Along for the Ride - 7/?
Title : Along for the Ride
Pairings : 2min, Jongkey, Minkey, (maybe) Jongtae
Genre : Angst, Fluff, Slight (if any) Smut
Rating : M for language and possible smut
Word Count : 4538
---
Taemin had been mentally and physically counting down the days that he got to remove the stitches in his head. Walking around with seven stitches wrapped and covered by head bandages was not how he liked going around each day. It would have been different if he didn’t need to wear the bandages to keep the stitches from getting infected or whatever. It was hard to explain to Kibum and Jonghyun how he had gotten the injury and why he hadn’t told them earlier-as if the next day when they saw him wasn’t soon enough-without explaining why it would take longer for him to have them taken out. Normally, stitches could be taken out seven to ten days after having been put in, even twelve to fourteen was substantial. But because of his body defects, it would take him longer than usual to heal.
And he told everyone the truth, he’d fallen and hit his head, cracking it open on the pavement. He had been neglecting his health and not eating or sleeping properly, which caused him to faint. Everyone seemed to buy it, except Jinki, that is, since he already knew pretty much everything Taemin tried so hard to keep hidden.
After much persuasion and begging, Jinki had finally agreed to not tell Kibum or Jonghyun or Minho. Especially Jonghyun because he knew how emotional his hyung was and how particular he was about Taemin. He would definitely be hurt the most. And he’d purposefully or accidentally tell the Kims, who’d then monitor him at work and cut his hours for health purposes. He had been doing well all these years and didn’t want anything to change.
“Oppa, gwenchana?”
Taemin looked up from his notebook at Hyerin as she walked through the shop entrance. She hung her jacket and walked over to the counter, giving Taemin a weird look. Taemin tilted his head in confusion, slightly uncomfortable with the inspection Hyerin seemed to be giving him.
“Wae?”
“You look thinner.”
Taemin blinked in surprise. He didn’t remember being so perceptive at fourteen. Sure he’d noticed silly little things here and there, but never to the extent Hyerin did.
“Kim Hyerin, you think too much. Don’t you have homework or something?”
“Ani, I just came from the library with my friends. I finished it,” she tapped her chin with her pointer finger as she leaned in closer to his face. “And it’s not in my mind, oppa. Your face is thinner. Your cheeks used to be fatter.”
Taemin looked back down at his notebook in effort to avoid her intent gaze. “No, I’m still the same, Hyerin. You’re just getting older.”
“But you’ve never been this thin. I mean, you have always been…little, I guess. But I remember you used to have some kind of muscles from working in the back, and dancing. I don’t know…”
Taemin chuckled and looked back up at her. “Exactly like I said. You’re getting older. I’ve finished growing, but you’re still in puberty or whatever. Everything that seemed big before will get smaller as you get bigger and so on.”
He licked his lips nervously and waited for her to respond. She simply stared at him for a few more seconds, suspicion obvious, but shrugged and walked off. “If you say so, oppa.” She gasped and spun back around with a smile. “Oh! I have a tournament coming up soon. It’s in a few weeks. Please come! Please?”
Taemin smiled, happy for the subject change, and nodded. “I’ll ask ahjumma for the day off, arasso?” She nodded and disappeared through the back doors. Taemin let out a breath of relief and stared blankly down at his notebook. He wondered how much longer he’d be able to pull off the nonchalance of his weight loss.
-
“Taemin-ah, you have an injury. I refuse to let you take the bus home. Just wait forty minutes and I’ll take you home.”
Taemin rolled his eyes at Jonghyun as he wrapped his scarf around his neck. He had just clocked off and really wanted to go home and shower and sleep like the living dead for half a day even though he’d have to get up early the next day for class. And he was almost out the door when Jonghyun stuck his head through the doorway stopping his quick escape.
“Hyung, by the time you finish I could be almost home. Like right now, my bus arrives in seven minutes.”
“No. Something could happen and you don’t know anyone on the bus. Someone might rob you or keep walking if you pass out on the streets. Not to mention you might reopen the wound in your head. No. Sit and wait for hyung to take you home.”
“Annyeonghaseyo!” Both turned to the entrance to see Jinki walking over to them. Jinki smiled as Taemin met him halfway, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a phone. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Taemin stared at his phone in shock before grabbing it. “I hadn’t even noticed it was missing. How’d you get it?”
“You left it in my car the other day. I told Kibum to tell you I’d bring it to you tonight. He gave me directions to get here.”
“Really?” Taemin tried turning it on but it was dead. He wondered how long he had been without his phone for him to not have realized it. Well, it wasn’t like he got many phone calls anyway. Most were from Minho, anyways. His eyes widened in realization. Minho. When was the last time he had spent time with him? Last week…the beginning of last week actually.
“Guess he didn’t tell you.”
“Ani. Thanks, hyung.”
“Well, I just came to drop that off. I’ll see you guys later.” He glanced over Taemin’s shoulder to Jonghyun who was watching them curiously. “Bye, Jonghyun.”
“Later, hyung.”
“Ah, wait!” Both the elder boys looked at Taemin. Taemin smiled at Jinki, patting his arm in a consistent pattern. “Hyung, can you drop me at home? Jonghyun hyung wont let me ride the bus and I want to go now.”
“Sure, I have no problem with that. My car’s out front.”
He and Jonghyun watched as Jinki headed out of the door. Taemin turned with a smirk to Jonghyun, happy to go home earlier than forty minutes later. But his smirk turned into an unintentional pout of confusion at the look on his hyung’s face. “What?”
Jonghyun narrowed his eyes. “Is there something going on with you and Jinki hyung?”
“What?!”
Jonghyun shrugged, watching Taemin’s reaction closely. “Well, lately I always see you two together. Well, I mean he seems to take extra special care about you. And you guys seem to have your own sort of…language or code or something. And now he’s returning your phone you left in his car? When were you in his car?”
“I just happen to run into him a lot lately. You’re thinking too much. Which you should be careful of, hyung. That’s not really safe for the people around you. See you tomorrow,” Taemin waved, chuckling at his hyung as he left the store and got in Jinki’s car.
“What’s funny?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Alright,” Jinki nodded, pulling out of his parking spot and riding down the street. “So how are your classes?”
“Fine, I guess. I’m not behind in anything that I know of. Well, besides dance. I’ve had to sit out for the past couple classes.”
“Why’s that?”
Taemin shrugged. “I’ve been really tired lately. And there’s something on with my muscles. They’ll clench and unclench or lose feeling completely at random times. I don’t know. I do know that it’s not safe to dance with something like that.”
“That sounds serious, Taemin-ah.”
Taemin shook his head. “It’s not. I just need to rest for a while and I’ll be back to normal.”
“Well, how long has this been going on?”
“I’d say since that day, but even before that I was winded during that class. I just need to sleep a bit more and I’ll be good as new.”
They sat in a silence not really knowing what to say next. Taemin stared at the stoplights and the blurs of the buildings as the car sped through town. “Can I ask a question?”
Taemin noticed the wavering in Jinki’s voice and grimaced a bit. “If it’s about that then no.”
“Well, how about related to that?” Taemin tried responding but Jinki continued. “Have you been going to the treatments?”
“I…attempt.”
“And what exactly does attempt mean?”
“Well, I went last week. It had been a while since I’d gone, but I went. My doctor was shocked I showed up since…well, it had been a few months-”
“Half a year.”
“…Yeah. And when he went to schedule my next appointment, it was really inconvenient.”
“I hardly think your treatment is inconveniencing anything else. This is life or…”
“Death? Yeah, I know. But what am I supposed to do about the rent and bills that need to be paid? I have to work for the money and I can’t skip work just to go play on a treadmill or whatever.”
“It’s thanks to that treadmill that you’re even able to work, Taemin-ah.”
“I really don’t want to talk about this right now, hyung.” Jinki let out a sigh but nonetheless complied with his wishes. The rest of the short ride to his house was silent aside from the radio playing some upbeat girl group song. Soon Jinki pulled up to the younger’s apartment, staring straight ahead. Taemin caught sight of a familiar black car parked a few cars up. He let out a sigh and leaned his head against the window. “Shit.”
Jinki glanced over. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he closed his eyes. “Just…getting pumped I guess.”
“For what?”
Taemin tried holding it in but let out a small yawn before replying, “Minho hyung’s waiting for me.”
“What?” Jinki snapped around, searching through the night for Minho. “How do you know?”
“His car is up ahead.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d know it anywhere.”
“But…aren’t you tired?” Taemin looked over at him curiously. “I can see it in your face, and the way you walked to the car back at the shop. Your moves are sluggish. Do you want me to send him away?”
“Ani,” Taemin shook his head seeing Jinki ready to unclip his seatbelt. “That will make things difficult. He doesn’t know you know, and he doesn’t want anyone but me and him to know. Besides, it’s our arrangement. Though he must be really desperate to look for me at home.”
“You aren’t going to do it, are you?”
Taemin lifted an eyebrow. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Just a few minutes ago you said you could hardly dance without falling over. Now you’re trying to have a quick fuck? You’re sick, Taemin,” the younger flinched at the choice of words but said nothing. “You need to rest. You don’t need Minho using you for his own personal needs while you’re so weak.”
“He’s not the only one using someone, hyung. I need to clear my head from a lot of things going on lately. And this is just the way to clear it.” Taemin undid his seatbelt and opened the car door. “Thanks for the lift, hyung.”
Jinki watched as Taemin walked to the front door of the apartment, and soon a tall silhouette jogged up behind him. Minho. And they talked and talked and Taemin gave a small smile and a nod before sparing Jinki one last look and leading Minho inside.
=
“Whose idea was it to go hiking?”
It was a warm Saturday afternoon and Taemin found himself in a park reserve with his four friends. Spring had not been kind with the weather lately. It was only recently that the snow had completely melted away, but the winds were harsh and bitter. So when the weatherman gave a great forecast for the weekend, the five decided to go on a little hiking expedition.
“No seriously, who decided on hiking in the fucking woods?”
And Kibum was less than thrilled.
Jonghyun and Minho were definitely the most fit in the group, so they were leading the way to wherever it was they were headed for. Jinki was up ahead in the middle, leaving Taemin and a cranky Kibum to trail slowly behind them.
“It was yours, hyung. You thought it would be romantic to have a picnic in the woods under the sunset or stars or whatever.”
“I was fucking dream talking,” Kibum growled as he kicked a stone in his path. “I thought it would be nice-if I liked being outdoors-for me and Jong to have a cute romantic meal under a canopy of trees. That idiot actually went and rented an RV to bring us all to the park reserve.”
“Well, it shows he cares. I guess…in a way…”
“If he wasn’t so fucking cute I’d break his face.”
“With what?”
“My foot. Preferably the one in the shoe that just stepped in something wet and mushy and most likely impossible to get off.”
“Oh, that’s gross.”
“And he’s not even here with me! He’s all the way up there ignoring me when he’s supposed to help me around all this…this…junk!”
“First of all, it’s nature, not junk. Second, he’s not ignoring you. Hyung is just really into this outdoors thing. He gets kind of carried away with himself. He’ll be back for you soon enough. Then you’ll be the one ignoring me.”
“Nope. Never. You’re the only one that understands me around here. We have to stick together if we want to make it out of this shithole in one piece.”
“Kibummie, why are you all the way back here?”
Speak of the devil. Taemin smirked as Jonghyun made his way over to them. He ruffled his red hair before turning his gaze to his highly irritated blonde boyfriend. Kibum huffed and avoided eye contact. “Because I can’t scale earth that isn’t pavement or flat.”
“But I thought you wanted to come hiking?” Jonghyun cocked his head to the side, confusion clear in his features. Taemin had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing at Kibum.
“I thought the thought of us hiking together would be nice. I didn’t want to actually go hiking! I hate nature!”
“I wouldn’t go yelling that, hyung. Mother Nature might decide to not share her oxygen supply with you.”
Kibum turned to the red head with a hard glare, only for it to be met with a cheeky grin. Jonghyun scratched his neck, sorrow covering his face. “Mianhe, Kibum. I should have asked you before doing all of this. I just got really excited when you told me about-well, never mind. We can leave if you want?”
Kibum remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and finally-finally-looking at Jonghyun. “Ani. I don’t want to leave,” he pushed his lips out in a pout as Taemin snickered, knowing that was a lie. “I just wanted you to be with me. It’s not romantic if I’m the only one stepping in unknown substances.”
Jonghyun perked up, a small smile touching his lips. “Are you sure? I have no problem using Taemin’s aegyo to reel the other two back in.”
“Why do I have to do your dirty work?” Taemin scoffed a bit amused. Jonghyun just smirked and turned his attention back to Kibum.
“I’m sure. Just…I’m not used to this, so can you help me?”
And that was enough to get Jonghyun riled up again and leading Kibum up further in a slightly faster pace yet still in view of Taemin. The younger smiled at his hyungs, trying not to feel like too much of a pervert for finding their behavior cute.
=
“That was so awesome! I knew that was his father! I knew it! Hyung, didn’t I tell you I knew it! Oh my god that was the best of all three movies ever!”
Taemin was bouncing around Minho excitedly as the left the theater. Minho held on to the popcorn they hadn’t finished and watched with an amused smile as Taemin continued ranting and raving about the movie they’d just seen. Taemin tossed his empty cup in the nearest garbage and took his popcorn from Minho.
“That was a good movie, hyung. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Not a problem. I really wanted to see it, and I know you’re the only one that appreciates the art of action movies.”
Taemin, with his back facing Minho, smiled at the elder’s words. What he said wasn’t the least bit romantic but it still had the younger’s heart rate increasing. He hated how Minho had such a powerful hold on him without even trying or realizing it.
“So where to now?” Taemin asked as they got in Minho’s car.
“I need to pick up something at my house, so we’ll stop by there before going to get something to eat. It seems no matter what I feed you, you never gain weight,” Minho chuckled while pinching nonexistent fat of the younger’s leg. Taemin shrieked at the pinch and swatted his hand away. “It’ll only take a few minutes, okay?”
Taemin nodded and relaxed in the seat as the elder rode off in the direction of his house. “What is it you’re getting?”
Taemin looked over at him as he drove, surprised by the wide smile on his face. He looked really happy and his smile was almost secretive, like an inside thing, which made the younger’s stomach do a million flips and cartwheels and even a couple somersaults. “Just something a friend sent me. I had it delivered to my neighbor so I wouldn’t miss the deliveryman. He texted me earlier saying it came.”
“Huh, must be really important then.”
“Yeah, I guess.” The car turned down the street of Minho’s building. “So what do you want to eat? I think I’d like some Thai or something.”
“Thai sounds nice. I haven’t had any in a while. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.”
“Really?” Minho looked over at him with a bright smile. “Great. Then we’ll find a nice Thai place to eat.” He pulled into a spot across the street from his building and parked the car. “You can wait here, I’ll be quick.”
Taemin nodded and watched as he got out and went in his building. He smiled softly to himself as he placed his hands on his stomach. He felt it grumbling a bit, the feeling foreign to him. He couldn’t remember the last time he was physically hungry, or when he actually ate because he knew he needed to. He was never really hungry. It was one of those symptoms he’d learned about. It wasn’t that he was never hungry, but his mind made him believe he wasn’t hungry. Or that he’d have so much on his mind eating wouldn’t even cross it.
About ten minutes passed and Minho emerged from the building, with Kibum. Taemin’s eyes widened as he watched his hyungs talking. His stomach clenched uncomfortably as he waited anxiously for something he didn’t know. Actually, he did know. He knew what it was he was waiting for. For Minho to come and tell him Kibum wanted to hang out, or that he wasn’t hungry anymore. Both of their heads turned and Kibum caught gazes with Taemin, smiling brightly as he waved. Taemin waved back meekly before he and Minho went back to talking. Kibum’s arms flailed all around as he spoke. Minho shrugged and they parted.
Taemin hadn’t expected for Kibum to walk off, and Minho to head back to the car without him. In his head, the scenario went something like Kibum following Minho to the car and Minho asking Taemin to get in the back so their hyung could sit up front. The door opened and Minho climbed in, buckling his seatbelt and starting the car. He looked over at Taemin, who was staring at him oddly, and smiled.
“You don’t mind if we eat in, do you? I’d rather eat it hot than to take it home.”
Taemin shook his head, too shocked to form words. Minho’s smile widened as he drove off. Taemin’s brain was still trying to process what just happened. Instead he found himself spilling words.
“You got your package or whatever?”
Minho nodded. “Yeah. I got it from my neighbor downstairs and when I went to take it home I found Kibum hyung rummaging around in the living room couch. He lost his reading glasses. He thinks he left them at my house, so I told him I’ll keep a look out for them.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. So have you thought of where we can go?” Taemin nodded and smiled, stomach hungry once again as he directed Minho to the nearest and tastiest Thai restaurant.
=
“Taeminnie!”
Taemin jumped in shock and caught himself from falling when Kibum launched himself onto the younger. They were in Taemin’s dance class and the teacher had just allowed their fifteen-minute break and walked out when Kibum raced over to the red head.
“What’s wrong, hyung?”
“You know you shouldn’t be dancing! You still have your stitches in. You should sit out until you at least get them out.”
“But then I’ll be bored. I’m tired of being behind in the class. And I do plan on passing this semester.” Kibum scowled, showing his obvious distaste in Taemin’s stubbornness. Taemin smiled. “Thank you for caring, hyung,” he batted his eyes as he looked up at Kibum, knowing the elder couldn’t resist those types of faces.
“You brat,” Kibum huffed, knowing exactly what Taemin was doing and hating that it was working. “Just make sure you don’t overwork yourself. If you feel dizzy, or any pain from your neck up, then just stop. I’m sure seonsaengnim will understand.”
“Neh, hyung. I know. Jinki hyung tells me plenty of times not to do too much.”
“Speaking of him…” Kibum gazed at him curiously. “What’s going on with you two? You’re not dating are you? I didn’t know Jinki hyung was gay…or is he bi? I didn’t take him for someone that liked guys. But I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover, huh?”
“Wait a minute, hyung. I’m not dating him.” Kibum just looked at him. “We’re not! God, why does no one believe me? And why am I the one being asked?”
“Well it just seems like you two are really, really close. Jonghyun hyung told me how Jinki hyung sometimes picks you up from work and drops you off. It’s like how Jong takes me places and drops me off and stuff.”
“Jinki hyung and I are not dating. What’s with you and trying to pin me with people? First Minho hyung now Jinki hyung.”
“Speaking of him, how was your date the other day?” Kibum smirked at Taemin’s reddening face.
“It wasn’t a date.”
“Oh my god! Why are you being so annoying? You and I both know you know it was a date. Why else does it look like your face is on its period?”
“Hyung, I’ve already told you Minho hyung doesn’t like me like that. We went to see a movie and then we went to a Thai place to eat. Nothing special.”
“Dinner and a movie? Sounds special to me,” Kibum teased.
“Technically it was a movie and dinner, and it wasn’t. People don’t go on dates like that anymore anyway. It was just two friends meeting up to watch a movie of common interests.”
“Fine. Just answer me this.” Taemin tilted his head, waiting for Kibum to continue. “Did you guys share popcorn?”
His face grew another shade darker as Kibum squealed and he mentally cursed him for being such a sappy romantic. “That still doesn’t mean anything, hyung.”
But Kibum wasn’t listening to his protests. He was off in his own world. “Aww, how many times did your hands touch? Oh my god, did he fake a yawn and put his arm around your shoulder? What about the drinks? Did you have one big drink and have two straws?”
“No,” Taemin muttered though he figured Kibum was no longer paying him any attention.
“No?” Kibum gasped and a sly smirk crawled onto his lips. “So you guys shared a straw, too? Indirect kissing!”
Taemin groaned and quietly listened to his hyung’s ranting. He looked at the wall clock, wishing the last six minutes would hurry up and end. Kibum was stretching the ‘date’ with Minho way out of proportion, and it was seeping into his own head. He really liked the thought of him being on a date with Minho-he longed for it-but it just wouldn’t happen. Not in this lifetime. That’s what Minho had always said anyway. It’s not like one day he’d wake up and love him.
“Lee Taemin?”
Both he and Kibum looked up at the door where the teacher stood with a woman in a business suit behind her glancing around the room. Taemin stood up from the floor and walked over with Kibum in tow. “Yes?”
“Annyeonghaseyo, Lee Taemin-ssi. I was sent here by Executive Director Lee to retrieve you. The car is out front waiting now. If you will please bring your things.”
“Aish, so bothersome,” Taemin muttered to himself, mussing his hair in annoyance.
“Execu-Taemin, who is she talking about?” Kibum stood next to him, a bit in front to shield him from the woman.
“Nothing, hyung,” Taemin smiled at him before turning to the woman. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time, ma’am. But tell her I’m not coming. Or better yet, tell her you couldn’t find me so you wont get in trouble, arasso?”
“That won’t be possible, Taemin-ssi. The director is downstairs in the car waiting. She had gotten the confirmation you were in class and sent me up to retrieve you. If I go back empty handed, she has…a plan B, if you will.”
“…Fine. Wait here.” He rolled his eyes and turned to go get his things. He walked to the other side of the room muttering under his breath until Kibum grabbed his arm. He looked up at Kibum who was staring at him worried. “What’s wrong, hyung?”
“What’s wrong? Some woman is about to kidnap you and you just go along with it, that’s what’s wrong!”
“Ani,” Taemin smiled at Kibum’s accusation. “I’m not being kidnapped, hyung. That lady works for my mom.”
“Y-your mom?”
“Taemin-ssi. The director is waiting.”
Taemin nodded and gave his friend a tight squeeze. He released him and smiled softly. “I’ll call you later, ok?”
Kibum blinked but nodded in understanding. He watched as Taemin followed the woman out the classroom and disappeared down the hall. He frowned a bit, not understanding the situation that just happened. The woman called her boss executive director, and her boss was Taemin’s mother. He didn’t know of anyone with such a high rank to be poor, yet the place where Taemin lived looked nothing like how a son of an executive director’s son would live in.
Pairings : 2min, Jongkey, Minkey, (maybe) Jongtae
Genre : Angst, Fluff, Slight (if any) Smut
Rating : M for language and possible smut
Word Count : 4538
---
Taemin had been mentally and physically counting down the days that he got to remove the stitches in his head. Walking around with seven stitches wrapped and covered by head bandages was not how he liked going around each day. It would have been different if he didn’t need to wear the bandages to keep the stitches from getting infected or whatever. It was hard to explain to Kibum and Jonghyun how he had gotten the injury and why he hadn’t told them earlier-as if the next day when they saw him wasn’t soon enough-without explaining why it would take longer for him to have them taken out. Normally, stitches could be taken out seven to ten days after having been put in, even twelve to fourteen was substantial. But because of his body defects, it would take him longer than usual to heal.
And he told everyone the truth, he’d fallen and hit his head, cracking it open on the pavement. He had been neglecting his health and not eating or sleeping properly, which caused him to faint. Everyone seemed to buy it, except Jinki, that is, since he already knew pretty much everything Taemin tried so hard to keep hidden.
After much persuasion and begging, Jinki had finally agreed to not tell Kibum or Jonghyun or Minho. Especially Jonghyun because he knew how emotional his hyung was and how particular he was about Taemin. He would definitely be hurt the most. And he’d purposefully or accidentally tell the Kims, who’d then monitor him at work and cut his hours for health purposes. He had been doing well all these years and didn’t want anything to change.
“Oppa, gwenchana?”
Taemin looked up from his notebook at Hyerin as she walked through the shop entrance. She hung her jacket and walked over to the counter, giving Taemin a weird look. Taemin tilted his head in confusion, slightly uncomfortable with the inspection Hyerin seemed to be giving him.
“Wae?”
“You look thinner.”
Taemin blinked in surprise. He didn’t remember being so perceptive at fourteen. Sure he’d noticed silly little things here and there, but never to the extent Hyerin did.
“Kim Hyerin, you think too much. Don’t you have homework or something?”
“Ani, I just came from the library with my friends. I finished it,” she tapped her chin with her pointer finger as she leaned in closer to his face. “And it’s not in my mind, oppa. Your face is thinner. Your cheeks used to be fatter.”
Taemin looked back down at his notebook in effort to avoid her intent gaze. “No, I’m still the same, Hyerin. You’re just getting older.”
“But you’ve never been this thin. I mean, you have always been…little, I guess. But I remember you used to have some kind of muscles from working in the back, and dancing. I don’t know…”
Taemin chuckled and looked back up at her. “Exactly like I said. You’re getting older. I’ve finished growing, but you’re still in puberty or whatever. Everything that seemed big before will get smaller as you get bigger and so on.”
He licked his lips nervously and waited for her to respond. She simply stared at him for a few more seconds, suspicion obvious, but shrugged and walked off. “If you say so, oppa.” She gasped and spun back around with a smile. “Oh! I have a tournament coming up soon. It’s in a few weeks. Please come! Please?”
Taemin smiled, happy for the subject change, and nodded. “I’ll ask ahjumma for the day off, arasso?” She nodded and disappeared through the back doors. Taemin let out a breath of relief and stared blankly down at his notebook. He wondered how much longer he’d be able to pull off the nonchalance of his weight loss.
-
“Taemin-ah, you have an injury. I refuse to let you take the bus home. Just wait forty minutes and I’ll take you home.”
Taemin rolled his eyes at Jonghyun as he wrapped his scarf around his neck. He had just clocked off and really wanted to go home and shower and sleep like the living dead for half a day even though he’d have to get up early the next day for class. And he was almost out the door when Jonghyun stuck his head through the doorway stopping his quick escape.
“Hyung, by the time you finish I could be almost home. Like right now, my bus arrives in seven minutes.”
“No. Something could happen and you don’t know anyone on the bus. Someone might rob you or keep walking if you pass out on the streets. Not to mention you might reopen the wound in your head. No. Sit and wait for hyung to take you home.”
“Annyeonghaseyo!” Both turned to the entrance to see Jinki walking over to them. Jinki smiled as Taemin met him halfway, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a phone. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Taemin stared at his phone in shock before grabbing it. “I hadn’t even noticed it was missing. How’d you get it?”
“You left it in my car the other day. I told Kibum to tell you I’d bring it to you tonight. He gave me directions to get here.”
“Really?” Taemin tried turning it on but it was dead. He wondered how long he had been without his phone for him to not have realized it. Well, it wasn’t like he got many phone calls anyway. Most were from Minho, anyways. His eyes widened in realization. Minho. When was the last time he had spent time with him? Last week…the beginning of last week actually.
“Guess he didn’t tell you.”
“Ani. Thanks, hyung.”
“Well, I just came to drop that off. I’ll see you guys later.” He glanced over Taemin’s shoulder to Jonghyun who was watching them curiously. “Bye, Jonghyun.”
“Later, hyung.”
“Ah, wait!” Both the elder boys looked at Taemin. Taemin smiled at Jinki, patting his arm in a consistent pattern. “Hyung, can you drop me at home? Jonghyun hyung wont let me ride the bus and I want to go now.”
“Sure, I have no problem with that. My car’s out front.”
He and Jonghyun watched as Jinki headed out of the door. Taemin turned with a smirk to Jonghyun, happy to go home earlier than forty minutes later. But his smirk turned into an unintentional pout of confusion at the look on his hyung’s face. “What?”
Jonghyun narrowed his eyes. “Is there something going on with you and Jinki hyung?”
“What?!”
Jonghyun shrugged, watching Taemin’s reaction closely. “Well, lately I always see you two together. Well, I mean he seems to take extra special care about you. And you guys seem to have your own sort of…language or code or something. And now he’s returning your phone you left in his car? When were you in his car?”
“I just happen to run into him a lot lately. You’re thinking too much. Which you should be careful of, hyung. That’s not really safe for the people around you. See you tomorrow,” Taemin waved, chuckling at his hyung as he left the store and got in Jinki’s car.
“What’s funny?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Alright,” Jinki nodded, pulling out of his parking spot and riding down the street. “So how are your classes?”
“Fine, I guess. I’m not behind in anything that I know of. Well, besides dance. I’ve had to sit out for the past couple classes.”
“Why’s that?”
Taemin shrugged. “I’ve been really tired lately. And there’s something on with my muscles. They’ll clench and unclench or lose feeling completely at random times. I don’t know. I do know that it’s not safe to dance with something like that.”
“That sounds serious, Taemin-ah.”
Taemin shook his head. “It’s not. I just need to rest for a while and I’ll be back to normal.”
“Well, how long has this been going on?”
“I’d say since that day, but even before that I was winded during that class. I just need to sleep a bit more and I’ll be good as new.”
They sat in a silence not really knowing what to say next. Taemin stared at the stoplights and the blurs of the buildings as the car sped through town. “Can I ask a question?”
Taemin noticed the wavering in Jinki’s voice and grimaced a bit. “If it’s about that then no.”
“Well, how about related to that?” Taemin tried responding but Jinki continued. “Have you been going to the treatments?”
“I…attempt.”
“And what exactly does attempt mean?”
“Well, I went last week. It had been a while since I’d gone, but I went. My doctor was shocked I showed up since…well, it had been a few months-”
“Half a year.”
“…Yeah. And when he went to schedule my next appointment, it was really inconvenient.”
“I hardly think your treatment is inconveniencing anything else. This is life or…”
“Death? Yeah, I know. But what am I supposed to do about the rent and bills that need to be paid? I have to work for the money and I can’t skip work just to go play on a treadmill or whatever.”
“It’s thanks to that treadmill that you’re even able to work, Taemin-ah.”
“I really don’t want to talk about this right now, hyung.” Jinki let out a sigh but nonetheless complied with his wishes. The rest of the short ride to his house was silent aside from the radio playing some upbeat girl group song. Soon Jinki pulled up to the younger’s apartment, staring straight ahead. Taemin caught sight of a familiar black car parked a few cars up. He let out a sigh and leaned his head against the window. “Shit.”
Jinki glanced over. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he closed his eyes. “Just…getting pumped I guess.”
“For what?”
Taemin tried holding it in but let out a small yawn before replying, “Minho hyung’s waiting for me.”
“What?” Jinki snapped around, searching through the night for Minho. “How do you know?”
“His car is up ahead.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d know it anywhere.”
“But…aren’t you tired?” Taemin looked over at him curiously. “I can see it in your face, and the way you walked to the car back at the shop. Your moves are sluggish. Do you want me to send him away?”
“Ani,” Taemin shook his head seeing Jinki ready to unclip his seatbelt. “That will make things difficult. He doesn’t know you know, and he doesn’t want anyone but me and him to know. Besides, it’s our arrangement. Though he must be really desperate to look for me at home.”
“You aren’t going to do it, are you?”
Taemin lifted an eyebrow. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Just a few minutes ago you said you could hardly dance without falling over. Now you’re trying to have a quick fuck? You’re sick, Taemin,” the younger flinched at the choice of words but said nothing. “You need to rest. You don’t need Minho using you for his own personal needs while you’re so weak.”
“He’s not the only one using someone, hyung. I need to clear my head from a lot of things going on lately. And this is just the way to clear it.” Taemin undid his seatbelt and opened the car door. “Thanks for the lift, hyung.”
Jinki watched as Taemin walked to the front door of the apartment, and soon a tall silhouette jogged up behind him. Minho. And they talked and talked and Taemin gave a small smile and a nod before sparing Jinki one last look and leading Minho inside.
=
“Whose idea was it to go hiking?”
It was a warm Saturday afternoon and Taemin found himself in a park reserve with his four friends. Spring had not been kind with the weather lately. It was only recently that the snow had completely melted away, but the winds were harsh and bitter. So when the weatherman gave a great forecast for the weekend, the five decided to go on a little hiking expedition.
“No seriously, who decided on hiking in the fucking woods?”
And Kibum was less than thrilled.
Jonghyun and Minho were definitely the most fit in the group, so they were leading the way to wherever it was they were headed for. Jinki was up ahead in the middle, leaving Taemin and a cranky Kibum to trail slowly behind them.
“It was yours, hyung. You thought it would be romantic to have a picnic in the woods under the sunset or stars or whatever.”
“I was fucking dream talking,” Kibum growled as he kicked a stone in his path. “I thought it would be nice-if I liked being outdoors-for me and Jong to have a cute romantic meal under a canopy of trees. That idiot actually went and rented an RV to bring us all to the park reserve.”
“Well, it shows he cares. I guess…in a way…”
“If he wasn’t so fucking cute I’d break his face.”
“With what?”
“My foot. Preferably the one in the shoe that just stepped in something wet and mushy and most likely impossible to get off.”
“Oh, that’s gross.”
“And he’s not even here with me! He’s all the way up there ignoring me when he’s supposed to help me around all this…this…junk!”
“First of all, it’s nature, not junk. Second, he’s not ignoring you. Hyung is just really into this outdoors thing. He gets kind of carried away with himself. He’ll be back for you soon enough. Then you’ll be the one ignoring me.”
“Nope. Never. You’re the only one that understands me around here. We have to stick together if we want to make it out of this shithole in one piece.”
“Kibummie, why are you all the way back here?”
Speak of the devil. Taemin smirked as Jonghyun made his way over to them. He ruffled his red hair before turning his gaze to his highly irritated blonde boyfriend. Kibum huffed and avoided eye contact. “Because I can’t scale earth that isn’t pavement or flat.”
“But I thought you wanted to come hiking?” Jonghyun cocked his head to the side, confusion clear in his features. Taemin had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing at Kibum.
“I thought the thought of us hiking together would be nice. I didn’t want to actually go hiking! I hate nature!”
“I wouldn’t go yelling that, hyung. Mother Nature might decide to not share her oxygen supply with you.”
Kibum turned to the red head with a hard glare, only for it to be met with a cheeky grin. Jonghyun scratched his neck, sorrow covering his face. “Mianhe, Kibum. I should have asked you before doing all of this. I just got really excited when you told me about-well, never mind. We can leave if you want?”
Kibum remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and finally-finally-looking at Jonghyun. “Ani. I don’t want to leave,” he pushed his lips out in a pout as Taemin snickered, knowing that was a lie. “I just wanted you to be with me. It’s not romantic if I’m the only one stepping in unknown substances.”
Jonghyun perked up, a small smile touching his lips. “Are you sure? I have no problem using Taemin’s aegyo to reel the other two back in.”
“Why do I have to do your dirty work?” Taemin scoffed a bit amused. Jonghyun just smirked and turned his attention back to Kibum.
“I’m sure. Just…I’m not used to this, so can you help me?”
And that was enough to get Jonghyun riled up again and leading Kibum up further in a slightly faster pace yet still in view of Taemin. The younger smiled at his hyungs, trying not to feel like too much of a pervert for finding their behavior cute.
=
“That was so awesome! I knew that was his father! I knew it! Hyung, didn’t I tell you I knew it! Oh my god that was the best of all three movies ever!”
Taemin was bouncing around Minho excitedly as the left the theater. Minho held on to the popcorn they hadn’t finished and watched with an amused smile as Taemin continued ranting and raving about the movie they’d just seen. Taemin tossed his empty cup in the nearest garbage and took his popcorn from Minho.
“That was a good movie, hyung. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Not a problem. I really wanted to see it, and I know you’re the only one that appreciates the art of action movies.”
Taemin, with his back facing Minho, smiled at the elder’s words. What he said wasn’t the least bit romantic but it still had the younger’s heart rate increasing. He hated how Minho had such a powerful hold on him without even trying or realizing it.
“So where to now?” Taemin asked as they got in Minho’s car.
“I need to pick up something at my house, so we’ll stop by there before going to get something to eat. It seems no matter what I feed you, you never gain weight,” Minho chuckled while pinching nonexistent fat of the younger’s leg. Taemin shrieked at the pinch and swatted his hand away. “It’ll only take a few minutes, okay?”
Taemin nodded and relaxed in the seat as the elder rode off in the direction of his house. “What is it you’re getting?”
Taemin looked over at him as he drove, surprised by the wide smile on his face. He looked really happy and his smile was almost secretive, like an inside thing, which made the younger’s stomach do a million flips and cartwheels and even a couple somersaults. “Just something a friend sent me. I had it delivered to my neighbor so I wouldn’t miss the deliveryman. He texted me earlier saying it came.”
“Huh, must be really important then.”
“Yeah, I guess.” The car turned down the street of Minho’s building. “So what do you want to eat? I think I’d like some Thai or something.”
“Thai sounds nice. I haven’t had any in a while. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.”
“Really?” Minho looked over at him with a bright smile. “Great. Then we’ll find a nice Thai place to eat.” He pulled into a spot across the street from his building and parked the car. “You can wait here, I’ll be quick.”
Taemin nodded and watched as he got out and went in his building. He smiled softly to himself as he placed his hands on his stomach. He felt it grumbling a bit, the feeling foreign to him. He couldn’t remember the last time he was physically hungry, or when he actually ate because he knew he needed to. He was never really hungry. It was one of those symptoms he’d learned about. It wasn’t that he was never hungry, but his mind made him believe he wasn’t hungry. Or that he’d have so much on his mind eating wouldn’t even cross it.
About ten minutes passed and Minho emerged from the building, with Kibum. Taemin’s eyes widened as he watched his hyungs talking. His stomach clenched uncomfortably as he waited anxiously for something he didn’t know. Actually, he did know. He knew what it was he was waiting for. For Minho to come and tell him Kibum wanted to hang out, or that he wasn’t hungry anymore. Both of their heads turned and Kibum caught gazes with Taemin, smiling brightly as he waved. Taemin waved back meekly before he and Minho went back to talking. Kibum’s arms flailed all around as he spoke. Minho shrugged and they parted.
Taemin hadn’t expected for Kibum to walk off, and Minho to head back to the car without him. In his head, the scenario went something like Kibum following Minho to the car and Minho asking Taemin to get in the back so their hyung could sit up front. The door opened and Minho climbed in, buckling his seatbelt and starting the car. He looked over at Taemin, who was staring at him oddly, and smiled.
“You don’t mind if we eat in, do you? I’d rather eat it hot than to take it home.”
Taemin shook his head, too shocked to form words. Minho’s smile widened as he drove off. Taemin’s brain was still trying to process what just happened. Instead he found himself spilling words.
“You got your package or whatever?”
Minho nodded. “Yeah. I got it from my neighbor downstairs and when I went to take it home I found Kibum hyung rummaging around in the living room couch. He lost his reading glasses. He thinks he left them at my house, so I told him I’ll keep a look out for them.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. So have you thought of where we can go?” Taemin nodded and smiled, stomach hungry once again as he directed Minho to the nearest and tastiest Thai restaurant.
=
“Taeminnie!”
Taemin jumped in shock and caught himself from falling when Kibum launched himself onto the younger. They were in Taemin’s dance class and the teacher had just allowed their fifteen-minute break and walked out when Kibum raced over to the red head.
“What’s wrong, hyung?”
“You know you shouldn’t be dancing! You still have your stitches in. You should sit out until you at least get them out.”
“But then I’ll be bored. I’m tired of being behind in the class. And I do plan on passing this semester.” Kibum scowled, showing his obvious distaste in Taemin’s stubbornness. Taemin smiled. “Thank you for caring, hyung,” he batted his eyes as he looked up at Kibum, knowing the elder couldn’t resist those types of faces.
“You brat,” Kibum huffed, knowing exactly what Taemin was doing and hating that it was working. “Just make sure you don’t overwork yourself. If you feel dizzy, or any pain from your neck up, then just stop. I’m sure seonsaengnim will understand.”
“Neh, hyung. I know. Jinki hyung tells me plenty of times not to do too much.”
“Speaking of him…” Kibum gazed at him curiously. “What’s going on with you two? You’re not dating are you? I didn’t know Jinki hyung was gay…or is he bi? I didn’t take him for someone that liked guys. But I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover, huh?”
“Wait a minute, hyung. I’m not dating him.” Kibum just looked at him. “We’re not! God, why does no one believe me? And why am I the one being asked?”
“Well it just seems like you two are really, really close. Jonghyun hyung told me how Jinki hyung sometimes picks you up from work and drops you off. It’s like how Jong takes me places and drops me off and stuff.”
“Jinki hyung and I are not dating. What’s with you and trying to pin me with people? First Minho hyung now Jinki hyung.”
“Speaking of him, how was your date the other day?” Kibum smirked at Taemin’s reddening face.
“It wasn’t a date.”
“Oh my god! Why are you being so annoying? You and I both know you know it was a date. Why else does it look like your face is on its period?”
“Hyung, I’ve already told you Minho hyung doesn’t like me like that. We went to see a movie and then we went to a Thai place to eat. Nothing special.”
“Dinner and a movie? Sounds special to me,” Kibum teased.
“Technically it was a movie and dinner, and it wasn’t. People don’t go on dates like that anymore anyway. It was just two friends meeting up to watch a movie of common interests.”
“Fine. Just answer me this.” Taemin tilted his head, waiting for Kibum to continue. “Did you guys share popcorn?”
His face grew another shade darker as Kibum squealed and he mentally cursed him for being such a sappy romantic. “That still doesn’t mean anything, hyung.”
But Kibum wasn’t listening to his protests. He was off in his own world. “Aww, how many times did your hands touch? Oh my god, did he fake a yawn and put his arm around your shoulder? What about the drinks? Did you have one big drink and have two straws?”
“No,” Taemin muttered though he figured Kibum was no longer paying him any attention.
“No?” Kibum gasped and a sly smirk crawled onto his lips. “So you guys shared a straw, too? Indirect kissing!”
Taemin groaned and quietly listened to his hyung’s ranting. He looked at the wall clock, wishing the last six minutes would hurry up and end. Kibum was stretching the ‘date’ with Minho way out of proportion, and it was seeping into his own head. He really liked the thought of him being on a date with Minho-he longed for it-but it just wouldn’t happen. Not in this lifetime. That’s what Minho had always said anyway. It’s not like one day he’d wake up and love him.
“Lee Taemin?”
Both he and Kibum looked up at the door where the teacher stood with a woman in a business suit behind her glancing around the room. Taemin stood up from the floor and walked over with Kibum in tow. “Yes?”
“Annyeonghaseyo, Lee Taemin-ssi. I was sent here by Executive Director Lee to retrieve you. The car is out front waiting now. If you will please bring your things.”
“Aish, so bothersome,” Taemin muttered to himself, mussing his hair in annoyance.
“Execu-Taemin, who is she talking about?” Kibum stood next to him, a bit in front to shield him from the woman.
“Nothing, hyung,” Taemin smiled at him before turning to the woman. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time, ma’am. But tell her I’m not coming. Or better yet, tell her you couldn’t find me so you wont get in trouble, arasso?”
“That won’t be possible, Taemin-ssi. The director is downstairs in the car waiting. She had gotten the confirmation you were in class and sent me up to retrieve you. If I go back empty handed, she has…a plan B, if you will.”
“…Fine. Wait here.” He rolled his eyes and turned to go get his things. He walked to the other side of the room muttering under his breath until Kibum grabbed his arm. He looked up at Kibum who was staring at him worried. “What’s wrong, hyung?”
“What’s wrong? Some woman is about to kidnap you and you just go along with it, that’s what’s wrong!”
“Ani,” Taemin smiled at Kibum’s accusation. “I’m not being kidnapped, hyung. That lady works for my mom.”
“Y-your mom?”
“Taemin-ssi. The director is waiting.”
Taemin nodded and gave his friend a tight squeeze. He released him and smiled softly. “I’ll call you later, ok?”
Kibum blinked but nodded in understanding. He watched as Taemin followed the woman out the classroom and disappeared down the hall. He frowned a bit, not understanding the situation that just happened. The woman called her boss executive director, and her boss was Taemin’s mother. He didn’t know of anyone with such a high rank to be poor, yet the place where Taemin lived looked nothing like how a son of an executive director’s son would live in.