Where Are the Treats? (Chapter 7)

[just2wings]

Pairing: idol!Key / student!Jonghyun
Rating: NC-17
Genre: General, Romance
Word count: 8119
Summary: Jonghyun’s job is rather unusual; dog sitting for an idol isn’t something most students pick up on the side. Only, what he expected to be a stroll in the park with two lovable dogs turns out to be much more than he bargained for.


A/N: Happy belated birthday to Kim Kibum ♥♥♥ I wanted to post something for his birthday, and I had this chapter almost ready so I decided to hurry and post it. I'm so glad he got to celebrate his birthday (and seemed to have quite a good time of it) ^^
It seems like this fic will have 9 chapters. It's the longest jongkey fic I've ever written, which honestly surprises me! This chapter was inspired by quite a few things I'm sure you'll recognize along the way. I really want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments I've received, you are all so nice <3 and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
As usual, credit goes to Emma for the banner <3 I especially love this one, hehe.
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Chapter 1 🐾 Chapter 2 🐾 Chapter 3 🐾 Chapter 4 🐾 Chapter 5 🐾 Chapter 6 🐾 Chapter 6.5



Jonghyun wakes up to a mound of fur on his forehead and a heavy arm slung across his waist. He secretly thinks it’s the most perfect way to wake up, ever, but then Kibum goes and makes it even better.

He stirs behind Jonghyun with a groan, rolling away from him to sleepily rub at his eyes before turning into him again and nuzzling at his nape. Jonghyun can feel his lips pucker against his neck, trailing back and forth beneath his hairline. Jonghyun lets him, keeping still for a moment before finally turning around, dislodging a sleepy Garçons from his pillow.

Kibum lets out a low, contented hum as he does so and Jonghyun may or may not instantly fall in love with the sound.

“Good morning,” he whispers before fastening his lips to Kibum’s jaw. Kibum makes another low, throaty sound, and Jonghyun can practically feel it vibrate through his skin. He makes his way over to Kibum’s lips, kissing him lightly.

“Sleep well?” Kibum asks, only it sounds closer to a croak than anything else. His voice is incredibly rough and deep this morning, more than Jonghyun had ever heard it before, and it sends a strange jolt of arousal through him.

Jonghyun nods. He feels so warm, nestled under the covers here with Kibum, in his bed. Kibum runs his hands down Jonghyun’s bare back, stopping at the elastic of his briefs.

“When I was in Japan,” he starts off slowly in a hoarse grumble, “it drove me insane to think of you in my bed, especially since you admitted to sleeping naked.”

“I never really… I only heavily implied,” Jonghyun recalls sheepishly.

When Kibum begins toying with the waistband of his briefs, Jonghyun gets the message.

“I’m surprised you’re still wearing these.”

“I was trying to be modest,” Jonghyun tells him with a slight chuckle, but he doesn’t resist when Kibum begins sliding them down his legs. Once they’ve been discarded to the floor, Kibum runs his hands back up Jonghyun’s body, sliding against every ridge and groove of muscle along the way. Half of his face is obstructed, buried into his pillow, but there’s an unmistakable dark, heady look to his eyes as he suddenly runs his hand down Jonghyun’s stomach, stroking along the coarse hair lining his abdomen. The moment he wraps his fingers around Jonghyun’s soft dick is also the moment Comme Des chooses to jump onto the bed, joining Garçons.

Jonghyun immediately jolts away from the touch. “Wait,” he blurts out, rolling onto his stomach in a half-hearted attempt to conceal himself. “Not in front of the pups.”

For a split second, Kibum seems dumbfounded by his reaction before bursting into laughter. He tries to shoo the dogs away with his feet, but to no avail. Comme Des even wanders up the bed on Kibum’s side and gives his master a good morning lick on the cheek.

“They’re just dogs,” Kibum tells him as he scratches Comme Des’ head. “Besides, you’re… I mean… I’ve never had anyone in my bed before, so they never really learned proper bed manners.”

Kibum suddenly looks a bit nervous as he speaks the words, casting Jonghyun a sheepish glance, his head tilted downward. Jonghyun feels a buzzing warmth spread through him at the display along with a hint of possessiveness, and yet some part of him can’t quite believe it.

He shuffles closer and rolls on top of Kibum, who lets his legs splay open as Jonghyun settles above him. He lets go of Comme Des to place his hands to Jonghyun’s hips almost absent-mindedly.

Jonghyun holds Kibum’s gaze for a long moment, simply locking eyes with him. Kibum still has an unsure air about him as he searches Jonghyun’s face with dark, slightly glossy eyes. There’s a reddening pimple on his cheekbone, right next to the birthmark beneath his left eye. Jonghyun used to wonder why he, of all people, somehow got to see Kibum like this, without any kind of façade, with nothing but his bedroom hair and sleepy, hooded eyes to hide behind, but now he knows better. He knows that, some way or another, he’s earned it. That the only reason he gets to is because Kibum lets him, because he wants him to.

Jonghyun leans in slowly to place his lips to the scar in Kibum’s eyebrow. When he pulls back, Kibum’s eyes remain closed and Jonghyun takes a moment to appreciate the small show of trust before capturing his lips for a kiss. He’s forced to keep it short though when he feels an insistent, wet muzzle nudging at his temple. It tickles, and he breaks away giggling.

“Comme Des-ssi,” Kibum calls formally. Comme Des tilts his head, looking at his master curiously. Kibum proceeds to speak gibberish and Jonghyun chuckles again when Comme Des tilts his head to the other side, quizzical. It’s unbearably cute to witness.

“We could always relocate,” Jonghyun prompts.

That gets Kibum’s attention. “Shower?” he suggests, and Jonghyun nods, rolling out of bed.

Kibum joins him in the bathroom, removing the various candles around the tub before pulling the curtain and starting the shower. Jonghyun picks one of the candles up, smelling it-was that lemon?-with a barely concealed smile.

“I have loads of these, too,” he tells Kibum, who looks back over his shoulder to grant him a soft smile.

“I like vanilla, but citrus ones are nice too,” he answers before stepping aside and shedding his clothes into a neat pile on the floor.

Jonghyun takes a moment to stare, humming agreeingly; Kibum’s skin looks so soft and Jonghyun sort of can’t wait to get his hands on it again. He steps into the shower first, surprised when Kibum steps in behind him. He presses himself to Jonghyun’s back and rests his chin on Jonghyun’s shoulder, hands circling around his waist to run down his sides, curling inwards to rub at his lower stomach. Kibum is already half-hard behind him, and it isn’t long before Jonghyun also feels himself thicken, heat pooling low his in gut. Kibum keeps his hands on Jonghyun’s stomach, running nimble fingers along the lines of his pelvis, and steadfastly ignores his hardening dick.

“You have no idea,” Kibum speaks slowly to his ear, breath warm against Jonghyun’s neck, “how many times I jerked off, here, thinking about doing just this.” He ends his sentence by wrapping his fingers around Jonghyun’s cock, giving it a hard tug.

Jonghyun whimpers at the touch, turning around at once to face Kibum. He feels Kibum gasp against his mouth when their dicks slide against each other as Jonghyun shifts his hips closer, snug against Kibum’s. He takes Kibum’s face into his hands, tilting his head down to kiss his wet lips. Kibum slowly begins rolling his hips, moaning lowly into the kiss, and Jonghyun tries to keep up. Kibum moving on stage is entrancing enough, but this is a whole other level and Jonghyun almost wishes he could step back just to see him move like this.

“Don’t stop,” Kibum mutters, breaking the kiss to let out a harsh breath. His dick feels so hot against the skin of Jonghyun’s stomach; the feeling is surprisingly intimate, especially when he gets to watch Kibum as he approaches orgasm, taking in the way his breath quickens, his mouth falling open as he keeps making all these little, choked off sounds. Jonghyun can tell the moment his climax hits him because of the way his eyebrows scrunch together, the way the muscles in his jaw tighten, how he suddenly looks so far away even though he’s staring right back at Jonghyun. It’s possibly the sexiest, sultriest thing Jonghyun has ever seen. Kibum then slumps against him limply once it’s over, and Jonghyun presses kisses along his neck and shoulder, mouthing at whatever skin he can reach.

Kibum snakes a hand down between them and Jonghyun twitches when he begins jerking him off in earnest, so sensitive and close already. He bites down on Kibum’s shoulder when he finally spills into his fist, moaning into the flesh and Kibum slows down to give him a few last, languorous strokes.

Jonghyun feels boneless, and he can’t be certain but he thinks his legs might be shaking. They spend a moment just holding onto each other, breathing deeply and swaying under the shower’s spray before finally gathering the energy to properly wash themselves. Jonghyun thoroughly enjoys soaping Kibum up, and Kibum seems to enjoy it all the same. Jonghyun doesn’t think he’ll ever get enough of running his hands over Kibum’s skin, and Kibum doesn’t seem to mind either, not even when Jonghyun teasingly lingers on his ass.

Jonghyun is the first to step out, grabbing a towel to dry himself off. He feels slightly exposed now that he’s out of the steamy cocoon that was the shower, but he tries not to let it get to him.

“You have a great body,” Kibum suddenly speaks up, and when Jonghyun glances at him he finds Kibum’s eyes raking over him. It makes Jonghyun feel cherished, maybe even a little more confident, but it has nothing to do with his self-esteem or self-consciousness, for once, and everything to do with the man in front of him.

He smiles, genuine and wide, before looking Kibum over in turn. “You’re not so bad yourself,” he teases, chuckling when Kibum makes a show out of scoffing. He steps out of the shower but doesn’t get very far before Jonghyun throws his towel around him, trapping him and pulling him in. He resists playfully at first, but eventually melts into Jonghyun’s embrace when Jonghyun touches their lips together for a soft kiss. For the thousandth time, Jonghyun is forced to marvel at the fact that he gets to do this at all, wondering how and why he ever got so lucky.

“Thank you for letting me stay the night,” Jonghyun speaks softly once they’ve pulled apart. Kibum begins drying himself with Jonghyun’s towel, and Jonghyun likes the sight more than he probably should.

“You’re welcome any time, Jjong,” Kibum tells him seriously. “I mean that. I don’t know how Jinki feels about you not being at your dorm but you know you can come here any time.”

“About that,” Jonghyun speaks up. He’s been meaning to talk to Kibum about this for a while but somehow never got to, although he surely never imagined they’d be having this conversation while naked. “I… want to be with you,” he states plainly, opting for bluntness despite the mess of thoughts twirling around in his mind, “but I’m also your employee.”

“Ah,” Kibum says at once, like he knows where Jonghyun is going with this.

“Are you, I mean, is it really okay for us to be… involved?”

Kibum suddenly takes on a slightly defensive air, and Jonghyun wants to kick himself for bringing this up now, of all places. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because you’re literally paying me to spend time here?” Jonghyun reasons, and Kibum raises an eyebrow pointedly, wrapping the towel around his waist. Jonghyun suddenly feels uncomfortably bare and he wishes he could kick himself again for starting this at the worst possible moment. “It feels weird taking your money for something I’d do anyway as your, well, as your boyfriend.”

They’ve never used that word to refer to each other before, at least as far as Jonghyun is concerned, but Kibum doesn’t seem fazed by it. If anything, he seems to deflate at Jonghyun’s words; his shoulders slump down and he looks tired all of a sudden. He runs a hand down his face and sighs deeply before answering.

“I like you,” he says, straightforward as ever, “I really like you, but I wasn’t lying when I said I think you do a great job with the kids. I’ll never find another dog sitter as good as you, and honestly I don’t want to. I don’t mind paying you for it, Jjong, not if you need the money,” he finishes softly, looking resigned. “Is it really that bad?”

“I guess not.” But Jonghyun isn’t convinced. Still, Kibum seems to take that as an agreement and hastily ends the conversation.

“Now do you want some breakfast? Maybe some clothes first?” he teases, purposefully letting his eyes drift south of Jonghyun’s waist.

Jonghyun nods as he feels his cheeks heat up, but Kibum ignores his bashful demeanor and pulls him along towards his closet. He gives Jonghyun some soft, worn jeans and yet another tank top that barely qualifies as a shirt, but Jonghyun still takes them gratefully. Kibum picks out some shorts for himself and a long-sleeved shirt, slipping them on and turning towards the tall mirror in a corner of his walk-in closet.

He goes still, cocking his head to the side as he slowly looks himself up and down before settling on his own face. He seems to hesitate for a moment, and Jonghyun almost asks him what’s wrong when Kibum beats him to it.

“Should I put on makeup?”

Jonghyun is taken aback by the question, wondering what brought this on.

“Well do you have a schedule soon?”

Kibum keeps frowning at his reflection, unmoving. “I think I have rehearsal tonight, and maybe a radio show, too.”

“Well, your makeup can wait then, no?” Jonghyun tries. It seems to be the right thing to say, because Kibum turns towards him at once, granting him a small smile. Before Jonghyun can think too much about it, he pulls Kibum away from the mirror, pecking him on the lips quickly before dragging him off to the kitchen. “Now make me some food.”

Kibum rolls his eyes but gets to work without a fuss. Jonghyun feeds the dogs and brings them outside in the meantime, and when he returns he finds an array of dishes, some of which he guesses are from Mrs. Lee as well, on the table.

“I kind of had to improvise with what I had.”

“It looks delicious,” Jonghyun says as he takes a seat at the table.

“Eat up, Aunt Lee made too much food as usual.”

“You’re lucky to have her,” Jonghyun tells him. “What’s your rehearsal for, tonight?”

“Musical,” Kibum answers simply, through a mouthful of food.

Jonghyun pauses, chopsticks in mid-air, to look at Kibum round-eyed.

“You’re going to be in a musical?”

Kibum nods, unconcerned. “It isn’t my first,” he adds-more like slurs as he chews. Jonghyun is staggered; this is news to him, and he feels a mix of shame and guilt for not knowing before.

“Really?”

Kibum takes a moment to swallow his food before continuing. “I was in Catch Me If You Can last year and now I’m doing Bonnie and Clyde.” Those titles only vaguely ring a bell to Jonghyun, who is still clueless. “I actually haven’t learned all my lines yet,” Kibum admits sheepishly, hanging his head. “I was going to do that today but…” he trails off, casting Jonghyun a fleeting glance from beneath his fringe.

“But what? I can leave if you have work to do, I don’t want to hold you up,” Jonghyun rushes to say.

“No, that’s not…” Kibum starts, still peering at Jonghyun, “it helps to run lines with someone, so I was wondering if you were, well, busy today.”

“You want to run lines with me?” Jonghyun asks, shocked. “I’m no actor, Kibum.”

“It’s easy!” Kibum assures him at once. “You just read off the script, I’ll act. Or try to.”

“I don’t know,” Jonghyun hesitates, “I’m going to suck. I’m not sure how I could really help you.”

Kibum waves away his concerns, suddenly shooting out of his seat and disappearing into his bedroom. He emerges with a thick script in hand and places it next to Jonghyun on the table, pushing it towards him. Jonghyun flips through the first few pages and quickly realizes which parts are all highlighted.

“You’re playing Clyde? The main character?”

Kibum nods, ducking his head again and leaving Jonghyun to gape at him in astonishment.

“Wow,” Jonghyun mutters. Suddenly he’s itching to grab his laptop and search for footage of Kibum’s last musical performances; he wonders if he’s different when he acts, if the performances he puts on are all that different to those he puts on as an idol.

Kibum is still no better at taking a compliment, it seems, because he orders Jonghyun to finish his breakfast as he goes about eating quietly. Jonghyun leafs through the script as he eats, reading lines here and there. His eyes almost bulge out of his head when he falls on a particular scene.

“Clyde is naked in a tub?”

Kibum nods, like it doesn’t particularly bother him. “There are a few kissing scenes, too.” His nose suddenly scrunches up as he frowns. “I haven’t kissed a girl in so long, it’ll be weird.”

Jonghyun chuckles; leave it to Kibum to be worried about that.

“Does it bother you?” Kibum asks vaguely. When Jonghyun only lifts an eyebrow, questioning, he adds, “All the kissing?”

Jonghyun takes a moment to seriously think about it, but his answer doesn’t change. “No,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s a play, I get it.” A part of him also still doesn’t understand how what he has with Kibum can possibly be real, like maybe he’s somehow imagined all of it, but he doesn’t say that out loud.

Kibum looks slightly relieved by his answer before taking on a more mischievous expression, a smirk tilting his lips. “You know, I could also use some practice for those scenes.”

Jonghyun chuckles again and figures it’s his turn to be playful. “You don’t need practice with that, trust me.”

Kibum’s smirk melts into a warmer smile, and Jonghyun gets caught up staring back at him for a moment. It hits Jonghyun all over again just how normal Kibum looks in this moment, almost bashfully hiding his smile behind the sleeve of his big sweater, dark eyes twinkling in amusement. The pimple on his cheek has faded a bit since yesterday and there’s a slight shadow hinting to stubble above his upper lip, and yet he’s still incredibly beautiful. No matter how Jonghyun thinks of it, it’s always a thrill to realize Kibum trusts him enough to let his guard down around him.

He helps Kibum clear the table once they’re done and settle on the couch to run lines. Well, Jonghyun settles on the couch, script in hand, but Kibum prefers wandering about his living room as he acts scenes out, sometimes grabbing Comme Des or Garçons and using them as props.

Kibum seems to know almost all of lines and rarely misses a cue. Sometimes he demands that they restart a scene and sometimes he improvises a little, mixing words up, but Jonghyun remains very impressed by his apparently endless memory. He even sings his songs a cappella when prompted, but once they get to a duet he asks Jonghyun a terrifying question.

“Can you sing Bonnie’s parts?”

Jonghyun first reaction is to splutter out a resolute “no” so he does just that, only to have Kibum push.

“Please? I have the song on my phone so you can listen to it.”

“I don’t know, Kibum, it’s a little…”

Jonghyun never gets to finish his sentence because the next thing he knows, Kibum is thrusting his phone into his hand, a slow melody already pouring out of its speakers. Jonghyun takes a deep breath; he hasn’t sung in public in a very, very long time. Then again, Kibum has repeatedly lain himself bare for Jonghyun, both literally and figuratively, so he figures he can at least try to do this, too.

He stays quiet during the first verse and chorus, taking in the melody and flow of the song, following the lyrics attentively on the page. Kibum starts the second verse, singing Clyde’s lines, and Jonghyun joins him halfway with a shaky voice. He gains assurance by the second chorus and when comes time to sing Bonnie’s lines in the third verse, Jonghyun doesn’t notice that Kibum has stopped singing altogether to instead stare at him with wide eyes.

Jonghyun stops abruptly in the middle of the last chorus once he notices, pausing the song on Kibum’s phone. The silence that follows is all too jarring; even the pups’ heads tilt up curiously to peer at their master.

“You have an amazing voice,” Kibum speaks; he sounds a little breathless, a little awed, and Jonghyun quickly diverts his gaze towards the floor.

“Thanks.”

He hears Kibum step closer but he still doesn’t look up, not even when he settles on the couch next to him.

“I mean I knew you had a nice talking voice but when you sing, it’s just, wow. Unique.”

“Thank you,” Jonghyun repeats simply; he doesn’t know what else to say.

Kibum then goes in for the big question, leaning into Jonghyun’s space and forcing him to lock eyes with him.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me you could sing like that?”

Jonghyun sighs, weighing his words. Kibum is bound to know one day or another, so Jonghyun goes all in. With time, he has managed to detach himself from the memory, so he’s able to retell it without digging up too many emotions along with it.

“When I was in eighth grade, I auditioned three times. For your company,” he shares, speaking lowly.

“Really?” Kibum blurts out, but once it all catches up to him and he realizes what Jonghyun actually means by that, he adds a more resigned, “Oh.”

Jonghyun merely nods as confirmation, and Kibum’s shoulders slump down as he leans back into the couch.

“Wow,” he mumbles, just above a whisper. “How do you not hate me?”

Jonghyun frowns in confusion, thrown off by the question. He can’t make sense of it, because in what world would he hate Kibum? “Why would I hate you?”

“Because I’ve been pretty much complaining about being an idol and dragging you along since the moment I met you.”

Jonghyun doesn’t think that statement is true-or fair-at all, not in the least, so he lets Kibum know that.

“You haven’t,” Jonghyun says firmly. “At all. In fact I think you’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. I know you had rough time as a trainee but I would never hold that against you.”

Kibum is quiet for a moment, looking pensive, and Jonghyun hopes that means he’s convinced him. “I’m sorry,” he finally mumbles, only Jonghyun isn’t sure what for exactly.

“It was a long time ago,” Jonghyun assures him. “I don’t think I would have handled being an idol well, anyway,” he ponders. “I just auditioned because I liked music, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I’m not sure it ever really was.”

Kibum is quick to answer, and what he has to say surprises Jonghyun. “I think you would have done fine as an idol,” Kibum shares. “More than fine, really. You’re playful but also very thoughtful. And good-looking, too. You would have been someone for others to look up to, I’m sure of it.”

Jonghyun doesn’t know what to make of this. He doesn’t think he’s wrong about himself, but Kibum’s words are enough to plant a small seed of doubt in Jonghyun’s mind. Then again, it’s all pointless musing because Jonghyun missed out on his chance years ago, so he’ll never really know.

“Is that what you meant when you told me a while ago that music never really worked out for you?”

Jonghyun shrugs, even though he knows the answer. “After the hell that were those three auditions, I figured maybe music wasn’t for me. It’s not that easy-I mean, a career in music, all that.”

“It’s never too late to change your mind, you know.”

“It’s not that easy, Kibum,” Jonghyun tells him again, sighing. He didn’t expect Kibum to understand. Sure, Kibum had had to work hard to get to where he was but he had succeeded, after all. Jonghyun hadn’t been that lucky. After that third audition, Jonghyun had had to face reality and its consequences, which meant starting anew and trying something else.

The thought of dropping everything to pursue a dream he has let go of long ago is terrifying. Absurd, even, but mostly terrifying. Sure, Jonghyun still loves music but what if it doesn’t work out this time, again? He would have nothing but a broken pride, a newly bruised ego and even more debt to fall back on. He isn’t a teenager anymore; starting over doesn’t mean the same thing as it did back then.

Kibum breaks him out of his reverie when he scoffs suddenly, speaking up. “I can’t believe they rejected you. I didn’t think my company was this stupid, and trust me I’ve thought about it a lot. Remind me to never sing in front of you ever again.”

Jonghyun can’t help but point out the irony of that statement. “You’re the professional!” he cries out. “Do you have any idea how nerve wracking it was to sing for you?”

“Okay,” Kibum concedes quickly, scooting closer on the couch before levelling Jonghyun with a serious gaze, “but you have an amazing voice.”

Jonghyun can feel the sincerity behind it, can see the fervour in Kibum’s dark eyes, which is why he diverts his gaze to his lap. “Thank you,” he utters for the third time, only it’s more heartfelt this time.

When he looks up again Kibum is smiling tentatively at him, scooting ever so closer. His gaze has turned softer, more playful, and Jonghyun already has an inkling of what’s about to come.

“I think I want to rehearse the kissing scenes, now,” Kibum says, innocently enough. Still, there’s something sultry, sexy about the way he crawls towards Jonghyun, and Jonghyun’s chuckle comes out breathier than he expected.

Kibum stops to hover above him with a hand on either side of his head, looking down at him. He doesn’t say anything; he simply lets his eyes roam Jonghyun’s face, almost like he’s looking for something, before finally leaning down to connect their lips.

Jonghyun kisses back softly, nibbling gently on Kibum’s lower lip when he purses his mouth against Jonghyun’s. He finishes with a small tug, just hard enough to pull a groan from Kibum, before releasing him to look at him with an assessing air.

“Not bad, but I think Clyde would be a little more…” he teases, pausing as he pretends to look for the right word, “aggressive.”

Kibum looks surprised for a second, but he quickly catches up to the joke and slaps his shoulder. Jonghyun chuckles, adding, “I think you should try again.”

Kibum rolls his eyes but complies easily, leaning in for a kiss that’s more teeth than lips or tongue this time around. Jonghyun takes it all in stride, happy to oblige. Kibum shifts on the couch, sinking into him, and Jonghyun can’t help but moan into his mouth. He takes Kibum’s face into his hands and curls a leg around his hip, settling under his weight as Kibum continues to ravage his mouth.

They’re interrupted a few minutes later by the sound of Kibum’s cellphone alarm going off, startling the dogs. Garçons even lets out a small bark at the shrill sound, wandering up to the couch to investigate. Kibum pulls away at once, sitting back onto his heels as he fumbles with his phone to turn off the alarm. He spends a few moments frowning at the screen before giving Jonghyun-who is still splayed out on the couch, rather dishevelled-a frustrated look.

“I have to get ready for practice,” he announces, obvious disappointment in his tone. “I swear, one day we will properly make out on this couch, uninterrupted.”

“It was a noble effort.”

Kibum chortles at that, hoisting himself off the couch. “I’ll go get ready. Are you staying?”

“Okay, I’ll feed the dogs in a bit, then,” Jonghyun says, petting Garçons when the dog jumps onto the couch, nestling up next to him.

Jonghyun must doze off, because the next thing he knows Kibum is standing in front of him, with his hair styled and light makeup on his face, smiling as he holds his phone out.

Jonghyun blinks in confusion, shifting on the couch only to feel Garçons squirm against his hip.

“It was too cute not to take a picture,” Kibum tells him, turning his phone briefly to show off a close-up of Garçons cuddled up next to him. “But I really have to go now.”

Jonghyun follows him to the front door, leaning against the wall and watching as Kibum gathers his things into his bag and slips on his shoes.

“I won’t be back until very late,” Kibum says regretfully, “or early morning, probably.”

“I should go back to my dorm anyway,” Jonghyun answers, “do some homework.”

“Say hi to Jinki for me.”

Jonghyun nods, waving goodbye as Kibum steps out the door. “Good luck with your rehearsal.”

Kibum sends him a grateful look over his shoulder. “Thanks, Jjong.” And with that, he disappears down the hallway.

Jonghyun closes the door behind him before sinking down to the floor. Comme Des and Garçons rush towards him, climbing into his lap, and Jonghyun smiles down at them as he pets them.

He still can’t quite believe everything that’s happened since yesterday-was the concert really only yesterday? It already seemed so far away in his memory.

Comme Des stretches himself across his thighs, turning onto his back with his paws in the air. Jonghyun obliges with a smile, petting along his stomach absent-mindedly. If only these pups knew how much they had changed his life. Sometimes it feels like everything he knew was turned upside down the moment he walked into this apartment and two little curious balls of fur charged at his feet.

***

After a quick stop at the dorm to change his clothes, Jonghyun heads over to Jinki’s parents’ restaurant, where his roommate is probably currently helping. He hasn’t seen Jinki in a while and it so turns out that the small fridge in their dorm is empty.

The sight that greets him as he enters the restaurant has him stopping dead in his tracks: Choi Minho is seated at a table near the back, in front of Jinki, and they both look like they’ve just told the best joke ever and possibly had a little too much to drink.

“Jonghyun!” Jinki calls out as soon as he notices him, waving him over. Jonghyun goes up to them, a little perplexed by the easy familiarity between the two. “Look who came again!”

“Again?”

Jinki nods vigorously, and Jonghyun can tell he’s definitely at least a little tipsy. “He came last week. Are you hungry? Did you eat? Mom gave Minho too much food as usual so I’m helping him and if you want you can have some too, she even gave us some sirloin and some-”

“Thanks, Jinki,” Jonghyun interrupts his roommate’s babbling, taking the seat beside him.

“I love this place,” Minho speaks up, a little red-cheeked from the alcohol, “Jinki’s mother is so nice.”

“I bet,” Jonghyun mumbles under his breath, and thankfully neither seem to hear him.

“How was the concert?” Jinki asks. He isn’t slurring his words yet but he’s definitely more loose-tongued.

“It was amazing,” Jonghyun says truthfully.

“Minho says you went home with Key.”

“I did,” Jonghyun admits, shooting Minho a slightly uneasy glance across the table. When he turns back to face Jinki, his roommate is staring at him rather unsettlingly.

“You slept with him,” Jinki states bluntly.

Jonghyun’s gaze quickly flicks between Jinki and Minho, only to find the actor also watching him with a vaguely interested expression. Jonghyun feels put on the spot; not that he wants to lie, but this feels a bit too much like an interrogation all of a sudden. Jonghyun blames the alcohol for making his roommate so loose-tongued.

“Kind of,” he admits sheepishly.

Jonghyun is beyond surprised when Minho lands a congratulatory pat on his shoulder-at least he thinks that’s what it’s supposed to be, but Minho’s aim is a little off and he ends up shoving Jonghyun more than patting him, but Jonghyun also blames that on the alcohol.

“About time,” Minho hoots loudly, and it kind of makes Jonghyun wish he could melt and disappear into his seat.

As much as he appreciates Minho’s seal of approval, that isn’t what has Jonghyun concerned.

He glances over at Jinki who is still watching him intently, even though he’s swaying a bit in his seat. It’s most disconcerting to be stared down by a slightly inebriated Jinki; it’s like his filter has disappeared and Jonghyun knows even less what to expect from him.

“So it’s official?”

The question takes Jonghyun by surprise. He’s never really talked about it straight up with Kibum, but he did refer to him as his boyfriend and Kibum hadn’t corrected him, so. “I guess, yeah,” Jonghyun tries.

Jinki raises an eyebrow at him but doesn’t press the issue. “When are you seeing him again?”

“I don’t know,” and the look Jinki throws his way as he utters the words makes Jonghyun want to sink a little further into his seat. “I mean, I haven’t seen his schedule but I don’t think he’s too busy this week, so hopefully soon.”

Jinki nods, seeming thoughtful for a second before echoing, “Hopefully.” His serious expression drops at once, then, and he turns towards Minho to promptly ask, “Are you going to eat that?”

Jonghyun chuckles, shaking his head slightly as he leans back in his seat. It’s strange to see how well Jinki gets along with the actor, but then again Jonghyun isn’t in any position to judge the unlikely duo. He has to admit that, after some thought, it even makes sense.

“Hopefully soon” turns out to be much later than Jonghyun would have liked. Kibum is busy with rehearsals pretty much every evening considering his musical starts next week and Jonghyun has quite a few assignment of his own to work through. He hasn’t seen Kibum all week and even though they’ve exchanged plenty of texts and even though Jonghyun still goes to his apartment almost every day to care for his dogs, Jonghyun can’t help the longing feeling that settles in his chest. He misses Kibum’s easy presence, his smile, his lips; he misses being with Kibum, plain and simple.

He’s lost in his thoughts, his Japanese course notes long forgotten in front of him, when his phone vibrates on his desk. It’s later than late, on a Sunday night no less, and Jonghyun feels hope bubble up inside him at the sound.

Are you still awake?

Jonghyun spends a moment smiling dumbly at the screen before answering Kibum.

Yes.

He waits, phone in hand, and all is quiet for a moment, Jinki fast asleep on the bed behind him. His phone vibrates again, but it’s a call this time so Jonghyun steps out into the hallway with a grin.

“Is this another fashion-related dog emergency?” he teases as soon as he takes the call.

He can hear Kibum exhale on the other end of the line, and Jonghyun listens intently. “I just want to see you,” Kibum speaks softly. “Come over?”

Jonghyun’s breath hitches in his throat. “O-okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah,” Jonghyun speaks, more firmly this time, “just give me a few minutes.”

“Alright,” Kibum replies just as softly, “see you.”

Jonghyun rushes back into his dorm room, quietly gathering his things into his bag. He sweeps his Japanese course notes off his desk and he’s out the door in under a minute.

The security guard in the lobby smiles at him as he makes his way into the apartment complex, and Jonghyun wonders what he must think of his late-night comings and goings. He hopes they aren’t too conspicuous.

He knocks on the door of Kibum’s apartment and barely has to wait before the door swings open. Kibum is wearing a thin tank top along with loose boxer shorts, and his hair is a little wet. His face is free of makeup; he looks tired, but there’s something so soft about him like this, warm and comforting, and Jonghyun catches himself thinking that it feels a bit like coming home.

Kibum grants him a small smile and he seems to melt into Jonghyun’s embrace when Jonghyun steps in close, pressing against him for a kiss. He tastes like toothpaste and his breath tickles Jonghyun’s cheek when he exhales against it.

Jonghyun means to pull back to finish taking his shoes and jacket off so that they can continue this elsewhere, but Kibum doesn’t let him. He fists his hands in the collar of Jonghyun’s jacket to hold him in place, kissing him with renewed vigour. Jonghyun chuckles to his lips and indulges him for a while, licking along Kibum’s mouth when Kibum’s tongue darts out for a taste. He tries slowly pulling back again but Kibum chases his mouth and Jonghyun purses his lips for a few fleeting pecks.

“So you really wanted to see me, huh?” Jonghyun teases just above a whisper, eyes roaming over Kibum’s face. He looks even better from up close, he decides.

Kibum rolls his eyes, hands sliding down Jonghyun’s front before slipping inside his jacket. He helps Jonghyun shrug it off and lets him toe off his shoes before taking his hand and leading him into the apartment.

“Where are the pups?” he asks, wondering why he hasn’t been assaulted by the two little mongrels yet.

“They’re asleep on the bed,” Kibum tells him, speaking lowly. Surely enough, Kibum pulls him into the bedroom and there they are, stretched out to one side of the bed. The side Jonghyun had slept on the last time he had shared Kibum’s bed.

“They’re in my spot.”

Kibum chortles at his words. It isn’t his usual, bountiful laugh but it’s still loud enough to have the dogs stirring from their sleep. They lift their heads to watch their master with tired eyes, and Garçons’ tail even wags a bit when he notices Jonghyun next to him, but they otherwise don’t move from their spots.

“I think they’re doing it on purpose,” Jonghyun shares flatly.

He can almost feel the way Kibum rolls his eyes again, even though he can’t exactly see it, before Kibum steps up to the bed and calls his dogs to attention.

“Kids,” he says, and both dogs immediately perk up, “we have a guest tonight, come here.”

He taps the foot of the bed in an attempt to get them to move, but the dogs simply keep watching him lazily. He repeats himself a few times and, in the end, Garçons merely stretches his paws across the mattress, inching just a little closer.

“Why don’t you listen to daddy,” Kibum laments as he pets Garçons’ head, rubbing his ears. Garçons stretches his neck and Kibum coos at him, planting a kiss to the tip of his nose in what is probably the most adorable way ever.

Jonghyun sits down next to Comme Des, nudging him a little, but the dog refuses to move. Comme Des even growls a little when Jonghyun picks him up to place him at the foot of the bed, obviously displeased, and Jonghyun then hurries into the bed before either dog can claim his space once more. He rolls onto his side and feels Comme Des make his way up behind him, nudging at him with his muzzle before curling up against his back.

Kibum crawls up the bed next to Jonghyun, also lying down on his side to face him. “I might need a bigger bed,” he says with a smirk, apparently amused by his dogs’ antics. “I thought you all got along well enough.”

“We do, don’t we?” Jonghyun reaches behind him to pet Comme Des but the dog pointedly ignores him. “Or used to,” he corrects, chuckling at the sulking pup.

“Come here,” Kibum suddenly says, patting the mattress between them just like he did for Garçons.

Jonghyun squirms his way closer, sliding an arm around Kibum’s waist while Kibum tangles a hand in his hair. It’s getting rather long and shaggy, but Kibum doesn’t seem to mind at all. “Yah, I’m not a dog,” Jonghyun whines.

“Are you sure?” Kibum teases, twirling a lock of hair around his finger.

Jonghyun gives a playful growl and rolls halfway on top of Kibum, who just laughs beneath him. He laughs even harder when Comme Des suddenly growls as well and tries to climb over Jonghyun’s back. Garçons also gets up and joins the commotion, shuffling beside Jonghyun.

“Alright, alright,” Jonghyun concedes, moving off of Kibum a little, “no more growling.”

Kibum chuckles beneath him, running his hand through Jonghyun’s hair as if to pet him. “Like I said, dog,” he teases with a smile. He looks like he’s about to add something, so Jonghyun promptly leans down and shuts him up with a kiss. Kibum lets out a small, surprised grunt but is quick to return the kiss.

The dogs lose interest once they realize their master is otherwise occupied and they settle behind Jonghyun, curling up on themselves. Kibum pulls back after a moment to catch his breath, letting his head fall back on his pillow as he watches Jonghyun with a contemplative expression. For once, Jonghyun doesn’t feel naked or self-conscious under the scrutiny, which comes as a welcomed surprise, but it does have him wondering what Kibum is thinking. He looks pensive, almost withdrawn, and Jonghyun knows by now to simply wait for him to speak. Perhaps one day he’ll be able to tell what’s going on inside that thick skull of his, but for now Jonghyun can only be patient.

When Kibum speaks up, it’s worth the wait.

“I never thought I’d get to have this.”

Jonghyun has an inkling of where this is all going, but he wants to be sure.

“Have what?” he asks barely above a whisper, like speaking any louder would shatter the sudden intimacy.

“This,” Kibum repeats, fingers scratching against Jonghyun’s scalp at the word. “Lying in bed, having you over for the night. Kissing because we both want to.” Kibum’s tone suddenly drops, sounding even more solemn. “I mean, you do want to, right?”

Jonghyun traces a finger down Kibum’s cheek, following the curve of his jaw before gliding down his neck. His cheeks seem fuller, rounder than when he first met him. He takes in Kibum’s furrowed brow, the way his eyebrows are drawn together in poorly concealed anticipation and Jonghyun thinks that, for once, he might know what Kibum is thinking, what he actually means by that question.

“You can have anything and everything you want,” he says softly, in lieu of a proper answer, but Kibum seems to understand judging by the smile that stretches his lips. He tilts his head up, connecting their lips for a short moment. He then shifts onto his side, inviting Jonghyun to do the same.

“Do you have class tomorrow?” he asks almost conversationally; his attempt at small talk while they’re both lying face to face in bed, sharing the same pillow, warms Jonghyun’s heart with how adorable it all is. He’s more than willing to indulge Kibum on this.

“I do,” Jonghyun tells him, rubbing his hand back and forth along Kibum’s side. “Japanese, first. Taemin will probably tease me again for wearing your clothes to class.”

“Really?” Kibum asks, scoffing lightly when Jonghyun nods. “Tell him at least you don’t need to steal my clothes, then.”

“He steals your clothes?”

“He used to, when I still lived in the company dorms,” Kibum admits with a low chuckle. “He was sneaky about it, too. Sometimes I wouldn’t realize something was missing until I saw him wear it.”

“Sounds like him,” Jonghyun agrees.

“Hmm.”

He feels Kibum stretch beneath his touch, his shirt riding up with the motion. Jonghyun’s hand slips beneath it as he keeps rubbing Kibum’s side, pressing into warm skin.

“What about you? What are you up to this week? I haven’t seen your schedule in a while.”

“I have my first musical performance on Wednesday,” Kibum says slowly, sounding sleepy. “I have a fansign tomorrow morning and then I have some recording to do in the studio for a special performance.”

“A collaboration?”

Kibum nods into his pillow, burying his face into it even more, eyelids drooping.

“You should get some sleep, then.”

Kibum nods again, eyes falling shut. He doesn’t even open them when Jonghyun announces he’ll be right back.

Jonghyun had planned ahead this time and had brought his contact case and toothbrush along with him. He speeds through his nightly routine before removing his contacts and stripping out of his clothes, blindly making his way back into Kibum’s bed. Kibum curls around him, making himself comfortable and Jonghyun buries a smile into his hair, more than happy to be his pillow for the night.

Jonghyun awakens to the sound of his cellphone’s alarm and an empty bed the following morning-rather, almost empty considering how Garçons has claimed half of Jonghyun’s pillow while Comme Des watches him from the foot of the bed. Still, Kibum is nowhere to be seen and a quick glance at his cellphone reveals that it’s a bit past eight o’clock.

Jonghyun stretches with a groan, eyeing Kibum’s bedroom; there’s a pile of clothes placed conspicuously on the corner of Kibum’s dresser. Jonghyun wills himself to roll out of bed only to find a sticky note stuck to the top of the pile. He hurries to the bathroom to find his contacts to read it.

I picked these out for you so that you could show off in front of Taemin. I had to leave really early and I didn’t want to wake you. Thanks for coming over last night ♥

Jonghyun carefully folds the note, placing it in the pocket of the jeans Kibum had lain out for him before slipping the clothes on. He rushes out of the bedroom and, in his haste, almost knocks over someone in the hallway. Surprised, he straightens himself only to bow deeply, apologizing profusely once he realizes it’s actually Mrs. Lee.

“Oh, Jonghyun-ah!” she calls brightly. “Did I wake you? Kibumi told me you were sleeping but I didn’t know when you would get up.”

Jonghyun wonders how much else Kibum has told her and if he should even try to explain himself. Mrs. Lee thankfully solves the dilemma for him, revealing with a smirk that seems out of place on her kind face, “I had a feeling I’d be seeing you soon again.”

Jonghyun feels himself blush. “I-it’s nice to see you too, Mrs. Lee.”

“Call me Aunt, Jonghyun-ah,” she tells him offhandedly, as though she didn’t just catch him coming out of Kibum’s bedroom after he obviously spent the night. “Come, I made you some breakfast.”

Jonghyun goes along rather awkwardly, the dogs following him to the kitchen. He feeds them first before scarfing down the food Mrs. Lee had graciously prepared. It does no justice to her culinary abilities but he needs to hurry if he wants to take the dogs out for a bit before rushing off to class.

Jonghyun is trying to swallow a mouthful of rice when Mrs. Lee passes by the kitchen, laundry basket in hand.

“Do you stay here often?” she asks, stopping in front of him to make conversation. “The puppies must be happy to have someone around.”

Jonghyun swallows dryly before answering, albeit vaguely, “No no, not really.”

“Oh. Well, I’ve only seen Kibum in passing lately, but I have to say he seems happier,” she tells him. “I’m glad he has you.”

Jonghyun smiles at her, deciding that a little charm can’t hurt. “I’m glad to have him, too.”

She tuts at him, teasing, and pushes at his shoulder bashfully. “I can see why he likes you.”

Once again, Jonghyun marvels at the fact that he was apparently the last to know. “Thank you,” he says lightly, “unfortunately I’m late for class now. I actually have class with Taemin.”

Mrs. Lee’s eyebrows raise dramatically. “My son?” she asks. “Really? I swear, that kid never tells me anything.”

Jonghyun chuckles, nodding. “Thank you for the meal, as always.”

“I’ll see you around, Jonghyun-ah.”

She says it so surely, without doubt, and Jonghyun realizes at once just how much he wants her to be right, too.

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