SSS 2010: for ringdingdong_jy
For: ringdingdong_jy
From: Your (Emergency) Secret Santa
Title: Rumours
Pairing: Jonghyun/Taemin
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 4,038
Summary: Taemin says something to a stranger at Christmas party, words he comes to regret at first but not later.
The Christmas music was starting to get on Taemin’s nerves, all those ridiculously happy sounding carols, it just seemed to rub it in how alone he was. Taemin inhaled as he glanced over at Minho, he was getting sick to death of his only friend in the office abandoning him to hang out with that weird Lee Jinki. Taemin sighed heavily, staring across enviously at Jinki, wondering why Minho stuck with him for the whole evening. He didn’t even think they liked each other, Minho was his friend, not Jinki’s, so why was Minho hanging around Jinki like a bad smell.
Shaking his head he got up and made his way over to the buffet table, smiling when he saw the way the girls stared at Minho. They were always drawn to him like flies to dung, even though it was completely pointless to chase after him, but they did anyway. Taemin shook his head softly, as he overheard a girl saying how she was going to approach Minho. It made Taemin laugh how they flocked to Minho like moths to flames, but were burned to a crisp when he rejected them, but it didn’t stop them from going back for more.
Taemin picked up a piece of chicken, rolling his eyes as he heard the excited chatter of the girls next to him. The way they talked as if they had a chance, he felt like turning to them and just telling them that Minho was gay, but instead he just stifled a giggle, hearing them whisper about how Minho would not be able to reject them. Oh princess, I’m sure he will have no issues rejecting you. Have a sex change and then try again. When he looked up, he met the eye of some guy he had never seen before, who smiled warmly across at Taemin, making him frown and wonder if he knew him.
“Did you sneak in here for the food?” The guy half whispered leaning across the table with a smirk, “You look awfully amused about something, and you look way too young to work here, you can’t be a lawyer surely?” He eyed Taemin up and down, as if he was dressed inappropriately, seeming to look down on him. The guy’s words stung, and Taemin just stared in disbelief at the rude guy, he had no idea who he was, and he was pretty sure this rude short guy didn’t work for the law firm, he had never seen him before.
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Taemin snapped, placing the tongs down on the table, “I do work for this firm. I might look young, but at least I’m not horribly stunted like you.” He blinked his eyes carefully, “And don’t accuse people of sneaking in to steal food when you’re clearly doing the same thing, or do you want me to call security?” Taemin threatened, feeling angrier when the guy opposite him began to laugh softly, like he had just made a joke. Taemin didn’t feel like eating anymore so he just walked off, hating how people always called him ‘baby face’ or all the comments about him being so young. Taemin breathed in deeply, wondering when he had become so cynical, and snarky, but he figured Christmas always brought the worst out in him, that and hanging around too many sarcastic people.
“Hyung, I just hate it!” Taemin whined over another glass of wine, “It was bad enough when that stupid Lee Jinki told everyone I was a child genius and that I was only 15 but I had finished school and university already. Why is it such a curse to look so young, why do people have to go on about it? It’s not like I can help it!” He slurred, leaning against his friends shoulder, “And look!” Taemin suddenly sat up alert, pointing across at where the Kim brothers who owned the law firm were chatting, “That prick who said I snuck in here to steal food, the cheek!” He huffed, puffing his cheeks out, so that he looked like a five year old, “Is talking to Kim Kibum, how rude, how dare he just talk to Kim Kibum like that!”
“Taemin, wait, are you talking about that guy with the bleached blonde parts at the front?” Minho asked warily, turning to stare alarmed at Taemin, the younger boy sleepily nodding his head, too drunk to notice how tense Minho suddenly looked. “Oh no, what did you say to him?” Taemin sighed, and repeated his words for what felt like the millionth time, “Oh god, you didn’t say that, did you really Taemin?”
“I did, why?” Taemin took another sip of his wine, “what’s the problem?” He shrugged nonchalantly, what did his words matter that guy was a rude nobody. He was an imposter who snuck into the party, Taemin thought as he glared at the guy who talking to the almighty Kim Kibum.
“That’s Kim Jonghyun,” Minho paused, and Taemin repeated the name a few times in his head, it sounded vaguely familiar but not really so he shrugged again, “he’s Kim Kibum’s cousin, just back from overseas, and he’s the new boss of your department.” Minho informed Taemin, watching sympathetically, as Taemin gulped, going very pale and then looking as if he was about to be sick, Minho patted his friends shoulder lightly. “Guess it’s time to look for a new job,” Minho commented dryly, deciding not to mention how Kim Kibum, Kim Jonghyun and their fathers were now looking across at Taemin and him.
Taemin gulped nervously as he adjusted his tie, he had dressed neatly today figuring he had to do his best not to get fired from his job. His knees shook as he walked into the Kim building, where he headed up to the fifth floor, his face grim and pale, as if he was about to face an execution squad. He wasn’t a real lawyer yet, he was still studying but he helped with the case files and worked part time or had until he opened his big fat mouth. He had spent the weekend scouring the papers looking for jobs, but it was so hard at Christmas finding anything suitable, he swallowed and wondered if an apology would work. But he doubted it, he could still remember how an intern had made a comment about Kim Kibum’s tie being bright and he was gone the next day.
He slipped into his cubicle, deciding to get a head start so that at least the new boss would have one thing to see favourably about him. Taemin kept his head down and worked efficiently, so that by the time the other interns and employees had arrived he had completed a neat stack of work. Taemin fidgeted nervously when the new boss was introduced, keeping his head down to avoid notice. He spent the next hour, in fear as he watched Jonghyun work his way around the office casually meeting the staff. Taemin sighed in relief when he saw that he was not bothering with any of the interns, and with a pounding heart he turned back to his work only to be startled when he heard a cough behind him.
“You’re so meek and mild here,” Jonghyun commented with a smirk, Taemin gulped softly, avoiding his eyes, “You were so feisty at the party, it’s a shame you’re so tame and quiet here.” He murmured softly, “I thought you had some spark, was that just the alcohol’s influence?”
“Are you, going to fire me?” Taemin whispered, clenching his hands together nervously, “I mean, for what I said?” He asked hurriedly, “I’m really sorry, I guess it was the uh alcohol, but still I shouldn’t have said that.” Taemin babbled, wincing when he saw some of the interns starting to look over, curious to know why the boss was standing there talking to him.
“Fire you, hell no!” Jonghyun laughed loudly, “Why would you even think that?” He winked, walking off to leave a shaken and surprised Taemin behind. He stared at Jonghyun’s back, watching the way his shoulders moved as he walked away, wondering what had just happened.
“He hates me,” Taemin groaned as he flopped on Minho’s couch, too tired to even ask why Jinki was there too. “He said he wouldn’t fire me, because he’s planning to kill me with so much work or make me quit.” He rubbed his fore head softly, “everyone is saying he’s giving me twice as much as work as the other interns.” He shuddered, “I wish he had just fired me, he really has it in for me.” He tried not to think about the fact that, Kim Jonghyun was so attractive, it made it harder to hate him when he was that good looking.
“Really,” Jinki piped up brightly, and Taemin felt like telling him to shut up, “That wasn’t what I heard,” Jinki continued ignoring the way Taemin glowered across at him, “I heard that Jonghyun thinks you have a quick mind, and he likes the way you think.” Jinki nodded his head, “And if you think about it, you do get through the work he gives you, and you do a thorough job. I’ve heard nothing but praise about you,” Jinki added, blinking his eyes as Taemin just frowned across at him.
“It’s true,” Minho crossed his arms, coming to sit between Taemin and Jinki. Taemin watched slightly fascinated as Jinki’s arm came to rest around Minho’s shoulder, it was weird, but it made sense somehow too. Taemin tried not to gape as he took in this new information as well as the stuff Minho told him, “I’ve only heard good stuff about you too, about how you’ll go far.”
“If I don’t die before hand,” Taemin added dryly, feeling awkward as he noticed how Minho leaned in close towards Jinki too. “I better go, early start tomorrow, for some reason I’ve been asked to finish work early tomorrow,” Taemin frowned, “there is some work function or something for my department. So the only way I’ll get everything done is if I start early.” Taemin sighed softly, getting up to leave because the atmosphere was starting to feel awkward.
“Uh?” Taemin frowned as he looked around the café, it was deserted, this was awkward he was the first person to arrive and of course Jonghyun was already here too. “Sorry, I guess I was too early,” Taemin awkwardly bowed, “I’ll go and wait outside for the others.”
“Taemin-ssi, there are no others,” Jonghyun spoke up, “I lied because I thought you’d never come if it was just us,” he smiled, getting up and moving around, he pulled the chair out and helped Taemin into it. Taemin blinked his eyes rapidly, wondering if this the moment he was going to fired for his rudeness, he just found it impossible to be polite to Jonghyun, something about him made Taemin snarky and rude.
“I see,” Taemin looked down at the table cloth nervously, “Okay, just say whatever it was you wanted to say.” He glanced around wondering why he had picked this flash café to fire him, he could have just done it at work. Taemin bit his lip, hating how Jonghyun smiled across at him, it seemed so cruel to smile so sweetly, and for him to look that damn good. Taemin wished he could hate him right then, but it was impossible.
“I uh, um,” Taemin glanced up in shock, Jonghyun was stuttering? Where had that confident boss gone, where had that guy who gave him heaps of work gone, “Wanted to thank you,” Taemin openly stared across at him, he couldn’t work out why he would want to thank him. “For um all your hard work, you’re amazing Taemin-ssi.” Jonghyun leaned forward, looking confident again, “really amazing. I wanted to buy you dinner to say thank you, and apologise for pushing you so hard.”
“So you’re not firing me?” Taemin bluntly asked, “I mean you’re not treating me before you say, ‘oh by the way you’re fired!’ or something like that?” He studied the other guy’s face, feeling a hint of satisfaction as he saw how stunned Jonghyun looked.
“No, why on earth would I fire you?” Jonghyun frowned, “you’re brilliant at your job.” He nodded his head and then waved his hand, “Anyway, you can order anything you like, I’m paying.” He flashed that brilliant smile again, dazzling Taemin with the brightness of that smile. “And can we not talk about work?” Taemin shrugged, but agreed feeling uncomfortable. But he found that the evening went too quickly, and when they left, he almost wished they could talk longer, he had never suspected he would get on so well with Jonghyun.
Taemin tried to ignore the way butterflies would flutter in his stomach, when the secretary handed him a little envelope, he knew what it would say. It would be another invitation to that exclusive café, he hated how it was turning into a regular thing, but at the same time he looked forward to it each week. The way Jonghyun would invite him out for a meal, and they would sit at the bar, arguing and bickering about things they disagreed upon. How Jonghyun’s eyes would light up when he talked about something he was passionate about, and the way he licked his lips repeatedly.
Taemin tried to push Jonghyun out of his thoughts, it was wrong on so many levels to harbour a crush on his boss. He could see that Jonghyun was just trying to be friendly, it was nothing more. He told himself firmly, he had to believe that. Even if the last time they had met at the cafe, Jonghyun had drunk too much, and had tried to kiss Taemin. Taemin had felt his heart lurch as Jonghyun smiled across at him, and then just leaned in as if to kiss him. Taemin had stooped slightly, lips puckered up, but at the last second Jonghyun had lost his balance, Taemin had felt so ridiculous, standing there like he wanted a kiss. Jonghyun was drunk, it was meaningless for him to think that he had tried to kiss him, and even if he had, it wouldn’t mean a thing.
He placed the envelope in the drawer of his desk, inhaling deeply as he looked around the quiet office. He had just arrived after his lecture, it was hard to adjust from the noisy babbling students to the dead silent office. The invitation really didn’t help because he wanted to read it but he was worried about someone reading over his shoulder. Instead Taemin pulled out his phone to send a message to Minho, when his phone was whipped out of his fingers, as Jonghyun leaned over him, breath hitting the back of his neck and Taemin suddenly found it hard to breathe or concentrate.
“Hey, no texting during work hours,” He scolded Taemin with a smile, “I can’t make exceptions for you, even if you’re my favourite person.” He added leaning in to squeeze Taemin’s shoulder, before he breezed off leaving Taemin with his scent, and even more confusion. Taemin sighed, hanging his head and wishing Jonghyun wouldn’t say such things. Taemin scoffed silently, as if he was Jonghyun’s favourite, least favourite sounded more likely. He figured Jonghyun probably took all the interns out for meals, it wasn’t just him, Jonghyun was just like that, he liked to make everyone feel special and important. He sighed and tried not to think about how much he wished Jonghyun meant his words.
“Oh, hyung,” Taemin sighed in relief when Minho appeared, sitting down on his desk with a smirk, “thank god it’s you.” He whispered, glancing around self consciously. “I don’t get it, first he gave me so much work to do, that I was run off my feet.” Taemin scrunched up his face, “And now, my work load decreased but he’s giving me the cases the fully qualified lawyers get.” He fidgeted nervously with his pen, twirling it loosely around his fingers, “and he keeps coming over to talk to me, like we’re friends. Like that,” Taemin pointed at the way Minho perched on his desk, “He sits like that and winks at me and chats to me all weirdly.”
“Yeah, I heard,” Minho grinned looking more amused than anything, Taemin wanted to hit him for that. “So how does it feel to have everyone talking about you?” Taemin glowered up at his friend, fidgeting with his shirt and then tapping his fingers across the underside of the desk. “How does it feel to have your boss coming to talk to you all the time?”
“It sucks! All the other interns hate me,” Taemin’s lower lip quivered slightly, “And everyone stares. And now someone spread a rumour that he likes me,” Taemin pressed his head against the desk, “And because of that rumour, someone started leaving me little gifts, as a prank. It just keeps on getting worse and worse!” Taemin murmured against the desk, wishing he could just resign, like he needed all this attention. The worst part of it was that he wished it was true, that Jonghyun liked him. He hated how all these rumours and comments somehow made him wish or yearn for Jonghyun to like him back, it was so stupid but he couldn’t help himself. And every present, he couldn’t but wonder what if it was really from Jonghyun?
“I see,” Taemin wanted to strangle Minho, it sounded like he was muffling laughter behind his hand. He thought about how much he would laugh if he just throttled him to death or pushed him out the window to fall to his death, but then he imagined Jinki’s sad face and decided not to do that. “Maybe he does like you,” Minho helpfully offered, “After all, doesn’t he keep inviting you out for dates to discuss work?”
“They’re not dates!” Taemin hissed sitting up straight, turning angry eyes towards Minho, he was not going to admit they were dates. He couldn’t, because it would be too painful - because of all the rumours and the way Jonghyun talked to him like an equal, it confused him so much. “We’re just going over work, they’re not dates!” He mumbled, louder, starting to panic, because in Taemin’s heart he knew he saw them as dates too.
“It’s okay, Taemin,” Minho patted his shoulder smirking softly, “I uh better go now, I think Jinki needs me.” Taemin frowned wondering why his friend had shot off like that, he turned around bending forward, almost smacking his head against Jonghyun’s stomach as he straightened up, and glaring as he looked up into Jonghyun’s face seeing the teasing smirk.
“Oh, it’s you.” Taemin frowned, “Can’t you leave me alone, the rumours are driving me insane.” Taemin glowered up at his boss, not caring that he was meant to talk politely to him, he respected him but he had always found it impossible to be polite to him. He just couldn’t tiptoe around him like the others, somehow Taemin found he couldn’t be like that, it just felt fake.
“No, I need to talk to you, about those rumours.” Jonghyun nodded his head, and for once Taemin noticed he looked serious. He breathed out softly, trying not to roll his eyes as he followed Jonghyun into his office, he could hear the whispers starting already, great. He could see this situation was just going to get worse and he glared at Jonghyun, wishing he could hate him for putting him through this, wishing he wasn’t so damn attracted to the cocky guy.
“So, did you like the flowers?” Jonghyun smiled softly, “Did you Taemin?” Taemin stared gobsmacked at Jonghyun, a bunch of flowers had arrived at his apartment earlier, he had assumed they were for his mother and they had sent them to his address, so he hadn’t even looked at the card planning to deliver them later.
“The flowers, they were from you?” Taemin asked, blinking his eyes rapidly, feeling strangely odd, his body felt as if he was about to run a race, his palms growing sweaty and his heart starting to race with adrenaline, as Jonghyun nodded his head, “You sent me those flowers?”
“I did,” Jonghyun beamed looking positively happy, “and the other uh presents,” he grinned, leaning in close to Taemin, “you liked them too right?” He asked somehow reminding Taemin of a puppy wagging his tail, desperate for approval, “Tell me you liked them?” He sounded so needy and Taemin’s mind was just whirling, he just wanted to reach across and slap Jonghyun across the cheek, but he restrained himself.
“God, you’re so weird.” Taemin crossed his arms in front of his chest, “I mean, what’s with sending me presents? You could just fire me, instead of starting all these rumours, I get that you hate me. I wish I could hate you.” Taemin bit his lip, gulping and feeling sick because for a second he thought it meant something although he felt confused when he saw the look of hurt Jonghyun shot him.
“I’m glad you don’t hate me,” Jonghyun murmured and before Taemin could say anything, Jonghyun pulled him into his arms, just hugging him tightly. “Because I really like you, Taemin,” Taemin tried to resist, but the way Jonghyun embraced him, he couldn’t help but hug him back. “I’m sorry if those rumours started because of me, I was just trying to tell you I liked you.”
“I’m sorry but couldn’t you have just said it?” Taemin frowned when Jonghyun released him, “instead of all those presents,” he shifted feeling uncomfortable but strangely happy, like deliriously happy, as if he could float up into the sky. “And dinners,” Taemin swallowed as he realised that Jonghyun was still holding his hand, “I didn’t want to hope it was you, I just thought someone in the office was playing a prank.”
“I was just scared,” Jonghyun admitted, “you’ve always just seen me, as me,” He confessed, “I mean after you knew who I was you treated me the same. You never fawned over me because of who I am,” Jonghyun shrugged, “I really liked that about you, but I was scared it would change somehow, like if I told you how I felt, you’d either just laugh or become like the others, greedy for my families money.”
“You, were always just Jonghyun to me,” Taemin admitted, “I don’t know I couldn’t see you any other way.” He shrugged, “I just thought you hated me, I never thought… you would like me back,” He trailed off feeling sheepish and awkward; he had no idea what he was meant to say now.
“I think we should start another rumour now,” Jonghyun winked mischievously across at Taemin, “what do you think?” He asked stepping closer to Taemin, backing him over to the one clear glass wall of his office. Taemin could barely breathe as Jonghyun pushed Taemin back against the glass, his hands cupping Taemin’s face before he leaned down and kissed him softly.
“So,” Jonghyun’s index finger stroked Taemin’s lip softly, his breath warm against his neck, “how does it feel to start a rumour of our own?” he grinned leaning in to kissed along Taemin’s neck, “I think it feels exhilarating, amazing and almost as good as kissing you.” Taemin whimpered slightly, shutting his eyes as Jonghyun’s lips kissed down his throat, he didn’t care that half the office could see them making out, as he wrapped his arms firmly around Jonghyun’s torso.
“Hmm,” Taemin murmured when Jonghyun pulled away, licking his lips as he watched Taemin, “it feels good,” Taemin dug his teeth into his lower lip, “It does feel good,” he repeated, “but not as good as this,” he whispered leaning forward to grasp Jonghyun’s lips, kissing him firmly. He could just hear the rumours now, starting to spread around the office like wild fire, the whispers of them kissing in Jonghyun’s office, and Taemin didn’t even care, they could talk as much as they wanted because who cared about rumours or anything else when Jonghyun was finally kissing him.
From: Your (Emergency) Secret Santa
Title: Rumours
Pairing: Jonghyun/Taemin
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 4,038
Summary: Taemin says something to a stranger at Christmas party, words he comes to regret at first but not later.
The Christmas music was starting to get on Taemin’s nerves, all those ridiculously happy sounding carols, it just seemed to rub it in how alone he was. Taemin inhaled as he glanced over at Minho, he was getting sick to death of his only friend in the office abandoning him to hang out with that weird Lee Jinki. Taemin sighed heavily, staring across enviously at Jinki, wondering why Minho stuck with him for the whole evening. He didn’t even think they liked each other, Minho was his friend, not Jinki’s, so why was Minho hanging around Jinki like a bad smell.
Shaking his head he got up and made his way over to the buffet table, smiling when he saw the way the girls stared at Minho. They were always drawn to him like flies to dung, even though it was completely pointless to chase after him, but they did anyway. Taemin shook his head softly, as he overheard a girl saying how she was going to approach Minho. It made Taemin laugh how they flocked to Minho like moths to flames, but were burned to a crisp when he rejected them, but it didn’t stop them from going back for more.
Taemin picked up a piece of chicken, rolling his eyes as he heard the excited chatter of the girls next to him. The way they talked as if they had a chance, he felt like turning to them and just telling them that Minho was gay, but instead he just stifled a giggle, hearing them whisper about how Minho would not be able to reject them. Oh princess, I’m sure he will have no issues rejecting you. Have a sex change and then try again. When he looked up, he met the eye of some guy he had never seen before, who smiled warmly across at Taemin, making him frown and wonder if he knew him.
“Did you sneak in here for the food?” The guy half whispered leaning across the table with a smirk, “You look awfully amused about something, and you look way too young to work here, you can’t be a lawyer surely?” He eyed Taemin up and down, as if he was dressed inappropriately, seeming to look down on him. The guy’s words stung, and Taemin just stared in disbelief at the rude guy, he had no idea who he was, and he was pretty sure this rude short guy didn’t work for the law firm, he had never seen him before.
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Taemin snapped, placing the tongs down on the table, “I do work for this firm. I might look young, but at least I’m not horribly stunted like you.” He blinked his eyes carefully, “And don’t accuse people of sneaking in to steal food when you’re clearly doing the same thing, or do you want me to call security?” Taemin threatened, feeling angrier when the guy opposite him began to laugh softly, like he had just made a joke. Taemin didn’t feel like eating anymore so he just walked off, hating how people always called him ‘baby face’ or all the comments about him being so young. Taemin breathed in deeply, wondering when he had become so cynical, and snarky, but he figured Christmas always brought the worst out in him, that and hanging around too many sarcastic people.
“Hyung, I just hate it!” Taemin whined over another glass of wine, “It was bad enough when that stupid Lee Jinki told everyone I was a child genius and that I was only 15 but I had finished school and university already. Why is it such a curse to look so young, why do people have to go on about it? It’s not like I can help it!” He slurred, leaning against his friends shoulder, “And look!” Taemin suddenly sat up alert, pointing across at where the Kim brothers who owned the law firm were chatting, “That prick who said I snuck in here to steal food, the cheek!” He huffed, puffing his cheeks out, so that he looked like a five year old, “Is talking to Kim Kibum, how rude, how dare he just talk to Kim Kibum like that!”
“Taemin, wait, are you talking about that guy with the bleached blonde parts at the front?” Minho asked warily, turning to stare alarmed at Taemin, the younger boy sleepily nodding his head, too drunk to notice how tense Minho suddenly looked. “Oh no, what did you say to him?” Taemin sighed, and repeated his words for what felt like the millionth time, “Oh god, you didn’t say that, did you really Taemin?”
“I did, why?” Taemin took another sip of his wine, “what’s the problem?” He shrugged nonchalantly, what did his words matter that guy was a rude nobody. He was an imposter who snuck into the party, Taemin thought as he glared at the guy who talking to the almighty Kim Kibum.
“That’s Kim Jonghyun,” Minho paused, and Taemin repeated the name a few times in his head, it sounded vaguely familiar but not really so he shrugged again, “he’s Kim Kibum’s cousin, just back from overseas, and he’s the new boss of your department.” Minho informed Taemin, watching sympathetically, as Taemin gulped, going very pale and then looking as if he was about to be sick, Minho patted his friends shoulder lightly. “Guess it’s time to look for a new job,” Minho commented dryly, deciding not to mention how Kim Kibum, Kim Jonghyun and their fathers were now looking across at Taemin and him.
Taemin gulped nervously as he adjusted his tie, he had dressed neatly today figuring he had to do his best not to get fired from his job. His knees shook as he walked into the Kim building, where he headed up to the fifth floor, his face grim and pale, as if he was about to face an execution squad. He wasn’t a real lawyer yet, he was still studying but he helped with the case files and worked part time or had until he opened his big fat mouth. He had spent the weekend scouring the papers looking for jobs, but it was so hard at Christmas finding anything suitable, he swallowed and wondered if an apology would work. But he doubted it, he could still remember how an intern had made a comment about Kim Kibum’s tie being bright and he was gone the next day.
He slipped into his cubicle, deciding to get a head start so that at least the new boss would have one thing to see favourably about him. Taemin kept his head down and worked efficiently, so that by the time the other interns and employees had arrived he had completed a neat stack of work. Taemin fidgeted nervously when the new boss was introduced, keeping his head down to avoid notice. He spent the next hour, in fear as he watched Jonghyun work his way around the office casually meeting the staff. Taemin sighed in relief when he saw that he was not bothering with any of the interns, and with a pounding heart he turned back to his work only to be startled when he heard a cough behind him.
“You’re so meek and mild here,” Jonghyun commented with a smirk, Taemin gulped softly, avoiding his eyes, “You were so feisty at the party, it’s a shame you’re so tame and quiet here.” He murmured softly, “I thought you had some spark, was that just the alcohol’s influence?”
“Are you, going to fire me?” Taemin whispered, clenching his hands together nervously, “I mean, for what I said?” He asked hurriedly, “I’m really sorry, I guess it was the uh alcohol, but still I shouldn’t have said that.” Taemin babbled, wincing when he saw some of the interns starting to look over, curious to know why the boss was standing there talking to him.
“Fire you, hell no!” Jonghyun laughed loudly, “Why would you even think that?” He winked, walking off to leave a shaken and surprised Taemin behind. He stared at Jonghyun’s back, watching the way his shoulders moved as he walked away, wondering what had just happened.
“He hates me,” Taemin groaned as he flopped on Minho’s couch, too tired to even ask why Jinki was there too. “He said he wouldn’t fire me, because he’s planning to kill me with so much work or make me quit.” He rubbed his fore head softly, “everyone is saying he’s giving me twice as much as work as the other interns.” He shuddered, “I wish he had just fired me, he really has it in for me.” He tried not to think about the fact that, Kim Jonghyun was so attractive, it made it harder to hate him when he was that good looking.
“Really,” Jinki piped up brightly, and Taemin felt like telling him to shut up, “That wasn’t what I heard,” Jinki continued ignoring the way Taemin glowered across at him, “I heard that Jonghyun thinks you have a quick mind, and he likes the way you think.” Jinki nodded his head, “And if you think about it, you do get through the work he gives you, and you do a thorough job. I’ve heard nothing but praise about you,” Jinki added, blinking his eyes as Taemin just frowned across at him.
“It’s true,” Minho crossed his arms, coming to sit between Taemin and Jinki. Taemin watched slightly fascinated as Jinki’s arm came to rest around Minho’s shoulder, it was weird, but it made sense somehow too. Taemin tried not to gape as he took in this new information as well as the stuff Minho told him, “I’ve only heard good stuff about you too, about how you’ll go far.”
“If I don’t die before hand,” Taemin added dryly, feeling awkward as he noticed how Minho leaned in close towards Jinki too. “I better go, early start tomorrow, for some reason I’ve been asked to finish work early tomorrow,” Taemin frowned, “there is some work function or something for my department. So the only way I’ll get everything done is if I start early.” Taemin sighed softly, getting up to leave because the atmosphere was starting to feel awkward.
“Uh?” Taemin frowned as he looked around the café, it was deserted, this was awkward he was the first person to arrive and of course Jonghyun was already here too. “Sorry, I guess I was too early,” Taemin awkwardly bowed, “I’ll go and wait outside for the others.”
“Taemin-ssi, there are no others,” Jonghyun spoke up, “I lied because I thought you’d never come if it was just us,” he smiled, getting up and moving around, he pulled the chair out and helped Taemin into it. Taemin blinked his eyes rapidly, wondering if this the moment he was going to fired for his rudeness, he just found it impossible to be polite to Jonghyun, something about him made Taemin snarky and rude.
“I see,” Taemin looked down at the table cloth nervously, “Okay, just say whatever it was you wanted to say.” He glanced around wondering why he had picked this flash café to fire him, he could have just done it at work. Taemin bit his lip, hating how Jonghyun smiled across at him, it seemed so cruel to smile so sweetly, and for him to look that damn good. Taemin wished he could hate him right then, but it was impossible.
“I uh, um,” Taemin glanced up in shock, Jonghyun was stuttering? Where had that confident boss gone, where had that guy who gave him heaps of work gone, “Wanted to thank you,” Taemin openly stared across at him, he couldn’t work out why he would want to thank him. “For um all your hard work, you’re amazing Taemin-ssi.” Jonghyun leaned forward, looking confident again, “really amazing. I wanted to buy you dinner to say thank you, and apologise for pushing you so hard.”
“So you’re not firing me?” Taemin bluntly asked, “I mean you’re not treating me before you say, ‘oh by the way you’re fired!’ or something like that?” He studied the other guy’s face, feeling a hint of satisfaction as he saw how stunned Jonghyun looked.
“No, why on earth would I fire you?” Jonghyun frowned, “you’re brilliant at your job.” He nodded his head and then waved his hand, “Anyway, you can order anything you like, I’m paying.” He flashed that brilliant smile again, dazzling Taemin with the brightness of that smile. “And can we not talk about work?” Taemin shrugged, but agreed feeling uncomfortable. But he found that the evening went too quickly, and when they left, he almost wished they could talk longer, he had never suspected he would get on so well with Jonghyun.
Taemin tried to ignore the way butterflies would flutter in his stomach, when the secretary handed him a little envelope, he knew what it would say. It would be another invitation to that exclusive café, he hated how it was turning into a regular thing, but at the same time he looked forward to it each week. The way Jonghyun would invite him out for a meal, and they would sit at the bar, arguing and bickering about things they disagreed upon. How Jonghyun’s eyes would light up when he talked about something he was passionate about, and the way he licked his lips repeatedly.
Taemin tried to push Jonghyun out of his thoughts, it was wrong on so many levels to harbour a crush on his boss. He could see that Jonghyun was just trying to be friendly, it was nothing more. He told himself firmly, he had to believe that. Even if the last time they had met at the cafe, Jonghyun had drunk too much, and had tried to kiss Taemin. Taemin had felt his heart lurch as Jonghyun smiled across at him, and then just leaned in as if to kiss him. Taemin had stooped slightly, lips puckered up, but at the last second Jonghyun had lost his balance, Taemin had felt so ridiculous, standing there like he wanted a kiss. Jonghyun was drunk, it was meaningless for him to think that he had tried to kiss him, and even if he had, it wouldn’t mean a thing.
He placed the envelope in the drawer of his desk, inhaling deeply as he looked around the quiet office. He had just arrived after his lecture, it was hard to adjust from the noisy babbling students to the dead silent office. The invitation really didn’t help because he wanted to read it but he was worried about someone reading over his shoulder. Instead Taemin pulled out his phone to send a message to Minho, when his phone was whipped out of his fingers, as Jonghyun leaned over him, breath hitting the back of his neck and Taemin suddenly found it hard to breathe or concentrate.
“Hey, no texting during work hours,” He scolded Taemin with a smile, “I can’t make exceptions for you, even if you’re my favourite person.” He added leaning in to squeeze Taemin’s shoulder, before he breezed off leaving Taemin with his scent, and even more confusion. Taemin sighed, hanging his head and wishing Jonghyun wouldn’t say such things. Taemin scoffed silently, as if he was Jonghyun’s favourite, least favourite sounded more likely. He figured Jonghyun probably took all the interns out for meals, it wasn’t just him, Jonghyun was just like that, he liked to make everyone feel special and important. He sighed and tried not to think about how much he wished Jonghyun meant his words.
“Oh, hyung,” Taemin sighed in relief when Minho appeared, sitting down on his desk with a smirk, “thank god it’s you.” He whispered, glancing around self consciously. “I don’t get it, first he gave me so much work to do, that I was run off my feet.” Taemin scrunched up his face, “And now, my work load decreased but he’s giving me the cases the fully qualified lawyers get.” He fidgeted nervously with his pen, twirling it loosely around his fingers, “and he keeps coming over to talk to me, like we’re friends. Like that,” Taemin pointed at the way Minho perched on his desk, “He sits like that and winks at me and chats to me all weirdly.”
“Yeah, I heard,” Minho grinned looking more amused than anything, Taemin wanted to hit him for that. “So how does it feel to have everyone talking about you?” Taemin glowered up at his friend, fidgeting with his shirt and then tapping his fingers across the underside of the desk. “How does it feel to have your boss coming to talk to you all the time?”
“It sucks! All the other interns hate me,” Taemin’s lower lip quivered slightly, “And everyone stares. And now someone spread a rumour that he likes me,” Taemin pressed his head against the desk, “And because of that rumour, someone started leaving me little gifts, as a prank. It just keeps on getting worse and worse!” Taemin murmured against the desk, wishing he could just resign, like he needed all this attention. The worst part of it was that he wished it was true, that Jonghyun liked him. He hated how all these rumours and comments somehow made him wish or yearn for Jonghyun to like him back, it was so stupid but he couldn’t help himself. And every present, he couldn’t but wonder what if it was really from Jonghyun?
“I see,” Taemin wanted to strangle Minho, it sounded like he was muffling laughter behind his hand. He thought about how much he would laugh if he just throttled him to death or pushed him out the window to fall to his death, but then he imagined Jinki’s sad face and decided not to do that. “Maybe he does like you,” Minho helpfully offered, “After all, doesn’t he keep inviting you out for dates to discuss work?”
“They’re not dates!” Taemin hissed sitting up straight, turning angry eyes towards Minho, he was not going to admit they were dates. He couldn’t, because it would be too painful - because of all the rumours and the way Jonghyun talked to him like an equal, it confused him so much. “We’re just going over work, they’re not dates!” He mumbled, louder, starting to panic, because in Taemin’s heart he knew he saw them as dates too.
“It’s okay, Taemin,” Minho patted his shoulder smirking softly, “I uh better go now, I think Jinki needs me.” Taemin frowned wondering why his friend had shot off like that, he turned around bending forward, almost smacking his head against Jonghyun’s stomach as he straightened up, and glaring as he looked up into Jonghyun’s face seeing the teasing smirk.
“Oh, it’s you.” Taemin frowned, “Can’t you leave me alone, the rumours are driving me insane.” Taemin glowered up at his boss, not caring that he was meant to talk politely to him, he respected him but he had always found it impossible to be polite to him. He just couldn’t tiptoe around him like the others, somehow Taemin found he couldn’t be like that, it just felt fake.
“No, I need to talk to you, about those rumours.” Jonghyun nodded his head, and for once Taemin noticed he looked serious. He breathed out softly, trying not to roll his eyes as he followed Jonghyun into his office, he could hear the whispers starting already, great. He could see this situation was just going to get worse and he glared at Jonghyun, wishing he could hate him for putting him through this, wishing he wasn’t so damn attracted to the cocky guy.
“So, did you like the flowers?” Jonghyun smiled softly, “Did you Taemin?” Taemin stared gobsmacked at Jonghyun, a bunch of flowers had arrived at his apartment earlier, he had assumed they were for his mother and they had sent them to his address, so he hadn’t even looked at the card planning to deliver them later.
“The flowers, they were from you?” Taemin asked, blinking his eyes rapidly, feeling strangely odd, his body felt as if he was about to run a race, his palms growing sweaty and his heart starting to race with adrenaline, as Jonghyun nodded his head, “You sent me those flowers?”
“I did,” Jonghyun beamed looking positively happy, “and the other uh presents,” he grinned, leaning in close to Taemin, “you liked them too right?” He asked somehow reminding Taemin of a puppy wagging his tail, desperate for approval, “Tell me you liked them?” He sounded so needy and Taemin’s mind was just whirling, he just wanted to reach across and slap Jonghyun across the cheek, but he restrained himself.
“God, you’re so weird.” Taemin crossed his arms in front of his chest, “I mean, what’s with sending me presents? You could just fire me, instead of starting all these rumours, I get that you hate me. I wish I could hate you.” Taemin bit his lip, gulping and feeling sick because for a second he thought it meant something although he felt confused when he saw the look of hurt Jonghyun shot him.
“I’m glad you don’t hate me,” Jonghyun murmured and before Taemin could say anything, Jonghyun pulled him into his arms, just hugging him tightly. “Because I really like you, Taemin,” Taemin tried to resist, but the way Jonghyun embraced him, he couldn’t help but hug him back. “I’m sorry if those rumours started because of me, I was just trying to tell you I liked you.”
“I’m sorry but couldn’t you have just said it?” Taemin frowned when Jonghyun released him, “instead of all those presents,” he shifted feeling uncomfortable but strangely happy, like deliriously happy, as if he could float up into the sky. “And dinners,” Taemin swallowed as he realised that Jonghyun was still holding his hand, “I didn’t want to hope it was you, I just thought someone in the office was playing a prank.”
“I was just scared,” Jonghyun admitted, “you’ve always just seen me, as me,” He confessed, “I mean after you knew who I was you treated me the same. You never fawned over me because of who I am,” Jonghyun shrugged, “I really liked that about you, but I was scared it would change somehow, like if I told you how I felt, you’d either just laugh or become like the others, greedy for my families money.”
“You, were always just Jonghyun to me,” Taemin admitted, “I don’t know I couldn’t see you any other way.” He shrugged, “I just thought you hated me, I never thought… you would like me back,” He trailed off feeling sheepish and awkward; he had no idea what he was meant to say now.
“I think we should start another rumour now,” Jonghyun winked mischievously across at Taemin, “what do you think?” He asked stepping closer to Taemin, backing him over to the one clear glass wall of his office. Taemin could barely breathe as Jonghyun pushed Taemin back against the glass, his hands cupping Taemin’s face before he leaned down and kissed him softly.
“So,” Jonghyun’s index finger stroked Taemin’s lip softly, his breath warm against his neck, “how does it feel to start a rumour of our own?” he grinned leaning in to kissed along Taemin’s neck, “I think it feels exhilarating, amazing and almost as good as kissing you.” Taemin whimpered slightly, shutting his eyes as Jonghyun’s lips kissed down his throat, he didn’t care that half the office could see them making out, as he wrapped his arms firmly around Jonghyun’s torso.
“Hmm,” Taemin murmured when Jonghyun pulled away, licking his lips as he watched Taemin, “it feels good,” Taemin dug his teeth into his lower lip, “It does feel good,” he repeated, “but not as good as this,” he whispered leaning forward to grasp Jonghyun’s lips, kissing him firmly. He could just hear the rumours now, starting to spread around the office like wild fire, the whispers of them kissing in Jonghyun’s office, and Taemin didn’t even care, they could talk as much as they wanted because who cared about rumours or anything else when Jonghyun was finally kissing him.