WHO ARE YOU, REALLY? ̖́-

the silence lingers between them after he speaks and taemin has to practice his patience -- mainly because of who it was that he was with, seeing as if it had been anyone else, he would of really been over the entire situation by now. minkyo deserved to say whatever she needed to say though, and the part of him that held her in high regard kept his sharp words at bay as she finally started to, an expectant look growing across his features as she pauses for a moment. he is hoping that it is as drastic and dreary as she is making it out to be ; but when the word ‘girlfriend’ is thrown out into the space put between the two of them in his living room he feels his brow furrow in confusion. at what, though, taemin isn’t sure of entirely at first. minkyo having a girlfriend? this being some sort of breakup? or her thinking that this was BIG enough for the dramatic flare. taemin blinks a few times, dark brown yes settled on minkyo evenly before he slowly leans back into the couch and makes a small sound of acknowledgement, “a girlfriend,” he repeats out loud, lips pursing a little before he finally decides it’s not a big deal and shrugs his shoulders. “that’s it? that’s what you’ve been making things so awkward for? you have a girlfriend?”

it takes one slip of the ‘hyung’ on taesuk’s part and suddenly the annoyance and tension straining in taemin’s stature slips and ebbs away, a small sigh escaping a frowned mouth as he gives his best friend a nod in understanding. a silent PROMISE for taesuk that he would make an effort to not work himself too hard. even with the cold and snarky demeanor that he gave off there was a side to taemin that did enjoy the company of someone close to him -- someone who knew and would acknowledge how he could get with the stress that he piled up on his own plates. taemin pokes at his food as he listens to taesuk make his defense, the unimpressed expression morphing across his face as he scoffs at the words, eating more of the food instead of immediately retorting back to him. “sure--” taemin mumbles out around the food in his mouth, shoved over into one of his cheeks to allow his words to actually be coherent. a grunt slips at the harsh jab, hand coming up to press against the sore spot as he shoots taesuk a glare, “i bruise like a peach. you know this. don’t do that to me.” taemin’s glare lingers on taesuk for a moment, eyeing him as if he can see right through the words and can see the truth -- which is ACCURATE. taesuk wasn’t telling him something ; he continued deflecting. “suddenly you care more about your class than me? since when?” taemin finally responds, brow quirking quizzically. “sure i would, but that’s common knowledge between the two of us. now--” taemin pokes at his food again, bringing a bite to his mouth and pausing before he takes it, “--tell me what’s wrong.”

he isn’t quite sure what to make of the situation at hand. normally, interactions with @mcnkyos go one way or another -- casual hang outs with one another and dinners spent with each others company or their more personal adventures spent in his bedroom, her bedroom, or any room that they happened to fall into each other in. that was their normalcy. and had been for the past few months. this, however, was NOT what taemin had been prepared for when minkyo asked if she could come over. there was a lingering unspoken topic jarring the time they were spending with each other tonight ; taemin could feel her tension and it was beginning to prickle underneath his skin and aggravate. she looks a bit distressed, and although his initial concern had been there, it eventually faded away as the unknown tension began to grow even more, until he just couldn’t stand it anymore, “are you going to TELL ME what you came here to tell me? because i don’t know how much i can handle this--” taemin pauses, finger moving to motion towards the silence of space in between the two of them, the annoyance evident in his face now, “--for much longer.”

you’re lucky i like you. it’s a phrase that taemin has heard one too many times from people, hyemi being included in that list, and he can’t help the roll of his eyes in response to it, mirroring his friend’s own actions. “yes, because if you didn’t, you would of destroyed me by now.” taemin continues, tacking on the part that had been left unsaid. “i’m glad our childhood memories together have been enough for you to decide that i’m WORTH tolerating. in my own defense, you’ve put me through worse.” there is a sardonic drawl in his tone, and taemin watches from his peripherals as hyemi moves out from behind the counter for them to make their leave, and he’s pushing off from where he’s been leaning seconds later to follow suit. brown eyes swiftly turn to glance towards the clock she’s looking at, holding back a retort that just wasn’t needed seeing as he was getting what he wanted. he’ll hold his tongue for her. taemin moves ahead to open the door, ignoring the chime that signals their leave as he does so, holding it until hyemi FINALLY passes through. “depends on what you’re wanting,” taemin answers, brow quirking as he walks with languid steps, “there is the one restaurant we’ve gone to a few times before around the corner. there is a new one just a bit of a drives away. i could call up a ride if need be. and there are more than enough small cafes around here that would suffice. i’m really NOT picky--” he pauses at his own words before making a face, “besides that one all you can eat that we went to. that was disgusting. we aren’t going to that one.”

“apparently people think i’m mean.” taemin muses out loud, humoring his previous comment a little bit more, “but i think people are just too sensitive.” his twitter notifications were enough for that to be backed up and supported. apparently his discussion on a certain idol during his radio show today didn’t settle lightly with some of their rabid fans. his phone buzzes again. taemin keeps his gaze on beckett. “if you’re trying to make this into some weird roleplay scenario and expect me to bring up handcuffs or call you sir, then i’m going to just shut that down real fast. i'm ONLY here for the drugs.”

the comment manages to get a smirk to curl onto the edge of his lips, amused by it the sheer falseness of it more than anything. “i suppose i could come off that way,” it was a funny thing for someone to think in regards to him. but then again they didn’t know each other. “there’s nothing about my life to hate. i’m actually pretty content.” taemin says in a light tone, gaze still cast downwards and focused on his phone before he pulls a slight face, the insufferable thought of his ride being late returning and then he sighs, “well-- i’ll correct myself. BESIDES my ride being beyond late and leaving me stuck out here, i’m pretty content. but i’m not sure if i would classify that as hate. more so an inconvenience... and annoying.”

had it of been anyone else’s papers being swept off by the wind, and taemin had been there to witness it just as he did a few seconds ago, he would of kept on walking. involving himself in other people’s misfortunes was only enjoyable when he had some sort of upper hand or could benefit in some degree from their fuck up -- but upon realizing it was yeri, taemin had immediately felt that familiar tug of fondness in him that somewhere along the way had developed. he was barely fond of anyone. her demeanor made it difficult to be too brash and rude ; taemin contained himself. at yeri’s apology, he brushes it off because he doesn’t need it. “you’re not a burden,” he corrects, fixing her with a look, “what were you doing before that happened?”

there was really only one reason that taemin had found himself within the familiar store -- and it had nothing to do with the new clothing line that had just been installed and displayed for loyal shoppers to admire and splurge on. although it certainly was on level with his taste, taemin disregarded it in FAVOR of continuing to lounge on the counter of the desk where customers would check out from time to time, pulling him and @hycmi away from the casual conversation they had fallen into since he had made his appearance. the ONE reason. a childhood friend, someone who had been born and raised in the high profile society that he had been brought up in with his own family ; she had been the ONE good thing to actually come from it all  (  the one thing he could still stand in regards to that selection of people  )  .  he has got his hip propped against the edge of the table as he pulls out his phone, scrolling through his twitter feed with disinterest as he waited impatiently for the customer that had just walked up to be handled and go on their way. it took a solid forty-five seconds, and once the door to the boutique closed behind them, taemin is sighing in exasperation as he looks towards his company, “why don’t you just close for a little bit,” he urges, lips twisting in displeasure at the constant distractions, “i’m company. good company. quality company. and i’ll buy you lunch.”

“i’m not a big fan of surprises.” is the response taemin decides to go with, despite this specific surprise not being looked down upon like the rest would of. had it been anyone else he might of been legitimately annoyed over the random appearance and attempt to take away his time. he has easily gone and forgotten about the annoyance prior to the realization of it being taesuk now, though, uncharacteristically accepting this surprise and only because of who is was. the sturdy press of the brick wall finds his back once more as he leans on it for support, unimpressed expression still evident even as his best friend attempted to deter his venom away from the interns. he understood what taesuk was attempting ; the problem was he just didn’t give a shit. taemin was already on edge and losing his patience. they were lucky they didn’t have to deal with him PERSONALLY majority of the time. “they need to try a bit harder.” his snide remark is slipped in easily, but taemin is done with those thoughts the second after he says it, wanting not to stress any more about them than he already has. taemin is catching the chopsticks tossed his way with ease, impassive expression casting across his features as he digs into the meal, taking a few bites before pausing at the question. eyes narrow as he turns his face just the slightest towards his best friend, giving him a narrowed glance, “because you’re usually blowing up my phone.” he says in a matter-of-fact tone, not bothering to respond to the second question that had been asked. “and you having class isn’t an excuse. you’ve texted me throughout those too. i’m not sure you even actually LEARN anything in them.”

“i’m under the constant impression that i don’t really like anything, actually.” taemin finds himself responding back with ease, the slow curl of a smirk finding the edge of his lips. it was partially true ; there were enough reminders in a day for taemin to acknowledge that. “but i guess if i was going to like SOMETHING--” he makes a considering expression and leaves his response at that, part of him finding a little bit of amusement in the vaguely suggestive comment. his gaze is moving to look back towards his phone as it vibrates in his hand suddenly, signaling a notification and it’s from twitter, of course, but his attention hasn’t drifted from beckett just yet, “no. this is where i do all my illegal drug dealing and handling, actually." if one didn’t know him well enough ; they might of actually believed him. the smirk from before was gone now, replaced by an expression that gave nothing about him away. “the radio host thing is just a ploy, really.”

there is an impressive level of disgust on taemin’s face when he sees gunwoo’s smirk and hears his response -- which had been expected. it was exactly what taemin figured the other would resort to simply because the other knew that he would be incapable of not responding to it. “well that certainly seems appropriate, doesn’t it? anyone who lays in it dies from some unseen horrible thing. more than likely you. so, i’ll have to pass.” is his simple retort back to the comment, the sudden low rumble of a purr emitting from bap in his arms filling him with a heavy sense of affection, just enough to suddenly cut off the edge of the SHARP comment that he had just aimed at gunwoo and his pride. it’s the word ‘neglected’ that has him immediately fixing his attention back onto the other though, glaring and looking offended, “i do not neglect dubu. or bap. i don’t neglect either of them. don’t say things like that to him.” he is half tempted to snatch the other cat from gunwoo’s arms but he holds himself back, knowing he will find the moment to give the other cat attention at some point in the time spent here, seeing as they were the ONLY reason he even bothered coming over in the first place. taemin hums in disinterest at disturbing gunwoo’s nap time and the mention of maids leaves him completely unaffected. maids were normal in his life ; even if not for the other. one hand is gently rubbing circles against bap’s cheek, enjoying the look of contentment on the felines face before taemin is glancing away to look at the forgotten food he had placed on the table just moments ago. “food,” he answers back mockingly, finding his own personal joy in his own childish response. “the edible kind. from a place.”

“i can cancel if i really feel like i need to do it. i’m capable of doing that. don’t doubt me.” it’s a warning and yet the both of them knew that he was going to be the last person to allow their little tradition to die away. still, it doesn’t stop the threat from naturally slipping anyway, the need to get his point across that he was not happy largely evident. it had a lot less to do with his childhood friend’s lateness though and more to do with her segment today. where he supported noori and her radio show even when he had his very own, what he didn’t appreciate was the ‘call out’, no name or not. and it’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it? but taemin decides he doesn’t care about being HYPOCRITICAL when the situation at hand suddenly involves a personal friend. “you’re right, you didn’t, but at the same time everyone knew who you were directing it towards,” taemin moves to lift his own phone, pulling up his twitter activity and showing it to her with an unimpressed expression, “--clearly.” he huffs soundly as he slumps back against his chair, hands flicking to toss the phone down onto the table carelessly, a subtle pout already downturning his lips as his gaze fixes on noori once more -- he won’t touch the plate of fries that they would be sharing until this entire situation is handled. his appetite is gone. he is upset. “i’d give it a solid eight.” taemin responds after a second of pondering, giving a roll of his eyes, “i know we’re always going to have a difference of opinions over things, but i figured the MULTIPLE conversations we’ve had over that would of been good enough for you not to slander me on your radio show. i would of expected it from anyone else but when it comes from you--” there is a one-sided shrug on his end as his gaze shifts to look out the large glass windows of the diner they’re in. “i take it a little more personally. you know that.”

“you know, the longer i sat here all by myself, the more i was beginning to question and doubt why i’m even bothering meeting up with you in the first place. even if it does involve a meal,” it’s the first thing that slips from taemin’s mouth when he sees the familiar face of his childhood friend,   @nccri  ​, finally enter his line of vision as she walks up to the table he’s been sitting at casually and impatiently for longer than he would of liked. noori was lucky she was who she was -- and that taemin was fond -- otherwise the lunch date would of been over ten minutes ago as he would of simply left by now. taemin is sitting back in his chair though instead, settling himself in and reaching for the cup of tea he’s been sipping on as he waited, sharp brown eyes still lingering on his company though as she makes herself comfortable. taking a small drink, taemin moves to set his phone down on the table, screen still upwards so that he could see whatever notifications appeared while it was not in his hand, attention gracing that of noori now and he can’t help but give her a small smirk  (  but it lacked actual humor or mirth  )  .  “there is nothing i love more than listening to your radio show and hearing a passive aggressive call out towards yours truly,” taemin motions to himself for emphasis, brow quirking, “my twitter notifications have been blowing up ever since you opened your mouth. it’s all VERY much appreciated, noori. really made my day.”