Twenty Something (2/3)
Title: Twenty Something
Pairing: Keyhyun
Rating: PG-13 (NC-17 overall)
Genre: Slice of life, romance, humor, drama, AU
Word Count: 15,900 (overall)
Summary: Kibum is editor-in-chief at the High Cut building. He meets a homeless man on the way to work one morning; despite them being an unlikely pair, they learn to construct a rather interesting friendship.
The first thing Kibum wakes up to is the shrill sound of a fire alarm.
His eyes fly open before his body races ahead of his mind, brain catching up late as he remembers he has another presence with him in his dwelling now. He shoves off his layers of blankets, confusedly shuffling to the living room, eyes squinting as he'd not yet had the chance to put contacts in.
There's a fog of smoke arising from the kitchen, and Kibum coughs as he flails his arms, reaching for a hand towel draped over the oven's handle. Jonghyun, meanwhile, is cowering, backing into the kitchen counter as Kibum proceeds to flap the rough fabric of the towel, clearing some of the smoke. Ultimately, the alarm shuts off, and for a moment, it is silent, aside from Kibum's breathing and occasional hack.
"Um."
"What the hell were you thinking, setting my house on fire? What on earth were you doing?" Kibum explodes, forever grouchy after waking.
Jonghyun shrinks, arms winding around himself. "I'm sorry." His voice is frail. "I wanted to make you breakfast."
Kibum feels a pang to his heart before his eyes soften. Oh. I'm an asshole.
"I'm sorry for yelling. If you wanted to make breakfast, though, you should have just asked. I would have been happy to help you."
"No," Jonghyun retorts, head shaking. "No. I don't have money to repay you, so I had to do something else. Making breakfast was the only thing I could think to do," he admits as one of his shoulders shrugs, sheepish.
Kibum sighs quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose. He's actually relieved, for once, to not have his contacts in; through his distorted vision he can tell that Jonghyun is still only clad in underwear, though this time without the detail.
"For one, Jonghyun, you're never supposed to cook naked. You need to put on proper clothes, and an apron."
Jonghyun's hands wring in front of his form, and he nods meekly.
Kibum spares a halfhearted glance to the black toast and ruined eggs Jonghyun had tried to make. A simple, western style breakfast, but Kibum appreciates the attempt. His lips turn up more naturally, and he pads over to the coffee table in the living room, reaching for his folded glasses. After slipping them on, he immediately regrets it.
Jonghyun's hair is mussed recklessly, and if Kibum hadn't known any better, he'd say Jonghyun just got done with quite a wild session of morning sex. Kibum's swallow is thick, loud in his ears, and he feels the movement of his Adam's apple nodding.
"Put some clothes on," Kibum demands, feigning sophistication as he clears his throat. "I can't have you walking around the house like that."
"What do I wear?" asks Jonghyun almost nervously, still backed against the kitchen counter.
"I'm sure you'll fit into some of my things. My legs have a couple inches on yours, but." His mouth curls into a foxy smirk.
Jonghyun's jaw drops, clearly offended. "Yah!"
"Don't take it personally," Kibum laughs. "Now c'mon, let's find you something to wear."
Kibum settles on dressing Jonghyun in one of his bigger shirts, allowing for the other man's arms to breathe, as well as a pair of business-casual jeans. It's almost like having a child, Kibum musses, entertained. He'd always had a habit of babying people, though, so Jonghyun really isn't any exception.
Kibum is an active person, so he's prepared to be leaving Jonghyun alone through the majority of his work day. Jonghyun will need to use today to practice, anyway, which Kibum is unwillingly skittish about. Even if he puts up a strong front, Jonghyun is one clumsy guy. He certainly isn't a prodigy or anything, but his alluring features are more than enough to get him into the modeling business.
He has faith in Jonghyun. He'll be just fine.
Kibum glances at the other man as they exit the complex, watches as his steps falter due a misplaced shoelace.
Just fine.
Kibum hands off Jonghyun, much to his relief and misery alike, to some of the modeling crew once the duo reaches their workplace. Jonghyun seems baffled at the abrupt information of being left alone, and his kicked puppy expression aimed toward Kibum no doubt makes the latter's stomach drop. He reassures Jonghyun he'll be fine, and with a brief wave, allows him to be whisked away by the staff. Kibum sighs for the nth time, centering his attention on solely work.
The focus on work wears off after about five minutes, as Kibum's thoughts drift back to the poor klutz who'd been a legitimate homeless man just a couple days ago. He spends about a half hour thinking about that damned guy, worrying uselessly over his well-being.
A half hour somehow morphs into perhaps four hours, his mind jumbled as he blankly edits a column about the admittedly distressing seasonal comebacks some dreadful items are lucky enough to make. He stands from his desk, scratching his head with a huff.
He decides to head downstairs, seeing as his work is done. He'd already sent his intern off to get him coffee, so he prays that a hot cup of said drink will be waiting for him after his little field trip he plans to take.
He spots Jonghyun talking to one of the other models, and to Key's relief, she doesn't seem to be interested. He just worries about Jonghyun; he doesn't think the other man needs a woman in his life so early, after just being introduced into the modeling industry.
He approaches the pair, putting on his killer smile. "Hi!"
"Hello, Kibum-ssi," the woman bows respectively, and Kibum waves his hands with a good-natured chuckle.
"Please, no need for formalities," he insists, pulling Jonghyun to his side.
The female model nods swiftly before nodding to Jonghyun, offering a half-bow which the other man uncertainly returns before she scurries away.
"Did you learn anything new?"
"Lots," Jonghyun admits, lowering his gaze, scuffing his shoe against the floor.
"Oh?" Kibum smiles. "Tell me."
Jonghyun hesitates before those eyebrows of his scrunch together, right on cue. "Why?"
"It's like a test," decides Kibum spur-of-the-moment, nodding to himself. "I have to make sure you know your stuff."
"I...I dunno. I learned, like, poses and stuff."
"So show me."
"What? No."
"Why not? As your legal guardian and personal trainer, I am required to critique your work."
"That's the biggest load of bull," mutters Jonghyun with a snort.
"Fine. Don't show me." He yanks on Jonghyun's arm, leading him toward the exit (he ignores the fact that dragging the other man around is a habit that's undoubtedly beginning to form). "I'll treat you to a drink."
"Come on, Jonghyun-ah, don't be shy," urges Jinki, clapping a hand to said man's back. Poor Jonghyun jolts at the contact, hunched over awkwardly in his bar stool, looking terribly foreign. "Kibum hated this stuff at first, too, but now it's all he orders. You'll like it. Don't tell me you've never had a drink before."
Jonghyun lowers his head, freshly-trimmed bangs falling over his eyes. Jinki eyes him before switching his gaze to the male on the other side of Jonghyun; Kibum, predictably. Kibum meets Jinki's eyes briefly before his teeth proceed to worry his lower lip. Something doesn't feel right, so he waves Jinki's encouragement off.
"He isn't interested, hyung. Just leave him be."
A little sigh of relief leaves Jonghyun's lips as Jinki's hand drops from the shorter man's back. Kibum offers the latter a sympathetic peek, to which he receives no response.
Kibum decides he won't ask about it. If Jonghyun wants to tell him, he'll tell him. Jonghyun trusts him, after all.
Kibum takes a long drink, followed by a (just as long) sigh. Jonghyun trusts him. Oh, how he hopes.
Kibum schedules Jonghyun for many appointments. Rarely does he ever get a call informing him the company will give Jonghyun a try, but things are going along. Jonghyun becomes more natural as the flow of modeling progresses. It's not the most fluid transition, but for having absolutely zero experience and previously being a homeless man, he's doing pretty damn well. Kibum is proud of him, and despite being more or less the man's agent whom he happens to live with, he enjoys their relationship. He feels that it is progressing, too.
Whenever Jonghyun lands an ad on the side of one of the magazine pages endorsing cologne, he celebrates with quite the girlish squawk.
"Jonghyun! Jonghyun-ah, look! Look who's on this page!" He'd been informed that Jonghyun had accomplished this ad by the company, but didn't bother passing the good news to the newbie model, just for the sake of surprising him.
Jonghyun's eyes narrow at the opened magazine that Kibum is flapping in front of his face. Once his vision supposedly focuses on the vertical ad stretched over the expanse of the glossy paper, his eyes widen.
"That's -- that's me!"
"Yeah, damn right it is!"
"Is this a real copy?"
"Yep. Totally legit. I didn't tell you about this because I wanted to surprise you, but yeah. You made the cut. Sure, it isn't the biggest ad, but there you are. Looking as handsome as ever, I might add," mutters Kibum thoughtfully, nodding appreciatively at the flattering shot of his roommate.
"So like. This issue is already out? People all over Korea are seeing my face?"
Kibum grins. "Precisely."
Jonghyun brightens, and Kibum's face softens in response. Jonghyun is happy.
"Oh my god. I don't know how to feel."
"Feel proud, my friend," praises Kibum, palm landing on the knob of Jonghyun's sculpted shoulder. "I know I am."
The two males share coy smiles before their gazes drift, body language unbearably demure.
"So, um. Things will progress from here. If you keep this up, you'll be big in no time."
Jonghyun, still looking bashful, nods curtly. Kibum smiles and pats his shoulder whilst still looking determined, then turns to leave. "I'm gonna get ready for bed."
"Hey, uh...Kibum?"
It's the first time Jonghyun has ever said his name. Kibum stops dead in his tracks, expression something akin to a deer caught in headlights. He regulates his features before looking over his shoulder with expectance, more curious than impatient.
"Thank you," Jonghyun says simply, maintaining eye contact for once.
Kibum's stomach does a little flip, his response crawling up his throat late, and coming out a bit croaked. "No problem. You deserve it."
Jonghyun smiles, then retires to his personal cot.
Kibum had been absolutely right. Within a mere month, Jonghyun gains more and more popularity, and the blossoming model spends less time hunched in front of Kibum's Xbox and more time at work. Kibum enjoys the idea of he and Jonghyun being (technically) co-workers, because he can keep up with the other man, even at work. He can check in on him with just a simple walk downstairs and watch with fond eyes as his friend's amateur modeling career grows all the more professional.
Today, Kibum idly sips his hot coffee, eyes trained on Jonghyun and some female model who are adorned in the new line of swimwear. The girl, or woman, Kibum should say, is quite the curvy one, her cleavage nearly bursting from her bikini top. Kibum narrows his eyes, gaze drifting to his friend. Jonghyun only seems relatively uncomfortable standing beside such a woman, to which Kibum raises a curious eyebrow. Just recently, Jonghyun had come close to passing out whenever female models would approach him. Now, though, the idea doesn't seem to bother him. Kibum's grip on his mug tightens subtly.
Jonghyun is clad in a pair of bright red designer swimming trunks, his torso and completely toned legs (Kibum knew those things were in incredible shape) in full view. The crew had come to find that Jonghyun's body is perfect for modeling, cut and deliciously fit, and they hadn't been shy about taking advantage of such a fact. Jonghyun is now used to his body being on camera, though he still shies away toward the procedure beforehand when they spray his muscles with a bronze gleam. Kibum always remembers to offer a sympathetic chuckle, to which Jonghyun will return tentatively.
Kibum saunters nearer, standing alongside the director who is currently bossing the duo on-set around. Jonghyun meets Kibum's eyes briefly, but the contact doesn't last; Jonghyun honestly isn't uncomfortable with Kibum occasionally watching his shoots. In fact, judging by the way he straightens up, squaring his shoulders a little more, he seems only encouraged by the added presence.
"This has to be sexy," the director commands sternly as he returns behind the photographer. Kibum nibbles his lip, anticipating what will happen. Jonghyun has done gigs with female models before, but never with so much skin showing...
Kibum's watches, jaw clenching a little at the way Jonghyun's big hands clasp to the sides of the petite (yet somehow still super-busty...that's not right) girl. Her arms move in-sync with him, skinny limbs looping around his neck, manicured nails clawing into the back of Jonghyun's head and whoa, whoa, whoa, Kibum did not expect to supervise this type of scene today.
Jonghyun dips his head down, nosing the crook of the girl's neck and the female model tips her head back, eyeing the camera seductively. Kibum sets down his now-lukewarm coffee, face burning with anger.
"Okay, if I may," he butts in, power-walking on-set, uncaring toward the dumbfounded director, photographer and crew, "this looks totally unnatural. It should be more like..." He reaches for Jonghyun's arms, dropping them to the man's sides while the latter proceeds to give him a look reading, 'what the heck do you think you're doing?' Kibum tears the woman's hands from Jonghyun's hair, instead placing them on her hips in a run-of-the-mill pose he just pulled out of his ass.
"There! Much better!" He spins to face the director, nodding proudly. "You were giving off all the wrong vibes with those other poses. I think this is much more appropriate."
"Kibum-ssi, this isn't a damn children's magazine," the director seethes, looking legitimately upset with Kibum for the first time since he'd been promoted to editor-in-chief.
"It looks better like that, though," Kibum decides dully, arms folded.
"Don't tell me how to do my job, Kibum-ssi," argues the director, yanking Kibum off-set and nudging him toward his discarded coffee. "Stop interfering lest you want to lose your job."
Kibum stills. His eyes lock with Jonghyun's, and then the guilt hits him so hard it makes him feel pathetic. He doesn't want Jonghyun to look at him.
"Please excuse my intrusion," he apologizes sincerely, bowing ninety degrees before retreating in humiliation, coffee in hand.
"Jonghyun-ssi, you did a wonderful job!"
"Do you wanna grab some drinks later?"
"We should all go out on a group date!"
Kibum shoves through the throng of people surrounding his roommate, annoyed. This is completely unfair. He'd seen Jonghyun first. Why do all these people suddenly think they're his best friend? If anyone is his best friend, it's Kibum, damn it!
"Sorry to disappoint all of you, but Jonghyun and I have to go home," he fumes, curling his fingers around Jonghyun's wrist and tugging him out of the mess of people. He leads him toward the exit, and for the first time, Jonghyun jerks out of his grip.
Kibum faces him, expression unreadable. "What?" he demands sharply.
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Like what?"
"You know what. You're being all...weird..."
"I'm being weird? How the hell am I being weird? I just wanna go home and eat a nice dinner like we always do. What, you don't want to?"
"Well, I...the others invited me to--"
"Oh, okay," Kibum throws his head back with an airy laugh. "Okay. I get it."
Jonghyun looks confused, hesitant to reply. "You...get what?"
"You're picking them over me," Kibum shrugs simply, flipping his bangs, clearly irked.
"That isn't true!" Jonghyun looks scandalized, almost a little hurt that Kibum would even come to such an assumption.
"I'll be at the apartment. Go have fun."
With that, he leaves the building. He's unwillingly disappointed when Jonghyun doesn't follow.
Kibum busies himself with work, engrossing himself that evening with various errands that could be done much later. But he needs to keep his mind occupied, and the only way to do that is to distract himself with work.
He takes a break after a couple of hours, deciding to start on dinner. Without really noticing himself, he cooks a surplus of meat, simply because Jonghyun normally prefers it that way. Once he sits down at the dining table by himself, though, an entire plate of excess meat forlornly placed in front of him, he sighs. It's only then that he realizes that this is just routine for him, and it's been the first time in perhaps two months that he's sitting alone, eating a meal with no one to share.
Why had he overreacted, anyway? It isn't like Jonghyun had been misbehaving. He had been doing his job, and the staff had been proud of him.
Kibum is more proud, though. He's the one who deserves to treat Jonghyun to dinner and drinks, to congratulate him on his progress...
It's then, as Kibum chews disinterestedly at a piece of pork, that he realizes he is the selfish one here. His acts are done out of his own envy. He's, for the first time in a long time, jealous.
His fists clench around his chopsticks and his eating ceases. Suddenly, his appetite is wandering.
Not a second later does the door click, and in comes Jonghyun. In the middle of taking off his jacket, he pauses, eyes finding Kibum's across the room. Kibum wants to smile and confess everything, say he's sorry and just beg Jonghyun to forgive him, but he seals his lips instead. His stubbornness and strong self-will doesn't allow him to succumb to the guilty urge.
"Evening," Jonghyun greets, hanging his coat on the rack near the entrance.
Kibum nods, continuing to eat despite his stomach's complaints. He doesn't want to eat without Jonghyun's proper company. "Evening. How did your outing go?" he asks, hoping to sound indifferent, greedily wishing Jonghyun had a terrible time so he wouldn't pick the crew over Kibum again.
"It was fun."
"Did you drink?"
"No," Jonghyun mutters, padding into the kitchen, back to Kibum as he washes his hands wordlessly. Kibum's eyes lift from his plate, staring intensely at the other man's back. He bites his lip, the guilt back in full throttle.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't drink," Jonghyun retorts almost sharply, sending Kibum a cautioning glance, as if warning him to not push it. "You know that."
Kibum shrugs, poking the head of his chopsticks into his meat, unaware that it's probably gone cold by now. "Whatever. I'm pretty sure that you're supposed to drink when you go out with your friends, though."
Kibum's words seem to strike a nerve in Jonghyun. "Why the hell are you going on about this? This is so unlike you."
"Oh, it's unlike me, is it?" Kibum's eyebrows jerk upwards haughtily. "I don't want to talk about this. It was unlike you to pick those strangers over me."
"How can you be mad at me over something like this?" Jonghyun raises his voice, advancing toward the dining table, giving Kibum a look that implies he's prepared for the worst. Kibum hesitates; this is the first time Jonghyun has really defended himself.
"I'm not mad, just disappointed," Kibum murmurs, standing up with his semi-clean plate, walking around Jonghyun to dump the leftovers in the trash. His teeth sink into his lower lip as he places the plate in the sink, running the water. That isn't true. I'm so proud of you.
"Disappointed? I made you disappointed?" Jonghyun sounds more hurt than angry, and Kibum shuts off the water, rotating to look at him. Jonghyun peers over his shoulder, his breathing uneven.
"What the hell did I do wrong? I went out with a couple of friends and tried to get to know them? I did this for you, kid, or don't you remember? You're the one who brought me into this business and encouraged me to become famous. And now that that's finally happening, you're disappointed?"
"You just--" Kibum's self-control cracks as he pounds his fist to the kitchen counter. Jonghyun flinches. "You shouldn't have agreed to do a photo shoot with that girl! Why were you two all over each other?"
"More like, why would you interrupt me when I'm busy with work?" Jonghyun shouts, exasperation in his voice. Kibum can tell he just wants to end this pointless conversation. Kibum wants to, too, but he's too deep now, and his rage is edging out evermore.
"I--I don't fucking know, okay? You made me mad! How dare you kiss that girl's neck?" Kibum yells, and only after the words leave his mouth does he realize how stupid he sounds, and how useless it is to fight over something so petty.
"I don't even know who you fucking are right now," Jonghyun whispers, and that's probably the words that pierce Kibum the most. His eyes dart between both of Jonghyun's, sustaining gazes as both of their chests heave.
"I...f-fuck you," Kibum weakly counters, a lame attempt a comeback, but it's all he has now. "I'm going to bed."
When he resigns to his bedroom, he slams the door. After taking a minute to choke back tears, he throws himself onto his bed, hiking the thick covers over his head, face buried in his pillow.
Kibum wakes up, bleary eyes peeling open as he gazes at the red, blurry numbers displayed on his digital clock. It's three in the morning, a time at which point he usually needs to use the washroom. He drags his hand over his eyes before sitting up begrudgingly, slipping his glasses on.
His sock-clad feet cause the floor to squeak as he opens his bedroom door. His mind conjures up enough common sense to keep his body still when he hears a peculiar noise.
The sound of muffled sobs come from the living room. Kibum's eyes broaden behind his wide-framed glasses, and instinctively, he follows the sound of the crying. The hushed noises immediately cease, but Kibum keeps progressing regardless, walking around the couch. His breath catches.
Jonghyun looks up at him with huge, pathetic eyes, streaks of tears shimmering on his cheeks even in the darkness. He is curled into what resembles fetal position, but hurriedly sits up, furiously scrubbing at his face.
"Jonghyun..." Kibum breathes, at a total loss. "Jonghyun, what's wrong?"
"D-don't look, please," Jonghyun implores in a pitiful whisper, shielding his eyes. "God, please, don't look, you're the last person I want to see me like this."
"You're crying," the blonde's face softens. "What's wrong?" he tries again, unable to leave Jonghyun alone when he's in such a helpless state.
"I--I don't..." Jonghyun genuinely seems to try to carry the conversation, but his words die into a whimper as he buries his face in his hands.
Kibum immediately moves onto the bed, not hesitating to coax Jonghyun toward him, arms wrapping around his broad frame. Jonghyun leans into him without much protest, and although the position is somewhat awkward, Kibum has never been more comfortable.
"Shh," shushes Kibum, rocking Jonghyun in his arms. "Shh, sweetheart, tell me what's wrong..." The endearment just rolls off his tongue spur-of-the-moment, but it doesn't embarrass him. It feels natural, if anything.
"Y-you're disappointed in me," Jonghyun begins, seemingly eager to share his thoughts with his roommate. Kibum rubs slow circles onto his back, free hand falling onto Jonghyun's head, petting his hair as if he were a child. Kibum sort of sees him as one, anyway.
"I'm not disappointed, Jonghyun."
"Let me finish," cuts in the shorter man, and when his fingers curl into the front of Kibum's pajama top, he has no choice but to fall silent.
"When I was fourteen, I dropped out of school. My father left me right after I was born and my mother was an alcoholic. I ended up following in her footsteps, not giving a shit about education. I left my mom's house and started life on my own." He pauses to sniff, and Kibum pulls him a little closer as he sinks into the back of the couch, offering his shirt to Jonghyun. The latter coyly complies, sniffling again as he drags the fabric over his wet eyes.
"I never got to be a teenager. The transition was from middle-schooler to adult. I never got to do anything a normal kid would do because I didn't have any friends or family. I felt like such a disgrace, living on the streets. People looked down at me with pure disgust, but y-you never did." He clears his throat, steadies his breathing. Kibum listens carefully, his heart clenching tighter with each passing second. "And I trusted you. I still trust you. So when the one person I came to like told me he was disappointed in me, I just..."
"Jonghyun, look at me."
Jonghyun shakes his head, burying his face in the blonde's chest. Kibum pries him off, catching Jonghyun's gaze as he cups his face in his hands, searching his eyes. Jonghyun stares back, a watery film lining the bottoms of his chocolate orbs, lashes clumping.
"God, that isn't true. I was just being an asshole. Jonghyun, I'm so, so proud of you."
"Y-you are?" croaks the shorter man, voice cracking.
Kibum tugs Jonghyun into a meaningful embrace. "Yes. Yes, I'm so proud and I'm so sorry I said all of those terrible things to you."
"Why did you, anyway?" wonders Jonghyun, voice more guarded despite his pressing closer to the blonde man.
"I was just...I was jealous," Kibum confesses, ashamed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let it get to me, but...you...you're my Jonghyun. I saw you first," he grumbles immaturely, absentmindedly thumbing the shell of Jonghyun's ear.
Jonghyun lets out a laugh, and Kibum can feel his heart inflating, his poor mood shrinking until he's smiling himself, rocking the buffer man in his arms as he joins him in laughing.
"I-I'm sorry," Jonghyun apologizes once their chuckles die, drawing back, wiping self-consciously at his face. He's smiling, though, and that's enough for Kibum to smile back and shake his head, expression tender.
"Don't be. We're roommates, you know? We're friends. Whenever you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Okay?"
Jonghyun nods rather timidly, forcing out another laugh. "Yeah. Same goes to you."
Kibum bites his lip, mirroring the gesture. "Yeah." He wrings his hands together, eyes darting downward as he clears his throat. "I need to drop by the washroom, so." He stands awkwardly and Jonghyun nods frantically, tugging the afghan over his bare torso, eyes still a little wet with post-tears.
Kibum scampers off to the washroom, his heart racing.
"Kibum, I'm scared," Jonghyun repeats for the nth time today, his hand clinging to said man's, draining it of its color considering how tightly he is clutching onto it.
"Jonghyun, it doesn't hurt, I promise," Kibum assures tenderly, eyeing the piercer who is now cleaning and properly sanitizing his needle, preparing it to puncture Jonghyun's ear lobe.
"I-I can't do this," Jonghyun breathes, squeezing his eyes shut, tensing whenever the piercer patiently marks a small dot on one of his lobes with a marker, moving to center the next one shortly after.
"Jonghyun, be a man!" Kibum scolds, giving him a stern look. Jonghyun blinks.
"When you were out there living on your own, did you get into fights?"
"Yes," Jonghyun confirms weakly, nodding uncertainly.
"And did you let any punks beat you up?"
"No," Jonghyun replies with an edge of confidence.
"Of course you didn't! You gave them all black eyes! You kneed them in their balls! You destroyed them, Jonghyun!"
"I did!" Jonghyun declares proudly, a determination swirling in his bright, more reassured irises.
"So are you gonna let a stupid little needle hurt you?"
"No..." Jonghyun's voice cracks. Kibum now understands that this poor man just has a phobia towards needles. But really, what is a badass male model without some ear jewelry? Lobe piercings aren't painful, anyway (Kibum would know, seeing as he has six piercings altogether).
"You can do it," is the last thing Kibum says before Jonghyun has his hand in a death grip, the click of the tiny gun resonating through the silent parlor.
"They hurt," Jonghyun whines, twirling his new studs, wincing at the sensitivity.
"Don't touch them, idiot," Kibum scolds, swatting Jonghyun's hand away as he takes a seat across from him in the booth of a neighborhood cafe. "You have to let them heal. Then we can give you more," he smirks.
Jonghyun pales, looking as though his appetite had managed to escape despite the wonderfully delicious meal in front of him (that Kibum had so generously paid for).
The blonde man laughs heartily. "What? Don't give me that look. I promise that they'll grow on you. Soon enough, you'll be out getting some all on your own. Getting piercings can become a bit of an addiction if you're bored enough."
"Not when you're scare--" Jonghyun starts, but stops halfway through his thought, shrugging aloofly. "I just...don't really think they look that cool, is all."
Kibum rolls his eyes as his straw finds its way through the seam of his lips, deciding to let Jonghyun off the hook this time.
Nowadays, when he and Jonghyun go out, the two of them receive stares of admiration. Oftentimes, they will overhear girls whispering in thunderstruck tones, wondering under their breaths if Kibum and Jonghyun are a new pair of idols that haven't yet debuted...Kibum can't say he doesn't enjoy it.
"Hey, kid."
"Mm?" Key hums around his straw, phone in hand, scrolling through his Instagram feed. He's grown very used to the nickname by this time.
"When should I...y'know...leave?"
Kibum looks up, blinking. "Huh?"
"I mean...I can't live at your apartment forever. I assumed that once I earned enough money to live all on my own I...would," Jonghyun shrugs.
Well yes, the words are logical, but that doesn't change the fact that they hurt Kibum's heart.
"Oh. Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," Kibum nods, a dull smile lining his lips.
Jonghyun seems to study his expression. He knows Kibum well enough to read him rather well and see through his lies, but he never calls him out on it. Kibum isn't sure if the other man is scared or simply respectful. Or maybe a little bit of both.
"Yeah, and since I'm doing really well now..." Jonghyun clearly doesn't want to finish his sentence as he shifts, staring down at his meal awkwardly.
Kibum nods, stepping in to avoid any strange pauses. "Yeah, yeah. I understand." He offers Jonghyun a weak smile, hardly managing any effort into the way his lips curve upwards. "God, my Jonghyun has grown up so fast."
Jonghyun nudges him under the table with his foot, his smile shy. "Shut up."
"Promise you won't forget me when you become super rich and famous, okay?"
Jonghyun laughs smoothly in that soft, soft way of his and Kibum feels his heart clamp a touch tighter. "Sure, kid," his voice is lightheartedly taunting, "sure."
three.
A/N: part two! hurray! i had fun writing a bit of drama, haha. in the next part, the nc-17 will make its appearance, i promise. ;D thank you for reading!!
Pairing: Keyhyun
Rating: PG-13 (NC-17 overall)
Genre: Slice of life, romance, humor, drama, AU
Word Count: 15,900 (overall)
Summary: Kibum is editor-in-chief at the High Cut building. He meets a homeless man on the way to work one morning; despite them being an unlikely pair, they learn to construct a rather interesting friendship.
The first thing Kibum wakes up to is the shrill sound of a fire alarm.
His eyes fly open before his body races ahead of his mind, brain catching up late as he remembers he has another presence with him in his dwelling now. He shoves off his layers of blankets, confusedly shuffling to the living room, eyes squinting as he'd not yet had the chance to put contacts in.
There's a fog of smoke arising from the kitchen, and Kibum coughs as he flails his arms, reaching for a hand towel draped over the oven's handle. Jonghyun, meanwhile, is cowering, backing into the kitchen counter as Kibum proceeds to flap the rough fabric of the towel, clearing some of the smoke. Ultimately, the alarm shuts off, and for a moment, it is silent, aside from Kibum's breathing and occasional hack.
"Um."
"What the hell were you thinking, setting my house on fire? What on earth were you doing?" Kibum explodes, forever grouchy after waking.
Jonghyun shrinks, arms winding around himself. "I'm sorry." His voice is frail. "I wanted to make you breakfast."
Kibum feels a pang to his heart before his eyes soften. Oh. I'm an asshole.
"I'm sorry for yelling. If you wanted to make breakfast, though, you should have just asked. I would have been happy to help you."
"No," Jonghyun retorts, head shaking. "No. I don't have money to repay you, so I had to do something else. Making breakfast was the only thing I could think to do," he admits as one of his shoulders shrugs, sheepish.
Kibum sighs quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose. He's actually relieved, for once, to not have his contacts in; through his distorted vision he can tell that Jonghyun is still only clad in underwear, though this time without the detail.
"For one, Jonghyun, you're never supposed to cook naked. You need to put on proper clothes, and an apron."
Jonghyun's hands wring in front of his form, and he nods meekly.
Kibum spares a halfhearted glance to the black toast and ruined eggs Jonghyun had tried to make. A simple, western style breakfast, but Kibum appreciates the attempt. His lips turn up more naturally, and he pads over to the coffee table in the living room, reaching for his folded glasses. After slipping them on, he immediately regrets it.
Jonghyun's hair is mussed recklessly, and if Kibum hadn't known any better, he'd say Jonghyun just got done with quite a wild session of morning sex. Kibum's swallow is thick, loud in his ears, and he feels the movement of his Adam's apple nodding.
"Put some clothes on," Kibum demands, feigning sophistication as he clears his throat. "I can't have you walking around the house like that."
"What do I wear?" asks Jonghyun almost nervously, still backed against the kitchen counter.
"I'm sure you'll fit into some of my things. My legs have a couple inches on yours, but." His mouth curls into a foxy smirk.
Jonghyun's jaw drops, clearly offended. "Yah!"
"Don't take it personally," Kibum laughs. "Now c'mon, let's find you something to wear."
Kibum settles on dressing Jonghyun in one of his bigger shirts, allowing for the other man's arms to breathe, as well as a pair of business-casual jeans. It's almost like having a child, Kibum musses, entertained. He'd always had a habit of babying people, though, so Jonghyun really isn't any exception.
Kibum is an active person, so he's prepared to be leaving Jonghyun alone through the majority of his work day. Jonghyun will need to use today to practice, anyway, which Kibum is unwillingly skittish about. Even if he puts up a strong front, Jonghyun is one clumsy guy. He certainly isn't a prodigy or anything, but his alluring features are more than enough to get him into the modeling business.
He has faith in Jonghyun. He'll be just fine.
Kibum glances at the other man as they exit the complex, watches as his steps falter due a misplaced shoelace.
Just fine.
Kibum hands off Jonghyun, much to his relief and misery alike, to some of the modeling crew once the duo reaches their workplace. Jonghyun seems baffled at the abrupt information of being left alone, and his kicked puppy expression aimed toward Kibum no doubt makes the latter's stomach drop. He reassures Jonghyun he'll be fine, and with a brief wave, allows him to be whisked away by the staff. Kibum sighs for the nth time, centering his attention on solely work.
The focus on work wears off after about five minutes, as Kibum's thoughts drift back to the poor klutz who'd been a legitimate homeless man just a couple days ago. He spends about a half hour thinking about that damned guy, worrying uselessly over his well-being.
A half hour somehow morphs into perhaps four hours, his mind jumbled as he blankly edits a column about the admittedly distressing seasonal comebacks some dreadful items are lucky enough to make. He stands from his desk, scratching his head with a huff.
He decides to head downstairs, seeing as his work is done. He'd already sent his intern off to get him coffee, so he prays that a hot cup of said drink will be waiting for him after his little field trip he plans to take.
He spots Jonghyun talking to one of the other models, and to Key's relief, she doesn't seem to be interested. He just worries about Jonghyun; he doesn't think the other man needs a woman in his life so early, after just being introduced into the modeling industry.
He approaches the pair, putting on his killer smile. "Hi!"
"Hello, Kibum-ssi," the woman bows respectively, and Kibum waves his hands with a good-natured chuckle.
"Please, no need for formalities," he insists, pulling Jonghyun to his side.
The female model nods swiftly before nodding to Jonghyun, offering a half-bow which the other man uncertainly returns before she scurries away.
"Did you learn anything new?"
"Lots," Jonghyun admits, lowering his gaze, scuffing his shoe against the floor.
"Oh?" Kibum smiles. "Tell me."
Jonghyun hesitates before those eyebrows of his scrunch together, right on cue. "Why?"
"It's like a test," decides Kibum spur-of-the-moment, nodding to himself. "I have to make sure you know your stuff."
"I...I dunno. I learned, like, poses and stuff."
"So show me."
"What? No."
"Why not? As your legal guardian and personal trainer, I am required to critique your work."
"That's the biggest load of bull," mutters Jonghyun with a snort.
"Fine. Don't show me." He yanks on Jonghyun's arm, leading him toward the exit (he ignores the fact that dragging the other man around is a habit that's undoubtedly beginning to form). "I'll treat you to a drink."
"Come on, Jonghyun-ah, don't be shy," urges Jinki, clapping a hand to said man's back. Poor Jonghyun jolts at the contact, hunched over awkwardly in his bar stool, looking terribly foreign. "Kibum hated this stuff at first, too, but now it's all he orders. You'll like it. Don't tell me you've never had a drink before."
Jonghyun lowers his head, freshly-trimmed bangs falling over his eyes. Jinki eyes him before switching his gaze to the male on the other side of Jonghyun; Kibum, predictably. Kibum meets Jinki's eyes briefly before his teeth proceed to worry his lower lip. Something doesn't feel right, so he waves Jinki's encouragement off.
"He isn't interested, hyung. Just leave him be."
A little sigh of relief leaves Jonghyun's lips as Jinki's hand drops from the shorter man's back. Kibum offers the latter a sympathetic peek, to which he receives no response.
Kibum decides he won't ask about it. If Jonghyun wants to tell him, he'll tell him. Jonghyun trusts him, after all.
Kibum takes a long drink, followed by a (just as long) sigh. Jonghyun trusts him. Oh, how he hopes.
Kibum schedules Jonghyun for many appointments. Rarely does he ever get a call informing him the company will give Jonghyun a try, but things are going along. Jonghyun becomes more natural as the flow of modeling progresses. It's not the most fluid transition, but for having absolutely zero experience and previously being a homeless man, he's doing pretty damn well. Kibum is proud of him, and despite being more or less the man's agent whom he happens to live with, he enjoys their relationship. He feels that it is progressing, too.
Whenever Jonghyun lands an ad on the side of one of the magazine pages endorsing cologne, he celebrates with quite the girlish squawk.
"Jonghyun! Jonghyun-ah, look! Look who's on this page!" He'd been informed that Jonghyun had accomplished this ad by the company, but didn't bother passing the good news to the newbie model, just for the sake of surprising him.
Jonghyun's eyes narrow at the opened magazine that Kibum is flapping in front of his face. Once his vision supposedly focuses on the vertical ad stretched over the expanse of the glossy paper, his eyes widen.
"That's -- that's me!"
"Yeah, damn right it is!"
"Is this a real copy?"
"Yep. Totally legit. I didn't tell you about this because I wanted to surprise you, but yeah. You made the cut. Sure, it isn't the biggest ad, but there you are. Looking as handsome as ever, I might add," mutters Kibum thoughtfully, nodding appreciatively at the flattering shot of his roommate.
"So like. This issue is already out? People all over Korea are seeing my face?"
Kibum grins. "Precisely."
Jonghyun brightens, and Kibum's face softens in response. Jonghyun is happy.
"Oh my god. I don't know how to feel."
"Feel proud, my friend," praises Kibum, palm landing on the knob of Jonghyun's sculpted shoulder. "I know I am."
The two males share coy smiles before their gazes drift, body language unbearably demure.
"So, um. Things will progress from here. If you keep this up, you'll be big in no time."
Jonghyun, still looking bashful, nods curtly. Kibum smiles and pats his shoulder whilst still looking determined, then turns to leave. "I'm gonna get ready for bed."
"Hey, uh...Kibum?"
It's the first time Jonghyun has ever said his name. Kibum stops dead in his tracks, expression something akin to a deer caught in headlights. He regulates his features before looking over his shoulder with expectance, more curious than impatient.
"Thank you," Jonghyun says simply, maintaining eye contact for once.
Kibum's stomach does a little flip, his response crawling up his throat late, and coming out a bit croaked. "No problem. You deserve it."
Jonghyun smiles, then retires to his personal cot.
Kibum had been absolutely right. Within a mere month, Jonghyun gains more and more popularity, and the blossoming model spends less time hunched in front of Kibum's Xbox and more time at work. Kibum enjoys the idea of he and Jonghyun being (technically) co-workers, because he can keep up with the other man, even at work. He can check in on him with just a simple walk downstairs and watch with fond eyes as his friend's amateur modeling career grows all the more professional.
Today, Kibum idly sips his hot coffee, eyes trained on Jonghyun and some female model who are adorned in the new line of swimwear. The girl, or woman, Kibum should say, is quite the curvy one, her cleavage nearly bursting from her bikini top. Kibum narrows his eyes, gaze drifting to his friend. Jonghyun only seems relatively uncomfortable standing beside such a woman, to which Kibum raises a curious eyebrow. Just recently, Jonghyun had come close to passing out whenever female models would approach him. Now, though, the idea doesn't seem to bother him. Kibum's grip on his mug tightens subtly.
Jonghyun is clad in a pair of bright red designer swimming trunks, his torso and completely toned legs (Kibum knew those things were in incredible shape) in full view. The crew had come to find that Jonghyun's body is perfect for modeling, cut and deliciously fit, and they hadn't been shy about taking advantage of such a fact. Jonghyun is now used to his body being on camera, though he still shies away toward the procedure beforehand when they spray his muscles with a bronze gleam. Kibum always remembers to offer a sympathetic chuckle, to which Jonghyun will return tentatively.
Kibum saunters nearer, standing alongside the director who is currently bossing the duo on-set around. Jonghyun meets Kibum's eyes briefly, but the contact doesn't last; Jonghyun honestly isn't uncomfortable with Kibum occasionally watching his shoots. In fact, judging by the way he straightens up, squaring his shoulders a little more, he seems only encouraged by the added presence.
"This has to be sexy," the director commands sternly as he returns behind the photographer. Kibum nibbles his lip, anticipating what will happen. Jonghyun has done gigs with female models before, but never with so much skin showing...
Kibum's watches, jaw clenching a little at the way Jonghyun's big hands clasp to the sides of the petite (yet somehow still super-busty...that's not right) girl. Her arms move in-sync with him, skinny limbs looping around his neck, manicured nails clawing into the back of Jonghyun's head and whoa, whoa, whoa, Kibum did not expect to supervise this type of scene today.
Jonghyun dips his head down, nosing the crook of the girl's neck and the female model tips her head back, eyeing the camera seductively. Kibum sets down his now-lukewarm coffee, face burning with anger.
"Okay, if I may," he butts in, power-walking on-set, uncaring toward the dumbfounded director, photographer and crew, "this looks totally unnatural. It should be more like..." He reaches for Jonghyun's arms, dropping them to the man's sides while the latter proceeds to give him a look reading, 'what the heck do you think you're doing?' Kibum tears the woman's hands from Jonghyun's hair, instead placing them on her hips in a run-of-the-mill pose he just pulled out of his ass.
"There! Much better!" He spins to face the director, nodding proudly. "You were giving off all the wrong vibes with those other poses. I think this is much more appropriate."
"Kibum-ssi, this isn't a damn children's magazine," the director seethes, looking legitimately upset with Kibum for the first time since he'd been promoted to editor-in-chief.
"It looks better like that, though," Kibum decides dully, arms folded.
"Don't tell me how to do my job, Kibum-ssi," argues the director, yanking Kibum off-set and nudging him toward his discarded coffee. "Stop interfering lest you want to lose your job."
Kibum stills. His eyes lock with Jonghyun's, and then the guilt hits him so hard it makes him feel pathetic. He doesn't want Jonghyun to look at him.
"Please excuse my intrusion," he apologizes sincerely, bowing ninety degrees before retreating in humiliation, coffee in hand.
"Jonghyun-ssi, you did a wonderful job!"
"Do you wanna grab some drinks later?"
"We should all go out on a group date!"
Kibum shoves through the throng of people surrounding his roommate, annoyed. This is completely unfair. He'd seen Jonghyun first. Why do all these people suddenly think they're his best friend? If anyone is his best friend, it's Kibum, damn it!
"Sorry to disappoint all of you, but Jonghyun and I have to go home," he fumes, curling his fingers around Jonghyun's wrist and tugging him out of the mess of people. He leads him toward the exit, and for the first time, Jonghyun jerks out of his grip.
Kibum faces him, expression unreadable. "What?" he demands sharply.
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Like what?"
"You know what. You're being all...weird..."
"I'm being weird? How the hell am I being weird? I just wanna go home and eat a nice dinner like we always do. What, you don't want to?"
"Well, I...the others invited me to--"
"Oh, okay," Kibum throws his head back with an airy laugh. "Okay. I get it."
Jonghyun looks confused, hesitant to reply. "You...get what?"
"You're picking them over me," Kibum shrugs simply, flipping his bangs, clearly irked.
"That isn't true!" Jonghyun looks scandalized, almost a little hurt that Kibum would even come to such an assumption.
"I'll be at the apartment. Go have fun."
With that, he leaves the building. He's unwillingly disappointed when Jonghyun doesn't follow.
Kibum busies himself with work, engrossing himself that evening with various errands that could be done much later. But he needs to keep his mind occupied, and the only way to do that is to distract himself with work.
He takes a break after a couple of hours, deciding to start on dinner. Without really noticing himself, he cooks a surplus of meat, simply because Jonghyun normally prefers it that way. Once he sits down at the dining table by himself, though, an entire plate of excess meat forlornly placed in front of him, he sighs. It's only then that he realizes that this is just routine for him, and it's been the first time in perhaps two months that he's sitting alone, eating a meal with no one to share.
Why had he overreacted, anyway? It isn't like Jonghyun had been misbehaving. He had been doing his job, and the staff had been proud of him.
Kibum is more proud, though. He's the one who deserves to treat Jonghyun to dinner and drinks, to congratulate him on his progress...
It's then, as Kibum chews disinterestedly at a piece of pork, that he realizes he is the selfish one here. His acts are done out of his own envy. He's, for the first time in a long time, jealous.
His fists clench around his chopsticks and his eating ceases. Suddenly, his appetite is wandering.
Not a second later does the door click, and in comes Jonghyun. In the middle of taking off his jacket, he pauses, eyes finding Kibum's across the room. Kibum wants to smile and confess everything, say he's sorry and just beg Jonghyun to forgive him, but he seals his lips instead. His stubbornness and strong self-will doesn't allow him to succumb to the guilty urge.
"Evening," Jonghyun greets, hanging his coat on the rack near the entrance.
Kibum nods, continuing to eat despite his stomach's complaints. He doesn't want to eat without Jonghyun's proper company. "Evening. How did your outing go?" he asks, hoping to sound indifferent, greedily wishing Jonghyun had a terrible time so he wouldn't pick the crew over Kibum again.
"It was fun."
"Did you drink?"
"No," Jonghyun mutters, padding into the kitchen, back to Kibum as he washes his hands wordlessly. Kibum's eyes lift from his plate, staring intensely at the other man's back. He bites his lip, the guilt back in full throttle.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't drink," Jonghyun retorts almost sharply, sending Kibum a cautioning glance, as if warning him to not push it. "You know that."
Kibum shrugs, poking the head of his chopsticks into his meat, unaware that it's probably gone cold by now. "Whatever. I'm pretty sure that you're supposed to drink when you go out with your friends, though."
Kibum's words seem to strike a nerve in Jonghyun. "Why the hell are you going on about this? This is so unlike you."
"Oh, it's unlike me, is it?" Kibum's eyebrows jerk upwards haughtily. "I don't want to talk about this. It was unlike you to pick those strangers over me."
"How can you be mad at me over something like this?" Jonghyun raises his voice, advancing toward the dining table, giving Kibum a look that implies he's prepared for the worst. Kibum hesitates; this is the first time Jonghyun has really defended himself.
"I'm not mad, just disappointed," Kibum murmurs, standing up with his semi-clean plate, walking around Jonghyun to dump the leftovers in the trash. His teeth sink into his lower lip as he places the plate in the sink, running the water. That isn't true. I'm so proud of you.
"Disappointed? I made you disappointed?" Jonghyun sounds more hurt than angry, and Kibum shuts off the water, rotating to look at him. Jonghyun peers over his shoulder, his breathing uneven.
"What the hell did I do wrong? I went out with a couple of friends and tried to get to know them? I did this for you, kid, or don't you remember? You're the one who brought me into this business and encouraged me to become famous. And now that that's finally happening, you're disappointed?"
"You just--" Kibum's self-control cracks as he pounds his fist to the kitchen counter. Jonghyun flinches. "You shouldn't have agreed to do a photo shoot with that girl! Why were you two all over each other?"
"More like, why would you interrupt me when I'm busy with work?" Jonghyun shouts, exasperation in his voice. Kibum can tell he just wants to end this pointless conversation. Kibum wants to, too, but he's too deep now, and his rage is edging out evermore.
"I--I don't fucking know, okay? You made me mad! How dare you kiss that girl's neck?" Kibum yells, and only after the words leave his mouth does he realize how stupid he sounds, and how useless it is to fight over something so petty.
"I don't even know who you fucking are right now," Jonghyun whispers, and that's probably the words that pierce Kibum the most. His eyes dart between both of Jonghyun's, sustaining gazes as both of their chests heave.
"I...f-fuck you," Kibum weakly counters, a lame attempt a comeback, but it's all he has now. "I'm going to bed."
When he resigns to his bedroom, he slams the door. After taking a minute to choke back tears, he throws himself onto his bed, hiking the thick covers over his head, face buried in his pillow.
Kibum wakes up, bleary eyes peeling open as he gazes at the red, blurry numbers displayed on his digital clock. It's three in the morning, a time at which point he usually needs to use the washroom. He drags his hand over his eyes before sitting up begrudgingly, slipping his glasses on.
His sock-clad feet cause the floor to squeak as he opens his bedroom door. His mind conjures up enough common sense to keep his body still when he hears a peculiar noise.
The sound of muffled sobs come from the living room. Kibum's eyes broaden behind his wide-framed glasses, and instinctively, he follows the sound of the crying. The hushed noises immediately cease, but Kibum keeps progressing regardless, walking around the couch. His breath catches.
Jonghyun looks up at him with huge, pathetic eyes, streaks of tears shimmering on his cheeks even in the darkness. He is curled into what resembles fetal position, but hurriedly sits up, furiously scrubbing at his face.
"Jonghyun..." Kibum breathes, at a total loss. "Jonghyun, what's wrong?"
"D-don't look, please," Jonghyun implores in a pitiful whisper, shielding his eyes. "God, please, don't look, you're the last person I want to see me like this."
"You're crying," the blonde's face softens. "What's wrong?" he tries again, unable to leave Jonghyun alone when he's in such a helpless state.
"I--I don't..." Jonghyun genuinely seems to try to carry the conversation, but his words die into a whimper as he buries his face in his hands.
Kibum immediately moves onto the bed, not hesitating to coax Jonghyun toward him, arms wrapping around his broad frame. Jonghyun leans into him without much protest, and although the position is somewhat awkward, Kibum has never been more comfortable.
"Shh," shushes Kibum, rocking Jonghyun in his arms. "Shh, sweetheart, tell me what's wrong..." The endearment just rolls off his tongue spur-of-the-moment, but it doesn't embarrass him. It feels natural, if anything.
"Y-you're disappointed in me," Jonghyun begins, seemingly eager to share his thoughts with his roommate. Kibum rubs slow circles onto his back, free hand falling onto Jonghyun's head, petting his hair as if he were a child. Kibum sort of sees him as one, anyway.
"I'm not disappointed, Jonghyun."
"Let me finish," cuts in the shorter man, and when his fingers curl into the front of Kibum's pajama top, he has no choice but to fall silent.
"When I was fourteen, I dropped out of school. My father left me right after I was born and my mother was an alcoholic. I ended up following in her footsteps, not giving a shit about education. I left my mom's house and started life on my own." He pauses to sniff, and Kibum pulls him a little closer as he sinks into the back of the couch, offering his shirt to Jonghyun. The latter coyly complies, sniffling again as he drags the fabric over his wet eyes.
"I never got to be a teenager. The transition was from middle-schooler to adult. I never got to do anything a normal kid would do because I didn't have any friends or family. I felt like such a disgrace, living on the streets. People looked down at me with pure disgust, but y-you never did." He clears his throat, steadies his breathing. Kibum listens carefully, his heart clenching tighter with each passing second. "And I trusted you. I still trust you. So when the one person I came to like told me he was disappointed in me, I just..."
"Jonghyun, look at me."
Jonghyun shakes his head, burying his face in the blonde's chest. Kibum pries him off, catching Jonghyun's gaze as he cups his face in his hands, searching his eyes. Jonghyun stares back, a watery film lining the bottoms of his chocolate orbs, lashes clumping.
"God, that isn't true. I was just being an asshole. Jonghyun, I'm so, so proud of you."
"Y-you are?" croaks the shorter man, voice cracking.
Kibum tugs Jonghyun into a meaningful embrace. "Yes. Yes, I'm so proud and I'm so sorry I said all of those terrible things to you."
"Why did you, anyway?" wonders Jonghyun, voice more guarded despite his pressing closer to the blonde man.
"I was just...I was jealous," Kibum confesses, ashamed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let it get to me, but...you...you're my Jonghyun. I saw you first," he grumbles immaturely, absentmindedly thumbing the shell of Jonghyun's ear.
Jonghyun lets out a laugh, and Kibum can feel his heart inflating, his poor mood shrinking until he's smiling himself, rocking the buffer man in his arms as he joins him in laughing.
"I-I'm sorry," Jonghyun apologizes once their chuckles die, drawing back, wiping self-consciously at his face. He's smiling, though, and that's enough for Kibum to smile back and shake his head, expression tender.
"Don't be. We're roommates, you know? We're friends. Whenever you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Okay?"
Jonghyun nods rather timidly, forcing out another laugh. "Yeah. Same goes to you."
Kibum bites his lip, mirroring the gesture. "Yeah." He wrings his hands together, eyes darting downward as he clears his throat. "I need to drop by the washroom, so." He stands awkwardly and Jonghyun nods frantically, tugging the afghan over his bare torso, eyes still a little wet with post-tears.
Kibum scampers off to the washroom, his heart racing.
"Kibum, I'm scared," Jonghyun repeats for the nth time today, his hand clinging to said man's, draining it of its color considering how tightly he is clutching onto it.
"Jonghyun, it doesn't hurt, I promise," Kibum assures tenderly, eyeing the piercer who is now cleaning and properly sanitizing his needle, preparing it to puncture Jonghyun's ear lobe.
"I-I can't do this," Jonghyun breathes, squeezing his eyes shut, tensing whenever the piercer patiently marks a small dot on one of his lobes with a marker, moving to center the next one shortly after.
"Jonghyun, be a man!" Kibum scolds, giving him a stern look. Jonghyun blinks.
"When you were out there living on your own, did you get into fights?"
"Yes," Jonghyun confirms weakly, nodding uncertainly.
"And did you let any punks beat you up?"
"No," Jonghyun replies with an edge of confidence.
"Of course you didn't! You gave them all black eyes! You kneed them in their balls! You destroyed them, Jonghyun!"
"I did!" Jonghyun declares proudly, a determination swirling in his bright, more reassured irises.
"So are you gonna let a stupid little needle hurt you?"
"No..." Jonghyun's voice cracks. Kibum now understands that this poor man just has a phobia towards needles. But really, what is a badass male model without some ear jewelry? Lobe piercings aren't painful, anyway (Kibum would know, seeing as he has six piercings altogether).
"You can do it," is the last thing Kibum says before Jonghyun has his hand in a death grip, the click of the tiny gun resonating through the silent parlor.
"They hurt," Jonghyun whines, twirling his new studs, wincing at the sensitivity.
"Don't touch them, idiot," Kibum scolds, swatting Jonghyun's hand away as he takes a seat across from him in the booth of a neighborhood cafe. "You have to let them heal. Then we can give you more," he smirks.
Jonghyun pales, looking as though his appetite had managed to escape despite the wonderfully delicious meal in front of him (that Kibum had so generously paid for).
The blonde man laughs heartily. "What? Don't give me that look. I promise that they'll grow on you. Soon enough, you'll be out getting some all on your own. Getting piercings can become a bit of an addiction if you're bored enough."
"Not when you're scare--" Jonghyun starts, but stops halfway through his thought, shrugging aloofly. "I just...don't really think they look that cool, is all."
Kibum rolls his eyes as his straw finds its way through the seam of his lips, deciding to let Jonghyun off the hook this time.
Nowadays, when he and Jonghyun go out, the two of them receive stares of admiration. Oftentimes, they will overhear girls whispering in thunderstruck tones, wondering under their breaths if Kibum and Jonghyun are a new pair of idols that haven't yet debuted...Kibum can't say he doesn't enjoy it.
"Hey, kid."
"Mm?" Key hums around his straw, phone in hand, scrolling through his Instagram feed. He's grown very used to the nickname by this time.
"When should I...y'know...leave?"
Kibum looks up, blinking. "Huh?"
"I mean...I can't live at your apartment forever. I assumed that once I earned enough money to live all on my own I...would," Jonghyun shrugs.
Well yes, the words are logical, but that doesn't change the fact that they hurt Kibum's heart.
"Oh. Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," Kibum nods, a dull smile lining his lips.
Jonghyun seems to study his expression. He knows Kibum well enough to read him rather well and see through his lies, but he never calls him out on it. Kibum isn't sure if the other man is scared or simply respectful. Or maybe a little bit of both.
"Yeah, and since I'm doing really well now..." Jonghyun clearly doesn't want to finish his sentence as he shifts, staring down at his meal awkwardly.
Kibum nods, stepping in to avoid any strange pauses. "Yeah, yeah. I understand." He offers Jonghyun a weak smile, hardly managing any effort into the way his lips curve upwards. "God, my Jonghyun has grown up so fast."
Jonghyun nudges him under the table with his foot, his smile shy. "Shut up."
"Promise you won't forget me when you become super rich and famous, okay?"
Jonghyun laughs smoothly in that soft, soft way of his and Kibum feels his heart clamp a touch tighter. "Sure, kid," his voice is lightheartedly taunting, "sure."
three.
A/N: part two! hurray! i had fun writing a bit of drama, haha. in the next part, the nc-17 will make its appearance, i promise. ;D thank you for reading!!