Obstacles 1
Obstacles
Title: Obstacles Chapter 1/?
Pairing: Jonghyun/Key
Word count: 1.200
Rating: R
Genres: Romance, Fluff (for now)
Summary: How would you react if you came across something totally unexpected? Something you never thought you would have to face? Jonghyun never imagined that there would come a time in his life when he would have to find a way to overcome this particular obstacle...
Jonghyun ruffled his hair in frustration. His mind was completely blank, unable to come up with even the slightest set of words. He had a song assignment for his class due in two days and he still hadn’t written a word. As he took a sip of his latte, his eyes strayed to the boy that was sitting opposite of him. He had noticed him for the first time about a week ago. Jonghyun was a regular in this café, coming practically every day to do his assignments because this place inspired him. It could be the noisy atmosphere or the different aromas that were there; he wasn’t sure. But this boy seemed unaffected by his surroundings. He would come, order his coffee, sit by himself and get lost in a book or this notebook that he was constantly carrying around. It was beyond his understanding how the other could block all the noise of the café and focus so hard. Right now, a part of him envied the boy because that was exactly what he needed.
The passing waiter was trying to balance a tray full of glasses. Too full in Jonghyun’s opinion. The employee’s steps were small, halting and unsure. Uneasiness suddenly overtook him. At that exact moment the tray slipped to a very dangerous angle. The panicked employee tried to correct it but only managed to make things worse. The tray wavered one last time and fell on the boy’s table at the same time that Jonghyun tried to warn him, a high pitched “Watch out!” leaving his lips.
The boy was late to react and got his book wet. He lifted his head, eyes wide open and staring in disbelief. The waiter hastily apologized and started wiping the table. Jonghyun stood up and went to help with the tray. When they were finished, the embarrassed waiter thanked him and left quickly.
“Are you hurt? Even a hot drink can burn you.” he asked the boy but was completely ignored while the other was busy trying to somehow dry his book.
“I know I’m just a stranger and all, but it won’t hurt you to be polite and answer.” slight annoyance colored his voice. The other became suddenly stiff as if he had just noticed him and looked up. Jonghyun was met with a pair of intense, dark, feline eyes and he felt his breath hitch. Confusion was written all over the blond boy’s features. They stood there looking at each other until Jonghyun lowered his head. For some reason he felt embarrassed. He felt as if the boy was looking straight into his soul with that piercing gaze of his.
“Um… so, a-are you h-hurt?” Why was he stuttering? His throat felt dry and he cleared it. A slender hand appeared in his line of vision and motioned for him to look up. He lifted his head and he saw the boy looking at him with an expression that was clearly saying ‘Did you just say something? I couldn’t hear you.’
“I asked you if you were hurt.” he repeated his question for the third time. The other made an understanding motion with his head and then shook it, reassuring Jonghyun that he was alright.
“That’s good.” Jonghyun smiled.
The returning smile he was given stunned him. Not only because it was breathtakingly gorgeous but also because it conveyed the boy’s feelings and made him understand that he was being thanked for his concern. He felt a familiar excited spark inside of him and his mind was overtaken by a melody. He hurried to his table and started writing down notes and lyrics. He filled pages and pages with music that was pouring out of him. He wrote about sunshine and smiles, feelings that were conveyed without words and meetings in the most unexpected places.
When there was nothing else to add to the song, he looked for the boy that had inspired him. To his disappointment he saw an empty seat were previously the boy sat. He sighed but still felt content. The boy had helped him finish his song and thus his assignment. He picked up his things, paid for his latte and as he left he promised himself that the next time he saw the boy he would talk to him.
***
It had been a busy week for Jonghyun. It was the last week of the semester and the teachers were keeping the students busy telling them to turn in all the pending assignments and giving guidelines for the exams. Also, his friend Taemin got sick and he was stuck taking care of him. He stopped by the café on his way to Taemin’s house to grab a take out of his favorite latte.
He spotted the blond boy right away. He was sitting and reading a book as usual. Jonghyun moved to wait in line and observed as the other closed his book and started writing in his notebook, an adorably cute frown of concentration on his face. He laughed silently to himself and proceeded to take his coffee. After a momentary hesitation he headed to where the boy was sitting.
He stopped in front of the table and waited for the other to acknowledge him. After a few seconds the boy seemed to notice his presence and looked up. Jonghyun waved with his free hand to greet him and motioned to the empty chair. After remembering who he was, the other allowed him to sit with a graceful wave of his hand.
“How have you been?” he asked as he sat down.
“Good.” the other replied and Jonghyun was surprised by his heavy and a little weird admittedly, accent.
“Wow. I’ve never heard an accent like yours. Were are you from?” a small giggle escaped his lips and he tried to mask it with a cough.
“Daegu.”
“Really? I know people from Daegu and they speak differently. Anyway, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Jonghyun.”
“Kibum.”
“Nice to meet you Kibum. I seriously love those lavender highlights you have. Even though I would never be brave enough to try something like that, they really suit you.” he praised the other genuinely.
His answer was a small and shy smile.
“If I’m bothering you, you can say so.” Jonghyun said, a little annoyed by the other's one-word replies. It was perfectly understandable that talking to a stranger is uncomfortable but he was trying here. He even commented on his hair for Pete’s sake because he had nothing else to say.
He saw a succession of emotions on Kibum’s face that was too fast for him to decipher. Then, a determined look settled on the other’s cat-like features and he started writing on the last page of his notebook. As soon as he was done he passed it to Jonghyun who looked at him with a puzzled expression. Kibum nodded to him and he finally started reading.
Jonghyun, I’m sorry if I seem unfriendly. I’m answering your questions in that manner because it’s pretty difficult for me to speak. You see, I’m deaf.
Jonghyun cursed under his breath and lifted wide eyes only to see Kibum under a whole new perspective.
Chapter 2___________
a/n : I want to thank kinkitup for being the beta for this story and for encouraging me to keep writing it. Love you sweetie <3