Along for the Ride - 12
Title: Along for the RIde
Pairing: Taemin/Minho, side!Jonghyun/Key
Genre: Angst, Fluff
Rating: PG-15 for language
Word Count: 2192
Warning: Large paragraphs...run-on sentences...weird descriptions...the usual for my writing style. And bring tissues...you might cry. Feel free to leave those tears and other feels in my comment box cookie jar :)
Author's note:
So um...hi guys, anyone miss me? I'm so sorry I disappeared for about...a year, right? Maybe more I'm not sure. I just got really busy and stressed with school and this sort of just faded into the backgrounds. I still came around and checked comments and I appreciate so much the people that still waited for me to update. This update is shorter than I'm used to posting but it's alright because I've been kicking my own ass trying to get something up for you all. I promise (if you still even trust my promises) this won't be the only post. I reread everything and got back in the groove of AFTR and I'm pretty inspired and looking forward to the ending again.
This update was pretty boring, sorry but things get better!!!
---
Weeks passed since Taemin’s birthday and in reality there hadn’t been anything ceremoniously life-changing. The sun still rose from one direction and set in the other. His classes were as much as they had been, homework and lectures. Work was work. Kibum and Jonghyun were becoming more serious, his older hyung had talked over the possibility of moving out of his parents’ home by time Kibum graduated so his boyfriend could move in with him. The idea shocked Taemin, which made him think how much it would shock Minho because of course Kibum would say yes to that offer. And when they did move in together Minho wouldn’t dare set foot in the house. And it would be up to Taemin to make sure all of their gatherings happened outside in public because there was no way in hell he’d let his hyung estrange himself from the group because of wounded pride. Not while he was still around.
“Hyung, what are you doing?” Taemin had been laying on Minho’s bed, his face pressed into the pillow as he drifted in and out of consciousness waiting for the older to finish his shower so he could take one of his own. The water had cut off minutes earlier and Taemin could hear footsteps nearing the room, only they stopped midway in the room and he could feel eyes on his backside.
“Taemin, where’d you get those bruises from?” Taemin’s eyes shot open and his heartbeat sped up as he tried thinking of any excuse but none came to mind. “Those are bruises right?”
Slowly sitting up, Taemin turned and looked at Minho with a nervous smile. “Um, yeah they are.”
Minho’s brows rose fairly as he surveyed the younger’s front side as well looking for any other offensive marks. “I know I didn’t put them there, they looked like they were leaving. Is someone…hurting you? You know you could tell me, right?” Taemin mouth opened then shut a few times as he tried to form words but couldn’t. Taemin’s reaction seemed to give Minho an answer in it’s own. The thought made him angry. “There is, right? Who is it? Do I know them? Do they go to your school? Does Kibum know?”
Taemin blinked furiously as more and more questions came from his hyung. He stared down at the floor still trying to think of a reply to the original question. “Ah, wait hyung.” He’d only snapped out of his train of thought when he heard Minho say something about calling Kibum and both of them going to find the person responsible. “No one. There is no one.”
This time Minho blinked. “No one? But the bruises-”
“Yeah, they are bruises but no one put them there. I mean, we were using these rainsticks in my dance class the other week and-do you know what rainsticks are? It’s like this long hollowed out tube like thing and there are beans or rice or pebbles inside. Two of my classmates were playing around during break using them as swords and one of them burst opened and pebbles spilled all over and I was dancing then tripped and fell on my back and…yeah.” Taemin didn’t wait to see if the older believed it and stood from the bed, chewing on the corner of his lips as he passed Minho to leave the room.
Minho’s eyes followed the younger until he disappeared in the bathroom. He stood there in the middle of his room thinking over the excuse before turning to his closet to get dressed.
-
“I think Taemin is dating someone secretly.”
Kibum blinked, his mouth hanging open and the fork with leaves of his salad extended inches from his mouth as he looked at Minho. “What?”
“Tae, I think he’s seeing someone.” The seriousness of his expression made Kibum put his fork down.
“Why do you think that?”
“He was acting really weird earlier before he left my place.” He ignored Kibum’s grimace, or rather didn’t notice it since his sights were on Taemin standing at the counter of their café. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the interaction with the barista. The female employee was smiling from ear to ear as he spoke with her. It couldn’t be her, Taemin wasn’t into girls was he?
“Weird how? Did he say he was dating anyone?”
“Well, no but-”
“Then he’s not.”
“How would you-”
“He’s not. Drop it.”
“But he had bruises and-”
“Bruises?” Minho nodded causing Kibum to sigh. “They’re still there? Yah, he got those in dance class. Why would you think he’s in a relationship because of marks on his back?”
Minho chewed on his lip as his eyes flickered from Taemin to his hyung. “Um…”
“Plus if he was with someone I doubt he would be screwing around with you. Taemin isn’t like that. Don’t go assuming stuff and get him upset, arasso?”
Minho nodded hesitantly. “Yes, hyung.”
-
“O-Oppa, I’m cold.”
Taemin looked at Hyerin next to him as she pulled her coat tighter around herself. They were waiting outside of the movie theater for Minho to pick them up. Taemin had promised to take Hyerin out just the two of them as his birthday gift to her since it was the only thing she’d asked of him this year. It worked out well seeing that her parents and sisters were busy getting the last minute details finished at the hall they rented for her party. Of course Hyerin didn’t know that, Taemin made sure of it.
“Oppa can’t we just take a cab or walk?”
Taemin chuckled as he unwrapped his scarf from around his neck and began twisting it around hers. The two had run into Minho at the movies with a couple of his classmates. Of course they had been in different movies-action versus a sappy romantic teen chick flick picked by Hyerin herself-but they had let out at the same times. So when Minho spotted the two eating the remainder of their popcorn as they headed down the escalator he parted from his friends and decided to give the two a lift. One Taemin was thankful for since it had begun snowing back when he and Hyerin first arrived and was still going.
“Oppa…” she whined, pouting into the fabric of his thick scarf.
“If we walk then you’ll be even colder. Once we get in the car you’ll be warm.”
“But I don’t want to get in his car. I don’t like him.”
Taemin’s eyebrow rose as he tried to keep the knowing smirk off his face. “Oh really? Why not?”
She kept quiet for a while, not really having an answer and she didn’t have to seeing that Minho’s black car finally pulled up in front of them. She cut her eyes at Minho before hopping in the back as Taemin opened the door for her. Taemin got in the front and glanced back at her to see she was looking out the window with her arms crossed. He chuckled and strapped his seatbelt. “Hyerin, seatbelt.” She silently did as he requested. “Say thank you to Minho for giving us a ride.” Minho looked through his rear mirror at her to see her rolling her eyes. He shook his head and opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Taemin. “Hyerin.” Minho’s brows rose fairly hearing the serious tone from his dongsaeng. It was strange hearing Taemin being stern with someone. Hyerin whined and tossed a half-hearted ‘thank you’ towards the eldest and pouted quietly in the back refusing to look at either one of them. Minho smirked and once again went to say something. Taemin held his hand up. “Don’t you mess with her, it’s her birthday.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Taemin looked over at him, eyes saying he didn’t believe a word. Minho simply chuckled. “I wasn’t!”
“Don’t lie, ahjussi. Oppa knows you always mess with me whenever you get a chance.”
“Yah..” Minho’s eyes flickered in the rear mirror at her.
“Hyung, stop. You guys are ridiculous. Every time you’re around you argue. Can’t you be nice to each other for one day? Hyung, leave my dongsaeng alone or you’ll regret it later.” Minho’s brows knitted together slightly as he watched Hyerin. A small smile spread across her lips and her eyes, he noticed something in them, as they focused at the back of Taemin’s head.
-
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY HYERIN!!”
The three of them stood in the entrance of the hall as family and friends close to Hyerin pulled her inside to congratulate her. Taemin and Minho looked at each other and shrugged before walking inside as well. Minho watched as the sisters all oogled over Taemin, the oldest and their mother hugging and thanking him for keeping Hyerin busy. He smiled.
“It was nothing. And I told you I’d be able to keep it from her.” He looked directly at one with short cropped hair. The girl in turn rolled her eyes and popped the back of his head lightly before muttering a simple ‘whatever’. Taemin’s eyes followed the girls’ to Minho then he cleared his throat. “Oh, right. Minho these are Jonghyun hyung’s cousins and aunt. Hyera and Haeri. And Mrs. Kim.”
“Hello, I’m Choi Minho.” He bowed his head greeting them all.
“It’s nice to meet you young man.” Mrs. Choi spoke first. “I should get out of here. Let me find your father and tell the birthday girl we’ll see her at home. Girls make sure Hyerin gets home safely.” And she disappeared.
“Have you seen Jonghyun yet?” Haeri asked Taemin. He shook his head. “He brought a boy with him.” Her voice lowered as she glanced around. “Did you know oppa was gay? Appa nearly freaked out, that’s why they’re not here now. They’re ‘talking’.”
Taemin blinked a few times and chuckled nervously. “Um, kind…of…yeah. Well, not until he started dating my hyung, who is the boy you’re probably talking about.”
“Yah!! What are you two whispering about?” The two jumped apart seeing Hyerin coming up behind Minho with a few people behind her.
“Nothing.” Haeri rolled her eyes. Hyerin made a face at her older sister before attaching herself to Taemin’s side. Minho tilted his head as he watched the interaction.
“Interesting…” he mumbled.
“Isn’t it?” He jumped in shock and looked at Hyera. She smiled and nodded her head a bit and Minho knew she saw what he was seeing.
“Hyerin why are you over here? Go ahead and enjoy your party with your friends.” Taemin urged her forward with one hand. Hyerin wrapped her arm around his and pulled him along with her to the few kids that followed her. “Come with me, I want to introduce you to my friends.”
Minho watched as Taemin was shown off in front of a bunch of giggly girls and couldn’t help but chuckle. He looked back at Hyera. “He doesn’t know, does he?” She shook her head with a smile and walked off to prepare the cake.
-
“No she doesn’t.”
“Yes she does.”
“No way. I would have known if-I mean, there’s just no way she would…not Hyerin.”
Minho chuckled as he turned off the ignition once they arrived at his place. They had eventually left Hyerin’s party and had planned on hanging out but the snow wasn’t letting out and Taemin hated being outside so Minho’s house, being the nearest, was the only option.
“You wouldn’t know because she wanted to keep it a secret, obviously. I mean, to be honest you can see it in her eyes you’re her favorite person to ever walk the earth.” He laughed, dodging the punch Taemin threw at his shoulder as they walked into the elevator to the fourth floor. Once in Minho’s apartment they removed their coats and shoes and Taemin threw himself on the sofa grabbing for the remote.
“That is not true.”
“You’re just in denial. Now that I’ve opened your eyes you’ll notice it more and more. Hyerin has a crush on her Taemin-oppa~”
“Shut up hyung.” Taemin sighed and flipped through the channels as Minho walked into the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Minho turned his head to look out at the younger lounging lazily on the sofa. “Really? You didn’t eat much at the party.”
“You forgot about that huge chunk of sugar and diabetes?”
“The cake doesn’t count you big kid. I meant food. You know, that stuff most normal people eat before junk food?”
Taemin lifted his head to peek over the back of the couch and grinned at Minho. “But hyung it was so good I couldn’t just leave without having a slice.”
Minho snorted. “Slice he says. It was nearly half of the top layer of the cake.”
“Hyerin didn’t mind.” Minho opened his mouth to respond. “Ah, shut up hyung.”
“Didn’t say anything, Taemin-ah. How about I order a pizza?”
“Sounds good. Then bring your ass so I can whoop you in a few games, there’s nothing on TV.”
“That sounded like a challenge.”
“More like a guarantee.”
Pairing: Taemin/Minho, side!Jonghyun/Key
Genre: Angst, Fluff
Rating: PG-15 for language
Word Count: 2192
Warning: Large paragraphs...run-on sentences...weird descriptions...the usual for my writing style. And bring tissues...you might cry. Feel free to leave those tears and other feels in my comment box cookie jar :)
Author's note:
So um...hi guys, anyone miss me? I'm so sorry I disappeared for about...a year, right? Maybe more I'm not sure. I just got really busy and stressed with school and this sort of just faded into the backgrounds. I still came around and checked comments and I appreciate so much the people that still waited for me to update. This update is shorter than I'm used to posting but it's alright because I've been kicking my own ass trying to get something up for you all. I promise (if you still even trust my promises) this won't be the only post. I reread everything and got back in the groove of AFTR and I'm pretty inspired and looking forward to the ending again.
This update was pretty boring, sorry but things get better!!!
---
Weeks passed since Taemin’s birthday and in reality there hadn’t been anything ceremoniously life-changing. The sun still rose from one direction and set in the other. His classes were as much as they had been, homework and lectures. Work was work. Kibum and Jonghyun were becoming more serious, his older hyung had talked over the possibility of moving out of his parents’ home by time Kibum graduated so his boyfriend could move in with him. The idea shocked Taemin, which made him think how much it would shock Minho because of course Kibum would say yes to that offer. And when they did move in together Minho wouldn’t dare set foot in the house. And it would be up to Taemin to make sure all of their gatherings happened outside in public because there was no way in hell he’d let his hyung estrange himself from the group because of wounded pride. Not while he was still around.
“Hyung, what are you doing?” Taemin had been laying on Minho’s bed, his face pressed into the pillow as he drifted in and out of consciousness waiting for the older to finish his shower so he could take one of his own. The water had cut off minutes earlier and Taemin could hear footsteps nearing the room, only they stopped midway in the room and he could feel eyes on his backside.
“Taemin, where’d you get those bruises from?” Taemin’s eyes shot open and his heartbeat sped up as he tried thinking of any excuse but none came to mind. “Those are bruises right?”
Slowly sitting up, Taemin turned and looked at Minho with a nervous smile. “Um, yeah they are.”
Minho’s brows rose fairly as he surveyed the younger’s front side as well looking for any other offensive marks. “I know I didn’t put them there, they looked like they were leaving. Is someone…hurting you? You know you could tell me, right?” Taemin mouth opened then shut a few times as he tried to form words but couldn’t. Taemin’s reaction seemed to give Minho an answer in it’s own. The thought made him angry. “There is, right? Who is it? Do I know them? Do they go to your school? Does Kibum know?”
Taemin blinked furiously as more and more questions came from his hyung. He stared down at the floor still trying to think of a reply to the original question. “Ah, wait hyung.” He’d only snapped out of his train of thought when he heard Minho say something about calling Kibum and both of them going to find the person responsible. “No one. There is no one.”
This time Minho blinked. “No one? But the bruises-”
“Yeah, they are bruises but no one put them there. I mean, we were using these rainsticks in my dance class the other week and-do you know what rainsticks are? It’s like this long hollowed out tube like thing and there are beans or rice or pebbles inside. Two of my classmates were playing around during break using them as swords and one of them burst opened and pebbles spilled all over and I was dancing then tripped and fell on my back and…yeah.” Taemin didn’t wait to see if the older believed it and stood from the bed, chewing on the corner of his lips as he passed Minho to leave the room.
Minho’s eyes followed the younger until he disappeared in the bathroom. He stood there in the middle of his room thinking over the excuse before turning to his closet to get dressed.
-
“I think Taemin is dating someone secretly.”
Kibum blinked, his mouth hanging open and the fork with leaves of his salad extended inches from his mouth as he looked at Minho. “What?”
“Tae, I think he’s seeing someone.” The seriousness of his expression made Kibum put his fork down.
“Why do you think that?”
“He was acting really weird earlier before he left my place.” He ignored Kibum’s grimace, or rather didn’t notice it since his sights were on Taemin standing at the counter of their café. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the interaction with the barista. The female employee was smiling from ear to ear as he spoke with her. It couldn’t be her, Taemin wasn’t into girls was he?
“Weird how? Did he say he was dating anyone?”
“Well, no but-”
“Then he’s not.”
“How would you-”
“He’s not. Drop it.”
“But he had bruises and-”
“Bruises?” Minho nodded causing Kibum to sigh. “They’re still there? Yah, he got those in dance class. Why would you think he’s in a relationship because of marks on his back?”
Minho chewed on his lip as his eyes flickered from Taemin to his hyung. “Um…”
“Plus if he was with someone I doubt he would be screwing around with you. Taemin isn’t like that. Don’t go assuming stuff and get him upset, arasso?”
Minho nodded hesitantly. “Yes, hyung.”
-
“O-Oppa, I’m cold.”
Taemin looked at Hyerin next to him as she pulled her coat tighter around herself. They were waiting outside of the movie theater for Minho to pick them up. Taemin had promised to take Hyerin out just the two of them as his birthday gift to her since it was the only thing she’d asked of him this year. It worked out well seeing that her parents and sisters were busy getting the last minute details finished at the hall they rented for her party. Of course Hyerin didn’t know that, Taemin made sure of it.
“Oppa can’t we just take a cab or walk?”
Taemin chuckled as he unwrapped his scarf from around his neck and began twisting it around hers. The two had run into Minho at the movies with a couple of his classmates. Of course they had been in different movies-action versus a sappy romantic teen chick flick picked by Hyerin herself-but they had let out at the same times. So when Minho spotted the two eating the remainder of their popcorn as they headed down the escalator he parted from his friends and decided to give the two a lift. One Taemin was thankful for since it had begun snowing back when he and Hyerin first arrived and was still going.
“Oppa…” she whined, pouting into the fabric of his thick scarf.
“If we walk then you’ll be even colder. Once we get in the car you’ll be warm.”
“But I don’t want to get in his car. I don’t like him.”
Taemin’s eyebrow rose as he tried to keep the knowing smirk off his face. “Oh really? Why not?”
She kept quiet for a while, not really having an answer and she didn’t have to seeing that Minho’s black car finally pulled up in front of them. She cut her eyes at Minho before hopping in the back as Taemin opened the door for her. Taemin got in the front and glanced back at her to see she was looking out the window with her arms crossed. He chuckled and strapped his seatbelt. “Hyerin, seatbelt.” She silently did as he requested. “Say thank you to Minho for giving us a ride.” Minho looked through his rear mirror at her to see her rolling her eyes. He shook his head and opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Taemin. “Hyerin.” Minho’s brows rose fairly hearing the serious tone from his dongsaeng. It was strange hearing Taemin being stern with someone. Hyerin whined and tossed a half-hearted ‘thank you’ towards the eldest and pouted quietly in the back refusing to look at either one of them. Minho smirked and once again went to say something. Taemin held his hand up. “Don’t you mess with her, it’s her birthday.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Taemin looked over at him, eyes saying he didn’t believe a word. Minho simply chuckled. “I wasn’t!”
“Don’t lie, ahjussi. Oppa knows you always mess with me whenever you get a chance.”
“Yah..” Minho’s eyes flickered in the rear mirror at her.
“Hyung, stop. You guys are ridiculous. Every time you’re around you argue. Can’t you be nice to each other for one day? Hyung, leave my dongsaeng alone or you’ll regret it later.” Minho’s brows knitted together slightly as he watched Hyerin. A small smile spread across her lips and her eyes, he noticed something in them, as they focused at the back of Taemin’s head.
-
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY HYERIN!!”
The three of them stood in the entrance of the hall as family and friends close to Hyerin pulled her inside to congratulate her. Taemin and Minho looked at each other and shrugged before walking inside as well. Minho watched as the sisters all oogled over Taemin, the oldest and their mother hugging and thanking him for keeping Hyerin busy. He smiled.
“It was nothing. And I told you I’d be able to keep it from her.” He looked directly at one with short cropped hair. The girl in turn rolled her eyes and popped the back of his head lightly before muttering a simple ‘whatever’. Taemin’s eyes followed the girls’ to Minho then he cleared his throat. “Oh, right. Minho these are Jonghyun hyung’s cousins and aunt. Hyera and Haeri. And Mrs. Kim.”
“Hello, I’m Choi Minho.” He bowed his head greeting them all.
“It’s nice to meet you young man.” Mrs. Choi spoke first. “I should get out of here. Let me find your father and tell the birthday girl we’ll see her at home. Girls make sure Hyerin gets home safely.” And she disappeared.
“Have you seen Jonghyun yet?” Haeri asked Taemin. He shook his head. “He brought a boy with him.” Her voice lowered as she glanced around. “Did you know oppa was gay? Appa nearly freaked out, that’s why they’re not here now. They’re ‘talking’.”
Taemin blinked a few times and chuckled nervously. “Um, kind…of…yeah. Well, not until he started dating my hyung, who is the boy you’re probably talking about.”
“Yah!! What are you two whispering about?” The two jumped apart seeing Hyerin coming up behind Minho with a few people behind her.
“Nothing.” Haeri rolled her eyes. Hyerin made a face at her older sister before attaching herself to Taemin’s side. Minho tilted his head as he watched the interaction.
“Interesting…” he mumbled.
“Isn’t it?” He jumped in shock and looked at Hyera. She smiled and nodded her head a bit and Minho knew she saw what he was seeing.
“Hyerin why are you over here? Go ahead and enjoy your party with your friends.” Taemin urged her forward with one hand. Hyerin wrapped her arm around his and pulled him along with her to the few kids that followed her. “Come with me, I want to introduce you to my friends.”
Minho watched as Taemin was shown off in front of a bunch of giggly girls and couldn’t help but chuckle. He looked back at Hyera. “He doesn’t know, does he?” She shook her head with a smile and walked off to prepare the cake.
-
“No she doesn’t.”
“Yes she does.”
“No way. I would have known if-I mean, there’s just no way she would…not Hyerin.”
Minho chuckled as he turned off the ignition once they arrived at his place. They had eventually left Hyerin’s party and had planned on hanging out but the snow wasn’t letting out and Taemin hated being outside so Minho’s house, being the nearest, was the only option.
“You wouldn’t know because she wanted to keep it a secret, obviously. I mean, to be honest you can see it in her eyes you’re her favorite person to ever walk the earth.” He laughed, dodging the punch Taemin threw at his shoulder as they walked into the elevator to the fourth floor. Once in Minho’s apartment they removed their coats and shoes and Taemin threw himself on the sofa grabbing for the remote.
“That is not true.”
“You’re just in denial. Now that I’ve opened your eyes you’ll notice it more and more. Hyerin has a crush on her Taemin-oppa~”
“Shut up hyung.” Taemin sighed and flipped through the channels as Minho walked into the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Minho turned his head to look out at the younger lounging lazily on the sofa. “Really? You didn’t eat much at the party.”
“You forgot about that huge chunk of sugar and diabetes?”
“The cake doesn’t count you big kid. I meant food. You know, that stuff most normal people eat before junk food?”
Taemin lifted his head to peek over the back of the couch and grinned at Minho. “But hyung it was so good I couldn’t just leave without having a slice.”
Minho snorted. “Slice he says. It was nearly half of the top layer of the cake.”
“Hyerin didn’t mind.” Minho opened his mouth to respond. “Ah, shut up hyung.”
“Didn’t say anything, Taemin-ah. How about I order a pizza?”
“Sounds good. Then bring your ass so I can whoop you in a few games, there’s nothing on TV.”
“That sounded like a challenge.”
“More like a guarantee.”