Paper Cranes 10/??
Title: Paper Cranes 10/??(Sequel to Paper Cuts)
Author: giveitupjessica
Rating: PG-NC-17 (depending on the chapter)
Pairings: 2min, onkey, jazzhyun (read paper cuts to know about this one), taemin/sulli
Genre: AU, romance, comedy, pregnancy, angst
Summary: Lee Taemin was everything Minho wanted in a lover. He was the boy he wanted to come home to. The kind of boy that he never wanted to leave. The kind of boy that makes Minho want to give him everything. And finally it seemed like that he was finally going to get what he wanted. Taemin was breaking up with Sulli to be with him. He couldn't be happier. But just how long will their happiness last? Minho knew the kind of storm that would brew once Taemin broke up with Sulli, but he didn't care. He was going to stay by Taemin, no matter what. As long as the younger's heart was beating next to his, he didn't care. (sorry I suck at summaries)
A/N: OH-EM-CHEESE! I'm on chapter ten already! It seems like just yesterday I was wrapping up Paper Cuts to start on Paper Cranes. Wow. I'm thinking this one will be longer than Paper Cuts. I haven't even begun to breech the surface of this one. Not so sure if that's a good or bad thing. haha. Anyways, my muse is back with me even though I didn't go on my jog again this morning and got like five hours of sleep last night. I feel so guilty. I need to jog twice a day this weekend to make up for my two days of slacking. :P Anways, onto the chapter! COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS <3 ^^
CHAPTER TEN
They grew up in the same old town
Never knowing the other was around
Read from the same damn books
Never caught each other’s looks
But one day the sun will shine, I know
For their eyes have told me so
Chasing advice from those who say I’ve lost my mind
I stop and grab the pencil out of my mouth. I start to jot down more notes on the sheet of music in front of me. And to think when I got here a few hours ago, this sheet was clean, completely blank. I was planning on finishing up the composition I had already started, but I found some inspiration and chucked that whole idea to focus on this new one. I knew I was taking a big chance by starting from scratch when it was due on Wednesday, but I really wasn’t feeling the last one. So I didn’t have much to loose.
So that’s how the story goes so far
I’ll tell you rest, but now
I’m tired of what I think
A situation where I can’t sing
But I hate the vagrant life, I know
Nothing has been more sold ‘till now
Living my life after those who say
I’ve lost my mind
I let my fingers leave my guitar and stare at the pieces of paper. An hour after I got here they became full of music notes and lyrics. Now I had all kinds of different side notes and add-ins all over the place. I smiled at the progress I’ve made. I knew for sure I was going to be able to finish this one tonight. And I was more than happy with what it was becoming. The way it seemed to flow right through me. I don’t think I’ve ever written a song this easily before. It was an amazing feeling.
Rush together to find each other
No it’s too late, you can never wait for luck
Together playing the same instrument
That they still can’t hear at all
I stop again because my mind is going back to Jazzy. I wasn’t going to lie. I was worried about her. I hated my father for causing all of this. If we hadn’t gotten into that fight. If she hadn’t heard it. We wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t be checking my phone every two minutes to see if she called or texted. It kind of pissed me off that she put me in with her mass text earlier. I mean I was her boyfriend, the least she could have done was send me one on my own. She can bunch together Minho and Taemin since they were dating, but I’m different. I’m her boyfriend.
This is the end of the song
Where the facts are laid out for you
In a nice little line
But I’m trying
To portray my experience
As clear as I can
In another day
At another time
We can stand
Hand in hand
In the end
I’m starting to fill guilty for being mad at Jazzy. It’s not her fault and she does have a right to be mad. My dad did say some cruel things about her. He pretty much said she wasn’t good enough for me. That she would never be good enough for me. And that Minho’s father saw her as nothing but another business deal. Which had to hurt. I mean after her dad died, the closest thing she had to one was Minho’s dad. I should try to call her again. I pick up my phone and hit redial. I’m starting to hate the sound of the phone ringing on the other end of the line. Her voicemail kicks in. I hate that sound even more.
So what do you say, so what do you say
Can we turn this clock back and relate
I won’t mind, can we stay
But isn’t it fate, isn’t it fate
That we spill our guts out on this very day
I don’t mind, I want to
I want to stay
I’m almost done. Just have to finish the ending and this piece is ready to be turned in. I’ve poured out all of my emotions into these three pieces of paper in front of me. I’ve poured out all of my emotions through the five pencils I’ve thrown in the trash because they became too small to write with. This is just what I needed. I needed to let it all out through music, the only way I knew how to deal with my emotions. I wasn’t like everyone else. Showing the majority of it through my facial and physical movements. I showed them through music. And this song was chalk full of my emotions. They were practically oozing out. I’m not sure if my professor will approve of it. But I don’t care. I love it the way it is. I’m not changing one thing about it once I nail the ending.
Rush together to find each other
Now it’s too late, you can never wait for luck
Together playing the same instrument
Are you listening at all?
Are you listening at all?
I smile to myself as I write the very last note on the piece of paper. It was done and so much better than the one I was working on all week. I couldn’t definitely turn this one knowing it was one of my best works yet. There wasn’t a crystal clear story painted with the lyrics. They were kind of jumbled in a way. Much like my thoughts. But it was a beautiful mess of thoughts. I don’t have to even think twice before I write the title at the top of the pages.
Rush Together
*~*
I slowly lift up his arm that was slung across my chest. I start to shimmy my way off the bed, doing my best not to disturb his sleeping form. When I’m finally standing beside the bed, happy that I was successful, I pull the blanket up to cover him up again. I lean forward and kiss his forehead and watch as a smile starts to play at his lips. I tip toe out the room and close the door softly behind me
Taemin had fallen asleep not too long after we had lunch and were snuggled up in my bed watching TV. I’m actually pretty sure he had fallen asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. And I have to admit that I was paying more attention to the tiny boy beside me than the big flat screen TV in front of me. He always looked so innocent and peaceful when he was asleep. I found myself unconsciously running my fingers through his soft hair as he wiggled himself closer to me.
I make my way to the small room extra room that I made into my computer room. I sit down in the leather swivel chair and wait as my computer boots up. I was curious as to what my dad sent me. It seemed as though it was pretty important with the way he was talking to me about it. Plus he rarely ever sent me e-mails, let alone to my company e-mail. Even though I was still young, I tried to stay involved with my family’s company. I never really went into the office itself, but I’ve been helping my dad at home since my second year in high school. He realized how valuable my input was and has since sent me things that he wanted me to look over. Just to get an ‘outsider’s’ point of view on the whole. After I read through whatever document he sent me and made thorough notes on it, we would discuss my thoughts and ideas for hours. Sometimes the discussion would continue for days later until we both reached a general consensus and he’d take it back to the office to run by everyone else.
My mom hated it. She thought my dad was trying to mold me into the perfect asset to the company. She thought he wasn’t letting me decide my own future. I told her it wasn’t like that. I actually enjoyed helping out the company because in turn, I was helping out my family. And it made me feel more important. All in all, it was an ego boost for me.
I sign in to my computer and pull up the internet browser. I immediately hit the bookmark for the company website. I type in my user name and password. It takes a while for the page load, so I pull out my cell phone and check it. Besides the fact nervousness I was feeling for tonight. Taemin was going to meet my parents and he was the first person I dated that I have ever introduced them to. I was trying to hold in my nervousness because I knew that if he saw it, he’d only get worst. Besides he was worrying enough for the both of us. I was still worried about Jazzy.
I tried to think of reasons why she’d all of a sudden go to her appa’s grave alone. Or if she even went to his grave at all. She was never able to go by herself in the past. It was too depressing she said. After all these years, she still wasn’t over his death. I decide to shoot her a quick text.
From: Minho
To: Ninja Jazz
just wanted to check up
on you. everything okay?
I see that my e-mail has finally popped up and sure enough I see an e-mail from my dad that was sent early yesterday morning. I click on it to read what it says
From: Choi, Yoon Kyeom
To: Choi, MinHo
Date: Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 7:53 AM
Subject: Kim Industry Deal
Hi Minho! It’s your dad here (I silently laugh at how he feels the need to tell me who he is in every e-mail he sends me. Not like I don’t know who my dad is or can’t read who the e-mail is from.)How are you doing son? Is school going okay? I know you’re probably feeling stressed since mid-terms are coming up, but no need to worry. I know that you’ll do great. How is Jazzy doing? I talked to her umma the other day. She said that she was going to have lunch with her today. I worry about her umma sometimes. She seems so lonely. You and Jazzy should try and go and visit her sometime. I know she would enjoy it a lot. You know she sees you as a son. Anyways, enough with the small talk. This is the company e-mail. I attached a document I want you to look over. It’s in regards to the deal that Kim Industries has been trying for years for us to agree to. I’m not even considering taking them up on their offer this time either, but you know me. I like to read through each proposal regardless. However, this time they’ve managed to catch my eye. You will see what I mean when you read through it. So if you don’t mind taking a little break from your studies and looking it over. It will be greatly appreciated. And if you can do it by tomorrow night. I’d be even more grateful to you. Your mother and I will be in your neck of the woods tomorrow to meet with old college friends. So we were hoping to see you (and Jazzy ^^) for dinner. Around 7:30ish? Call me to let me know if that’s good for you. Your mom and I both send our love. And if we haven’t told you lately, we’re truly proud of both you and your brother. Love you son!
Love,
Your Appa
I click on the link to download the attachment. It takes a few minutes for it to download and I immediately click the prink button when it finally pops up. My printer comes to life as it begins to print out the pages. I get up from my chair and walk over to my bookshelf to get a folder from the supply I kept in one of the drawers. I go back to the desk and grab a few pens, two different colored highlights, and some sticky notes. Once the document is finished printing, I secure it into the folder and make my way back to my room after turning off my computer again. I had a little over four hours to read all of this and make notes.
*~*
The movement on the bed wakes me from my nap and I open my eyes to see Minho climbing into bed. I didn’t even know he left to begin with. Well I guess that would explain why he felt al little fluffy when I was hugging him earlier. It was probably a pillow I was hugging. He did look particularly handsome with his glasses on and all those school supplies in his hands.
“Where’d you go?” I ask him as I cuddle into his side again and hug him. How I could confuse the feeling of a pillow with this was beyond me.
“I went to check my e-mail.”
“Oh yeah. Your dad sent you something.
“Yeah. I need to review it before we meet them for dinner.”
“Is that it in the folder?”
“Yeah.”
“I see.”
“Go back to sleep.”
“I’m not tired anymore.”
“You want to watch TV?” he asks as he starts to get more comfortable. He adjusts both of our bodies, lifting and shifting mine, so until we’re both in comfy positions. He places, the sticky pads and all but one of the pens on the nightstand beside him. Then he sticks the remaining pen and highlighters in his mouth horizontally before opening up the folder.
“I don’t want to distract you with the noise from the TV.”
“It’s okay. I usually have it on anyways. I’m not one to do things in silence. It tends to get on my nerves when it’s too quite. So go ahead and turn it on.”
“No need to. I’m fine,” I settle myself close to his body and place my hand on his chest. I can faintly feel his heart beating. I turn my head to take a look on him. The stern look of concentration on his face is a new one for me. I watch as his eyes scan over the words in front of him. He pulls the pen out of his mouth and jots something down on the sheet before places it back in it’s place. Lucky pen.
He looks so intensely drawn into the document before him that I think he forgets I’m here. Not like I was going to do anything to distract him and make my presence known. I liked being able to just lay here with him while he worked. It was comforting in a way. Just as this thought entered my brain though, he start to go between rubbing my back and drawing lazy circles on the small of my back. I sighed at his touch when said hand slipped under my shirt to make contact with my bare skin.
“I don’t think you should be doing this while working mister,” I tease.
“Hm?” he answers, eyes never leaving the paper and hand never leaving my back.
“Am I distracting you?” I tease again, this time walking my fingers up his chest.
“Uh uh.”
“Well then I guess you’re really good at multi-tasking.”
“Mm.”
We stay in this position, in this nice little bubble, for quite some time. Even though neither one of us were talking, we seemed to do a lot of it through our hands. His free hand never left my bare back. I found myself dozing off a few times at how soothing his hand felt rubbing my back, only to wake up a few minutes later when he would start to draw those lazy circles and get dangerously close to touching my ass. I did what I could to occupy myself when I wasn’t dozing off by feeling the beat of his heart and then I became more bold, letting my hand slide down to his stomach. I slipped my hand under his shirt and rubbed his abs, lightly tracing each one before moving up to his chest. Normally, we would have thrown everything aside and had sex, but Minho remained completely focused on what he was doing. Whatever his father sent him must have been really important. I didn’t mind though. It didn’t always have to end in sex. I just loved the feel of his skin against my fingers. I just loved to touch him. I learned when this all started that when it came to Choi Minho, I couldn’t keep my hands to himself. And apparently neither could he. I feel his hand slip into my sweats and cup my ass before giving it a light squeeze.
“Hey! No touchy!” I exclaim and look up at him only to find he’s looking directly back at me.
“What do you mean ‘no touchy’?” he asks as he gives it another squeeze.
“You should be working mister, not grabbing my ass.”
“Well I had to get your attention somehow. You were zoning out on me. I called your name a few times and you didn’t respond.”
“Oh, sorry,” I pout when his hand leaves my ass to rest again on the small of my back.
“Are you serious about the ‘no touchy’ rule though? Because if you are. You are so cruel.”
“Just when you’re working or studying like this. You can touch my back and that’s it. Everything else is off limits.
“What about you?”
“I have free roam,” I tease as I let my hand that was resting on his chest slip into his sweats.
“No no,” he says to me.
“No no?”
“No no. That will just get both of us in trouble.”
“Are you sure,” I let my hand faintly brush against his member before letting it rest on his thigh, giving it a little squeeze. I giggle when he slightly jumps at this.
“See. Trouble. Above the waist only. Deal?”
“Deal,” I say unenthusiastically, bringing my hand to rest on his abs instead.
“You should go and take a shower now.”
“Are you trying to tell me I stink?”
“No, but you do smell like me and sex.”
“I do not.”
“Yeah you do.”
I lift my shoulder and smell it. I had to admit I did smell a little like him and sex. I then bury my head into his shirt and take a whiff of him. He on the other hand smells like freshly washed clothes. I pout and smell him again. This time I get a faint after smell of me and I smile. I look up at him and he’s concentrating on the folder once again. I reach up and grab the pen and highlighters from his mouth.
“Hm?” he says, eyes still reading over words, “Are you going to take a shower now?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Towels are in the hall closet.”
“What time is it?”
“Quarter to five.”
“What? Already?!” I sit up and he lifts his arm so I don’t knock the papers he’s reading all over the place.
“Yup. That’s why I said you should go take a shower.”
“What about you?”
“I will in a little bit. I’m almost done reviewing this. Only a few more pages left. I should be done by the time you’re finished showering.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back. I need to go grab some clothes from my apartment.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Where are your parents taking us?”
“No idea.”
“Probably someplace fancy huh?”
“Perhaps.”
“How can you read and talk to me at the same time?”
“Magic.”
“Whatever you say,” I lean down and place a quick kiss on his lips which I’m surprised he returns before hopping off the bed. I rush across the hall and into my apartment. I had no idea what to wear and I couldn’t call Key two days in a row. Or could I? I fish my phone out of my sweatpants pocket and dial his number.
“Almight Key,” he answers a little breathless.
“Key umma, it’s me.”
“Oh hey Taeminnie,” he responds, “No not there yeobo.”
“Am I interrupting something?”
“No. What’s up?”
“I’m meeting Minho’s parents tonight.”
“What?! So soon.”
“He says now is as good a time as any.”
“Oh my. Yeobo I said not there!”
“Are you sure I’m not interrupting?”
“Ye-yes,” he stutters.
“Okay,” I try not to imagine what they could be doing that has Key breathless and stuttering. Surely he wouldn’t answer the phone when they were in the middle of having sex. That’s just wrong on so many different levels.
“So what do you need?”
“I don’t know what to wear and I feel bad calling you two days in a row with the same problem. But I want to make a good impression his parents. I want them to love me,” I say in one breath.
“First things first, breathe Minnie. Breathe. I know it’s a big deal meeting the parents, but you have nothing to worry about. They’ll love you. Second, you know your umma is always here to help no matter what. Third, fashion is my passion,” I hear Onew mumble protests in the background, “Yeobo, you’re a different kind of passion. And lastly, just wear that other outfit from yesterday.”
“Which one? You had a lot of clothes laid out yesterday.”
“The distressed jeans with the black military style top. It’s a little dressy, but a little casual at the same time. You should be fine wearing that.”
“Are you sure? What if we end up at some snooty four-star restaurant?”
“Hey Taemin, it’s Onew,” I hear.
“YAH! You can’t just take my phone away from me like that!” Key protests in the background.
“You’ll be fine Taemin. Minho’s parents will probably just take you to a comfy restaurant where everyone will be at ease. They don’t like those snooty places as you say. Now we gotta go. Key and I are in the middle of something.”
“YAH!” I hear Key yell again and it seems like he’s about to say something, but is silenced and I just hear a muffled noise. I’m about to say something when the line goes dead. Onew must have hung up on me. I shrug and place the phone back in my pocket before going to grab the clothes that still laid on my bed and go back to Minho’s apartment.
*~*
I walk out of the bathroom followed by a nice amount of steam. I had finished reviewing the document just in time to fit in a quick shower before having to leave to meet up with my parents. My dad wasn’t joking when he said Kim Industries proposal was intriguing. There was actually several things that caught my eye. This was their best offer yet and only a fool would pass it up. The question was if we were going to be that fool.
I enter my room and Taemin looks up from his seat on my bed. The TV was on and he was watching some music show. He looked hot tonight. Then again, when did he not. I smirk when I see him lick his lips at the sight of me.
“Now why did you have to do that?” he asks.
“Do what?” I turn my back to him as I open my closet and start to rummage through my clothes.
“Come in here all hot and still a little wet with just a towel around your waist.”
“Why? You turned on?”
“I’m doing my best not to rip that towel off and have my way with you.”
“No complaints here.”
“Are you provoking me?”
“Perhaps,” I wiggle my butt a little as a tease.
“Don’t.”
“What?”
“Just don’t. We are not about to have a quickie right before meeting your parents. Behave yourself.”
“Whatever you say,” I grab my towel and pull it off before throwing it at him.
“I said behave!” he exclaims.
“I am.”
“Standing stark naked is not behaving.”
“What? I like to air dry.”
“At least put on some boxers,” I feel something soft hit my back before landing by my feet. I look down and see that he actually threw me a pair of boxers.
“But I’m still wet there. They’ll just stick to me.”
“That’s why towels were invented baby.”
“But I told you. I like to air dry.”
“And I said to behave yourself. So either put on your boxers to come and get this towel to dry yourself off.”
“I don’t want to do either,” I pull out a lavender button up to go with the gray slacks I had already taken out. I then feel the softness of terry cloth on my ass, “Now who’s not behaving.”
I turn to look over my shoulder as Taemin continues to dry me off. His hands work their way up my back before he coaxes me to turn and face him. He starts to dry off my chest first before working the towel down.
“What are you doing?” I finally ask him.
“Drying you off. What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’re not the one who’s behaving.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been drying off my crotch for quite awhile now,” I laugh when I see the blood rush to his cheeks and he shoves the towel in my hands.
“Fine you finish drying yourself off. I was just trying to help so we could leave on time.”
“You’re so cute baby,” I kiss his red cheeks and throw the towel onto the bed. I bend over and grab the boxers he threw at me off the ground. I hand him the clothes I just took out of my closet so I can slip on the boxers.
“Are you sure what I’m wearing is okay?” he asks me after looking at what I was planning to wear.
“You look hot as always,” I kiss his cheek again and take the slacks off the hanger in his hands.
“I don’t want to look hot when I meet your parents.”
“Then you want to look ugly? I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Minho!”
“What?” I zip and button my pants and he hands me the shirt before reaching around me to place the empty hangers back in the closet.
“I want your parents to like me.”
“They will regardless of what you wear. So stop stressing okay?” I kiss him on the lips and he starts to button my shirt for me.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it,” he smoothes out my shirt in front before brushing off invisible dust from my shoulders. I tuck the shirt into my pants and grab a belt.
“Look at me,” I tell him and he slowly brings his face up to meet mine. I cup his chin, “I love you, therefore, my parents will love you. Trust me.”
“Okay,” he brings himself up on his tippy toes and kisses my lips, “I trust you.”
*~*
The whole way to the restaurant, I’m so nervous I feel like throwing up. Minho never let’s go of my hand once though. Well he did when we got into his car and had to go around to get into the driver’s seat and then again when we got here. But other than that, his hand was always laced with mine. I felt bad because my hand was little clammy due to my nerves and the heat from his hand.
We walk up to the host’s podium, “Good evening sir. Table for two?”
“We’re actually here to meet someone,” Minho answers the man behind the podium.
“Okay. Name?”
“Choi.”
“Ah, party for six. Right this way,” the man motions for us to follow him once he gathers some menus in his hands.
“Six?” I whisper into Minho’s ear as we weave through the restaurant, “I thought it was just you, me, and your parents.”
“Maybe my brother and his wife are joining us,” he answers.
“Here you go sir,” the host motions to the empty table that is in a secluded area of the place.
“Thank you,” Minho hands him a bill and we take our seats, “I wonder where they are.”
“Well we got here a little early,” tell him as we both grab menus and open them.
We’re sitting in silence for a few minutes, reading over the menu when I hear a deep voice come from behind us, “Minho!”
He immediately stands up from his chair and faces the direction where it came from. I do the same and see a beautiful couple walking towards us. They had to be his parents. Minho looked just like his father, only younger. I guess they may be have looked the same when he was Minho’s age. His mother was equally as gorgeous. Her features were flawless, but still had a warm aura about her. She greets us both with a kind smile and I can’t help but to smile back in return.
“Appa, umma,” Minho says and gives each one a hug.
“How’s our baby?” his mother asks as we all take our seats.
“Great. Who’s joining us for dinner?”
“Oh, Jazzy and her mom,” his dad answers.
“What?”
“Yeah, when your mother heard that Jazzy wouldn’t be able to join us tonight because she was with her mom, she insisted on both of them joining us.”
“Yup. I haven’t seen either one of them in so long. I really do miss her mother. I’ve just been so busy lately, I’m afraid I’ve been a horrible best friend to her. So this is my way of making it up to her,” his mother adds.
“I see,” is all Minho says.
“So who is this lovely young man Minho?” his mom asks as she looks at me, that kind smile still on her face.
“Oh. He,” Minho grabs my hand under the table, “Is my boyfriend. Lee Taemin. Taeminnie, these are my parents.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I say and bow my head.
A/N: As much as I would love to claim the song that Jjong is singing in the beginning as my own, I can't. It belongs to my friend Kevin Truckenmiller and his band Quietdrive. I just borrowed it for the song. Check it out Quietdrive-- Rush Together Oh and the extra part to the bridge is actually from the original recording of the song.
Author: giveitupjessica
Rating: PG-NC-17 (depending on the chapter)
Pairings: 2min, onkey, jazzhyun (read paper cuts to know about this one), taemin/sulli
Genre: AU, romance, comedy, pregnancy, angst
Summary: Lee Taemin was everything Minho wanted in a lover. He was the boy he wanted to come home to. The kind of boy that he never wanted to leave. The kind of boy that makes Minho want to give him everything. And finally it seemed like that he was finally going to get what he wanted. Taemin was breaking up with Sulli to be with him. He couldn't be happier. But just how long will their happiness last? Minho knew the kind of storm that would brew once Taemin broke up with Sulli, but he didn't care. He was going to stay by Taemin, no matter what. As long as the younger's heart was beating next to his, he didn't care. (sorry I suck at summaries)
A/N: OH-EM-CHEESE! I'm on chapter ten already! It seems like just yesterday I was wrapping up Paper Cuts to start on Paper Cranes. Wow. I'm thinking this one will be longer than Paper Cuts. I haven't even begun to breech the surface of this one. Not so sure if that's a good or bad thing. haha. Anyways, my muse is back with me even though I didn't go on my jog again this morning and got like five hours of sleep last night. I feel so guilty. I need to jog twice a day this weekend to make up for my two days of slacking. :P Anways, onto the chapter! COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS <3 ^^
CHAPTER TEN
They grew up in the same old town
Never knowing the other was around
Read from the same damn books
Never caught each other’s looks
But one day the sun will shine, I know
For their eyes have told me so
Chasing advice from those who say I’ve lost my mind
I stop and grab the pencil out of my mouth. I start to jot down more notes on the sheet of music in front of me. And to think when I got here a few hours ago, this sheet was clean, completely blank. I was planning on finishing up the composition I had already started, but I found some inspiration and chucked that whole idea to focus on this new one. I knew I was taking a big chance by starting from scratch when it was due on Wednesday, but I really wasn’t feeling the last one. So I didn’t have much to loose.
So that’s how the story goes so far
I’ll tell you rest, but now
I’m tired of what I think
A situation where I can’t sing
But I hate the vagrant life, I know
Nothing has been more sold ‘till now
Living my life after those who say
I’ve lost my mind
I let my fingers leave my guitar and stare at the pieces of paper. An hour after I got here they became full of music notes and lyrics. Now I had all kinds of different side notes and add-ins all over the place. I smiled at the progress I’ve made. I knew for sure I was going to be able to finish this one tonight. And I was more than happy with what it was becoming. The way it seemed to flow right through me. I don’t think I’ve ever written a song this easily before. It was an amazing feeling.
Rush together to find each other
No it’s too late, you can never wait for luck
Together playing the same instrument
That they still can’t hear at all
I stop again because my mind is going back to Jazzy. I wasn’t going to lie. I was worried about her. I hated my father for causing all of this. If we hadn’t gotten into that fight. If she hadn’t heard it. We wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t be checking my phone every two minutes to see if she called or texted. It kind of pissed me off that she put me in with her mass text earlier. I mean I was her boyfriend, the least she could have done was send me one on my own. She can bunch together Minho and Taemin since they were dating, but I’m different. I’m her boyfriend.
This is the end of the song
Where the facts are laid out for you
In a nice little line
But I’m trying
To portray my experience
As clear as I can
In another day
At another time
We can stand
Hand in hand
In the end
I’m starting to fill guilty for being mad at Jazzy. It’s not her fault and she does have a right to be mad. My dad did say some cruel things about her. He pretty much said she wasn’t good enough for me. That she would never be good enough for me. And that Minho’s father saw her as nothing but another business deal. Which had to hurt. I mean after her dad died, the closest thing she had to one was Minho’s dad. I should try to call her again. I pick up my phone and hit redial. I’m starting to hate the sound of the phone ringing on the other end of the line. Her voicemail kicks in. I hate that sound even more.
So what do you say, so what do you say
Can we turn this clock back and relate
I won’t mind, can we stay
But isn’t it fate, isn’t it fate
That we spill our guts out on this very day
I don’t mind, I want to
I want to stay
I’m almost done. Just have to finish the ending and this piece is ready to be turned in. I’ve poured out all of my emotions into these three pieces of paper in front of me. I’ve poured out all of my emotions through the five pencils I’ve thrown in the trash because they became too small to write with. This is just what I needed. I needed to let it all out through music, the only way I knew how to deal with my emotions. I wasn’t like everyone else. Showing the majority of it through my facial and physical movements. I showed them through music. And this song was chalk full of my emotions. They were practically oozing out. I’m not sure if my professor will approve of it. But I don’t care. I love it the way it is. I’m not changing one thing about it once I nail the ending.
Rush together to find each other
Now it’s too late, you can never wait for luck
Together playing the same instrument
Are you listening at all?
Are you listening at all?
I smile to myself as I write the very last note on the piece of paper. It was done and so much better than the one I was working on all week. I couldn’t definitely turn this one knowing it was one of my best works yet. There wasn’t a crystal clear story painted with the lyrics. They were kind of jumbled in a way. Much like my thoughts. But it was a beautiful mess of thoughts. I don’t have to even think twice before I write the title at the top of the pages.
Rush Together
*~*
I slowly lift up his arm that was slung across my chest. I start to shimmy my way off the bed, doing my best not to disturb his sleeping form. When I’m finally standing beside the bed, happy that I was successful, I pull the blanket up to cover him up again. I lean forward and kiss his forehead and watch as a smile starts to play at his lips. I tip toe out the room and close the door softly behind me
Taemin had fallen asleep not too long after we had lunch and were snuggled up in my bed watching TV. I’m actually pretty sure he had fallen asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. And I have to admit that I was paying more attention to the tiny boy beside me than the big flat screen TV in front of me. He always looked so innocent and peaceful when he was asleep. I found myself unconsciously running my fingers through his soft hair as he wiggled himself closer to me.
I make my way to the small room extra room that I made into my computer room. I sit down in the leather swivel chair and wait as my computer boots up. I was curious as to what my dad sent me. It seemed as though it was pretty important with the way he was talking to me about it. Plus he rarely ever sent me e-mails, let alone to my company e-mail. Even though I was still young, I tried to stay involved with my family’s company. I never really went into the office itself, but I’ve been helping my dad at home since my second year in high school. He realized how valuable my input was and has since sent me things that he wanted me to look over. Just to get an ‘outsider’s’ point of view on the whole. After I read through whatever document he sent me and made thorough notes on it, we would discuss my thoughts and ideas for hours. Sometimes the discussion would continue for days later until we both reached a general consensus and he’d take it back to the office to run by everyone else.
My mom hated it. She thought my dad was trying to mold me into the perfect asset to the company. She thought he wasn’t letting me decide my own future. I told her it wasn’t like that. I actually enjoyed helping out the company because in turn, I was helping out my family. And it made me feel more important. All in all, it was an ego boost for me.
I sign in to my computer and pull up the internet browser. I immediately hit the bookmark for the company website. I type in my user name and password. It takes a while for the page load, so I pull out my cell phone and check it. Besides the fact nervousness I was feeling for tonight. Taemin was going to meet my parents and he was the first person I dated that I have ever introduced them to. I was trying to hold in my nervousness because I knew that if he saw it, he’d only get worst. Besides he was worrying enough for the both of us. I was still worried about Jazzy.
I tried to think of reasons why she’d all of a sudden go to her appa’s grave alone. Or if she even went to his grave at all. She was never able to go by herself in the past. It was too depressing she said. After all these years, she still wasn’t over his death. I decide to shoot her a quick text.
From: Minho
To: Ninja Jazz
just wanted to check up
on you. everything okay?
I see that my e-mail has finally popped up and sure enough I see an e-mail from my dad that was sent early yesterday morning. I click on it to read what it says
From: Choi, Yoon Kyeom
To: Choi, MinHo
Date: Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 7:53 AM
Subject: Kim Industry Deal
Hi Minho! It’s your dad here (I silently laugh at how he feels the need to tell me who he is in every e-mail he sends me. Not like I don’t know who my dad is or can’t read who the e-mail is from.)How are you doing son? Is school going okay? I know you’re probably feeling stressed since mid-terms are coming up, but no need to worry. I know that you’ll do great. How is Jazzy doing? I talked to her umma the other day. She said that she was going to have lunch with her today. I worry about her umma sometimes. She seems so lonely. You and Jazzy should try and go and visit her sometime. I know she would enjoy it a lot. You know she sees you as a son. Anyways, enough with the small talk. This is the company e-mail. I attached a document I want you to look over. It’s in regards to the deal that Kim Industries has been trying for years for us to agree to. I’m not even considering taking them up on their offer this time either, but you know me. I like to read through each proposal regardless. However, this time they’ve managed to catch my eye. You will see what I mean when you read through it. So if you don’t mind taking a little break from your studies and looking it over. It will be greatly appreciated. And if you can do it by tomorrow night. I’d be even more grateful to you. Your mother and I will be in your neck of the woods tomorrow to meet with old college friends. So we were hoping to see you (and Jazzy ^^) for dinner. Around 7:30ish? Call me to let me know if that’s good for you. Your mom and I both send our love. And if we haven’t told you lately, we’re truly proud of both you and your brother. Love you son!
Love,
Your Appa
I click on the link to download the attachment. It takes a few minutes for it to download and I immediately click the prink button when it finally pops up. My printer comes to life as it begins to print out the pages. I get up from my chair and walk over to my bookshelf to get a folder from the supply I kept in one of the drawers. I go back to the desk and grab a few pens, two different colored highlights, and some sticky notes. Once the document is finished printing, I secure it into the folder and make my way back to my room after turning off my computer again. I had a little over four hours to read all of this and make notes.
*~*
The movement on the bed wakes me from my nap and I open my eyes to see Minho climbing into bed. I didn’t even know he left to begin with. Well I guess that would explain why he felt al little fluffy when I was hugging him earlier. It was probably a pillow I was hugging. He did look particularly handsome with his glasses on and all those school supplies in his hands.
“Where’d you go?” I ask him as I cuddle into his side again and hug him. How I could confuse the feeling of a pillow with this was beyond me.
“I went to check my e-mail.”
“Oh yeah. Your dad sent you something.
“Yeah. I need to review it before we meet them for dinner.”
“Is that it in the folder?”
“Yeah.”
“I see.”
“Go back to sleep.”
“I’m not tired anymore.”
“You want to watch TV?” he asks as he starts to get more comfortable. He adjusts both of our bodies, lifting and shifting mine, so until we’re both in comfy positions. He places, the sticky pads and all but one of the pens on the nightstand beside him. Then he sticks the remaining pen and highlighters in his mouth horizontally before opening up the folder.
“I don’t want to distract you with the noise from the TV.”
“It’s okay. I usually have it on anyways. I’m not one to do things in silence. It tends to get on my nerves when it’s too quite. So go ahead and turn it on.”
“No need to. I’m fine,” I settle myself close to his body and place my hand on his chest. I can faintly feel his heart beating. I turn my head to take a look on him. The stern look of concentration on his face is a new one for me. I watch as his eyes scan over the words in front of him. He pulls the pen out of his mouth and jots something down on the sheet before places it back in it’s place. Lucky pen.
He looks so intensely drawn into the document before him that I think he forgets I’m here. Not like I was going to do anything to distract him and make my presence known. I liked being able to just lay here with him while he worked. It was comforting in a way. Just as this thought entered my brain though, he start to go between rubbing my back and drawing lazy circles on the small of my back. I sighed at his touch when said hand slipped under my shirt to make contact with my bare skin.
“I don’t think you should be doing this while working mister,” I tease.
“Hm?” he answers, eyes never leaving the paper and hand never leaving my back.
“Am I distracting you?” I tease again, this time walking my fingers up his chest.
“Uh uh.”
“Well then I guess you’re really good at multi-tasking.”
“Mm.”
We stay in this position, in this nice little bubble, for quite some time. Even though neither one of us were talking, we seemed to do a lot of it through our hands. His free hand never left my bare back. I found myself dozing off a few times at how soothing his hand felt rubbing my back, only to wake up a few minutes later when he would start to draw those lazy circles and get dangerously close to touching my ass. I did what I could to occupy myself when I wasn’t dozing off by feeling the beat of his heart and then I became more bold, letting my hand slide down to his stomach. I slipped my hand under his shirt and rubbed his abs, lightly tracing each one before moving up to his chest. Normally, we would have thrown everything aside and had sex, but Minho remained completely focused on what he was doing. Whatever his father sent him must have been really important. I didn’t mind though. It didn’t always have to end in sex. I just loved the feel of his skin against my fingers. I just loved to touch him. I learned when this all started that when it came to Choi Minho, I couldn’t keep my hands to himself. And apparently neither could he. I feel his hand slip into my sweats and cup my ass before giving it a light squeeze.
“Hey! No touchy!” I exclaim and look up at him only to find he’s looking directly back at me.
“What do you mean ‘no touchy’?” he asks as he gives it another squeeze.
“You should be working mister, not grabbing my ass.”
“Well I had to get your attention somehow. You were zoning out on me. I called your name a few times and you didn’t respond.”
“Oh, sorry,” I pout when his hand leaves my ass to rest again on the small of my back.
“Are you serious about the ‘no touchy’ rule though? Because if you are. You are so cruel.”
“Just when you’re working or studying like this. You can touch my back and that’s it. Everything else is off limits.
“What about you?”
“I have free roam,” I tease as I let my hand that was resting on his chest slip into his sweats.
“No no,” he says to me.
“No no?”
“No no. That will just get both of us in trouble.”
“Are you sure,” I let my hand faintly brush against his member before letting it rest on his thigh, giving it a little squeeze. I giggle when he slightly jumps at this.
“See. Trouble. Above the waist only. Deal?”
“Deal,” I say unenthusiastically, bringing my hand to rest on his abs instead.
“You should go and take a shower now.”
“Are you trying to tell me I stink?”
“No, but you do smell like me and sex.”
“I do not.”
“Yeah you do.”
I lift my shoulder and smell it. I had to admit I did smell a little like him and sex. I then bury my head into his shirt and take a whiff of him. He on the other hand smells like freshly washed clothes. I pout and smell him again. This time I get a faint after smell of me and I smile. I look up at him and he’s concentrating on the folder once again. I reach up and grab the pen and highlighters from his mouth.
“Hm?” he says, eyes still reading over words, “Are you going to take a shower now?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Towels are in the hall closet.”
“What time is it?”
“Quarter to five.”
“What? Already?!” I sit up and he lifts his arm so I don’t knock the papers he’s reading all over the place.
“Yup. That’s why I said you should go take a shower.”
“What about you?”
“I will in a little bit. I’m almost done reviewing this. Only a few more pages left. I should be done by the time you’re finished showering.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back. I need to go grab some clothes from my apartment.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Where are your parents taking us?”
“No idea.”
“Probably someplace fancy huh?”
“Perhaps.”
“How can you read and talk to me at the same time?”
“Magic.”
“Whatever you say,” I lean down and place a quick kiss on his lips which I’m surprised he returns before hopping off the bed. I rush across the hall and into my apartment. I had no idea what to wear and I couldn’t call Key two days in a row. Or could I? I fish my phone out of my sweatpants pocket and dial his number.
“Almight Key,” he answers a little breathless.
“Key umma, it’s me.”
“Oh hey Taeminnie,” he responds, “No not there yeobo.”
“Am I interrupting something?”
“No. What’s up?”
“I’m meeting Minho’s parents tonight.”
“What?! So soon.”
“He says now is as good a time as any.”
“Oh my. Yeobo I said not there!”
“Are you sure I’m not interrupting?”
“Ye-yes,” he stutters.
“Okay,” I try not to imagine what they could be doing that has Key breathless and stuttering. Surely he wouldn’t answer the phone when they were in the middle of having sex. That’s just wrong on so many different levels.
“So what do you need?”
“I don’t know what to wear and I feel bad calling you two days in a row with the same problem. But I want to make a good impression his parents. I want them to love me,” I say in one breath.
“First things first, breathe Minnie. Breathe. I know it’s a big deal meeting the parents, but you have nothing to worry about. They’ll love you. Second, you know your umma is always here to help no matter what. Third, fashion is my passion,” I hear Onew mumble protests in the background, “Yeobo, you’re a different kind of passion. And lastly, just wear that other outfit from yesterday.”
“Which one? You had a lot of clothes laid out yesterday.”
“The distressed jeans with the black military style top. It’s a little dressy, but a little casual at the same time. You should be fine wearing that.”
“Are you sure? What if we end up at some snooty four-star restaurant?”
“Hey Taemin, it’s Onew,” I hear.
“YAH! You can’t just take my phone away from me like that!” Key protests in the background.
“You’ll be fine Taemin. Minho’s parents will probably just take you to a comfy restaurant where everyone will be at ease. They don’t like those snooty places as you say. Now we gotta go. Key and I are in the middle of something.”
“YAH!” I hear Key yell again and it seems like he’s about to say something, but is silenced and I just hear a muffled noise. I’m about to say something when the line goes dead. Onew must have hung up on me. I shrug and place the phone back in my pocket before going to grab the clothes that still laid on my bed and go back to Minho’s apartment.
*~*
I walk out of the bathroom followed by a nice amount of steam. I had finished reviewing the document just in time to fit in a quick shower before having to leave to meet up with my parents. My dad wasn’t joking when he said Kim Industries proposal was intriguing. There was actually several things that caught my eye. This was their best offer yet and only a fool would pass it up. The question was if we were going to be that fool.
I enter my room and Taemin looks up from his seat on my bed. The TV was on and he was watching some music show. He looked hot tonight. Then again, when did he not. I smirk when I see him lick his lips at the sight of me.
“Now why did you have to do that?” he asks.
“Do what?” I turn my back to him as I open my closet and start to rummage through my clothes.
“Come in here all hot and still a little wet with just a towel around your waist.”
“Why? You turned on?”
“I’m doing my best not to rip that towel off and have my way with you.”
“No complaints here.”
“Are you provoking me?”
“Perhaps,” I wiggle my butt a little as a tease.
“Don’t.”
“What?”
“Just don’t. We are not about to have a quickie right before meeting your parents. Behave yourself.”
“Whatever you say,” I grab my towel and pull it off before throwing it at him.
“I said behave!” he exclaims.
“I am.”
“Standing stark naked is not behaving.”
“What? I like to air dry.”
“At least put on some boxers,” I feel something soft hit my back before landing by my feet. I look down and see that he actually threw me a pair of boxers.
“But I’m still wet there. They’ll just stick to me.”
“That’s why towels were invented baby.”
“But I told you. I like to air dry.”
“And I said to behave yourself. So either put on your boxers to come and get this towel to dry yourself off.”
“I don’t want to do either,” I pull out a lavender button up to go with the gray slacks I had already taken out. I then feel the softness of terry cloth on my ass, “Now who’s not behaving.”
I turn to look over my shoulder as Taemin continues to dry me off. His hands work their way up my back before he coaxes me to turn and face him. He starts to dry off my chest first before working the towel down.
“What are you doing?” I finally ask him.
“Drying you off. What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’re not the one who’s behaving.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been drying off my crotch for quite awhile now,” I laugh when I see the blood rush to his cheeks and he shoves the towel in my hands.
“Fine you finish drying yourself off. I was just trying to help so we could leave on time.”
“You’re so cute baby,” I kiss his red cheeks and throw the towel onto the bed. I bend over and grab the boxers he threw at me off the ground. I hand him the clothes I just took out of my closet so I can slip on the boxers.
“Are you sure what I’m wearing is okay?” he asks me after looking at what I was planning to wear.
“You look hot as always,” I kiss his cheek again and take the slacks off the hanger in his hands.
“I don’t want to look hot when I meet your parents.”
“Then you want to look ugly? I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Minho!”
“What?” I zip and button my pants and he hands me the shirt before reaching around me to place the empty hangers back in the closet.
“I want your parents to like me.”
“They will regardless of what you wear. So stop stressing okay?” I kiss him on the lips and he starts to button my shirt for me.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it,” he smoothes out my shirt in front before brushing off invisible dust from my shoulders. I tuck the shirt into my pants and grab a belt.
“Look at me,” I tell him and he slowly brings his face up to meet mine. I cup his chin, “I love you, therefore, my parents will love you. Trust me.”
“Okay,” he brings himself up on his tippy toes and kisses my lips, “I trust you.”
*~*
The whole way to the restaurant, I’m so nervous I feel like throwing up. Minho never let’s go of my hand once though. Well he did when we got into his car and had to go around to get into the driver’s seat and then again when we got here. But other than that, his hand was always laced with mine. I felt bad because my hand was little clammy due to my nerves and the heat from his hand.
We walk up to the host’s podium, “Good evening sir. Table for two?”
“We’re actually here to meet someone,” Minho answers the man behind the podium.
“Okay. Name?”
“Choi.”
“Ah, party for six. Right this way,” the man motions for us to follow him once he gathers some menus in his hands.
“Six?” I whisper into Minho’s ear as we weave through the restaurant, “I thought it was just you, me, and your parents.”
“Maybe my brother and his wife are joining us,” he answers.
“Here you go sir,” the host motions to the empty table that is in a secluded area of the place.
“Thank you,” Minho hands him a bill and we take our seats, “I wonder where they are.”
“Well we got here a little early,” tell him as we both grab menus and open them.
We’re sitting in silence for a few minutes, reading over the menu when I hear a deep voice come from behind us, “Minho!”
He immediately stands up from his chair and faces the direction where it came from. I do the same and see a beautiful couple walking towards us. They had to be his parents. Minho looked just like his father, only younger. I guess they may be have looked the same when he was Minho’s age. His mother was equally as gorgeous. Her features were flawless, but still had a warm aura about her. She greets us both with a kind smile and I can’t help but to smile back in return.
“Appa, umma,” Minho says and gives each one a hug.
“How’s our baby?” his mother asks as we all take our seats.
“Great. Who’s joining us for dinner?”
“Oh, Jazzy and her mom,” his dad answers.
“What?”
“Yeah, when your mother heard that Jazzy wouldn’t be able to join us tonight because she was with her mom, she insisted on both of them joining us.”
“Yup. I haven’t seen either one of them in so long. I really do miss her mother. I’ve just been so busy lately, I’m afraid I’ve been a horrible best friend to her. So this is my way of making it up to her,” his mother adds.
“I see,” is all Minho says.
“So who is this lovely young man Minho?” his mom asks as she looks at me, that kind smile still on her face.
“Oh. He,” Minho grabs my hand under the table, “Is my boyfriend. Lee Taemin. Taeminnie, these are my parents.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I say and bow my head.
A/N: As much as I would love to claim the song that Jjong is singing in the beginning as my own, I can't. It belongs to my friend Kevin Truckenmiller and his band Quietdrive. I just borrowed it for the song. Check it out Quietdrive-- Rush Together Oh and the extra part to the bridge is actually from the original recording of the song.