SBB 2016 ENTRY #19: Ace (3/3)
Title: Ace
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: PG
Genre: Slice of Life
Warnings: None
Final Word Count: 16,500+ words
( They are across each other. The net is a tangible limit of where one of them is supposed to end and where the other is supposed to start. Kibum bounces the ball on the ground, and Minho takes position in his quadrant. That’s when it starts. )
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: PG
Genre: Slice of Life
Warnings: None
Final Word Count: 16,500+ words
( They are across each other. The net is a tangible limit of where one of them is supposed to end and where the other is supposed to start. Kibum bounces the ball on the ground, and Minho takes position in his quadrant. That’s when it starts. )
Ok so first of all minkey are. such. idiots. Like really.
From the very beginning Minho is never ready for the dang ball orz, he thinks he is but he is totally missing what is going on- and it takes so long for him to figure it out!! Everything in Minho's part revolves around Kibum, everything in Kibum's on being stronger than everyone else and protection himself, then in the last it's all come full circle and they recognise they have become what they are because of each other. They have built their own futures and they are each other's future!
All along Kibum has been giving Minho all he can of himself- he fights Minho every step because he cares and wants someone to care in return-- unlike his dad. Then of course we have Taemin who sees both sides of the matter and who is willing to intervene and tell what he sees at the expense of his own heart and wished relationship with Kibum ;;; good kid ;;; He knows Kibum will burn out and consume himself on believing no one is ever good enough to accept into his life. Taem wants Minho to wake up and be strong enough to be Kibum's partner and counterpoint, he wants Kibum to have some hope for his future.
In the end Kibum needs Minho to keep pushing against and making him stronger and Minho has finally figured out that by focusing on the ball he can be Kibum's equal and give him what he needs-- they are that everything to each other, they know it and they relish it- nothing Kibum can serve him now will ever be an unstoppable ace- it will be a balanced volley between the two of them for forever!
OK then, for all the random fangirling--
All the descriptions of Minho's heart being on fire when he is with Kibum!! Like- he thinks it's all about beating Kibum and never thinks past that to what heart pounding and fluttering might mean off the court! Ugh this big dummy. But then, even with all the fire and ice between them Minho still misses Kibum's presence in his life and wants Kibum with him in the biggest stages of his life. Guh.
THIS FIC IS LIKE A TENNIS MATCH OK? Ok. Like the way things go back and forth between past and present, game and personal, MInho and Kibum- it really sets the feel and mood of the whole piece! And yes, ok, like I don't play tennis so there's a level of the technical stuff here that goes over my head- BUT- the way you describe every stroke and every bounce puts the reader right there and I feel like I intuitively understand every action and play. You did such a good job of communicating that with ease!
And then, I really loved the tender brother relationship between Minho and Minseok, it was like getting a small slice of the real thing!
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THe PRess CoNF omg
"Minho is tempted to pinch the bridge of his nose at the sudden memory. Kibum and he are being bombarded by almost an endless series of questions regarding a past he doesn't want to discuss right now. He knows of course this is all Kibum’s doing. After his declaration that one day, things became a nightmare with the media. This is how Kibum welcomes him to Wimbledon, of course."
Of course. Secret jokes and history passed right under the noses of the reporters that only serves to stir the pot! Oh Kibum.
"Every single spectator bursts into claps. Minho’s heart is on fire. He can see Kibum next to his dad, a mop of pink hair that keeps his arms crossed against his chest as he pretends to be nonchalant about the whole affair. Minho can feel the weight of his stare though and it tells him all he needs to know. Kibum's interest has been caught, there must be a particular gleam in his eyes and he’s also probably even leaning forwards to take a better look.
Kibum always pushes Minho to his very limits and he always keeps coming back for more orz
Minho allows himself to smile softly as his opponent tosses the ball once more. There is nothing he cannot do anymore, Minho thinks and moves as if he's walking on thin air."
“Who said anything about cheering you up?” Kibum bites back, and he cannot hide his amusement. He pushes Minho away a heartbeat later. “You are all mine to destroy. I hope you are aware of this.”
Kibum, Kibum, Kibum...sigh.
“I want to feel that burn telling me if I push harder I will break, that if I stretch those limits around me, I will be able to do anything. I’m here now, so do look at me, Kibum.”
Minho is facing him. The tips of Kibum’s ears are red and the sight is so mesmerizing it makes him feel giddy with happiness, like the lovesick fool he is.
THEY'RE IN LOVE THEY KNOW THEY ARE IN LOVE AND STILL THIS AHHHHHHHH FOOOLSSS
“Let’s make a deal. If I hit a shot you can’t return that gets me a game, then you will leave the house,” nine-year-old Kibum had proposed, not taking away his eyes from the racquet and the ball.
This is absolutely chilling omg! I feel so much for this little kid Kibum who knows what disappointment is and wants to remove it from his life. ;;;
“He’s like the sort of people who disappoint.” And here's the crux of the matter- Kibum's disappointed by his dad and expects to be disappointed by Minho too ;;
Minho looks at the way the ends of Kibum’s hair curl up at his nape; the way the warm, low light of the restaurant bathes his features delicately, softening the angles as a result. He also notices the way those pretty lips close to take a sip from his beer. Minho doesn’t tell him how much he has missed him. Sigh. <3
“You will never be my equal because to be so, what you should call success cannot possibly ever come from people,” Kibum turns around, chest tight. “All I am is not a sad story, or anyone else’s. It is about what I want and what I will do to get it and from now on you are going to become a step-stone I will forget about.”
But he doesn't, he really doesn't forget.
Poor sad stormy Kibummie fighting so hard against feeling for or trusting anybody!
Amidst it all, Minho knows he won’t care about anything as much as he will always care about Kibum being there. Everything, everything stretches out into eternity and Minho can see it now.
FReakIng fiNaLLy ahhhh but this is such a lovely turn of phrase! And a lovely way to end the whole thing! Perfect! <33
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