Pictures of Success
Title: Pictures of Success (1/?)
Pairing: Jongkey
Rating: G
Genre: Is melancholy a genre? Angst, romance, fluff, idek.
Summary: After SHINee split up to pursue solo careers, Jonghyun and Key had a falling out that drove them apart for years. Now that Key has finally returned to Seoul, can they repair the years of silence between them?
a/n I've had this sitting on my computer for months and I didn't want to post it because I write really slow and I don't want to be a tease. But I just found it again and liked it, so maybe if I post the first part it will get my butt into gear and actually keep writing. :D
The moment he steps into Incheon Airport, Kibum is struck by how familiar it still is, even after being away for five years. He adjusts the strap of his shoulder bag, scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
“Kibum! Over here!” Minho waves from a spot near the baggage carousel, and Kibum wades through the crowd toward him.
“I was starting to think you’d stood me up.”
Minho smiles, shaking his head slightly. “I have a reputation to keep up, you know.”
“Right, mister big movie star now.” Kibum rolls his eyes, stepping closer to the carousel as it starts to move, keeping an eye out for his suitcase.
They stand in silence for a while, stepping back into their friendship easily, as if Kibum hasn’t been gone for years.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Kibum turns to look at Minho, biting back a needlessly sarcastic remark while failing to notice his suitcase slipping by. “Me too.” After flashing a smile at Minho, he manages to catch sight of his suitcase just as it disappears. “Crap. I’m blaming you for that, Minho.”
Nearly thirty minutes later they are loading Kibum’s suitcase into the back of Minho’s car, or rather Minho is loading it, as Kibum ends up making him do all the work after apparently causing him to miss his first chance at the carousel.
“Thanks again for the ride.”
Minho just shrugs, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot into the nearly deserted road-the one good thing about a flight arriving so late at night.
Kibum drums his fingers on the armrest, leaning his head against the window. “So what have you been up to, besides becoming a famous movie star?”
“It was one movie. I think that means I’m still just a TV star.”
Kibum rolls his eyes again, scoffing. “Fine, fine, just answer the question.”
“Well…” He signals to the left, smoothly changing lanes before answering. “Remember Hyemi?”
“From that show you did last year?” He turns, smirking knowingly. “Wait, did things end up working out?
“How…?” But then Minho just shakes his head, laughs. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I? We’ve been dating for six months.”
“Of course not. I’m your best friend.” The smirk becomes a genuinely happy smile when he catches the look on Minho’s face. “Congratulations. I’ll have to meet her.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Soft music from the low radio fills the silence for the next couple exits, until finally Kibum speaks again, eyes fixed firmly on the middle distance of the oncoming road.
“How’s Jo-, um, everyone else?”
If Minho hears the correction, he doesn’t acknowledge it. “I haven’t actually heard from Jinki in a while-he’s so busy these days, the family man. Taemin said something about throwing a party; he’s really excited to see you.” He pauses, flipping on the windshield wipers as rain starts to patter onto the windows.
“Jonghyun?”
“He’s good. We get together for drinks now and then. Still singing ballads, the sappy idiot.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen his name on the charts a few times.”
Minho glances over at him, grinning. “You still look at those things?”
Kibum crosses his arms defensively, abruptly changing the subject. “How was his wedding? I-meant to go.”
“Wow, that was years ago. I barely remember.” He catches the look on Kibum’s face out of the corner of his eye and wracks his brain for details. “It was…nice. Simple. Except for the cake. I think it was taller than me.”
“Impossible.” Kibum grins in a way that almost reaches his eyes, and Minho shakes his head, long-suffering.
“I’ll make him show you a picture.”
Minho adjusts his grip on the steering wheel as the road rounds a corner, and the rest of the drive is idle chatter about each other’s lives, filling in the gaps left between emails and occasional long-distance phone calls. They part in front of Kibum’s new apartment with promises to meet again soon.
~*~
Kibum spends his first two weeks back in Seoul furnishing his apartment, getting to know the up-and-coming new fashion magazine that drew him back with the promise of an editorship, and fending off what seems like a never-ending stream of calls from old friends. Well, he always had been popular.
So it’s a relief to take a long lunch and just explore the neighborhood near the office, to bask in unfamiliar anonymity. It was one of those perfect fall days, crisp and bright, dry leaves crackling under his shoes.
Just as he’s beginning to regret not bringing his lunch, a brightly painted sign catches his eye, advertising a cute little French bakery. Moments after entering the shop, he is accosted by a little girl, eyes wide and curious.
“Huh?” Suddenly she grabs his hand, dragging him toward a table in the corner. “Appa! It’s the man from all your pictures!”
“Kim Yeeun, I told you, you can’t just run up to anyone who comes in.” The man is too busy gathering up the little girl to really notice Kibum at first. “Sir, I’m so sor-“
His eyes widen as he looks up, the two men creating a mirror of surprise and recognition for each other. “Kibum?”
In the silence, Yeeun blurts out “Seeeee, I told you.”
“Jonghyun-I…your daughter? She takes after you.” He smiles, crouching down onto her level. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Kibum.”
She smiles back, easily. “Kim Yeeun.” After a moment Jonghyun nudges her with a whispered “bow”, and she does, mumbling a “Nice to meet you, Kibum-ssi.”
Not a moment later she straightens, turning to look up at Jonghyun. “Can I go play?”
“Yeah, shoo, you little brat.” He watches her dash off to a table near the counter covered in markers and coloring books before offering a hand to Kibum to help him up from his crouch. “Sorry about that,” he says with an embarrassed grin, awkwardly running his fingers through his hair. “We’re working on manners still.”
“We?” He raises an eyebrow, because old habits die hard, and there was never a time when he could resist a jibe-Jonghyun just makes a face at him in response. “It’s fine.” They stand like that for a moment, five years of space between them, before Jonghyun seems to realize that he is still holding Kibum’s hand and releases it, gesturing toward the table he had been sitting at.
“Here, sit down. Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something.”
He’s full of a nervous energy, and Kibum is sure it must be contagious, bubbling up inside of him and making his thoughts whirl.
“Here.” Jonghyun drops down into the seat across from him after setting a plate with a fresh croissant, still steaming from the oven, and some kind of fruit tart in front of him.
“This smells amazing-wait, I didn’t see any of this in the case, how…?” Kibum pauses, about to tear off a corner of the buttery pastry.
“Oh, I’m such an idiot. My wife runs this place. Inherited it last year from the old owners when they retired.”
Wife. “Right. That explains a lot.” He takes a bite out of the croissant, eyes closed for a moment in enjoyment. “You always did like a…someone who could feed you.” Every word is a navigation around landmines, like stirring up silt in a still pond, things going all murky.
“I heard you were in town. Minho mentioned you.”
“He picked me up from the airport.”
Silence falls down around them against the background murmur of customers coming and going, bells on the door, the cheerful voice of the young girl working at the counter.
“Back for good?” Jonghyun sips at his coffee as he speaks..
Kibum nods. “Offered a job as an editor for a new fashion magazine. Besides, moving around so much gets exhausting after a while.” Another bite of croissant. “The office is nearby.” He gestures to Jonghyun. “How about you? Still topping the charts?”
Jonghyun just nods in response to Kibum’s explanation, glancing briefly over at Yeeun in case more intervention is necessary, in case she’s harassing any more customers, before answering.
“Not recently. Working on a new album right now, actually.” He covers his mouth suddenly. “Crap, that’s supposed to be a secret.” The grin he flashes to Kibum is nothing if not conspiratorial. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Kibum mimes zippering his lips before returning the grin, falling in love all over again with the way Jonghyun’s smile lights up a room. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Jonghyun tilts his head, his expression surprisingly unreadable, fingers curling around his mug as he speaks. “You’ve always been good at keeping secrets.”
“I-yeah.” He pauses, picking at his food, before smirking at Jonghyun. “You’re terrible. Your face shows everything.” Kibum just keeps smirking at Jonghyun’s pout, though his victory is cut short when he notices the clock. “Oh, wow, I had better get back to work.” He pushes away from the table, gathering his dishes.
“Don’t worry about that, I’ve got it.” Jonghyun stands as well, hands in his pockets.
“Thanks.” Kibum smiles; not a smirk or a grin or anything else, but just that-a smile, and as their eyes meet for a moment he’s 21 again and-
“Appa! I lost pink!” Yeeun’s voice breaks through his reverie, bringing them both back to the present.
“Ah, just look for it on the floor.” Jonghyun scratches the back of his head, shrugging apologetically. “Guess I have to go too.”
“It was good to see you.” He steps toward the older man, unsure, and when Jonghyun pulls him into a warm hug he is more relieved than he will ever admit to himself.
“Don’t be a stranger, Kibummie.”
Pairing: Jongkey
Rating: G
Genre: Is melancholy a genre? Angst, romance, fluff, idek.
Summary: After SHINee split up to pursue solo careers, Jonghyun and Key had a falling out that drove them apart for years. Now that Key has finally returned to Seoul, can they repair the years of silence between them?
a/n I've had this sitting on my computer for months and I didn't want to post it because I write really slow and I don't want to be a tease. But I just found it again and liked it, so maybe if I post the first part it will get my butt into gear and actually keep writing. :D
The moment he steps into Incheon Airport, Kibum is struck by how familiar it still is, even after being away for five years. He adjusts the strap of his shoulder bag, scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
“Kibum! Over here!” Minho waves from a spot near the baggage carousel, and Kibum wades through the crowd toward him.
“I was starting to think you’d stood me up.”
Minho smiles, shaking his head slightly. “I have a reputation to keep up, you know.”
“Right, mister big movie star now.” Kibum rolls his eyes, stepping closer to the carousel as it starts to move, keeping an eye out for his suitcase.
They stand in silence for a while, stepping back into their friendship easily, as if Kibum hasn’t been gone for years.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Kibum turns to look at Minho, biting back a needlessly sarcastic remark while failing to notice his suitcase slipping by. “Me too.” After flashing a smile at Minho, he manages to catch sight of his suitcase just as it disappears. “Crap. I’m blaming you for that, Minho.”
Nearly thirty minutes later they are loading Kibum’s suitcase into the back of Minho’s car, or rather Minho is loading it, as Kibum ends up making him do all the work after apparently causing him to miss his first chance at the carousel.
“Thanks again for the ride.”
Minho just shrugs, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot into the nearly deserted road-the one good thing about a flight arriving so late at night.
Kibum drums his fingers on the armrest, leaning his head against the window. “So what have you been up to, besides becoming a famous movie star?”
“It was one movie. I think that means I’m still just a TV star.”
Kibum rolls his eyes again, scoffing. “Fine, fine, just answer the question.”
“Well…” He signals to the left, smoothly changing lanes before answering. “Remember Hyemi?”
“From that show you did last year?” He turns, smirking knowingly. “Wait, did things end up working out?
“How…?” But then Minho just shakes his head, laughs. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I? We’ve been dating for six months.”
“Of course not. I’m your best friend.” The smirk becomes a genuinely happy smile when he catches the look on Minho’s face. “Congratulations. I’ll have to meet her.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Soft music from the low radio fills the silence for the next couple exits, until finally Kibum speaks again, eyes fixed firmly on the middle distance of the oncoming road.
“How’s Jo-, um, everyone else?”
If Minho hears the correction, he doesn’t acknowledge it. “I haven’t actually heard from Jinki in a while-he’s so busy these days, the family man. Taemin said something about throwing a party; he’s really excited to see you.” He pauses, flipping on the windshield wipers as rain starts to patter onto the windows.
“Jonghyun?”
“He’s good. We get together for drinks now and then. Still singing ballads, the sappy idiot.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen his name on the charts a few times.”
Minho glances over at him, grinning. “You still look at those things?”
Kibum crosses his arms defensively, abruptly changing the subject. “How was his wedding? I-meant to go.”
“Wow, that was years ago. I barely remember.” He catches the look on Kibum’s face out of the corner of his eye and wracks his brain for details. “It was…nice. Simple. Except for the cake. I think it was taller than me.”
“Impossible.” Kibum grins in a way that almost reaches his eyes, and Minho shakes his head, long-suffering.
“I’ll make him show you a picture.”
Minho adjusts his grip on the steering wheel as the road rounds a corner, and the rest of the drive is idle chatter about each other’s lives, filling in the gaps left between emails and occasional long-distance phone calls. They part in front of Kibum’s new apartment with promises to meet again soon.
~*~
Kibum spends his first two weeks back in Seoul furnishing his apartment, getting to know the up-and-coming new fashion magazine that drew him back with the promise of an editorship, and fending off what seems like a never-ending stream of calls from old friends. Well, he always had been popular.
So it’s a relief to take a long lunch and just explore the neighborhood near the office, to bask in unfamiliar anonymity. It was one of those perfect fall days, crisp and bright, dry leaves crackling under his shoes.
Just as he’s beginning to regret not bringing his lunch, a brightly painted sign catches his eye, advertising a cute little French bakery. Moments after entering the shop, he is accosted by a little girl, eyes wide and curious.
“Huh?” Suddenly she grabs his hand, dragging him toward a table in the corner. “Appa! It’s the man from all your pictures!”
“Kim Yeeun, I told you, you can’t just run up to anyone who comes in.” The man is too busy gathering up the little girl to really notice Kibum at first. “Sir, I’m so sor-“
His eyes widen as he looks up, the two men creating a mirror of surprise and recognition for each other. “Kibum?”
In the silence, Yeeun blurts out “Seeeee, I told you.”
“Jonghyun-I…your daughter? She takes after you.” He smiles, crouching down onto her level. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Kibum.”
She smiles back, easily. “Kim Yeeun.” After a moment Jonghyun nudges her with a whispered “bow”, and she does, mumbling a “Nice to meet you, Kibum-ssi.”
Not a moment later she straightens, turning to look up at Jonghyun. “Can I go play?”
“Yeah, shoo, you little brat.” He watches her dash off to a table near the counter covered in markers and coloring books before offering a hand to Kibum to help him up from his crouch. “Sorry about that,” he says with an embarrassed grin, awkwardly running his fingers through his hair. “We’re working on manners still.”
“We?” He raises an eyebrow, because old habits die hard, and there was never a time when he could resist a jibe-Jonghyun just makes a face at him in response. “It’s fine.” They stand like that for a moment, five years of space between them, before Jonghyun seems to realize that he is still holding Kibum’s hand and releases it, gesturing toward the table he had been sitting at.
“Here, sit down. Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something.”
He’s full of a nervous energy, and Kibum is sure it must be contagious, bubbling up inside of him and making his thoughts whirl.
“Here.” Jonghyun drops down into the seat across from him after setting a plate with a fresh croissant, still steaming from the oven, and some kind of fruit tart in front of him.
“This smells amazing-wait, I didn’t see any of this in the case, how…?” Kibum pauses, about to tear off a corner of the buttery pastry.
“Oh, I’m such an idiot. My wife runs this place. Inherited it last year from the old owners when they retired.”
Wife. “Right. That explains a lot.” He takes a bite out of the croissant, eyes closed for a moment in enjoyment. “You always did like a…someone who could feed you.” Every word is a navigation around landmines, like stirring up silt in a still pond, things going all murky.
“I heard you were in town. Minho mentioned you.”
“He picked me up from the airport.”
Silence falls down around them against the background murmur of customers coming and going, bells on the door, the cheerful voice of the young girl working at the counter.
“Back for good?” Jonghyun sips at his coffee as he speaks..
Kibum nods. “Offered a job as an editor for a new fashion magazine. Besides, moving around so much gets exhausting after a while.” Another bite of croissant. “The office is nearby.” He gestures to Jonghyun. “How about you? Still topping the charts?”
Jonghyun just nods in response to Kibum’s explanation, glancing briefly over at Yeeun in case more intervention is necessary, in case she’s harassing any more customers, before answering.
“Not recently. Working on a new album right now, actually.” He covers his mouth suddenly. “Crap, that’s supposed to be a secret.” The grin he flashes to Kibum is nothing if not conspiratorial. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Kibum mimes zippering his lips before returning the grin, falling in love all over again with the way Jonghyun’s smile lights up a room. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Jonghyun tilts his head, his expression surprisingly unreadable, fingers curling around his mug as he speaks. “You’ve always been good at keeping secrets.”
“I-yeah.” He pauses, picking at his food, before smirking at Jonghyun. “You’re terrible. Your face shows everything.” Kibum just keeps smirking at Jonghyun’s pout, though his victory is cut short when he notices the clock. “Oh, wow, I had better get back to work.” He pushes away from the table, gathering his dishes.
“Don’t worry about that, I’ve got it.” Jonghyun stands as well, hands in his pockets.
“Thanks.” Kibum smiles; not a smirk or a grin or anything else, but just that-a smile, and as their eyes meet for a moment he’s 21 again and-
“Appa! I lost pink!” Yeeun’s voice breaks through his reverie, bringing them both back to the present.
“Ah, just look for it on the floor.” Jonghyun scratches the back of his head, shrugging apologetically. “Guess I have to go too.”
“It was good to see you.” He steps toward the older man, unsure, and when Jonghyun pulls him into a warm hug he is more relieved than he will ever admit to himself.
“Don’t be a stranger, Kibummie.”