Magic Words; Onew/Taemin
"in which Taemin struggles to thank Onew for how much he’s supported him over the years"
Author's Note: written for the above prompt. this is the second ontae i've written... and i failed horribly at showing how Taemin struggled but yeeeah. :/ hopefully it'll still be an enjoyable read! thanks for clicking on this short fic and i hope you'll like it! (:
Taemin ah, all the best for your last stage!
Sorry, hyung can’t be there but I know you’ll do well.
Come back safely. ^^
Jinki is in his room, trying to clear an important level of his computer game, when the door opens. He thinks it’s either Minho or Kibum coming in to tell him that dinner is ready and so he doesn’t bother pausing the game and keeps his attention on his laptop. He’s ready to give a noncommittal reply, just waiting for one of their voices to sound, when a pair of arms wrap around his shoulders from behind. It’s a familiar feeling and Jinki knows exactly who it is. Smiling, he playfully shakes his shoulders to get the arms off him but instead, feels a light kiss on his neck. It’s then Jinki knows it is game over. He gives up concentrating on advancing to the next stage, lets his character get killed by the enemy, and turns around in his seat.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” Jinki asks, as he finds himself amused by the grin that greets him when his eyes meet Taemin’s.
“I am home.” Taemin simply replies, lazing comfortably on Jinki’s bed.
“You know what I mean.”
Taemin hums, not giving an exact reply as he just continues to look at Jinki thoughtfully.
Knowing that Taemin’s family is probably expecting him at home, Jinki continues to ask, “Why are you here anyway?”
Taemin shrugs, “I guess I just missed you more?”
The maknae then reaches out to grab Jinki by the wrist and pulls him forward.
“Taemin ah…” Jinki is out of his chair, in an awkward position, wondering what Taemin is trying to do.
“Lie down with me.” Taemin says, tugging on Jinki’s wrist and urging him to join him on the bed.
Jinki looks at Taemin for a moment before he gives in with a defeated smile. As soon as he lies down, Taemin is invading his personal space and hugging him like a koala bear. Jinki has to admit, it’s a really nice feeling to be hugged (especially by Taemin) and so, he lets the maknae have his way with him. It’s silent for a while, both of them comfortable enough to fall asleep, until Taemin murmurs against his shoulder.
“Hyung…”
“Hmm?”
There’s a slight pause, only the sounds of their breathing, before Taemin shakes his head and sighs.
“Never mind…”
Jinki doesn’t push Taemin to speak his mind. He’s never been the type to force someone to talk. Instead, Jinki simply nods and presses a kiss on the side of Taemin’s forehead.
“Welcome home, baby.”
Taemin slowly opens his eyes and realises he has fallen asleep. When, he doesn’t know, but he definitely must have been more tired than he thought he was. Jinki’s room is completely dark by then and Taemin wakes up alone. He suspects his hyung had every intention to let him catch a good sleep, most probably leaving the room after he fell asleep and making sure to turn off the lights. The maknae rubs his face and then stretches his limbs before he finally gets off the bed and groggily walks towards the living room. The television is on but there’s no one there. In fact, he can even see that Minho and Kibum aren’t in the dorm anymore considering how their room doors are left open so it’s just Jinki and him. Upon hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, Taemin drags his feet towards the direction of the sounds and finally finds who he is looking for.
Taemin settles down in the dining room, sitting at a spot that gives a good view of Jinki in the kitchen. He doesn’t have to go in to know that his hyung is preparing some food for him to eat. Even if it’s just warming up the food that their dorm ahjumma has earlier prepared, Taemin is more than thankful that he has always been cared for by Jinki ever since they were trainees. It may seem natural for Jinki to take care of him since he is the maknae and Jinki, the leader, but Taemin knows the elder isn’t obliged to do so. It’s no secret that Jinki always feels like he doesn’t do enough for not just Taemin but also the rest of the members; in fact, it may seem that way since Jinki doesn’t actually have much to do when everyone is very much capable of taking care of themselves. Still, Taemin wishes Jinki knows just how much he has helped him come this far not only as an idol, but also as a person. From practicing with him on the rooftop during pre-debut days, guiding him with his singing during debut and creating opportunities for him to shine on stage, to encouraging and supporting him through his individual activities in his little ways (like the message he sent the night before), Jinki has always been there with Taemin every step of the way.
It’s moments like this that Taemin feels he’s the luckiest man on earth. To be loved by Jinki, and to love Jinki, is an absolute blessing. If only he was more expressive, then at least Jinki would know how thankful he is to have him in his life. Sometimes, the closer you are to someone, the harder it is to say the simplest things, like ‘I love you’ and ‘thank you’. It doesn’t help that you’ll even start to take things for granted. Taemin knows he hasn’t said or done much to show how much he cares and loves Jinki; and trust him he wants to… but it really isn’t easy to say the words out loud.
Lost in his thoughts, Taemin doesn’t realise that he has been caught staring until Jinki comes so close that Taemin’s entire vision is suddenly filled with Jinki’s face.
“Hyung!” Taemin gasps, jerking back, his hand now on his chest.
Jinki grins, a tad too happy that he has managed to scare Taemin so easily, “What are you staring at?”
Taemin clears his throat, feeling a blush rising on his cheeks, and rubs his nose embarrassedly.
“Nothing…”
“You seem like you have a lot on your mind…” Jinki points out.
Taemin catches his bottom lip between his teeth, not knowing what to say in reply.
“Everything alright?” Jinki is starting to feel a little worried about Taemin.
Taemin looks at Jinki and a smile naturally tugs on his lips, “Everything’s perfect, hyung.”
Jinki raises his eyebrows, “You’re acting weird.”
Taemin shrugs and decides to change the topic, “What’s there to eat?”
“Oh right!” Jinki quickly turns around and heads back to the kitchen.
A couple of minutes later, he returns with a plate of kimchi bokkeumbap and places it in front of Taemin.
“You cooked?” Taemin asked, surprised at his dinner.
From what he knows, the dorm ahjumma will never cook something this simple unless requested; especially if there’s Minho around for dinner, it is highly unlikely that they’ll just be having a plate of fried rice to fill their stomachs.
Jinki nods, “Ahjumma didn’t know you’ll be here so she didn’t cook your share and we had no leftovers. So this is what you’re getting… at least I can assure you that it doesn’t contain honey or milk?”
Taemin huffs, “Hyung, how many times do I have to tell you that was my special ramen?”
Jinki smiles dotingly at Taemin, “Alright alright, eat the food before it gets cold. I’ll be in the kitchen cleaning up.”
Taemin nods and picks up his chopsticks and spoon to start eating as Jinki returns to the kitchen. He takes one good spoonful of rice, slowly chews it and swallows it down. At that moment, he feels truly blessed.
Taemin can’t lie. He really shouldn’t be this touched eating something as simple as kimchi bokkeumbap but he is; there aren’t tears in his eyes but he can’t stop the blinding smile that is spreading across his face. It’s not that the kimchi bokkeumbap tastes fantastic (nothing beats the one his mother cooks). It is the fact that it’s made by Jinki that makes the rice taste all the more delicious, so delicious that it only takes around 10 minutes to finish his dinner.
Taemin doesn’t finish everything on the plate though. In fact, it proves to be difficult (considering how much Taemin is enjoying his dinner) but he purposely leaves about three spoonfuls of rice on the white plate. He quickly begins rearranging the grains of rice into Hangul to make a message for Jinki. When he’s satisfied with how it looks on the plate, Taemin stands up, taking the plate with him, and joins Jinki in the kitchen. He finds Jinki cleaning the table top and comes beside him to place the plate in front of Jinki.
“What-” Jinki is slightly surprised as he naturally looks down at the plate that has suddenly appeared in his sight.
고마워
“For everything, hyung.” Taemin simply says before he quickly leaves the kitchen and hides himself in his own room, hoping Jinki would come in later when he’s feeling less awkward.
A smile grows on Jinki’s face as he shakes his head and laughs. If this is what the maknae has been struggling to tell him, he officially declares he has the cutest boyfriend on earth.
You see, it really is fine if Jinki loses his game or misses the chance to set a new record as long as it’s Taemin who’s disturbing him. It also doesn’t matter that Jinki has to cook and even clean up the kitchen after. Everything is worth it; because Taemin is just worth it.
Author's Note: written for the above prompt. this is the second ontae i've written... and i failed horribly at showing how Taemin struggled but yeeeah. :/ hopefully it'll still be an enjoyable read! thanks for clicking on this short fic and i hope you'll like it! (:
Taemin ah, all the best for your last stage!
Sorry, hyung can’t be there but I know you’ll do well.
Come back safely. ^^
Jinki is in his room, trying to clear an important level of his computer game, when the door opens. He thinks it’s either Minho or Kibum coming in to tell him that dinner is ready and so he doesn’t bother pausing the game and keeps his attention on his laptop. He’s ready to give a noncommittal reply, just waiting for one of their voices to sound, when a pair of arms wrap around his shoulders from behind. It’s a familiar feeling and Jinki knows exactly who it is. Smiling, he playfully shakes his shoulders to get the arms off him but instead, feels a light kiss on his neck. It’s then Jinki knows it is game over. He gives up concentrating on advancing to the next stage, lets his character get killed by the enemy, and turns around in his seat.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” Jinki asks, as he finds himself amused by the grin that greets him when his eyes meet Taemin’s.
“I am home.” Taemin simply replies, lazing comfortably on Jinki’s bed.
“You know what I mean.”
Taemin hums, not giving an exact reply as he just continues to look at Jinki thoughtfully.
Knowing that Taemin’s family is probably expecting him at home, Jinki continues to ask, “Why are you here anyway?”
Taemin shrugs, “I guess I just missed you more?”
The maknae then reaches out to grab Jinki by the wrist and pulls him forward.
“Taemin ah…” Jinki is out of his chair, in an awkward position, wondering what Taemin is trying to do.
“Lie down with me.” Taemin says, tugging on Jinki’s wrist and urging him to join him on the bed.
Jinki looks at Taemin for a moment before he gives in with a defeated smile. As soon as he lies down, Taemin is invading his personal space and hugging him like a koala bear. Jinki has to admit, it’s a really nice feeling to be hugged (especially by Taemin) and so, he lets the maknae have his way with him. It’s silent for a while, both of them comfortable enough to fall asleep, until Taemin murmurs against his shoulder.
“Hyung…”
“Hmm?”
There’s a slight pause, only the sounds of their breathing, before Taemin shakes his head and sighs.
“Never mind…”
Jinki doesn’t push Taemin to speak his mind. He’s never been the type to force someone to talk. Instead, Jinki simply nods and presses a kiss on the side of Taemin’s forehead.
“Welcome home, baby.”
Taemin slowly opens his eyes and realises he has fallen asleep. When, he doesn’t know, but he definitely must have been more tired than he thought he was. Jinki’s room is completely dark by then and Taemin wakes up alone. He suspects his hyung had every intention to let him catch a good sleep, most probably leaving the room after he fell asleep and making sure to turn off the lights. The maknae rubs his face and then stretches his limbs before he finally gets off the bed and groggily walks towards the living room. The television is on but there’s no one there. In fact, he can even see that Minho and Kibum aren’t in the dorm anymore considering how their room doors are left open so it’s just Jinki and him. Upon hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, Taemin drags his feet towards the direction of the sounds and finally finds who he is looking for.
Taemin settles down in the dining room, sitting at a spot that gives a good view of Jinki in the kitchen. He doesn’t have to go in to know that his hyung is preparing some food for him to eat. Even if it’s just warming up the food that their dorm ahjumma has earlier prepared, Taemin is more than thankful that he has always been cared for by Jinki ever since they were trainees. It may seem natural for Jinki to take care of him since he is the maknae and Jinki, the leader, but Taemin knows the elder isn’t obliged to do so. It’s no secret that Jinki always feels like he doesn’t do enough for not just Taemin but also the rest of the members; in fact, it may seem that way since Jinki doesn’t actually have much to do when everyone is very much capable of taking care of themselves. Still, Taemin wishes Jinki knows just how much he has helped him come this far not only as an idol, but also as a person. From practicing with him on the rooftop during pre-debut days, guiding him with his singing during debut and creating opportunities for him to shine on stage, to encouraging and supporting him through his individual activities in his little ways (like the message he sent the night before), Jinki has always been there with Taemin every step of the way.
It’s moments like this that Taemin feels he’s the luckiest man on earth. To be loved by Jinki, and to love Jinki, is an absolute blessing. If only he was more expressive, then at least Jinki would know how thankful he is to have him in his life. Sometimes, the closer you are to someone, the harder it is to say the simplest things, like ‘I love you’ and ‘thank you’. It doesn’t help that you’ll even start to take things for granted. Taemin knows he hasn’t said or done much to show how much he cares and loves Jinki; and trust him he wants to… but it really isn’t easy to say the words out loud.
Lost in his thoughts, Taemin doesn’t realise that he has been caught staring until Jinki comes so close that Taemin’s entire vision is suddenly filled with Jinki’s face.
“Hyung!” Taemin gasps, jerking back, his hand now on his chest.
Jinki grins, a tad too happy that he has managed to scare Taemin so easily, “What are you staring at?”
Taemin clears his throat, feeling a blush rising on his cheeks, and rubs his nose embarrassedly.
“Nothing…”
“You seem like you have a lot on your mind…” Jinki points out.
Taemin catches his bottom lip between his teeth, not knowing what to say in reply.
“Everything alright?” Jinki is starting to feel a little worried about Taemin.
Taemin looks at Jinki and a smile naturally tugs on his lips, “Everything’s perfect, hyung.”
Jinki raises his eyebrows, “You’re acting weird.”
Taemin shrugs and decides to change the topic, “What’s there to eat?”
“Oh right!” Jinki quickly turns around and heads back to the kitchen.
A couple of minutes later, he returns with a plate of kimchi bokkeumbap and places it in front of Taemin.
“You cooked?” Taemin asked, surprised at his dinner.
From what he knows, the dorm ahjumma will never cook something this simple unless requested; especially if there’s Minho around for dinner, it is highly unlikely that they’ll just be having a plate of fried rice to fill their stomachs.
Jinki nods, “Ahjumma didn’t know you’ll be here so she didn’t cook your share and we had no leftovers. So this is what you’re getting… at least I can assure you that it doesn’t contain honey or milk?”
Taemin huffs, “Hyung, how many times do I have to tell you that was my special ramen?”
Jinki smiles dotingly at Taemin, “Alright alright, eat the food before it gets cold. I’ll be in the kitchen cleaning up.”
Taemin nods and picks up his chopsticks and spoon to start eating as Jinki returns to the kitchen. He takes one good spoonful of rice, slowly chews it and swallows it down. At that moment, he feels truly blessed.
Taemin can’t lie. He really shouldn’t be this touched eating something as simple as kimchi bokkeumbap but he is; there aren’t tears in his eyes but he can’t stop the blinding smile that is spreading across his face. It’s not that the kimchi bokkeumbap tastes fantastic (nothing beats the one his mother cooks). It is the fact that it’s made by Jinki that makes the rice taste all the more delicious, so delicious that it only takes around 10 minutes to finish his dinner.
Taemin doesn’t finish everything on the plate though. In fact, it proves to be difficult (considering how much Taemin is enjoying his dinner) but he purposely leaves about three spoonfuls of rice on the white plate. He quickly begins rearranging the grains of rice into Hangul to make a message for Jinki. When he’s satisfied with how it looks on the plate, Taemin stands up, taking the plate with him, and joins Jinki in the kitchen. He finds Jinki cleaning the table top and comes beside him to place the plate in front of Jinki.
“What-” Jinki is slightly surprised as he naturally looks down at the plate that has suddenly appeared in his sight.
고마워
“For everything, hyung.” Taemin simply says before he quickly leaves the kitchen and hides himself in his own room, hoping Jinki would come in later when he’s feeling less awkward.
A smile grows on Jinki’s face as he shakes his head and laughs. If this is what the maknae has been struggling to tell him, he officially declares he has the cutest boyfriend on earth.
You see, it really is fine if Jinki loses his game or misses the chance to set a new record as long as it’s Taemin who’s disturbing him. It also doesn’t matter that Jinki has to cook and even clean up the kitchen after. Everything is worth it; because Taemin is just worth it.