SHINee fanfic: Before that special day
Title: Before That Special Day.
Pairing: Jongkey, almost hidden Minhonew
Genre: Mostly fluff, hints of angst
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none really.
Summary: These are the 5 emotions that Key brings out of Jonghyun before and on that special day.
Disclaimer: prompt is actually mine. not the guys, though.
Length: oneshot. approx 2900 words.
1.
Frustration.
He always had a strong passion for music, always did lose himself in it; the beat, the lyrics, everything. People -- everybody -- around him knew he’d become something great, someone great. Then that’s what he did. He realized his dreams, reached for the stars -- became a star -- living in stardom. A musical artist; that’s what he always wanted to be, and that’s what he is. He loves music.
It was really the happiest day of Jonghyun’s life when SM told him he’d debut in a group with four other members. Happy to know that they’ll record music, perform, and even live as one unit. Together. Their name would be SHINee. And they’d shine just like true stars.
Writing then singing the lyrics is still his favorite part of it all. But now, there’s something above that, something he favors more. A person. Loving a person, from the start of the day, to the end of the day -- a full time job. Jonghyun remembers singing the written lyrics (his, their written lyrics) and thinking of somebody; couldn’t stop, every type of contact with that person was heightened. Still is.
We all knew you’d be a famous musician, Jonghyun’s mother had once told him, but no one -- not even yourself -- can know when you’ll fall in love. Love is so scarce that people don’t believe it exists. But it does, and by the time you realize you fell for that special person, it’s too late to go back and then the pain sets in -- pain of longing for them. Even if you try to forget it, Jonghyun, it’ll always haunt you in the back of your mind. Always. He had been confused; it frustrated him. But he understands now.
Jonghyun knows now. He knows that he’s already fallen in love.
Kim Kibum. They call him the Almighty Key. That’s who he fell in love with. A guy; forbidden love. It scared him at first, but it doesn’t matter now -- he doesn’t necessarily care. He’s even with Key now, watching him. In the kitchen, Jonghyun is simply watching as he cooks for all the members in the dorm. Motherly, Key is, but he loves him for that. Jonghyun loves everything about him.
“Jonghyun,” he huffs. “Quit staring at me, it‘s a bit creepy.” Then his concentration is back on whatever he has on the stove. The attitude is fine -- Jonghyun loves him for that, too.
“Key,” Jonghyun says. He ignores him, though. Too focused on stirring and adding to the contents of a pot. Frustrating, but he always gets like this when he’s cooking (but really, that’s okay.)
He goes and grabs Key by the wrist. “The fuck, ‘Hyun,” he growls. “Don’t you see I’m trying to --” doesn’t get to finish, because Jonghyun’s lips are on his in a kiss. A passionate kiss. Then Key finds himself against the counter (it’s getting hot) but he breaks the kiss to glare at Jonghyun.
“Come on, Kibum,” he murmurs and nuzzles his cheek. “They won’t starve to death.”
Key suppresses a gasp as a hand slips under his shirt. “You‘re right, but you will.”
“Oh? Why--” And just as intense as the last one, Key kisses him. Moves onto his jaw line; butterfly kisses, down to his collarbone; nips in between kisses. He’s wiggling himself from in between the counter and Jonghyun--
“No,” his palm lands flat on Key’s chest, pushing him so he’s bending backwards over the counter. “You’re not going anywhere,” he lays a trail of kisses from his mouth to his Adam’s apple. “You should just enjoy yourself.”
“I can’t while being molested. And-ah!”
“And?” Jonghyun’s knee pushes upward between Key’s legs, hands gliding across his chest.
“Mm, I n-need to finish cooking.”
“But,” and Jonghyun’s tongue starts to work the shell of his ear. “Every mother deserves a good break once in a while.”
“I’m not a mom, you slut,” point taken, the last of Key’s sentence comes out as a groan.
Onew sets down a card and smirks as he picks up both cards lying on the table. “Taemin,” he says, sets down another card; a Queen, he silently snorts as Minho picks up that card with the Ace of Spades he just put down. “Go tell Key to hurry up, I’m starving.”
Taemin gets up from his spot in front of the T.V, “That’s a bad idea,” Minho sighs, takes up another two cards from in front of Onew. Instincts tell him everything he needs to know.
“What?”
Minho slowly shakes his head.
“Key Umma!” Taemin bursts into the kitchen. “Jinki hyung says--Oh!” He would say that, Jonghyun pressed close to Key (they‘re kissing) , hands down the waistband of Key’s jeans most likely grabbing his -- yeah -- and Taemin’s cheeks redden a little.
Key moves himself from in between Jonghyun and counter, fixes his collar, the waistband of his jeans and shoots a death glare at the expressionless Jonghyun (he looks kinda frozen in place there). “Jinki says what?” He resumes his much earlier activities on the stove.
His gaze is trained on the floor; he can’t bear to look at either one of them right now. Probably forever. “Um, he said to hurry up with the cooking… he says he’s starving.” Then he scurries out the kitchen.
“Hey, Kibum,” Jonghyun whispers, his hand traveling from Key’s wrist to his shoulder; his mouth finishes up the path from his shoulder to the soft spot behind his ear and leaves a kiss. “We should continue.”
“We shouldn’t,” Key uses a hand to push him away. “You’ve already tainted Taemin, so I can’t let you contaminate the food,” he snaps. “Now, go set the table.” And Jonghyun buries his face in his hands. This is exactly what love can do; make him want Key at inopportune times. Love can be frustrating. Actually, it is.
And sexual frustration is always served cold.
2.
Admiration.
When he dances, when Key dances, everybody in the room can’t help but stare and admire; he’s just that damn captivating. When he watches him, he becomes deaf, the music doesn’t matter anymore. It really doesn’t help that he’s alone with him, in the practice room -- mirrors all around -- so everywhere he looks there’s a dancing Key (and Jonghyun is desperately trying to keep his desires in check).
And, of course all that trying is in vain because Key looks up into one of the mirrors -- shoots him the most seductive look ever -- all that dancing; the twisting, popping, and stepping just adds to it, adds to his admiration (desire, too).
Soon Jonghyun is over behind him, arms around Key’s waist, rocking side to side and setting a different, slower pace (the heat of his body is silently driving Jonghyun mad.) “You’re messing me up,” Key huffs. Jonghyun hums and nips the side of his neck. There’s a brief pause.
“You don’t care, do you?”
“I do,” his hand slips under Key’s shirt, raises it up to expose half of a toned abdomen. “But…” And he leaves the rest to Key’s imagination.
“But,” Key continues for him and wriggles himself free from Jonghyun’s hold. “How about you make yourself useful,” he goes to turn the stereo off. “And sing me a song.”
“Like,” he asks, but Key is just sort of staring at him; he takes that as his cue.
“Key is so pretty--”
“--No,” he interrupts. “Sexy, Key is sexy.”
“Key is so sexy,” Jonghyun sings and he knows Key is satisfied because he approaches him; takes both of his hands. Then they’re doing some sort of a couple style slow-dance and Key is smiling -- laughing -- while Jonghyun is still singing (he’s smiling, too). It makes him happier just to see Key happy and he admires how much the other boy has such an impact on him. Admires him fully.
But he concludes that he admires Key’s smile the most.
3.
Jealousy.
They’re all together in the living room; Key and Onew on the couch, and he‘s sitting with Taemin and Minho on the floor, watching some sort poorly made comedy movie. The name of the movie, Jonghyun doesn’t quite remember because he’s too focused on what’s happening on the couch.
“I’ll be right back, going to the bathroom,” he leans over to tell Minho then leaves promptly.
When he’s back, Jonghyun isn’t quite sure what he was hoping for (maybe for Key to follow him), because they’re still there, Key is still there, cuddling with Onew. He has some sort of a smug look on his face -- probably just Jonghyun’s imagination, but still.
During a break in dance rehearsal, he spots Key with Onew again, talking. It wouldn’t bother him so much, but Key is giggling and Onew has a smirk on his face and Jonghyun thinks they’re a little too close to be just talking. And before either of them can even blink, he’s over there; snatching Key by the wrist, pulls him around a corner and kisses him. Hard. “Get off me,” he hears Key hiss and soon Jonghyun is a bit out of breath due to the sharp fist thrown at his chest.
“What’s the deal,” he coughs (it was a bit stronger than he expected) and Key is glaring at him, eyes crinkled at the corners; a bit confused. “With you and Jinki?”
“Jinki? Nothing, he just wants me--”
“--Kibum,” Jonghyun warns him. “I’m not stupid.”
An eyebrow is raised. “Your point is?”
“Quit playing games,” He snarls, eyes narrowed. “If you wanna be with Jinki, then just--”
“--If I wanna be with Jinki,” Key’s face contorts into shock. “If I felt anything for Jinki, I would have shot myself by now,” he sucks his teeth. “Wait-- You’re jealous, aren’t you?” The words take a little while to sink in, and very soon Jonghyun is doing his best to hide his reddening face while Key breaks into a fit of laughter.
“You are jealous,” Key tugs at his forearm. “Let me see--!” he cuts himself off with his own laughter.
The next few days will be worse (just because Jonghyun knows he won’t hear the end of this.)
“So,” Jonghyun later asks while they’re riding in the van back to the dorm. “What were you doing with Jinki again?”
Key gives him an amused look. “He wants me to hook him up with one of the newer SM trainees,” he says, then leans closer (if that‘s even possible). “Still jealous--?”
“--Just what are you two doing over there?” Onew interrupts loudly, Jonghyun shoots him a cross between an annoyed look and a glare and Key just sort of bursts into a fit of giggles. Then he remembers that Onew is actually trying to get a date -- a girlfriend -- and then he’s laughing right along with Key.
“What’s so funny?” Key eventually stops and tries to answer -- but that’s a little hard to do because Jonghyun is still laughing and it’s so fucking loud and awkward that everybody can’t help but stare at him as if he just said “hey, me and Kibum are gay together,” (he’s pretty sure they’ve figured that out, anyway).
But when his laughter subsides, he finally notices the hand on his thigh. “You‘re still jealous,” he hears Key whisper close to his ear and Jonghyun is laughing (harder) again.
4.
Nervousness.
“Hey, I wanna help,” he pats him on the shoulder, white teeth gleaming (it’s that smile, where it looks like his cheeks are working out and his eyes are just about to disappear.)
“Um, sure,” Jonghyun blinks; rubs the back of his neck. “You can carry the cake in.” With a “yay” he dashes out of the front door to the van.
“Jinki! Don’t drop it,” he exclaims exasperatedly as Onew barges through the door; he’s over there quick, partially holding the cake, just in case Onew happens to slip (nothing really new there).
“I got it,” and he does. A good time for the infamous Onew Condition, but that’s not the case. Because he really does slip, but somehow the cake is alright. At least the cake is okay (not too sure about Onew) but Jonghyun guesses he’s okay too, and lifts it to the designated spot.
“Hey Hyung, is this okay?” Jonghyun is getting a bit tired of hearing and thinking of that word okay, the position of table and presents look fine, but he doesn’t think that’s okay because it has to be perfect. No, “Wait,” nothing can be out of place.
Taemin gives him an uneasy look. “I did it the way you asked.”
“I know. It’s okay, I got it,” Taemin is still looking at him. “No, really,” Jonghyun says. “I got it.” He’s tired of that phrase too, but sets to work on ‘fixing’ the problem (still, he sees none) anyway.
Jonghyun sits, wringing his hands. A sigh, which is quickly followed by another. He taps his foot. Off the couch, then he’s pacing. “Jonghyun hyung,” Taemin says. “I think you should sit down,” but Jonghyun just blankly stares at him and Minho nudges Taemin.
Back to pacing, he folds his hands on top of his head. A minute later, it finally clicks inside his head and he goes and takes another seat on the couch. He looks at his watch but the digits don’t make any sense; they’re just numbers to him because he kind of lost the ability to tell time. That’s how worked up he can get.
“You know he had the longest schedule today,” he hears Onew say. “It’s almost time for dinner. He’ll be home soon.” And Jonghyun absentmindly nods and gets up to pace again.
Checks his back pocket one more time. He has it? He better. Yeah.
“I’m home,” the door closes and Key glances around. Silence. “Huh, that’s weird,” he snorts. “They’re all gone. It must be my birthday.” He starts to shrug off his jacket.
“Key Umma!” Taemin dashes out the kitchen. He’s the first to hug Key, the side of his face buried in a navy blue Queen t-shirt. Then there’s Onew -- he doesn’t say anything, just tightly hugs Key from the side, arms wrapped around his shoulders with the happiest grin plastered on his face.
“Happy birthday!”
“Oh,” Key continues his earlier thought. “It really must be my birthday.” But he’s grinning too.
They release him as Minho steps out of the bedroom. “Happy birthday, hyung,” he bows and goes to give Key a brotherly hug. “Yep,” he concludes. “It’s officially my birthday.” Minho gives a sort of embarrassed laugh. It’s a known fact that that’s Key’s way of saying thanks.
“We’re missing someone,” Key spots movement from the corner of his eye. “Jong--!” then there are lips on his. Shocked? Yeah, the rest of the members are still there -- but really, who cares anymore? It was obvious and he secretly hopes they get the picture as Jonghyun breaks the kiss and pulls him back out the front door.
Key looks up at the huge sign, eyes shining. “Wow, are you really…?” And Jonghyun nervously smiles, tucks a hair behind his ear and takes Key’s hand with a nod. “Is it okay?” Then Key is looking at him, surprise all over his face, throws himself on Jonghyun with the tightest, most sincere hug.
Coming from the amusement park, they’re both laughing -- having fun, enjoying life. Enjoying each other’s company. High on life; high on each other. They’re happy. Jonghyun leads them to a tree where they sit side by side, fingers intertwined, gazing at the stars above. “It’s so pretty,” Key whispers.
“Just like you,” Jonghyun mouths. But Key doesn’t catch that. “Hey, can you close your eyes for a minute,” he says; Key does after a few seconds. That feeling is coming up again, and this time it’s stronger than ever. Trying to calm himself down, Jonghyun reaches into his back pocket.
Key feels his hand being lifted; something cold sliding on his finger. He can’t fight it anymore and he cracks open his eyes -- that’s when sees it. He sees it -- thinks he’s going crazy -- there’s a silver ring on his finger and Key wants to pinch himself just to make sure he isn’t dreaming.
“Happy birthday Kibum,” Jonghyun is apprehensively chewing on his lip, nervously looking between Key and the ring.
“Jonghyun,” Key breathes, eyes shining with hidden tears. He pounces on him, kisses him with passion. “Thank you,” he whispers against his mouth, spots a single tear rolling down Jonghyun’s cheek and wipes it away as they part.
“Why are you crying,” Key asks. “I’m supposed to do that--” Jonghyun moves his hand so it’s next to Key and then he understands. It officially makes sense; there’s a heart with a lock hole on Jonghyun’s ring, he looks at his own, a key (irony) is engraved on his ring. He understands (he can feel his heart beat a little faster).
Key can feel a tear running down his cheek too.
5.
Completion.
Just because Jonghyun and Kibum belong together.
A/N: no, it's not an engagement ring. xD more like a "we'll forever be together" ring. it's kinda messy, eh. why must i write like this ;-;. oh well, i hope everything wasn't too obvious...and i hope you enjoyed reading it. ;DDD
Pairing: Jongkey, almost hidden Minhonew
Genre: Mostly fluff, hints of angst
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none really.
Summary: These are the 5 emotions that Key brings out of Jonghyun before and on that special day.
Disclaimer: prompt is actually mine. not the guys, though.
Length: oneshot. approx 2900 words.
1.
Frustration.
He always had a strong passion for music, always did lose himself in it; the beat, the lyrics, everything. People -- everybody -- around him knew he’d become something great, someone great. Then that’s what he did. He realized his dreams, reached for the stars -- became a star -- living in stardom. A musical artist; that’s what he always wanted to be, and that’s what he is. He loves music.
It was really the happiest day of Jonghyun’s life when SM told him he’d debut in a group with four other members. Happy to know that they’ll record music, perform, and even live as one unit. Together. Their name would be SHINee. And they’d shine just like true stars.
Writing then singing the lyrics is still his favorite part of it all. But now, there’s something above that, something he favors more. A person. Loving a person, from the start of the day, to the end of the day -- a full time job. Jonghyun remembers singing the written lyrics (his, their written lyrics) and thinking of somebody; couldn’t stop, every type of contact with that person was heightened. Still is.
We all knew you’d be a famous musician, Jonghyun’s mother had once told him, but no one -- not even yourself -- can know when you’ll fall in love. Love is so scarce that people don’t believe it exists. But it does, and by the time you realize you fell for that special person, it’s too late to go back and then the pain sets in -- pain of longing for them. Even if you try to forget it, Jonghyun, it’ll always haunt you in the back of your mind. Always. He had been confused; it frustrated him. But he understands now.
Jonghyun knows now. He knows that he’s already fallen in love.
Kim Kibum. They call him the Almighty Key. That’s who he fell in love with. A guy; forbidden love. It scared him at first, but it doesn’t matter now -- he doesn’t necessarily care. He’s even with Key now, watching him. In the kitchen, Jonghyun is simply watching as he cooks for all the members in the dorm. Motherly, Key is, but he loves him for that. Jonghyun loves everything about him.
“Jonghyun,” he huffs. “Quit staring at me, it‘s a bit creepy.” Then his concentration is back on whatever he has on the stove. The attitude is fine -- Jonghyun loves him for that, too.
“Key,” Jonghyun says. He ignores him, though. Too focused on stirring and adding to the contents of a pot. Frustrating, but he always gets like this when he’s cooking (but really, that’s okay.)
He goes and grabs Key by the wrist. “The fuck, ‘Hyun,” he growls. “Don’t you see I’m trying to --” doesn’t get to finish, because Jonghyun’s lips are on his in a kiss. A passionate kiss. Then Key finds himself against the counter (it’s getting hot) but he breaks the kiss to glare at Jonghyun.
“Come on, Kibum,” he murmurs and nuzzles his cheek. “They won’t starve to death.”
Key suppresses a gasp as a hand slips under his shirt. “You‘re right, but you will.”
“Oh? Why--” And just as intense as the last one, Key kisses him. Moves onto his jaw line; butterfly kisses, down to his collarbone; nips in between kisses. He’s wiggling himself from in between the counter and Jonghyun--
“No,” his palm lands flat on Key’s chest, pushing him so he’s bending backwards over the counter. “You’re not going anywhere,” he lays a trail of kisses from his mouth to his Adam’s apple. “You should just enjoy yourself.”
“I can’t while being molested. And-ah!”
“And?” Jonghyun’s knee pushes upward between Key’s legs, hands gliding across his chest.
“Mm, I n-need to finish cooking.”
“But,” and Jonghyun’s tongue starts to work the shell of his ear. “Every mother deserves a good break once in a while.”
“I’m not a mom, you slut,” point taken, the last of Key’s sentence comes out as a groan.
Onew sets down a card and smirks as he picks up both cards lying on the table. “Taemin,” he says, sets down another card; a Queen, he silently snorts as Minho picks up that card with the Ace of Spades he just put down. “Go tell Key to hurry up, I’m starving.”
Taemin gets up from his spot in front of the T.V, “That’s a bad idea,” Minho sighs, takes up another two cards from in front of Onew. Instincts tell him everything he needs to know.
“What?”
Minho slowly shakes his head.
“Key Umma!” Taemin bursts into the kitchen. “Jinki hyung says--Oh!” He would say that, Jonghyun pressed close to Key (they‘re kissing) , hands down the waistband of Key’s jeans most likely grabbing his -- yeah -- and Taemin’s cheeks redden a little.
Key moves himself from in between Jonghyun and counter, fixes his collar, the waistband of his jeans and shoots a death glare at the expressionless Jonghyun (he looks kinda frozen in place there). “Jinki says what?” He resumes his much earlier activities on the stove.
His gaze is trained on the floor; he can’t bear to look at either one of them right now. Probably forever. “Um, he said to hurry up with the cooking… he says he’s starving.” Then he scurries out the kitchen.
“Hey, Kibum,” Jonghyun whispers, his hand traveling from Key’s wrist to his shoulder; his mouth finishes up the path from his shoulder to the soft spot behind his ear and leaves a kiss. “We should continue.”
“We shouldn’t,” Key uses a hand to push him away. “You’ve already tainted Taemin, so I can’t let you contaminate the food,” he snaps. “Now, go set the table.” And Jonghyun buries his face in his hands. This is exactly what love can do; make him want Key at inopportune times. Love can be frustrating. Actually, it is.
And sexual frustration is always served cold.
2.
Admiration.
When he dances, when Key dances, everybody in the room can’t help but stare and admire; he’s just that damn captivating. When he watches him, he becomes deaf, the music doesn’t matter anymore. It really doesn’t help that he’s alone with him, in the practice room -- mirrors all around -- so everywhere he looks there’s a dancing Key (and Jonghyun is desperately trying to keep his desires in check).
And, of course all that trying is in vain because Key looks up into one of the mirrors -- shoots him the most seductive look ever -- all that dancing; the twisting, popping, and stepping just adds to it, adds to his admiration (desire, too).
Soon Jonghyun is over behind him, arms around Key’s waist, rocking side to side and setting a different, slower pace (the heat of his body is silently driving Jonghyun mad.) “You’re messing me up,” Key huffs. Jonghyun hums and nips the side of his neck. There’s a brief pause.
“You don’t care, do you?”
“I do,” his hand slips under Key’s shirt, raises it up to expose half of a toned abdomen. “But…” And he leaves the rest to Key’s imagination.
“But,” Key continues for him and wriggles himself free from Jonghyun’s hold. “How about you make yourself useful,” he goes to turn the stereo off. “And sing me a song.”
“Like,” he asks, but Key is just sort of staring at him; he takes that as his cue.
“Key is so pretty--”
“--No,” he interrupts. “Sexy, Key is sexy.”
“Key is so sexy,” Jonghyun sings and he knows Key is satisfied because he approaches him; takes both of his hands. Then they’re doing some sort of a couple style slow-dance and Key is smiling -- laughing -- while Jonghyun is still singing (he’s smiling, too). It makes him happier just to see Key happy and he admires how much the other boy has such an impact on him. Admires him fully.
But he concludes that he admires Key’s smile the most.
3.
Jealousy.
They’re all together in the living room; Key and Onew on the couch, and he‘s sitting with Taemin and Minho on the floor, watching some sort poorly made comedy movie. The name of the movie, Jonghyun doesn’t quite remember because he’s too focused on what’s happening on the couch.
“I’ll be right back, going to the bathroom,” he leans over to tell Minho then leaves promptly.
When he’s back, Jonghyun isn’t quite sure what he was hoping for (maybe for Key to follow him), because they’re still there, Key is still there, cuddling with Onew. He has some sort of a smug look on his face -- probably just Jonghyun’s imagination, but still.
During a break in dance rehearsal, he spots Key with Onew again, talking. It wouldn’t bother him so much, but Key is giggling and Onew has a smirk on his face and Jonghyun thinks they’re a little too close to be just talking. And before either of them can even blink, he’s over there; snatching Key by the wrist, pulls him around a corner and kisses him. Hard. “Get off me,” he hears Key hiss and soon Jonghyun is a bit out of breath due to the sharp fist thrown at his chest.
“What’s the deal,” he coughs (it was a bit stronger than he expected) and Key is glaring at him, eyes crinkled at the corners; a bit confused. “With you and Jinki?”
“Jinki? Nothing, he just wants me--”
“--Kibum,” Jonghyun warns him. “I’m not stupid.”
An eyebrow is raised. “Your point is?”
“Quit playing games,” He snarls, eyes narrowed. “If you wanna be with Jinki, then just--”
“--If I wanna be with Jinki,” Key’s face contorts into shock. “If I felt anything for Jinki, I would have shot myself by now,” he sucks his teeth. “Wait-- You’re jealous, aren’t you?” The words take a little while to sink in, and very soon Jonghyun is doing his best to hide his reddening face while Key breaks into a fit of laughter.
“You are jealous,” Key tugs at his forearm. “Let me see--!” he cuts himself off with his own laughter.
The next few days will be worse (just because Jonghyun knows he won’t hear the end of this.)
“So,” Jonghyun later asks while they’re riding in the van back to the dorm. “What were you doing with Jinki again?”
Key gives him an amused look. “He wants me to hook him up with one of the newer SM trainees,” he says, then leans closer (if that‘s even possible). “Still jealous--?”
“--Just what are you two doing over there?” Onew interrupts loudly, Jonghyun shoots him a cross between an annoyed look and a glare and Key just sort of bursts into a fit of giggles. Then he remembers that Onew is actually trying to get a date -- a girlfriend -- and then he’s laughing right along with Key.
“What’s so funny?” Key eventually stops and tries to answer -- but that’s a little hard to do because Jonghyun is still laughing and it’s so fucking loud and awkward that everybody can’t help but stare at him as if he just said “hey, me and Kibum are gay together,” (he’s pretty sure they’ve figured that out, anyway).
But when his laughter subsides, he finally notices the hand on his thigh. “You‘re still jealous,” he hears Key whisper close to his ear and Jonghyun is laughing (harder) again.
4.
Nervousness.
“Hey, I wanna help,” he pats him on the shoulder, white teeth gleaming (it’s that smile, where it looks like his cheeks are working out and his eyes are just about to disappear.)
“Um, sure,” Jonghyun blinks; rubs the back of his neck. “You can carry the cake in.” With a “yay” he dashes out of the front door to the van.
“Jinki! Don’t drop it,” he exclaims exasperatedly as Onew barges through the door; he’s over there quick, partially holding the cake, just in case Onew happens to slip (nothing really new there).
“I got it,” and he does. A good time for the infamous Onew Condition, but that’s not the case. Because he really does slip, but somehow the cake is alright. At least the cake is okay (not too sure about Onew) but Jonghyun guesses he’s okay too, and lifts it to the designated spot.
“Hey Hyung, is this okay?” Jonghyun is getting a bit tired of hearing and thinking of that word okay, the position of table and presents look fine, but he doesn’t think that’s okay because it has to be perfect. No, “Wait,” nothing can be out of place.
Taemin gives him an uneasy look. “I did it the way you asked.”
“I know. It’s okay, I got it,” Taemin is still looking at him. “No, really,” Jonghyun says. “I got it.” He’s tired of that phrase too, but sets to work on ‘fixing’ the problem (still, he sees none) anyway.
Jonghyun sits, wringing his hands. A sigh, which is quickly followed by another. He taps his foot. Off the couch, then he’s pacing. “Jonghyun hyung,” Taemin says. “I think you should sit down,” but Jonghyun just blankly stares at him and Minho nudges Taemin.
Back to pacing, he folds his hands on top of his head. A minute later, it finally clicks inside his head and he goes and takes another seat on the couch. He looks at his watch but the digits don’t make any sense; they’re just numbers to him because he kind of lost the ability to tell time. That’s how worked up he can get.
“You know he had the longest schedule today,” he hears Onew say. “It’s almost time for dinner. He’ll be home soon.” And Jonghyun absentmindly nods and gets up to pace again.
Checks his back pocket one more time. He has it? He better. Yeah.
“I’m home,” the door closes and Key glances around. Silence. “Huh, that’s weird,” he snorts. “They’re all gone. It must be my birthday.” He starts to shrug off his jacket.
“Key Umma!” Taemin dashes out the kitchen. He’s the first to hug Key, the side of his face buried in a navy blue Queen t-shirt. Then there’s Onew -- he doesn’t say anything, just tightly hugs Key from the side, arms wrapped around his shoulders with the happiest grin plastered on his face.
“Happy birthday!”
“Oh,” Key continues his earlier thought. “It really must be my birthday.” But he’s grinning too.
They release him as Minho steps out of the bedroom. “Happy birthday, hyung,” he bows and goes to give Key a brotherly hug. “Yep,” he concludes. “It’s officially my birthday.” Minho gives a sort of embarrassed laugh. It’s a known fact that that’s Key’s way of saying thanks.
“We’re missing someone,” Key spots movement from the corner of his eye. “Jong--!” then there are lips on his. Shocked? Yeah, the rest of the members are still there -- but really, who cares anymore? It was obvious and he secretly hopes they get the picture as Jonghyun breaks the kiss and pulls him back out the front door.
Key looks up at the huge sign, eyes shining. “Wow, are you really…?” And Jonghyun nervously smiles, tucks a hair behind his ear and takes Key’s hand with a nod. “Is it okay?” Then Key is looking at him, surprise all over his face, throws himself on Jonghyun with the tightest, most sincere hug.
Coming from the amusement park, they’re both laughing -- having fun, enjoying life. Enjoying each other’s company. High on life; high on each other. They’re happy. Jonghyun leads them to a tree where they sit side by side, fingers intertwined, gazing at the stars above. “It’s so pretty,” Key whispers.
“Just like you,” Jonghyun mouths. But Key doesn’t catch that. “Hey, can you close your eyes for a minute,” he says; Key does after a few seconds. That feeling is coming up again, and this time it’s stronger than ever. Trying to calm himself down, Jonghyun reaches into his back pocket.
Key feels his hand being lifted; something cold sliding on his finger. He can’t fight it anymore and he cracks open his eyes -- that’s when sees it. He sees it -- thinks he’s going crazy -- there’s a silver ring on his finger and Key wants to pinch himself just to make sure he isn’t dreaming.
“Happy birthday Kibum,” Jonghyun is apprehensively chewing on his lip, nervously looking between Key and the ring.
“Jonghyun,” Key breathes, eyes shining with hidden tears. He pounces on him, kisses him with passion. “Thank you,” he whispers against his mouth, spots a single tear rolling down Jonghyun’s cheek and wipes it away as they part.
“Why are you crying,” Key asks. “I’m supposed to do that--” Jonghyun moves his hand so it’s next to Key and then he understands. It officially makes sense; there’s a heart with a lock hole on Jonghyun’s ring, he looks at his own, a key (irony) is engraved on his ring. He understands (he can feel his heart beat a little faster).
Key can feel a tear running down his cheek too.
5.
Completion.
Just because Jonghyun and Kibum belong together.
A/N: no, it's not an engagement ring. xD more like a "we'll forever be together" ring. it's kinda messy, eh. why must i write like this ;-;. oh well, i hope everything wasn't too obvious...and i hope you enjoyed reading it. ;DDD