#277 | You Belong With Me | Kaisoo
Prompt #: 277
Title: You Belong With Me
Pairing/Main character(s): Kai/D.O.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3.8k
Warning(s): [click to open]
my (lame) attempt at fluff
Summary: Through papers and pens, Kyungsoo falls in love. But, will it ever be reciprocated?
Author's Note: LOL. yea. Fluff isn’t my thing, but I wanted to give this a shot. So, dear prompter, I do hope you like this. Thanks to the mods for hosting this as well!! :)
Kyungsoo was sitting with his back against his headboard, reading his book. From the corner of his eye, he saw a light flicker on. When he turned his head, he saw that his neighbour was home and in his bedroom. Kyungsoo glanced at the clock, 10:00 pm, it read. Right on the dot.
It was a blessing and a curse really to have such a large bedroom window. Blessing because Kyungsoo got to creep on his hot, model, neighbour. Well, creep wasn’t really the right word, since his neighbour, Jongin, was the one who initiated everything eleven months ago. It was a curse because Kyungsoo over the first couple of weeks had developed a crush on him. Something that he’s still trying to get over.
It was about a week or so after Jongin moved in next door to Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo usually left his curtains opened, because the old neighbors never used that room. So, out of habit, Kyungsoo kept them open until he slept. But, when there was a light that had appeared in that room, Kyungsoo learned that his new neighbour used that room as his bedroom. He also learned that very same night, that Jongin liked to communicate with strangers at night, with paper and a sharpie.
Kyungsoo placed a bookmark in his book and placed it on his nightstand. He pulled open his nightstand drawer where he stored an art book and a black sharpie. When he looked up, Jongin was already seated on his bed, shirtless, holding up a message.
How was your day? It read. Kyungsoo’s eyes flicked quickly to the beautiful sun-kissed skin that he was blessed with seeing. He hoped that Jongin didn’t notice.
Kyungsoo wrote his message: Good. Yours?
It was a lie, of course, Kyungsoo’s day was the same shit that he went through on a day to day basis. He had a new pile of manuscripts he had to read through and just when he thought he had finished Baekhyun had given him some of his. Because apparently he was ‘too busy’. Aka Baekhyun was too busy flirting.
Better now, that I saw your face. Kyungsoo had to look down and blush, when Jongin grinned. Kyungsoo loved it when Jongin smiled like that. Barring his teeth, like when he bared himself for the world. But this was more intimate, Kyungsoo thought. Kyungsoo had never seen Jongin smile like that with anyone else -- especially in interviews. He only ever smirked in those. Not that Kyungsoo was keeping track.
When he looked back up, Jongin was writing another message. You’re cute when you blush.
Kyungsoo didn’t know how to respond. He never knew how to respond to things like that. But it was who Jongin was. Kyungsoo had realized this early on in their communications. Jongin would always throw out comments like that, even though he was in a relationship. It confused Kyungsoo a lot. And it didn't help that Kyungsoo always showed his emotions through his facial expressions. It was something that he was never good at hiding, so as he got older the less he tried to pretend otherwise. Jongin always teased him about it.
Kyungsoo did ask him one day, why he didn’t just call or text like a normal person. (Mind you, they still haven’t exchange numbers after all these months.) Jongin response was that he like to keep the books and use them as a keepsake. He said that he kept every single notebook he filled with their conversations. When Jongin asked Kyungsoo if he did the same, the latter lied and said he didn’t. In reality, Kyungsoo kept a special box in his closet that held all the notebooks or scraps of paper he used to talk with Jongin. He remembers every single conversation he’s had with the younger.
Kyungsoo decided that he wouldn’t acknowledge the comment that Jongin made. What did you do today?
Jongin gave him a small smile when he read what Kyungsoo wrote. It was a smile that Jongin had been giving him lately. He wasn’t sure what it meant.
I had another shoot today and then did an interview.
Exciting. Just by yourself today?
No. I had an actress join me.
Oh? Who?
Can’t say. You’ll have to wait until the issue comes. Jongin winked.
I look forward to it. And he truly did. Every time a new issue came out with Jongin in it, he was always adamant about buying a copy. Of course, Jongin has no idea. Kyungsoo had always lied and told Jongin that he saw it and that was that.
He lied to Jongin a lot. Which, in retrospect, wasn’t a good thing, but Kyungsoo liked to justify it with the fact that he doesn’t want Jongin to think Kyungsoo was some sort of a stalker. He wasn’t. Really. It was just that his feelings would make him do things he normally would never do. Besides, Jongin had a girlfriend. There was no point in telling Jongin the truth if they were only ever going to be neighbours.
--
“Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun said when he saw Kyungsoo enter onto the floor. Baekhyun was one of Kyungsoo’s closest friends and co-worker.
He pulled Kyungsoo closer and practically forced him into his seat, directly beside where Baekhyun sat. Kyungsoo liked to think that their desks were a representation of themselves. While Kyungsoo’s desk was neat and organized, Baekhyun’s was a chaotic mess.
“Work best in a mess,” is what Baekhyun always said anytime Kyungsoo told him to clean up his area.
“You’ll never guess what happened to me,” Baekhyun said bouncing in his seat.
“What?”
“Chanyeol said that he would go with me to the party.”
Chanyeol. Baekhyun’s latest obsession. Kyungsoo did his best not to roll his eyes.
“That’s great Baek.”
“Are you bringing anyone?” Baekhyun asked as he swung himself back and forth on his revolving chair.
“I wasn’t planning too…” Kyungsoo scratched the back of his head and turned to face his desk. He pulled his laptop out of his bag and turned it on.
“You should bring your hot neighbour.”
“I-I don’t think he would have the time…” Kyungsoo said. It was probably true, Kyungsoo knew just how busy Jongin really was as the younger had been complaining to him that he just wanted a day off.
“Have you already asked him?” Before Kyungsoo could respond Baekhyun continued. He was resting his head on his right hand as he stared at Kyungsoo. “No, of course, you didn’t. Ask him and then if he says no then that’s that.”
“Not everyone is like you,” Kyungsoo said as he typed in his password. “It’s not that easy.”
“Thank God for that, I would hate everyone,” Baekhyun placed his hand on Kyungsoo's shoulder. “Just ask him. You don't want to go through the what if’s. Besides if he says yes, then maybe like likes you.”
“Wow, look at you giving advice,” Kyungsoo said sarcastically. Baekhyun stuck his tongue out at his friend before he turned back to his messy desk.
“Trust me, Soo,” Baekhyun said. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
Like likes me. Kyungsoo scoffed. Nobody has liked liked him in such a long time that he almost forgot what the feeling was like to have someone reciprocate his feelings. It was awhile ago, back during his freshman year in college. His name was Junmyeon. He really was a great boyfriend and they did have a good time together. But there was something that was missing in the relationship that Kyungsoo noticed early on. Junmyeon ended up catching on as well. After they broke up, Kyungsoo didn’t bother with trying to get a boyfriend after that. It was pointless he always told himself. He didn’t need a relationship to be happy. He had his friends and that was all he wanted. Besides who wanted to date a nerd like him. He goes home to watch Game of Thrones and just last week he binge-watched the entire seventh season of Doctor Who. Nobody would want to a date person like Kyungsoo.
“He has a girlfriend, Baek.”
--
“Kyungsoo, hey.”
Kyungsoo turned and saw Jongin locking up his door. He was wearing workout gear. Kyungsoo had just finished work for the day, and his conversation with Baekhyun earlier was still fresh in his mind. He felt his face heat up with just a simple thought.
“Oh, hey. How are you?”
“Good, you?”
“I’m alright, how about yourself?” Kyungsoo realized what he said as he said it. “I mean, no, wait. I already asked you that. Sorry.”
Jongin chuckled. “Cute.”
Kyungsoo looked down and blushed again. But now was the time, he needed to ask him now, or it was never going to happen. But Jongin already started to do his stretches, he would be leaving soon.
“J-Jongin.”
“Hmm?”
“I-I was wondering what you were doing Friday night…”
“Is Kyungsoo asking me out on a date?” Jongin asked with a bright smile.
“Ah, no,” Jongin’s smile faltered but he still held it nonetheless. Kyungsoo wasn’t sure why it did that. “I was wondering if you would join me for dinner that my company is hosting. All of my other coworkers are bringing people with them and I didn’t want to feel left out and you were the first person who came to my mind and I wasjsuthopignthatyouwouldjoinme.”
Kyungsoo took a deep breath after he finished his little ramble. Jongin looked momentarily confused at what Kyungsoo had said, so the latter was preparing to ask him again in a more coherent manner.
“Sure, Kyungsoo, I would love to go with you,” Jongin said as he made his way over to where Kyungsoo was standing, stepping over the bushes that separated their front yards. “Let’s exchange numbers. Text me the details later tonight and I’ll be sure to be there, okay?”
Kyungsoo felt the heat rise to his face when Jongin took his phone, after he unlocked it, and put in his number.
“Are you sure it’s okay? I figured you would be busy.”
“Of course it’s fine. I just have to cancel some plans,” Jongin said handing back his phone. “But I’ll be there.”
“What? If you--”
“Soo. Please, it’s fine. I would rather spend the night with you anyways.” Jongin started to walk backward toward the street and waving goodbye with one final comment. “I really love it when you blush.”
Kyungsoo stood there and watch Jongin jog away. He looked down at his phone and saw ‘Kim Jongin ;)’ on his phone. Kyungsoo felt himself smile. At first, it was small. Then slowly it became wider and wider. He smiled all the way to his door. Maybe he does like like me.
Later that evening, Jongin and Kyungsoo were writing messages to each other again. Kyungsoo wasn't sure if the other could tell, but everything Kyungsoo was writing seemed to have a little prep in it. Kyungsoo felt like he was writing everything with the biggest smile on his face, even though he knew he had a relatively straight face. Except for the times that Jongin made a comment that caused him to blush.
--
It was Thursday and Kyungsoo was mulling around his desk. He just finished sifting through a pile of manuscripts when he heard a pair of his coworkers gossips about some celebrities. Usually, Kyungsoo wasn’t one to listen to such petty things but when he heard a familiar name in the conversation he tuned in quickly.
“Oh, did you hear about Krystal and Jongin?”
“No, what?”
“I read on Facebook that he proposed.” Kyungsoo felt his heart drop. It couldn’t be true.
“Really? How do you know?”
“Well, I heard that they did a cover shoot the other day and then one of the staff there noticed that Jongin had a small red box.”
Kyungsoo tuned them out afterward. He couldn’t bear to listen to anymore. He tried his best to find something else to focus on, but what his co-workers said just kept replaying in his mind. He knew he should...or well, could bring it up with Jongin, to hear it from the man himself if he was going to get engaged to his girlfriend. But no, they weren’t close enough for that. Were they? Kyungsoo still, to this day, wasn’t sure what their relationship was. Were they friends? Or just neighbours? It wasn’t like they spent time together doing things. Other than the rare times they speak with each other outside of their bedrooms. There wasn’t anything else to this… relationship?
“Kyungsoo, did you ask him?” Baekhyun pulled him out of his thoughts when he finally came back to his desk after leaving to give Chanyeol a document over an hour ago.
“What? Oh yeah..”
“And?”
Kyungsoo looked at Baekhyun's excitement. He couldn't bring himself to tell the other the truth.
“No. He said...no.” Kyungsoo turned back to his laptop and pretended to do his work. Baekhyun took the hint, for once, and left him alone. But Kyungsoo still noticed how Baekhyun kept throwing worried glances in his direction.
--
Jongin, I don’t think that you should come tomorrow. Kyungsoo decided that this was for the best. He didn’t want to cause any unnecessary drama. He didn’t want to prolong his heartache anymore.
Why?
I just don’t think it’s a good idea, anymore. Sorry. Kyungsoo got up to close his curtain, just as Jongin lifted his book.
Is this about me and Krystal?
Kyungsoo stared at the paper for a moment and then made eye contact with Jongin. The look that Jongin gave him was one that would haunt Kyungsoo for weeks. There was a look of desperation and anguish in them. A look that Kyungsoo wished he never saw from him. He bit his bottom lip, to stop him from crying as he shook his head.
Kyungsoo wasn’t sure what had happened after he shut the curtain. All he knew was that he didn’t hear anything from Jongin after that. He wasn’t sure if he should feel too happy about that. Yes, it’s better for him not to be in contact with Jongin, for the sake of his feelings. Yet, Kyungsoo still missed him. It had only been a day and he missed the other.
Damn, Kyungsoo had fallen hard.
--
It was the day of the party and everyone in the office was excited. At first, it was a normal day but slowly people started talking about what they were going to wear and who they were going with.
It made Kyungsoo feel worse. Baekhyun had tried to make some conversation with him, but Kyungsoo wasn’t responding. Instead, he focused on his work, causing Baekhyun to leave him alone. Kyungsoo didn’t want to shut out his friend, but he also didn’t want to talk about what had happened. It was still too fresh. Too real.
It was about halfway through the day when the manager decided that everyone could go home early. He must’ve know that everyone was too excited for the evening to get proper work done. Kyungsoo wasn’t looking forward to going home. Nevertheless, he went, promising Baekhyun on the way out that he was still going to go, alone.
When Kyungsoo arrived home, Jongin was sitting on his porch Kyungsoo didn’t notice until he was a few feet in front of him, as he was staring at his feet dreading the fact that he had to still go to the party.
“J-Jongin?”
Jongin stood. He was dressed in a pale blue button down and black jeans. “Can we talk?”
Kyungsoo stood there for a moment. He could hear the nervousness in Jongin’s voice. “How long have you been sitting there for?”
“About an hour.”
Kyungsoo raised his eyebrows in shock. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Kyungsoo was sitting on his couch while Jongin was pacing in front of him. Everything in his house looked so plain and simple compared to Jongin, who looked like he belonged in a castle.
“Jongin?”
Jongin stopped and faced Kyungsoo. “I like you.”
Kyungsoo blinked a couple times before he responded. “What?”
“To be honest with you, the only reason why I started communicating with you using the notebook was because I was too shy to talk to you in person, but I still wanted to see your face. So I came up with the idea to talk with you using a notebook,” Jongin face flushed as he confessed. Kyungsoo stared at him in disbelief. “The thing between me and Krystal was all fake. It was just to keep my sexuality out of the tabloids until I was ready to come out and then when you asked me to go with you to your dinner party. I figured that it would be the best time to come out. You know? Cause I like you and all. But then there was that rumour going around about me proposing.” Jongin ran his fingers through his hair and still his hair managed to fall back into place. “And when you told me not to go anymore...I just… I talked with Krystal about it and she told me that it was a good time to tell you and...talk to you about it.”
“You were too shy to talk to me?”
Jongin smiled to himself. “Of course, you’re quite handsome Kyungsoo, you just don’t see it yourself.” Jongin moved to sit beside Kyungsoo. “Besides, I wasn’t about to start talking to you just because I wanted to borrow sugar from you or something in the future. It was my own...stupid way of trying to talk with you without actually talking with you.”
“But that red box?”
“Red box?” Jongin was clearly confused.
“One of my coworkers was gossiping and said something about--”
“Oh, that,” Jongin cut Kyungsoo off. He chuckled a bit before answering. “That was just a prop. I have on idea where they got that idea from.”
Kyungsoo sat there taking everything in. He wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Everything seemed to be out of focus. It was really something else to have someone you had been crushing on for the longest time tell you they had the same feelings all this time.
Kim fucking Jongin likes him. It was the strangest sentence he’s ever heard him say to himself and he couldn’t believe that he was saying it.
“You...like me?” Kyungsoo said quietly.
“Yes,” Jongin said. Kyungsoo turned to face Jongin. He looked at him with such tenderness and warmth.
“So all that flirting?”
“Was me actually flirting with you.”
Kyungsoo felt his heart flutter. Kyungsoo looked down again when he felt the blush rise to his face.
“Kyungsoo,” Jongin said. “I know this is a lot for you to take in… but, I mean...Do you feel the same way about me?”
Kyungsoo looked at Jongin and then back down at his lap. If he wasn’t blushing enough before, then he would be now.
“I-I mean,” Kyungsoo was a stuttering mess. Shit, he needed to pull himself together. “I-I just…”
Jongin looked at little disappointed. Kyungsoo felt guilt rise in his chest.
“Right,” Jongin said. He rose from his seat and started to make his way to Kyungsoo’s door. “I’ sorry if I made you uncomfortable…”
“Are you still available to go to the party tonight?” Kyungsoo asked Jongin quickly. Jongin turned around and looked at Kyungsoo. “I...told B-Baekhyun, my friend, that I was going and I don’t really like parties. And I don’t really want to go alone. I-If you have time I would like for you to come with me,” Kyungsoo’s heart was beating so loud, he could hear the rushing of his blood in his ears. “Because… I-I like you… too.”
Kyungsoo said the last part so quietly that Jongin took a moment before he responded. When he looked up, Jongin wore a big smile on his face.
“O-okay,” Jongin said. Kyungsoo saw blush rise on the others face. “Yeah, okay. I’ll...I need to just get ready. What time do we have to leave?”
“It’s not until 6,” Kyungsoo looked at the clock that was above his television. It read 2:10pm. “We still have time.”
“Right… okay…” Jongin said quietly. Neither of them seemed to be able to keep the smile off their face. Jongin who usually was the personification of confidence was now just as much a stuttering mess as Kyungsoo was. Kyungsoo thought it was really endearing.
“You can stay here if you want,” Kyungsoo said. “Until you have to get ready.”
Jongin nodded. He walked closer to Kyungsoo and together they both sat on the couch again. Kyungsoo was still having difficulties looking at Jongin, but from the corner of his eye, Kyungsoo noticed how Jongin was just looking at him.
For the most part, they stayed next to each other. Jongin continued to stare and held on to Kyungsoo’s hand. For Kyungsoo, he was still trying to grasp the fact that Jongin had the same feels that he did. They spent a Majority of their afternoon, together, on the couch, talking. They talked about everything and anything that came to mind. Things that they never really talked about when they wrote in the notebooks.
Kyungsoo had to admit that he loved it and that he would cherish their conversation more than he would their notebook sessions.
--
Kyungsoo had to take a deep breath as Jongin put his car in park. Kyungsoo gave Jongin a small smile before they both exited the car and made their way to the doors. But before they got too close, Jongin stopped Kyungsoo.
“If you’re comfortable, I would really like to hold your hand.”
“I-I,” Kyungsoo cleared his throat. He hated that he kept stuttering. “It’s fine, most of them already know my preferences. But are you sure you’re going to be okay with it?”
“I’ll be fine, cause I’ll have you by my side right?” Jongin smiled softly as Kyungsoo blushed again. “Are you going to be okay with the rumors?”
Kyungsoo opened his mouth then closed it. He never really gave much thought as to what would happen if Jongin ever reciprocated his feelings. Was he going to be okay with people knowing? He knew how harsh people would gossip and he didn’t think he was ready for something like that. To be honest, he was never going to be ready for something that intense.
But as he looked at Jongin before him, his heart fluttered, like it always did, but there was something else now. Something that made Kyungsoo feel a bit more confident than he usually was. He wanted to show Jongin off to his coworkers. He wanted to show him that someone as attractive as Jongin was interested in him.
Kyungsoo smiled at Jongin. “I’ll never be okay with them, but, I’ll deal with it.”
Kyungsoo grabs onto Jongin’s hand with the little confidence he gained and strolled to the entrance, ready for everything and anything.
Title: You Belong With Me
Pairing/Main character(s): Kai/D.O.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3.8k
Warning(s): [click to open]
my (lame) attempt at fluff
Summary: Through papers and pens, Kyungsoo falls in love. But, will it ever be reciprocated?
Author's Note: LOL. yea. Fluff isn’t my thing, but I wanted to give this a shot. So, dear prompter, I do hope you like this. Thanks to the mods for hosting this as well!! :)
Kyungsoo was sitting with his back against his headboard, reading his book. From the corner of his eye, he saw a light flicker on. When he turned his head, he saw that his neighbour was home and in his bedroom. Kyungsoo glanced at the clock, 10:00 pm, it read. Right on the dot.
It was a blessing and a curse really to have such a large bedroom window. Blessing because Kyungsoo got to creep on his hot, model, neighbour. Well, creep wasn’t really the right word, since his neighbour, Jongin, was the one who initiated everything eleven months ago. It was a curse because Kyungsoo over the first couple of weeks had developed a crush on him. Something that he’s still trying to get over.
It was about a week or so after Jongin moved in next door to Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo usually left his curtains opened, because the old neighbors never used that room. So, out of habit, Kyungsoo kept them open until he slept. But, when there was a light that had appeared in that room, Kyungsoo learned that his new neighbour used that room as his bedroom. He also learned that very same night, that Jongin liked to communicate with strangers at night, with paper and a sharpie.
Kyungsoo placed a bookmark in his book and placed it on his nightstand. He pulled open his nightstand drawer where he stored an art book and a black sharpie. When he looked up, Jongin was already seated on his bed, shirtless, holding up a message.
How was your day? It read. Kyungsoo’s eyes flicked quickly to the beautiful sun-kissed skin that he was blessed with seeing. He hoped that Jongin didn’t notice.
Kyungsoo wrote his message: Good. Yours?
It was a lie, of course, Kyungsoo’s day was the same shit that he went through on a day to day basis. He had a new pile of manuscripts he had to read through and just when he thought he had finished Baekhyun had given him some of his. Because apparently he was ‘too busy’. Aka Baekhyun was too busy flirting.
Better now, that I saw your face. Kyungsoo had to look down and blush, when Jongin grinned. Kyungsoo loved it when Jongin smiled like that. Barring his teeth, like when he bared himself for the world. But this was more intimate, Kyungsoo thought. Kyungsoo had never seen Jongin smile like that with anyone else -- especially in interviews. He only ever smirked in those. Not that Kyungsoo was keeping track.
When he looked back up, Jongin was writing another message. You’re cute when you blush.
Kyungsoo didn’t know how to respond. He never knew how to respond to things like that. But it was who Jongin was. Kyungsoo had realized this early on in their communications. Jongin would always throw out comments like that, even though he was in a relationship. It confused Kyungsoo a lot. And it didn't help that Kyungsoo always showed his emotions through his facial expressions. It was something that he was never good at hiding, so as he got older the less he tried to pretend otherwise. Jongin always teased him about it.
Kyungsoo did ask him one day, why he didn’t just call or text like a normal person. (Mind you, they still haven’t exchange numbers after all these months.) Jongin response was that he like to keep the books and use them as a keepsake. He said that he kept every single notebook he filled with their conversations. When Jongin asked Kyungsoo if he did the same, the latter lied and said he didn’t. In reality, Kyungsoo kept a special box in his closet that held all the notebooks or scraps of paper he used to talk with Jongin. He remembers every single conversation he’s had with the younger.
Kyungsoo decided that he wouldn’t acknowledge the comment that Jongin made. What did you do today?
Jongin gave him a small smile when he read what Kyungsoo wrote. It was a smile that Jongin had been giving him lately. He wasn’t sure what it meant.
I had another shoot today and then did an interview.
Exciting. Just by yourself today?
No. I had an actress join me.
Oh? Who?
Can’t say. You’ll have to wait until the issue comes. Jongin winked.
I look forward to it. And he truly did. Every time a new issue came out with Jongin in it, he was always adamant about buying a copy. Of course, Jongin has no idea. Kyungsoo had always lied and told Jongin that he saw it and that was that.
He lied to Jongin a lot. Which, in retrospect, wasn’t a good thing, but Kyungsoo liked to justify it with the fact that he doesn’t want Jongin to think Kyungsoo was some sort of a stalker. He wasn’t. Really. It was just that his feelings would make him do things he normally would never do. Besides, Jongin had a girlfriend. There was no point in telling Jongin the truth if they were only ever going to be neighbours.
--
“Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun said when he saw Kyungsoo enter onto the floor. Baekhyun was one of Kyungsoo’s closest friends and co-worker.
He pulled Kyungsoo closer and practically forced him into his seat, directly beside where Baekhyun sat. Kyungsoo liked to think that their desks were a representation of themselves. While Kyungsoo’s desk was neat and organized, Baekhyun’s was a chaotic mess.
“Work best in a mess,” is what Baekhyun always said anytime Kyungsoo told him to clean up his area.
“You’ll never guess what happened to me,” Baekhyun said bouncing in his seat.
“What?”
“Chanyeol said that he would go with me to the party.”
Chanyeol. Baekhyun’s latest obsession. Kyungsoo did his best not to roll his eyes.
“That’s great Baek.”
“Are you bringing anyone?” Baekhyun asked as he swung himself back and forth on his revolving chair.
“I wasn’t planning too…” Kyungsoo scratched the back of his head and turned to face his desk. He pulled his laptop out of his bag and turned it on.
“You should bring your hot neighbour.”
“I-I don’t think he would have the time…” Kyungsoo said. It was probably true, Kyungsoo knew just how busy Jongin really was as the younger had been complaining to him that he just wanted a day off.
“Have you already asked him?” Before Kyungsoo could respond Baekhyun continued. He was resting his head on his right hand as he stared at Kyungsoo. “No, of course, you didn’t. Ask him and then if he says no then that’s that.”
“Not everyone is like you,” Kyungsoo said as he typed in his password. “It’s not that easy.”
“Thank God for that, I would hate everyone,” Baekhyun placed his hand on Kyungsoo's shoulder. “Just ask him. You don't want to go through the what if’s. Besides if he says yes, then maybe like likes you.”
“Wow, look at you giving advice,” Kyungsoo said sarcastically. Baekhyun stuck his tongue out at his friend before he turned back to his messy desk.
“Trust me, Soo,” Baekhyun said. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
Like likes me. Kyungsoo scoffed. Nobody has liked liked him in such a long time that he almost forgot what the feeling was like to have someone reciprocate his feelings. It was awhile ago, back during his freshman year in college. His name was Junmyeon. He really was a great boyfriend and they did have a good time together. But there was something that was missing in the relationship that Kyungsoo noticed early on. Junmyeon ended up catching on as well. After they broke up, Kyungsoo didn’t bother with trying to get a boyfriend after that. It was pointless he always told himself. He didn’t need a relationship to be happy. He had his friends and that was all he wanted. Besides who wanted to date a nerd like him. He goes home to watch Game of Thrones and just last week he binge-watched the entire seventh season of Doctor Who. Nobody would want to a date person like Kyungsoo.
“He has a girlfriend, Baek.”
--
“Kyungsoo, hey.”
Kyungsoo turned and saw Jongin locking up his door. He was wearing workout gear. Kyungsoo had just finished work for the day, and his conversation with Baekhyun earlier was still fresh in his mind. He felt his face heat up with just a simple thought.
“Oh, hey. How are you?”
“Good, you?”
“I’m alright, how about yourself?” Kyungsoo realized what he said as he said it. “I mean, no, wait. I already asked you that. Sorry.”
Jongin chuckled. “Cute.”
Kyungsoo looked down and blushed again. But now was the time, he needed to ask him now, or it was never going to happen. But Jongin already started to do his stretches, he would be leaving soon.
“J-Jongin.”
“Hmm?”
“I-I was wondering what you were doing Friday night…”
“Is Kyungsoo asking me out on a date?” Jongin asked with a bright smile.
“Ah, no,” Jongin’s smile faltered but he still held it nonetheless. Kyungsoo wasn’t sure why it did that. “I was wondering if you would join me for dinner that my company is hosting. All of my other coworkers are bringing people with them and I didn’t want to feel left out and you were the first person who came to my mind and I wasjsuthopignthatyouwouldjoinme.”
Kyungsoo took a deep breath after he finished his little ramble. Jongin looked momentarily confused at what Kyungsoo had said, so the latter was preparing to ask him again in a more coherent manner.
“Sure, Kyungsoo, I would love to go with you,” Jongin said as he made his way over to where Kyungsoo was standing, stepping over the bushes that separated their front yards. “Let’s exchange numbers. Text me the details later tonight and I’ll be sure to be there, okay?”
Kyungsoo felt the heat rise to his face when Jongin took his phone, after he unlocked it, and put in his number.
“Are you sure it’s okay? I figured you would be busy.”
“Of course it’s fine. I just have to cancel some plans,” Jongin said handing back his phone. “But I’ll be there.”
“What? If you--”
“Soo. Please, it’s fine. I would rather spend the night with you anyways.” Jongin started to walk backward toward the street and waving goodbye with one final comment. “I really love it when you blush.”
Kyungsoo stood there and watch Jongin jog away. He looked down at his phone and saw ‘Kim Jongin ;)’ on his phone. Kyungsoo felt himself smile. At first, it was small. Then slowly it became wider and wider. He smiled all the way to his door. Maybe he does like like me.
Later that evening, Jongin and Kyungsoo were writing messages to each other again. Kyungsoo wasn't sure if the other could tell, but everything Kyungsoo was writing seemed to have a little prep in it. Kyungsoo felt like he was writing everything with the biggest smile on his face, even though he knew he had a relatively straight face. Except for the times that Jongin made a comment that caused him to blush.
--
It was Thursday and Kyungsoo was mulling around his desk. He just finished sifting through a pile of manuscripts when he heard a pair of his coworkers gossips about some celebrities. Usually, Kyungsoo wasn’t one to listen to such petty things but when he heard a familiar name in the conversation he tuned in quickly.
“Oh, did you hear about Krystal and Jongin?”
“No, what?”
“I read on Facebook that he proposed.” Kyungsoo felt his heart drop. It couldn’t be true.
“Really? How do you know?”
“Well, I heard that they did a cover shoot the other day and then one of the staff there noticed that Jongin had a small red box.”
Kyungsoo tuned them out afterward. He couldn’t bear to listen to anymore. He tried his best to find something else to focus on, but what his co-workers said just kept replaying in his mind. He knew he should...or well, could bring it up with Jongin, to hear it from the man himself if he was going to get engaged to his girlfriend. But no, they weren’t close enough for that. Were they? Kyungsoo still, to this day, wasn’t sure what their relationship was. Were they friends? Or just neighbours? It wasn’t like they spent time together doing things. Other than the rare times they speak with each other outside of their bedrooms. There wasn’t anything else to this… relationship?
“Kyungsoo, did you ask him?” Baekhyun pulled him out of his thoughts when he finally came back to his desk after leaving to give Chanyeol a document over an hour ago.
“What? Oh yeah..”
“And?”
Kyungsoo looked at Baekhyun's excitement. He couldn't bring himself to tell the other the truth.
“No. He said...no.” Kyungsoo turned back to his laptop and pretended to do his work. Baekhyun took the hint, for once, and left him alone. But Kyungsoo still noticed how Baekhyun kept throwing worried glances in his direction.
--
Jongin, I don’t think that you should come tomorrow. Kyungsoo decided that this was for the best. He didn’t want to cause any unnecessary drama. He didn’t want to prolong his heartache anymore.
Why?
I just don’t think it’s a good idea, anymore. Sorry. Kyungsoo got up to close his curtain, just as Jongin lifted his book.
Is this about me and Krystal?
Kyungsoo stared at the paper for a moment and then made eye contact with Jongin. The look that Jongin gave him was one that would haunt Kyungsoo for weeks. There was a look of desperation and anguish in them. A look that Kyungsoo wished he never saw from him. He bit his bottom lip, to stop him from crying as he shook his head.
Kyungsoo wasn’t sure what had happened after he shut the curtain. All he knew was that he didn’t hear anything from Jongin after that. He wasn’t sure if he should feel too happy about that. Yes, it’s better for him not to be in contact with Jongin, for the sake of his feelings. Yet, Kyungsoo still missed him. It had only been a day and he missed the other.
Damn, Kyungsoo had fallen hard.
--
It was the day of the party and everyone in the office was excited. At first, it was a normal day but slowly people started talking about what they were going to wear and who they were going with.
It made Kyungsoo feel worse. Baekhyun had tried to make some conversation with him, but Kyungsoo wasn’t responding. Instead, he focused on his work, causing Baekhyun to leave him alone. Kyungsoo didn’t want to shut out his friend, but he also didn’t want to talk about what had happened. It was still too fresh. Too real.
It was about halfway through the day when the manager decided that everyone could go home early. He must’ve know that everyone was too excited for the evening to get proper work done. Kyungsoo wasn’t looking forward to going home. Nevertheless, he went, promising Baekhyun on the way out that he was still going to go, alone.
When Kyungsoo arrived home, Jongin was sitting on his porch Kyungsoo didn’t notice until he was a few feet in front of him, as he was staring at his feet dreading the fact that he had to still go to the party.
“J-Jongin?”
Jongin stood. He was dressed in a pale blue button down and black jeans. “Can we talk?”
Kyungsoo stood there for a moment. He could hear the nervousness in Jongin’s voice. “How long have you been sitting there for?”
“About an hour.”
Kyungsoo raised his eyebrows in shock. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Kyungsoo was sitting on his couch while Jongin was pacing in front of him. Everything in his house looked so plain and simple compared to Jongin, who looked like he belonged in a castle.
“Jongin?”
Jongin stopped and faced Kyungsoo. “I like you.”
Kyungsoo blinked a couple times before he responded. “What?”
“To be honest with you, the only reason why I started communicating with you using the notebook was because I was too shy to talk to you in person, but I still wanted to see your face. So I came up with the idea to talk with you using a notebook,” Jongin face flushed as he confessed. Kyungsoo stared at him in disbelief. “The thing between me and Krystal was all fake. It was just to keep my sexuality out of the tabloids until I was ready to come out and then when you asked me to go with you to your dinner party. I figured that it would be the best time to come out. You know? Cause I like you and all. But then there was that rumour going around about me proposing.” Jongin ran his fingers through his hair and still his hair managed to fall back into place. “And when you told me not to go anymore...I just… I talked with Krystal about it and she told me that it was a good time to tell you and...talk to you about it.”
“You were too shy to talk to me?”
Jongin smiled to himself. “Of course, you’re quite handsome Kyungsoo, you just don’t see it yourself.” Jongin moved to sit beside Kyungsoo. “Besides, I wasn’t about to start talking to you just because I wanted to borrow sugar from you or something in the future. It was my own...stupid way of trying to talk with you without actually talking with you.”
“But that red box?”
“Red box?” Jongin was clearly confused.
“One of my coworkers was gossiping and said something about--”
“Oh, that,” Jongin cut Kyungsoo off. He chuckled a bit before answering. “That was just a prop. I have on idea where they got that idea from.”
Kyungsoo sat there taking everything in. He wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Everything seemed to be out of focus. It was really something else to have someone you had been crushing on for the longest time tell you they had the same feelings all this time.
Kim fucking Jongin likes him. It was the strangest sentence he’s ever heard him say to himself and he couldn’t believe that he was saying it.
“You...like me?” Kyungsoo said quietly.
“Yes,” Jongin said. Kyungsoo turned to face Jongin. He looked at him with such tenderness and warmth.
“So all that flirting?”
“Was me actually flirting with you.”
Kyungsoo felt his heart flutter. Kyungsoo looked down again when he felt the blush rise to his face.
“Kyungsoo,” Jongin said. “I know this is a lot for you to take in… but, I mean...Do you feel the same way about me?”
Kyungsoo looked at Jongin and then back down at his lap. If he wasn’t blushing enough before, then he would be now.
“I-I mean,” Kyungsoo was a stuttering mess. Shit, he needed to pull himself together. “I-I just…”
Jongin looked at little disappointed. Kyungsoo felt guilt rise in his chest.
“Right,” Jongin said. He rose from his seat and started to make his way to Kyungsoo’s door. “I’ sorry if I made you uncomfortable…”
“Are you still available to go to the party tonight?” Kyungsoo asked Jongin quickly. Jongin turned around and looked at Kyungsoo. “I...told B-Baekhyun, my friend, that I was going and I don’t really like parties. And I don’t really want to go alone. I-If you have time I would like for you to come with me,” Kyungsoo’s heart was beating so loud, he could hear the rushing of his blood in his ears. “Because… I-I like you… too.”
Kyungsoo said the last part so quietly that Jongin took a moment before he responded. When he looked up, Jongin wore a big smile on his face.
“O-okay,” Jongin said. Kyungsoo saw blush rise on the others face. “Yeah, okay. I’ll...I need to just get ready. What time do we have to leave?”
“It’s not until 6,” Kyungsoo looked at the clock that was above his television. It read 2:10pm. “We still have time.”
“Right… okay…” Jongin said quietly. Neither of them seemed to be able to keep the smile off their face. Jongin who usually was the personification of confidence was now just as much a stuttering mess as Kyungsoo was. Kyungsoo thought it was really endearing.
“You can stay here if you want,” Kyungsoo said. “Until you have to get ready.”
Jongin nodded. He walked closer to Kyungsoo and together they both sat on the couch again. Kyungsoo was still having difficulties looking at Jongin, but from the corner of his eye, Kyungsoo noticed how Jongin was just looking at him.
For the most part, they stayed next to each other. Jongin continued to stare and held on to Kyungsoo’s hand. For Kyungsoo, he was still trying to grasp the fact that Jongin had the same feels that he did. They spent a Majority of their afternoon, together, on the couch, talking. They talked about everything and anything that came to mind. Things that they never really talked about when they wrote in the notebooks.
Kyungsoo had to admit that he loved it and that he would cherish their conversation more than he would their notebook sessions.
--
Kyungsoo had to take a deep breath as Jongin put his car in park. Kyungsoo gave Jongin a small smile before they both exited the car and made their way to the doors. But before they got too close, Jongin stopped Kyungsoo.
“If you’re comfortable, I would really like to hold your hand.”
“I-I,” Kyungsoo cleared his throat. He hated that he kept stuttering. “It’s fine, most of them already know my preferences. But are you sure you’re going to be okay with it?”
“I’ll be fine, cause I’ll have you by my side right?” Jongin smiled softly as Kyungsoo blushed again. “Are you going to be okay with the rumors?”
Kyungsoo opened his mouth then closed it. He never really gave much thought as to what would happen if Jongin ever reciprocated his feelings. Was he going to be okay with people knowing? He knew how harsh people would gossip and he didn’t think he was ready for something like that. To be honest, he was never going to be ready for something that intense.
But as he looked at Jongin before him, his heart fluttered, like it always did, but there was something else now. Something that made Kyungsoo feel a bit more confident than he usually was. He wanted to show Jongin off to his coworkers. He wanted to show him that someone as attractive as Jongin was interested in him.
Kyungsoo smiled at Jongin. “I’ll never be okay with them, but, I’ll deal with it.”
Kyungsoo grabs onto Jongin’s hand with the little confidence he gained and strolled to the entrance, ready for everything and anything.