes before pulling the shirt down to meet the hem of the sweatpants.
“I could’ve done it myself. I’m not three you know,” I stick my tongue out at you and make my way out of the room.
“Lee Taemin!” Key’s voice causes me to jump and pull the phone away from my ear.
“Umma! Not so loud. I just woke up,” I plead.
“I thought I told you to come home last night?!”
“You did.”
“And where are you?”
“Um… at Minho’s apartment?” I glare at you when I see you start to laugh at me.
“Is that home?”
“Technically? Yes, as long as I’m with him, I’m home.”
“Aish! When did you get so cheesy?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”
“I think it’s more like the other way around,” I smirk and you raise a questioning eyebrow at me. I just shrug at you and turn away.
“Taemin! When did you get so… so…”
“Grown up?”
“I guess that’s the nice way of putting it.”
“I dunno, two years ago?”
“You mean that… You’ve been… You and Minho have been… You…. WHAT?!”
I can see Key freaking out as he tries to grasp what I just said and I can’t help but laugh.
“Umma, we’ll be home in twenty minutes,” I cheerfully say and hang up before he can utter another word.
Your arms wrap around my waist as you begin to lead me in the direction of the bathroom, “What did you say to him? By that smile on your face, you said something that made him flip.”
“Oh it was nothing,” I turn my head and give your cheek a quick peck.
“If you say so,” you grab two toothbrushes and place a nice amount of toothpaste on each before handing me one.
We stood there, side by side, brushing our teeth together. At one put you bent down and placed a kiss on the top of my head which I returned with a glare.
“Did you just get spit and toothpaste in my hair?” I yell, holding my toothbrush in one and the other resting on my hip.
“No,” you mumble, trying to hold back a laugh.
“You better not have,” I reply and bump you with my hip, causing half of you to stumble out of the bathroom.
But as you join me at the sink again, I can’t help but smile a little. Out of all the things I missed the most when we were broken up, it was things like this. The little things we used to do together. Brushing our teeth together in the morning, you carrying my bag as you walked me to school, taking your glasses off your face when you doze off while reading, those kind of things.
“Go put on a shirt already,” I tell you when we’re done brushing our teeth and push you in the direction of your bedroom.
I walk to the living room and begin to pick up the discarded clothes off the ground. I carefully fold the clothes I wore during yesterday’s performance and place it in a bag. I take your clothes and put them in the laundry room.
“Bay?” you call from the living room.
“Only you would find a way to shorten an already short word,” I laugh as I join you on the couch and pull on the socks you hand me.
“You act like I’ve never called you that before,” you walk over to the door and grab both of our shoes. I watch as you kneel in front of me and put my shoes on me first before sitting beside to put your own on. I mentally add this to the list of things I missed.
“Ready?” you ask and hold your hand out to me.
“Yeah,” I take your hand and grab the bag with my clothes in it as we walk out the door. The moment we’re out of the apartment you take the bag from me. It was only a matter of time really. You never really let me carry anything, unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Oh I almost forgot,” you say when we step into the elevator.
“Forgot what?” I ask, “You better go and get it before we leave. Want me to hold the elevator while you run back and get whatever it is you forgot.”
“No need.”
“Huh?”
“I almost forgot this,” you bend down and place a soft kiss on my lips, “Good morning babe.”
I feel the blood rush to my cheeks and playfully push your side, “You’re so lame sometimes.”
*~*
The past few weeks have been so busy, what with SMTown Live and promotions for Lucifer going on. We barely had time to stop and breathe let alone have time to ourselves. We were constantly on the move or practicing. The five of us were completely worn out. What made it worst was that when we did have a few spare time here and there you were always busy. We rarely ever spent any time together. I was beginning to miss you again. It’s funny that I miss you even though we’ve pretty much have been around each other 24/7.
“Jonghyun hyung,” I say as plop down next to him on the hard floor of our practice room.
“Hm?”
“Where’s Minho hyung?”
“No idea. I thought he’d be with you. You two are like joined at the hip. It’s kind of nauseating. Worst than when you guys first started dating,” he pretends to gag and I push him playfully.
“We’re not that bad.”
“Says you. It’s different when you have to watch it,” he pretends to gag again.
“Well did you at least see where he went?”
“Nope. Like I said, I think he was with you. You know… bow-chicka-wow-wow,” he wiggles his eyebrows at me and laughs.
“Hyung!”
“What?! We all know that you guys are doing it. You guys aren’t the quietest.”
“Hyung!” my eyes are wide with shock and I slap his arm, “You should be one to talk. Don’t think we don’t hear you guys.”
“I didn’t say we were quiet,” he shrugs off my accusation with ease.
“I feel like I never see Minho hyung nowadays,” I sigh as I bring my legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.
“What are you talking about? We’ve done nothing but see each other for weeks. Frankly, I’m getting tired of looking at you guys. I’m thinking about getting masks. How do you feel about being a panda? I think that will suit you the best.”
“Only if I can get you a dinosaur one,” I say absentmindedly, “Oh did I say that out loud?”
“YAH!” he raises his hand to hit me, but stops, “You know if Key wasn’t in the room, I totally would have hit you just now. But I don’t wanna face his wrath at the moment. I’m still in the dog house after last night.”
“It’s your own fault,” I state, “You shouldn’t have stopped him when he grabbed that third piece of pizza, asking if him if it was a good idea if he ate it.”
“I still don’t see what I did wrong.”
“You pretty much told him he was fat.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Yeah you did.”
“I was just watching out for him. I know that he gets a really bad stomachache if he eats too much pizza. I didn’t want him to go through that.”
“Yeah, you called him fat.”
“I DID NOT!”
“Whatever. No matter how you cut it, at the end of the day you called your boyfriend fat and that is why you are in the dog house.”
“Ugh, why are you still sitting here? Shouldn’t you be off trying to find your boyfriend so you can sneak to the supply closet or something.”
“At least I’m getting some,” I quickly get up and run across the room to hide behind Key for protection from the raptor that was stalking towards me.
“Jonghyun!” Key shouts as he watches you approach me with fire in your eyes, “You lay a hand on my baby and I’ll extend your punishment for a full month.”
“What?!” he screams with a look of shock and horror on his face, “But baby!”
“No buts or I’ll cut you off there too,” Key turns back to me and brushes my hair out of my face and I stick my tongue out at Jonghyun.
“What?! That’s not fair. I didn’t even mean what I said last night like that. I just didn’t want you to get sick and I get punished for it. How is that fair?!” Jonghyun puffs his cheeks out and folds his arms in front of his chest.
“Love isn’t fair sweetheart,” Key replies as he brushes Jonghyun’s cheek and smiles.
“Umma?”
“Hm?”
“Have you seen Minho hyung?”
“I think I saw him walk outside when break started. Someone should probably go get him. Our ten minutes are almost up,” he says as he glances down at his watch.
“I’ll go get him,” I immediately volunteer and run out of the room.
I walk down the hall looking around to see if I can spot you. As I get closer to the corner I hear someone talking. They’re talking pretty quietly so I’m not able to make out any words. But I’m sure it’s you. Even though I can’t understand what the person is saying, I can still recognize your voice. My assumptions are confirmed as I turn the corner and see you hunched over talking into your cell phone. I wonder who you’re talking to. I walk up behind you and wrap my arms around your waist.
“What the--” you jump and turn around the moment you feel my arms around you.
“Hi,” I smile sweetly up to you and place a kiss on your neck.
“Taeminnie, don’t scare me like that,” you softly pound your fist against your chest.
“Sorry. Key wanted me to come get you. Break is almost over.”
“Okay.”
“C’mon,” I grab your hand and start to tug you in the direction of the practice room.
“You go first, I’ll be right there. I just need to finish this call okay?”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly and slowly let go of your hand.
You bend down to kiss me on the lips and turn your back on me again.
“Yeah, I’m still here. What were you saying?” I hear you say as I slump back to the practice room.
Who were you talking to? Who was so important that you couldn’t walk with me back to practice room? Normally you’d hang up the phone the minute I was by you. What’s going on? I knew it couldn’t have been your parents or your brother because I heard you talking to them this morning before we left for our first schedule. So who is it? And why were you talking in a hushed voice when I first found you? What are you keeping from me?
All these questions kept replaying in my head for the rest of our rehearsals. I could barely concentrate on the dance moves which earned quite a bit of scolding from the choreographer and Key umma. I couldn’t help it though.
I couldn’t help the feeling of you slowly starting to slip out of my arms again.
*~*
You started to get more distant in the next few days. You were always sneaking off somewhere when there was extra time, whether it be 5 minutes or a few hours. I was beginning to worry. Especially since I caught you in hushed phone calls on numerous occasions. Whenever I brought it up though, you would just smile, ruffle my hair, and tell me I had nothing to worry about.
But isn’t it when someone tells you that you have nothing to worry about that you actually do have something to worry about? Does this even make any sense? I guess you can say it’s like when you’re high up and someone tells you not to look down. What do you do? You look down. That same theory applies here. Someone tells me not to worry and I can’t help but do nothing but worry.
“Key umma,” I join him on the couch and rest my head on his lap.
“Yeah?” he begins to absentmindedly stroke my hair, eyes still glued to the drama showing on the TV.
“If someone you love tells you not to worry about something, do you still worry?”
“Huh?”
“You know when someone you care about tells you that you have nothing to worry about, do you still find yourself worrying about it?”
“Taemin-ah, you’re making absolutely no sense right now,” he stares down at me with concern in his eyes.
“Never mind then,” I sigh and turn my focus to the TV.
“Did Minho tell you not to worry about something?” he asks once commercials come on.
“Yeah.”
“But you’re still worrying about huh?”
“Yeah.”
“You wanna know whether or not you should be worrying?”
“Yeah.”
“Aw… sweetie,” his fingers are running through my hair again, “I think if he says you have nothing to worry about, you should believe him. You know how much he loves you.”
“I know, but I just can’t help it. I wanna believe him and not worry, but… well…”
“I know. I know.”
“YAH!” Jonghyun suddenly yells as he enters the room, “Why is it that you’re getting all this skinship with MY boyfriend? Why can’t you go to yours?”
“What are you talking about Jjongie?” Key asks as he rolls his eyes.
“Every time I see you two, you’re always doing something to each other.”
“What?” I gave him a confused look.
“Hugging, cuddling on the couch, or doing this!” he points at us.
“Jjongie, he’s my son. That’s just gross.”
“I know! This is my umma. Besides, I’m perfectly happy with my boyfriend. Don’t go unleashing your insecurities about your relationship with umma on me.”
“YAH!” Jonghyun starts to stomp towards us.
“Don’t even think about it Jonghyun hyung.”
I let out a small laugh as I see his face go white. Jonghyun knew that he was on thin ice whenever Key called him “hyung” instead of one of his many pet names for him.
“Oh the cruel world where my boyfriend chooses his make believe son over me,” he pouts as he plops down on Key’s other side and folds his arms in front of his chest.
“Quit being a big baby,” Key jokes as he kisses his boyfriend’s cheek, “Remember, your punishment ends tonight.”
“Wait…” I can see Jonghyun mentally calculating the days in his head and a big smile appears on his face, “It does?”
“It does,” Key gives him a mischievous grin and softly kisses him on the lips.
“Ew, gross,” I sit up and scoot away from the couple.
“What?”
“I just got reminded of the time that I walked in on you two,” I shake my head like an etch-a-sketch hoping to erase the image from my mind.
Jonghyun lets out a laugh and pulls his boyfriend closer to him, “That was a good night. Maybe we can have a repeat of it?”
“GROSS GROSS GROSS!!!” I yell as I jump up off the couch.
“Jjongie, stop teasing my son.”
“What? I didn’t tell him to think of that night.”
“You’re egging him on though.”
“Not on purpose.”
“Whatever. I’ll stop. The last thing I want is to be back in that dog house.”
“Good boy,” Key pats the top of Jonghyun’s head and he glares for a second before completely melting into the love-sick fool he is for Key.
“Just promise me you’ll lock the door this time,” I say as I start to leave the room.
“No promises. You tend to not think straight in the heat of the moment. But you should know that right Taeminnie.”
That earned Jonghyun a slap on the back of the head and I laughed.
“Yah!”
“What? We all know about those two.”
“But that doesn’t mean you have to bring it up. I prefer to keep telling myself that my son is still innocent.”
“Baby, we all know he’s way past innocent now,” and he gets another slap.
“Taemin-ah!” Key calls out to me.
“Ne?” I yell back.
“What do you want for dinner?”
“I don’t think I can eat. That image is still stuck in my head.”
All I can hear next is Jonghyun’s loud laughter followed by a yelp of pain. Key must have hit him again.
I sigh, it was times like this that really made me miss you. It was hard being around Key and Jonghyun, especially when they were being all couple-y. I wanted to be that way with you. But you were never around lately. Come back home already. Please. I miss you.
Please don’t make me worry any further, my heart can’t take much more.
*~*
“Where have you been?” I ask quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly, what I say. Where have you been?”
“I’ve been here.”
I give you a look saying that I don’t buy that as a suitable answer.
“Taeminnie, I really don’t get what you’re asking me. The five of us have been together for the past month straight. The only time we aren’t all together is when we use the bathroom or shower.”
“Minho, don’t play dumb with me. You know what I’m asking. So please just answer it. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“Well it seems like you do.”
“Please, just tell me.”
“I haven’t been anywhere Taemin,” I can see the frustration beginning to boil inside of you, “You keep asking me this question and I keep telling you the same thing. Why don’t you just tell me what you want me to say so we can be over it already?”
“I want you to tell me where you’ve been sneaking off to lately. What’s so important that you can’t spend the 5 minutes of free time with me instead of going off to who knows where?”
“I can’t have a little time to myself now?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Do we really have to spend every waking moment together?”
“Quit twisting my words!” I yell, “Look I’m sorry that I want to spend some time with my boyfriend. Is that such a crime?”
“We already spend 95% of the day together though.”
“That doesn’t count. That’s all five of us spending time together. I want one-on-one time with you.”
“We just spent our free time together yesterday at the movies.”
“But you didn’t even touch me once while we were out.”
“Babe, I’m not going to feel you up in public.”
“I’m not talking about feeling me up. I’m talking about how you didn’t even try to put your arm around me in the movies. I mean I get it when we’re out and about, but in the theater? It’s dark, we were sitting pretty far back, and… IT’S DARK. You didn’t even grab my hand when I deliberately put my arm on the armrest between us. What’s up with that?”
“I was trying to watch the movie.”
“Holding my hand does not take that much effort. It doesn’t even take much thought. You used to just grab my hand out of no where. No matter where we were or what we were doing. Especially when we knew that it would go unnoticed.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. So I didn’t hold your hand. I’m sorry. I didn’t deliberately not hold our hand. I kind of got sucked into the movie.”
“Ugh,” I sigh, “It’s like you don’t even care!”
“What?! I said I was sorry didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but you didn’t mean it. And don’t try to tell me that you did. This is me you’re talking to Choi Minho. I know you better than you know yourself. I know that you apologized just so we could stop this argument,” I turn away from him on the brink of tears. Whether they were angry or sad tears, I didn’t know. Maybe a mixture of them both?
“Look,” you place your hands on my shoulders and turn me to face you, “I really am sorry. For everything. For not holding your hand in the movie, for getting snappy at you just now, for acting like I didn’t care. I do care. I don’t want us to be mad at each other. Forgive me?”
“I don’t know,” I hold in my breath to will the tears from falling.
“Please,” you bring your hands up in front of you and begin to rub them together. I’m all to familiar with this ageyo of yours. It really is hard to resist. Even when it’s not directed at me. And they say I’m the best at it.
“Tell me where you’ve been sneaking off to and I’ll forgive you.”
I watch as you let out a deep sigh and shake your head, “Not this again Taemin. Could you please just drop it?”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s a simple question. So why can’t you answer me?”
“I have answered you, but you don’t seem to be satisfied with the answer. I’ve been here Taemin, the whole time I’ve been here.”
“No you haven’t! Don’t think I don’t notice you sneak off during the short breaks in our rehearsals. Don’t think I can’t hear you sneak off when we’re taking a nap together in the middle of the afternoon between schedules. Don’t think I don’t feel you leave the bed in the middle of the night. You’ve been going somewhere and I can’t see why you can’t just tell me where it is you’re going. Then you tell me not to worry, but how can I not? How can I do anything but worry?”
You stare at me with a surprised look on your face.
“Yeah, I’m not that dumb. And what’s up with the hushed phone calls? Your cell phone has received more face time with you than I have in the past couple weeks. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought you were dating your cell phone and not me. You’re never without it nowadays. Before you were able to leave it for a few hours and not mind. But now, it has to be with you no matter what. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. How many times do I have to tell you? Nothing is going on. I’m not going anywhere. If anything all those times I was just going to the bathroom.”
“It doesn’t take you that long to go the bathroom. Even when you take shit. I know it doesn’t.”
“Taemin,” you give me a pleading look, “I really don’t want to fight with you right now. We’re both drained. We should stop before we say something we regret okay?”
“Stop trying to change the topic. You’re hiding something from me. I know it,” and I can’t hold the tears anymore as they come cascading down my face.
“Baby,” you step towards me and bring your hand up to my face.
“No,” I slap you hand away, “Don’t touch me.”
“Bay, please don’t cry,” you try to wipe my tears away again.
“I said don’t touch me,” I half yell, “Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this to us? After what we just went through, why? If you don’t want to be with me anymore, just tell me. Don’t go sneaking around behind my back.”
“How could you even think that?” hurt was written all over your face, “I would never in a million years cheat on you Taemin. You know that. So don’t go immediately jumping to conclusions.”
I watch as you begin to walk away from me and can’t help the fresh tears from rushing out of my eyes. This was the first major fight we’ve had since that night we broke up. Come to think of it, it was the first major fight we had since we started dating. And I was afraid. I was afraid of the pain coming back. Of my heart breaking again. I was afraid of losing you. But I was too scared to move from the spot I was in. Too scared that you’d reject me. Too scared of completely breaking down in front of you.
“Don’t assume you know everything,” was the last thing you said as you walked out of the room.
I immediately collapsed on the floor. What just happened? Did we just break up? What did you mean? I glance up when I hear the door open and couldn’t help the feeling of my heart dropping even more when I saw it wasn’t you. It was Key with a worried expression on his face. He rushed to my side and gathered me in his arms.
“Taeminnie, what happened? I heard you two yelling. Minho didn’t do anything to you right? he didn’t hit you or anything,” Key pulled away from me enough to take a quick look over my body. When he was convinced that no bodily harm was done to me, he gathered me in his arms again and tried to sooth me.
“He didn’t do anything umma. This was my fault. I couldn’t let it go,” I manage to stifle out between sobs.
“Do you still have a feeling he’s keeping something from you?”
“Yeah,” was all I could manage to say.
I hear Key sigh and begin to pull me up from the ground, “C’mon, you should get some rest.”
“I don’t wanna rest though. I need to go apologize to Minho hyung.”
“That can wait until the morning. The both of you are still on a high from your argument. You need to cool down a bit. Give him a chance to cool down,” I let him lead me to my bed.
“But--”
“Shh,” he says as he makes me lay down and pulls the blankets over me, “Just get some sleep. Clear your head a little bit. You two can talk in the morning.”
We never talked the next morning because you were gone by the time I woke up and didn’t come home until late.
*~*
I woke up one morning exceptionally drained. I had cried myself to sleep that night again. Things were starting to get worst for us. We were barely able to talk before we started to argue. I was beginning to get tired of it and I knew you were too. It was hard since we used to never let each other go to bed mad at the other. But it seems like that’s all we did now.
It was our first day off in weeks and it made me sad that we weren’t really on good terms. I wanted nothing more than to spend the entire day with you, but was afraid that we’d end up fighting the whole day if we did. This sucked big time.
I let out a frustrated groan as I flipped over in bed. I was about to close my eyes again to try to fall back asleep when something on my nightstand caught my eye. I sat up in bed and grabbed the object to study it further. It was a small camcorder. I turned it over in my hand to examine it. I knew it wasn’t mine and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the rest of you with one. So who was the owner and why was it on my nightstand?
When I was examining it for a third time, I finally noticed that a piece of paper was sticking out. I open up the viewing screen to see a small sticky note on one of the buttons labeled “Press Me.” I stared at it for a second in confusion before I finally pulled off the piece of paper and pressed the button.
The screen is black for a couple seconds before a familiar background is revealed. I immediately realize that it’s the living room in our dorm. I watch as a figure walks in from off camera and situates himself on the couch.
“Annyong Taeminnie,” you say into the camera with a big grin on your face, “I know we’ve been fighting a lot lately and you’ve been crying a lot. I’m sorry. I know I can’t apologize enough to you. I don’t want our relationship to be like this. I don’t want your tears to be linked to our relationship, unless they’re tears of joy at least. Anyways, that’s not the reason for this video. You’ve been asking where I’ve been sneaking off to and about all the hushed phone calls and I know you weren’t happy with my answers, but I couldn’t tell you what I was doing. You’re right. I was hiding something from you. But it’s not what you think. I couldn’t tell you about that stuff because it would ruin everything. Don’t worry though; your questions will finally be answered today. So go brush you teeth, wash your face, and get ready for the day okay?”
You stand up and walk towards the camera and take it off the tripod I was guessing it was propped on, but before you turn it off you say one last thing.
“Oh and I love you baby,” you blow a kiss to the camera and the screen goes blank again.
I stare at the blank screen for a little bit, completely confused about your video message. What are you up to exactly? I finally close the screen and swing my feet off the bed. That’s when I notice another sticky note on my nightstand.
Make sure you take the
camcorder with you today.
You’ll be needing it.
Trust me.
Love, Your Boyfriend ^^
I was even more confused now, but quickly shake it off. You were up to something and I knew that it would reveal itself in time. I lazily pull one of your hoodies on over my pajamas and make my way out of the room.
“I said not to touch it!” Key yelled.
“But he won’t notice if I eat just one piece of fruit.”
“I will.”
I’m greeted by a scene of Key slapping Jonghyun’s hand away from a plate that’s on the table as I walk in the kitchen.
“Aw, c’mon. Just one little piece of fruit. It’s not like I’m eating a pancake.”
“I said no Jjongie. It’s not for you.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“I’m cooking your breakfast right now. Can’t you wait ten minutes?”
“No. My tummy is hungry now.”
“Stop acting like a baby.”
“Morning umma, Jonghyun hyung,” I yawn as I finally join them in at the table.
“Morning Taeminnie. Did you sleep well?” Key smiles and ruffles my hair as he passes by me.
“Eh,” I reply and take a seat next to Jonghyun.
“Hmph,” I hear coming from him.
“What’s this?” I point to the plate of pancakes, small bowl of fruit, and orange juice nicely placed in the middle of the table.
“Here,” he answers by handing me an envelop.
I take it from his hands and look at it. My name is written on it in your sloppy, but neat hand writing. I slowly open it up and pull out the piece of paper inside.
I made you breakfast.
You’re going to need
as much energy as you can get.
Enjoy! Eat every last bite.
Key will tell me if you don’t
Love, Your Flaming Charisma ^^
I turn to Key and give him a questioning stare.
“Don’t look at me. I’m not telling you a thing,” he says as he stirs the pot in front of him.
I turn to Jonghyun next, “I don’t know anything. Sorry.”
“Really Taeminnie?” Key is at the table with us again, “You know my Jjongie has a big mouth. He’d be the last one to know about this kind of thing. Now eat up.”
It’s quiet for a few seconds before Jonghyun says something, “HEY!”
“Aw, sweetie… Really? Only now you get what I said?” Key lovingly caresses his cheek and places a kiss on it.
“It’s early, part of me is still in bed. You can’t expect me to be on my A Game this early,” he defends himself and pulls Key into his lap.
“Not at the table,” I complain as I’m trying to eat the fruit in front of me, “At least not when I’m eating.”
“At least you get to eat,” Jonghyun pouts to the diva on his lap.
“It’s almost ready. I swear you get more and more impatient every day,” he gets off his lap and returns to the stove to stir the pot again.
“It’s because you spoil him,” I point out with a mouth full of pancakes.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full and don’t put too much in it. You might choke.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I say again, mouth still full to the brim.
“Yah!” Key screams when he turns to face the table, “Slow down. The food isn’t going anywhere.”
“I know, but I wanna find out what Minho hyung has planned,” I’m already halfway done with the pancakes and only have a few stray pieces of cantaloupe left in the bowl.
“Well the last thing you need to do is choke on your food,” he sighs as he walks over to the table and cuts the remaining pieces into more bite-size friendly ones.
“Is it done yet?” Jonghyun whines.
“Yes. Now go wake up Jinki hyung and then we can eat.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
“Ugh,” I hear Jonghyun mumbling under his breath as he leaves the kitchen to go wake up Jinki hyung which is never an easy task. He can be pretty hard to wake up especially after we’ve had a pretty busy week, which we did.
“So umma, are you really not going to tell me what Minho hyung has up his sleeve?” I ask as I stuff the rest of the pancakes in my mouth.
“What did I JUST say about stuffing your mouth?”
I try to answer, but find that nothing but jumbled nonsense comes out of my mouth.
“Chew slowly, swallow, and then take a drink of your orange juice,” he orders me and I do as I’m told.
“So are you?” I stab one of the pieces of fruit and nibble at it as I turn to face him, bowl resting in my hand.
“I’m not telling you a thing,” I notice the smirk on his face and decide to try my ageyo on him to get the information from him.
“Umma,” I say cutely as I continue to nibble on the new piece of fruit on my fork, “You love me right?”
“Taemin-ah! Don’t even think about using your ageyo on me.”
“What are you talking about?” I muster up the most innocent face I can and look at him.
“It’s not going to work.”
“Ummaaaa,” I whine again.
“Nope, not working. Finish your fruit and juice.”
“Hmph,” I pout before placing the last fruit in my mouth and grabbing the glass off the table. I place the bowl on the plate and take it to the sink. As I walk there, I finish off the juice and place all the dishes in the sink, “Happy now?”
“Always. You’re a growing boy, you shouldn’t skip out on breakfast,” again he ruffles my hair, but this time places a kiss on my forehead. I watch as he pulls another envelop out of the pocket in his apron and hands it to me. I immediately recognize your hand writing again and rip the letter open.
Did you enjoy the food?
I made it all myself.
It was good right?
Well anyways, on with
today’s festivities.
There should be an
SD card in the envelop
use the camcorder to play it.
Love, Your Bay ^^
I look into the envelop again and sure enough there is an SD card. I quickly run over to the table where I placed the camcorder while I was eating. I place the SD card in it and open the screen. I know that Key is standing behind me anticipating what will show up. I press the play button.
“So now that you’ve enjoyed the amazing and nutritious breakfast I made you, it’s time to start off the day. If you haven’t already guessed it, I have something pretty special planned for you today. I’ve left you clues all over the city that you need to find. If you go to the right places you should find an envelop and another SD card to help you get to the next clue. Hopefully as you gather the clues you’ll realize the significance of each place. There really isn’t a better way to spend our first day off in weeks than running around the city, don’t you think? Onto the first clue,” I watch as you pan around to show your surroundings, “You recognize this place? It’s the very first place that we met. This is an easy one. But trust me, it’ll get harder as the day goes on. So go brush your teeth, wash your face, and get out of your pajamas. 'Cause I know you didnt' listen to me when I told you to do it the first time. I know you dragged your adorable little butt straight to the kitchen after watching the first video. Oh and don’t forget your running shoes.”
With that the screen goes black again and I turn to face Key. He just smiles at me and pushes me in the direction of the bathroom. It takes a second before the excitement washes over me and I find myself running around the dorm trying to get ready. I’m out the door within 20 minutes and running to our company’s building. The first place we met.
*~*
I run up to the conference room that the five of us where first introduced to each other. The moment I set foot in the room I notice the picture hanging on the wall. I knew it was meant for me because it wasn’t a picture that normally hung on the room’s wall. I walk over to it and stare at it for a second. It was one of the first pictures we took as a group. I take the picture off the wall and turn it over.
See I told you this was
an easy one.
If you weren’t able to
figure this one out,
all would have been lost.
Love, Your Keroro ^^
I carefully peel the tape off the SD card, making sure not to rip the picture, and place it in the camcorder. I can feel the excitement building up in me as I press the play button again.
“Now that wasn’t so hard. You like the picture I chose? We all looked so young back then. Even you, you were pretty much a baby. I remember that whenever I saw you, all I wanted to do was pinch your little cheeks. I still want to do that now, but I like to alternate between the two,” you wink at the camera and I blush, “So clue number two. You’re getting really excited now huh? I could just keep babbling, but I know that you’ll get mad and yell at the camcorder for me to hurry up and say the next clue already. Okay, so here’s where the next clue is located.”
I watch as again you pan the camera around to show your surroundings. This time I don’t recognize the place at first. There were tables and chairs, so it had to be a restaurant of some sort. The place was pretty bright and colorful. You’re in front of the camera again with a big smile on your face.
“This was the first place we ever went to by ourselves. Just you and me. It wasn’t a date, just two friends hanging out, getting to know each other better. Do you know where I am? You don’t huh? I can just see your tongue sticking out a little as you try and think of where in the world I could be. Well I’m not giving you any more hints. Try and find me.”
I sit down in a chair and close the camcorder again. Where could you be? The place looked familiar to me. I just don’t know what the place is or where it’s located. I sat there and pondered for what seemed like forever. Right when I was about to give in, the answer popped up in my mind. It was the ice cream shop we went to not too long after we started our training. You took me there to help me unwind because you knew I was super stressed with training and school. I knew you were stressed at the time too. We learned a lot about each other that day. I jumped out of the seat and was running again.
*~*
I crash into the ice cream parlor and look around. The few people who were there turn to me and give me a dirty look.
“Sorry,” I say as I walk to the counter.
“Hi,” the waiter greets me, “How can I help you?”
“Um, well I’m looking for a clue,” I say, not knowing how else to describe it.
“A clue?”
“Yeah. You see, my boyfriend is sending me on this kind of scavenger hunt around the city and one of the clues led me here.”
“Oh,” the girl gives me a look of realization, “Are you perhaps Lee Taemin?”
“Yes, I am,” I respond excitedly.
She walks over to one of the displays and begins to make an ice cream cone.
“Um,” I look at her as she tries to hand the ice cream to me, “I didn’t order this.”
“I know. But I was told to give this to a Lee Taemin when he arrives. Don’t worry, it’s already paid for.”
“Okay,” I take the ice cream from her and she also hands me an envelop.
“He says you’re supposed to sit here and eat it then open the letter.”
“Okay,” I walk over to a nearby table and sit at it. I begin to eat the ice cream before my curiosity gets the best of me and I rip open the letter.
I knew you wouldn’t be able to wait
until you finished your
ice cream to open this.
At least you stayed in the shop.
Try not to watch the next SD card
until you’re done though.
Love, Your Cuddle Bug ^^
It takes everything in me not to just pop the SD card in and watch it. But I do as you say and eat my ice cream first. If I could, I would have gobbled it down. But seeing how I hate brain freezes, I had no choice but to eat it slowly. You can be really sneaky sometimes. I finally finish it and begin to watch the next video clue.
“Good job Taeminnie. I knew you’d be able to get it if you thought hard enough. I haven’t forgot though. You probably have, but I haven’t. That ice cream you ate was the exact same thing you ordered back then. And you have a little something here,” you wipe at the corner of your lip and I imitate the move. I look down at my finger and sure enough there’s a bit of ice cream on it, “See I told you. On to the important part right?”
This time the things on the screen are familiar to me right away. You’re in a retail shop. I can tell by all the clothes, shoes, and accessories filling the screen. This was an easy clue because it was a shop that we used to go to all the time. I still try to go there whenever I can now, but it’s getting harder to go out in public nowadays. That shop has the best things though.
“I’m sure you’re able to recognize this place right away. You’re probably thinking why I picked such an easy place after you had to think awhile for the ice cream shop, but I do have my reasons. This was the place where I first realized that I like you more than just my dongsaeng.”
*~*
I make it to the little shop in about 20 minutes. It was less of a hassle to travel by foot than hail a cab. The moment I step into the store, I can’t help but smile. I browse the racks with my eyes as I walk to the counter. I try not to get distracted by the various clothing articles that catch my eye. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t here to shop. Although I did make a mental note that next time we have a free day, you’re taking me back here.
“Long time no see Taemin,” the owner greets me with a smile.
“I’m surprised you still remember me,” I laugh.
“If anything it’s hard for me to forget you now that you’re an idol,” he responds.
I can’t help but blush and give a shy smile in response, “So I guess you know why I’m here.”
“Yup,” he reaches down behind the counter and pulls out a bag, “For you.”
I give him a confused look as I take it from him, “I’m not here to shop.”
“I know. Look at the tag,” he points to the bright blue tag hanging from one of the bag’s straps.
Remember this bag?
You were eyeing it
the last time we were here.
You moped for weeks
because you regretted
not buying it.
Well its yours now.
Love, Your Bubs ^^
I flip the tag over and see the SD card taped there. Again I carefully ripe off the tape to retrieve it and place it in the camcorder.
“You like the bag? And you thought I wasn’t paying attention. Of course I was. I actually came back the next day to buy it for you. I was just waiting for the perfect time to give it to you. I guess that time is now. I won’t keep you waiting any longer; I know your patience is starting to wear out. But I know that you’re having fun at the same time,” you film your surroundings again, “I guess you can say this is a pretty easy one too. It’s pretty obvious why I’m here right? If we never came here, there would be no ‘us.’ You wouldn’t believe how nervous I was before confessing to you. I was a wreck to say the least. What about you? Were you a wreck that night too?”
*~*
I was led to several more places. Where we confessed to each other, our first date, our first kiss, and where we exchanged ‘I love yous’ for the first time. And at every single place there was a small gift left along with a sweet note and SD card. The last clue led me to the roof of the building our dorm was located in.
I impatiently tapped my foot as I rode the elevator up. It seemed like it was going extremely slow today. Not caring that I needed to get to the roof as soon as possible. I watched as each floor slowly lit up as we passed them.
“Come on!” I yell.
And after what seems like an eternity the elevator finally dings and opens up to the small hallway that leads out to the roof. I walk out and my stomach is immediately swarming with butterflies. I don’t know what it was, but I was extremely nervous to go out onto the roof. I had to stand there for a few minutes trying to steady my breathing and beating heart. Why was I so nervous all of a sudden?
I take one last deep breath as my hand makes contact with the cool metal of the door handle. I slowly apply pressure to it and push the door open. I didn’t realize I was closing my eyes, until I was slowly opening it to look around the roof.
I saw you standing next to an immaculately set table with a cheesy grin on your face. I look you over once and realize that you’re holding up a large poster. I take a moment to read it before stepping towards you.
What did I do to deserve you putting up with me?
Whatever I did I’m thankful everyday
I haven’t lost it and I’m not losing you
I’ll try my best, baby please don’t go
Whatever you want, I’ll be there
Whatever I have, I will share
Whenever you cry yourself to sleep I’ll dry your eyes
Whatever you think, I will think
Whatever you say, I will say
Because this is BUILT TO LAST
Love, YOUR CHOI MINHO ^^
“Happy Anniversary Baby,” you smile at me and I can’t help the tears that begin to fall from my eyes. I rush over to you and jump into your waiting arms. You hug me tight before placing me on my feet.
“I love you and I’m sorry for freaking out on you,” I whisper as I bring our foreheads to meet.
“All is forgiven. I love you too,” you bring your lips to mine. It was the sweetest kiss we’ve ever shared. One that was filled with nothing but love. And a little bit of my tears. But they were happy tears.
“So this is what you’ve been up to for the past few weeks?” I ask as you lead me to the table and we sit down.
“Yup,” you grin, “Surprised you huh?”
“That’s putting it lightly. But what anniversary is this? We became a couple in October, it’s only June.”
“Have you really forgotten? That hurts Taeminnie,” you grab at you chest and pretend to faint.
“I’m sorry babe.”
“It’s okay. I actually wasn’t expecting you to know why today is our anniversary. I mean it’s not as important as the day you said yes to becoming my boyfriend. But it’s still important.”
“Well are you going to tell me why today is so special?”
“Yes, your patience is pretty much shot now huh?”
“Minho!” I slap you arm.
“Ow, no need to get violent,” you rub the spot I hit, “Today exactly three years ago we confessed to each other. You remember now?”
“Wait,” I think to myself, slowly going over the dates, “Oh my goodness. You’re right. Baby.”
You give me a cheesy smile and I lean in to kiss you, “Now do you believe how much I love you? I’ve been bitten, shot, harpooned, or however you want to call it. I’m a goner in the love department and it’s all because of you.”
“Geez thanks, I think,” you laugh at my facially expression.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way though. Now eat up before the food gets cold.”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being you. Sweet, cheesy, detail-oriented you. And I’m sorry that I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s okay, you can make it up to me later tonight,” you give me a wink and lightly kick you under the table, “Again with the violence!”
AUTHOR: giveitupjessica
PAIRING: 2min, jongkey
RATING: PG-13/15? (suggestive material)
GENRE: romantic fluffy goodness with a hint of angst, songfic, Oneshot!
SUMMARY: Whenever I try to hold on to something too tight. It gets away from me and my side. I start to lose it, then comes losing you. It's not my fault baby. Please don't, please don't go.
A/N: So this is the sequel to my OneShot Thunder and Lightning Again this was inspired by a song. This time it is Rock Kills Kid "Be There" Again I'm sorry for the long ass one shot. And the ending might be a little crappy too. But I still hope you enjoy it! Comments are love!
BE THERE
It was late and I knew that there was no way that we were going to head back to the dorm. We were both exhausted and I didn’t want to share you with anyone else tonight either. Or any night for that matter. I wanted to be able to enjoy the night we got back together. Even though this wasn’t the first time we had sex… Sex… that’s such a common word. It doesn’t seem to describe what it was that we shared tonight. It was so much more than that. So much more meaningful and beautiful. I can’t belittle it to such a word. Tonight there was and is no one else in the world but you and me. And that’s just how I want it.
I feel your arm lazily drape over my waist as you pull me closer to you. The smile that forms on my mouth is so big that my cheeks and jaw start to hurt. I’ve never been this happy before. And I don’t want it to end. I never want it to end.
“Taeminnie, go to sleep,” you mumble.
“How did you?”
“I can just tell. You need to get some rest, we have to get back to the dorm in a few hours.”
“I know, but I can’t seem to close my eyes long enough to sleep,” I reply as I shift on the bed so I can face you.
I watch as you open up one of your eyes a little and stare at me. I just smile back at you and kiss the tip of your nose.
“Try counting sheep,” you say as your eye closes again.
“That never works,” I complain as I snuggle closer to you, “Tell me a story.”
“Taeminnie, it’s the middle of the night. I’m exhausted, I can’t think of any stories to tell.”
“Hyung!!!” I whine.
“You know that won’t work on me.”
“Please!” I start to poke at your side and put on the cutest face I could muster even though your eyes are still closed.
“I really can’t think of a story babe,” you sigh as your eyes open and I can see you giving in once you take in my face.
“Then make one up,” I pout.
“Shiro.”
“Fine. Then I’ll just go out and watch some T.V. until I feel sleepy,” I move to get out of bed, but feel your grasp tighten on my waist.
“Don’t,” you groan, “Even think about stepping foot out of this bed.”
“And why not? You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“You’re right, I can’t. But I can prevent you from leaving this bed.”
“I can easily wriggle out of your arms. I’ve gotten quite good at it the past few years. So that’s not going to stop me.”
“Maybe not, but this will,” I feel you shift under me and before I know it, not only are your arms wrapped around me, but your legs are too.
“You’re not playing fair.”
“Who said anything about fair? Besides I just wanna cuddle with my squishy boyfriend. Is that so much to ask?”
“I’m not squishy,” I pout again.
“Yes you are,” I feel your arms and legs give me a quick squeeze.
“You do realize that you’re slowly starting to dig yourself into a hole right? I’d rather be called cute than squishy.”
“It’s okay. I know that you’ll rescue me from the hole when it comes down to it.”
“And what makes you so sure of that?”
“Because,” you begin to place soft butterfly kisses on my lips, “You love me.”
“Unfortunately,” I giggle as you begin to trail the kisses down my neck.
“Now,” you say as I feel your legs releasing their hold on me, “Go to sleep.”
“Do you really expect me to do to sleep after you tease me like that?”
“Yup,” I watch as your eyes close and your breath begins to even out. Within a few minutes I can tell that you are asleep.
“You really do expect me to just go to sleep,” I sigh as I place a kiss on your cheek and close my eyes.
*~*
I feel the bed shift under me and groan. What is going on? I’m tired. Is it really time to get up already? I just fell asleep. I flip over to my other side in an attempt to drift back off to dreamland. I was having such a good dream, I hope it continues.
The bed is still again and I smile. I wiggle further into the blankets and feel sleep wash over my whole body.
“Babe?” I hear someone say.
I groan in protest.
“Babe?” now there’s a hand on my shoulder softly shaking me.
“What?” I manage to mumble.
“Get up.”
“Five more minutes umma. Please!” again I turn over so that my back is facing whoever is trying to wake me.
“Umma? Is that your new pet name for me? I hope it isn’t. That’s just plan wrong. Not to mention gross.”
Then the bed begins to sink in on either side me, “What the hell?!”
“Wakey wakey time!” and that’s when I feel that the soft springs of the mattress are activated
I grudgingly open my eyes to find you straddling me and bouncing up and down, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Waking you up,” you say matter of factly.
“More like giving me motion sickness,” I answer. I notice that you’ve pulled on a pair of sweats, but didn’t bother to put on a shirt. I lick my lips at the sight of your abs.
“Are you sure about that?” you ask as you stop bouncing and gaze down at me, “Because by the way you just licked your lips, I think you’re feeling something completely different.”
“Can you blame me? I wake up to my hot half-naked boyfriend straddling me and bouncing up and down. Yeah, it’s gonna put thoughts in my head.”
“Well get your thoughts out of the gutter. We need to get back to the dorms. Key is probably going to call us any second now to scold us for not going back last night.”
“It’s not my fault that you didn’t text him like I told you,” I reply and you begin to shift off of me so I can get out of bed.
“Like you gave me a chance to text him,” you grab a pair of sweats and a shirt from your drawer and throw them to me, “You kept me pretty busy.”
“I didn’t hear any complaints.”
“I’m not complaining. I’m just stating the facts.”
Right at that moment I see my cell phone on the floor, which probably fell out of my pants pocket last night, light up. I bend down to pick it up as I pull the sweats up to my hips.
“Umma,” I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear as I try to get the shirt on. You grin as you walk over to me and take the shirt out of my hands.
“I swear you can be completely hopeless sometimes,” you bunch up either side of the shirt in your hands and slip it over my head. You grab my arms one at a time and guide them through the holes before pulling the shirt down to meet the hem of the sweatpants.
“I could’ve done it myself. I’m not three you know,” I stick my tongue out at you and make my way out of the room.
“Lee Taemin!” Key’s voice causes me to jump and pull the phone away from my ear.
“Umma! Not so loud. I just woke up,” I plead.
“I thought I told you to come home last night?!”
“You did.”
“And where are you?”
“Um… at Minho’s apartment?” I glare at you when I see you start to laugh at me.
“Is that home?”
“Technically? Yes, as long as I’m with him, I’m home.”
“Aish! When did you get so cheesy?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”
“I think it’s more like the other way around,” I smirk and you raise a questioning eyebrow at me. I just shrug at you and turn away.
“Taemin! When did you get so… so…”
“Grown up?”
“I guess that’s the nice way of putting it.”
“I dunno, two years ago?”
“You mean that… You’ve been… You and Minho have been… You…. WHAT?!”
I can see Key freaking out as he tries to grasp what I just said and I can’t help but laugh.
“Umma, we’ll be home in twenty minutes,” I cheerfully say and hang up before he can utter another word.
Your arms wrap around my waist as you begin to lead me in the direction of the bathroom, “What did you say to him? By that smile on your face, you said something that made him flip.”
“Oh it was nothing,” I turn my head and give your cheek a quick peck.
“If you say so,” you grab two toothbrushes and place a nice amount of toothpaste on each before handing me one.
We stood there, side by side, brushing our teeth together. At one put you bent down and placed a kiss on the top of my head which I returned with a glare.
“Did you just get spit and toothpaste in my hair?” I yell, holding my toothbrush in one and the other resting on my hip.
“No,” you mumble, trying to hold back a laugh.
“You better not have,” I reply and bump you with my hip, causing half of you to stumble out of the bathroom.
But as you join me at the sink again, I can’t help but smile a little. Out of all the things I missed the most when we were broken up, it was things like this. The little things we used to do together. Brushing our teeth together in the morning, you carrying my bag as you walked me to school, taking your glasses off your face when you doze off while reading, those kind of things.
“Go put on a shirt already,” I tell you when we’re done brushing our teeth and push you in the direction of your bedroom.
I walk to the living room and begin to pick up the discarded clothes off the ground. I carefully fold the clothes I wore during yesterday’s performance and place it in a bag. I take your clothes and put them in the laundry room.
“Bay?” you call from the living room.
“Only you would find a way to shorten an already short word,” I laugh as I join you on the couch and pull on the socks you hand me.
“You act like I’ve never called you that before,” you walk over to the door and grab both of our shoes. I watch as you kneel in front of me and put my shoes on me first before sitting beside to put your own on. I mentally add this to the list of things I missed.
“Ready?” you ask and hold your hand out to me.
“Yeah,” I take your hand and grab the bag with my clothes in it as we walk out the door. The moment we’re out of the apartment you take the bag from me. It was only a matter of time really. You never really let me carry anything, unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Oh I almost forgot,” you say when we step into the elevator.
“Forgot what?” I ask, “You better go and get it before we leave. Want me to hold the elevator while you run back and get whatever it is you forgot.”
“No need.”
“Huh?”
“I almost forgot this,” you bend down and place a soft kiss on my lips, “Good morning babe.”
I feel the blood rush to my cheeks and playfully push your side, “You’re so lame sometimes.”
*~*
The past few weeks have been so busy, what with SMTown Live and promotions for Lucifer going on. We barely had time to stop and breathe let alone have time to ourselves. We were constantly on the move or practicing. The five of us were completely worn out. What made it worst was that when we did have a few spare time here and there you were always busy. We rarely ever spent any time together. I was beginning to miss you again. It’s funny that I miss you even though we’ve pretty much have been around each other 24/7.
“Jonghyun hyung,” I say as plop down next to him on the hard floor of our practice room.
“Hm?”
“Where’s Minho hyung?”
“No idea. I thought he’d be with you. You two are like joined at the hip. It’s kind of nauseating. Worst than when you guys first started dating,” he pretends to gag and I push him playfully.
“We’re not that bad.”
“Says you. It’s different when you have to watch it,” he pretends to gag again.
“Well did you at least see where he went?”
“Nope. Like I said, I think he was with you. You know… bow-chicka-wow-wow,” he wiggles his eyebrows at me and laughs.
“Hyung!”
“What?! We all know that you guys are doing it. You guys aren’t the quietest.”
“Hyung!” my eyes are wide with shock and I slap his arm, “You should be one to talk. Don’t think we don’t hear you guys.”
“I didn’t say we were quiet,” he shrugs off my accusation with ease.
“I feel like I never see Minho hyung nowadays,” I sigh as I bring my legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.
“What are you talking about? We’ve done nothing but see each other for weeks. Frankly, I’m getting tired of looking at you guys. I’m thinking about getting masks. How do you feel about being a panda? I think that will suit you the best.”
“Only if I can get you a dinosaur one,” I say absentmindedly, “Oh did I say that out loud?”
“YAH!” he raises his hand to hit me, but stops, “You know if Key wasn’t in the room, I totally would have hit you just now. But I don’t wanna face his wrath at the moment. I’m still in the dog house after last night.”
“It’s your own fault,” I state, “You shouldn’t have stopped him when he grabbed that third piece of pizza, asking if him if it was a good idea if he ate it.”
“I still don’t see what I did wrong.”
“You pretty much told him he was fat.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Yeah you did.”
“I was just watching out for him. I know that he gets a really bad stomachache if he eats too much pizza. I didn’t want him to go through that.”
“Yeah, you called him fat.”
“I DID NOT!”
“Whatever. No matter how you cut it, at the end of the day you called your boyfriend fat and that is why you are in the dog house.”
“Ugh, why are you still sitting here? Shouldn’t you be off trying to find your boyfriend so you can sneak to the supply closet or something.”
“At least I’m getting some,” I quickly get up and run across the room to hide behind Key for protection from the raptor that was stalking towards me.
“Jonghyun!” Key shouts as he watches you approach me with fire in your eyes, “You lay a hand on my baby and I’ll extend your punishment for a full month.”
“What?!” he screams with a look of shock and horror on his face, “But baby!”
“No buts or I’ll cut you off there too,” Key turns back to me and brushes my hair out of my face and I stick my tongue out at Jonghyun.
“What?! That’s not fair. I didn’t even mean what I said last night like that. I just didn’t want you to get sick and I get punished for it. How is that fair?!” Jonghyun puffs his cheeks out and folds his arms in front of his chest.
“Love isn’t fair sweetheart,” Key replies as he brushes Jonghyun’s cheek and smiles.
“Umma?”
“Hm?”
“Have you seen Minho hyung?”
“I think I saw him walk outside when break started. Someone should probably go get him. Our ten minutes are almost up,” he says as he glances down at his watch.
“I’ll go get him,” I immediately volunteer and run out of the room.
I walk down the hall looking around to see if I can spot you. As I get closer to the corner I hear someone talking. They’re talking pretty quietly so I’m not able to make out any words. But I’m sure it’s you. Even though I can’t understand what the person is saying, I can still recognize your voice. My assumptions are confirmed as I turn the corner and see you hunched over talking into your cell phone. I wonder who you’re talking to. I walk up behind you and wrap my arms around your waist.
“What the--” you jump and turn around the moment you feel my arms around you.
“Hi,” I smile sweetly up to you and place a kiss on your neck.
“Taeminnie, don’t scare me like that,” you softly pound your fist against your chest.
“Sorry. Key wanted me to come get you. Break is almost over.”
“Okay.”
“C’mon,” I grab your hand and start to tug you in the direction of the practice room.
“You go first, I’ll be right there. I just need to finish this call okay?”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly and slowly let go of your hand.
You bend down to kiss me on the lips and turn your back on me again.
“Yeah, I’m still here. What were you saying?” I hear you say as I slump back to the practice room.
Who were you talking to? Who was so important that you couldn’t walk with me back to practice room? Normally you’d hang up the phone the minute I was by you. What’s going on? I knew it couldn’t have been your parents or your brother because I heard you talking to them this morning before we left for our first schedule. So who is it? And why were you talking in a hushed voice when I first found you? What are you keeping from me?
All these questions kept replaying in my head for the rest of our rehearsals. I could barely concentrate on the dance moves which earned quite a bit of scolding from the choreographer and Key umma. I couldn’t help it though.
I couldn’t help the feeling of you slowly starting to slip out of my arms again.
*~*
You started to get more distant in the next few days. You were always sneaking off somewhere when there was extra time, whether it be 5 minutes or a few hours. I was beginning to worry. Especially since I caught you in hushed phone calls on numerous occasions. Whenever I brought it up though, you would just smile, ruffle my hair, and tell me I had nothing to worry about.
But isn’t it when someone tells you that you have nothing to worry about that you actually do have something to worry about? Does this even make any sense? I guess you can say it’s like when you’re high up and someone tells you not to look down. What do you do? You look down. That same theory applies here. Someone tells me not to worry and I can’t help but do nothing but worry.
“Key umma,” I join him on the couch and rest my head on his lap.
“Yeah?” he begins to absentmindedly stroke my hair, eyes still glued to the drama showing on the TV.
“If someone you love tells you not to worry about something, do you still worry?”
“Huh?”
“You know when someone you care about tells you that you have nothing to worry about, do you still find yourself worrying about it?”
“Taemin-ah, you’re making absolutely no sense right now,” he stares down at me with concern in his eyes.
“Never mind then,” I sigh and turn my focus to the TV.
“Did Minho tell you not to worry about something?” he asks once commercials come on.
“Yeah.”
“But you’re still worrying about huh?”
“Yeah.”
“You wanna know whether or not you should be worrying?”
“Yeah.”
“Aw… sweetie,” his fingers are running through my hair again, “I think if he says you have nothing to worry about, you should believe him. You know how much he loves you.”
“I know, but I just can’t help it. I wanna believe him and not worry, but… well…”
“I know. I know.”
“YAH!” Jonghyun suddenly yells as he enters the room, “Why is it that you’re getting all this skinship with MY boyfriend? Why can’t you go to yours?”
“What are you talking about Jjongie?” Key asks as he rolls his eyes.
“Every time I see you two, you’re always doing something to each other.”
“What?” I gave him a confused look.
“Hugging, cuddling on the couch, or doing this!” he points at us.
“Jjongie, he’s my son. That’s just gross.”
“I know! This is my umma. Besides, I’m perfectly happy with my boyfriend. Don’t go unleashing your insecurities about your relationship with umma on me.”
“YAH!” Jonghyun starts to stomp towards us.
“Don’t even think about it Jonghyun hyung.”
I let out a small laugh as I see his face go white. Jonghyun knew that he was on thin ice whenever Key called him “hyung” instead of one of his many pet names for him.
“Oh the cruel world where my boyfriend chooses his make believe son over me,” he pouts as he plops down on Key’s other side and folds his arms in front of his chest.
“Quit being a big baby,” Key jokes as he kisses his boyfriend’s cheek, “Remember, your punishment ends tonight.”
“Wait…” I can see Jonghyun mentally calculating the days in his head and a big smile appears on his face, “It does?”
“It does,” Key gives him a mischievous grin and softly kisses him on the lips.
“Ew, gross,” I sit up and scoot away from the couple.
“What?”
“I just got reminded of the time that I walked in on you two,” I shake my head like an etch-a-sketch hoping to erase the image from my mind.
Jonghyun lets out a laugh and pulls his boyfriend closer to him, “That was a good night. Maybe we can have a repeat of it?”
“GROSS GROSS GROSS!!!” I yell as I jump up off the couch.
“Jjongie, stop teasing my son.”
“What? I didn’t tell him to think of that night.”
“You’re egging him on though.”
“Not on purpose.”
“Whatever. I’ll stop. The last thing I want is to be back in that dog house.”
“Good boy,” Key pats the top of Jonghyun’s head and he glares for a second before completely melting into the love-sick fool he is for Key.
“Just promise me you’ll lock the door this time,” I say as I start to leave the room.
“No promises. You tend to not think straight in the heat of the moment. But you should know that right Taeminnie.”
That earned Jonghyun a slap on the back of the head and I laughed.
“Yah!”
“What? We all know about those two.”
“But that doesn’t mean you have to bring it up. I prefer to keep telling myself that my son is still innocent.”
“Baby, we all know he’s way past innocent now,” and he gets another slap.
“Taemin-ah!” Key calls out to me.
“Ne?” I yell back.
“What do you want for dinner?”
“I don’t think I can eat. That image is still stuck in my head.”
All I can hear next is Jonghyun’s loud laughter followed by a yelp of pain. Key must have hit him again.
I sigh, it was times like this that really made me miss you. It was hard being around Key and Jonghyun, especially when they were being all couple-y. I wanted to be that way with you. But you were never around lately. Come back home already. Please. I miss you.
Please don’t make me worry any further, my heart can’t take much more.
*~*
“Where have you been?” I ask quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly, what I say. Where have you been?”
“I’ve been here.”
I give you a look saying that I don’t buy that as a suitable answer.
“Taeminnie, I really don’t get what you’re asking me. The five of us have been together for the past month straight. The only time we aren’t all together is when we use the bathroom or shower.”
“Minho, don’t play dumb with me. You know what I’m asking. So please just answer it. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“Well it seems like you do.”
“Please, just tell me.”
“I haven’t been anywhere Taemin,” I can see the frustration beginning to boil inside of you, “You keep asking me this question and I keep telling you the same thing. Why don’t you just tell me what you want me to say so we can be over it already?”
“I want you to tell me where you’ve been sneaking off to lately. What’s so important that you can’t spend the 5 minutes of free time with me instead of going off to who knows where?”
“I can’t have a little time to myself now?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Do we really have to spend every waking moment together?”
“Quit twisting my words!” I yell, “Look I’m sorry that I want to spend some time with my boyfriend. Is that such a crime?”
“We already spend 95% of the day together though.”
“That doesn’t count. That’s all five of us spending time together. I want one-on-one time with you.”
“We just spent our free time together yesterday at the movies.”
“But you didn’t even touch me once while we were out.”
“Babe, I’m not going to feel you up in public.”
“I’m not talking about feeling me up. I’m talking about how you didn’t even try to put your arm around me in the movies. I mean I get it when we’re out and about, but in the theater? It’s dark, we were sitting pretty far back, and… IT’S DARK. You didn’t even grab my hand when I deliberately put my arm on the armrest between us. What’s up with that?”
“I was trying to watch the movie.”
“Holding my hand does not take that much effort. It doesn’t even take much thought. You used to just grab my hand out of no where. No matter where we were or what we were doing. Especially when we knew that it would go unnoticed.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. So I didn’t hold your hand. I’m sorry. I didn’t deliberately not hold our hand. I kind of got sucked into the movie.”
“Ugh,” I sigh, “It’s like you don’t even care!”
“What?! I said I was sorry didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but you didn’t mean it. And don’t try to tell me that you did. This is me you’re talking to Choi Minho. I know you better than you know yourself. I know that you apologized just so we could stop this argument,” I turn away from him on the brink of tears. Whether they were angry or sad tears, I didn’t know. Maybe a mixture of them both?
“Look,” you place your hands on my shoulders and turn me to face you, “I really am sorry. For everything. For not holding your hand in the movie, for getting snappy at you just now, for acting like I didn’t care. I do care. I don’t want us to be mad at each other. Forgive me?”
“I don’t know,” I hold in my breath to will the tears from falling.
“Please,” you bring your hands up in front of you and begin to rub them together. I’m all to familiar with this ageyo of yours. It really is hard to resist. Even when it’s not directed at me. And they say I’m the best at it.
“Tell me where you’ve been sneaking off to and I’ll forgive you.”
I watch as you let out a deep sigh and shake your head, “Not this again Taemin. Could you please just drop it?”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s a simple question. So why can’t you answer me?”
“I have answered you, but you don’t seem to be satisfied with the answer. I’ve been here Taemin, the whole time I’ve been here.”
“No you haven’t! Don’t think I don’t notice you sneak off during the short breaks in our rehearsals. Don’t think I can’t hear you sneak off when we’re taking a nap together in the middle of the afternoon between schedules. Don’t think I don’t feel you leave the bed in the middle of the night. You’ve been going somewhere and I can’t see why you can’t just tell me where it is you’re going. Then you tell me not to worry, but how can I not? How can I do anything but worry?”
You stare at me with a surprised look on your face.
“Yeah, I’m not that dumb. And what’s up with the hushed phone calls? Your cell phone has received more face time with you than I have in the past couple weeks. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought you were dating your cell phone and not me. You’re never without it nowadays. Before you were able to leave it for a few hours and not mind. But now, it has to be with you no matter what. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. How many times do I have to tell you? Nothing is going on. I’m not going anywhere. If anything all those times I was just going to the bathroom.”
“It doesn’t take you that long to go the bathroom. Even when you take shit. I know it doesn’t.”
“Taemin,” you give me a pleading look, “I really don’t want to fight with you right now. We’re both drained. We should stop before we say something we regret okay?”
“Stop trying to change the topic. You’re hiding something from me. I know it,” and I can’t hold the tears anymore as they come cascading down my face.
“Baby,” you step towards me and bring your hand up to my face.
“No,” I slap you hand away, “Don’t touch me.”
“Bay, please don’t cry,” you try to wipe my tears away again.
“I said don’t touch me,” I half yell, “Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this to us? After what we just went through, why? If you don’t want to be with me anymore, just tell me. Don’t go sneaking around behind my back.”
“How could you even think that?” hurt was written all over your face, “I would never in a million years cheat on you Taemin. You know that. So don’t go immediately jumping to conclusions.”
I watch as you begin to walk away from me and can’t help the fresh tears from rushing out of my eyes. This was the first major fight we’ve had since that night we broke up. Come to think of it, it was the first major fight we had since we started dating. And I was afraid. I was afraid of the pain coming back. Of my heart breaking again. I was afraid of losing you. But I was too scared to move from the spot I was in. Too scared that you’d reject me. Too scared of completely breaking down in front of you.
“Don’t assume you know everything,” was the last thing you said as you walked out of the room.
I immediately collapsed on the floor. What just happened? Did we just break up? What did you mean? I glance up when I hear the door open and couldn’t help the feeling of my heart dropping even more when I saw it wasn’t you. It was Key with a worried expression on his face. He rushed to my side and gathered me in his arms.
“Taeminnie, what happened? I heard you two yelling. Minho didn’t do anything to you right? he didn’t hit you or anything,” Key pulled away from me enough to take a quick look over my body. When he was convinced that no bodily harm was done to me, he gathered me in his arms again and tried to sooth me.
“He didn’t do anything umma. This was my fault. I couldn’t let it go,” I manage to stifle out between sobs.
“Do you still have a feeling he’s keeping something from you?”
“Yeah,” was all I could manage to say.
I hear Key sigh and begin to pull me up from the ground, “C’mon, you should get some rest.”
“I don’t wanna rest though. I need to go apologize to Minho hyung.”
“That can wait until the morning. The both of you are still on a high from your argument. You need to cool down a bit. Give him a chance to cool down,” I let him lead me to my bed.
“But--”
“Shh,” he says as he makes me lay down and pulls the blankets over me, “Just get some sleep. Clear your head a little bit. You two can talk in the morning.”
We never talked the next morning because you were gone by the time I woke up and didn’t come home until late.
*~*
I woke up one morning exceptionally drained. I had cried myself to sleep that night again. Things were starting to get worst for us. We were barely able to talk before we started to argue. I was beginning to get tired of it and I knew you were too. It was hard since we used to never let each other go to bed mad at the other. But it seems like that’s all we did now.
It was our first day off in weeks and it made me sad that we weren’t really on good terms. I wanted nothing more than to spend the entire day with you, but was afraid that we’d end up fighting the whole day if we did. This sucked big time.
I let out a frustrated groan as I flipped over in bed. I was about to close my eyes again to try to fall back asleep when something on my nightstand caught my eye. I sat up in bed and grabbed the object to study it further. It was a small camcorder. I turned it over in my hand to examine it. I knew it wasn’t mine and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the rest of you with one. So who was the owner and why was it on my nightstand?
When I was examining it for a third time, I finally noticed that a piece of paper was sticking out. I open up the viewing screen to see a small sticky note on one of the buttons labeled “Press Me.” I stared at it for a second in confusion before I finally pulled off the piece of paper and pressed the button.
The screen is black for a couple seconds before a familiar background is revealed. I immediately realize that it’s the living room in our dorm. I watch as a figure walks in from off camera and situates himself on the couch.
“Annyong Taeminnie,” you say into the camera with a big grin on your face, “I know we’ve been fighting a lot lately and you’ve been crying a lot. I’m sorry. I know I can’t apologize enough to you. I don’t want our relationship to be like this. I don’t want your tears to be linked to our relationship, unless they’re tears of joy at least. Anyways, that’s not the reason for this video. You’ve been asking where I’ve been sneaking off to and about all the hushed phone calls and I know you weren’t happy with my answers, but I couldn’t tell you what I was doing. You’re right. I was hiding something from you. But it’s not what you think. I couldn’t tell you about that stuff because it would ruin everything. Don’t worry though; your questions will finally be answered today. So go brush you teeth, wash your face, and get ready for the day okay?”
You stand up and walk towards the camera and take it off the tripod I was guessing it was propped on, but before you turn it off you say one last thing.
“Oh and I love you baby,” you blow a kiss to the camera and the screen goes blank again.
I stare at the blank screen for a little bit, completely confused about your video message. What are you up to exactly? I finally close the screen and swing my feet off the bed. That’s when I notice another sticky note on my nightstand.
Make sure you take the
camcorder with you today.
You’ll be needing it.
Trust me.
Love, Your Boyfriend ^^
I was even more confused now, but quickly shake it off. You were up to something and I knew that it would reveal itself in time. I lazily pull one of your hoodies on over my pajamas and make my way out of the room.
“I said not to touch it!” Key yelled.
“But he won’t notice if I eat just one piece of fruit.”
“I will.”
I’m greeted by a scene of Key slapping Jonghyun’s hand away from a plate that’s on the table as I walk in the kitchen.
“Aw, c’mon. Just one little piece of fruit. It’s not like I’m eating a pancake.”
“I said no Jjongie. It’s not for you.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“I’m cooking your breakfast right now. Can’t you wait ten minutes?”
“No. My tummy is hungry now.”
“Stop acting like a baby.”
“Morning umma, Jonghyun hyung,” I yawn as I finally join them in at the table.
“Morning Taeminnie. Did you sleep well?” Key smiles and ruffles my hair as he passes by me.
“Eh,” I reply and take a seat next to Jonghyun.
“Hmph,” I hear coming from him.
“What’s this?” I point to the plate of pancakes, small bowl of fruit, and orange juice nicely placed in the middle of the table.
“Here,” he answers by handing me an envelop.
I take it from his hands and look at it. My name is written on it in your sloppy, but neat hand writing. I slowly open it up and pull out the piece of paper inside.
I made you breakfast.
You’re going to need
as much energy as you can get.
Enjoy! Eat every last bite.
Key will tell me if you don’t
Love, Your Flaming Charisma ^^
I turn to Key and give him a questioning stare.
“Don’t look at me. I’m not telling you a thing,” he says as he stirs the pot in front of him.
I turn to Jonghyun next, “I don’t know anything. Sorry.”
“Really Taeminnie?” Key is at the table with us again, “You know my Jjongie has a big mouth. He’d be the last one to know about this kind of thing. Now eat up.”
It’s quiet for a few seconds before Jonghyun says something, “HEY!”
“Aw, sweetie… Really? Only now you get what I said?” Key lovingly caresses his cheek and places a kiss on it.
“It’s early, part of me is still in bed. You can’t expect me to be on my A Game this early,” he defends himself and pulls Key into his lap.
“Not at the table,” I complain as I’m trying to eat the fruit in front of me, “At least not when I’m eating.”
“At least you get to eat,” Jonghyun pouts to the diva on his lap.
“It’s almost ready. I swear you get more and more impatient every day,” he gets off his lap and returns to the stove to stir the pot again.
“It’s because you spoil him,” I point out with a mouth full of pancakes.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full and don’t put too much in it. You might choke.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I say again, mouth still full to the brim.
“Yah!” Key screams when he turns to face the table, “Slow down. The food isn’t going anywhere.”
“I know, but I wanna find out what Minho hyung has planned,” I’m already halfway done with the pancakes and only have a few stray pieces of cantaloupe left in the bowl.
“Well the last thing you need to do is choke on your food,” he sighs as he walks over to the table and cuts the remaining pieces into more bite-size friendly ones.
“Is it done yet?” Jonghyun whines.
“Yes. Now go wake up Jinki hyung and then we can eat.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
“Ugh,” I hear Jonghyun mumbling under his breath as he leaves the kitchen to go wake up Jinki hyung which is never an easy task. He can be pretty hard to wake up especially after we’ve had a pretty busy week, which we did.
“So umma, are you really not going to tell me what Minho hyung has up his sleeve?” I ask as I stuff the rest of the pancakes in my mouth.
“What did I JUST say about stuffing your mouth?”
I try to answer, but find that nothing but jumbled nonsense comes out of my mouth.
“Chew slowly, swallow, and then take a drink of your orange juice,” he orders me and I do as I’m told.
“So are you?” I stab one of the pieces of fruit and nibble at it as I turn to face him, bowl resting in my hand.
“I’m not telling you a thing,” I notice the smirk on his face and decide to try my ageyo on him to get the information from him.
“Umma,” I say cutely as I continue to nibble on the new piece of fruit on my fork, “You love me right?”
“Taemin-ah! Don’t even think about using your ageyo on me.”
“What are you talking about?” I muster up the most innocent face I can and look at him.
“It’s not going to work.”
“Ummaaaa,” I whine again.
“Nope, not working. Finish your fruit and juice.”
“Hmph,” I pout before placing the last fruit in my mouth and grabbing the glass off the table. I place the bowl on the plate and take it to the sink. As I walk there, I finish off the juice and place all the dishes in the sink, “Happy now?”
“Always. You’re a growing boy, you shouldn’t skip out on breakfast,” again he ruffles my hair, but this time places a kiss on my forehead. I watch as he pulls another envelop out of the pocket in his apron and hands it to me. I immediately recognize your hand writing again and rip the letter open.
Did you enjoy the food?
I made it all myself.
It was good right?
Well anyways, on with
today’s festivities.
There should be an
SD card in the envelop
use the camcorder to play it.
Love, Your Bay ^^
I look into the envelop again and sure enough there is an SD card. I quickly run over to the table where I placed the camcorder while I was eating. I place the SD card in it and open the screen. I know that Key is standing behind me anticipating what will show up. I press the play button.
“So now that you’ve enjoyed the amazing and nutritious breakfast I made you, it’s time to start off the day. If you haven’t already guessed it, I have something pretty special planned for you today. I’ve left you clues all over the city that you need to find. If you go to the right places you should find an envelop and another SD card to help you get to the next clue. Hopefully as you gather the clues you’ll realize the significance of each place. There really isn’t a better way to spend our first day off in weeks than running around the city, don’t you think? Onto the first clue,” I watch as you pan around to show your surroundings, “You recognize this place? It’s the very first place that we met. This is an easy one. But trust me, it’ll get harder as the day goes on. So go brush your teeth, wash your face, and get out of your pajamas. 'Cause I know you didnt' listen to me when I told you to do it the first time. I know you dragged your adorable little butt straight to the kitchen after watching the first video. Oh and don’t forget your running shoes.”
With that the screen goes black again and I turn to face Key. He just smiles at me and pushes me in the direction of the bathroom. It takes a second before the excitement washes over me and I find myself running around the dorm trying to get ready. I’m out the door within 20 minutes and running to our company’s building. The first place we met.
*~*
I run up to the conference room that the five of us where first introduced to each other. The moment I set foot in the room I notice the picture hanging on the wall. I knew it was meant for me because it wasn’t a picture that normally hung on the room’s wall. I walk over to it and stare at it for a second. It was one of the first pictures we took as a group. I take the picture off the wall and turn it over.
See I told you this was
an easy one.
If you weren’t able to
figure this one out,
all would have been lost.
Love, Your Keroro ^^
I carefully peel the tape off the SD card, making sure not to rip the picture, and place it in the camcorder. I can feel the excitement building up in me as I press the play button again.
“Now that wasn’t so hard. You like the picture I chose? We all looked so young back then. Even you, you were pretty much a baby. I remember that whenever I saw you, all I wanted to do was pinch your little cheeks. I still want to do that now, but I like to alternate between the two,” you wink at the camera and I blush, “So clue number two. You’re getting really excited now huh? I could just keep babbling, but I know that you’ll get mad and yell at the camcorder for me to hurry up and say the next clue already. Okay, so here’s where the next clue is located.”
I watch as again you pan the camera around to show your surroundings. This time I don’t recognize the place at first. There were tables and chairs, so it had to be a restaurant of some sort. The place was pretty bright and colorful. You’re in front of the camera again with a big smile on your face.
“This was the first place we ever went to by ourselves. Just you and me. It wasn’t a date, just two friends hanging out, getting to know each other better. Do you know where I am? You don’t huh? I can just see your tongue sticking out a little as you try and think of where in the world I could be. Well I’m not giving you any more hints. Try and find me.”
I sit down in a chair and close the camcorder again. Where could you be? The place looked familiar to me. I just don’t know what the place is or where it’s located. I sat there and pondered for what seemed like forever. Right when I was about to give in, the answer popped up in my mind. It was the ice cream shop we went to not too long after we started our training. You took me there to help me unwind because you knew I was super stressed with training and school. I knew you were stressed at the time too. We learned a lot about each other that day. I jumped out of the seat and was running again.
*~*
I crash into the ice cream parlor and look around. The few people who were there turn to me and give me a dirty look.
“Sorry,” I say as I walk to the counter.
“Hi,” the waiter greets me, “How can I help you?”
“Um, well I’m looking for a clue,” I say, not knowing how else to describe it.
“A clue?”
“Yeah. You see, my boyfriend is sending me on this kind of scavenger hunt around the city and one of the clues led me here.”
“Oh,” the girl gives me a look of realization, “Are you perhaps Lee Taemin?”
“Yes, I am,” I respond excitedly.
She walks over to one of the displays and begins to make an ice cream cone.
“Um,” I look at her as she tries to hand the ice cream to me, “I didn’t order this.”
“I know. But I was told to give this to a Lee Taemin when he arrives. Don’t worry, it’s already paid for.”
“Okay,” I take the ice cream from her and she also hands me an envelop.
“He says you’re supposed to sit here and eat it then open the letter.”
“Okay,” I walk over to a nearby table and sit at it. I begin to eat the ice cream before my curiosity gets the best of me and I rip open the letter.
I knew you wouldn’t be able to wait
until you finished your
ice cream to open this.
At least you stayed in the shop.
Try not to watch the next SD card
until you’re done though.
Love, Your Cuddle Bug ^^
It takes everything in me not to just pop the SD card in and watch it. But I do as you say and eat my ice cream first. If I could, I would have gobbled it down. But seeing how I hate brain freezes, I had no choice but to eat it slowly. You can be really sneaky sometimes. I finally finish it and begin to watch the next video clue.
“Good job Taeminnie. I knew you’d be able to get it if you thought hard enough. I haven’t forgot though. You probably have, but I haven’t. That ice cream you ate was the exact same thing you ordered back then. And you have a little something here,” you wipe at the corner of your lip and I imitate the move. I look down at my finger and sure enough there’s a bit of ice cream on it, “See I told you. On to the important part right?”
This time the things on the screen are familiar to me right away. You’re in a retail shop. I can tell by all the clothes, shoes, and accessories filling the screen. This was an easy clue because it was a shop that we used to go to all the time. I still try to go there whenever I can now, but it’s getting harder to go out in public nowadays. That shop has the best things though.
“I’m sure you’re able to recognize this place right away. You’re probably thinking why I picked such an easy place after you had to think awhile for the ice cream shop, but I do have my reasons. This was the place where I first realized that I like you more than just my dongsaeng.”
*~*
I make it to the little shop in about 20 minutes. It was less of a hassle to travel by foot than hail a cab. The moment I step into the store, I can’t help but smile. I browse the racks with my eyes as I walk to the counter. I try not to get distracted by the various clothing articles that catch my eye. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t here to shop. Although I did make a mental note that next time we have a free day, you’re taking me back here.
“Long time no see Taemin,” the owner greets me with a smile.
“I’m surprised you still remember me,” I laugh.
“If anything it’s hard for me to forget you now that you’re an idol,” he responds.
I can’t help but blush and give a shy smile in response, “So I guess you know why I’m here.”
“Yup,” he reaches down behind the counter and pulls out a bag, “For you.”
I give him a confused look as I take it from him, “I’m not here to shop.”
“I know. Look at the tag,” he points to the bright blue tag hanging from one of the bag’s straps.
Remember this bag?
You were eyeing it
the last time we were here.
You moped for weeks
because you regretted
not buying it.
Well its yours now.
Love, Your Bubs ^^
I flip the tag over and see the SD card taped there. Again I carefully ripe off the tape to retrieve it and place it in the camcorder.
“You like the bag? And you thought I wasn’t paying attention. Of course I was. I actually came back the next day to buy it for you. I was just waiting for the perfect time to give it to you. I guess that time is now. I won’t keep you waiting any longer; I know your patience is starting to wear out. But I know that you’re having fun at the same time,” you film your surroundings again, “I guess you can say this is a pretty easy one too. It’s pretty obvious why I’m here right? If we never came here, there would be no ‘us.’ You wouldn’t believe how nervous I was before confessing to you. I was a wreck to say the least. What about you? Were you a wreck that night too?”
*~*
I was led to several more places. Where we confessed to each other, our first date, our first kiss, and where we exchanged ‘I love yous’ for the first time. And at every single place there was a small gift left along with a sweet note and SD card. The last clue led me to the roof of the building our dorm was located in.
I impatiently tapped my foot as I rode the elevator up. It seemed like it was going extremely slow today. Not caring that I needed to get to the roof as soon as possible. I watched as each floor slowly lit up as we passed them.
“Come on!” I yell.
And after what seems like an eternity the elevator finally dings and opens up to the small hallway that leads out to the roof. I walk out and my stomach is immediately swarming with butterflies. I don’t know what it was, but I was extremely nervous to go out onto the roof. I had to stand there for a few minutes trying to steady my breathing and beating heart. Why was I so nervous all of a sudden?
I take one last deep breath as my hand makes contact with the cool metal of the door handle. I slowly apply pressure to it and push the door open. I didn’t realize I was closing my eyes, until I was slowly opening it to look around the roof.
I saw you standing next to an immaculately set table with a cheesy grin on your face. I look you over once and realize that you’re holding up a large poster. I take a moment to read it before stepping towards you.
What did I do to deserve you putting up with me?
Whatever I did I’m thankful everyday
I haven’t lost it and I’m not losing you
I’ll try my best, baby please don’t go
Whatever you want, I’ll be there
Whatever I have, I will share
Whenever you cry yourself to sleep I’ll dry your eyes
Whatever you think, I will think
Whatever you say, I will say
Because this is BUILT TO LAST
Love, YOUR CHOI MINHO ^^
“Happy Anniversary Baby,” you smile at me and I can’t help the tears that begin to fall from my eyes. I rush over to you and jump into your waiting arms. You hug me tight before placing me on my feet.
“I love you and I’m sorry for freaking out on you,” I whisper as I bring our foreheads to meet.
“All is forgiven. I love you too,” you bring your lips to mine. It was the sweetest kiss we’ve ever shared. One that was filled with nothing but love. And a little bit of my tears. But they were happy tears.
“So this is what you’ve been up to for the past few weeks?” I ask as you lead me to the table and we sit down.
“Yup,” you grin, “Surprised you huh?”
“That’s putting it lightly. But what anniversary is this? We became a couple in October, it’s only June.”
“Have you really forgotten? That hurts Taeminnie,” you grab at you chest and pretend to faint.
“I’m sorry babe.”
“It’s okay. I actually wasn’t expecting you to know why today is our anniversary. I mean it’s not as important as the day you said yes to becoming my boyfriend. But it’s still important.”
“Well are you going to tell me why today is so special?”
“Yes, your patience is pretty much shot now huh?”
“Minho!” I slap you arm.
“Ow, no need to get violent,” you rub the spot I hit, “Today exactly three years ago we confessed to each other. You remember now?”
“Wait,” I think to myself, slowly going over the dates, “Oh my goodness. You’re right. Baby.”
You give me a cheesy smile and I lean in to kiss you, “Now do you believe how much I love you? I’ve been bitten, shot, harpooned, or however you want to call it. I’m a goner in the love department and it’s all because of you.”
“Geez thanks, I think,” you laugh at my facially expression.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way though. Now eat up before the food gets cold.”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being you. Sweet, cheesy, detail-oriented you. And I’m sorry that I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s okay, you can make it up to me later tonight,” you give me a wink and lightly kick you under the table, “Again with the violence!”