The Reason Why
Title:The Reason Why
Author:raeshin
Rating:PG-13
Wordcount:1,577
Prompt:Picturei think
Disclaimer:I own only the plot.
Jonghyun hadn’t expected the rain to come down so suddenly, laughing as he moved into a door way, pulling a blonde creature in after him. Taemin let out a soft noise of disapproval as he moved into the elder’s side, shaking himself like a dog, a pout on his face as he looked around at the string of lights above them. Jonghyun had been given the task of keeping Taemin out of the hotel room they had been staying in so the others could prepare a birthday surprise for the boy. It had been Jonghyun’s lack of navigational skills and Taemin’s exuberance that got them lost in the depths of Tokyo that night.
The elder wouldn’t get a call or text until everything was set up and up to Kibum’s standards, which meant they could be out on this weather for quite some time. A soft sneeze drew Jonghyun’s attention as he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around the youth’s shoulders. Taemin looked of gratefully and Jonghyun felt the air leave him suddenly. There was something about the bright way Taemin looked at him that had this effect on the elder singer, like he was under water and it wasn’t until Taemin looked at him that he came up for air. It hadn’t always been like this but for some reason, somehow, there had been this magnetic pull that drew Jonghyun to Taemin more and more over the past months.
“Hyung…why do you always look at me like that?”
Taemin’s soft voice broke through Jonghyun’s revere and he shook himself as if trying to get the raindrops still clinging to his hair away. A few drops splashed the younger in the face and produced a soft giggle from him, the sound infectious and causing Jonghyun to laugh himself. He merely shrugged as he reached a hand forward and thumbed away a stray droplet that had landed on the pale boy’s cheek. The world seemed to stop in that moment as he looked down at the golden haired youth, body moving on its own accord as his fingers moved to caress Taemin’s cheek and pull him downwards for a probing kiss. It felt awkward at first, the difference in height, the suddenness of the movement, lips parting as they panted, sharing oxygen as they came down off of the natural high.
It felt like the younger’s question had been answered while ten more popped up unspoken. Jonghyun could practically see the cogwheels turning in Taemin’s head as he tried to process it all. Connections were being made as his cheeks grew a darker tint, a shudder running through them both as a cold wind violated their wet bodies. Jonghyun wordlessly opened his arms as he Taemin moved into them, sharing their body heat to keep warm. Time stretched on as they stood there, listening to the pounding of each other’s heart as the soft pitter patter of the rain hit the paved street.
“Can something like this work between us?”
Jonghyun let out a soft hum as he gave a soft nod of belief. He had dated before; he knew how to go about things when they were rough and awkward at the beginning. Taemin was new to it all, stepping over the threshold from being a boy to turning into a man. It was a scary experience and he remembered all too well the pep talk he got from his parents about responsibility and other things like that. No doubt Jinki would take up this mantel while they were overseas, stepping up to the plate as leader and eldest to help guide Taemin. A pang of jealousy hit him at all the time Taemin spent with the other members and the little he spent with him. His arms tightened more around the slim waist and a noise of approval came from the blonde.
“You won’t…hurt me will you? I saw the look in Kibum hyung’s eyes after your scandal.” Taemin’s voice quipped up, full of doubts and childish fear, sending a sharp stab to Jonghyun’s heart. He had never meant to hurt Kibum but he had only ever seen the rapped as a friend and that was the only way he would ever see him. Over time Jonghyun mended their friendship but it would take much longer before they were truly comfortable around each other the way they used to be. He could still see the demons that plagued Kibum and it hurt him in a way he could never described.
“I can’t promise I won’t hurt you but I will promise that I will make up for it the best way I can if I do.” That answer seemed to be enough for Taemin as he rested his face in the crook of Jonghyun’s neck. The rain lessened slowly until it stopped altogether. Jonghyun peeked a head out to look around and gave an indignant noise when a droplet of rain got him in the eye. Taemin let out a soft giggle and pressed a gentle kiss against the elder’s eye, grabbing his hand and pulling him from out under the protection. Jonghyun could see the budding romance between them and knew it would take both of their hard work to make it blossom into something beautiful.
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he answered it, listening to Kibum talk loudly over the music playing in the background, demanding he bring his son back immediately unscathed. Jonghyun rolled his eyes and headed in the direction they came, Taemin taking the lead to return them safely back home. Kibum threw a proper fuss at the state of them and sent Taemin off to shower first, saying Jonghyun could towel off and there wouldn’t be much difference to his normal appearance. Minho had to restrain the singer and Jinki reminded them both that it was Taemin’s special day and they should tone down their usualness to a minimum.
Jonghyun grumbled and went to change his clothes, brushing out his wet hair to something presentable. He didn’t notice when Taemin came in the room but he noticed when he felt the kiss against his shoulder and the drop of water against his neck. He had come in to borrow one of Jinki’s or Jonghyun’s large sweaters to avoid dressing in anything worthwhile for their private celebration. Jonghyun smiled at the small moment to themselves, kissing the taller singer softly as he motioned towards the dressers Jonghyun and Jinki had been forced to share. Kibum had literally packed up all of his personal belongings for the trip overseas, plus the piles of clothes he had bought when he went on his shopping sprees. Soon both were presentable and left out of the room, Jonghyun taking up position between Jinki and Minho as they launched into ‘Happy Birthday’, Jonghyun singing more enthusiastically than the others. Jinki and Minho held Taemin’s arms as Jonghyun and Kibum shoved the small cake into the birthday boy’s face.
Taemin sputtered and whined as Minho brought out the actual cake, a smile shining through the frosting and bits of cake on the boy’s face. Jonghyun reached out and swiped a bit of cake off of Taemin’s face, offering it out for the boy to try. The other members missed the dark look shared between them as Taemin gently licked the frosting off of Jonghyun’s finger, smiling returning to his face as he grabbed a napkin and wiped his face clean. The night dragged on with games, singing, and filling their bellies with sugary calories. Jinki declared it was time for bed when Kibum fell over against Minho, the younger rapped already asleep on the couch. Jonghyun chuckled and reached out a hand to hold Taemin back as the others filed into the room to fall asleep where they may.
Taemin looked curious as Jonghyun dragged him closer, watching the happy twinkle in the younger’s eyes as he wrapped an arm around Jonghyun’s waist, lips curling up in a light smile. Jonghyun wondered how he could feel so fluttery every time he saw that smile but figured it was just how it was going to be. There was a question in Taemin’s face but it was never spoken as Jonghyun kissed him chastely, picking bits of cake that still clung to the blonde locks away.
“That’s the reason why.”
Taemin’s eyebrows furrowed together as Jonghyun slipped away to fall asleep. The youth pouted some as he hurried after the singer, lacing their fingers together as he let the words run around in his head a bit before he couldn’t take the curiosity anymore.
“The reason why what…?”
Jonghyun looked over his shoulder and moved onto the only bed devoid of a body, Taemin instantly crawling in next to him, settling into his side as their hands found each other’s under the sheets. Snores filled the room as Jonghyun shifted closer to whisper into Taemin’s ear.
“When you’re young you fall in love.”
Taemin shifted some as Jonghyun’s breath tickled over his ear, giving a soft hum as he nodded and looked up, kissing the underside of the elder singer’s chin. Jonghyun watched as honey eyes slowly fell closed, a soft sigh passing through cherry lips as he fell to his slumbers. Jonghyun felt his lips twitch up into a gentle smile as he swept Taemin’s hair from his eyes, closing his eyes to chase the youth into the realm of dreams.
“Happy birthday Taemin.”