Doppelganger 2/?
Title: Doppelganger
Author: a_life_defiant
Genre: AU, romance
Pairing: friend!TaeKey (for this chap)
Rating: PG - 13 (a few curses but nothing else, but that will change in future chaps)
Summary: Taemin loves his life. Resembling a well-off dead guy will get you quite a few places, and quite a few things. But eventually you start to question things. How can you be sure if the people in your life want you for you, or if they want you for who you look like?
CH1
A/N: because I have had this craving for something I can't quite put my finger on...I'll never be able to explain it outright, so I figured I'd try to write it out ^^
***
Before Taemin had a chance to respond he found himself clutched in a tight hug. A foreign hand buried itself in the hair at the back of his head. The man hugging him was trembling slightly.
"But the paper said....said that you had died.....I.....how?" The man muttered shakily as he pulled back and traced his fingers along Taemin's cheek.
The man was staring at him so intensely that it made Taemin blush. He shrugged out of the man's grasp slowly before giving a small bow.
"I'm sorry hyung, but I think you have me mistaken. My name is Lee Taemin."
The man's beautiful face crumpled; suddenly distorted with sadness and grief.
"I....wow. You just....I mean....and you were about to go into Jungsook-halmeonim's apartment..." The man, which Taemin realized was just a boy not much older than him, stuttered.
"I visit Jungsook often. I live in Jangmin's old apartment." Taemin explained softly.
"Oh." Was the response that fell from the other boy's plush lips; his mouth gaping slightly as realization hit him.
Just then Jungsook's door opened, the elderly woman coming out to see what the commotion was. Her face lit up the instant she saw Taemin and his bag from the Market.
"Taeminnie! I didn't realize you were coming today. I would have tidied up." She grinned fully, the age lines in her face becoming more prominent.
She realized the presence of another person, her face falling when Taemin stepped out of the way.
"I didn't know you were bringing a friend either, you- oh. It's you."
Jungsook's expression was a mixture of annoyance, regret, anger, and slight guilt. It startled Taemin because after that first day, he'd never seen her be anything but happy.
"I'm sorry." The boy spoke with a low bow. "I just thought..." He trailed off as a pained look washed over his face.
"I know. I did too at first." Jungsook supplied, her voice soft and apologetic.
"I'll just be going now. It was nice to meet you Taemin-sshi." The boy forced out quickly with a small bow and then turned to leave. His shoulders were slumped and it was obvious that he was devastated. Taemin could tell there was some sort of story here, but decided to wait until he'd made Jungsook pliant with sushi first before he asked.
***
Once inside, they ate in companionable silence. All you could hear were happy chewing noises and the occasional slurp of green tea. Taemin pulled two of the plums out of his bag and offered one to Jungsook. She gave him a grateful smile and began to nibble at it.
"Omo! These are delicious. You got them at the Market?" She questioned as she began to devour the sweet fruit.
Taemin nodded as he swiped his tongue along his lower lip; catching a bit of plum juice that had dribbled out of his mouth.
"Sookie," Taemin started with the nickname he'd given the elderly woman, "who was that boy just now?"
Jungsook practically choked on her plum at the inquiry.
"How did he know Jangmin-hyung?"
Jungsook suddenly became very preoccupied with the fabric of her shawl. She thumbed at the material, brushing the fringe back and forth.
"He worked in the same office building as Jangmin. I think he was always a bit taken with him. I know they went out a few times, but I told Jangmin he shouldn't get involved. That boy isn't much older than you- I just didn't think it was prudent for him to get involved with someone so young."
"But it was obvious that he cared deeply about Jangmin-hyung. Didn't you see the look in his eyes?"
"Sometimes that isn't enough." Jungsook said with sad eyes.
Taemin took Junksook's hands in his own, clasping her fragile digits gently.
"Sookie, since when isn't love enough?" He looked at her with wise eyes as hers glassed over.
She pulled a hand from his grasp and cupped his chin reverently.
"Jangmin said the same thing to me when we had this conversation. How is it that you young people can be so wise with such little experience in life?" She finished with a wry laugh as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
Taemin just shrugged with a smile as he nuzzled into her touch.
"I know I say this all the time, but you remind me of him so much - except for when you smile. I've never seen a smile that brilliant in all my 72 years."
Taemin's grin grew impossibly bigger as he folded Jungsook into a warm hug. He inhaled deeply, basking in the scent of jasmine and vanilla that seemed to radiate off of her.
They broke the hug after a minute, and continued to eat their plums while chattering about random neighborhood gossip. Apparently the couple down the block was having marital problems and it had turned into a soap-opera.
Taemin stayed with Jungsook until about 4:30, drinking tea and playing poker. He was getting good at the game, though nowhere near as good as Jungsook. That woman was a vicious card-shark when she was in a competitive mood.
As Taemin was gathering his things he couldn't escape the question that was burning at the back of his mind. That tall boy with the big, doe eyes; who was he? Why he had such curiosity toward the boy, Taemin didn't know. Maybe it was the pained expression on his face when he realized that Taemin was not who he thought he was. Whatever the reason, he felt compelled to know, if nothing else, his name.
"Sookie...the boy, what is his name?" Taemin queried nonchalantly as he picked up his bag.
"Why do you ask?" She looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Just curious." Taemin shrugged as he reached the door.
He gripped the door handle slowly, waiting for her to answer. Just when he thought she wasn't going to tell him, she finally spoke; her voice just above a whisper.
"Minho. His name is Minho."
Taemin repeated the name in his head, committing it to memory before exiting the apartment.
***
Taemin walked to the old apartment that he used to share with Key. He strolled leisurely basking in the liquid gold of the late afternoon sunlight. He enjoyed walking through the city at this time of day. The buildings gleamed proudly, spurring random images of busy office life in his head. The street vendors' fast-paced chatter mixed with the noise of running engines, creating a sort of buzz that weaved in-between heartbeats.
By the time he reached Key's apartment he was practically skipping along to the rhythm of the city. A few perky knocks on his best friend's door gained him entry into the place he used to call home.
He quickly found himself pulled into a tight hug.
"Key...Ki--Bum...can't....breathe.." Taemin gasped out.
The older boy relinquished his hold and stepped back with a sheepish stare.
"Mianhe! Umma just missed you."
Taemin patted Key on the shoulder as he stepped in and removed his shoes. The skinny boy might look slightly girly and weak, but Taemin knew all too well that Key could crush someone twice his size if he was so inclined.
"Is that for me?" Key questioned as he gestured to the bag.
Taemin glanced down with wide eyes, realizing he'd completely forgotten about his little present.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Wait until you taste these, they're amazing." Taemin explained as he handed the bag off to the other boy.
Key clapped his hands excitedly. "Oh I was just thinking about dumplings, a plum sauce would go great with them! Thank you baby. Say...you should just stay here and help me cook dinner. That guy who was interested in renting out your old room is coming by so I can get to know him better."
"Mmm, I think I'll pass. It would probably be better to see if you can handle each other without a buffer." Taemin reasoned.
"Anyway, I think I'm gonna get going. I want to go by the art district before it gets too late. I saw a painting last week that I think would look really awesome in my living room."
"Aigoo!! My baby is spreading his wings, embracing his space and making it beautiful." Key said through semi-mock sniffles.
Taemin gave him a light slap on his shoulder with the back of his hand. "Yah! Quit that."
A light blush had crept over his face, Key's 'umma moments' always made Taemin feel like he was 8 years old again.
"Fine." Key pouted. "Just leave me all alone again."
Taemin pulled Key into a side-hug and mussed his hair, earning himself a sharp look.
"Be good and try not to scare you possible roommate too much, ok Umma?"! Taemin teased as he put his shoes on.
Key gave him a playful shove out the door.
"Aish! You're not gone yet?" The older boy punctuated by sticking out his tongue.
"Love you too, bitch!" The auburn haired boy chirped happily.
***
He trotted along the sidewalk, taking in the early evening ambiance. Men in suits were flooding out onto the streets and heading into the bars after a long day of work. Woman were in groups of friends also heading out for pre-dinner drinks.
Taemin hummed to himself as he meandered along the pavement. About 15 minutes later he arrived in the art district. He took a left into the second alley and entered the shop he'd been in the week before. The shop itself was pretty cluttered; an odd hodgepodge of random artworks. He didn't even know why he had gone in the first time, until he saw the painting. The bright blues and greens juxtaposed with random hints at the ridiculousness of pop-culture....it had captivated Taemin immediately.
He went up to the counter and rang the bell. A boy emerged from behind the beaded curtain. He was taller than Taemin and had a kind face.
"How can I help you?" The boy asked as they bowed to one another.
"That painting in the back," Taemin gestured with his hand, "the one that seems like it was inspired by Warhol- how much is it?"
"You're interested in buying it?" The boy questioned softly.
"Yes. It's a really unique piece. I think it would look so cool in my living room." Taemin nodded with his trademark infectious smile.
The other boy smiled shyly in return, apparently at a loss for words.
"So, how much is it," Taemin glanced down to read the boy's nametag, "Jinki-sshi?"
Tbc....
A/N2: OK, so I know I'm evil....I still can't decide on pairings.I will have it figured out by next chap I swear! XD
Author: a_life_defiant
Genre: AU, romance
Pairing: friend!TaeKey (for this chap)
Rating: PG - 13 (a few curses but nothing else, but that will change in future chaps)
Summary: Taemin loves his life. Resembling a well-off dead guy will get you quite a few places, and quite a few things. But eventually you start to question things. How can you be sure if the people in your life want you for you, or if they want you for who you look like?
CH1
A/N: because I have had this craving for something I can't quite put my finger on...I'll never be able to explain it outright, so I figured I'd try to write it out ^^
***
Before Taemin had a chance to respond he found himself clutched in a tight hug. A foreign hand buried itself in the hair at the back of his head. The man hugging him was trembling slightly.
"But the paper said....said that you had died.....I.....how?" The man muttered shakily as he pulled back and traced his fingers along Taemin's cheek.
The man was staring at him so intensely that it made Taemin blush. He shrugged out of the man's grasp slowly before giving a small bow.
"I'm sorry hyung, but I think you have me mistaken. My name is Lee Taemin."
The man's beautiful face crumpled; suddenly distorted with sadness and grief.
"I....wow. You just....I mean....and you were about to go into Jungsook-halmeonim's apartment..." The man, which Taemin realized was just a boy not much older than him, stuttered.
"I visit Jungsook often. I live in Jangmin's old apartment." Taemin explained softly.
"Oh." Was the response that fell from the other boy's plush lips; his mouth gaping slightly as realization hit him.
Just then Jungsook's door opened, the elderly woman coming out to see what the commotion was. Her face lit up the instant she saw Taemin and his bag from the Market.
"Taeminnie! I didn't realize you were coming today. I would have tidied up." She grinned fully, the age lines in her face becoming more prominent.
She realized the presence of another person, her face falling when Taemin stepped out of the way.
"I didn't know you were bringing a friend either, you- oh. It's you."
Jungsook's expression was a mixture of annoyance, regret, anger, and slight guilt. It startled Taemin because after that first day, he'd never seen her be anything but happy.
"I'm sorry." The boy spoke with a low bow. "I just thought..." He trailed off as a pained look washed over his face.
"I know. I did too at first." Jungsook supplied, her voice soft and apologetic.
"I'll just be going now. It was nice to meet you Taemin-sshi." The boy forced out quickly with a small bow and then turned to leave. His shoulders were slumped and it was obvious that he was devastated. Taemin could tell there was some sort of story here, but decided to wait until he'd made Jungsook pliant with sushi first before he asked.
***
Once inside, they ate in companionable silence. All you could hear were happy chewing noises and the occasional slurp of green tea. Taemin pulled two of the plums out of his bag and offered one to Jungsook. She gave him a grateful smile and began to nibble at it.
"Omo! These are delicious. You got them at the Market?" She questioned as she began to devour the sweet fruit.
Taemin nodded as he swiped his tongue along his lower lip; catching a bit of plum juice that had dribbled out of his mouth.
"Sookie," Taemin started with the nickname he'd given the elderly woman, "who was that boy just now?"
Jungsook practically choked on her plum at the inquiry.
"How did he know Jangmin-hyung?"
Jungsook suddenly became very preoccupied with the fabric of her shawl. She thumbed at the material, brushing the fringe back and forth.
"He worked in the same office building as Jangmin. I think he was always a bit taken with him. I know they went out a few times, but I told Jangmin he shouldn't get involved. That boy isn't much older than you- I just didn't think it was prudent for him to get involved with someone so young."
"But it was obvious that he cared deeply about Jangmin-hyung. Didn't you see the look in his eyes?"
"Sometimes that isn't enough." Jungsook said with sad eyes.
Taemin took Junksook's hands in his own, clasping her fragile digits gently.
"Sookie, since when isn't love enough?" He looked at her with wise eyes as hers glassed over.
She pulled a hand from his grasp and cupped his chin reverently.
"Jangmin said the same thing to me when we had this conversation. How is it that you young people can be so wise with such little experience in life?" She finished with a wry laugh as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
Taemin just shrugged with a smile as he nuzzled into her touch.
"I know I say this all the time, but you remind me of him so much - except for when you smile. I've never seen a smile that brilliant in all my 72 years."
Taemin's grin grew impossibly bigger as he folded Jungsook into a warm hug. He inhaled deeply, basking in the scent of jasmine and vanilla that seemed to radiate off of her.
They broke the hug after a minute, and continued to eat their plums while chattering about random neighborhood gossip. Apparently the couple down the block was having marital problems and it had turned into a soap-opera.
Taemin stayed with Jungsook until about 4:30, drinking tea and playing poker. He was getting good at the game, though nowhere near as good as Jungsook. That woman was a vicious card-shark when she was in a competitive mood.
As Taemin was gathering his things he couldn't escape the question that was burning at the back of his mind. That tall boy with the big, doe eyes; who was he? Why he had such curiosity toward the boy, Taemin didn't know. Maybe it was the pained expression on his face when he realized that Taemin was not who he thought he was. Whatever the reason, he felt compelled to know, if nothing else, his name.
"Sookie...the boy, what is his name?" Taemin queried nonchalantly as he picked up his bag.
"Why do you ask?" She looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Just curious." Taemin shrugged as he reached the door.
He gripped the door handle slowly, waiting for her to answer. Just when he thought she wasn't going to tell him, she finally spoke; her voice just above a whisper.
"Minho. His name is Minho."
Taemin repeated the name in his head, committing it to memory before exiting the apartment.
***
Taemin walked to the old apartment that he used to share with Key. He strolled leisurely basking in the liquid gold of the late afternoon sunlight. He enjoyed walking through the city at this time of day. The buildings gleamed proudly, spurring random images of busy office life in his head. The street vendors' fast-paced chatter mixed with the noise of running engines, creating a sort of buzz that weaved in-between heartbeats.
By the time he reached Key's apartment he was practically skipping along to the rhythm of the city. A few perky knocks on his best friend's door gained him entry into the place he used to call home.
He quickly found himself pulled into a tight hug.
"Key...Ki--Bum...can't....breathe.." Taemin gasped out.
The older boy relinquished his hold and stepped back with a sheepish stare.
"Mianhe! Umma just missed you."
Taemin patted Key on the shoulder as he stepped in and removed his shoes. The skinny boy might look slightly girly and weak, but Taemin knew all too well that Key could crush someone twice his size if he was so inclined.
"Is that for me?" Key questioned as he gestured to the bag.
Taemin glanced down with wide eyes, realizing he'd completely forgotten about his little present.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Wait until you taste these, they're amazing." Taemin explained as he handed the bag off to the other boy.
Key clapped his hands excitedly. "Oh I was just thinking about dumplings, a plum sauce would go great with them! Thank you baby. Say...you should just stay here and help me cook dinner. That guy who was interested in renting out your old room is coming by so I can get to know him better."
"Mmm, I think I'll pass. It would probably be better to see if you can handle each other without a buffer." Taemin reasoned.
"Anyway, I think I'm gonna get going. I want to go by the art district before it gets too late. I saw a painting last week that I think would look really awesome in my living room."
"Aigoo!! My baby is spreading his wings, embracing his space and making it beautiful." Key said through semi-mock sniffles.
Taemin gave him a light slap on his shoulder with the back of his hand. "Yah! Quit that."
A light blush had crept over his face, Key's 'umma moments' always made Taemin feel like he was 8 years old again.
"Fine." Key pouted. "Just leave me all alone again."
Taemin pulled Key into a side-hug and mussed his hair, earning himself a sharp look.
"Be good and try not to scare you possible roommate too much, ok Umma?"! Taemin teased as he put his shoes on.
Key gave him a playful shove out the door.
"Aish! You're not gone yet?" The older boy punctuated by sticking out his tongue.
"Love you too, bitch!" The auburn haired boy chirped happily.
***
He trotted along the sidewalk, taking in the early evening ambiance. Men in suits were flooding out onto the streets and heading into the bars after a long day of work. Woman were in groups of friends also heading out for pre-dinner drinks.
Taemin hummed to himself as he meandered along the pavement. About 15 minutes later he arrived in the art district. He took a left into the second alley and entered the shop he'd been in the week before. The shop itself was pretty cluttered; an odd hodgepodge of random artworks. He didn't even know why he had gone in the first time, until he saw the painting. The bright blues and greens juxtaposed with random hints at the ridiculousness of pop-culture....it had captivated Taemin immediately.
He went up to the counter and rang the bell. A boy emerged from behind the beaded curtain. He was taller than Taemin and had a kind face.
"How can I help you?" The boy asked as they bowed to one another.
"That painting in the back," Taemin gestured with his hand, "the one that seems like it was inspired by Warhol- how much is it?"
"You're interested in buying it?" The boy questioned softly.
"Yes. It's a really unique piece. I think it would look so cool in my living room." Taemin nodded with his trademark infectious smile.
The other boy smiled shyly in return, apparently at a loss for words.
"So, how much is it," Taemin glanced down to read the boy's nametag, "Jinki-sshi?"
Tbc....
A/N2: OK, so I know I'm evil....I still can't decide on pairings.I will have it figured out by next chap I swear! XD