Open Book Ch. 1
Author: shy_mizuno
Genre: Family/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Yoogeunnie is back with his Umma now :( This isn't real.
Summary: Five strangers live under one roof. A young child binds them together.
The 4-year-old tottered over and over, cooing and blubbering gibberish. His fat feet disappeared and he fell to his palms. Its body shook with pain and like a trigger, he wailed.
“Aigoo, you little man, what are you crying for, huh?” A rainbow-raven-haired man came around the corner, picking him up and bouncing him on his hip. Yoogeun didn’t stop crying and Key kissed his cheek. In a moment, his breathing deepened for a moment and a smile crossed his face. “Ah, Yoogeunnie, do you want to go bring Jonghyun-appa home?” The child quieted, looking up at Key without tears, but still with puppy-eyes. Key laughed and kissed his cheek once more s they walked outside.
Down, outside the apartment some way, the tiger-colored roommate and fellow parent of these two walked under a cloud towards the building. Yoogeun gurgled and fidgeted in Key’s arms. “Jonghyun-appa!”
Jonghyun looked up, startled. He checks the street and races across to take Yoogeun in his arms. He placed an arm around Key’s shoulders. “Shouldn’t you be inside? You sounded tired on the phone.”
Key waved a hand. “I’m fine, really. A customer came by and drained me. They’re going to kill themselves the day after tomorrow. It just took a lot out of me.” He tickled the cheek of the little one. “Now, will you ignore your son?”
Jonghyun smiled and looked at the boy in his arms. “Yoogeun, ppoppo!” The child puckered his lips and kissed his father’s. “Aigoo, were you a good boy today?” He made a noise and Jonghyun bounced him up and down.
Key laughed and the trio began to walk. “How was work?”
Jonghyun groaned and rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask.” Key scoffed. “Seriously! I’m in the middle of deciding whether or not I want to punch my boss in the face or deal with one more ahjumma bitching at me.”
“Yah! Not in front of Yoogeun.” He took the child in his arms and ran his fingers through the elder’s hair. “I’ll see what I can see. Why don’t you go lay down? Tae, Min, and Jinki should be coming back soon.”
Jonghyun smiled, squishing Yoogeun’s face in his hands. “Yoogeunnie, do you wanna play with Appa?” The child giggled and Key set him down, the two running into the apartment’s playroom.
Key shuffled into the kitchen, opening up his pot and placing in a few ginger leaves. As the tea settled, he opened up the fridge and took out fish and eggs.
“I’m home!” The house filled with sunlight and Key smiled bright. Onew walked into the room, hugging the psychic. “How are you today?”
“I’m drained…but you’ve got a storm of sunlight around you.” Key turned in Onew’s arms, hugging him back. “Hyunnie and Yoogeunnie are in the playroom - go check in on them while I finish this.” Onew nodded, kissing Key’s forehead and walking away.
Key turned back to the food, cracking an egg and chopping the fish simultaneously. Back at the fridge, he pulled out a stalk of chives. Placing it in the pot of oil, he sprinkled in the herb. His vision slipped to Yoogeun…flushed face…coughing…
“Key-hyung!” The apartment’s cook jumped, oil spilling out and onto his hand. He screeched, shaking his hand to dull the pain.
“Minho-ah…when did you get back?” Key held his hand close, looking past his roommate, looking for the youngest member of the home.
“I’ve been calling you for the past five minutes. And dinner’s burning.” Key jumped around, flipping the fillet. More oil flew and Key jumped into Minho’s arms. “Key-hyung, what did you see?”
“Yoogeunnie…he was coughing and all red…be careful. I don’t know why he was like that.”
“Careful-got it.” Minho chuckled.
“Where’s Tae-ah.”
“He went up to his room as soon as we came in. I don’t do all your stuff, but he seemed really…dark.”
“Check on him - got it.” Key gave a smile, turning around. “Take that out in 5 minutes. There are omelets in the microwave. Jinki and Hyunnie are playing with Yoogeun.” Key tapped his shoulder and walked down the hall.
In the last room to the left, Taemin was sorting through his bag. “Hey there. Minho said you were pretty dark when you come home - what’s wrong?”
“Oh, so now Minho-hyung is a psychic? Am I the only normal one in the apartment?”
“Hey! Don’t hate on the Gift.” Key entered, sitting here beside Taemin. “Now, tell me, what’s up?”
Taemin stopped wrestling with his bag “The girl I like…she rejected me.”
“Oh, Taeminnie…” Key raised a hand and the student flinched away. Key averted his eyes.
“You know, I wouldn’t be this mad if she said she didn’t like me or was with somebody else. Heck, even if it was because of Yoogeun, I’d be OK. But no, you wanna know why he didn’t want to date me. ‘Cause she didn’t want to be my cover. She thought I was gay! Just because I live with you guys!” Taemin collapsed on his bed, his back to Key.
Key bit his lip. “Is it really that bad? To live with us?”
Taemin fidgeted. “No. It’s just…I wish people didn’t see me the same way they see Hyungs. I just want to live normally.”
Key nodded, at a loss of what to say to the teenager. “Dinner’s probably ready by now.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Taemin - ”
The student reached for his iPod and cranked it up. “Just leave me alone, Key-hyung.” Key nodded, standing and closing the door behind him.
“Taemin-appa?” Key looked down. Yoogeun smiled up at him.
Key chuckled and picked up his child. “Not tonight, Yoogeun. Taemin-ah’s had a long day at school. Now come on; you want some tea?” The small by made a face and Key laughed harder. “How about some strawberry milk?” Yoogeun clapped his hands.
Walking through the kitchen, dinner of breaded catfish and omelets had been set on the table. His housemates waited anxiously. Onew raised an eyebrow. “The boy’s being stubborn?”
Key placed is son at his seat, rounding the table to the teapot. He poured it out as he spoke. “The kids at school - a girl he liked - are calling him gay. He blames us.”
Jonghyun groaned, sipping down the hot water. “That boy…aish.”
Key smiled, taking his seat beside Onew. “He’ll probably forgive us when his stomach starts growling.” The four laughed together. “Minho-ah, how was the show today?”
“We had an ahjumma call and say she has a daughter who wants to marry me.” The men laughed.
Jonghyun elbowed him. “So what did you say?”
“Bwoh?” The radio personality turned a bright red. “I…I said that I wha-wasn’t interested.”
Onew kicked him under the table. “You mean you’re already taken.”
“Onew-hyung!”
“What about you, Jinki?”
“The trainees are driving me insane!” Jonghyun and Minho laughed at his expense. “I mean it, too! I had to yell at them for half an hour just to get anything done and five minutes later, they go right back to their phones!”
“Onew-appa!” The men cooed over Yoogeun and Onew smiled.
Key looked at the eldest. “How was playing with him?”
“I…”
“He just stood at the door the whole time.” Minho complained.
Onew put down his fork, sinking into his shoulders. Key leaned over and patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. It’ll all come in time.” The eldest nodded, sliding his glass to the psychic.
Key peered down. “Bring some food to work tomorrow - you need to keep up your strength. And don’t be too harsh on the dancers - they’ll be the death of you if you do. Basically - just relax and take it easy.”
“Ooh! Ooh! Read me!” Jonghyun took a big swig of his tea.
“Don’t drink it all, you idiot.” Key screeched and Yoogeun laughed, clapping his hands. Key grabbed the glass. “Oh…you’ll want to hold off on the punching. Something good’s gonna happen.” Jonghyun let off a howl of happiness and Yoogeun blubbered a laugh.
“Minnie, hand yours over.” Key ordered. Minho laughed. “No thanks, Hyung. I don’t need you to tell me that my life’s going just fine.”
“But you do need me to do your dishes.” Minho flushed red once more and gave his dishes.
“I’m gonna turn in for the night.” Onew stood and made for down the hall.
“But we were gonna watch a movie tonight.” Key called.
“I have an early class tomorrow. I should get to sleep.”
“Well, at least say Good Night - ” The door to Onew’s room closed before Key could finish. “to your son.” He looked at the others and sighed “You two should go play with Yoogeun.”
Jonghyun pulled the boy out of his chair, holding him towards Key. Key forced a smile and kissed his child’s forehead. Minho and Jonghyun carried their son into the playroom.
As every time he did the dishes, he did it mechanically and later, remembered nothing of the scene. He poured some milk and knocking onto the student’s door, he came back down to Earth. He sat on his bed, noticing that Taemin hadn’t moved in the half-hour dinner took.
“Taeminnie…you should drink this. You haven’t had anything to eat and you had a long day.”
“I don’t want any tea, Hyung.”
“This isn’t tea; just milk and honey.”
Taemin sniffled and sat up. His face was bloated, eyes bloodshot and lips scabbing over from bit marks. He swiped at the glass and chugged it down in a oneshot. He fell back down, back to Key.
Key nodded and looked down the glass. He sighed. “Taemin, don’t be mad - everything’ll work out soon enough.” Taemin was asleep.
“I hope.”
A/N: Now, I just want to clear something up. I am NOT making Key a fake psychic. He's legitimate; he just said 'I hope' because he doubts his gift. It's real, he's just not self-confident. And yes, I do realize I sort of over-emoed Onew and Taemin. But in the end, what'dya think?
Genre: Family/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Yoogeunnie is back with his Umma now :( This isn't real.
Summary: Five strangers live under one roof. A young child binds them together.
The 4-year-old tottered over and over, cooing and blubbering gibberish. His fat feet disappeared and he fell to his palms. Its body shook with pain and like a trigger, he wailed.
“Aigoo, you little man, what are you crying for, huh?” A rainbow-raven-haired man came around the corner, picking him up and bouncing him on his hip. Yoogeun didn’t stop crying and Key kissed his cheek. In a moment, his breathing deepened for a moment and a smile crossed his face. “Ah, Yoogeunnie, do you want to go bring Jonghyun-appa home?” The child quieted, looking up at Key without tears, but still with puppy-eyes. Key laughed and kissed his cheek once more s they walked outside.
Down, outside the apartment some way, the tiger-colored roommate and fellow parent of these two walked under a cloud towards the building. Yoogeun gurgled and fidgeted in Key’s arms. “Jonghyun-appa!”
Jonghyun looked up, startled. He checks the street and races across to take Yoogeun in his arms. He placed an arm around Key’s shoulders. “Shouldn’t you be inside? You sounded tired on the phone.”
Key waved a hand. “I’m fine, really. A customer came by and drained me. They’re going to kill themselves the day after tomorrow. It just took a lot out of me.” He tickled the cheek of the little one. “Now, will you ignore your son?”
Jonghyun smiled and looked at the boy in his arms. “Yoogeun, ppoppo!” The child puckered his lips and kissed his father’s. “Aigoo, were you a good boy today?” He made a noise and Jonghyun bounced him up and down.
Key laughed and the trio began to walk. “How was work?”
Jonghyun groaned and rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask.” Key scoffed. “Seriously! I’m in the middle of deciding whether or not I want to punch my boss in the face or deal with one more ahjumma bitching at me.”
“Yah! Not in front of Yoogeun.” He took the child in his arms and ran his fingers through the elder’s hair. “I’ll see what I can see. Why don’t you go lay down? Tae, Min, and Jinki should be coming back soon.”
Jonghyun smiled, squishing Yoogeun’s face in his hands. “Yoogeunnie, do you wanna play with Appa?” The child giggled and Key set him down, the two running into the apartment’s playroom.
Key shuffled into the kitchen, opening up his pot and placing in a few ginger leaves. As the tea settled, he opened up the fridge and took out fish and eggs.
“I’m home!” The house filled with sunlight and Key smiled bright. Onew walked into the room, hugging the psychic. “How are you today?”
“I’m drained…but you’ve got a storm of sunlight around you.” Key turned in Onew’s arms, hugging him back. “Hyunnie and Yoogeunnie are in the playroom - go check in on them while I finish this.” Onew nodded, kissing Key’s forehead and walking away.
Key turned back to the food, cracking an egg and chopping the fish simultaneously. Back at the fridge, he pulled out a stalk of chives. Placing it in the pot of oil, he sprinkled in the herb. His vision slipped to Yoogeun…flushed face…coughing…
“Key-hyung!” The apartment’s cook jumped, oil spilling out and onto his hand. He screeched, shaking his hand to dull the pain.
“Minho-ah…when did you get back?” Key held his hand close, looking past his roommate, looking for the youngest member of the home.
“I’ve been calling you for the past five minutes. And dinner’s burning.” Key jumped around, flipping the fillet. More oil flew and Key jumped into Minho’s arms. “Key-hyung, what did you see?”
“Yoogeunnie…he was coughing and all red…be careful. I don’t know why he was like that.”
“Careful-got it.” Minho chuckled.
“Where’s Tae-ah.”
“He went up to his room as soon as we came in. I don’t do all your stuff, but he seemed really…dark.”
“Check on him - got it.” Key gave a smile, turning around. “Take that out in 5 minutes. There are omelets in the microwave. Jinki and Hyunnie are playing with Yoogeun.” Key tapped his shoulder and walked down the hall.
In the last room to the left, Taemin was sorting through his bag. “Hey there. Minho said you were pretty dark when you come home - what’s wrong?”
“Oh, so now Minho-hyung is a psychic? Am I the only normal one in the apartment?”
“Hey! Don’t hate on the Gift.” Key entered, sitting here beside Taemin. “Now, tell me, what’s up?”
Taemin stopped wrestling with his bag “The girl I like…she rejected me.”
“Oh, Taeminnie…” Key raised a hand and the student flinched away. Key averted his eyes.
“You know, I wouldn’t be this mad if she said she didn’t like me or was with somebody else. Heck, even if it was because of Yoogeun, I’d be OK. But no, you wanna know why he didn’t want to date me. ‘Cause she didn’t want to be my cover. She thought I was gay! Just because I live with you guys!” Taemin collapsed on his bed, his back to Key.
Key bit his lip. “Is it really that bad? To live with us?”
Taemin fidgeted. “No. It’s just…I wish people didn’t see me the same way they see Hyungs. I just want to live normally.”
Key nodded, at a loss of what to say to the teenager. “Dinner’s probably ready by now.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Taemin - ”
The student reached for his iPod and cranked it up. “Just leave me alone, Key-hyung.” Key nodded, standing and closing the door behind him.
“Taemin-appa?” Key looked down. Yoogeun smiled up at him.
Key chuckled and picked up his child. “Not tonight, Yoogeun. Taemin-ah’s had a long day at school. Now come on; you want some tea?” The small by made a face and Key laughed harder. “How about some strawberry milk?” Yoogeun clapped his hands.
Walking through the kitchen, dinner of breaded catfish and omelets had been set on the table. His housemates waited anxiously. Onew raised an eyebrow. “The boy’s being stubborn?”
Key placed is son at his seat, rounding the table to the teapot. He poured it out as he spoke. “The kids at school - a girl he liked - are calling him gay. He blames us.”
Jonghyun groaned, sipping down the hot water. “That boy…aish.”
Key smiled, taking his seat beside Onew. “He’ll probably forgive us when his stomach starts growling.” The four laughed together. “Minho-ah, how was the show today?”
“We had an ahjumma call and say she has a daughter who wants to marry me.” The men laughed.
Jonghyun elbowed him. “So what did you say?”
“Bwoh?” The radio personality turned a bright red. “I…I said that I wha-wasn’t interested.”
Onew kicked him under the table. “You mean you’re already taken.”
“Onew-hyung!”
“What about you, Jinki?”
“The trainees are driving me insane!” Jonghyun and Minho laughed at his expense. “I mean it, too! I had to yell at them for half an hour just to get anything done and five minutes later, they go right back to their phones!”
“Onew-appa!” The men cooed over Yoogeun and Onew smiled.
Key looked at the eldest. “How was playing with him?”
“I…”
“He just stood at the door the whole time.” Minho complained.
Onew put down his fork, sinking into his shoulders. Key leaned over and patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. It’ll all come in time.” The eldest nodded, sliding his glass to the psychic.
Key peered down. “Bring some food to work tomorrow - you need to keep up your strength. And don’t be too harsh on the dancers - they’ll be the death of you if you do. Basically - just relax and take it easy.”
“Ooh! Ooh! Read me!” Jonghyun took a big swig of his tea.
“Don’t drink it all, you idiot.” Key screeched and Yoogeun laughed, clapping his hands. Key grabbed the glass. “Oh…you’ll want to hold off on the punching. Something good’s gonna happen.” Jonghyun let off a howl of happiness and Yoogeun blubbered a laugh.
“Minnie, hand yours over.” Key ordered. Minho laughed. “No thanks, Hyung. I don’t need you to tell me that my life’s going just fine.”
“But you do need me to do your dishes.” Minho flushed red once more and gave his dishes.
“I’m gonna turn in for the night.” Onew stood and made for down the hall.
“But we were gonna watch a movie tonight.” Key called.
“I have an early class tomorrow. I should get to sleep.”
“Well, at least say Good Night - ” The door to Onew’s room closed before Key could finish. “to your son.” He looked at the others and sighed “You two should go play with Yoogeun.”
Jonghyun pulled the boy out of his chair, holding him towards Key. Key forced a smile and kissed his child’s forehead. Minho and Jonghyun carried their son into the playroom.
As every time he did the dishes, he did it mechanically and later, remembered nothing of the scene. He poured some milk and knocking onto the student’s door, he came back down to Earth. He sat on his bed, noticing that Taemin hadn’t moved in the half-hour dinner took.
“Taeminnie…you should drink this. You haven’t had anything to eat and you had a long day.”
“I don’t want any tea, Hyung.”
“This isn’t tea; just milk and honey.”
Taemin sniffled and sat up. His face was bloated, eyes bloodshot and lips scabbing over from bit marks. He swiped at the glass and chugged it down in a oneshot. He fell back down, back to Key.
Key nodded and looked down the glass. He sighed. “Taemin, don’t be mad - everything’ll work out soon enough.” Taemin was asleep.
“I hope.”
A/N: Now, I just want to clear something up. I am NOT making Key a fake psychic. He's legitimate; he just said 'I hope' because he doubts his gift. It's real, he's just not self-confident. And yes, I do realize I sort of over-emoed Onew and Taemin. But in the end, what'dya think?