Chanced Upon Love; Minho/Key
When the paths of Minho and Key cross because there's always a possibility that exists no matter how small.
Author's Note: I honestly don't even know how i can describe this. No direction whatsoever but i guess it can be categorised as slice of life plus (failed) comedy and a whole lot of fluff? college/university AU as well. i liked how it turned out though, so i'm just going to go ahead and post this. i hope you do too! minkey's just been so adorable lately and i can't seem to get away from writing fluff. you'll notice that i incorporated one or two minkey moments into the story, see if you can spot them. ;) wow, long author's note is long (plus there is a probability i might be talking to myself, awkward. haha). so if you've found your way here, thanks for clicking this story and i hope you enjoy the read! comments would make my day! ^^
The first time Kim Kibum met Choi Minho was when he was waiting in the dance studio for club activities to start. He had been the first one to arrive and was just placing his stuff down at one corner of the studio when he heard the door open and the footsteps that followed.
“Minho hyung, I’m fine. You really don’t have to accompany me anymore.”
The voice that sounded in the silent studio belonged to Lee Taemin, Kibum’s favourite dongsaeng, who was limping into the studio with the help of a tall man who logically was named Minho. His height was all Kibum could take in for now because the way Taemin was wobbling his way in had caught Kibum’s entire attention. Kibum immediately rushed forward, naturally holding Taemin around the waist to help the younger to the nearest chair (Minho was on the other side holding Taemin by his arm).
“Taemin, what happened?!”
“Not you now, Key hyung.” The maknae groaned but didn’t resist Kibum’s effort to help him. “I think I sprained my ankle when I missed a step down the stairs just now but I’m alright, really. Please don’t make such a big deal out of this.”
Kibum sighed and was about to nag when a distinctively low voice spoke before him.
“You need first aid.”
With the help of both Kibum and Minho, Taemin settled down into the chair and looked up at his two hyungs that were obviously worried for him. However, instead of caring about his twisted ankle, the mischievous 18 year old shifted the attention away from his injury to his two hyungs (he really hated being babied by his hyungs).
“Have you two met?”
Both Kibum and Minho looked at each other for the first time and shook their heads.
“Taemin, you-“
“Key hyung! This is Minho hyung, he lives around my area so we sort of grew up together. Minho hyung, this is Key hyung, I call him Key because, umm well, if you get to know him, you’ll understand why, but his real name is Kibum and he’s like my umma. You two are the same age actually so why don’t you make friends?”
And that was how Kibum and Minho awkwardly met each other… over Taemin’s sprained ankle.
**
If Kibum were to think about it, there was absolutely no need for Taemin to introduce them to each other. Kibum and Minho would never have met in their everyday lives. Kibum knew nothing about Minho but he knew enough to know that they were like parallel lines, never going to cross each other at all. After all, it did take so long for them to finally cross one another’s paths after not knowing about the other’s existence for their entire 21 years of life. Then again, if that was the case, then the word ‘possibility’ would cease to exist, wouldn’t it? Indeed, the chance of them meeting for the second time had presented itself when Kibum had his arms around his boyfriend, his eyes closed and his lips of course occupied with his said boyfriend’s, and suddenly heard someone clearing their throat. No longer feeling his boyfriend’s lips on his, Kibum opened his eyes to see Minho staring at him with a weird look that he could not describe (his boyfriend had already turned around to glare at the intruder). A look that had surprise, shock, sympathy, uneasiness, awkwardness all mix together but more importantly, It was a look that puzzled Kibum, a look that he was curious to understand.
Out of the three of them, his boyfriend was the first to react, pulling away from Kibum and mumbling an “I’ll call you later” before he quickly walked away with his head down. Now, Kibum was confused with his boyfriend’s action. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t been caught kissing before at rather secluded places in their university nor was his boyfriend (or himself for that matter) afraid of others knowing about his sexuality. They were pretty much open about their sexuality and their relationship so Kibum had no clue why his boyfriend scurried away like a frightened mouse. He also didn’t have a clue why Minho was still standing there like a statue with the same look on his face.
“What?” Key snapped, unable to hide his hostility towards Minho. “Never seen two guys kissing before?”
The weird look on Minho’s face disappeared to be replaced with a straight-out troubled expression. After moments of silence, Minho finally cleared his throat and pointed at the direction where Kibum’s boyfriend had left earlier.
“I know him.” Three simple words that Kibum actually had the patience to wait for sounded in the quiet hallway.
“Well, congratulations!” Key placed on the fakest smile he could muster at that moment in time. “You actually know my boyfriend so what do you-“
“I know him as someone else’s boyfriend.”
And that was when Kibum wished he hadn’t met Minho the second time because it was the day his heart broke.
**
For the first time in a very long time, Kibum was at a loss for words. He had something to say about everything, whether sarcastic, witty or sincere but this time round, when he opened the door to his apartment and found Minho standing outside, he lost his ability to speak. He didn’t have to worry about that though since Minho was quick to speak before silence could surround them.
“Hi… Key. I asked Taemin where you lived because I wanted to apologise to you face to face which is why I’m here now so… sorry.”
“Sorry?” A bewildered Kibum managed to force a word out of his mouth.
“I said I’m sorry.” Minho repeated himself.
“No, as in why are you apologising?”
Minho breathed out as he looked everywhere but Kibum’s eyes. “I should have minded my own business.”
“Is this about that day you told me my boyfriend, ex-boyfriend to be accurate, was cheating on me?” This was how Kibum lived his life, he was straightforward as always.
Minho hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. To his surprise, Kibum let out a laugh.
“Then I should say sorry too, for storming off that day because you know, I had a bastard to deal with. Thanks for being honest by the way.”
“Are you alright? You’re not…”
“Sad? Angry? Hurt? I was… yes, depressed actually, but only for that day. Why should I waste my emotions on that fucker right? Besides, I kicked him hard where it hurts the most. Twice.”
Although he was imaging the pain inflicted on Key’s ex-boyfriend, Minho couldn’t contain his laughter.
“I’m still sorry for being so direct with you but I’m glad you’re fine.” Minho said sincerely after he stopped laughing.
“Yeah, me too.” Kibum replied with a genuine smile of his own. “Hey, listen, I was going to grab a bite from the nearby café, wanna join me? I guess I could buy you coffee to thank you for your brutal honesty.”
“Only coffee?” Minho teased.
“Hey, that’s a lot considering how I only know your name. We’re practically strangers.”
“Coffee it is.”
Cliché as it sounds, Kibum and Minho became friends over not only coffee but also sandwiches and fries because Kibum had learnt that Minho has a huge appetite despite his model-like body (which Kibum finally took notice of). Perhaps this was what they meant by the third time’s a charm.
**
Kibum was right. The almighty Key knew right from the start that he and Minho had little in common. Yet, they were like salt and pepper, different in the way they looked and how they came across to others, but commonly together in a pair. The always together part of course was only a recent thing after they became friends. In fact, Kibum felt like he had found a best friend in Minho. Much to Kibum’s surprise, Minho was actually great company to be with outside of school. Note: outside of school. They each had their separate group of friends to begin with and getting to know each other did not mean they changed how they went about their normal lives. Both Kibum and Minho never met each other in their university considering their separate class schedules and club activities. They didn’t make the effort to hang out with each other in the university either. They did, however, often contact each other if they had the free time to meet up. So much so it had even come to the point where they were sick of hanging out outside and decided that crashing each other’s homes was a better idea. Don’t get them wrong though, they weren’t romantically involved. Well, at least not yet. After all, there was only a thin line between friendship and love.
“Mmmmm~” Kibum hummed in satisfaction as he swallowed a mouthful of the rich vanilla ice cream that he had scooped straight out of the take-home tub.
Kibum licked his lips and turned to look at his friend who was sitting next to him on the sofa in his apartment. “Minho, this is sooo good! Eat with me?”
“No thank you. You know I’m not a fan of creamy sweet stuff.” Minho smiled as he declined because he was happy that Kibum was enjoying the sweet treat he got for him.
“Then why did you get a tub?” Kibum asked after swallowing another scoop of ice cream, spoon dangling from his mouth, head tilted to the side like a kid.
“You love it.” Minho shrugged.
“You’re gonna spoil me if you carry on like this.” Key shot a disapproving look at Minho while moving the spoon back into the tub to help himself to another mouthful. “Not that I’m complaining of course.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what I want to do.” Minho muttered his thoughts out loud.
“What? Are you trying to win my heart or something?” Key chuckled at the silliness of his own question and then quickly savoured the spoonful of vanilla ice cream.
“I guess I am.”
In the next second, Minho regretted what he said. But the reason wasn’t because he sounded uncertain about his feelings for Kibum or because he wished his confession could have been rehearsed or at least carried out at a more suitable and appropriate time and place. It was entirely because Kibum had choked on his ice cream upon hearing his words and was trying his best to catch his breath and recover from his coughing fit. Apart from that, let’s just say, it was a very messy scene… if the drops of vanilla on Minho’s face and clothes said anything. Could things get any more disastrous than this?
“Oh my god, did I turn you gay?!”
A high pitched voice entered his ears. Minho closed his eyes in defeat. Apparently, yes was the answer to his question.
**
“I thought you were straight.”
Kibum leaned against the door of his bathroom and passed a clean white towel to Minho who had just finished washing his face and neck.
Muttering a thank you, Minho took the towel and wiped himself dry before turning to look at Kibum with all seriousness. “I’m not.”
“So did I…” Kibum didn’t have to complete his sentence for Minho to know what he wanted to ask.
“I can’t say you did. I can’t say you didn’t either. You just made me realise who I am.”
If Kibum were to be honest, he would say his heart melted at Minho’s confession. But he was the almighty Key so he was going to keep that little fact to himself and pretend that Minho’s words were just like any other casual comment that didn’t make his heart skip a beat. He didn't even think Minho knew the impact of his words on him. True enough, while Kibum was trying to keep his heartbeat at the usual rate, Minho was troubling over the stains on his white shirt.
“Kibum, can I borrow a shirt?”
“Sure.” Kibum didn’t even hesitate to agree. And that was saying a lot since Kibum never shared his clothes with anyone because they meant the world to him.
“Thanks.” Minho let out a sigh of relief and smiled. After which, he quickly pulled off the shirt he was wearing, threw it into the basin and then flipped his hair to the side so that it fell back into place. With that flip, his eyes caught the sight of Kibum still standing at the entrance of the bathroom but now staring at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.
“Kibum?”
“Huh?”
“Shirt?”
“Right.”
Yet, Kibum still didn’t look like he was going to move any time soon.
“Kibum, I don’t think staring at me would make a shirt appear out of nowhere.”
“I know.” Kibum closed his mouth and gulped. “I just wanted to… wanted to appreciate what I’m about to call mine for a while longer.”
“What?”
With a smile threatening to break free, Kibum crossed his arms. “I thought you wanted to win my heart?”
“Yes… but, umm. Sorry, I’m confused.”
“Well, I’m not sure when, perhaps long ago or maybe just now, but you’ve won my heart so I’m just rightfully appreciating what belongs to me right now.” Kibum finally smiled, a little too devious for Minho to understand.
It was only when Minho realised Kibum’s eyes had been looking at his body for an unhealthy amount of time that he understood all of Kibum’s words and expressions. And then it hit Minho that he was no longer single. His clumsy unintentional confession had actually been a success.
**
“I am cupid.”
Taemin declared when he saw Kibum kissing Minho directly on the lips when the latter picked Kibum up at the dance studio after practice was over.
Kibum’s hand naturally found its way into Minho’s as the couple turned towards Taemin.
“Should we thank you, Taemin?” Kibum asked, sarcasm evident in his tone.
“No hyung, dinner would be fine, preferably one that has steak in it.” The maknae grinned.
“Aish, you brat. Where’s your common courtesy?” Kibum reached out to push Taemin on his head.
“Minho hyung~” Taemin knew it was easier to get to Minho with his aegyo. Little did the maknae know, Kibum himself had tricks up his sleeve.
“Baby…” Kibum, using his very own aegyo, leaned into Minho and pouted.
Minho was helpless, defenceless against Kibum’s aegyo but he knew exactly what to do with Taemin.
“Sorry Tae...” I can’t help it. Minho’s unspoken words were obvious as he glanced at Kibum before looking apologetically at his childhood friend.
With his free hand, Kibum flashed a peace sign to Taemin and immediately turned Minho around to make their way out of the dance studio without giving Taemin a chance to whine. Not that he was going to whine anyway because Taemin was more than happy for his two hyungs who were in the midst of stealing kisses from each other as they walked away.
“You guys are disgustingly sweet! Get a room!” Taemin shouted at his hyungs as he chuckled behind his hand. At the back of his mind, the maknae always had this feeling that their paths were meant to cross. All they needed was a little push or in this case, a twisted ankle, his twisted ankle. Taemin couldn’t help but praise himself for missing that step down the stairs.