Taking Chances [1/1]
Title: Taking Chances [1/1]
Author: FloweryMisha
Pairing(s): JongKey, slight!2Min
Warning: BoyxBoy love. Enough said.
Summary: It all started with curiosity.
Author's Note: An early Christmas JongKey fic! Dear nana_jjong I hope you like it dear <3
It all started with curiosity.
The first time Jonghyun saw the male, he thought he’s the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. The male wore a beanie and black framed glasses, with a soft pink colored sweater, a bag slung over his shoulder, and his hands were full of books. He was walking in front of the cafe where Jonghyun worked for his part time, laughing cheerfully with a friend. Jonghyun was wiping the window with his jaw dropping, unable to take off his eyes of the male. He was pretty. Too damn pretty.
It’s normal to adore someone, right?
Right.
Jonghyun thought he’d never see him again.
But then again, if it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be? Perhaps the phrase was right.
When Jonghyun had finished his shift that day and was gathering his things, he caught the sight of the pretty male again. He looked tired, and was heading to the opposite direction from this afternoon, perhaps he was going home. Instinctively, Jonghyun grabbed his bag and quickly walked outside, following the pretty male. A moment later, he came to his senses, stopped abruptly and turned around.
What the hell am I doing?
Were you thinking of stalking him?
Kim Jonghyun, you must be out of your mind.
Jonghyun shook his head, tucked his hands into his jeans and walked away.
But this is your chance.
Come on. At least make sure he arrives home safely.
It’s not like it’s love at first sight.
Jonghyun looked over his shoulder, he could still see the pink sweater between the crowds. He bit his lip in uncertainty. Suddenly, the male stopped walking and tilted his head in front of a store. He brought his finger to his mouth, observing something-probably at a displaying mannequin. At that moment, Jonghyun realized that his instinct was not wrong. The male was really beautiful, and it made his heart skipped a beat.
He quickly turned around and went back to his first decision.
Oh fuck, it’s love at first sight.
***
It’s been two weeks, ten hours and forty five minutes to be exact since Jonghyun declared himself to be the stalker of Kim Kibum. Yes, he finally got the pretty male’s name after dedication and hard work-more like stalking him to the mall when fortunately Kibum used his credit card and the clerk was confirming his name.
Jonghyun couldn’t wait to go to work every day-hell, he was more than eager. He was...spirited? Burning with fire? Or is it the glory of youth?
Whatever it was, Jonghyun just needed to go to work, so that he’d be able to see a few precious minutes of the sight of Kibum. He’d usually pass by around the same time every day, in the afternoon. If Jonghyun was having a morning shift then he’d be able to follow the pretty male-usually he went to the university, and Jonghyun always made sure he arrived safely-Jong, what are you, an invisible bodyguard? But if he was having an afternoon shift, then Jonghyun could only stare at him longingly-sometimes drooling, as Onew would picture it-through the windows as he passed by, and it was enough.
Even he would refuse his day off once a week just to see the beautiful figure. Jonghyun knew it was stupid and weird for him to do that, there’s always a chance that the beautiful figure didn’t walk in front of the cafe, but he just had to. His boss frowned deeply at his request, probably wondering why the hell is this worker of his didn’t want a precious day off, but allowed him anyway because Jonghyun told him he needed more money.
Jonghyun would glue himself to the window glass whenever it’s near the time of Kibum showing up, didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Onew always shook his head amusingly seeing his friend’s attitude.
“When are you going to ask him out?”
Jonghyun hung his head desperately. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“How am I supposed to ask him out?”
Onew frowned. “Try talking to his face.”
“Thank you, Onew. Very helpful.”
Onew failed to notice the sarcasm in Jonghyun’s tone. “Glad I can help. But seriously, Jonghyun, you’re like, a secret admirer-add bodyguard and stalker, too-and you know everything about this Kibum guy. Why don’t you use it for your advantage? Who knows if he’ll find it adorable.”
Jonghyun looked thoughtful. “So you’re saying, I should just go to him and say, Hi Kim Kibum, I’m Kim Jonghyun and I know everything about you. You’re 91 liners, you’re Libra, you’re taking musical major, you can speak Japanese, you cling too much to that tall, Arabian handsome male, you like to dance, and your friends like to call you Diva or Almighty Kibum.”
Onew gaped. “Holy shit. You’re scary.”
“I know, right?”, Jonghyun wailed helpessly. “What am I going to do?
“Relax, that is the signs of falling in love...I guess?”
“So you think it’s normal, Hyung?”
“I said I guess,” Onew rolled his eyes. “Love is complicated. Chicken is better. I don’t know.”
Jonghyun fell silent at his friend’s stupidity innocence. He then made a mental note not to listen to what Onew’s going to say anymore. Just as he sighed and decided not to think about it anymore, Onew opened his mouth once again to speak.
“But then again, Jonghyun-ah...”
Onew looked up, as if he’s searching for an answer at the ceiling.
“If you don’t try, you’ll never know, right?”
Jonghyun changed his mind. He might listen to Onew, after all.
***
Jonghyun glared to himself in the mirror with a determined look. He’s so gonna greet Kibum today, he’s so gonna say hi, he’s so gonna ask for his number, he’s so gonna ask him out, he’s so gonna ask him to have dinner together-trains of thoughts had been swirling around in Jonghyun’s head, and he was spinning with excitement and happiness. It’ll be like a dream comes true.
If all goes well.
There’s always a possibility that it doesn’t.
Thanks to Onew who reminded him that Kibum will show up about ten minutes from now, Jonghyun felt like his insides was shaken with a strong force and it made him wanted to puke suddenly. His shift was already over and he’s able to go home. Jonghyun wiped his face grimly, he couldn’t sleep from last night, because he’s so worried about today. The day he’s going to talk to Kim Kibum.
Oh come on Jjong! You’re going to say hi to the man of your dreams!
“Yah, you’re still here?”
Onew arched his brows at him. Jonghyun could only stare blankly at the older male.
“Yah! Go outside! Go on! He’s gonna show up any minute from now!”
“M-maybe he’s gonna be late...m-maybe the bus got delayed...”
“No freaking way!”
“Maybe he changed his mind and decided to take another route for today...”
“Kim Jonghyun! Stop being a wuss and take your chance!”
Onew forcefully dragged Jonghyun to the door and pushed him outside. The latter gulped at the sudden strength Onew has, and obeyed helplessly. Onew put his hands on his hips and pursed his lips annoyingly.
“You’re gonna stand there, looking gorgeous, greet Kibum and get his number. It’s not a debate.”
Jonghyun looked dumbstruck but he stayed silent.
“I’ve seen you drooling over him like a stupid fanboy for almost four weeks-three and a half, to be exact. And I’m not gonna let you spend another day without doing anything-all because you’re too scared he’s not gonna pay attention to you. Here’s the thing, Jjong: You’re hot. You’re gonna do great.”
Onew spreaded an encouraging smile on his face and Jonghyun slowly smiled back. He felt like he’s gained enough confidence now. He can face anything! Even the almighty Diva Kibum. “Okay. I’m gonna be okay.” Jonghyun said to himself before taking a deep breath and walked away to the spot Kibum’s gonna pass by. “Bring it on.”
Behind him, Onew was still throwing his fist to the air.
“Remember! You’re hot!”
He earned a few very weird glances from several pedestrians and customers in front of the cafe.
“...but Kibum’s hotter,” he muttered to himself.
***
Jonghyun was almost freezing to death. It’s already winter and Christmas is near. All the stores and shops were displaying Christmas items, most of them were on sale, and Jonghyun wondered if this year he’ll be able to spend Christmas with someone special. When he thought someone special, Kim Kibum was on his mind.
His parents went to celebrate Christmas in New Zealand without taking Jonghyun with them. First it was because Jonghyun’s busy with school and assignments were piling, second was because Jonghyun’s already working part time in the cafe for extra money and third was, well, his parents just wanted to make it a special Christmas this year for both of them and bringing Jonghyun would be a pain. The dino male couldn’t agree more at the last fact.
But Jonghyun was grateful.
He’s grateful for his assignments, for his part time job, for everything that prevented him to go to New Zealand because it got him a chance to meet Kibum. The slender, smooth skin-wait, how did you know, Jjong?-beautiful Kibum.
And speaking of Kibum, the pretty male hasn’t showed up yet.
Jonghyun glanced at his watch, frowning slightly. It’s unusual for him to be late. Usually at exactly ten minutes ago, Kibum would walk in front of the cafe with his bag, ready to go to his university for another class. Jonghyun was starting to get worried.
Is he sick?
Maybe he really did take a different route today...
But he’s been taking the same route for a few weeks.
Jonghyun unconsciously bit his nail and tightened his scarf around his neck. It’s getting colder and it was starting to snow. Jonghyun sighed inwardly. Just when he’s getting the courage to talk to him... Maybe it’s not his luck today. Jonghyun decided to go home. He looked up and his heart suddenly stopped pounding.
Kibum appeared, looking as beautiful as usual, wearing thick clothes-a shirt, a sweater and a jacket, no scarf-with hands full of books. He was walking in a fast pace, looking flushed from the cold weather, and someone was walking beside him. They were smiling and talking to each other.
Jonghyun suddenly lost all of his courage. He froze on his track, his heart was beating faster than a racing car, and he was unable to move. His mouth suddenly became dry, and he was at loss of words. Kibum’s gonna walk in front of him soon... Jonghyun’s eyes lingered to the cafe, and he caught Onew in sight.
Inside, Onew was making monkey gestures and he seemed like cursing something.
Jonghyun looked hesitant. Kibum looked like he’s in a hurry, would it be okay to say hi?
Suddenly, Kibum slower himself and for a moment, Jonghyun could swear he was looking into the cafe. Onew was caught in the act with his hands still flailing to the air from the window, and Kibum blinked at him with eyes widened. Both had stopped awkwardly and two seconds later, Onew shrank from the window, retreating somewhere back to his place.
It’s now or never.
Jonghyun was about to open his mouth to say something when suddenly someone bumped on Kibum rather roughly. Kibum let out a painful yelp and all of his books were discarded to the ground. The person immediately apologized and walked away. Jonghyun, for the second time, froze on his track. Kibum sighed tiredly and knelt down on the ground, gathering his thick books.
He, once again, was hesitant. Kibum looked like he’s annoyed...would it be okay to say hi?
Say hi?
Why don’t you...
HELP HIM YOU IDIOT!
“Hyung! Are you okay?”
Jonghyun blinked as the male who was walking beside Kibum earlier was also kneeling, trying to help him.
“I’m okay, Taeminnie...”
“I’m so sorry, Hyung,” the person who was called Taeminnie looked guilty. “If only I didn’t stop by the minimarket, we’re not gonna be in a hurry like this...”
“Hey, why are you apologizing? I was also hungry by the way,” Kibum smiled comfortingly-and Jonghyun almost fainted on his track-and patted Taemin’s head caringly. “It’s okay to be late once in a while...”, his hand then went back to his neck, scratching it.
“Key-hyung, are you okay? You’ve been scratching your neck all the way...”
“It’s...itching,” Kibum pulled out something, it was a necklace. “I think I’m allergic to silver...this is a new necklace, but I think the material’s not so good...”
“You should probably not use it anymore,” Taemin stood up and narrowed his eyes to Kibum’s neck. “Hyung, your skin is red! It’s irritated! I think you should take it off!”, he grabbed the books from Kibum’s hands and the latter also stood up.
“Yeah...okay,” Kibum took the necklace off carefully and tucked it half heartedly into his pocket.
“Ah! There’s Minho! Key-hyung, let’s go!”
Without waiting for Kibum, Taemin ran away first to a taller male who was waving at them, his eyes beaming with happiness. Kibum shook his head amusingly at his friend and after looking over his shoulder-Jonghyun thought he was staring into the cafe again, probably looking for monkey Onew-for another moment, he followed them. When he shifted the bag on his shoulder, it accidentally moved forward and caressed his pocket. Unknown to Kibum, his necklace fell to the snowy ground.
Jonghyun was watching the whole scene with mouth gaping and finally snapped back to himself when Kibum’s not in sight anymore. He quickly walked to the place that pretty male was standing before and knelt down, searching for the necklace. Finally Jonghyun found it and his mouth was moving as he spelled the letters. It was just three simple letters: K-E-Y.
”Key?”, he mumbled to himself. Jonghyun thought he heard it somewhere. Then it suddenly struck him that it might be Kibum’s nickname, because everyone seemed to call him with the short name in the university, and Jonghyun felt even more certain as the slimmer male before-Taemin, isn’t it?-called him with the same nickname.
Kim Kibum...Key...
Jonghyun was happy to discover another fact about Kibum, but then he cursed himself a lot for being stupid.
***
“He was really beautiful...”
“Shut up.”
“His voice was like a bell chime to me...”
“Shut up.”
“He’s allergic to silver...”
“Shut up.”
“And his nickname is Key,” Jonghyun finished his sentence dreamily.
“And that doesn’t change the fact that you’re stupid,” Onew said as-a-matter-of-factly and Jonghyun hung his head in desperation.
“I get it already, stop telling me that I’m stupid.”
“Well I can’t help it, you’re so incredibly stupid-“
“-for having the man of your dreams in front of you, even with extra time because someone bumped into him and his books fell to the ground, and I did nothing but to stare dumbly with my mouth wide opened. See? I remember every word you said-and you’ve been repeating it for the eighth time today.”
Onew looked smug. And he thought it’s time to stop acting since Jonghyun looked really sad. “Okay then... Now, what are you going to do?”
Jonghyun pressed his lips to a thin line, and it was obvious that he had no idea. “I don’t know...”
Onew sighed and patted his back reassuringly. “You’ll find another way.”
Ever since that day, Kibum hasn’t showed up at all. Jonghyun tried to be positive, maybe it’s already long holiday in the university since Christmas is just a few days away. Maybe his exams were done. Maybe he’s celebrating Christmas somewhere outside Korea. Maybe...and other maybes. He missed the slim figure, he was so used to see him from afar even though just for one or two minutes that it really tortured him not seeing the male for a few days.
Jonghyun slowly took a small velvet box from his pocket and observing it. He was planning to give it to Kibum the next time they meet, but now he’s not so sure when he’s gonna see the pretty male again. Would he be given another chance?
A few days had passed, and the cafe was closing up sooner than usual because the owner wanted to go to the church that night and he gave the boys Christmas bonus for their hard works. Onew had gone home first because his parents were waiting for him to go to the church together and since he got nothing to do, Jonghyun was the last one to lock the place. When he was done, he put on his gloves and turned around-
-only to find that Kibum was standing in front of him, with eyes fixed to the snowy ground.
Jonghyun forgot how to breathe for a moment and he almost turns around and unlocks the door again to go inside due to the pathetic nervousness.
But no, not this time.
This time, he’ll walk to Kibum. He’ll be brave.
Jonghyun was given the chance and he’s determined to not mess up again.
So he did.
“Key?”
Kibum looked surprised and turned his head to meet Jonghyun’s gaze. “...yes?”
Jonghyun couldn’t believe that Kibum was actually replying him and he almost died in happiness. “...hi.”
Kibum blinked momentarily before his lips curving into a warm, beautiful smile. “Hi...”
Jonghyun managed to hold himself not to scream like a fanboy and he smiled back. He then fished his hand into the pocket to search for the velvet box that he’s been keeping. Jonghyun found it and handed it to Kibum. The pretty male frowned at him, and Jonghyun mentally cursed himself for being groggy. He cleared his throat and opened the box.
“Your necklace,” Jonghyun breathed. He held up a silver colored necklace, with the same letters, but Kibum noticed that the letters were slightly different than his before. “Only...it’s white gold. I heard that gold’s not...gonna make you allergic. But it’d be weird if I pick the gold color so I chose white gold instead...”
Kibum’s eyes widened and he looked really surprised. “I-I’ve been looking for my necklace...”
“You accidentally dropped it.”
“H-how did you...?”
Jonghyun smiled. “I guess you’re not the only almighty one here...”
Kibum laughed as he heard that and blushed shyly. Oh my good God. Jonghyun loved to hear his laugh. Hell, he loves everything about this Kim Key Kibum. His laugh ceased and they both stared solemnly at each other.
“Kim Kibum. But you can call me Key...”
“I know. Kim Jonghyun.”
“Jjong...”, Kibum whispered and he smiled.
“So, uh...my shift’s over for tonight, but I got nothing to do...”, Jonghyun nervously gestured at the dark cafe behind him. “Wanna grab something warm-coffee or something? If-if you don’t mind...”
Kibum looked startled and after giving it a serious thought, he nodded slowly. “I’d love to.”
Jonghyun almost punched the air in excitement if Kibum wasn’t there. He felt so relieved. “Great. Shall we?”
“Un,” Kibum stared at the window before using it as a mirror to put on his necklace-his new necklace. He smiled happily at his reflection when he’s done. “Let’s go.”
It’s not Christmas yet but I already got an amazing present.
And then they walked away, side by side, smiles blooming on their faces as they chatted to know each other more.
Jonghyun was grateful for everything that happened.
He was grateful for his stupidity in the first place, because then it gave him another chance to speak to Kibum in another way. In another good way.
He may have someone special to celebrate Christmas with this year.
He may die due to suffocation because of that beautiful smile, yet he doesn’t mind.
He’s willing to go through painful obstacles, because he knew it’d be worth it.
And Jonghyun’s glad that he took his chance.
End.
Oh my God! Minho!
You’re so right! You’re so right, Baby Tae’s boyfriend! You rawk!
You were right to tell me that I shouldn’t show up at least for three days! And it worked!
Jonghyun asked me out! Well, not yet, but he’s currently asking me if I’d grab something warm together!
HOMG MINHO!! HE EVEN GAVE ME A NEW NECKLACE! A WHITE GOLD NECKLACE!
Okay, so the missing necklace was an accident, but it added a valuable point! Yay!
I love you T_T On second thought, naaahhh.
Don’t do anything weird to my Baby Tae, alright? Now I’m gonna enjoy my sweet moments with Jonghyun.
Merry early Christmas ^_^