Beautiful Hangover [5/8]
Title: Beautiful Hangover [5/8]
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: PG - 13
Pairing: Jongyu (Jonghyun/Onew), 2minkey (Taemin/Minho/Key), onesidedOnKey
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Summary:
Meet Kim Kibum, owner of L&K Designs, one of the fastest rising designers in the country. He only employs the best in his service:
- Kim Jonghyun, world renowned photographer
- Lee Taemin, make up artist extroidinaire.
- And Choi Minho, top model.
He was slowly climbing his way up to fame and fortune until an unfortunate accident involving a chicken delivery boy, Lee Jinki, left him two models down for his upcoming fashion show. In order to pay Key back, he agrees to stand in and walk the catwalk, impressing him enough to earn a full time job as a model. Now, a certain photographer has taken interest in him, and as the days pass by, the rival competition gets fierce with Jinki stuck in the crossfire.
Disclaimer: All I own are a few posters of the boys back from the Ring Ding Dong and Juliette days.
A/N;; There will be eight chapters total for this story. I might do an epilogue depending on how it ends, but there will definitely be eight chapters. If I do decide to do an epilogue, then I'll post it at the same time with the last chapter. As always, thank you so much for reading!
I'm bad at keeping secrets. Stranded will be a sky pirates AU based on Treasure Planet and Final Fantasy XII. You won't need to know anything about the two in order to understand what's going on.
--
Chapter Five - Like a Broken Doll With All The Wrong Pieces
--
“Did you mean it?” Jonghyun smiled tenderly at Jinki for a moment. What was he supposed to say? He heard it all so he might as well tell him. But the little nagging voice in the back of his head coupled with his insecurity got the better of him.
“Just go back to sleep, Jinki.” Jinki looked at him confused for a moment before he couldn’t force himself to keep his eyes open any longer and fell back asleep. Jonghyun leaned back in the chair and ran his hand through his hair. All he had to do was say it. He watched the other boy’s face while he slept and was hit with another slap of guilt. A soft tapping at the window caught his attention.
He took one long look at Jinki’s sleeping form before pushing himself up and walking out of the room to meet a very serious looking Key. “How is he?” He asked, glancing back in through the window. “He could be better.”
“You know... from all the pain medication they put him on, he probably won’t remember what you said to him.” Key didn’t look away from the window. “...He won’t?” In a way, Jonghyun was relieved. But then the burden of his feeling came back to weigh on his heart.
“You two have the worst luck when it comes to this relationship. I suppose this is fate’s way of telling you that you weren’t meant to be. Or maybe fate is just making it hard so it’ll be worthwhile in the end. This little fear of commitment you have,” Key said while turning around to look at Jonghyun over his glasses, “needs to die.”
--
Key was right. Jinki didn’t seem to remember anything Jonghyun had said to him while he was under the influence of drugs. Something always had to happen didn’t it? He was the first thing he saw when he woke up, and it almost crushed Jonghyun to see the painful smile on his face. “Does it hurt?”
Jinki let out a wheeze that Jonghyun assumed was supposed to be laughter. “Black eye, fat lip, ten stitches on your face, and five cracked ribs. The question should be what doesn’t hurt.” He groaned as he took a deep breath in. “I’ll get whoever did this to you. I promise.” Jinki didn’t say anything, just closing his eye and nodding.
--
A month had passed since the Gala. Jinki’s face still showed a few scars from the stitches, but his black eye was completely gone. Taemin remarked that the scars made him look even more handsome and rugged when Key tried to insist on covering it up with makeup. His ribs were still sore though, not fully healed. He needed to keep them wrapped, and change out the bandage twice a day.
Nowadays, he always had someone accompany him wherever he went. Be it Jonghyun, Minho, and even Key took time out of his precious schedule to follow him around. But today, Key was nowhere to be found.
Jiyong grinned at himself in the mirror before washing up his hands in his personal bathroom next to his office. L&K didn’t seem to be sticking their noses in places where they shouldn’t be. He was sure he taught them enough of a lesson. He walked past his secretary and noticed she looked a little bit more disheveled than usual but took no note until he walked into his office.
“Jiyong. I was wondering when you’d get back.” His chair swiveled around to reveal a very ominous looking Key. “How did you get in here?”
“Your chair is quite comfy. Italian leather? I thought these only went for shoes and handbags.” He laced his fingers together and leaned forward onto Jiyong’s desk. “It’s only been a month since I last saw you. I think we’re seeing too much of each other really.” Key stood up and walked out in front of the desk to sit on it. “I’m sorry, but I think we should end this relationship.”
“Stop talking like an idiot. How did you get in here?”
“Your secretary let me in.” He picked some dirt out from under his nails and blew at them.
“Don’t lie to me. I have her specific instructions not to let anyone in while I’m not here. I’ll have you arrested for breaking and entering.”
Key chuckled. “I banged her on the desk and she gladly let me in. Just go ask her yourself.” Jiyong raised an eyebrow.
“But you’re gay.”
“I didn’t say I enjoyed it. But I found some really interesting stuff here while I was waiting for you...” Jiyong’s eyes narrowed. “So I take it you went through my desk.”
“And then some.” Suddenly the door opened and the four people closest to him in the company walked in. “Ah. So good of you to join us.” Key’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the last healing traces of a black eye on Daesung. “Oh look, your jacket is askew, let me fix that...” Without warning, Key went up to Yongbae and pulled his jacket tighter, watching him wince involuntarily.
Key’s eyes traveled back to Jiyong. “My, my, my... well, I’ve seen all I needed to see here. This little war you’re waging, I’m going to win. And I’m going to do it the legitimate way. I assume you’re entering Andre Kim’s special stage competition?”
Jiyong gave him an equally disturbing smile. “Of course.”
“I’ll see you in a month then.”
--
“Andre Kim’s special stage?” Jinki sipped some coffee that Jonghyun bought for him. Jinki was a little bit surprised by how much attention he was receiving from the other boy. He stopped being so nervous around him now, and the two of them talked freely as friends and spent a lot of time with each other inside the company, and out.
“The biggest stage ever in fashion history. Hundred of pieces, dozens of models. Every couple years he decides to feature a designer and their top two models in his show. There’s this huge competition with dozens of designers entering. We have to show off at least twenty pieces, so that will be at least twenty models right there... A couple people that go first can double up if they change fast enough. I’m confident I can do makeup that fast. Key’s going all out for this.”
And the designer in question had been locked up in his office scanning over designs, drawing his own, and choosing fabric carefully. If he wasn’t in his office, then he was on the second floor with his designers.
Day after day, everyone was in a flurry getting things done for the competition. The models tried on clothes, took photographs, and listened to Key’s insane ranting. Jonghyun had his work cut out for him too. He had to take the most flattering photographs of who was going to be wearing what to pick and send to the competition judges beforehand.
Preparations finished a weekend before the competition. They had a whole weekend to feel nervous. The tension at the company was palpable. Someone could probably scoop some out of the air and put it on a plate for someone to eat. Key was most stressed out, which was why Taemin introduced the idea of a sleep over.
“Come on! It’ll just be me, Minho, Jonghyun, and Jinki! It’ll be a lot of fun!” He made a pouty face and sported his trademark puppy dog eyes that he knew Key couldn’t resist. Key let out an angry breath and rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. Just stop that. It makes me want to punch you in the face. Come over later tonight. I need some time to... clean up a few things.”
Jinki opened his mouth to protest. He didn’t really know where Key lived, and probably didn’t have a method of transportation to get there. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you.” Jonghyun patted him on the back with a big smile on his face.
--
“Wow. Wow.” Wow was a bit of an understatement. Jonghyun couldn’t help but laugh at Jinki’s fallen jaw. He pulled in to the gates and pushed the intercom button. “Yah. Open up your fancy pants gates and let us in already.” Key lived on quite a spacious estate. As Jonghyun pulled his car into the garage, he reached a hand over and closed Jinki’s mouth for him. His oh so kissable mouth.
They grabbed their bags from the trunk, Jinki first. He started walking into the house from the garage when he suddenly said, “oh!” then turned around abruptly, only to crash into Jonghyun and pin him to the car. Jonghyun’s breath hitched for a second at the closeness of the other boy. Neither of them moved for a second until Jinki pushed himself up off of him. “Sorry... I left something in the trunk.” He brushed past him gently to pull out a small blanket and closed it before hurrying inside.
Jonghyun blinked after him a few times before looking down at his pants then looking back up. “This is going to be a long weekend.”
Inside, Key leaned over from the kitchen with wide eyes. “Well? Did you do it?” Jinki gave him a thumbs up and smiled. Key gave a devious smile as he posed and laughed evilly with his ladle. He was making dinner in a pink frilly apron and casual clothes. Minho and Taemin were sitting at the large dining table playing a card game.
They were all in on it except for Jonghyun. Key had grown tired of watching the two give each other longing looks from across the room. He was going to do something about it because it was driving him crazy. So while Jinki was packing for the weekend, they had a long conversation on seducing Jonghyun. (“But Key, isn’t he straight?” “As straight as a curly straw.”)
So now Jinki had a long list of subtle things to do to him. Key required as much subtle skinship as possible. A gentle brush here and there, small gestures that were soon to build up throughout the night. And Key was planning a few ‘bonding’ games here and there that were sure to speed things up a bit. At least this time, neither of them would be under the influence of anything that would make them unable to remember what happened the night before.
“Where are we sleeping Key? Your room?”
“Yes, indeed!” He said in a sing-song voice from the kitchen as Jonghyun walked in with his things. “C’mon Jinki. It’s over this way. And make sure you follow me so you don’t get lost in this place.” Jinki gulped and looked around. His decor was interesting to say the least. After walking up a winding staircase around a fountain (“A fountain? What are you supposed to do with a fountain in your house? Isn’t that unsanitary?”), they came upon open double doors leading to the master bedroom.
“Holy crap! This is bigger than my entire apartment!”
“Bigger than both of our combined. I think my apartment might fit in his closet.” Jonghyun gestured to a smaller set of double doors across the room as he dropped his stuff in front of the bed. “This place is like a castle.”
“It’s built like a castle. Watch out for trap doors.”
“.... He has trap doors?”
“Knowing Key, I definitely wouldn’t put it past him.”
--
Key rang them for dinner shortly. They all sat around the kitchen island on high chairs and passed the food around, even though it was rather small. He insisted that the dining room table was too big. Jinki and Jonghyun ended up being squashed next to each other and bumped arms whenever they tried to eat. “Sorry,” Jinki said with a smile after he bumped into Jonghyun for the fifth time. The other boy just shrugged and continued eating.
Key cleared his throat to get Jinki’s attention and swiped his thumb across his bottom lip. Jinki nodded subtly and took a spoonful of the food, getting some sauce on the side of his cheek. After he swallowed, Taemin engaged him in conversation across from him. Jonghyun looked back and forth and smiled when he saw the sauce streaked across his face. He reached out and wiped it off with his thumb before licking it off of his fingers.
He paused when he saw the look on Minho’s face. “What? It’s not like it was on the floor or anything.”
After dinner, Jinki volunteered to do the dishes since Key cooked. Everyone was slightly surprised when Jonghyun volunteered to help him do the dishes. But only slightly surprised. He cleared off the table while Jinki started on rinsing the dishes. “So you guys have been friends for a while huh?” Jinki asked to make conversation.
“Since we could walk. Our parents are like this.” He crossed his fingers together and laughed. After a few more questions, the sinks were full of soapy suds. Key, Minho, and Taemin watched from behind a wall. “Do you think he’ll do it?” Taemin whispered to Key who was above him. Key sighed. “I can’t believe I’m going to let him destroy my kitchen for this...” Minho laughed above him quietly.
Jinki stared at the suds for a moment before scooping up a handful and shoving it into Jonghyun’s face. He froze for a a few seconds, and in those few seconds, Jinki crafted the suds into a beard and mustache. “Looks good on you,” he said with smiling eyes and a giggle.
“Oh NO you didn’t.” Jonghyun reached over and smacked suds on Jinki’s face. This turned into an all out sud war until Jinki grabbed the sprayer and started to spray Jonghyun with water. The other one yelled and dashed away from the sink, but that didn’t stop Jinki. “You jerk!” Jonghyun shielded his face and snatched away the sprayer and started to spray Jinki. Key couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out from behind the wall.
“Excuse me. What are you two doing to my kitchen?” He said, eye narrowing. He was supposed to pretend to be really mad, but deep inside, he was thrilled that everything was going according to plan for once. “Sorry Key,” Jinki said while laughing. He was dripping wet. Perfect. Time for phase two.
“Whatever. Just hurry up already. I’ve got other stuff planned too.” Key stalked out dramatically only to run back to his spot behind the wall. The two boys laughed at each other before turning back to the dishes. And right on cue, Jinki started to shiver. “Man... it feels like a freezer in here.”
“Key likes it cold,” Jonghyun said. Jinki stopped the dishes again for a moment and pulled off his shirt. He hung it on the island and went back to the sink where Jonghyun was standing with his jaw on the floor.
“What in the world are you doing?”
“I don’t want to catch a cold. Plus the water soaked into my bandages,” he said gesturing to the soaked bandages around his chest. His ribs were almost completely healed, but he couldn’t take any chances. “You mind helping me take them off?” Key did an almost fangirlish squeal. Only Minho and Taemin could hear it though as both of his hands were pressed tightly over his mouth.
“Oh... sure...” Jinki turned around and helped Jonghyun unravel his bandages. Since he couldn’t work out too much with his injured ribs, the definition in his abs declined a little bit, but he still looked good. The skin was smooth and white, and unconsciously, Jonghyun brushed his fingers gently across his skin. Jinki hissed a little bit but didn’t pull away from his touch.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Jinki turned around and smiled at the other boy. “No. Your hands are cold.”
After finally finishing the dishes, the five of them sat around in Key’s room. Jinki had changed into some sweatpants and a tank top after Minho put on fresh new bandages. Jonghyun was hiding in the bathroom for some reason. Key patted Jinki on the back. “Good job Jinki. Now to just seal the deal.” Key winked at him and pulled out a bottle from somewhere. “Spin the bottle?”
“After a game of Never Have I Ever.”
--
“Never have I ever gotten so drunk I threw up on someone.” The whole room erupted into laughter while Jonghyun turned red and put a finger down. They all started with five, and now he was down to two. It seemed like the whole room was against him.
“My turn? Never have I ever... liked someone in this room.” Taemin watched as everyone put down a finger. “Wow. Everyone in here likes someone in this room?” Jinki asked looking around the circle. Key rolled his eyes. This boy obviously wasn’t adept at picking on relationships. Even one like Minho and Taemin’s. It’s not like they hid it very well.
“Jjongie only has one finger left? Well, well, well....” Jonghyun gave Ley a sour look as he contemplated what he should reveal. “Never have I ever... wet the bed until I was eight years old because I was scared of monsters in my closet.” Jonghyun paled as everyone else burst into laughter. “No way!” Jinki laughed so hard, his chest started to ache as tears rolled down his face.
“Goddammit Key! That’s not something you’re supposed to tell people! EVER!” His face turned red as he fell back onto the floor. “I hate you! Why the hell are you my best friend?!” He rolled around on the floor before getting back up to face his punishment.
“Let’s see... I want you to pose here with Jinki.”
“Wait! Why am I getting punished too?? I still have two fingers!” Key rolled his eyes. “Trust me love, it’ll be more punishment for Jjongie than you.”
“Wait... you had three fingers until the end...” Minho said with a suspicious look on his face. “Oh did I? Well... well.... let’s just hurry this up!”
And that’s how Jonghyun and Jinki ended up holding each other gently for the next five minutes. Jinki could feel his heart racing, and he knew with how close Jonghyun was standing, there was no way he couldn’t feel it either. He could smell the shampoo in his hair. The dish washing soap. Sweat. It seemed like an eternity before the two parted.
“Alright. Spin the Bottle: Truth or Dare! For every dare or truth you refuse to do or say, you have to take off a piece of clothing!”
--
Embarrassing secrets and equally embarrassing pictures were taken. Minho was dared to imitate a pigeon and the look on his face was priceless. As the night went on, no one seemed to want to pick dares anymore after Key’s drink fiasco. No one knew what was in it, but the fact that it was bubbling was a little bit unnerving.
“Alright, last spin on the bottle before bed. We’re spending the day shopping and at the amusement park tomorrow, then some rest before the fall festival at night.” Key gave the bottle the last spin and smirked as it landed on Jinki.
“Uh... Truth.” Key nodded and thought about his question. “Earlier during Never Have I Ever... You put a finger down for liking someone in this room. Who is it?” Jinki turned red. He’d already taken off his tank top to opt out of drinking Key’s drink earlier. All he had left was his pants, and he was definitely not going to take those off.
The rest of the group feigned curiosity except for Jonghyun, who was genuinely curious, even though deep down he knew who it was. “...J...Jonghyun.” The whole group whooped as Jonghyun gave him a surprised expression. Jinki’s face turned red before Key dismissed them all to the bathrooms to get ready for bed. No one knew Jinki could run that fast without falling.
--
Key, Minho, and Taemin took the bed. There was plenty of room for Jinki too, but he preferred sleeping on a mat on the floor. He was laying on his back with his hands behind his head when Jonghyun flopped down next to him on his stomach. Neither of them said anything for a moment until Jonghyun propped himself up onto his elbows.
“So you like me huh?”
“I thought it would be obvious by now...” Jinki answered quietly. Jonghyun looked at his face for a moment before pushing himself up and closer to Jinki. He blinked a few times at the closeness, his heartbeat rapidly increasing. “I like you too.” Jonghyun closed the distance between their faces and kissed him. It was tentative at first, a tender and endearing first kiss (that both of them could remember).
When Jonghyun pulled away, Jinki’s ears were red. “Does... this mean we’re dating?” Jiki asked turning to the other boy. Jonghyun bit his lip for a second, staring off into the distance.
“Good lord! Just say yes already!” The two of them jumped slightly. The other three were watching them from the end of the bed. “It’s like a drama that’s never going to end!”
“Go away!” Jonghyun pulled the blanket up over their heads and turned so he was face to face with Jinki. “Does it?” He asked softly. Jonghyun regarded his expression and smiled softly at the boy before planting another soft kiss on him. “Yes. It does.”
“HALLELUJA!”
“I thought I told you guys to go away!”
“Pulling the blanket over yourself doesn’t transport you to a magical new world!”
--
AN;; A little bit longer to compensate for the extra boring while dragging the plot along up there.
Prev | Next
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: PG - 13
Pairing: Jongyu (Jonghyun/Onew), 2minkey (Taemin/Minho/Key), onesidedOnKey
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Summary:
Meet Kim Kibum, owner of L&K Designs, one of the fastest rising designers in the country. He only employs the best in his service:
- Kim Jonghyun, world renowned photographer
- Lee Taemin, make up artist extroidinaire.
- And Choi Minho, top model.
He was slowly climbing his way up to fame and fortune until an unfortunate accident involving a chicken delivery boy, Lee Jinki, left him two models down for his upcoming fashion show. In order to pay Key back, he agrees to stand in and walk the catwalk, impressing him enough to earn a full time job as a model. Now, a certain photographer has taken interest in him, and as the days pass by, the rival competition gets fierce with Jinki stuck in the crossfire.
Disclaimer: All I own are a few posters of the boys back from the Ring Ding Dong and Juliette days.
A/N;; There will be eight chapters total for this story. I might do an epilogue depending on how it ends, but there will definitely be eight chapters. If I do decide to do an epilogue, then I'll post it at the same time with the last chapter. As always, thank you so much for reading!
I'm bad at keeping secrets. Stranded will be a sky pirates AU based on Treasure Planet and Final Fantasy XII. You won't need to know anything about the two in order to understand what's going on.
--
Chapter Five - Like a Broken Doll With All The Wrong Pieces
--
“Did you mean it?” Jonghyun smiled tenderly at Jinki for a moment. What was he supposed to say? He heard it all so he might as well tell him. But the little nagging voice in the back of his head coupled with his insecurity got the better of him.
“Just go back to sleep, Jinki.” Jinki looked at him confused for a moment before he couldn’t force himself to keep his eyes open any longer and fell back asleep. Jonghyun leaned back in the chair and ran his hand through his hair. All he had to do was say it. He watched the other boy’s face while he slept and was hit with another slap of guilt. A soft tapping at the window caught his attention.
He took one long look at Jinki’s sleeping form before pushing himself up and walking out of the room to meet a very serious looking Key. “How is he?” He asked, glancing back in through the window. “He could be better.”
“You know... from all the pain medication they put him on, he probably won’t remember what you said to him.” Key didn’t look away from the window. “...He won’t?” In a way, Jonghyun was relieved. But then the burden of his feeling came back to weigh on his heart.
“You two have the worst luck when it comes to this relationship. I suppose this is fate’s way of telling you that you weren’t meant to be. Or maybe fate is just making it hard so it’ll be worthwhile in the end. This little fear of commitment you have,” Key said while turning around to look at Jonghyun over his glasses, “needs to die.”
--
Key was right. Jinki didn’t seem to remember anything Jonghyun had said to him while he was under the influence of drugs. Something always had to happen didn’t it? He was the first thing he saw when he woke up, and it almost crushed Jonghyun to see the painful smile on his face. “Does it hurt?”
Jinki let out a wheeze that Jonghyun assumed was supposed to be laughter. “Black eye, fat lip, ten stitches on your face, and five cracked ribs. The question should be what doesn’t hurt.” He groaned as he took a deep breath in. “I’ll get whoever did this to you. I promise.” Jinki didn’t say anything, just closing his eye and nodding.
--
A month had passed since the Gala. Jinki’s face still showed a few scars from the stitches, but his black eye was completely gone. Taemin remarked that the scars made him look even more handsome and rugged when Key tried to insist on covering it up with makeup. His ribs were still sore though, not fully healed. He needed to keep them wrapped, and change out the bandage twice a day.
Nowadays, he always had someone accompany him wherever he went. Be it Jonghyun, Minho, and even Key took time out of his precious schedule to follow him around. But today, Key was nowhere to be found.
Jiyong grinned at himself in the mirror before washing up his hands in his personal bathroom next to his office. L&K didn’t seem to be sticking their noses in places where they shouldn’t be. He was sure he taught them enough of a lesson. He walked past his secretary and noticed she looked a little bit more disheveled than usual but took no note until he walked into his office.
“Jiyong. I was wondering when you’d get back.” His chair swiveled around to reveal a very ominous looking Key. “How did you get in here?”
“Your chair is quite comfy. Italian leather? I thought these only went for shoes and handbags.” He laced his fingers together and leaned forward onto Jiyong’s desk. “It’s only been a month since I last saw you. I think we’re seeing too much of each other really.” Key stood up and walked out in front of the desk to sit on it. “I’m sorry, but I think we should end this relationship.”
“Stop talking like an idiot. How did you get in here?”
“Your secretary let me in.” He picked some dirt out from under his nails and blew at them.
“Don’t lie to me. I have her specific instructions not to let anyone in while I’m not here. I’ll have you arrested for breaking and entering.”
Key chuckled. “I banged her on the desk and she gladly let me in. Just go ask her yourself.” Jiyong raised an eyebrow.
“But you’re gay.”
“I didn’t say I enjoyed it. But I found some really interesting stuff here while I was waiting for you...” Jiyong’s eyes narrowed. “So I take it you went through my desk.”
“And then some.” Suddenly the door opened and the four people closest to him in the company walked in. “Ah. So good of you to join us.” Key’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the last healing traces of a black eye on Daesung. “Oh look, your jacket is askew, let me fix that...” Without warning, Key went up to Yongbae and pulled his jacket tighter, watching him wince involuntarily.
Key’s eyes traveled back to Jiyong. “My, my, my... well, I’ve seen all I needed to see here. This little war you’re waging, I’m going to win. And I’m going to do it the legitimate way. I assume you’re entering Andre Kim’s special stage competition?”
Jiyong gave him an equally disturbing smile. “Of course.”
“I’ll see you in a month then.”
--
“Andre Kim’s special stage?” Jinki sipped some coffee that Jonghyun bought for him. Jinki was a little bit surprised by how much attention he was receiving from the other boy. He stopped being so nervous around him now, and the two of them talked freely as friends and spent a lot of time with each other inside the company, and out.
“The biggest stage ever in fashion history. Hundred of pieces, dozens of models. Every couple years he decides to feature a designer and their top two models in his show. There’s this huge competition with dozens of designers entering. We have to show off at least twenty pieces, so that will be at least twenty models right there... A couple people that go first can double up if they change fast enough. I’m confident I can do makeup that fast. Key’s going all out for this.”
And the designer in question had been locked up in his office scanning over designs, drawing his own, and choosing fabric carefully. If he wasn’t in his office, then he was on the second floor with his designers.
Day after day, everyone was in a flurry getting things done for the competition. The models tried on clothes, took photographs, and listened to Key’s insane ranting. Jonghyun had his work cut out for him too. He had to take the most flattering photographs of who was going to be wearing what to pick and send to the competition judges beforehand.
Preparations finished a weekend before the competition. They had a whole weekend to feel nervous. The tension at the company was palpable. Someone could probably scoop some out of the air and put it on a plate for someone to eat. Key was most stressed out, which was why Taemin introduced the idea of a sleep over.
“Come on! It’ll just be me, Minho, Jonghyun, and Jinki! It’ll be a lot of fun!” He made a pouty face and sported his trademark puppy dog eyes that he knew Key couldn’t resist. Key let out an angry breath and rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. Just stop that. It makes me want to punch you in the face. Come over later tonight. I need some time to... clean up a few things.”
Jinki opened his mouth to protest. He didn’t really know where Key lived, and probably didn’t have a method of transportation to get there. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you.” Jonghyun patted him on the back with a big smile on his face.
--
“Wow. Wow.” Wow was a bit of an understatement. Jonghyun couldn’t help but laugh at Jinki’s fallen jaw. He pulled in to the gates and pushed the intercom button. “Yah. Open up your fancy pants gates and let us in already.” Key lived on quite a spacious estate. As Jonghyun pulled his car into the garage, he reached a hand over and closed Jinki’s mouth for him. His oh so kissable mouth.
They grabbed their bags from the trunk, Jinki first. He started walking into the house from the garage when he suddenly said, “oh!” then turned around abruptly, only to crash into Jonghyun and pin him to the car. Jonghyun’s breath hitched for a second at the closeness of the other boy. Neither of them moved for a second until Jinki pushed himself up off of him. “Sorry... I left something in the trunk.” He brushed past him gently to pull out a small blanket and closed it before hurrying inside.
Jonghyun blinked after him a few times before looking down at his pants then looking back up. “This is going to be a long weekend.”
Inside, Key leaned over from the kitchen with wide eyes. “Well? Did you do it?” Jinki gave him a thumbs up and smiled. Key gave a devious smile as he posed and laughed evilly with his ladle. He was making dinner in a pink frilly apron and casual clothes. Minho and Taemin were sitting at the large dining table playing a card game.
They were all in on it except for Jonghyun. Key had grown tired of watching the two give each other longing looks from across the room. He was going to do something about it because it was driving him crazy. So while Jinki was packing for the weekend, they had a long conversation on seducing Jonghyun. (“But Key, isn’t he straight?” “As straight as a curly straw.”)
So now Jinki had a long list of subtle things to do to him. Key required as much subtle skinship as possible. A gentle brush here and there, small gestures that were soon to build up throughout the night. And Key was planning a few ‘bonding’ games here and there that were sure to speed things up a bit. At least this time, neither of them would be under the influence of anything that would make them unable to remember what happened the night before.
“Where are we sleeping Key? Your room?”
“Yes, indeed!” He said in a sing-song voice from the kitchen as Jonghyun walked in with his things. “C’mon Jinki. It’s over this way. And make sure you follow me so you don’t get lost in this place.” Jinki gulped and looked around. His decor was interesting to say the least. After walking up a winding staircase around a fountain (“A fountain? What are you supposed to do with a fountain in your house? Isn’t that unsanitary?”), they came upon open double doors leading to the master bedroom.
“Holy crap! This is bigger than my entire apartment!”
“Bigger than both of our combined. I think my apartment might fit in his closet.” Jonghyun gestured to a smaller set of double doors across the room as he dropped his stuff in front of the bed. “This place is like a castle.”
“It’s built like a castle. Watch out for trap doors.”
“.... He has trap doors?”
“Knowing Key, I definitely wouldn’t put it past him.”
--
Key rang them for dinner shortly. They all sat around the kitchen island on high chairs and passed the food around, even though it was rather small. He insisted that the dining room table was too big. Jinki and Jonghyun ended up being squashed next to each other and bumped arms whenever they tried to eat. “Sorry,” Jinki said with a smile after he bumped into Jonghyun for the fifth time. The other boy just shrugged and continued eating.
Key cleared his throat to get Jinki’s attention and swiped his thumb across his bottom lip. Jinki nodded subtly and took a spoonful of the food, getting some sauce on the side of his cheek. After he swallowed, Taemin engaged him in conversation across from him. Jonghyun looked back and forth and smiled when he saw the sauce streaked across his face. He reached out and wiped it off with his thumb before licking it off of his fingers.
He paused when he saw the look on Minho’s face. “What? It’s not like it was on the floor or anything.”
After dinner, Jinki volunteered to do the dishes since Key cooked. Everyone was slightly surprised when Jonghyun volunteered to help him do the dishes. But only slightly surprised. He cleared off the table while Jinki started on rinsing the dishes. “So you guys have been friends for a while huh?” Jinki asked to make conversation.
“Since we could walk. Our parents are like this.” He crossed his fingers together and laughed. After a few more questions, the sinks were full of soapy suds. Key, Minho, and Taemin watched from behind a wall. “Do you think he’ll do it?” Taemin whispered to Key who was above him. Key sighed. “I can’t believe I’m going to let him destroy my kitchen for this...” Minho laughed above him quietly.
Jinki stared at the suds for a moment before scooping up a handful and shoving it into Jonghyun’s face. He froze for a a few seconds, and in those few seconds, Jinki crafted the suds into a beard and mustache. “Looks good on you,” he said with smiling eyes and a giggle.
“Oh NO you didn’t.” Jonghyun reached over and smacked suds on Jinki’s face. This turned into an all out sud war until Jinki grabbed the sprayer and started to spray Jonghyun with water. The other one yelled and dashed away from the sink, but that didn’t stop Jinki. “You jerk!” Jonghyun shielded his face and snatched away the sprayer and started to spray Jinki. Key couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out from behind the wall.
“Excuse me. What are you two doing to my kitchen?” He said, eye narrowing. He was supposed to pretend to be really mad, but deep inside, he was thrilled that everything was going according to plan for once. “Sorry Key,” Jinki said while laughing. He was dripping wet. Perfect. Time for phase two.
“Whatever. Just hurry up already. I’ve got other stuff planned too.” Key stalked out dramatically only to run back to his spot behind the wall. The two boys laughed at each other before turning back to the dishes. And right on cue, Jinki started to shiver. “Man... it feels like a freezer in here.”
“Key likes it cold,” Jonghyun said. Jinki stopped the dishes again for a moment and pulled off his shirt. He hung it on the island and went back to the sink where Jonghyun was standing with his jaw on the floor.
“What in the world are you doing?”
“I don’t want to catch a cold. Plus the water soaked into my bandages,” he said gesturing to the soaked bandages around his chest. His ribs were almost completely healed, but he couldn’t take any chances. “You mind helping me take them off?” Key did an almost fangirlish squeal. Only Minho and Taemin could hear it though as both of his hands were pressed tightly over his mouth.
“Oh... sure...” Jinki turned around and helped Jonghyun unravel his bandages. Since he couldn’t work out too much with his injured ribs, the definition in his abs declined a little bit, but he still looked good. The skin was smooth and white, and unconsciously, Jonghyun brushed his fingers gently across his skin. Jinki hissed a little bit but didn’t pull away from his touch.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Jinki turned around and smiled at the other boy. “No. Your hands are cold.”
After finally finishing the dishes, the five of them sat around in Key’s room. Jinki had changed into some sweatpants and a tank top after Minho put on fresh new bandages. Jonghyun was hiding in the bathroom for some reason. Key patted Jinki on the back. “Good job Jinki. Now to just seal the deal.” Key winked at him and pulled out a bottle from somewhere. “Spin the bottle?”
“After a game of Never Have I Ever.”
--
“Never have I ever gotten so drunk I threw up on someone.” The whole room erupted into laughter while Jonghyun turned red and put a finger down. They all started with five, and now he was down to two. It seemed like the whole room was against him.
“My turn? Never have I ever... liked someone in this room.” Taemin watched as everyone put down a finger. “Wow. Everyone in here likes someone in this room?” Jinki asked looking around the circle. Key rolled his eyes. This boy obviously wasn’t adept at picking on relationships. Even one like Minho and Taemin’s. It’s not like they hid it very well.
“Jjongie only has one finger left? Well, well, well....” Jonghyun gave Ley a sour look as he contemplated what he should reveal. “Never have I ever... wet the bed until I was eight years old because I was scared of monsters in my closet.” Jonghyun paled as everyone else burst into laughter. “No way!” Jinki laughed so hard, his chest started to ache as tears rolled down his face.
“Goddammit Key! That’s not something you’re supposed to tell people! EVER!” His face turned red as he fell back onto the floor. “I hate you! Why the hell are you my best friend?!” He rolled around on the floor before getting back up to face his punishment.
“Let’s see... I want you to pose here with Jinki.”
“Wait! Why am I getting punished too?? I still have two fingers!” Key rolled his eyes. “Trust me love, it’ll be more punishment for Jjongie than you.”
“Wait... you had three fingers until the end...” Minho said with a suspicious look on his face. “Oh did I? Well... well.... let’s just hurry this up!”
And that’s how Jonghyun and Jinki ended up holding each other gently for the next five minutes. Jinki could feel his heart racing, and he knew with how close Jonghyun was standing, there was no way he couldn’t feel it either. He could smell the shampoo in his hair. The dish washing soap. Sweat. It seemed like an eternity before the two parted.
“Alright. Spin the Bottle: Truth or Dare! For every dare or truth you refuse to do or say, you have to take off a piece of clothing!”
--
Embarrassing secrets and equally embarrassing pictures were taken. Minho was dared to imitate a pigeon and the look on his face was priceless. As the night went on, no one seemed to want to pick dares anymore after Key’s drink fiasco. No one knew what was in it, but the fact that it was bubbling was a little bit unnerving.
“Alright, last spin on the bottle before bed. We’re spending the day shopping and at the amusement park tomorrow, then some rest before the fall festival at night.” Key gave the bottle the last spin and smirked as it landed on Jinki.
“Uh... Truth.” Key nodded and thought about his question. “Earlier during Never Have I Ever... You put a finger down for liking someone in this room. Who is it?” Jinki turned red. He’d already taken off his tank top to opt out of drinking Key’s drink earlier. All he had left was his pants, and he was definitely not going to take those off.
The rest of the group feigned curiosity except for Jonghyun, who was genuinely curious, even though deep down he knew who it was. “...J...Jonghyun.” The whole group whooped as Jonghyun gave him a surprised expression. Jinki’s face turned red before Key dismissed them all to the bathrooms to get ready for bed. No one knew Jinki could run that fast without falling.
--
Key, Minho, and Taemin took the bed. There was plenty of room for Jinki too, but he preferred sleeping on a mat on the floor. He was laying on his back with his hands behind his head when Jonghyun flopped down next to him on his stomach. Neither of them said anything for a moment until Jonghyun propped himself up onto his elbows.
“So you like me huh?”
“I thought it would be obvious by now...” Jinki answered quietly. Jonghyun looked at his face for a moment before pushing himself up and closer to Jinki. He blinked a few times at the closeness, his heartbeat rapidly increasing. “I like you too.” Jonghyun closed the distance between their faces and kissed him. It was tentative at first, a tender and endearing first kiss (that both of them could remember).
When Jonghyun pulled away, Jinki’s ears were red. “Does... this mean we’re dating?” Jiki asked turning to the other boy. Jonghyun bit his lip for a second, staring off into the distance.
“Good lord! Just say yes already!” The two of them jumped slightly. The other three were watching them from the end of the bed. “It’s like a drama that’s never going to end!”
“Go away!” Jonghyun pulled the blanket up over their heads and turned so he was face to face with Jinki. “Does it?” He asked softly. Jonghyun regarded his expression and smiled softly at the boy before planting another soft kiss on him. “Yes. It does.”
“HALLELUJA!”
“I thought I told you guys to go away!”
“Pulling the blanket over yourself doesn’t transport you to a magical new world!”
--
AN;; A little bit longer to compensate for the extra boring while dragging the plot along up there.
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