Time Limit - Minho x Jonghyun - Chapter 6/?
Title: Time Limit
Chapters: 6/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: Fluff, Angst, AU, Fantasy
Warning: unbeta’d
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Minho x Jonghyun, Onew x Key, Minho x Taemin (onesided)
Synopsis: Minho meets a mesmerizing stranger during his prom, only to wish that he never had.
Disclaimer: Loosely based on these gifs: here and here. Edits by braintraitor
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06]
Jonghyun doesn't say anything and just stays still on the bed, waiting for Minho to finish changing. The human barely speaks, he just continues to prepare his bag and stuff.
"I... I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Minho looks at him with big eyes, "You said something?"
Jonghyun plays with the hem of his shirt, looking down and refuses to have any eye contact with Minho, "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. It's my first and will be the last time I'll spend a long time with a human as a scheduler. I guess I've become too insensitive to even consider how different you are from the souls I've fetched."
Minho places his bag on him then sits beside Jonghyun on the bed, "I think I'm being too sensitive about it. I guess I'm sorry too."
"Don't be... It's natural." Jonghyun finally looks up with a shy smile, Minho gets surprised with it that he suddenly springs up and rushes to the door, "Let's go." The human signals the scheduler to follow him immediately.
-----
"I thought you went back to sleep!" Key screams when Minho appears from the front door and to the garage.
"Sorry, I had to run a quick shower." Minho tells Key.
"And run a quickie too?"
"SHUT UP!" Minho yells at his friend, Onew just laughs uncontrollably on the driver's seat.
"You can just convoy or join Taemin on the backseat." Onew tells Minho after he calms down.
"Your choice, Minho..." Jonghyun whispers behind him.
"We'll convoy."
Minho takes Jonghyun's gloved hand and leads the scheduler to the car. Taemin watches with full intent from the backseat.
"... I think I just want to go home, hyung..." Taemin squeaks, voice obviously breaking.
Key turns to his dongsaeng, "We talked yesterday, right? You'll learn to let go when you see him often with his boyfriend... It's easier that way."
"Taemin-ah, you're still young. No need to rush on things like love..." Onew adds, he's about to say something else when they're interrupted by Minho's car honking in front of them.
"Hyung, if you're hurrying, you can move your car so we can go!" Minho calls out, Jonghyun is laughing beside him. Minho faces Jonghyun with a big "Whaaaat?" On his face then they both laugh together as they wait for Onew's car to move.
Taemin sees all these and just bows his head low, "I haven't seen him laugh like that before..."
The couple sighs, Onew starts the car and reverses so he can head to the main street, in a few seconds they're off with Minho's car behind them.
"Taemin-ah, Minho's happy. It's obvious..." Key sounds a bit irritated but still full of care. He loves Taemin like his own son but sometimes, it gets a little too much for his taste. Especially when it comes to the boy's unrequited love for his best friend.
"... I could have made him happy too."
Key turns to Taemin again, "Taemin, what do you want us to do? Hate on Jonghyun? It's not his fault Minho likes him... Nor is it his fault he likes him back..."
"Key..." Onew reprimands his boyfriend when he hears Taemin's low sniffle from the backseat.
"He's crying."
"Huh?" Minho turns to Jonghyun who suddenly speaks out of the blue. "Who's crying?"
Jonghyun pulls his knees to his chest, "Taemin..."
Minho turns silent for a moment, "It can't be helped. Pretending that you're my boyfriend... Well, it will result to that."
"Because you really didn't have to..."
Minho sighs, "Just pretend a bit longer, okay? 11 days. It isn't too much to endure..."
Jonghyun looks outside, "Yeah. I guess... Do I have to pretend to be sweet with you too?" The scheduler turns to Minho who's just focused on driving.
"Maybe. I dunno. Let it flow... By the way, Key will definitely ask a lot of questions so just let me answer for us."
"Okay. Sure. Whatever you say. Uhm..."
"Yeah?"
"Keep me closest to you."
"Huh?"
"If you're the closest to me the whole time, I won't have to inhale your friends' life energy..."
Minho stops the car on a red light, "How close is close?" He asks with his face mere inches away from Jonghyun, the scheduler pushes him away, "Surely not that close, you alien!!!"
Minho laughs then looks straight on ahead, "Puppy."
Jonghyun pouts then speaks again, "Tell me when you feel like passing out... I've been with you for 2 straight days and you know..."
"Yeah, I'll tell you. No worries. Besides, aside from the slight headache I constantly feel, I'm fine."
"I wonder where we're headed..." Jonghyun murmurs, craning his neck to the side as if to see where the car ahead them is going.
"I lost my gloves this morning at the rooftop when I took it off. Have you seen them...?"
"I didn't. But here..." Jonghyun gives him his left glove, "If you're gonna hold my hand always use your gloved hand..."
"Alright." Minho puts it on as he drives and follows Onew's car.
-----
The two cars stop by a park surrounded by a small lake. Being a Sunday afternoon, it's not entirely filled of children but mostly by teenagers trying to pass the time before they return to school tomorrow.
"Aren't you hot, Jonghyun?" Key asks as he takes the basket of food out from his boyfriend's car trunk.
"Me? I'm fine." Jonghyun tells him as he stays by Minho's car, a few feet away from the other vehicle. His scheduled human helps Key carry some of the food.
"We're a little too old for picnics, don't you think?" Minho asks as he gets another basket.
"I think it will be fun..." Jonghyun answers him, still not moving from his spot.
Key stops for a moment then eyes Jonghyun from head to toe and back again, "Really? You're fine? You have a jacket on spring? I mean, it's almost summer!"
"Lay off my Jonghyun, Key. If he's fine, then he is." Minho tells Key as he gives a basket of fruits to Jonghyun then takes the gloved hand of Jonghyun with his.
"Alright. No need to get worked up about it!" Key closes the trunk and then walks towards the spot where Onew and Taemin had set up a blanket for them to sit on.
"This is really beyond of what I should be doing..." Jonghyun mumbles as he trudges beside Minho. "By the way..."
"Hmn?" Minho looks at him.
"When they start feeling dizzy, I'd have to leave. It means I'm absorbing their energy. Which I shouldn't."
"Then I'll keep you closest to me so you won't have to. Take all my energy if you need it."
"Both of you! Hurry up!!!" Key shouts, Minho smiles at Jonghyun before pulling him so that they can walk faster to the blanket.
"I prepared everything so nobody leaves a morsel!" Key tells everyone even before the pretend couple can sit on the blanket.
Jonghyun tugs on Minho's sleeve when they've seated, the human places an ear near Jonghyun when the scheduler motioned him to.
"I don't eat... I vomit when I eat human food."
"Pretend to eat when he's looking then give everything to me when he's not."
"What if... He forces me? I mean, I know him..."
"STOP THAT ALREADY!" Key yells and the pretend couple backs away from each other.
"Sorry..." Jonghyun speaks and moves closer to Minho.
"Here, hyung." Taemin hands Minho a plate, which Minho gives to Jonghyun, "We'll share." The human smiles at Taemin who just gives a slight nod.
"Are you still scared of us?" Key asks Jonghyun, the scheduler shakes his head. "Then why are you hiding behind Minho? Come on sit closer to us!" Key smiles, moving a little to his left so that there will be more space next to him. Minho takes this and keeps Jonghyun at the end of the blanket where the scheduler won't have anyone next to him.
"That's for your boyfriend!"
"Hey... We're fairly new together and it's been a long time since we last saw each other. Can't I have him closest only to me?" Minho answers with a smirk drawn on his face.
"When are we eating!? I've been staring at the chickens already!" Onew complains, the group laughs, even Taemin.
They eat what Key had prepared, Jonghyun pretends to take a piece of the food, then feeds it to Minho hastily. This goes on for a bit, until Taemin says something.
"Why aren't you eating, hyung?"
"I'm... Full?"
"You had time to eat when you woke up?" Onew asks as he takes another piece of chicken.
"Uh..."
"I get easily offended when people ignore my food." Key tells him sternly, Jonghyun looks at Minho for help.
"Key, your food is amazing like always, but Jonghyun is on a diet. He's on a water diet. Right?"
Jonghyun nods vigorously, "I'm sorry, Key. If anything, just by the looks of it, I'm sure your food is delicious." The scheduler smiles, Key smiles back, "You sweet talker. I'll let it go this time. But, is that healthy? Only water?"
"Only for two weeks. I gained some pounds this month."
"You're vain." Onew remarks, Jonghyun laughs, "Because Minho's awfully handsome and he might fall for someone else aside from me!"
"I won't do that to you, Jonghyun!" Minho laughs at the statement and tugs Jonghyun closer to him.
The other couple laughs, even Taemin breaks a small smile on his lips.
"You have a pretty smile, Taemin-ah. You should smile more. You're too young to frown everyday..." Jonghyun states as he looks at the maknae. "You'll live til you're 76 and you'll find true love."
"76?" Taemin asks curiously, Minho looks at Jonghyun with wide eyes, "Ah! I mean, maybe you'll live til you're that age and of course you'll be happy by then!" The scheduler catches on, a little panicky. Taemin smiles shyly again, Jonghyun does the same.
"Thank you, hyung." Taemin tells Jonghyun, for some reason, even with just a few exchanged words, the maknae feels at ease with the scheduler. He couldn't even feel the slightest hate now that he's spending a few moments with him now.
Jonghyun feels a swift gust of wind brush against his back, too swift he's probably the only one who felt it. He follows the direction of the wind and he sees Jaejoong standing under the shade of a huge tree a few feet from him. He's staring at the younger scheduler, eyes firm and serious. Jaejoong nods, he motions Jonghyun to go to where he is.
"Excuse me guys." Jonghyun tells them and immediately runs off to the tree, Minho follows him with his eyes while his other friends just continue talking. The tall boy sees his pretend boyfriend speaking to an obviously older man wearing a white suit.
"What are you doing!?" Jaejoong yells at Jonghyun, the younger scheduler shrugs. "I got dragged here."
"You weren't dragged here Jonghyun! You chose to be here!"
"Why are you here? You don't come to the human world often. And to be seen? So unlikely of you." Jonghyun changes the subject, Jaejoong grabs him by the collar, "You are neglecting your job. You have a scheduled soul today in ten minutes. Don't forget, Minho is your chosen one, but you still have others to fetch."
"...I'm sorry. Must've slipped my mind."
"Must've slipped your mind!?"
"Time is ticking, sunbaenim. I have to leave now or I won't be able to bring him to The Gate." Jonghyun grabs Jaejoong's hand and takes it off his collar. He turns to look at their blanket, Minho's three friends have their backs turned from him, except from his scheduled human. Minho mouths the words, "What's wrong?"
"I'll be back in an hour." Jonghyun mouths back, and his wings appear, the area around the tree is deserted and nobody sees the scheduler fly up and disappear in the sky.
"Where did your boyfriend go?" Key asks finally realizing that Jonghyun is amiss.
"He needed to meet someone." Minho lies, he wonders if Jonghyun will go back to the park exhausted later.
"We should go to the beach. We have barely 2 weeks before classes resume." Onew suggest, Minho's eyes turn dark. "I won't even be on any classes..." He mumbles under his breath.
"Did you say something, Minho-hyung?" Taemin asks, Minho shakes his head.
"T-the beach will be awesome! Let's make lots of memories before we graduate!" Minho tells them with a smile, then his eyes wander the sky, hoping for Jonghyun to return immediately. He smiles to his friends then turns his gaze to the tree where Jonghyun's been earlier. It's empty and the other man in white suit is gone.
"Hyung..."
Minho's attention is averted when he hears Taemin's meek voice. "What is it, Taemin?"
Taemin fiddles his fingers, a little apprehensive to speak. The tension builds up among the four friends, nobody speaks, they're all waiting for the youngest to do so.
"... A-are you happy?" The maknae finally asks after a few seconds (which felt like forever) of silence.
"Am I happy?" Minho repeats the question, Taemin nods looking straight to the tallest boy in the group.
Minho doesn't speak, thinking of what to say. He asks himself, Am I happy? Do I lie and tell them I am? Or would I really be lying if I say so?
"I..."
"Are you...?" Taemin sounds persistent now. Minho looks at his friends, waiting for his response. He thinks of the things he'll leave behind. The people around him and how much he'll miss them. The many things he regrets not doing because he thought he still has a lot of time in his hands. Then he thinks of Jonghyun, the scheduler who popped out of nowhere to tell him the news, the being who'd be with him to take him to The Gate when he dies.
He smiles.
"I'm happy, Taemin. Surprisingly so..." Minho tells him, to everyone actually.
Taemin smiles, obviously forced but somehow his eyes are sincere, "I'm glad you are..."
"Taemin..." Key tries to cut the conversation, the maknae waves his hand, "I'm fine. Hyung, Jonghyun-hyung is a nice guy... If you're happy with him then I wish nothing but for it to last."
Minho squeezes Taemin's shoulder, "I'm sorry if I wasn't able to return your feelings for me. I'm happy you're my friend. You're a sweet guy, I'm pretty sure you'll get over me."
"Yeah..." Taemin smiles, he's hurt but relieved at the same time. As if he's finally let go of Minho, but not of his feelings entirely.
"Well at least that's settled." Onew sighs in relief, it's been too long and such a hard pill to swallow, this tension between his two dongsaengs.
Minho pulls Taemin into a tight hug, "Thank you Taemin. Be happy too."
The maknae hugs the older tighter, "I will." His voice is firm, it doesn't break, to everybody's surprise. He doesn't even drop a single tear. The maknae breaks the hug immediately after, "The air is getting heavier now. Sorry!" Taemin scratches his head and laughs slightly, his older friends laugh in unison.
Minho watches his friends laugh. Taemin's question echoes in his head again. Again, his heart aches by the thought of leaving everything behind. He's only 19, barely done anything memorable in his life, haven't even made a name for himself and haven't enjoyed most of his youth, but he's not taking back his response.
He is happy. And he has at least 11 days to make everything memorable, at least be remembered for as long as he can be when he dies.
"So, the day after tomorrow, we'll drive to Onew dearest's resthouse by the beach, okay with you Minho?"
"Huh?" Minho asks, spaced out.
"On Tuesday. Are you free on that day? Ask your boyfriend too." Key asks again. Minho just nods, "I'm pretty sure we have no plans."
"Alright. We'll stay 3 days 2 nights. I'll call our caretaker so he can prepare the place." Onew tells the group, Taemin claps his hands in excitement, "I can't wait!"
The conversation goes on about the plans, Minho merely nods to every questions and suggestions. He agrees to everything, no more room for refusals. He takes a look at his watch, it's been more than an hour since Jonghyun's been gone. He gets worried.
Minho looks around the area, even excusing himself from the group to walk to the tree, he finds it empty. A few distance across it, he looks at his car and he spots a familiar figure panting on the trunk. He runs fast to get to him.
"Jonghyun!"
"Take me home... Please..." The scheduler begs. It's all the same, just like Jonghyun is last night.
Too exhausted beyond normal, panting as if he's the one dying. To Minho's observation, Jonghyun might just be worse than yesterday.
Minho opens the back door's seat and Jonghyun climbs inside, "Wait here. I'll tell them we're going." The scheduler just nods as he heaves lying on the seat. The human runs back to his friends.
"I have to go. Jonghyun just called and he's not feeling well. I'm picking him up."
"Oh. Okay, just tell him about Tuesday, okay?" Onew reminds him, Minho just nods, takes his bag and runs back to the car.
Imagine his surprise when he finds his car open, a single black feather on the seat where the scheduler is supposed to be and Jonghyun is gone.
---------------------------------
Author's Notes: Sorry for the late update. I've been pretty busy and muse has slipped away for a moment there.
Chapters: 6/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: Fluff, Angst, AU, Fantasy
Warning: unbeta’d
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Minho x Jonghyun, Onew x Key, Minho x Taemin (onesided)
Synopsis: Minho meets a mesmerizing stranger during his prom, only to wish that he never had.
Disclaimer: Loosely based on these gifs: here and here. Edits by braintraitor
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06]
Jonghyun doesn't say anything and just stays still on the bed, waiting for Minho to finish changing. The human barely speaks, he just continues to prepare his bag and stuff.
"I... I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Minho looks at him with big eyes, "You said something?"
Jonghyun plays with the hem of his shirt, looking down and refuses to have any eye contact with Minho, "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. It's my first and will be the last time I'll spend a long time with a human as a scheduler. I guess I've become too insensitive to even consider how different you are from the souls I've fetched."
Minho places his bag on him then sits beside Jonghyun on the bed, "I think I'm being too sensitive about it. I guess I'm sorry too."
"Don't be... It's natural." Jonghyun finally looks up with a shy smile, Minho gets surprised with it that he suddenly springs up and rushes to the door, "Let's go." The human signals the scheduler to follow him immediately.
-----
"I thought you went back to sleep!" Key screams when Minho appears from the front door and to the garage.
"Sorry, I had to run a quick shower." Minho tells Key.
"And run a quickie too?"
"SHUT UP!" Minho yells at his friend, Onew just laughs uncontrollably on the driver's seat.
"You can just convoy or join Taemin on the backseat." Onew tells Minho after he calms down.
"Your choice, Minho..." Jonghyun whispers behind him.
"We'll convoy."
Minho takes Jonghyun's gloved hand and leads the scheduler to the car. Taemin watches with full intent from the backseat.
"... I think I just want to go home, hyung..." Taemin squeaks, voice obviously breaking.
Key turns to his dongsaeng, "We talked yesterday, right? You'll learn to let go when you see him often with his boyfriend... It's easier that way."
"Taemin-ah, you're still young. No need to rush on things like love..." Onew adds, he's about to say something else when they're interrupted by Minho's car honking in front of them.
"Hyung, if you're hurrying, you can move your car so we can go!" Minho calls out, Jonghyun is laughing beside him. Minho faces Jonghyun with a big "Whaaaat?" On his face then they both laugh together as they wait for Onew's car to move.
Taemin sees all these and just bows his head low, "I haven't seen him laugh like that before..."
The couple sighs, Onew starts the car and reverses so he can head to the main street, in a few seconds they're off with Minho's car behind them.
"Taemin-ah, Minho's happy. It's obvious..." Key sounds a bit irritated but still full of care. He loves Taemin like his own son but sometimes, it gets a little too much for his taste. Especially when it comes to the boy's unrequited love for his best friend.
"... I could have made him happy too."
Key turns to Taemin again, "Taemin, what do you want us to do? Hate on Jonghyun? It's not his fault Minho likes him... Nor is it his fault he likes him back..."
"Key..." Onew reprimands his boyfriend when he hears Taemin's low sniffle from the backseat.
"He's crying."
"Huh?" Minho turns to Jonghyun who suddenly speaks out of the blue. "Who's crying?"
Jonghyun pulls his knees to his chest, "Taemin..."
Minho turns silent for a moment, "It can't be helped. Pretending that you're my boyfriend... Well, it will result to that."
"Because you really didn't have to..."
Minho sighs, "Just pretend a bit longer, okay? 11 days. It isn't too much to endure..."
Jonghyun looks outside, "Yeah. I guess... Do I have to pretend to be sweet with you too?" The scheduler turns to Minho who's just focused on driving.
"Maybe. I dunno. Let it flow... By the way, Key will definitely ask a lot of questions so just let me answer for us."
"Okay. Sure. Whatever you say. Uhm..."
"Yeah?"
"Keep me closest to you."
"Huh?"
"If you're the closest to me the whole time, I won't have to inhale your friends' life energy..."
Minho stops the car on a red light, "How close is close?" He asks with his face mere inches away from Jonghyun, the scheduler pushes him away, "Surely not that close, you alien!!!"
Minho laughs then looks straight on ahead, "Puppy."
Jonghyun pouts then speaks again, "Tell me when you feel like passing out... I've been with you for 2 straight days and you know..."
"Yeah, I'll tell you. No worries. Besides, aside from the slight headache I constantly feel, I'm fine."
"I wonder where we're headed..." Jonghyun murmurs, craning his neck to the side as if to see where the car ahead them is going.
"I lost my gloves this morning at the rooftop when I took it off. Have you seen them...?"
"I didn't. But here..." Jonghyun gives him his left glove, "If you're gonna hold my hand always use your gloved hand..."
"Alright." Minho puts it on as he drives and follows Onew's car.
-----
The two cars stop by a park surrounded by a small lake. Being a Sunday afternoon, it's not entirely filled of children but mostly by teenagers trying to pass the time before they return to school tomorrow.
"Aren't you hot, Jonghyun?" Key asks as he takes the basket of food out from his boyfriend's car trunk.
"Me? I'm fine." Jonghyun tells him as he stays by Minho's car, a few feet away from the other vehicle. His scheduled human helps Key carry some of the food.
"We're a little too old for picnics, don't you think?" Minho asks as he gets another basket.
"I think it will be fun..." Jonghyun answers him, still not moving from his spot.
Key stops for a moment then eyes Jonghyun from head to toe and back again, "Really? You're fine? You have a jacket on spring? I mean, it's almost summer!"
"Lay off my Jonghyun, Key. If he's fine, then he is." Minho tells Key as he gives a basket of fruits to Jonghyun then takes the gloved hand of Jonghyun with his.
"Alright. No need to get worked up about it!" Key closes the trunk and then walks towards the spot where Onew and Taemin had set up a blanket for them to sit on.
"This is really beyond of what I should be doing..." Jonghyun mumbles as he trudges beside Minho. "By the way..."
"Hmn?" Minho looks at him.
"When they start feeling dizzy, I'd have to leave. It means I'm absorbing their energy. Which I shouldn't."
"Then I'll keep you closest to me so you won't have to. Take all my energy if you need it."
"Both of you! Hurry up!!!" Key shouts, Minho smiles at Jonghyun before pulling him so that they can walk faster to the blanket.
"I prepared everything so nobody leaves a morsel!" Key tells everyone even before the pretend couple can sit on the blanket.
Jonghyun tugs on Minho's sleeve when they've seated, the human places an ear near Jonghyun when the scheduler motioned him to.
"I don't eat... I vomit when I eat human food."
"Pretend to eat when he's looking then give everything to me when he's not."
"What if... He forces me? I mean, I know him..."
"STOP THAT ALREADY!" Key yells and the pretend couple backs away from each other.
"Sorry..." Jonghyun speaks and moves closer to Minho.
"Here, hyung." Taemin hands Minho a plate, which Minho gives to Jonghyun, "We'll share." The human smiles at Taemin who just gives a slight nod.
"Are you still scared of us?" Key asks Jonghyun, the scheduler shakes his head. "Then why are you hiding behind Minho? Come on sit closer to us!" Key smiles, moving a little to his left so that there will be more space next to him. Minho takes this and keeps Jonghyun at the end of the blanket where the scheduler won't have anyone next to him.
"That's for your boyfriend!"
"Hey... We're fairly new together and it's been a long time since we last saw each other. Can't I have him closest only to me?" Minho answers with a smirk drawn on his face.
"When are we eating!? I've been staring at the chickens already!" Onew complains, the group laughs, even Taemin.
They eat what Key had prepared, Jonghyun pretends to take a piece of the food, then feeds it to Minho hastily. This goes on for a bit, until Taemin says something.
"Why aren't you eating, hyung?"
"I'm... Full?"
"You had time to eat when you woke up?" Onew asks as he takes another piece of chicken.
"Uh..."
"I get easily offended when people ignore my food." Key tells him sternly, Jonghyun looks at Minho for help.
"Key, your food is amazing like always, but Jonghyun is on a diet. He's on a water diet. Right?"
Jonghyun nods vigorously, "I'm sorry, Key. If anything, just by the looks of it, I'm sure your food is delicious." The scheduler smiles, Key smiles back, "You sweet talker. I'll let it go this time. But, is that healthy? Only water?"
"Only for two weeks. I gained some pounds this month."
"You're vain." Onew remarks, Jonghyun laughs, "Because Minho's awfully handsome and he might fall for someone else aside from me!"
"I won't do that to you, Jonghyun!" Minho laughs at the statement and tugs Jonghyun closer to him.
The other couple laughs, even Taemin breaks a small smile on his lips.
"You have a pretty smile, Taemin-ah. You should smile more. You're too young to frown everyday..." Jonghyun states as he looks at the maknae. "You'll live til you're 76 and you'll find true love."
"76?" Taemin asks curiously, Minho looks at Jonghyun with wide eyes, "Ah! I mean, maybe you'll live til you're that age and of course you'll be happy by then!" The scheduler catches on, a little panicky. Taemin smiles shyly again, Jonghyun does the same.
"Thank you, hyung." Taemin tells Jonghyun, for some reason, even with just a few exchanged words, the maknae feels at ease with the scheduler. He couldn't even feel the slightest hate now that he's spending a few moments with him now.
Jonghyun feels a swift gust of wind brush against his back, too swift he's probably the only one who felt it. He follows the direction of the wind and he sees Jaejoong standing under the shade of a huge tree a few feet from him. He's staring at the younger scheduler, eyes firm and serious. Jaejoong nods, he motions Jonghyun to go to where he is.
"Excuse me guys." Jonghyun tells them and immediately runs off to the tree, Minho follows him with his eyes while his other friends just continue talking. The tall boy sees his pretend boyfriend speaking to an obviously older man wearing a white suit.
"What are you doing!?" Jaejoong yells at Jonghyun, the younger scheduler shrugs. "I got dragged here."
"You weren't dragged here Jonghyun! You chose to be here!"
"Why are you here? You don't come to the human world often. And to be seen? So unlikely of you." Jonghyun changes the subject, Jaejoong grabs him by the collar, "You are neglecting your job. You have a scheduled soul today in ten minutes. Don't forget, Minho is your chosen one, but you still have others to fetch."
"...I'm sorry. Must've slipped my mind."
"Must've slipped your mind!?"
"Time is ticking, sunbaenim. I have to leave now or I won't be able to bring him to The Gate." Jonghyun grabs Jaejoong's hand and takes it off his collar. He turns to look at their blanket, Minho's three friends have their backs turned from him, except from his scheduled human. Minho mouths the words, "What's wrong?"
"I'll be back in an hour." Jonghyun mouths back, and his wings appear, the area around the tree is deserted and nobody sees the scheduler fly up and disappear in the sky.
"Where did your boyfriend go?" Key asks finally realizing that Jonghyun is amiss.
"He needed to meet someone." Minho lies, he wonders if Jonghyun will go back to the park exhausted later.
"We should go to the beach. We have barely 2 weeks before classes resume." Onew suggest, Minho's eyes turn dark. "I won't even be on any classes..." He mumbles under his breath.
"Did you say something, Minho-hyung?" Taemin asks, Minho shakes his head.
"T-the beach will be awesome! Let's make lots of memories before we graduate!" Minho tells them with a smile, then his eyes wander the sky, hoping for Jonghyun to return immediately. He smiles to his friends then turns his gaze to the tree where Jonghyun's been earlier. It's empty and the other man in white suit is gone.
"Hyung..."
Minho's attention is averted when he hears Taemin's meek voice. "What is it, Taemin?"
Taemin fiddles his fingers, a little apprehensive to speak. The tension builds up among the four friends, nobody speaks, they're all waiting for the youngest to do so.
"... A-are you happy?" The maknae finally asks after a few seconds (which felt like forever) of silence.
"Am I happy?" Minho repeats the question, Taemin nods looking straight to the tallest boy in the group.
Minho doesn't speak, thinking of what to say. He asks himself, Am I happy? Do I lie and tell them I am? Or would I really be lying if I say so?
"I..."
"Are you...?" Taemin sounds persistent now. Minho looks at his friends, waiting for his response. He thinks of the things he'll leave behind. The people around him and how much he'll miss them. The many things he regrets not doing because he thought he still has a lot of time in his hands. Then he thinks of Jonghyun, the scheduler who popped out of nowhere to tell him the news, the being who'd be with him to take him to The Gate when he dies.
He smiles.
"I'm happy, Taemin. Surprisingly so..." Minho tells him, to everyone actually.
Taemin smiles, obviously forced but somehow his eyes are sincere, "I'm glad you are..."
"Taemin..." Key tries to cut the conversation, the maknae waves his hand, "I'm fine. Hyung, Jonghyun-hyung is a nice guy... If you're happy with him then I wish nothing but for it to last."
Minho squeezes Taemin's shoulder, "I'm sorry if I wasn't able to return your feelings for me. I'm happy you're my friend. You're a sweet guy, I'm pretty sure you'll get over me."
"Yeah..." Taemin smiles, he's hurt but relieved at the same time. As if he's finally let go of Minho, but not of his feelings entirely.
"Well at least that's settled." Onew sighs in relief, it's been too long and such a hard pill to swallow, this tension between his two dongsaengs.
Minho pulls Taemin into a tight hug, "Thank you Taemin. Be happy too."
The maknae hugs the older tighter, "I will." His voice is firm, it doesn't break, to everybody's surprise. He doesn't even drop a single tear. The maknae breaks the hug immediately after, "The air is getting heavier now. Sorry!" Taemin scratches his head and laughs slightly, his older friends laugh in unison.
Minho watches his friends laugh. Taemin's question echoes in his head again. Again, his heart aches by the thought of leaving everything behind. He's only 19, barely done anything memorable in his life, haven't even made a name for himself and haven't enjoyed most of his youth, but he's not taking back his response.
He is happy. And he has at least 11 days to make everything memorable, at least be remembered for as long as he can be when he dies.
"So, the day after tomorrow, we'll drive to Onew dearest's resthouse by the beach, okay with you Minho?"
"Huh?" Minho asks, spaced out.
"On Tuesday. Are you free on that day? Ask your boyfriend too." Key asks again. Minho just nods, "I'm pretty sure we have no plans."
"Alright. We'll stay 3 days 2 nights. I'll call our caretaker so he can prepare the place." Onew tells the group, Taemin claps his hands in excitement, "I can't wait!"
The conversation goes on about the plans, Minho merely nods to every questions and suggestions. He agrees to everything, no more room for refusals. He takes a look at his watch, it's been more than an hour since Jonghyun's been gone. He gets worried.
Minho looks around the area, even excusing himself from the group to walk to the tree, he finds it empty. A few distance across it, he looks at his car and he spots a familiar figure panting on the trunk. He runs fast to get to him.
"Jonghyun!"
"Take me home... Please..." The scheduler begs. It's all the same, just like Jonghyun is last night.
Too exhausted beyond normal, panting as if he's the one dying. To Minho's observation, Jonghyun might just be worse than yesterday.
Minho opens the back door's seat and Jonghyun climbs inside, "Wait here. I'll tell them we're going." The scheduler just nods as he heaves lying on the seat. The human runs back to his friends.
"I have to go. Jonghyun just called and he's not feeling well. I'm picking him up."
"Oh. Okay, just tell him about Tuesday, okay?" Onew reminds him, Minho just nods, takes his bag and runs back to the car.
Imagine his surprise when he finds his car open, a single black feather on the seat where the scheduler is supposed to be and Jonghyun is gone.
---------------------------------
Author's Notes: Sorry for the late update. I've been pretty busy and muse has slipped away for a moment there.