SH 2014: Bottled Fate for haoxihuanni
For: haoxihuanni
From: ANONYMOUS until May 22, 2014
Title: Bottled Fate
Rating: R
Pairing(s)/Focus: Suho/Sehun
Length: 6556 words
Summary: Joonmyun learns how to love and be loved.
Warning/s: None
Notes: To my recipient, I really loved your prompts and had a hard time choosing which one to write. The ending is a tad abrupt, but I really do hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Huge thanks to I for literally holding my hand and helping me brainstorm through this entire process, and also to K for always being willing to beta at any time and listening to me whine and worry about missing the deadline.
Joonmyun doesn't like to tell people about his job. Whenever someone asks, he sticks to the mundane answer of "business and trade." It has some truth to it actually. After all, Joonmyun does deal in the trade of his own materials. And under the moniker Suho he's built a household name for himself across a wide selection of upscale department stores worldwide. But all of that is rather left unsaid. Scent makers are few and far between these days and while it's highly respected work, Joonmyun isn't much for bragging. Honestly, he thinks the fame would do him no good.
Now, creating scents is no easy job, but that's not to say it's rocket science either. While the methods are quite simple, one has to have a "nose" for such things. Ever since Joonmyun was a child his perception of smell was something others found quite unnatural. The faintest of scents were discernible to him, even those that were weeks old. The better Joonmyun got to know someone, the more accurately he could "read" their scents or pick ones that were suited for them. In university he delved into the marketing and business world, finding his passion while interning for a smaller scent company.
Fast forward a number of signature scents and countless fancy perfume bottles later and you have Joonmyun now. He's got a spacious, but not ridiculously sized, apartment that suits him well. His lifestyle is quiet. Each weekday he leaves at exactly 8:05AM, reaches an ordinary looking office building at 8:30AM, and begins his work precisely at 8:45AM. Joonmyun thinks it's like magic, really. He gets to wear any old clothes because he'll probably come home smelling like a million different things by the end of the day. Occasionally he has to wear suits to meetings, galas, and exclusive scent preview parties but Joonmyun finds it so hard to breathe in such attire. He'd much rather stick to his thin sweaters and jeans.
Joonmyun's favorite days are shipment arrival days, Tuesdays and Thursdays. His hours consist of nothing but sifting through the finest materials from across the globe, after which he'll send off his favorites for scent extraction. Joonmyun works with a team all day, playing around with different ratios of the extractions resulting in pleasant aromas. Sample sizes are sent out to their most loyal clients and they nervously wait for the feedback on which their approval for mass production depends.
Up until now, the scents have been relatively normal. Unique combinations of premium materials to create upscale scents was the standard. Joonmyun just did it a little better than his competitors. But this new breakthrough, Joonmyun wasn’t too sure about. It was really an accident that the perfect scent came into existence and he couldn’t believe he was responsible for creating such a thing. Joonmyun was a skeptic when it came to love. He had always believed it to be impossible to fall in love with someone and be so completely enamored with them that you never felt the need to love another. In other words, the perfect lover or soulmate did not exist to Joonmyun, and it was a waste of time to even hope for such a person to show up. So after numerous human trials in the form of some of their most loyal customers, Joonmyun found it quite ironic that he would be the one to develop DEST1NY.
The feedback showed an average of a week wearing the scent had ended in these people finding what they presumed was their soulmate. Joonmyun scoffed, agreeing to do follow up studies on each and every person because this was surely some type of sick joke everyone around him was in on. But as the year progressed, the positivity in the feedback only grew stronger. People were getting married, moving in together, even starting families. Joonmyun felt like screaming, warning these people that they were making huge mistakes, that things would surely come to an end given enough time.
-
Joonmyun’s love life, or lack thereof, was no secret around the office. Occasionally someone would set him up on a blind date with a distant relative in town for the weekend, but Joonmyun wouldn’t get past 15 minutes of conversation with them before zoning out on random things; like how many people in the restaurant were wearing patterned ties versus solid. His mother had even developed the habit of calling his secretary (Joonmyun stopped taking her calls), asking if her son had settled down, to which the secretary’s reply would always be the same.
Joonmyun should have known when every single person in the office greeted him, bright and cheery, first thing in the morning. The atmosphere of the office was never stuffy, but even this seemed unusual. He brushed it off, thinking everyone must be having a good day. And as he walked past his secretary he gave her a slight nod when she told him the new material order forms were waiting for him on his desk.
The instant click of the lock after shutting his door proved otherwise. Joonmyun turns around to see his assistant, Kyungsoo, standing calmly, hands placed gently behind his back, and staring at him.
"Joonmyun." His voice is low, gravely almost. Like he hadn’t had his morning coffee yet.
"...Kyungsoo?"
"You know we only want what’s best for you,” he reasons.
Joonmyun laughs as he took a seat in his chair. “This is starting to sound like an intervention of sorts.”
Kyungsoo nods before striding over and standing behind him. Hands on his shoulder, he starts massaging. “It’s not,” he pauses briefly, “but if you personally want to think of it that way then be my guest.”
“Kyungsoo.” Joonmyun stares at the stack of papers on his desk. He’s tired and this is one of his least favorite things about the job. Kyungsoo wasn’t usually this cryptic, but then again, everything about the day so far had been unusual.
“Everyone in the office thinks this is what’s best for you.”
And then he feels it, just barely. The spray of liquid right below his ear. Color floods Joonmyun’s face once he realizes what happened. He wants to yell, but his mouth is open and no sound was coming out. That was a bad sign. Joonmyun’s only been angry to a point beyond words twice in his entire life. Kyungsoo quickly walks back to the door trying to keep a smile from spreading across his lips.
“You can think of this as taking the initiative in making sure your customers are getting what they pay for. It’s not like you couldn’t use a little action in your love life anyway.” And with that, Kyungsoo was gone, leaving Joonmyun to an empty office and the deafening sound of his own thoughts as he furiously scrubbed at his neck with the hand sanitizer on his desk.
--
Sehun is at a gallery opening when he smelled it. The scent was light, but it would practically knock Sehun over if it were a person. He's supposed to be having a conversation concerning the contract to display his work in someone's boutique, but he's finding it hard to focus. It's like the room has been filled from floor to ceiling with the scent of sandalwood, vanilla, a hint of liquorice, and just a dab of rosemary at the end. Sehun watches as the man's mouth moves, forming words, and yet he couldn’t even read his lips. He reaches into the pocket of his suit jacket for his business card and hands it to the other.
“I’m sorry, but could you call me later to finish up this deal? There’s something urgent I’ve forgotten I need to go take care of.” Sehun tries to keep his eyes from wandering, searching for the source of the scent, but before he could wait for answer he was striding through the small crowds of people and servers, leaving the man alone. It’s probably not a smart move for an upcoming photographer (slash sometimes freelance graphic designer) to walk away from an opportunity like this. Right now though, Sehun thinks this one will just have to wait.
There’s some new age jazz song Sehun doesn’t recognize playing softly through strategically placed speakers, and the weird accent lighting makes it hard to discern faces as he searches each display room. With the gallery’s open layout, Sehun had made it to an area by the bar fairly quickly. The scent was even stronger than before, if that was possible, and Sehun is sure he looks like he just ran a marathon because his breathing is so harsh. He was trying to fill every possible inch of him with that scent and when he’d just about reached sensory overload he caught a quick glimpse of a small man with blonde hair moving towards to the bathroom. Sehun is sure the scent belongs to him, he’s never been more sure of anything in his entire life.
So he follows him. He tries to tell himself it’s because of his body being on autopilot, but deep in his heart, even somewhere in the back of his mind, Sehun is so desperate to at least see this man’s face. Remaining casual and undetected should have taking precedence over speed but Sehun finds himself in the bathroom before he knows it. The even dimmer lighting and scented candles combined with that scent leaves him feeling heady. He might as well rinse his face while he’s in here, maybe it’ll give him some clarity. He runs his hands through the water, coldness giving him a slight shock, then splashes it on his face. Vision temporarily blurred, he hears the footsteps of someone exiting a stall and walking to the sink beside him.
Under the candlelit glow the man’s hair looks translucent… glowing, like fireflies on a summer night, but Sehun knows it’s him. His nerves are going haywire and he just has to inhale, drink in more of that scent. Stupid. The only thing he inhales is leftover water from his hands, which are still unknowingly placed on the lower half of his face.
“Shit!” Sehun coughs, trying to regain his composure, trying to breathe.
“Are you okay?” The man’s voice is calm and soothing. He spoke with underlying reassurance, came across as confident but not too confident. Sehun could get a good look at him now. Shorter than he would usually go for, but he had been blessed with good proportions to make up for it. His almost translucent blonde hair danced gently just above his eyebrows, side swept. His suit was most likely custom made. Sehun absent-mindedly wondered if he had more. He looked like a doll, all sharp and polished, and Sehun wanted to have him, had to have him. That scent filled his head, permeated his skin, filled his bloodstream as if he was fusing with the man right here and now despite not even knowing his name.
“Uhm…” The man clears his throat awkwardly. Sehun realizes he was leaning a little too close for comfort when his vision focuses back.
“I’m sorry. I’m- I was feeling light-headed. Must have been something I ate.” Sehun was grasping at straws by now, desperately trying to find something with which to continue the conversation but it was so hard to focus. His eyes flit to the man’s small, pink mouth, back to his eyes, then to his mouth again. Sehun couldn’t stay in this bathroom. Surely he would faint. It took everything in him to ignore all his urges and push past the man.
“Hey! Wait a mi-”
Sehun could hear the man calling after him but he was determined not to go back. He feels a hand on his shoulder, coolness seeping through the fabric of his dress shirt.
“You never answered back there, are you sure you’re alright?”
Handsome and caring, Sehun notes. Before he has the chance to respond another man of similar height is interrupting.
“Sehun! I’ve been looking for you.” It was Kyungsoo.
“You know him?”
Sehun watches Kyungsoo slip an arm around the blonde and feels a slight pang of jealousy ripple through him. They seemed close, comfortable.
“Joonmyun, Sehun is the photographer.” Kyungsoo says it like the blonde man, Joonmyun, was supposed to know this. He looks at Sehun again, “Joonmyun is a huge fan of your work.”
“So is everyone else here.” Sehun didn’t mean for that to sound cocky, but he was undoubtedly good at what he did and he knew it. Nothing wrong with being honest.
Joonmyun didn’t know what to say to that, so he said nothing at all.
“Joonmyun, is it?” Sehun extends his hand to shake the other’s. He was growing used to the scent, able to keep himself in check, but something was still drawing him in.
Joonmyun nods, but he has to look up at Sehun to make eye contact. “Like Kyungsoo was saying, I love your work. I-”
“Love it so much you don’t even know what the man behind the camera looks like,” Sehun teases.
Joonmyun scratches the back of his neck and laughs. It was melodious and sweet, much better than any song playing in the background. Sehun wanted to put it in a small jar and carry it around with him; maybe twist open the top just a bit whenever he was feeling down. Just as Joonmyun was preparing to respond he felt the vibration of his phone. He’d forgotten he had plans for dinner with a client tonight.
“I would love to talk more, but I unfortunately have somewhere to be in,” he glances at this watch, “fifteen minutes.” Joonmyun gives Sehun’s shoulder a slight squeeze and does another quick nod to Kyungsoo before he leaves. Sehun tracks him with his eyes, and would have lost sight of him in the crowd had it not been for his hair. He turns to find Kyungsoo staring at him.
“How well do you know Joonmyun?”
“We work together. I’m his assistant.”
“Doing what, exactly?”
“Joonmyun would rather me not say.”
Sehun’s brow creases at that. “Are you fucking him?”
Kyungsoo lets out an incredulous laugh that has a few people glance their way. “Me? Oh god, no.” He recomposes himself and runs a hand through his hair, effectively pushing it away from his face. “Why? Are you interested?” Sehun’s mouth hangs open, leaving the question unanswered. “Of course you are. It’s written all over your face.”
Normally Sehun could deny, but he knows he was practically foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog tonight.
“I’ll warn you, no one can really keep him interested.”
Sehun thinks back to the exchange in the bathroom, to Joonmyun coming after him, the hand on his shoulder. Was Joonmyun that nice to everyone then?
“But I’m a good friend, and as much as I actually don’t like you sometimes, I think you’d make an interesting fit for Joonmyun so I’ll give you his number. I’m sure you’ll find something to talk about.”
Sehun looks at the number typed into his phone and taps the save option. “You’d think by now you would stop underestimating me. I almost had you back in college you know.”
Kyungsoo scoffs, “You didn’t have me in any shape, way, or form. I thought it would be fun to see how far you could get, which might I add was not very far at all. Joonmyun’s nothing like me though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll just have to find out for yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me I was actually planning on getting laid tonight. Can’t do that with you breathing all down my neck.” Kyungsoo grabs another glass of champagne from a passing server’s tray and disappears into the next display room, eyes already set on someone for the night.
--
It takes Sehun three days use the number. He tossed Kyungsoo's words around in his over and over before finally calling.
"Hello?" Joonmyun almost never got calls from unknown numbers on his personal phone.
"Hey, it's S-"
"Sehun!" Joonmyun recognizes the voice almost immediately. "How and why do you have my number?"
"It's just that... Since you're a huge fan of mine and all I thought I'd invite you to a private preview event before my next public showing."
"Why didn't you just schedule this with Kyungsoo? He is my assistant for a reason..." Joonmyun hears Sehun's annoyed sigh from the other end.
"If I wanted Kyungsoo to come, I would have invited him. Besides he's never liked anything artsy at any point since I've first met him. Are you always this difficult when people are trying to be nice to you?"
"Depends. Are you just trying to be nice to me or do you genuinely want me there?"
Sehun smirks. "Both. Friday, nine o'clock, at the Loft. I can send a driver if you like."
"I can dri- On second thought, I won't turn down free service. I'll see you then."
"Perfect."
"Bye, Sehun."
Joonmyun hangs up the phone and sends Sehun his address. He was smiling and didn't know why, but it quickly dropped from his face when Kyungsoo bursts through the door of his office.
"I think that's the longest you've been on the phone with someone and didn't talk about business matters."
"Shut up, it was just Sehun."
"No need to get defensive, it was simply an observation," Kyungsoo muses.
--
The rest of the week came and went. Soon, Joonmyun was repeatedly switching between two outfits Kyungsoo had laid out earlier because he couldn't figure out which one made his legs look longer. He decides to keep on whatever outfit he’s wearing as the intercom sounds. The driver is dressed more formally than Joonmyun, which makes him nervous, self-conscious even, about his lack of a tie.
The place is only about ten minutes away and when Joonmyun arrives he notes the building looks like it’s falling apart. The outside is deceiving however. Floor to ceiling windows put the modern interior on display, all neutral colors with sleek lines and sharp angles. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, a complete contrast with the rest of the decor, but Joonmyun thinks it works somehow. Sehun greets him at the door, a stiff smile planted on his face.
"Glad you could make it," he drawls. Sehun slips his hand to Joonmyun's lower back, urging him to enter. Joonmyun, surprisingly, leans into the touch. It's warm and Sehun's finger are bony, yet gentle.
"Couldn't turn down a free driver," Joonmyun jokes. Sehun forces a second smile and continues to lead them through the entryway. Joonmyun instantly feels the crowd may be a bit too hip for him. He’s deceptively handsome but at heart he’s really just your average guy.
"Stop worrying." The closer Sehun is to Joonmyun the more he wants to be around him. Even now after their initial encounter of what Sehun thought had to be some trick of his mind, a miscommunication between his nose and his brain he realizes he has no control in this. Each time Joonmyun flips his hair or shifts his body in some subtle way, Sehun is overwhelmed. He notices everything and he’s not sure if it’s just because he’s attentive or because it’s Joonmyun.
Joonmyun tugs self-consciously at the sleeves of his sweater."That's easy for you to say. You're dressed like you just walked off the runway while I'm-"
"No, you look great." Sehun's cheeks burn as Joonmyun stares at him blankly, blinding smile slowly spreading across his face.
And Joonmyun is a little breathless, not used to such outright compliments. "Thanks," he replies weakly, mouth a little dry.
The next few hours are honestly a blur to Joonmyun. Copious amounts of champagne and small talk leave his mind slightly numbed. He’s had the same conversation with four, no, six different people. Each one Sehun seems to be genuinely interested in. But all Joonmyun’s interested in is maybe talking with Sehun more. On the surface he’s like a flippant kid and not at all what Joonmyun expected. Although one look at his work and the way he interacts with these people, and Joonmyun can sense deep down that’s not really the case. It’s got him intrigued. For the first time in a long time he actually wants to know more about someone. He manages to give his business card to a few people while Sehun is away, talking to who he referred to as “bigwigs.” The servers walking by continue to offer him fancy looking finger foods, so Joonmyun is content finding a corner to sit in with his snacks.
By the time Sehun is finished, Joonmyun is more than tired and a little more than tipsy. Sehun finds him looking like a lost puppy while sitting on one of the weird octagon shaped benches on the side of the room.
“You should slow down. The champagne isn’t going anywhere.”
Joonmyun hiccups, and giggles, then hiccups again. “Well when I’m left to entertain myself…”
“Ah, so you wanted my undivided attention then?”
“That’s not what I sa-” Hiccup.
“No, no. It was rude of me to leave my guest all alone.” Sehun can’t stop himself from pinching Joonmyun’s cheek, which blushes a deep pink as soon as he pulls his hand away. “We can leave if you’d like. I know these things can be kind of boring for people not in the photography field.”
Joonmyun takes note of Sehun saying we, not you and wonders if there’s any intention behind it. After all Joonmyun got here by a driver, it only made sense that he could leave that way as well. But he enjoys Sehun’s company nonetheless and decides to take him up on the offer.
“Okay then,” hiccup, ”lead the way.” Joonmyun dramatically extends his arm in an after you gesture. Sehun shoots him a tight-lipped smile and begins walking towards an exit at the back of the building. Joonmyun follows closely behind him, admiring the awkward stagger in Sehun’s long stride until they reach a black sportscar. He whistles in a mocking manner and laughs when Sehun rolls his eyes.
“Just get in,” Sehun groans, somewhat embarrassed. Joonmyun plops down into the seat and tries not to blush even more when Sehun reaches over to put his seatbelt on.
They drive around the block in silence for a few minutes. Time stretches on for what seems like forever as the DJ’s voice hums on in the background through the speakers of Sehun’s car.
“So where do you want to go?” Sehun finally asks.
“I thought you already had somewhere in mind honestly.”
Sehun blinks. “No… I just-” He sighs and decides against whatever it is he had planned to say.
“I think I’d just like to go home. My apartment is only ten minutes from here.” Joonmyun doesn’t miss the way Sehun’s expression, if you could even call it that, deflates.
More awkward silence follows. Joonmyun can see Sehun’s fingers tighten on the wheel and his mouth opens, only to close immediately after. Sehun is not very good with words, but his body language speaks volumes. When they finally pull into the garage of Joonmyun’s building Sehun lets out a small sigh at what he thinks is a lost opportunity.
“There’s something I want to show you, if you have time,” Joonmyun offers.
Sehun breathes out slow and steady. “Yeah, sure.”
Joonmyun doesn’t normally bring people into his apartment. In fact, the only people who have been inside over the past five years are his mother, and Kyungsoo. Seeing where someone lives has always been a very personal thing to Joonmyun. The interior of their home reveals more than the average person would think and Joonmyun wasn’t okay with just anyone seeing that side of him. But he somehow felt at ease with Sehun being there.
He sheds his jacket and shoes as soon as they’re on the inside, and urges Sehun to do the same.
“Okay, close your eyes.”
“I’m sure if letting a tipsy man lead me through the dark is a smart thing to do.”
Joonmyun grabs Sehun’s hand, pulling him along the corridor. He stops after a few seconds, and Sehun can tell he’s switched on some sort of lighting.
“Now open.”
Sehun’s face shows nothing but awe. Aligned on the wall of the corridor with minimal recessed lighting are two of Sehun’s pieces from every year, beginning with his earliest photo essay. Some of the earlier works on the wall aren’t even in print anymore.
“Kyungsoo was being honest when he said I was a big fan.” Joonmyun sheepishly rubs at the back of his neck, averting Sehun’s gaze.
“This is amazing.” He turns to Joonmyun and encircles his small frame, effectively lifting him off the ground in the process while being engulfed in his scent. Joonmyun stutters out something about too tight and can’t breathe before Sehun releases him. “Sorry, I- This means a lot to me. Some of these earlier pieces were literally paying for the food on my table and the clothes on my back before I got where I am today. I still have a long way to go.”
Suddenly Sehun seems a lot smaller, younger than the cocky photographer from the first time they met. It’s endearing and Joonmyun steps between him and the wall to place his hands on his shoulders.
“Hey, you’re amazing at what you do. I don’t know much about photography but I know your work is one of a kind. I’ve known since I came across that first photo essay you did in university.” He doesn’t mean for it to sound like some mentor pep talk, but it’s the best he can do right now with the leftover buzz from the champagne.
Sehun lifts his head and meets Joonmyun eyes. He steps forward, pressing Joonmyun close to the cool, exposed brick wall.
“Really?”
Joonmyun allows his back to hit the wall as he stares up at Sehun. “Well, yeah I jus-”
Sehun cuts him off when he tentatively places his lips over Joonmyun’s. Joonmyun stays frozen, eyes wide. Sehun pulls back with a worried face when he doesn’t respond, but before Sehun has a chance to spew out apologies Joonmyun brings him in again, a small hand cupped around the base of his neck, and kisses him with more urgency this time. Sehun sighs into the kiss as it feels like he’s being doused with cool water on a hot summer day. He hears Joonmyun chuckle at his eagerness and they almost knock one of the canvases off the wall when Sehun starts to hastily trail kisses down the other’s neck.
“Your hiccups stopped.”
“I don’t usually do this,” Joonmyun starts, “but there’s-”
“Something about you.” Sehun stops to look at Joonmyun.
“Yeah.”
“This is gonna sound strange but… I’ve felt something towards you since we first met in the bathroom that night. It was like you made me feel high without drugs I guess.” Sehun presses his face into Joonmyun’s neck and inhales deeply. “And you smelled so good.”
It hits Joonmyun like a ton of bricks then. This is all Kyungsoo’s fault and Joonmyun is a little more than disappointed he allowed himself to think all of this could be real. Joonmyun doesn’t have the heart to tell Sehun what he’s feeling is the product of chemicals in a bottle.
“I think you should go now, Sehun.” Joonmyun’s voice is barely a whisper, but there’s a sense of calm authority in its tone that hits Sehun deep.
Sehun stares at him, expression slightly hurt, but he backs off and leaves without saying a word. Joonmyun is left confused and angry, but mostly sad. Because for once, he was actually starting to feel something for someone.
--
The next week at the office is hell. No one is used to Joonmyun giving curt replies and waving off their concerns. The entire atmosphere of the place is thrown off balance because their normally put together, friendly Joonmyun has started to zone out, forget things, get clients mixed up. Kyungsoo finally pulls him aside after hearing all the could you please talk to him pleas from their co-workers. Joonmyun’s being completely oblivious to his own demise though, so Kyungsoo isn’t shocked when Joonmyun is less than thrilled by Kyungsoo’s actions.
“What’s up with you lately?”
“Stress.” Another one word reply.
“This is our down season. Don’t lie to me Joonmyun.” Kyungsoo folds his arms and sits in Joonmyun’s chair.
“You know I hate it when you do that. Get up.”
“Then tell me what’s wrong.”
“You! Sehun! That perfume! And the fact that none of this is real!” Joonmyun snaps. “I know you sprayed my sweater the night of the private preview event. But I was foolish enough to think Sehun could possibly, actually have feelings for me and just maybe, I could finally start to feel something for someone else too.”
“You don’t even know how our own product works do you?”
"What kind of question is that?"
"DEST1NY only takes care of the initial attraction... As in helping two people find one another. We can't fabricate feelings Joonmyun, you should know this." Kyungsoo runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't know what happened between you and Sehun, but he likes you. Maybe if you stopped with this I don't believe in love crap you could open up to someone for more than 10 minutes without running away afterwards.”
Kyungsoo’s breathing hard by the end of his spiel, while Joonmyun is as quiet as a mouse. Rarely does he do any type of introspective thinking because he’s normally on top of everything, got everything in check. But the real reason Joonmyun doesn’t do any of that soulmate crap isn’t because of some jilted lover experience from the past. It's just been easier like this. Somewhere along the way Joonmyun has become terrified of putting his all into one person, because if that person leaves, he’ll be left with nothing. It’s just not a risk he feels is worth taking.
Call him is the last thing Kyungsoo says before leaving Joonmyun alone again in his office. Joonmyun thinks it over for what feels like hours. The sun has already started to set when he finally tries to call Sehun. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't answer. Joonmyun takes a last chance and sends a text:
You probably don't want to talk to me but I would really like to explain myself. My place at 8?
He gets no reply.
--
Joonmyun didn't think Sehun would show up. He took his time closing up at work that evening, even stayed a little after because organizing the sample files has always calmed him. He's not expecting to see Sehun waiting in the hallways of his apartment.
"The least you could do is be on time."
"Sehun, I... Didn't think you would come." Joonmyun unceremoniously invites Sehun in and they sit in the living room. His apartment is messier than the last time, a sort of representation of the state of his life now.
"I had to find out in person how someone could reject me," Sehun jokes. Joonmyun finds himself liking the man even more for joking at a time like this.
Joonmyun laughs, "I don't reject you at all. There are some things you don't know and maybe won't understand, but I'm not ready to tell them to you. I just wanted to apologize for that night and-”
Sehun abruptly leans in and kisses Joonmyun. It's not graceful at all, their teeth clack uncomfortably at first, and Sehun is so aggressive Joonmyun falls backward. A familiar, guiding hand comes up to reassure Sehun and steady him, allowing Joonmyun to deepen the kiss as Sehun insistently presses forward.
Joonmyun breaks first, resting his forehead against Sehun's chest.
"Good. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," Sehun informs him. "You know you're maddening. You've got striking blonde hair that I was sure meant you were an asshole because who actually thinks they can pull that off? And a classically handsome face with amazing proportions, but you're incredibly weird."
"Hey!" Joonmyun shoves in the ribs until Sehun is on his back and he's looming over him.
"I mean it as a compliment. Weird as in quirky, cute, but also really hot I guess." Sehun brushes the hair out of Joonmyun's face. "And there's the fact that I have absolutely no idea what you do for a living. You're an enigma." Sehun kisses the tip of his nose and wraps his arms around Joonmyun's waist, pulling him down to close the gap between them.
"I could say the same for you. I don't know anything about you."
"Well, I'm Sehun. I'm 24 years old and I started photography as a way to help pay off student loans at first but someone started buying my work routinely and the rest is history. Now I sometimes do graphic design as well but I really fell in love with photography and can’t see myself doing anything else. I also recently met a man who I think is afraid of being loved and opening up but I'm willing to keep trying if he’ll let me."
Joonmyun looks at him with reddened cheeks and downcast eyes. "Thank you... For not running."
--
Joonmyun isn't sure how they end up in his bedroom. It was late, and Joonmyun had proposed Sehun just stay over. And somewhere between being curled into Sehun’s side and the hypnotizing circles Sehun had rubbed into his arm as he held him, and the soft kisses on the back of his neck, Joonmyun ended up writhing beneath Sehun as he prepped him with such tenderness Joonmyun thought he might burst from the overwhelming feeling of adoration and satisfaction.
Sehun enters him with just as much care, presses in slowly as Joonmyun hooks his legs behind him to pull him forward. It’s a slow burn, a subtle build up of pleasure that has the smallest of movements being enough to send them both over the edge. Joonmyun’s moans fill the room, accompanied by Sehun’s harsh breathing and low groans.
When Sehun wakes, it’s to a note saying Joonmyun’s gone to work, but that Sehun should grab something to eat before leaving and be sure to call him later. He laughs because the handwritten note instead of a text is so incredibly Joonmyun.
--
Sehun spends more time with Joonmyun as the days go by. He even convinces him to be the subject in one of his experimental shoots. Much to Sehun’s disappointment, and despite Joonmyun’s near-perfect face, he’s almost completely unphotogenic. Joonmyun simply blames it on Sehun. “A good photographer can make anyone look good,” he says. Sehun feigns offense as Joonmyun sulks while pouting about the angle not being right.
On this particular afternoon, Sehun is toying with the business card Joonmyun had passed out at his private preview event so long ago. There’s only an address, and a huge ‘S’ on the front. Sehun thinks the logo looks familiar but he can’t place it. Curiosity gets the best of him while driving and he ends up at the inconspicuous office building. Accounting? Law? Joonmyun would have to hide neither of those. Sehun’s starting to think Joonmyun could possibly be a mob boss.
When he walks in he’s greeted by an almost all marble interior: the floors, walls, reception desk. A short man behind the desk asks if Sehun has an appointment. Sehun passes the business card across the smooth surface.
“He gave me this and said come by any time between eleven and two?” Sehun tries.
The man smiles, “right this way then.” He leads Sehun to what looks like a conference room. “Suho will be with you in a moment.”
“Suho?”
“Yes. Who else would you be meeting with?” The man leaves him and Sehun struggles to make sense of everything. He only knew of one Suho, founder of the perfume brand. But it doesn’t make sense that it would be-
“Joonmyun?” Sehun glances at the man in the doorway who is clearly surprised to see Sehun here.
“Sehun… What are you-why are you here?”
“So you’re Suho.” Sehun purses his lips for a moment. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I was expecting much worse.”
“You’re not mad?” Joonmyun walks in all the way into the room finally, closing the frosted glass door behind him.
“I can’t think of a reason why I should be angry. Other than the fact that your job might be even cooler than mine.”
Joonmyun sighs. “But… DEST1NY? I mean wouldn’t you-I just think-” None of Joonmyun’s words will come out right and he’s beginning to become deeply frustrated.
“Kyungsoo has told me everything about DEST1NY. It’s just a helping hand, it can’t create and control feelings that aren’t already present.”
“I know but, it still feels like we met under false pretenses sometimes, like I tricked you.”
“I just think life has a funny way of working out. We went to the same university, have friends in common, you own almost everything from my portfolio, and I even have a few of your early scents.” Sehun tries to reassure Joonmyun but the look on his face doesn’t change.
“But it makes me wonder why we didn’t meet earlier.”
“Does it matter? We met when we were supposed to meet.” Sehun kisses Joonmyun briefly and strokes his cheek.
“Yeah, I guess we did.”
--
It’s a week later when Kyungsoo is back in Joonmyun’s office.
“Did I ever tell you I planned on introducing you to Sehun that night? It’s why I brought you along with me.”
Joonmyun looks up from his lunch.”Really?”
Kyungsoo hums in response while opening the blinds to let some light in. “Mhm, I had no idea that Sehun would be the one DEST1NY grabbed for you. Just thought you’d like to know in light of recent events.”
“Thanks Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo watches, disgusted as dressing drips down Joonmyun’s chin. “God don’t talk with your mouth full. Also Sehun is here to see you again. And please do not have sex in this office when there is a perfectly good lounge no one ever uses. There was a stain on one of the material order forms last time.” Kyungsoo shakes his head back and forth rapidly in disapproval as he walks out of the office.
Joonymun nearly chokes on his food from mortification. “Thank you Kyungsoo, please send him in.”
--
Joonmyun didn’t start believing in love overnight, he’s not even sure thinks that’s what this is. He still sometimes has his doubts about Sehun and their relationship. But if Sehun didn’t run away from this, neither will Joonmyun. He’s definitely not one to believe in fate or soulmates, but Joonmyun likes to think he and Sehun would have met without DEST1NY anyway. Somewhere down the road Joonmyun would have eventually gone to gallery opening for his favorite photographer, asked about a photograph in a clients home, or maybe even run into Sehun with Kyungsoo. He’s realized it’s okay to have doubt and that the key to loving someone isn’t giving them your everything all at once, but sharing all of you with them, piece by piece, slowly over time.
From: ANONYMOUS until May 22, 2014
Title: Bottled Fate
Rating: R
Pairing(s)/Focus: Suho/Sehun
Length: 6556 words
Summary: Joonmyun learns how to love and be loved.
Warning/s: None
Notes: To my recipient, I really loved your prompts and had a hard time choosing which one to write. The ending is a tad abrupt, but I really do hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Huge thanks to I for literally holding my hand and helping me brainstorm through this entire process, and also to K for always being willing to beta at any time and listening to me whine and worry about missing the deadline.
Joonmyun doesn't like to tell people about his job. Whenever someone asks, he sticks to the mundane answer of "business and trade." It has some truth to it actually. After all, Joonmyun does deal in the trade of his own materials. And under the moniker Suho he's built a household name for himself across a wide selection of upscale department stores worldwide. But all of that is rather left unsaid. Scent makers are few and far between these days and while it's highly respected work, Joonmyun isn't much for bragging. Honestly, he thinks the fame would do him no good.
Now, creating scents is no easy job, but that's not to say it's rocket science either. While the methods are quite simple, one has to have a "nose" for such things. Ever since Joonmyun was a child his perception of smell was something others found quite unnatural. The faintest of scents were discernible to him, even those that were weeks old. The better Joonmyun got to know someone, the more accurately he could "read" their scents or pick ones that were suited for them. In university he delved into the marketing and business world, finding his passion while interning for a smaller scent company.
Fast forward a number of signature scents and countless fancy perfume bottles later and you have Joonmyun now. He's got a spacious, but not ridiculously sized, apartment that suits him well. His lifestyle is quiet. Each weekday he leaves at exactly 8:05AM, reaches an ordinary looking office building at 8:30AM, and begins his work precisely at 8:45AM. Joonmyun thinks it's like magic, really. He gets to wear any old clothes because he'll probably come home smelling like a million different things by the end of the day. Occasionally he has to wear suits to meetings, galas, and exclusive scent preview parties but Joonmyun finds it so hard to breathe in such attire. He'd much rather stick to his thin sweaters and jeans.
Joonmyun's favorite days are shipment arrival days, Tuesdays and Thursdays. His hours consist of nothing but sifting through the finest materials from across the globe, after which he'll send off his favorites for scent extraction. Joonmyun works with a team all day, playing around with different ratios of the extractions resulting in pleasant aromas. Sample sizes are sent out to their most loyal clients and they nervously wait for the feedback on which their approval for mass production depends.
Up until now, the scents have been relatively normal. Unique combinations of premium materials to create upscale scents was the standard. Joonmyun just did it a little better than his competitors. But this new breakthrough, Joonmyun wasn’t too sure about. It was really an accident that the perfect scent came into existence and he couldn’t believe he was responsible for creating such a thing. Joonmyun was a skeptic when it came to love. He had always believed it to be impossible to fall in love with someone and be so completely enamored with them that you never felt the need to love another. In other words, the perfect lover or soulmate did not exist to Joonmyun, and it was a waste of time to even hope for such a person to show up. So after numerous human trials in the form of some of their most loyal customers, Joonmyun found it quite ironic that he would be the one to develop DEST1NY.
The feedback showed an average of a week wearing the scent had ended in these people finding what they presumed was their soulmate. Joonmyun scoffed, agreeing to do follow up studies on each and every person because this was surely some type of sick joke everyone around him was in on. But as the year progressed, the positivity in the feedback only grew stronger. People were getting married, moving in together, even starting families. Joonmyun felt like screaming, warning these people that they were making huge mistakes, that things would surely come to an end given enough time.
-
Joonmyun’s love life, or lack thereof, was no secret around the office. Occasionally someone would set him up on a blind date with a distant relative in town for the weekend, but Joonmyun wouldn’t get past 15 minutes of conversation with them before zoning out on random things; like how many people in the restaurant were wearing patterned ties versus solid. His mother had even developed the habit of calling his secretary (Joonmyun stopped taking her calls), asking if her son had settled down, to which the secretary’s reply would always be the same.
Joonmyun should have known when every single person in the office greeted him, bright and cheery, first thing in the morning. The atmosphere of the office was never stuffy, but even this seemed unusual. He brushed it off, thinking everyone must be having a good day. And as he walked past his secretary he gave her a slight nod when she told him the new material order forms were waiting for him on his desk.
The instant click of the lock after shutting his door proved otherwise. Joonmyun turns around to see his assistant, Kyungsoo, standing calmly, hands placed gently behind his back, and staring at him.
"Joonmyun." His voice is low, gravely almost. Like he hadn’t had his morning coffee yet.
"...Kyungsoo?"
"You know we only want what’s best for you,” he reasons.
Joonmyun laughs as he took a seat in his chair. “This is starting to sound like an intervention of sorts.”
Kyungsoo nods before striding over and standing behind him. Hands on his shoulder, he starts massaging. “It’s not,” he pauses briefly, “but if you personally want to think of it that way then be my guest.”
“Kyungsoo.” Joonmyun stares at the stack of papers on his desk. He’s tired and this is one of his least favorite things about the job. Kyungsoo wasn’t usually this cryptic, but then again, everything about the day so far had been unusual.
“Everyone in the office thinks this is what’s best for you.”
And then he feels it, just barely. The spray of liquid right below his ear. Color floods Joonmyun’s face once he realizes what happened. He wants to yell, but his mouth is open and no sound was coming out. That was a bad sign. Joonmyun’s only been angry to a point beyond words twice in his entire life. Kyungsoo quickly walks back to the door trying to keep a smile from spreading across his lips.
“You can think of this as taking the initiative in making sure your customers are getting what they pay for. It’s not like you couldn’t use a little action in your love life anyway.” And with that, Kyungsoo was gone, leaving Joonmyun to an empty office and the deafening sound of his own thoughts as he furiously scrubbed at his neck with the hand sanitizer on his desk.
--
Sehun is at a gallery opening when he smelled it. The scent was light, but it would practically knock Sehun over if it were a person. He's supposed to be having a conversation concerning the contract to display his work in someone's boutique, but he's finding it hard to focus. It's like the room has been filled from floor to ceiling with the scent of sandalwood, vanilla, a hint of liquorice, and just a dab of rosemary at the end. Sehun watches as the man's mouth moves, forming words, and yet he couldn’t even read his lips. He reaches into the pocket of his suit jacket for his business card and hands it to the other.
“I’m sorry, but could you call me later to finish up this deal? There’s something urgent I’ve forgotten I need to go take care of.” Sehun tries to keep his eyes from wandering, searching for the source of the scent, but before he could wait for answer he was striding through the small crowds of people and servers, leaving the man alone. It’s probably not a smart move for an upcoming photographer (slash sometimes freelance graphic designer) to walk away from an opportunity like this. Right now though, Sehun thinks this one will just have to wait.
There’s some new age jazz song Sehun doesn’t recognize playing softly through strategically placed speakers, and the weird accent lighting makes it hard to discern faces as he searches each display room. With the gallery’s open layout, Sehun had made it to an area by the bar fairly quickly. The scent was even stronger than before, if that was possible, and Sehun is sure he looks like he just ran a marathon because his breathing is so harsh. He was trying to fill every possible inch of him with that scent and when he’d just about reached sensory overload he caught a quick glimpse of a small man with blonde hair moving towards to the bathroom. Sehun is sure the scent belongs to him, he’s never been more sure of anything in his entire life.
So he follows him. He tries to tell himself it’s because of his body being on autopilot, but deep in his heart, even somewhere in the back of his mind, Sehun is so desperate to at least see this man’s face. Remaining casual and undetected should have taking precedence over speed but Sehun finds himself in the bathroom before he knows it. The even dimmer lighting and scented candles combined with that scent leaves him feeling heady. He might as well rinse his face while he’s in here, maybe it’ll give him some clarity. He runs his hands through the water, coldness giving him a slight shock, then splashes it on his face. Vision temporarily blurred, he hears the footsteps of someone exiting a stall and walking to the sink beside him.
Under the candlelit glow the man’s hair looks translucent… glowing, like fireflies on a summer night, but Sehun knows it’s him. His nerves are going haywire and he just has to inhale, drink in more of that scent. Stupid. The only thing he inhales is leftover water from his hands, which are still unknowingly placed on the lower half of his face.
“Shit!” Sehun coughs, trying to regain his composure, trying to breathe.
“Are you okay?” The man’s voice is calm and soothing. He spoke with underlying reassurance, came across as confident but not too confident. Sehun could get a good look at him now. Shorter than he would usually go for, but he had been blessed with good proportions to make up for it. His almost translucent blonde hair danced gently just above his eyebrows, side swept. His suit was most likely custom made. Sehun absent-mindedly wondered if he had more. He looked like a doll, all sharp and polished, and Sehun wanted to have him, had to have him. That scent filled his head, permeated his skin, filled his bloodstream as if he was fusing with the man right here and now despite not even knowing his name.
“Uhm…” The man clears his throat awkwardly. Sehun realizes he was leaning a little too close for comfort when his vision focuses back.
“I’m sorry. I’m- I was feeling light-headed. Must have been something I ate.” Sehun was grasping at straws by now, desperately trying to find something with which to continue the conversation but it was so hard to focus. His eyes flit to the man’s small, pink mouth, back to his eyes, then to his mouth again. Sehun couldn’t stay in this bathroom. Surely he would faint. It took everything in him to ignore all his urges and push past the man.
“Hey! Wait a mi-”
Sehun could hear the man calling after him but he was determined not to go back. He feels a hand on his shoulder, coolness seeping through the fabric of his dress shirt.
“You never answered back there, are you sure you’re alright?”
Handsome and caring, Sehun notes. Before he has the chance to respond another man of similar height is interrupting.
“Sehun! I’ve been looking for you.” It was Kyungsoo.
“You know him?”
Sehun watches Kyungsoo slip an arm around the blonde and feels a slight pang of jealousy ripple through him. They seemed close, comfortable.
“Joonmyun, Sehun is the photographer.” Kyungsoo says it like the blonde man, Joonmyun, was supposed to know this. He looks at Sehun again, “Joonmyun is a huge fan of your work.”
“So is everyone else here.” Sehun didn’t mean for that to sound cocky, but he was undoubtedly good at what he did and he knew it. Nothing wrong with being honest.
Joonmyun didn’t know what to say to that, so he said nothing at all.
“Joonmyun, is it?” Sehun extends his hand to shake the other’s. He was growing used to the scent, able to keep himself in check, but something was still drawing him in.
Joonmyun nods, but he has to look up at Sehun to make eye contact. “Like Kyungsoo was saying, I love your work. I-”
“Love it so much you don’t even know what the man behind the camera looks like,” Sehun teases.
Joonmyun scratches the back of his neck and laughs. It was melodious and sweet, much better than any song playing in the background. Sehun wanted to put it in a small jar and carry it around with him; maybe twist open the top just a bit whenever he was feeling down. Just as Joonmyun was preparing to respond he felt the vibration of his phone. He’d forgotten he had plans for dinner with a client tonight.
“I would love to talk more, but I unfortunately have somewhere to be in,” he glances at this watch, “fifteen minutes.” Joonmyun gives Sehun’s shoulder a slight squeeze and does another quick nod to Kyungsoo before he leaves. Sehun tracks him with his eyes, and would have lost sight of him in the crowd had it not been for his hair. He turns to find Kyungsoo staring at him.
“How well do you know Joonmyun?”
“We work together. I’m his assistant.”
“Doing what, exactly?”
“Joonmyun would rather me not say.”
Sehun’s brow creases at that. “Are you fucking him?”
Kyungsoo lets out an incredulous laugh that has a few people glance their way. “Me? Oh god, no.” He recomposes himself and runs a hand through his hair, effectively pushing it away from his face. “Why? Are you interested?” Sehun’s mouth hangs open, leaving the question unanswered. “Of course you are. It’s written all over your face.”
Normally Sehun could deny, but he knows he was practically foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog tonight.
“I’ll warn you, no one can really keep him interested.”
Sehun thinks back to the exchange in the bathroom, to Joonmyun coming after him, the hand on his shoulder. Was Joonmyun that nice to everyone then?
“But I’m a good friend, and as much as I actually don’t like you sometimes, I think you’d make an interesting fit for Joonmyun so I’ll give you his number. I’m sure you’ll find something to talk about.”
Sehun looks at the number typed into his phone and taps the save option. “You’d think by now you would stop underestimating me. I almost had you back in college you know.”
Kyungsoo scoffs, “You didn’t have me in any shape, way, or form. I thought it would be fun to see how far you could get, which might I add was not very far at all. Joonmyun’s nothing like me though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll just have to find out for yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me I was actually planning on getting laid tonight. Can’t do that with you breathing all down my neck.” Kyungsoo grabs another glass of champagne from a passing server’s tray and disappears into the next display room, eyes already set on someone for the night.
--
It takes Sehun three days use the number. He tossed Kyungsoo's words around in his over and over before finally calling.
"Hello?" Joonmyun almost never got calls from unknown numbers on his personal phone.
"Hey, it's S-"
"Sehun!" Joonmyun recognizes the voice almost immediately. "How and why do you have my number?"
"It's just that... Since you're a huge fan of mine and all I thought I'd invite you to a private preview event before my next public showing."
"Why didn't you just schedule this with Kyungsoo? He is my assistant for a reason..." Joonmyun hears Sehun's annoyed sigh from the other end.
"If I wanted Kyungsoo to come, I would have invited him. Besides he's never liked anything artsy at any point since I've first met him. Are you always this difficult when people are trying to be nice to you?"
"Depends. Are you just trying to be nice to me or do you genuinely want me there?"
Sehun smirks. "Both. Friday, nine o'clock, at the Loft. I can send a driver if you like."
"I can dri- On second thought, I won't turn down free service. I'll see you then."
"Perfect."
"Bye, Sehun."
Joonmyun hangs up the phone and sends Sehun his address. He was smiling and didn't know why, but it quickly dropped from his face when Kyungsoo bursts through the door of his office.
"I think that's the longest you've been on the phone with someone and didn't talk about business matters."
"Shut up, it was just Sehun."
"No need to get defensive, it was simply an observation," Kyungsoo muses.
--
The rest of the week came and went. Soon, Joonmyun was repeatedly switching between two outfits Kyungsoo had laid out earlier because he couldn't figure out which one made his legs look longer. He decides to keep on whatever outfit he’s wearing as the intercom sounds. The driver is dressed more formally than Joonmyun, which makes him nervous, self-conscious even, about his lack of a tie.
The place is only about ten minutes away and when Joonmyun arrives he notes the building looks like it’s falling apart. The outside is deceiving however. Floor to ceiling windows put the modern interior on display, all neutral colors with sleek lines and sharp angles. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, a complete contrast with the rest of the decor, but Joonmyun thinks it works somehow. Sehun greets him at the door, a stiff smile planted on his face.
"Glad you could make it," he drawls. Sehun slips his hand to Joonmyun's lower back, urging him to enter. Joonmyun, surprisingly, leans into the touch. It's warm and Sehun's finger are bony, yet gentle.
"Couldn't turn down a free driver," Joonmyun jokes. Sehun forces a second smile and continues to lead them through the entryway. Joonmyun instantly feels the crowd may be a bit too hip for him. He’s deceptively handsome but at heart he’s really just your average guy.
"Stop worrying." The closer Sehun is to Joonmyun the more he wants to be around him. Even now after their initial encounter of what Sehun thought had to be some trick of his mind, a miscommunication between his nose and his brain he realizes he has no control in this. Each time Joonmyun flips his hair or shifts his body in some subtle way, Sehun is overwhelmed. He notices everything and he’s not sure if it’s just because he’s attentive or because it’s Joonmyun.
Joonmyun tugs self-consciously at the sleeves of his sweater."That's easy for you to say. You're dressed like you just walked off the runway while I'm-"
"No, you look great." Sehun's cheeks burn as Joonmyun stares at him blankly, blinding smile slowly spreading across his face.
And Joonmyun is a little breathless, not used to such outright compliments. "Thanks," he replies weakly, mouth a little dry.
The next few hours are honestly a blur to Joonmyun. Copious amounts of champagne and small talk leave his mind slightly numbed. He’s had the same conversation with four, no, six different people. Each one Sehun seems to be genuinely interested in. But all Joonmyun’s interested in is maybe talking with Sehun more. On the surface he’s like a flippant kid and not at all what Joonmyun expected. Although one look at his work and the way he interacts with these people, and Joonmyun can sense deep down that’s not really the case. It’s got him intrigued. For the first time in a long time he actually wants to know more about someone. He manages to give his business card to a few people while Sehun is away, talking to who he referred to as “bigwigs.” The servers walking by continue to offer him fancy looking finger foods, so Joonmyun is content finding a corner to sit in with his snacks.
By the time Sehun is finished, Joonmyun is more than tired and a little more than tipsy. Sehun finds him looking like a lost puppy while sitting on one of the weird octagon shaped benches on the side of the room.
“You should slow down. The champagne isn’t going anywhere.”
Joonmyun hiccups, and giggles, then hiccups again. “Well when I’m left to entertain myself…”
“Ah, so you wanted my undivided attention then?”
“That’s not what I sa-” Hiccup.
“No, no. It was rude of me to leave my guest all alone.” Sehun can’t stop himself from pinching Joonmyun’s cheek, which blushes a deep pink as soon as he pulls his hand away. “We can leave if you’d like. I know these things can be kind of boring for people not in the photography field.”
Joonmyun takes note of Sehun saying we, not you and wonders if there’s any intention behind it. After all Joonmyun got here by a driver, it only made sense that he could leave that way as well. But he enjoys Sehun’s company nonetheless and decides to take him up on the offer.
“Okay then,” hiccup, ”lead the way.” Joonmyun dramatically extends his arm in an after you gesture. Sehun shoots him a tight-lipped smile and begins walking towards an exit at the back of the building. Joonmyun follows closely behind him, admiring the awkward stagger in Sehun’s long stride until they reach a black sportscar. He whistles in a mocking manner and laughs when Sehun rolls his eyes.
“Just get in,” Sehun groans, somewhat embarrassed. Joonmyun plops down into the seat and tries not to blush even more when Sehun reaches over to put his seatbelt on.
They drive around the block in silence for a few minutes. Time stretches on for what seems like forever as the DJ’s voice hums on in the background through the speakers of Sehun’s car.
“So where do you want to go?” Sehun finally asks.
“I thought you already had somewhere in mind honestly.”
Sehun blinks. “No… I just-” He sighs and decides against whatever it is he had planned to say.
“I think I’d just like to go home. My apartment is only ten minutes from here.” Joonmyun doesn’t miss the way Sehun’s expression, if you could even call it that, deflates.
More awkward silence follows. Joonmyun can see Sehun’s fingers tighten on the wheel and his mouth opens, only to close immediately after. Sehun is not very good with words, but his body language speaks volumes. When they finally pull into the garage of Joonmyun’s building Sehun lets out a small sigh at what he thinks is a lost opportunity.
“There’s something I want to show you, if you have time,” Joonmyun offers.
Sehun breathes out slow and steady. “Yeah, sure.”
Joonmyun doesn’t normally bring people into his apartment. In fact, the only people who have been inside over the past five years are his mother, and Kyungsoo. Seeing where someone lives has always been a very personal thing to Joonmyun. The interior of their home reveals more than the average person would think and Joonmyun wasn’t okay with just anyone seeing that side of him. But he somehow felt at ease with Sehun being there.
He sheds his jacket and shoes as soon as they’re on the inside, and urges Sehun to do the same.
“Okay, close your eyes.”
“I’m sure if letting a tipsy man lead me through the dark is a smart thing to do.”
Joonmyun grabs Sehun’s hand, pulling him along the corridor. He stops after a few seconds, and Sehun can tell he’s switched on some sort of lighting.
“Now open.”
Sehun’s face shows nothing but awe. Aligned on the wall of the corridor with minimal recessed lighting are two of Sehun’s pieces from every year, beginning with his earliest photo essay. Some of the earlier works on the wall aren’t even in print anymore.
“Kyungsoo was being honest when he said I was a big fan.” Joonmyun sheepishly rubs at the back of his neck, averting Sehun’s gaze.
“This is amazing.” He turns to Joonmyun and encircles his small frame, effectively lifting him off the ground in the process while being engulfed in his scent. Joonmyun stutters out something about too tight and can’t breathe before Sehun releases him. “Sorry, I- This means a lot to me. Some of these earlier pieces were literally paying for the food on my table and the clothes on my back before I got where I am today. I still have a long way to go.”
Suddenly Sehun seems a lot smaller, younger than the cocky photographer from the first time they met. It’s endearing and Joonmyun steps between him and the wall to place his hands on his shoulders.
“Hey, you’re amazing at what you do. I don’t know much about photography but I know your work is one of a kind. I’ve known since I came across that first photo essay you did in university.” He doesn’t mean for it to sound like some mentor pep talk, but it’s the best he can do right now with the leftover buzz from the champagne.
Sehun lifts his head and meets Joonmyun eyes. He steps forward, pressing Joonmyun close to the cool, exposed brick wall.
“Really?”
Joonmyun allows his back to hit the wall as he stares up at Sehun. “Well, yeah I jus-”
Sehun cuts him off when he tentatively places his lips over Joonmyun’s. Joonmyun stays frozen, eyes wide. Sehun pulls back with a worried face when he doesn’t respond, but before Sehun has a chance to spew out apologies Joonmyun brings him in again, a small hand cupped around the base of his neck, and kisses him with more urgency this time. Sehun sighs into the kiss as it feels like he’s being doused with cool water on a hot summer day. He hears Joonmyun chuckle at his eagerness and they almost knock one of the canvases off the wall when Sehun starts to hastily trail kisses down the other’s neck.
“Your hiccups stopped.”
“I don’t usually do this,” Joonmyun starts, “but there’s-”
“Something about you.” Sehun stops to look at Joonmyun.
“Yeah.”
“This is gonna sound strange but… I’ve felt something towards you since we first met in the bathroom that night. It was like you made me feel high without drugs I guess.” Sehun presses his face into Joonmyun’s neck and inhales deeply. “And you smelled so good.”
It hits Joonmyun like a ton of bricks then. This is all Kyungsoo’s fault and Joonmyun is a little more than disappointed he allowed himself to think all of this could be real. Joonmyun doesn’t have the heart to tell Sehun what he’s feeling is the product of chemicals in a bottle.
“I think you should go now, Sehun.” Joonmyun’s voice is barely a whisper, but there’s a sense of calm authority in its tone that hits Sehun deep.
Sehun stares at him, expression slightly hurt, but he backs off and leaves without saying a word. Joonmyun is left confused and angry, but mostly sad. Because for once, he was actually starting to feel something for someone.
--
The next week at the office is hell. No one is used to Joonmyun giving curt replies and waving off their concerns. The entire atmosphere of the place is thrown off balance because their normally put together, friendly Joonmyun has started to zone out, forget things, get clients mixed up. Kyungsoo finally pulls him aside after hearing all the could you please talk to him pleas from their co-workers. Joonmyun’s being completely oblivious to his own demise though, so Kyungsoo isn’t shocked when Joonmyun is less than thrilled by Kyungsoo’s actions.
“What’s up with you lately?”
“Stress.” Another one word reply.
“This is our down season. Don’t lie to me Joonmyun.” Kyungsoo folds his arms and sits in Joonmyun’s chair.
“You know I hate it when you do that. Get up.”
“Then tell me what’s wrong.”
“You! Sehun! That perfume! And the fact that none of this is real!” Joonmyun snaps. “I know you sprayed my sweater the night of the private preview event. But I was foolish enough to think Sehun could possibly, actually have feelings for me and just maybe, I could finally start to feel something for someone else too.”
“You don’t even know how our own product works do you?”
"What kind of question is that?"
"DEST1NY only takes care of the initial attraction... As in helping two people find one another. We can't fabricate feelings Joonmyun, you should know this." Kyungsoo runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't know what happened between you and Sehun, but he likes you. Maybe if you stopped with this I don't believe in love crap you could open up to someone for more than 10 minutes without running away afterwards.”
Kyungsoo’s breathing hard by the end of his spiel, while Joonmyun is as quiet as a mouse. Rarely does he do any type of introspective thinking because he’s normally on top of everything, got everything in check. But the real reason Joonmyun doesn’t do any of that soulmate crap isn’t because of some jilted lover experience from the past. It's just been easier like this. Somewhere along the way Joonmyun has become terrified of putting his all into one person, because if that person leaves, he’ll be left with nothing. It’s just not a risk he feels is worth taking.
Call him is the last thing Kyungsoo says before leaving Joonmyun alone again in his office. Joonmyun thinks it over for what feels like hours. The sun has already started to set when he finally tries to call Sehun. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't answer. Joonmyun takes a last chance and sends a text:
You probably don't want to talk to me but I would really like to explain myself. My place at 8?
He gets no reply.
--
Joonmyun didn't think Sehun would show up. He took his time closing up at work that evening, even stayed a little after because organizing the sample files has always calmed him. He's not expecting to see Sehun waiting in the hallways of his apartment.
"The least you could do is be on time."
"Sehun, I... Didn't think you would come." Joonmyun unceremoniously invites Sehun in and they sit in the living room. His apartment is messier than the last time, a sort of representation of the state of his life now.
"I had to find out in person how someone could reject me," Sehun jokes. Joonmyun finds himself liking the man even more for joking at a time like this.
Joonmyun laughs, "I don't reject you at all. There are some things you don't know and maybe won't understand, but I'm not ready to tell them to you. I just wanted to apologize for that night and-”
Sehun abruptly leans in and kisses Joonmyun. It's not graceful at all, their teeth clack uncomfortably at first, and Sehun is so aggressive Joonmyun falls backward. A familiar, guiding hand comes up to reassure Sehun and steady him, allowing Joonmyun to deepen the kiss as Sehun insistently presses forward.
Joonmyun breaks first, resting his forehead against Sehun's chest.
"Good. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," Sehun informs him. "You know you're maddening. You've got striking blonde hair that I was sure meant you were an asshole because who actually thinks they can pull that off? And a classically handsome face with amazing proportions, but you're incredibly weird."
"Hey!" Joonmyun shoves in the ribs until Sehun is on his back and he's looming over him.
"I mean it as a compliment. Weird as in quirky, cute, but also really hot I guess." Sehun brushes the hair out of Joonmyun's face. "And there's the fact that I have absolutely no idea what you do for a living. You're an enigma." Sehun kisses the tip of his nose and wraps his arms around Joonmyun's waist, pulling him down to close the gap between them.
"I could say the same for you. I don't know anything about you."
"Well, I'm Sehun. I'm 24 years old and I started photography as a way to help pay off student loans at first but someone started buying my work routinely and the rest is history. Now I sometimes do graphic design as well but I really fell in love with photography and can’t see myself doing anything else. I also recently met a man who I think is afraid of being loved and opening up but I'm willing to keep trying if he’ll let me."
Joonmyun looks at him with reddened cheeks and downcast eyes. "Thank you... For not running."
--
Joonmyun isn't sure how they end up in his bedroom. It was late, and Joonmyun had proposed Sehun just stay over. And somewhere between being curled into Sehun’s side and the hypnotizing circles Sehun had rubbed into his arm as he held him, and the soft kisses on the back of his neck, Joonmyun ended up writhing beneath Sehun as he prepped him with such tenderness Joonmyun thought he might burst from the overwhelming feeling of adoration and satisfaction.
Sehun enters him with just as much care, presses in slowly as Joonmyun hooks his legs behind him to pull him forward. It’s a slow burn, a subtle build up of pleasure that has the smallest of movements being enough to send them both over the edge. Joonmyun’s moans fill the room, accompanied by Sehun’s harsh breathing and low groans.
When Sehun wakes, it’s to a note saying Joonmyun’s gone to work, but that Sehun should grab something to eat before leaving and be sure to call him later. He laughs because the handwritten note instead of a text is so incredibly Joonmyun.
--
Sehun spends more time with Joonmyun as the days go by. He even convinces him to be the subject in one of his experimental shoots. Much to Sehun’s disappointment, and despite Joonmyun’s near-perfect face, he’s almost completely unphotogenic. Joonmyun simply blames it on Sehun. “A good photographer can make anyone look good,” he says. Sehun feigns offense as Joonmyun sulks while pouting about the angle not being right.
On this particular afternoon, Sehun is toying with the business card Joonmyun had passed out at his private preview event so long ago. There’s only an address, and a huge ‘S’ on the front. Sehun thinks the logo looks familiar but he can’t place it. Curiosity gets the best of him while driving and he ends up at the inconspicuous office building. Accounting? Law? Joonmyun would have to hide neither of those. Sehun’s starting to think Joonmyun could possibly be a mob boss.
When he walks in he’s greeted by an almost all marble interior: the floors, walls, reception desk. A short man behind the desk asks if Sehun has an appointment. Sehun passes the business card across the smooth surface.
“He gave me this and said come by any time between eleven and two?” Sehun tries.
The man smiles, “right this way then.” He leads Sehun to what looks like a conference room. “Suho will be with you in a moment.”
“Suho?”
“Yes. Who else would you be meeting with?” The man leaves him and Sehun struggles to make sense of everything. He only knew of one Suho, founder of the perfume brand. But it doesn’t make sense that it would be-
“Joonmyun?” Sehun glances at the man in the doorway who is clearly surprised to see Sehun here.
“Sehun… What are you-why are you here?”
“So you’re Suho.” Sehun purses his lips for a moment. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I was expecting much worse.”
“You’re not mad?” Joonmyun walks in all the way into the room finally, closing the frosted glass door behind him.
“I can’t think of a reason why I should be angry. Other than the fact that your job might be even cooler than mine.”
Joonmyun sighs. “But… DEST1NY? I mean wouldn’t you-I just think-” None of Joonmyun’s words will come out right and he’s beginning to become deeply frustrated.
“Kyungsoo has told me everything about DEST1NY. It’s just a helping hand, it can’t create and control feelings that aren’t already present.”
“I know but, it still feels like we met under false pretenses sometimes, like I tricked you.”
“I just think life has a funny way of working out. We went to the same university, have friends in common, you own almost everything from my portfolio, and I even have a few of your early scents.” Sehun tries to reassure Joonmyun but the look on his face doesn’t change.
“But it makes me wonder why we didn’t meet earlier.”
“Does it matter? We met when we were supposed to meet.” Sehun kisses Joonmyun briefly and strokes his cheek.
“Yeah, I guess we did.”
--
It’s a week later when Kyungsoo is back in Joonmyun’s office.
“Did I ever tell you I planned on introducing you to Sehun that night? It’s why I brought you along with me.”
Joonmyun looks up from his lunch.”Really?”
Kyungsoo hums in response while opening the blinds to let some light in. “Mhm, I had no idea that Sehun would be the one DEST1NY grabbed for you. Just thought you’d like to know in light of recent events.”
“Thanks Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo watches, disgusted as dressing drips down Joonmyun’s chin. “God don’t talk with your mouth full. Also Sehun is here to see you again. And please do not have sex in this office when there is a perfectly good lounge no one ever uses. There was a stain on one of the material order forms last time.” Kyungsoo shakes his head back and forth rapidly in disapproval as he walks out of the office.
Joonymun nearly chokes on his food from mortification. “Thank you Kyungsoo, please send him in.”
--
Joonmyun didn’t start believing in love overnight, he’s not even sure thinks that’s what this is. He still sometimes has his doubts about Sehun and their relationship. But if Sehun didn’t run away from this, neither will Joonmyun. He’s definitely not one to believe in fate or soulmates, but Joonmyun likes to think he and Sehun would have met without DEST1NY anyway. Somewhere down the road Joonmyun would have eventually gone to gallery opening for his favorite photographer, asked about a photograph in a clients home, or maybe even run into Sehun with Kyungsoo. He’s realized it’s okay to have doubt and that the key to loving someone isn’t giving them your everything all at once, but sharing all of you with them, piece by piece, slowly over time.