Jinki knew Jonghyun was hiding something from him. He no longer was sleeping in Jinkiâs room but in his shared room with Taemin, which he never slept in since he always just crashed with him whenever he was staying at the dorms. It wasnât like he was avoiding him though, because whenever they met, he was the usual adorably cheery and clingy, but he often made excuses whenever Jinki wanted to just cuddle up with him at the end of the day. He would humor Jinki until Jinki fell asleep and would escape, unaware that Jinki had woken up to the absence of his warmth. Jinki was sullen about this but he didnât know how to bring it upâ because he thought that maybe it wasnât Jonghyun who was the clingy one, but himself⌠and hence, no wonder Jonghyun needed space.
So he didnât think much of it when Jonghyun wouldnât stay and cuddle for long after their movie night or when heâd go home instead of coming to the dorm after his schedules. It was such a little thing that had been cut back, but for Jinki it stood out like a sore thumb. He was too used to having Jonghyunâs warmth against him, falling asleep to his rhythmic breathing, sometimes to his sleepy humming. He was too used to waking up to his adorably handsome sight, lost in peaceful slumber, watching him just for a minute more before he woke him up with a kiss. He was too used to the way they got ready for the day together, he was too used to their unnecessary chatting and joking as they stuffed their faces with breakfast. It was alright when Jonghyun stayed at home every once or twice a week, but this dynamic had been missing for over three weeks now and it was slowly setting everything else in Jinkiâs daily schedule astray. After all, his day both started and ended with Jonghyun in some way or the other. Not having that was building up a restlessness within him.
This continued until Christmas. Jinki just ruled it out as him missing Jonghyun too much. Jonghyun certainly needed space now that he was thinking deeply about it. Texting round the clock, meeting between schedules, one waiting for the other to finish their work and then going on little dates, spending the night together, only leaving each otherâs side for work the following dayâ Jinki certainly hogged up most of Jonghyunâs time. Jinki came to an understanding with Jonghyunâs distance soon because there were more priorities in Jonghyunâs life, especially with Christmas coming up.
So he was pleasantly surprised when Jonghyun turned up at the dorms late night on Christmas, instead of just spending the night at home. He smelt pleasantly of his cologne and cake, a bit of wine too. Jinki had returned from his own house a couple of hours ago and no one else was at the dorms that time, so Jinki knew Jonghyun was here for him and he softened at his sight, extending his hands. Jonghyun took them and slowly entered his embrace, letting go of his hands so he could snuggle into Jinki instead.
âWhat happened?â Jinki asked after a few moments, having noticed the sullen expression Jonghyun had been trying to hide, âYou look pissed.â
Jonghyun tightened his arms around Jinki, âI screwed up big time,â He answered in a cute, muffled voice.
âIt couldnât be that bad.â Jinki reassured him despite not knowing what might have gone wrong.
âYou havenât seen it yet. Once you do, you canât say that.â
âBut what is it?â
Jonghyun slowly straightened up, his cheeks flushed as he answered, âI had picked up knitting a while back⌠and I decided to make you a sweater for Christmas⌠and I worked so hard on it, I restrained myself from you just so that I can make you something decent butâŚâ He groaned before hiding his face into Jinki again.
âOhâŚâ Jinki felt overwhelmed then, understanding the reason behind Jonghyunâs small absences. He felt so guilty, yet his heart was overflowing with fondness at his reason and he hugged Jonghyun tighter, kissing the top of his head, âIâm sure itâs not bad. Lemme see it.â
Jonghyun slowly wriggled out of his embrace, âOkay, youâre only gonna see it. I am gonna throw it into the fireplace right after you do.â
Jinki laughed, âFine.â
Jonghyun picked up the messenger bag that he had discarded after he had entered and pulled out a package, handing it over to Jinki reluctantly. Jinki unwrapped it and pulled out a dark blue sweater, which was so soft and seemed warm, the size was perfect too, slightly baggy and comfortable and in the frontâ
âEnough.â Jonghyun pulled it back, his cheeks growing pink, his brows wrinkling.
But Jinki just laughed, pulling it back from him, âItâs my present. I canât allow you to burn it.â
âNo, hyung, just give it back to me, Iâm going to make you anotherââ Jonghyun was pulling it back from him but Jinki was quick, he freed the sweater from Jonghyunâs hold and stepped back, quickly discarding his cardigan and putting the sweater on instead.
âIâd love another one, but Iâm gonna keep this one as well.â
âNooo~â Jonghyun whined, stepping ahead and trying to pull it off Jinki, âGet it off, itâs so ugly!â
âIf you wanna throw it into the fireplace, youâll have to throw me along with it.â Jinki caught his hands, before he kissed his pout, âIâd rather you not, I have a schedule tomorrow.â
Jonghyun just gave up, âFine, just donât wear it outside.â
âNo promises,â Jinki whispered, hugging him again, âItâs so cute and special, I really wanna flaunt it around.â
âYouâre the worst.â Jonghyun elbowed him before hugging him back.
Kibum sighed when he came back from a shoot and found Jinki rolling on the couch, texting (probably Jonghyun) in that same sweater he had probably seen him wearing continuously for days. He would wash it and wait for it to dry before wearing it again. It was the only sweater he wore when he was home. It was crazy why he would do that when it was so fucking ugly. âMy eyes hurt!â He exclaimed as he passed Jinki by, who was completely ignoring him, giggling at his phone.
Kibum sat down at the breakfast table, his eyes falling on Taemin who was eating soggy cereal while he played some stupid game on his tablet.
âThat hyung wonât tell me whatâs up with him,â Kibum knocked on the table, diverting Taeminâs attention to himself, âBut where did he get such a sweater from? I know that thing in front is supposed to be a Christmas tree but it looks like green poop⌠and why the fuck is that old man so obsessed with such an ugly thing?â
Taemin splurted out some cereal as he burst out laughing, âDonât let Jonghyun hyung hear you.â He said, throwing the tissue box at a disgusted Kibum, who had pieces of cereal on his face.
âGosh,â Kibum wiped his face as he glanced over at Jinki rolling around in his sweater, âNo wonder.â
âYou have only still seen him rolling around in it.â Taemin turned back to his tablet, gasping because his character died as soon as he had resumed his paused game, âJust wait until you hear him talk about it.â
And Kibum saw it later when Jonghyun was home and he was snuggled into Jinki as they waited for Minho to put on a movie.
âSoft, isnât it?â Jinki asked and Jonghyun just hummed, tracing his fingers over the green poop Christmas tree on his sweater. âGuess what itâs made of?â
Jonghyun furrowed his brows in confusion, âWool. Iâm pretty sure I used wool.â
âWrong.â Jinki grinned, âItâs made of boyfriend material.â
Taemin snorted into his popcorn tub and Kibum just rolled his eyes before glancing back at them, watching Jonghyun chuckle at Jinkiâs awful joke before pecking his lips.
Kibum rested back in the couch, grabbing a fist full of popcorn from Taemin, suppressing his urge to throw something at Jinki for that joke and to eye Jonghyun judgingly for laughing at it.
âTold ya.â Taemin stuffed his face with popcorn. âItâs bad but theyâre perfect for each other.â
Kibum just sighed and somehow ending up smiling just the slight, because Taemin was damn right.
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Hi guys, this year is going to slightly different from last time. We are swamped with work and exams but still wanted to add something here so the number of drabbles coming up will be less ;;;; I was having such a tough time deciding who to dedicate each one to, since I want to tag a lot of shawols but donât have many drabbles to add this time... so just wanted to say that these stories are dedicated to all of you!Â
We hope the drabbles are able to make you smile even the slightest âĄÂ
a/n prompt posted at the end to not spoil the fun :3
It had been happening for a long time now. Jinki had noticed something change, something different between the two youngest of their band and at first he had brushed it off thinking that it was probably nothing and just him looking too deep into it⌠but for almost a year now⌠he had not been able to shake it off. This feeling that maybe, maybe, there was something more between the two, a spark of some sorts.
Everyone else was oblivious to it, and Jinki wondered how no one noticed when Taemin snuggled closer into Minho, how he fell asleep against him by the end of the movie all of them were watching; how no one noticed when Minho would let him clear all the little distance away by snuggling so close, how he would shift gently when he noticed Taemin to have fallen asleep, so that Taemin could rest comfortably against him.
How could no one ever notice? The thought fluttered in Jinkiâs mind because Taemin would never get this comfortable with anyone else, nor Minho would tolerate such a lack of distance with anyone else, at least not for long before politely brushing off anyone who got clingy with him. But he never refused Taemin.
Itâs kinda cute. The thought often casually sprung up in Jinkiâs mind as he watched them whisper to each other so animatedly, so intimately as they made their protein shakes late in the morning. Taeminâs soft, careless offbeat chuckling and Minhoâs dorky grinâ this kind of cheer was rare in their demeanor. This was their most relaxed, most happy state he had seen and it was mostly when they were around each other.
Woah. Jinki couldnât help but notice at how Taeminâs eyes darted to Minho the very first when he entered the room, how fond they grew when he looked at him, how he just stood and stared while Minho was going about his usual chores or just yawning while he rolled on the sofa with his phone, completely oblivious to it. Yet⌠quite not, because it was with the same fondness Minho glanced at Taemin whenever he would fall asleep against him or would be struggling to get into his jacket and boots before leaving for his schedule in the early morning. He would rush to his rescue the next moment though and guide his arm into the sleeves and let Taemin hold onto his shoulders as support as he stuffed his feet into his shoes properly. And Taemin would bid him goodbye so softly, wearing a smile that Jinki knew wasnât just of gratitude. Jinki would almost wait with bated breath, expecting the next moment, the next gesture. But Taemin would just leave awkwardly, a bit reluctantly and Jinki felt like something was missing. Like there was something that was not happening.
And it took a few more instances such as this for him to realize what it was.
They never crossed boundaries.
They liked each other, but neither of them was aware of it.
Jinki realized that perhaps this had been going on for longâ them hesitating, controlling themselves, suppressing their feelings because they both thought that the possibility of the other requiting such feelings was null. It would be such a waste, it would be such a tragedy if this went on until they both gave up and moved on, leaving nothing but a bittersweet feeling instead of that wonderful feeling that was in full bloom in their hearts. The way they would look at each other wouldnât be so fond but sad and regretful, they would grow further apart, being unable to even handle being just friends with how much hurt that would have accumulated over time, weighing them down.
And Jinki wanted nothing of that to happen. He didnât know what it was, maybe the contract, maybe the pressure of their fame, or maybe their own insecurities, but nothing was worth letting this spark between them just die down. So he took it upon himself to make that something that was not happening, happen. He knew, in the end, it was their choice to either let it flare or extinguish, but it was at least right for them to know⌠that it was mutual.
âWhy me?â Jonghyun asked in a sing-song tone as he searched for the pralines in the ice cream tub.
âIf I rope in Kibum for this, he will take control of the situation,â Jinki answered, âNot that I mind it, but he wouldnât be subtle about what we are trying to do.â
Jonghyun snickered, âYouâre right. He would just gather those two and tell them to date already. ButâŚâ He looked at Jinki, smirking, âIt would certainly get the job done.â
âThey deserve to have that moment, you know, of them finding out themselves and confessing to each other.â
Jonghyun hummed, âOkay, Iâm in.â
Jinki smiled brightly before his eyes landed on all holes Jonghyun had dug into the ice cream, âHey⌠donât eat all the pralines!â
âQuickly grab a spoon then,â Jonghyun chuckled evilly, digging another hole, âBefore they are all gone.â
Jonghyun lowered his nose mask just slightly to glance over at all the stuff Jinki was throwing into the shopping cart. He had been too distracted by the scented candles Jinki had first put in, sniffing at them and relishing their scent, to have noticed the possible disaster that was unfolding before him. The cartâ that had barely had a few things was now overflowing. He freed a pack of string lights from the humongous bunch of ornaments before he was distracted by the tinsel Jinki had just thrown in, adding to the ridiculous amount of stuff that had already filled the cart to the brim. Next, he saw him throwing in little cute figurines, some random stuff that was probably gonna be the gifts, a wreath, three more different kinds of string lights, a dozen bows and bells. They did try to do the best for Christmas⌠but Jinki was kinda overdoing it with how literally everything he touched was now in the cart.
âUm,â He finally spoke up on seeing Jinki try to find space to stuff in some wrapping paper and ribbons for presents, âYou should probably stop.â
âBut Iâm yet to get the most important thing,â Jinki replied, pouting a little.
âAnd that is?â
Jinkiâs pout turned into a smirk the moment Jonghyun had asked⌠and instead of answering, he just turned and grabbed that âimportant thingâ and placed it carefully on the pile of his shopping, making Jonghyun smile knowingly as he pieced everything together, âOh.â
âAll done now. Letâs checkout.â Jinki dusted his hands.
âWe are not done⌠yet.â Jonghyun suddenly said, his smile growing a little sheepish as Jinki gave him a puzzled look. âWeâll be done once we get these,â Jonghyun said, taking out the scented candle he had been eyeing before, âWill you buy it for me, hyung?â
Jinki squinted before he chuckled, âGrab the other one as well. I know you couldnât decide between the two and want both of them.â
âYay!â Jonghyun exclaimed softly before he placed both his items in the cart and began following Jinki to the checkout.
âIs this supposed to be our dorm or a festival hall?â Kibum deadpanned as he chewed on his caramel popcorn while he watched Jinki and Jonghyun make the finishing touches on the decorations they had done. âChristmas is still a week away⌠and why do we have so many stockings⌠and why do we have reindeers⌠like⌠everywhere?â He said, glancing at how literally every little space in the shelves and counters was occupied by a little palm-sized reindeer.
âIsnât it cute, though?â Jinki chuckled, pushing the nose of the reindeer and âRudolph the red nose reindeerâ began to play as its nose lit up, âWho wouldnât get these?â
Kibum pursed his lips. Well, they were cute, but Jonghyun had pressed literally every reindeerâs nose as he passed them by while decorating their dorm, and all that was ringing in his head was that damn carol because he had probably listened to it about twenty times now because of that dino and he swore if he had to listen to it again, he wouldâ
âRudolph the red nose reindeer~â Jonghyun sang along with the reindeer that he had just set off while carrying the leftover tinsel over the to the storeroom, âHad a very shiny nose~â
Kibum swore under his breath before he turned on the TV to distract himself with some different kind of Christmas music, deciding not to rain on his hyungsâ parade because though annoying, they seemed in such high spirits. No way was he gonna ruin that.
The Christmas playlist he had selected on random was pretty good until âRudolph the red nose reindeerâ came on again, this time in kiddy voices and he gave up, deciding to accept his fate. He just left the playlist on before he approached Jinki, âI wanna help.â
âAre you sure, you were working 12 hours today.â Jinki hummed, âJust rest, itâs almost done.â
âThe stockings are empty.â Kibum pointed out.
âOh!â Jinki turned towards where he had hung the stockings. Five for each member, a color designated to each of them as well, âThen feel free to fill them,â He said, grabbing that huge packet of various assorted chocolates and candies and handing it over. âAnd donât fill Taeminâs too much. You dote on him blindly.â
âYeah, got it, old man.â Kibum took the packet from him and headed towards the stockings, unwrapping one bar of chocolate to glomp on while he did his task.
A few minutes later, their door dinged and it was Minho entering, looking surprised at how bright and colorful their dorm had become. âWow, hyung, need any help?â He asked Jinki as he walked to where the leader was, decorating the tree with Jonghyun.
âArenât you tired?â
âNot at all, I napped on the way back home.â
âThen, make us some coffee please?â Jinki turned to Kibum, âDo you want some coffee, Bum?â
âYes, please~â Kibum called back.
The moment Minho had stripped himself of his extra layers and had entered the kitchen, their front door dinged again. It was Taemin who got rid of his coat right away, grumbling as he dusted off some snow and rushed in towards the warmer part of their living room, his steps halting and his frown disappearing as he noticed how decked their dorm was. He darted towards Kibum first, taking out a candy bar as he greeted Kibum. He began eating it as he approached the other two at the tree and fidgeted with the ornaments that had been hung as he watched his hyungs wrap up their work. âNeed help hyung?â He asked as he stuffed the last bit of the chocolate into his mouth.
âWeâre all done here, you can help Minho with the coffee though.â Jonghyun chirped as he tied the trash bag he had filled with all the boxes and packaging they had removed their stuff from.
Taemin nodded as he sauntered into the kitchen, finding Minho standing near the island, pouring coffee into mugs. Taemin grabbed his mug and placed it next to the other mugs, softly greeting him before they both started whispering to themselves, small smiles on their faces.
Jinki glanced over them before he signaled Jonghyun who nodded and grabbed Kibum before following the leader into the kitchen.
Jinki cleared his throat when he was in, interrupting the soft conversation between the two, making them look at him, âGuys,â He began, âYouâre standing under the mistletoe.â
Both Minho and Taemin looked up to find the mistletoe hanging above them, amidst all the tinsel and lights.
âWhy would you put that up, hyung?â Minho asked, getting slightly flustered as he finished up pouring coffee into Taeminâs mug.
Jinki just smiled and was about to take his leave to give them their privacy because he had brought the matter of their feelings before them and now it was theirâ
âCâmon donât be a spoilsport~â Taemin tugged at Minhoâs sleeve, leaning in slightly⌠and Minho swore under his breath, catching Taemin's contagious smile as he did away the rest of the distance between them and kissed him. Taemin wrapped his arms around his neck and broke away just the slight only to kiss him again, this time deepening it, and Minho wound his arms around his waist, kissing him back.
Jinki stood struck at what had transpired before his eyes before he heard a soft suppressed chuckle, making him turn back, finding it to be Jonghyun, pursing his lips and Kibum who just sighed before smirking, having pieced everything together.
âYou guys knew?!â He softly exclaimed as everything finally made sense and they just smirked, getting their coffee from the island before making their exit. Jinki just watched them, eyes wide before his eyes trailed back to Minho and Taemin, watching Minho leave pecks on Taeminâs cheeks and Taemin giggle to his gentle touch.
He slowly grabbed his coffee before making his own exit, getting embarrassed at things more than one.
Taemin entered Minhoâs room with his pillow and jumped beside him, kissing his protruding, popcorn-filled cheek before snuggling against him, eyes falling on the blaring TV in the dimly lit room. The show he had been watching had ended so Minho switched it off before sliding down, wrapping his arms around Taemin, sighing as Taeminâs scent mixed with his shampoo filled his senses. It was so delicate and relaxing.
Taemin started tapping soft rhythms on Minhoâs arm, âDo you remember when Kibum hyung tried to set us up too?â
âYeah, it was about four years ago,â Minho chuckled, âHe went to our schedule instead of us and forced us on a date in the countryside. He was pissed when he found out we were already dating.â
âAnd a few months later, when you were preparing for your solo, Jonghyun hyung called me to the studio to encourage you during your recording. You were singing a few of his demos to choose a song andââ
âHe had slipped in âI love you, Minhoâ in the lyrics,â Taemin laughed softly, snuggling closer into him, âHe couldnât believe we were already dating. He kept asking us how it was possible for a week.â
âJinki hyungâs attempt was so cute too.â
âHis face,â Taemin chuckled, âLetâs come clean once and for all tomorrow.â
âYeah, I donât think they know weâve been dating for almost nine years now. Since they only started to suspect us around four years ago.â
âNine years,â Taemin whispered, a soft smile on his face, as he closed his eyes, âIt will be nine years this Christmas.â
Minho tightened his embrace around Taemin, nuzzling into him and Taemin giggled at the ticklish sensation, feeling his heart quicken at how warm Minho was, at how firm his hold was, at how he was trying to convey something through it.
âI have been thinking about it a lot,â Minho began, â...now more than ever.â
âAbout what?â
âAbout how much I want to spend every Christmasâ every day and night⌠ just everything with you for the rest of my life.â
âAre you sure?â Taemin whispered modestly, fidgeting with Minhoâs sleeve.
âSurer than anything.â
Taemin wriggled out of his embrace, biting back a smile before he pulled Minho by the collar, kissing him. Minho smiled against his lips before kissing him back, deepening it, breaking only for breath, kissing him again, until Taemin broke away, breathless, snuggling into him, saying in a muffled voice, âGood luck because now youâre officially stuck with me forever.â
Minho chuckled, kissing the top of his head, whispering back, âItâs all Iâd ever want.â
Minjung sighed as she waited for the bus back to the dorms. She was working a couple of extra hours at the bookstore near campus so that she could take some hours off during exam week. December had started and the temperature was running in negatives but it hadnât snowed yet. She paced around the bus stop, to warm herself up because she had underestimated the cold and had worn a thinner coat than what she would have usually worn.
The bus finally arrived and she grew restless, rubbing her bare palms together as she watched some passengers get down. She was last in line to get in, having lost her spot when she was pacing around. When she finally got in, she breathed in relief at the relatively warmer temperature inside the bus. She began looking for an empty seat but the only one was in the first row, occupied by a bag. She looked to its owner, who was looking out, tapping his feet softly to the song playing in his earphones. She could hear the song from where she stood so she knew it was quite loud and the guy wouldnât be able to hear her. So she patted his shoulder, making him flinch and look to her, a little confused.
Minjung just smiled, mouthing, as she pointed to the seat, âCan I sit here?â
âSorry,â He whispered, taking his bag off the seat and Minjung muttered a thank you, flopping down beside him. The moment she had sat down, she figured out what song the guy had been listening to on such a loud volume.
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Minjung chuckled because Christmas was almost twenty days away and it was unexpected for someone like him to be listening to that song instead of something newer or maybe...grungier. He was dressed that way- in a black leather moto jacket and ripped skinnies. He had many piercings in his ears and his eyes were kohl-rimmed. His cap had spiky studs and his nails were painted too.
Minjung just pulled out her notes, enjoying the rhythm that leaked from his earphones as she began revising some of her coursework.
The next day was the same except that Minjung had learned her lesson and had worn a warmer coat. She didnât like how packed the evening buses were because most students took evening classes opposed to morning ones. The only vacant seat again was the one next to that guyâs because his bag was resting on it like the other day. But he was a little more alert than he was yesterday and when he noticed Minjung scan the seats and step back towards the front, he took his bag off the seat.
Minjung murmured thanks before she sat, the same song infiltrating their shared space. Her eyes found his feet tapping along cheerfully and she somehow found that cute. She was too tired to study today so she sunk into her seat a little and closed her eyes, deciding to listen to the guyâs playlist, curious as to what other kinds of songs he listened to.
But when âAll I Want For Christmas Is Youâ ended, it started again. And when it ended again, it started another time. The song was on a loop and Minjung realized that it probably was too the other day as she couldnât recall any other song he might have listened to. She had been too engrossed in her notes to notice it then.
She wasnât really annoyed- this song was one of her favorites-okay...maybe she was. But what interested her more was his straight face when listening to such a festive song on repeat. And why was he listening to it so much anyway?
She turned slightly away, noticing that she was getting unnecessarily nosy. She occupied herself in a webcomic to calm her urge to voice her stupid curiosity.
The next day was slightly different because there was another vacant seat at the back and Minjung was going to head towards it...but the grunge guy took his bag off his adjacent seat when he saw her get on. Minjung didnât have the heart to go and sit somewhere else after seeing that gesture, especially when the guy had tried to yank him bag off the seat as naturally and discreetly as possible, trying to hide that he had taken his bag off there for her. She thanked him as she sat beside him, contemplating if she had taken the right decision or not when âAll I Want For Christmas Is Youâ filled her ears again.
He must like it a lot. He must be that kind of music listener who listens to one song on repeat until he gets bored of it. She justified his playlist because otherwise, she might not be able to stand listening to it for the ten times that she would have to until her stop came.
But there was something off about him today. He was wearing only one earbud while the other one was in his lap. She casually glanced at it, finding music pouring out of it despite the bud being disengaged from the wire. It looked like someone had stepped on it. It was working but it wouldnât be safe to put it in the ear.
She wanted to offer her earphones but refrained because she didnât know the guy at all. She got off the bus before him too and she would have to ask for them back...and it didnât make sense to lend them for only 20 minutes or so. But he had been kind enough to empty this seat for her without her asking...
She was fidgeting with her earphones, thinking if she should offer them or not and before she could have decided, the bus had reached her stop.
Minjung was sitting next to him the next day as well. He had emptied the seat yet again on sighting her and âAll I Want You For Christmasâ was what he was listening to on a loop again. He hadnât gotten his earphones fixed (honestly, they looked beyond repair to her) nor was he using a different pair. Minjung had deliberately left her earphones in her room because she was getting too caught up in trying to offer him her pair. She knew she was just trying to be kind but she had been told many a time that her kindness came off too strong or was mistaken for something else and the last thing she wanted was to make a person uncomfortable around her. The fact that she noticed his broken earphones would make it blatant that she was watching him secretly and she may come off as a creep.
Mid December
The exam week was upon her before she knew it and instead of working at the bookstore, she was at the library, studying. Her roommate was pretty noisy so she tried to get stuff done before she headed home and that was why she was taking the evening bus again instead of the afternoon one. Somehow she always ended up sitting next to that guy and she greeted him with a âhiâ at times. He just smiled at her slightly, reading her lips before returning to looking at out the window. Minjung revised her materials during the ride so she was no longer bothered by the song playing out of his earphones on repeat.
Her last exam was done and she was walking towards the bus stop, She could take the afternoon bus back to the dorms today because she had nothing to do on campus anymore. But a familiar tune made her halt. âAll I Want For Christmas Is Youâ was leaking out the cafe door near her building and she chuckled. Gosh, Iâm hearing that song too much.
A poster caught her attention and she walked closer to have a look at it. There was a lucky draw going on for the holidays and they got a scratch card if they purchased a large sized drink. She bit her lip, kind of tempted at that. She queued in to get a hot chocolate because it indeed had been long since she drank one...and though she didnât have any high expectations about what she might win in the lucky draw, it sure was nice getting a gift of sorts.
She picked a card out of the bowl and settled with her drink, taking a sip before she began fumbling for a coin to scratch the card. She slowly scratched it out and her eyes widened.
âAwesome! You now own a pair of Skullcandy!â
Skullcandy? Minjung didnât really get what that was but nevertheless went to claim it. They were a pair of earphones. Black...with skulls on them.
Minjung settled down at her table, staring at the earphones neatly packed in their case, a red ribbon tied around it.
She couldnât help but let out a soft chuckle. This was too much of a coincidence.
She took the evening bus instead of the afternoon one. She took the seat the guy emptied for her when he saw her get on the bus. She kept her hands in her bag, fumbling with the box that was inside it, feeling embarrassed and getting nervous about what she was going to do.
âAll I Want For Christmas Is Youâ was playing on repeat, leaking from his broken earphones and it somehow made her believe that this was fate.
When her stop came, she quickly took out the box and placed it in his lap.
âMerry Christmas!â She said, smiling, trying not to sound too nervous and she waved at him awkwardly before she got off, getting embarrassed at how surprised he had seemed, staring at the box in his lap.
She knew he probably didnât need them...maybe he was just lazy to get new ones. Maybe he would think she really was a creep and dump it into the garbage can.
There was nothing she could do now...and if she hadnât given it to him, she would have probably been stuck on the fact that she could have probably helped someone whenever she saw those earphones. So no matter how the guy took her gesture as...at least she was content that she was able to thank him in some way and wouldnât have to worry and regret about a lost chance in the future.
She brushed it off by the time she got to her dorms...because she was probably never going to run into him again from now on anyways.
Late January
Holidays were over and it had been almost a month since the new semester had begun. Minjung had taken morning classes again and usually stopped at the cafe before taking the bus back to the dorms. She had class from 8 to 10.30 A.M and she worked at the bookstore from 11 AM to 4 PM. She had really liked the hot chocolate and she could afford to drink some almost every day with the amount of time she worked out in the mornings and evenings. So she usually bought a small one on her way to catch the 4.30 bus. She drank it on the bus while reading something but today she was very tired from having helped carry the new stock of books in. So she decided to take the first evening bus at 6 PM instead (the bus went all around campus and to various other university buildings so it took that much time to come back to the same stop).
She settled on a table with her hot chocolate, making sure it was a good distance away from the edge before she gently let her feet slip out of her shoes, stretching them. She sighed, fumbling inside her bag for a book she had been reading. As she relaxed, flipping to the page she had bookmarked, her senses grew more attentive of her surroundings. She looked up from her book, finding a faint, familiar melody in the air. It took her no more than a couple of moments to recognize it.
All I Want For Christmas Is You
She knew it wasnât coming from the cafeâs speakers so she turned around curiously, her eyes settling on the table right behind hers.
Her heart began to pace on finding the same grunge guy sitting behind her, pouting as he scribbled something into his notebook, humming along to the song leaking from his earphones. The Skullcandy that Minjung had gifted him, to be exact.
He almost met her eyes. Almost. Minjung had turned away before it could happen. She began to focus on her book and her drink. But her heart was racing for some reason and she was trying to calm it down. She had done nothing wrong! Why was it beating fast like that?!
She flinched when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned around slowly, finding the guy smiling at her, his face slightly aflush.
Gosh, so cute.
âThank you,â He whispered, taking out the earphones from his ears, âFor the earphones.â
âOh,â Minjung calmed a little bit, getting embarrassed as well, âYouâre welcome.â
âCan I treat you toâŚâ He tilted slightly to check what Minjung was drinking, â..some hot chocolate some time? As a proper thank you.â
Minjung opened her mouth, flustered, about to say that itâs fine but he spoke before her.
âI didnât have time to get new ones and the online delivery was gonna take 2 weeks. I needed them to turn in last-minute critiques of Christmas music for my course soâŚâ He smiled, âThese were indeed a life savior.â
âPlease?â He sounded flustered too, and Minjung bit her lip, nodding.
âMinjung,â She turned, extending her hand for a shake.
The guy took it, his smile bashful yet bright, âTaemin.â
Mid December
âŤ
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true, oh
All I want for Christmas is...you
âŤ
Taemin rested his head against the cold glass window, his eyes resting on Minjungâs reflection. He adjusted himself so he could block her view when she glanced at him and would not catch him watching her reflection.
She grumbled, her brows constricting as she read her study materials, her lips moving rapidly with the words she was reading internally. She bit her lip whenever she pondered over a certain part, running her fingers through her hair, forgetting that she wore a hair band. It came off and she grumbled again, taking it off and quickly fixing it, playing with a lock absentmindedly as she soon grew engrossed in her notes again.
Taemin couldnât help but chuckle softly to himself, awestruck by her endearing beauty.
So cute.
He knew then, what he wanted for Christmas, and he closed his eyes, smiling as he wished for it.
Prompt (by and written for Choi_LaLa ⥠): âOkay so it's almost the end of year time, Minho is moving to a new apartment building, Taemin has a big crush on his new neighbourhood, so he always pretend that he is going out to do something like throwing the trash when he sees from his window that Minho is coming back from work so they will "accidentally" meet in the corridor. Minho notices and finds it adorable so one day he invites Taemin to his house for a hot chocolate.â
Taemin yawned as he stepped out of his apartment with his basket of laundry, finding the hallway busier and noisier than usual. He casually watched what the commotion was about while he waited for the elevator and he soon found out that someone was moving into the empty apartment beside his. He remembered that it had barely been two days since the last student vacated it (since they had graduated). This complex was closest to the campus, just a five-minute walk away...it was no wonder people would move in even at such bizarre times, like in the middle of the month.
The elevator dinged and he got in, his eyes falling on the guy who had just unlocked the vacated apartment after saying goodbye to some other two guys.
The doors swiftly closed, dramatically blocking his view and Taeminâs eyes gained a spark of interest. Hmm, heâs handsome.
Taemin had completely forgotten about his new neighbor...but the next week when he had stepped out with his trash, there he was, getting out of the elevator. Taemin grew instantly conscious of himself because...shit, he wasnât just handsome, he was insanely handsome. Their eyes met and Taemin looked away on instinct, but upon noticing him smiling at him, he looked back, returning the smile. His neighbor walked past him and Taemin quickly walked towards the elevator...because he knew from the way he had just behaved, he had a little crush on him and the last thing he wanted was him to see or smell his trash.
He let out a breath as the elevator doors closed, feeling his face heat up as he whispered to himself, âShit, shit, shit, shit, shit.â
He saw his neighbor around the apartment complex, mostly from his balcony where he usually stood and drank hot chocolate and enjoyed the view and air to take a break from his roomâs stuffiness and his mind-boggling academics. The guy went out for jogs even in this chilly weather and it was beyond Taemin how he could be that dedicated. Sometimes the guy would be just returning from campus, hands tucked in his jacket as he quickly walked towards the apartment, his dark attire and hair slowly getting tainted with the falling snowflakes, his bag bouncing on his back with his steps.
Taemin didnât want to...but he couldnât resist his curiosity and he ended up asking the warden who had moved in next to him.
Choi Minho, Health Sciences Major.
Taemin was in Computer Science, no wonder their paths never crossed on campus.
One day, he was sipping on his hot chocolate in the balcony and upon noticing Minho enter the building, he waited a bit before he gathered his laundry and slowly stepped out, dragging the basket behind him. As he stepped out, the elevator dinged. Taemin turned to the elevator, trying to act nonchalant. He walked towards the elevator and watched Minho step out. Minho gave him a smile in greeting before walking past and Taemin thought he might have returned it too soon, too awkwardly as he stepped into the elevator, this time feeling so conscious and heated that he did not face the closing doors to sneak another glance of his neighbor.
He didnât want to...but his crush was growing and he really wanted to see Minho up close even if it was for a few seconds. So he began doing laundry more frequently (his mom would have been so happy). He even stopped being lazy and stepped out daily to get his food instead of ordering a home delivery. He had bought those airlock, fragrant trash bags so he could even throw out the trash while walking past Minho without fearing that he will ruin his image by making the air stink.
He was doing a lot of stupid little things and getting flushed, sometimes giggly, which was surely not a good sign. He knew he would cross his limit one day and end up doing something very, very embarrassing...like maybe giggle to Minhoâs face or maybe just trip and drop trash on him because he was too busy staring.
Get out of it, Lee Taemin! Youâll look like a creep! He often chided himself...and maybe that was why he had stopped going out to his balcony to drink his hot chocolate. He had stopped his urges to go do his laundry or other chores around Minhoâs schedule too.
One day, he was chugging down hot chocolate as he worked on his project, all cuddled up on his mattress with his laptop resting on a fortress of pillows. He was making a presentation on the output of the code. He was almost done and as he typed the conclusion, his thoughts trailed and he looked into his open wardrobe ahead and then to his empty laundry basket. He had completely forgotten that he had to get his clothes from the coin laundry! He had nothing to wear for tomorrowâs presentation and he had to be in the lab early (around 7 A.M)  so he could not put off getting his clothes to the morning. He glanced at the clock in dread. Ten minutes to closing time. He sighed in relief, grabbed his wallet and his empty basket before rushing downstairs to get his clothes back.
He picked up his clothes and was heading towards the elevator when he collided into someone in his rush (and also because the pile of clothes was blocking half of his view). The basket slipped from his arms and he watched his basket topple ahead, out of his arms, screaming internally in horror, âMY WHITE SHIRT NOOOOO!â Â The clothes had dramatically fallen upon the person he had knocked down.
âShit, shit, shit, shit, shit,â He muttered as he quickly grabbed his basket from rolling away and looked to the person struggling to get the fallen laundry off them. âIâm so sorry! Are you alright?â The person sat up, speaking a muffled, âYeah,â Taemin grew flustered and regretful, knowing he was going to be chided now, so he crouched down and began to gather his clothes quickly, looking everywhere but at the victim of his mishap, âI shouldnât have been running to catch the elevator with this huge ass pile in my arms...shit, Iâm so sorryâ
âHey, itâs fine.â The person finally freed themselves of the oversized sweater their head had got caught in. They dropped it on Taeminâs pile and picked up the other clothes fallen on their body. Taemin glanced at him finally, and he almost toppled over...because it was Choi Minho who he had just dropped his laundry on.
âAre your whites safe?â Minho asked and Taemin blinked, processing his question, finally realizing that his heart was thumping fast. He bit his lip in embarrassment and looked back at his pile, âYeah, they are safe.â
âPhew,â Minho chuckled softly and the elevator dinged right then. Minho got in and held the door, looking to Taemin who was still dazed. Taemin looked to him the next moment, realizing that he was waiting for him. He muttered a sorry and got in, dragging his basket after him.
âUmm, Taemin?â Minho broke the air after they had passed the first floor.
Taemin flinched a little, not expecting him to know his name, âYes?â
âI know you just had hot chocolate...but do you wanna have another cup with me? I used to work at a cafe and I make a killer cup.â He chuckled at Taeminâs taken aback expression, âIn exchange for setting up my new laptop with all the cool stuff. I heard you were a CS major.â
Taemin blinked, trying to calm his incoherent mind, âSure.â
âThanks!â Minho smiled, âJust drop your laundry into your room while I unlock mine.â
The elevator dinged and they reached their floor. Taemin unlocked his apartment and pushed his basket inside before walking awkwardly to Minho, his heart going crazy as he watched him push the door open. âCâmon in.â
Taemin stepped inside, finding the new laptop peeking out of the box on the coffee table, âIs-Is this the one?â
âYes,â Minho answered, entering the kitchen and beginning to make hot chocolate.
Taemin plugged it in and switched it on, soon getting engrossed in the setup. Minho set down their mugs of hot chocolate and sat down beside him on the couch, breaking Taeminâs attention. Taemin grew nervous at their proximity and stared at his mug a while, trying to divert himself off his thoughts about Minho, when something struck him. âHow...did you know I just had a hot chocolate?â He asked softly, glancing to Minho.
Minho sat up, pointing to Taeminâs upper lip, chuckling softly, âYouâve got a mustache.â
Taemin eyes widened and he immediately slammed his free palm over his mouth and licked off the half-dried-half-sticky chocolate from his upper lip. He returned to setting up Minhoâs laptop, the internal screaming of his mind making him miss that whisper of âcuteâ that had left Minhoâs lips.
When he was done, he showed Minho the software he had installed and the other settings he had implemented. He thanked him for the hot chocolate and bid him goodbye.
He got into his room and slumped against the door, a rosy flush tainting his face as he smiled to himself. His eyes fell on his basket of laundry he had pushed in before and his smile grew wider as he crouched down and pulled the basket towards him and dropped onto it, hugging it.Â
After a minute, he sighed, straightening up and dragged the basket to the carpet, crouching down again as he began to pull out the white shirt he wanted to wear the next day. While he did, a little note jumped out and landed on to the carpet.
Taemin picked it up and unfolded it.
âWanna do laundry together next time? I do it around 9 am every Saturday morning. Breakfast will be on me ;)â
Taemin blushed, dropping down gently on his butt as he stared at the shaky handwriting. He laid back, his eyes falling on the ceiling fan as he smiled to himself shyly, âShit, this is too much for me to take in one day,â He took a deep breath, âGosh, I like him so much, argh,â He chuckled, getting up and began putting away his laundry, humming softly.
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2min. minho's rich parents hasn't been in contact with 2min ever since they got married and after 5 years, minho's parents sends them an invitation for christmas dinner.
for @jetaeminnie  âĄ
Titled: How to end a fight? Carry on!Length: Almost 7.8k words (long!)Pairing: 2min and tidbits of jongyuWarnings: cringe, cliches, fluff (not fluffy fluff but as @cute-little-oppas puts it, asdfghjkl fluff)
âWhat happened?â Jonghyun asked when Minho finished with the pictures and was heading to the screen to edit them.
âNothing,â Minho answered, sighing a little as he set his camera down.
âYour brows have been knotted all day, dude.â
Minho sighed, reaching into his bag and taking a letter out, throwing it at Jonghyun. Jonghyun caught it and opened it immediately. After he was done reading, he sighed, âWell, you can ask someone to go with you. You havenât gone home once since you left six years ago. No one knows who your husband is.â Jonghyun paused, âWait, I can go with you-â
âAnd you think Jinkiâs gonna be alright with that? Let his boyfriend pretend to be someone elseâs husband from Christmas till New Year?â
Jonghyun smirked, âI can convince Jinki to go with you instead. Or maybe Kibum-â
âNo oneâs gonna work.â Minho sighed deeply, âMy mom knows who my husband is- was. You are forgetting- she was one of the witnesses, unwillingly but yeahâŚand she probably has a picture from the wedding and Iâm 100% sure she showed it around.â
âTell her the truth, you got no choice.â
âI was avoiding her calls ever since Taemin left and when she finally sent the invitation, I answered her call and she went on and on about how grandpa is ill and helped her convince everyone to accept my running away, becoming a photographer, marrying early, blah blah blah, so that he could see everyone happy and together this Christmas, because heâs afraid he wonât last until nextâŚand the whole family now is gonna throw a reception of sorts for us during that week I donât wanna ruin anything for grandpa or mom. And how can I show up at my receptionâŚwell, alone?â
Jonghyun thought a while, âWell, you can ask Taemin though. I meanâŚyou guys arenât really divorced-â
2min. minho's rich parents hasn't been in contact with 2min ever since they got married and after 5 years, minho's parents sends them an invitation for christmas dinner.
for @jetaeminnie  âĄ
Titled: How to end a fight? Carry on!Length: Almost 7.8k words (long!)Pairing: 2min and tidbits of jongyuWarnings: cringe, cliches, fluff (not fluffy fluff but as @cute-little-oppas puts it, asdfghjkl fluff)
âWhat happened?â Jonghyun asked when Minho finished with the pictures and was heading to the screen to edit them.
âNothing,â Minho answered, sighing a little as he set his camera down.
âYour brows have been knotted all day, dude.â
Minho sighed, reaching into his bag and taking a letter out, throwing it at Jonghyun. Jonghyun caught it and opened it immediately. After he was done reading, he sighed, âWell, you can ask someone to go with you. You havenât gone home once since you left six years ago. No one knows who your husband is.â Jonghyun paused, âWait, I can go with you-â
âAnd you think Jinkiâs gonna be alright with that? Let his boyfriend pretend to be someone elseâs husband from Christmas till New Year?â
Jonghyun smirked, âI can convince Jinki to go with you instead. Or maybe Kibum-â
âNo oneâs gonna work.â Minho sighed deeply, âMy mom knows who my husband is- was. You are forgetting- she was one of the witnesses, unwillingly but yeahâŚand she probably has a picture from the wedding and Iâm 100% sure she showed it around.â
âTell her the truth, you got no choice.â
âI was avoiding her calls ever since Taemin left and when she finally sent the invitation, I answered her call and she went on and on about how grandpa is ill and helped her convince everyone to accept my running away, becoming a photographer, marrying early, blah blah blah, so that he could see everyone happy and together this Christmas, because heâs afraid he wonât last until nextâŚand the whole family now is gonna throw a reception of sorts for us during that week I donât wanna ruin anything for grandpa or mom. And how can I show up at my receptionâŚwell, alone?â
Jonghyun thought a while, âWell, you can ask Taemin though. I meanâŚyou guys arenât really divorced-â
âYet.â
âYet. You can just ask him to come, you know. You fuss a lot about how he is intolerable, but honestly, youâre stuck on him. This can be the chance to sort it out. It starts with apologizing.â
Minho remained silent a while in thought before muttering, âIn my dreams.â
Jonghyun sighed, âThen ask him to play pretend for that week-â
âAnd be indebted to him?â Minho shot back, getting angrier, âHe wonât even agree to it. I havenât met him in months and the last time I got a peek of him, he was doing so much better. Heâs got no reason to do me favors. Heâs gonna refuse and be a jerk about it.â
âAnd youâll deserve it.â Jonghyun patted his shoulder, âGet ridiculed by him or your family. Choose what you feel is more bearable.â And he left, calling out to Jinki who had been clearing the set.
Minho bit his lip in thought and made his choice, âI hate you, Kim Jonghyun.â
Minho needed a little courage to do what he had decided to do. So he needed to do it at the most unimaginable hour he could think of, somewhere around 3 am when he would probably be thinking that perhaps all of it was a dream. Heâd had a beer before he had dozed a couple of hours, woken to the sound of his alarm and walked to the address he had once said he would never go to. To think that he had dedicated himself to such a ridiculous plan, was beyond him (maybe it was Jonghyunâs idea).
It was a long walk, the address was a couple of neighborhoods away. Minho was grateful it wasnât at the other side of town. He took the elevator of the apartments and then rang the bell. Of course, silence. No response. He was angry all of a sudden, memories rushing through him and he started ringing the bell continuously. Someone finally opened the door, but only a sliver. Minho could see something peek out along with alarmed eyes, something that wasnât part of the human body.
âA water bottle? Seriously?â Minho ridiculed, chuckling, âItâs me.â
The door opened a little more, revealing Taemin, dressed in nothing but track pants, his overgrown hair a mess, as he seethed, clutching his water bottle. Minhoâs arrogant laughter set him off and he threw the water bottle at his face before slamming the door shut, âYouâre not welcome.â
Minho just gaped at the closed door, his brows constricting in fury before he started to ring the bell furiously, continuously before Taemin finally opened the door again, enraged, âChoi!â
âIâm just here to talk.â Minho offered, his fury draining on seeing Taemin so riled up.
âI guess you still havenât realized that you are incapable of that.â Taemin shot back and something in Minho hurt at the acerbity of his voice, of his eyesâŚand it turned into anger again the very next moment.
âI just came here to ask you a favor and all you do is be difficult and throw rude shit at me! I maybe someone you left, someone you hate, but before that, Iâm still a person, a regular guy with regular problems who tries to solve them by regular methods. You donât even care to analyze the fact that there must be a real good reason for me to knock at your door at 4 am in the morning!â Minho fumed, âGoddamit, Taemin. You really know how to drive someone up the wall!â
âHey!â Someone shouted, âTake it somewhere else, moron!â
âPut yourself in my shoes and then talk, you asshole!â Minho shouted back at the faceless person and Taemin clicked his tongue, his voice now lower, âWhy are you here?â
Minho quietened, his fury calmed and he took a deep breath, handing the invitation over. Taemin took it and read over it, glancing back at Minho, âThatâs a hell lot of improvement. You got invited for Christmas.â He paused, âBut how does that relate to you come storming here at this ungodly hour?â
Minho decided to unhear the âstormingâ part, and he began, slowly, âMom was able to win everyoneâs favor back towards me. They are throwing us a reception and you know I canât go alone-â
âThen miss it.â Taemin handed the invitation back to him.
âI canât, thatâs the point. Itâs a big thing. My grandfatherâs been ill a lot lately, he wants to see everyone home and together at Christmas. I really donât wanna ruin it for him, by both not going or showing up alone.â
âIf I am free that week,â Taemin sighed, âIâll think about it.â He started to close the door, âI need to leave for work in three hoursâŚsoâŚplease, let me sleep.â
âTaemin-â
âIâm not refusing you, Choi.â Taemin shot at him, exasperated, âThatâs the best you get for scaring the shit out of me by pulling your little stunt.â
âFine,â Minho sighed, stepping away, âMyâŚmy numberâs the same. When you wanna contact me.â
âGot it.â And the door shut loudly, leaving Minho staring at it helplessly before turning away to get back home.
âTo think I even bought his ticket,â Minho muttered to himself, glancing at the clock in the airport. Taemin had not responded at all but Minho had taken desperate steps during his wait- confirming he still had the same number before texting him the flight details and leaving a trail of messages asking about his decision.
âSo what you gonna do if he doesnât show up?â Jonghyun asked, sitting on Minhoâs suitcase, âWill you take me? I heard it snows thereâŚI havenât seen snow in my life-â
âAnd yeah, after I come back, be beat up against the wall by your boyfriend? No thanks. Iâll just tear those tickets.â
âBetter plan.â Jonghyun smirked, âStay back. Give them to us. Weâll have a little winter getaway and you will be safe and sound back here at home. If your mom asks, blame it on us. We tricked you into giving away your tickets and you couldnât buy another set.â
âWow.â Minho squinted at Jonghyun, âHow does your mind even work like that?â He sighed, âSheâll just send me tickets then. If youâve forgottenâŚmy familyâs filthy rich.â
âThen you have your tickets and we have ours-â
âSeriously, Jonghyun. I donât get why I put up with you.â
Jonghyun got up and bumped into Minho playfully, âItâs simple, Iâm hot.â
âSeems like you had a replacement ready.â A voice came and Minho turned to find Taemin standing there, holding a little suitcase, dressed a little sloppily and his fringeâŚasymmetrical. He was expressionless, and Taemin was only expressionless when his anger was pretty serious, âWhy did you ask me when you had him?â
âWhat?â Minho asked back, âHeâs not a replacement- and well, so what if he is?! You never said you were coming!â
âI never said I wasnât!â
Jonghyun backed off that very moment, âHave a safe flight, buddy.â And he rushed away, dragging a confused Jinki away with him who had just come back after parking the car.
âHeâs gone. Do you feel better now?â Minho shot at him, grabbing his suitcase, âIf it matters to youâŚI was going to tear my tickets if you didnât turn up. I rather not go than go without you.â He began dragging both suitcases to the check-in line.
Taemin followed, âAre you stupid? Why would you tear your tickets? You still donât have any sense of money, donât you?â
âYeah, I donât!â Minho snapped, âAnd whatâs with your hair?â
âI thought it was befitting your family. Arenât they all crooked, just like this?â He pointed to his fringe.
âGosh, Taemin. Are you even thinking about what youâre saying?â
âIâm not.â
Minho bit his lip, restraining himself from responding. His mind was ticking and ticking, filled with a hundred things he could say back to him. He was a fucking time bomb around Taemin. He canât blow up like this in front of his family, and to prevent that, he had to start being patient from this point itself.
âJust a warning,â Taemin said after they had checked in their luggage, âIf this is gonna be hell for me, then itâs gonna be hell for you too, Choi.â
Minho remained mum. It was already hell for him.
Taemin fell asleep after take-off. Honestly, Minho was relieved he did. Because, now that he thought of it, they could fight about almost anything. The seats would be uncomfortable because they are, it would be cold because it is, but if Taemin was awake to complain, it would all be Minhoâs fault. Minho shook his head. What the hell was wrong with him? They werenât even actually fighting but all he could think about was them fighting, about what Taemin would say when he was awake and how he could outsmart him. Somehow it seemed like a game he had to win.
He sighed, deciding to watch something. But Taeminâs head drooped and then dropped onto his shoulder. The air he was breathing was full of the scent of Taeminâs shampoo. A citrus scent. He thought he could let him stay like that but then if Taemin woke up like that he would find some way or reason to blame him, like for example, âfor taking advantage of himâ. He didnât want to give him any excuse to pick a fight, so he gently pushed his head off his shoulder, making it droop to the other side.
He couldnât help but watch over him, feeling a little guilty, also a little interested, maybe because it had been long since he had seen that face devoid of distaste. He looked so adorably handsome, even with that crooked fringe.
A while later, Taemin woke up- his eyes and cheeks puffy, a little frown in his brows as he tried to make sense of the world he had woken up into. Taemin was always like that when he would wake up, cute and puffy, a little grumpy as well, wouldnât talk or move much until he was fully awake. Watching him from the corner of his eyes, Minho realized he might have missed waking up to Taeminâs sight a little more than he had thought.
The stewardess passed by and Taemin asked for water; when he opened his mouth, his voice was so hoarse it sounded like a goat bleating and Minho let out a funny noise, trying to control his laughter, making Taemin turn to him with a glare.
The stewardess handed Taemin water and he splashed half off it on Minhoâs face before drinking up the rest, leaving both Minho and the stewardess wide-eyed. She excused herself nervously, after which Minho grabbed a tissue and wiped his face, forgetting all the thoughts about missing Taemin and his cuteness. He bit his anger away and turned a little away to glance outside the window, somehow feeling Taemin squirm and his eyes on him. He turned to him after a while, uncomfortable, âWhat?â
âWhat?â Taemin shot back, annoyed.
Minho rolled his eyes and turned back away from him, deciding to sleep through the rest of the flight.
They squabbled a little when they were waiting for the luggage. It was Minhoâs fault, he had crashed the trolley into TaeminâŚnot entirely on purpose. Minhoâs control was almost breaking because Taemin was fretting about not seeing his suitcase, taunting Minho that he had gotten them checked in at the wrong queue.
They finally got their luggage and took a taxi, Taemin and him sitting too much apart- Taemin leaning against the window, seeming dull. When they had reached his parentsâ place, he finally broke the air, âI want everyone to think everythingâs fine between us, Taemin.â He sighed,  âYouâve already been my husband before so I donât need to tell you more.â He got off the car and took out the suitcases. Taemin came to take his own and muttered, âIâm still your husband, idiot.â And he dragged his suitcase along with himself to the gate, being careful of the snow. Minho joined him, his eyes fixated on him because he was quite taken aback by his words.
Taemin looked at him, a frown forming upon seeing Minho staring at him, âPut in the code, will you? Itâs freezing.â
Minho obeyed, feeling awkward because he was still thinking about what Taemin had said. Of course, he meant that as in namesakeâŚright? Because they were now only married on paper. It had been a heated agreement and they had divorced each other verbally, had stayed divorced in every possible way for almost a year. Minho was waiting for Taemin to send him the papers; maybe Taemin was waiting for him to do so. The one who was at more fault was going to send the papers, and seeing how no side had sent them yet, both of them thought the other was at more fault. Every time he thought of that day, he would just be filled with insensible anger. He would rather live like this all his life, uncommitted and unavailable than admit he was the one at wrong. Because he clearly wasnât.
His trail of thoughts was interrupted by the little crowd at the door, his family coming out to welcome them, probably having heard them arrive.
âMinho!â His mom called out to him and behind her were his grandparents and his cousins. His cousinâs kids were all peeking out the door and windows too, probably not allowed out for now because it was late and getting colder.
His mom engulfed him in a hug and then her eyes shifted to Taemin, her lips curving into an unsure mixture of nervousness and excitement, âTaemin! I thought I would never get to see you again.â
âHello, Mrs. Choi.â Taemin greeted with an equally unsure smile, making her loosen just slightly. She smiled a little wider and patted his shoulder, inviting them inside. âSo now everyoneâs here! And just in time!â She declared happily, ushering them in.
Once their suitcases were taken to the room and they had stripped off the extra insulation and washed up, dinner was served. The house was huge and it made Taemin uncomfortable. Minhoâs family was richâŚTaeminâs was too, but Minhoâs family was famously and stereotypically rich. Taemin thought he might have been spoilt until he met Minho- the guy had been raised amidst coddling, his every life decision already was taken. No wonder he was so bratty and rebellious to have run away from home when his family denied him something for the very first time. He was reckless, careless, impatient and hotheaded.
They had met in college and somehow they clicked, too much actually, that they ended up marrying each other while still attending classes and working part time. When they graduated and shifted into better but more demanding working environments, thatâs when their relationship started to crumble and it was all because of Minho. Somehow, he was just too irritated and impatient all the time, picking a fight, sometimes doing such things that made Taemin pick fights instead. At times he just wasnât there, and for times Taemin couldnât stay, he would get too upset and say hurtful things. Taemin tried not to retaliate but Minhoâs behavior was contagious. That day, they said too many hurtful thingsâŚand he left, unable to stand the situation.
He was fuming now,  hurting tooâŚthinking of how they had lived together and how he had lived without him. He didnât really know what he wanted anymore. He was just getting by, thinking more of the past than the future. He shook his head to break his thoughts, trying to focus on what one of Minhoâs cousins was saying.
His cousins had taken a liking to him, they were being very welcoming and trying a little too hard. It was a little awkward but felt strangely nice and homely. Something that he probably hadnât felt in ages. Minho, who he obviously had to sit beside, was part of the conversation too.
âReally? I learned my sewing that way too!â Minho was saying, laughing and chewing at the same time, and Taemin froze because he knew what this idiot was going to say next, âTaemin worked at this dance studio and he ripped his pants all the time-â
âCan you pass me some water?â Taemin cut him off and forced himself to drink it all, restraining his urge to pour it on the idiot beside him.
A similar situation arose again-
âSame! Taemin is so afraid of bugs that he shrieked like a banshee once when he saw a flying ant-â
And again-
âAhaha! Taemin once tried to cook too and whatever it was is still stuck on the kitchen ceiling-â
Taemin pursed his lips, trying not to glare at Minho. The guy was probably taking revenge for the airport stint. He knew Minho wouldnât just stay still and forget about it. He was bringing up all his embarrassing moments- knowing how Taemin hated to let others get to know his clumsy, embarrassing side. More than anger, he felt betrayed.
He almost wanted to do the sameâŚbut he bit back his words and decided to be the better person. If he stooped to Minhoâs antics, then they would probably end up squabbling and that wonât be a pretty sight. He actually liked Minhoâs familyâŚ.and his mother did seem to have worked hard to get everyone together. Moreover, this reunion of sorts was what Minhoâs grandfather had really looked forward to. He didnât have the heart to ruin it for anyone just because Minho was being a little shit.
After dessert, some chatting and then hot tea, everyone retired to their beds. Taemin and Minho entered their room. Minho sighed, grabbing a pillow and blanket, dropping them on the sofa before stripping himself of his pants and jacket. He was wearing shorts inside. It was his habit- whenever he attended late events, he would usually wear a comfy layer under the fancy one so he could crash right away on reaching home. Taemin gawked as he settled on the sofa, snuggling up in the blanket before looking at him, brows raised, âWhat?â
ââŚnothing.â Taemin replied, heading to the bathroom to change. When he came out, Minho was already fast asleep. Taemin sighed, settling into the bed, âJust what in the world is going on in your head?â
Minho woke up and grabbed his phone to check the time. He decided to sleep a little more but the moment he closed his eyes, he heard soft footsteps. Recognizing them right away he sprung from the sofa, throwing the blanket into some hidden corner, grabbing his pillow and then jumping right into bed, scaring Taemin awake. He slid his arm under his neck and shifted close, the usual way they used to sleep before. When he could hear Taemin breath sharply, he covered his mouth with his palm to stop the angry complaint that was going to leave his mouth, âMy momâs comingâŚand she doesnât knock.â Taemin calmed, blinking, his eyes still confused, âJust pretend to be asleep, Iâll take care of it.â
Taemin muttered a muffled okay, making Minho realize his palm was still upon his mouth. He dropped his palm and pulled the blanket a little over him as well, his momâs voice calling out to them softly the moment he had rested his head on his pillow. The door opened.
âDears, are you awake?â
Minho pretended to have woken up just now and raised his head from his pillow to look at his mother, âNot entirely, mom.â
âItâs okay, everyoneâs sleeping in. I was making some toast and coffee so just checking if anyoneâs awake so I can add their share.â
âThatâs sweet, mom. But weâll be sleeping in. Thanks.â Minho slurred, almost certain he added a little too much flair. But his dread was gone when his mom bought it.
âOkay, sleep well~â And she left, closing the door behind her. Minho crashed back into his pillow, breathing in relief. His eyes fell on Taemin, who was still pretending to sleep. âHey, sheâs gone.â But Taemin didnât stir. Minho stared at him a while, noticing how his lips were parted and how is breathing was a periodic slow rhythm. He had really fallen asleep.
âShit,â Minho whispered to himself, his eyes trailing from Taemin and to his arm that he had snuck under Taeminâs head on instinct. He sighed, relaxing, deciding not to ruin the calm of his slumber. Because, of course, if he did, Taemin would probably start a fight in his grumpiness.
He sighed in defeat, watching him a while, tearing his gaze away from him, realizing that he was gawking. He looked back to him, feeling his heart squirm and bop.
âYou really are somethingâŚâ He whispered to himself, closing his eyes, falling back asleep with a little smile.
When Minho was up and fresh, his mom reminded him to get his clothes ready for the reception. After breakfast, he went and grabbed his clothes before heading to the laundry room where the ironing board was. The kids were playing everywhere and almost made him trip over them when he entered the laundry room. He balanced himself, and when he found Taeminâs back facing him, ironing his own clothes, he was more relieved that he didnât fall, because he would have fallen on Taemin.
âWhat are you doing?â He asked, sighing.
Taemin flinched a little at his presence and forgot to respond with sarcasm, âIroning.â
âHow long will you take? I gotta iron too.â
Taemin sighed, âJust leave them there. Iâll do it after mine.â
Minho blinked, surprised, âReally?â
âYeah. I know you hate it,â He paused, his sass kicking in finally, âplus you do a sloppy job.â
Minho decided not to retaliate to that comment. âFine,â He said, frowning a little as he placed his little pile on the edge of the board, âThanks.â
Taemin didnât respond and Minho just left, leaving him to iron. Taemin finally breathed on hearing him leave, Â his cheeks a little aflush as he continued to iron that sleeve for the third time. He realized what he was doing and folded his shirt away, starting to do Minhoâs, taking a deep breath. âThis is bad,â He whispered, âBad, bad, bad.â He took a deep breath again, âWhy did I even come here with him?â
He knew why. He just didnât wanna admit it. He never would have. If it hadnât been for Minhoâs stupid kindness the night beforeâŚif it hadnât been for waking up in his arms and realizing how much he missed that.
One of Minhoâs nieces (the two years old one) was playing at his feet and Taemin felt her move below the ironing board, taking the support of his legs. He paused ironing for a while to glance at her, finding her gone. He bent down, worried and found her trying to pull the plug.
âHey, thatâs dangerous, come on out, kiddo,â He said, calling out to her. She stopped tugging at the plug but then shifted to the next socket, her fingers just inches away from getting into the holes.
âOh, my gosh,â Taemin got on his knees quickly and stopped her from putting her fingers in. It took a while for him to convince her to come out from under the ironing board. He picked her up and took her to the other room where the bigger kids could take care of her. When he returned, his face paled because, amidst that situation, he had left the fucking iron pressed down on Minhoâs shirt.
He hurriedly moved it away, but the damage was done.
As if on cue, Minho entered the laundry room right then and spotted his burnt shirt in Taeminâs hands. Taemin just stared back, his mind not working at all in that moment.
âI knew it!â Minho spoke, his voice dripping with anger, âI knew there was a hidden motive behind your offer! You knew that was my favorite shirt and you just had to ruin it to get back at me!â
âI didnât do it on purpose-â
âYes, of course,â Minho scoffed, âLike you didnât throw water on me on purpose in the flight. The plane wobbled and it got on me, right?â
His tone pierced Taeminâs chest, and it began to anger him, âYeah, so what if I did it on purpose?! You ran your big mouth last night. How could you embarrass me like that?!â
âI was drunk!â Minho snapped, âYou know how I get when I drink! You should have stopped me! Why did you play along? Itâs equally your fault, but you just wonât admit to it! You wonât change, will you? You misunderstand everything, donât act when you could, play the victim, blame it on me and whenever things donât go your way, you pull such antics- you really know how to make life difficult for others-â
Taemin threw Minhoâs shirt at his face, heaving in anger, feeling his heart ache at Minhoâs words. His little deed had shut Minhoâs trap for the time being. While Minho struggled to get the shirt off his face, Taemin pulled the plug and gathered his clothes.
Minho peeled his shirt off his face, murmuring angrily, âTo think I was going to actually apologize for last night-â
âAnd I would have forgiven you,â Taemin shot at him, âIf you hadnât been such a jerk just now.â
âJerk?!â Minho exaggerated defensively, âAre you sure you are not talking about yourself?â
âI sure am not.â
âBetter take another look in the mirror-â
âFine.â Taemin said, raising his voice, âYou want me to be a jerk, so Iâll be one!â And he stormed off, leaving Minho grinding his teeth.
The day was mundane. Everyone was preparing for the celebration in the night and most of the family was out or busy, leaving Minho and Taemin in charge of the kids. The kids started to insist on playing in the snow so Minho put them in their snow gear and led them out. A few of the kids dragged Taemin out as well.
Minho was with the group of kids making snowmen and Taemin was with the rest, helping them with their sleds. A good hour later, the kids suggested to play snowball fight and Taeminâs eyes trailed to the unaware Minho before he agreed. He made a plan, recruiting every kid into his plan to target MinhoâŚand soon the first snowball was thrown.
Minho lost his balance in shock and when he turned, more snowballs came and hit him. He couldnât even retaliate because everyone was coming at him without a break, laughing at his helplessness.
âYou guys are all dead!â Minho shouted angrily, finally being able to respond. He began to gather some snow and looked to the kids with a death glare, which made them abandon their spots and run away. When they ran away, Minho dropped his snowball, shaking off the snow that had seeped into his clothes, shivering. He saw Taemin approach and before he could make sense of anything, Taemin had poured a bucket full of snow on him, âYou asked for it.â He smirked, throwing the bucket away before walking back into the house.
Minho groaned in irritation, watching Taemin strut smugly, âAnd you just asked for it too.â
Minho had beaten Taemin in using the shower so Taemin had gone to get himself some hot chocolate while he waited for Minho to finish. Minho walked out, towel still tied around his waist, his hair a mess from having rubbed them with the towel. Taemin looked away after a glance, knowing that his drenched, semi-naked almost ex-husband was still a sight that could mess his mind up. As he finished up his drink, he couldnât help but let his eyes trail to Minho, watching him put on his shirt- the brown triangular impression upon the back of his shirt coming into his sight.
He snickered, grabbing his stuff and getting into the shower.
He turned the tap towards âHotâ and screeched when cold water splashed onto him. He turned the tap close and looked at the tap, finding the labels loose. âCh-Choi!â
âThatâs not it, babe!â He heard Minho call out, snickering.Â
Taemin swallowed, shivering slightly as he looked around the bathroom, realizing what else Minho had done. He had taken away the shampoo and soap, even snatched away the ones he had brought in with him. He glanced towards the hooks on the door. âFuck,â Taemin cursed. That jerk had even snatched away the clothes and towel, taking advantage of the fact that Taemin had a habit of not locking the door.
Taemin groaned, stepping out of the shower, opening the door to the bathroom just a sliver to see if Minho was still in the room.
He flinched because Minho was standing right in front of the door, arms folded, smirking in victory. Taemin felt anger burn in him and he opened the door, shoving his modesty along with Minho out of his way. He walked to the bed where Minho had dumped everything and grabbed whatever he needed and walked past Minho, halting at the bathroom door. He turned to Minho, something brewing in his mind and Minho reacted to that a little late, flustered on seeing Taemin naked.
Taemin dropped everything but the shampoo and body wash and began took a step towards Minho.
âStop right there,â Minho stepped back, his eyes widening in horror, Taeminâs intent settling in his mind, âWeâre even now, Taemin, stop right there.â
Taemin was enjoying the way Minho was stepping back, shit scared and he unscrewed the first bottle, âWeâre still odd, Choi,â
âFuck,â Minho turned to run for his life, but it was too late. There was body wash all over his face and clothes. He looked at himself in horror, slowly wiping the dripping liquid off his face. When he turned back, ready to snatch the bottle from Taemin and return the favor, Taemin was already inside the bathroom, peeking in victory before shutting the door, this time remembering to lock it shut.
He stomped his feet, letting out a frustrated groan before storming out to ask one of his cousins for a spare suit.
They had to stay together all night because it was their reception party. When people came and greeted them, congratulated them, both of their tongues were sharpened to the sharpest sarcasm. People who were unaware of the actual situation were certainly thinking they were a sweet, lovey-dovey couple.
Despite trying to diss each other subtly amidst sweet talking, Minho had to admit, Taemin was a sight to behold. He was dressed to kill and the crooked fringe was no more because he had styled it into a sexy messy side parting. He looked sharp and handsome- even his gaze, his posture was different from how he usually carried himself. Minho was quite enjoying comparing the crooked fringe that brought out the little chubbiness of his cheeks to the way those little strands fell astray from his side parting, whilst trying to pass some comment or the other in indirect conversation to break that sophistication of his back into that angry adorableness. He had long forgotten why he even wanted to get Taemin all riled up. Now it was all to see his puffy cheeks and flaring nostrils, to hear him shout, âChoi!â before coming at him. They would be probably fighting and throwing each otherâs ugly sides at each other, but during those times, Taeminâs attention was hisâ and hisâ alone.
Occupied in their little fight of sorts, both Minho and Taemin were unaware of the awkward, worried glances of their family. That late morning in the laundry room, they had been pretty loud and had been totally oblivious to the fact that their fight had reached every family memberâs ears. They had been deliberately left alone in the afternoon by everyone so they could sort it out, but looking at their behavior (and the fact that Minho had to borrow a suit because his own was covered in body wash), it was evident that they hadnât sorted it out yet.
After the socializing was done and dinner was served, Taemin and Minho gave it a rest, not speaking to each other, but lacking the usual bittersweet tone when speaking to others. When everyone started to leave, congratulating them again, they were probably tired, because they didnât take the opportunities to subtly diss each other using the congratulatory comments they received.
When all the guests had left, everyone gathered after changing into comfier clothes, making everyone play âspin the bottleâ in pairs (since all of them were married couples and it was fun like that). To whichever couple the bottle pointed to, they had to pick up a chit from the bowl and act out whatever was written on it together or get punished. It was Minhoâs mom who had come up and prepared the game, and now she was letting everyone play while she put the kids to bed.
Taemin and Minho were forced to sit together and Minho was eyeing the game, not wanting to lose at whatever it was, while Taemin just kept blinking, trying to keep himself awake, sipping on coffee.
The bottle was spun and it pointed to Sooyeon (Minhoâs eldest cousin) and her husband. They picked up a chit and what they got was âShare your how-you-fell-in-love storyâ. When the chit was revealed, Taemin and Minho grew nervous, realizing what kind of a game this was.
Sooyeon and her husband spoke about it and honestly, it was really sweet. When they were done, the bottle was spun another time and this time it pointed towards Taemin and Minho.
There was a teasing cheer, âCâmon pick up something~â
Taemin reached out but withdrew his hand, feeling awkward and flustered. He looked to Minho, âYou do it.â
Minho stuttered, âM-Me?â
Taemin nodded. Minho swallowed and reached out for a chit, his heart racing as he opened it. Please donât be something like-
~KISS!~
Minho crumpled up the chit immediately, clearing his throat, âItâs blank. Let me get another one.â
But Sooyoung (his second cousin) snatched the chit away and put it out there for everyone to see.
âWhat? Aw, itâs just a kiss!â
âWe missed your wedding kiss anyways! Do it~â
âCome on, guys. Donât need to be shy like teenagers. Itâs just a kiss.â
âAnd no pecking, no kisses on the cheeks or foreheads!â
âIt doesnât say it canât be on the cheek!â Minho fought back.
âItâs implied itâs not.â
âCâmon, the punishment is shoveling the snow off all the driveways of the house for the rest of your stay. A kiss is fair enough-â
âFine!â Minho declared, his declaration silencing everyone. He gulped, his cheeks getting a little hot as he turned to Taemin, who was equally flustered, speechless, his cheeks turning pink when meeting Minhoâs gaze.
Minho didnât linger long, knowing his courage would drain and leaned forward, cupping Taeminâs cheek. He kissed him smoothly, nibbling at Taeminâs lips to make him part them, deepening their kiss. The nibbling was something he did when Taemin would play hard to get wonât kiss back, and it always made him ticklish and kiss back, like now. Minho knew how to kiss him right and Taemin had lost all sense in those few moments.
Minho couldnât stop at just that and after pausing a fraction of a second for a breath, he continued to kiss him, his force making it unable for Taemin to remain seated. To not lose his balance, Taemin grabbed onto Minhoâs arm, his tight grasp breaking Minhoâs daze and he broke their kiss, lowering his head in bashfulness. He stood up from his spot, âWe win, the game ends.â
Before anyone could argue against his nonsensical conclusion, he had already stormed away.
Taemin was immobile, his mind reeling in those few moments of their intimacy. All he could feel was the heat in his face, all he could hear was his thumping heart.
His daze broke when his eyes fell upon the bottle and he cleared his throat, looking to the others sitting around him.
âWell, weâll accept Minhoâs conclusion, even though it makes no sense,â Sooyeon smiled, a little mischievously, âCome on, letâs pack it up!â
They had packed and cleaned, and after awkward goodnights (at least from Taeminâs side) Taemin finally walked towards his room.
His heart was racing even more in nervousness, thinking about how they would be alone together all night after what just happened. When he entered, he couldnât even see Minhoâs face because he was on the sofa, turned away and snuggled into the blanket. Taemin didnât say a word and got into bed, trying to think of anything that could keep his mind off Minho.
Barely a few minutes had passed and he felt an arm gently wrap around his waist, making him turn to find Minho next to him, eyes closed, brows constricted into a frown, face pink. He seemed conflicted and embarrassed and if Taemin hadnât been the same, he would have teased him about how ridiculous he looked.
âShit, I canât do this,â Minho whispered, opening his eyes, looking vulnerable and Taeminâs heart slipped at that sight.
âDo what?â
âSwallow my pride,â Minho answered carefully, âBut I need to do it.â
ââŚwhy?â
âBecauseâŚI missed it.â
âMissed what?â
âEverything.â Minho answered, âKissing you, sleeping next to you, waking up next to you, holding onto you tight, waiting for you to wake up because you roll off the bed in your sleep if I donât hold on, watching you strut in my clothes adorably, watching you try cook for me even if you fail so many times, watching you dance while you clean, blasting our car with embarrassing love songs when we go on rides, making you shout at me to tone it down, bringing you lunch at your studio and eating together, teasing you and then trying to capture that flustered adorableness in pictures, giving you massages when you come home with cramped muscles after having worked too muchâŚâ He took a breath, âFighting with you. I donât like to quarrel but fuck, you are one hell of a sight when youâre angryâŚand thatâs a bloody temptation.â He licked his lips, âAnd IâŚI am sorry, for that day, for the last couple of days, for everything. And,â He paused, a little breathless, tongue-tied.
âAnd?â
âI am stupid and bratty, I canât think properly when I am angry and I end up doing a lot of shitty thingsâŚbut, no matter how much you get me angry or hit me with hurtful words, and make my life difficult, I donât think it will ever change.â
âWhatâŚwonât ever change?â
Minho blushed a little, âHow I feel about you.â He finally gathered his courage, âGod, I love you, Taemin. A lot, like crazy lots. I could never divorce you and all this year, I lived in fear that maybe you would.â
Taemin remained silent a while, knowing Minhoâs heart was stuck in his throat, waiting for his response. He didnât want to make him wait like thatâŚbut he was too overwhelmed, his mind was haywire, his heart was racingâŚhe had no proper words that could suitably retaliate to what Minho had just uttered. Instead, he shifted closer, âDo you,â He blushed a little, tracing his finger on the neckline of Minhoâs t-shirt, âwant me to be angry?â
Minho swallowed, âWhatâŚwhat do you mean?â
Taemin breathed, his eyes now resting on Minhoâs lips, his voice airy, âJust kiss me already,â
Minho stared, unsure of where that came from but Taemin didnât give him time to figure it out and kissed him, making him forget about every fight, every grudge he might have ever held against him.
When Taemin woke up the next day, he was still in Minhoâs arms. He shifted gently, wanting to get a proper look at Minho, who was still fast asleep. He felt like his heart was back to the days when he was in college, holding so many feelings, but not being able to articulate a thing. He used to prefer showing his heart than speaking it. Almost five years had passed with them being together, but he realized, the way he loved still cannot change, even if he had become pretty good at coming up with clever comebacks in fights.
Before he lost his determination to speak, he decided to whisper it all out to the unbeknownst Minho, âYes, you are stupid and brash, you always end up picking fights even if you get the slightest upset, and hell, youâre contagious, you make me wanna fight you, and this whole year, I regretted leaving you because all I ever did was either miss you or get angry at you for letting me go. I donât care anymore, I just wanna stay together even if it means weâll be quarreling most of the timeâŚbecause, all that quarreling, all that anger, itâs temporaryâŚand when it wears offâŚI want you there. I donât know how I fell for you this deep butâŚIâm glad I did.â He smiled softly, his heart swelling a little on having finally said that out, feeling a little less nervous about trying to say it to Minho when he was actually awake. He shifted closer, pecking Minhoâs lips, âI love you too, like crazy lots, Minho.â
âYou only call me Minho,â Minhoâs soft, hoarse voice came and Taemin froze, finding a smile grow on his face as he opened his eyes, âWhen you are sappy.â
Taemin shifted away, âHowâŚhow much did you hear?â
Minho furrowed his brows, shifting closer the amount Taemin had shifted away, âEverything?â
Taemin blushed but his brows crossed and he grabbed the extra pillow and hit Minho, âWhy didnât you tell me you were awake?! You sneaky little-â
Minho dodged the pillow and climbed over Taemin, cutting his words short as he pinned him down on the bed.
Taeminâs eyes widened in flustered horror, âAre you trying to pick a fight?â
âMaybe?â Minho grinned, âBecause I think I figured out how to end our fights as well.â
âAnd how is that?â Taemin shot back, regretting asking the moment the question was out of his mouth because Minho smirked before whispering, âYou asked for it.â He leaned down and kissed Taemin briefly before he trailed kisses from his chin down to his neck, his hands finding their way into his shirt. Taemin lost all his sense to his touch, and grabbed his collar, pulling him back up so he could kiss him.
âMorning! Are you guys-â Minhoâs mother stopped short on opening the door, and both Taemin and Minho broke apart. His mom stood there frozen for a few seconds before she finally blinked, âOh dear, carry on. Iâll make sure to knock next time.â And she hurried out, closing the door.
Minho looked from the door to Taemin, his lips curving into an amused smile, âSoâŚTaemin, do you wanna âcarry onâ?â
âShut up!â Taemin blushed, pushing him off and turning away, pulling the blanket over him.
Minho hugged his wrapped up figure from the back, âSince she saw us, I guess itâs mission accomplished.â
Taemin scoffed and Minho chuckled, âReally,â he asked, imitating his momâs tone, âdo you wanna âcarry onâ?â
âI swear it, Choi-â
And that squabble might have gone on for long.
âWait,â Jonghyun furrowed his brows, seeing Taemin leave Minhoâs set, miffed, âAre you sure you guys are together?â
âYeah, why?â Minho asked, looking a little angry, but focussing himself on editing the pictures he had just taken.
âThat was a pretty ugly fight.â Jonghyun deadpanned.
âWe figured out how to end our fights, so we fight without a care.â
âAnd what in the world ends a crazy fight like that?â Jonghyun asked, exasperated but Minho remained silent, making Jonghyun roll his eyes. âFine, donât tell me, Iâm gonna go grab lunch with Jinki.â
When Jonghyun returned, he saw Taemin leaving. He walked to Minho, finding his tensed brows resolved. Before he repeated his question, his eyes fell upon the hickey half concealed under Minhoâs collar, making him notice the other disheveled traits in his appearance.
Minho looked at him, curious as to why he was standing there without saying a word, âWhat?â
âGosh,â Jonghyun let out a chuckle in disbelief, shaking his head as he turned away, returning to his work. Jinki spotted him coming, âWhatâs up?â He smiled too, seeing Jonghyun smiling, âWhatâs the matter?â
Jonghyun peeked back at Minho who was on the phone, probably talking to Taemin judging from that silly smile on his face, âNothing,â He turned back to Jinki, handing him some equipment, âLetâs carry on.â
AHHH I LOVE YOU :) Pilot Jinki and Rockstar Jonghyun hehe. I love your writing because it seems so simple yet so complicated with all the intricate emotions that are involved in the words and characters. It just makes my heart flutter whether its angst or fluff. Thank you for your work!
such lovely words ;;;;; it makes me really happy knowing you enjoyed it so much! thank you âĄâĄâĄ
jongyu; commercial flight pilot jinki and rising rockstar jonghyun on their first date
Titled: 0.005; wc: ~2.4k words
Probably not entirely what you were hoping for anon, but I tried orz and thanks for the prompt! :3
for @lllfate37  âĄ
Jonghyun was finally done with his concerts and was flying back home the next day. He had a quiet night to himself- which was very much needed- but as the night progressed, being alone got really lonely. He twirled his drink and finished it in one shot before setting the glass aside on the bedside table. He grabbed his phone before sinking back into bed, this time pulling the comforter all the way up. He opened up his gallery and set up a slideshow on his phone and connected the phone screen through the Bluetooth to the tv screen. He turned and shifted until he found the perfect position to watch the slideshow properly.
He sighed fondly, smiling as he watched the photos come and go. His eyes drooped soon and he dropped into a peaceful slumber, thinking about the moments captured in the pictures he had been looking at.
Watching slideshows until he fell asleep was a very common thing Jonghyun did. Hence, when his manager stepped into his room early next morning to help pack for their flight, he wasnât one bit freaked out to see photos of Jonghyunâs boyfriend spinning and fading on the tv screen. He instead sighed and plugged the poor phone to the charger before shaking Jonghyun by the arm.
There wasnât much to pack, actually. They were ready to go within half an hour, which was a good thing because they were boarding within 2 hours. It gave them enough time to grab some breakfast and take the scenic route to the airport.
Jonghyun was still a little hazy. He had drunk a fair amount last night and he had quite a headache.
They reached the airport, checked in, passed the customs. While they were walking to the terminal, his manager sighed, âYou have no work till next month after this photoshoot. You guys can finally go on a date.â
Jonghyun smiled slightly, âYeah.â
He was really excited, despite how unenthusiastic he probably seemed right now. It was the hangover that was keeping his excitement within seams. He really wanted to sleep it off so he could properly plan something.
âWhy donât you just stay at Jinkiâs for a while, then?â
Jonghyun nodded, mentally noting down the suggestion to think about it later.
They finally reached the terminal, and Jonghyun furrowed his brows on reading the name of the airlines. âYou changed the flight?â
The manager hummed, âThis one was earlier so I switched âemâŚgotta avoid the fans for this schedule. The company doesnât wanna disclose about the photoshoot before the launch date is set.â
âOk. Do you know who the pilot is?â Jonghyun asked, already knowing his question was in vain.
The manager chuckled, âThey never tell you that, now do they.â
âThe chanceâs slim, anyways,â Jonghyun yawned, looking to his phone and swiping to his messages, âThere are, like 200 flights active for this airline. 1/200. 0.005. 0.5% Thatâs the probability of him being on this flight.â
âAs good as zero.â The manager sighed and Jonghyun sighed as well, reading the simple calculation Jinki had sent a while back another time before locking his phone screen.
Jinki and Jonghyun had met through a collegiate event and had become fast friends despite how different they were academically. They hung out quite often and Jonghyun was elated whenever Jinki said yes to his plans or would contact him with his own. He had a crush on him from the start and as they spent their free days together, he had grown quite fond of him. They studied together often, because both of them preferred to study alone, but not just quiteâŚthey preferred company but not the kind that would hinder them from concentrating at timesâŚlike those few classmates who troubled you often with doubts and such and tried to leech off you. When they didnât have to study, they finished up chores at each otherâs dorms and later either ate out or cooked at home, putting a DVD on. That was it- nothing quite special, just two friends who were comfortable and understanding of each other, two friends who trusted and helped each other out. But, Jonghyun had always wanted to be more than friends, wanted to sit a little closer to Jinki, wanted to hold his hand, wanted to do a lot of things with Jinki, things that were special.
Everything changed the day he was scouted. It was the chance he had been waiting for all his life and Jinki knew that too. Jonghyun wanted to speak his heart before he left, know what Jinki thought about it, make sure if the chance was worth taking at all. It was then he had realized how bad he wanted Jinki to be in his life.
But Jinki seemed happier than him and kept urging him to take it.
And Jonghyun, afraid that he would spoil this friendship, this happiness, decided not to break it and took it.
They stayed in touch after he had moved to become a trainee, but after Jinki graduated and got into flight training, it became difficult. Their contact information changed and them being more apart and busy, didnât help.
Four years later, they met at a hotel by chance. Jonghyun was checking out and Jinki had just walked in with a small bag. One look at Jinki and Jonghyun was breathless. He had grown handsome, his smile was more charmingâŚand the pilot uniformâŚlooked really good on him. In those five minutes they chatted, Jonghyun had bravely asked for his number.
And so they had started talking again. It was mostly through messaging until Jinki called him. Then their interaction furthered into video calling. They usually video-called each other when either of them was doing chores. It wasnât exactly the same, but it returned warmth to Jonghyunâs heart. Jinki would be advising him and sometimes chuckling at his clumsiness. When it was Jinkiâs turn, Jonghyun would just keep chatting to keep him entertained, because Jinki did chores a lot better than him and he really couldnât help with words in any other way.
These calls were occasionalâŚlike twice a month, and Jinki was hardly home. Usually, he called from his hotel room. Sometimes, when Jonghyun called, Jinki would be at the airport, substituting as co-pilot for someone who had an emergency. His schedule was very flexible and kept changing because he was still new, and didnât have a family. He had written his name down as most of his colleaguesâ back-up. Almost every time, Jinki was in a different countryâŚand Jonghyun being a famous singer didnât quite help bridge the distance at all. He had his own schedule and wasnât in Seoul, or even in the same time zone when Jinki was home.
He had asked Jinki once, what if by chance they were on the same flight?
âThere are approximately 200 active flights for this airline. I could be on any one of them. 1/200. 0.005. 0.5%. Thatâs the probability of me being on a certain flight. The probability of you boarding my flight is even less. You have a bunch of airlines to choose from. Hmm? 0.001%? You multiply both of our probabilities because we are looking for a convergence and-â
âItâs quite a dismal number.â
Jinki chuckled, âItâs not zero, at least.â
When Jonghyun had been preparing for his latest album, he had gotten a call from Jinki in the middle of the night. Jinki was apologizing for waking him the moment he saw him, saying he called without thinking, saying that what he wanted to say, could wait. But Jonghyun knew from his eyes, that whatever it was that he was trying to say, was going to keep him frantic if he wouldnât say it. He was a pilot after all. He shouldnât be flying with a troubled mindset. So he urged him to speak and waited patiently, watched him pace around until he finally sighed and asked, âWill you go out with me?â
Jonghyun was speechless at his question. Jinki took that negatively and began to explain himself, âLike, of course, itâs not possible most of the times, like, in the literary senseâŚ.and I know this wonât work out very wellâŚbut I think I lost my chance all those years backâŚand this is probablyâŚnot even a chanceâŚitâs going to be so difficult being more than friends, I understand if-â
âYes, I will go out with you,â Jonghyun had muttered, hiding his face in his pillow for a while in embarrassment, watching the surprise on Jinkiâs face. It gave him a little courage and he sat up,  âAnd I donât care if itâs difficult. I donât feel it is, actually. I donât mindâŚif we are able to see each other only through the phone. Even thatâŚis a blessing. Without this, I wouldnât have ever been able to see you at all.â
Jinki grew silent, yet his bashful face said everything. A few moments later, he asked, âHave youâŚ? All along?â
Jonghyun finally admitted, âYes,â
Jinki frowned a little, âI was so afraidâŚfor nothing.â
âSo was I.â
âYou know, the probability of us meeting in person is greater- if you tell me the days you are in Seoul, and not working and I converge my days off-â
âEnough, smarty pants.â Jonghyun chuckled, âDonât you have a flight to pilot?â
âYes. I have to report in an hour, actually. Thanks for the reminder.â Jinki replied, grinning, âSeeya soon.â
âBye.â
That night, it had snowed a lot. Everything was cold. But Jonghyunâs heart was warm.
Jonghyunâs manager shook him from his daze, âThe flightâs taking off. Buckle up.â
Jonghyun yawned, obeying and decided to sleep his headache off. He was just waiting for the take off to be done with. He didnât quite like take offs- they gave his tummy a funny feeling- and also he couldnât really sleep through them, or do anything else. The air was always filled with so many announcements.
âGood Afternoon, everyone. This is your Captain speaking. Firstly, Iâd like to welcome-â
Jonghyun froze. He knew this voice. He knew it so, so well. Despite the announcement being a little noisy, he could make it outâŚbecause he had been listening to it for these past monthsâŚthrough a speaker, through earphones, on the phone. It was so, so close. But before he could have focussed on it further, the announcement ended and it was a womanâs voice that had begun speaking instead.
He looked to his manager, eyes wide, âThat voice,â He whispered, âItâs Jinki.â
His manager gave him a weird look, âHow could you tell? That was quite choppy.â
âI studied music, I am a singer, a famous one, if you have forgotten, and I know how different forms of recording affect a voice.â
His manager remained silent in response, before sighing and putting his eye mask on, smiling just a little, âThen I guess, todayâs a 0.005 day.â
After listening to the landing announcement, Jonghyun was sure, Jinki was on the flight too. But his excitement of the knowledge fizzled out too soon as he wondered what truly could come out of this rare happening. He had a connecting flight on a different airline to Seoul in three hours and he was aware, pilots donât fly continuously. Jinki probably would be staying at a hotel in this stop for a day or two before his next scheduled flight, whereas Jonghyun would be leaving shortly.
He was tempted to push back his flight and search for Jinki. While his manager headed to the terminal, he had instead taken a stroll around the airport mall, thinking about it on and on. As he neared his terminal, he was all set to talk to his manager about it and take the chance to find Jinki.
But when he got to the terminal, the flight had already departed half an hour ago. He checked the time. They still had two hours before boarding startedâŚat least thatâs what his manager had told him. He decided to check his boarding pass but realized that he didnât have it on him. His manager had been holding onto it. He checked the flight name and status. He wasnât at the wrong terminal. This was supposed to be his flight-
A boarding pass obstructed his view and he blinked. The next moment, Jinki stepped into his view, lips pursed into a nervous smile.
The moment Jinkiâs sight settled in, Jonghyun managed to piece everything together. Jinki had made this happen. Their 0.005 day.
âA day,â Jinki waved his boarding pass, âThatâs all I could persuade your manager into giving me.â
âSoâŚthe flight change was deliberate? Not because it was earlier?â Jonghyun muttered to himself and Jinki chuckled. Jonghyun blushed, âI should have known. Thatâs too many coincidences.â
âWhen you could more or less measure the probability of our meetingâŚâ Jinki began, âI thought, it was possible to manipulate itâŚafter all, real life processes at times, are far more manipulative than ergodic processes. We can use a lot more than calculations.â
âI sometimes wonder how I fell for you when I dislike math so much,â Jonghyun said, taking the boarding pass from Jinki and putting it safely in his bag.
Jinki was silent at his words and Jonghyun looked to him, reading his eyes and smile, realization settling on him. He had just openly confessed. He looked away, embarrassed and Jinki began chuckling. âI sometimes wondered too, how I fell for you when I couldnât really stand rock music much.â
Jonghyunâs mouth fell open, but before he could respond, Jinki had gently grabbed his hand, âJust kidding.â
Jonghyun pouted, âAre you really?â
ââŚI grew to like it.â Jinki admitted, his lips curling up mischievously, âYou make quite some interesting sounds in your songs-â
âLetâs walk around!â Jonghyun interrupted his attempt of teasing, flustered, knowing where it was to lead. He entangled his fingers in Jinkiâs and began to walk, tugging the join of their hands and Jinki stepped to his side, shifting close, making their shoulders brush. Jonghyun noticed the little contact, noticed how the gap between them had lessened and he smiled to himself.
âSo what do you wanna do first on our first date?â Jinki asked and Jonghyun lifted their joined hands, smiling, âAlready did it.â
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I LOVE your StroieČti. Can you write a jongyu fic with side minkey? Gold diggers Jinki and Kibum are meeting for the first tine their sugar daddies Jonghyun and Minho in a club/bar and then they fall in love. I hope is not toi much
Jonghyun tightened his coat around himself as he followed Minho to the entrance of some club. He was not at all in the mood; after the snowfall in the afternoon all he wanted to do was go home and change into his warmest and most comfortable pajamas and have a glass of brandy or rum; Â but Minhoâs whining and little rants had forced him to accept his offer to go and explore the new club a few streets away.
âReady to have the time of your life?â Minho asked with a wink as they stopped in front of the dark entrance of the club.
Jonghyun rolled his eyes and pushed Minho inside.
-
Kibum let out a huge sigh as he sat down beside Jinki at the bar. âWe have been here for only 15 minutes and I am already bored.â
Jinki snorted. âWhat? Didnât find anyone to your liking?â
âToo young and immature.â Kibum groaned. He took a sip of the drink he had ordered. âOh god, please send help.â
Jinki was huddled in his blanket with a book he had been wanting to read for a long time, occasionally looking out the window, watching the passersby snuggled in their coats and woolens, walking against the chilly air. They were lucky that this winter, they werenât out working. Their schedules had simmered down now and they had managed to get a few days off by pushing their schedules forward. It had been hectic but it was worth it if it meant theyâd get a few days completely off. Without wasting a minute of it, everyone had already left by yesterday evening; they had either gone home or out of the country for a short vacation...well, except Jonghyun and him.
Jinki had planned to go home and spend all of his off days there, but his family was out of town partially for business reasons, partially for visiting his other relatives and wouldnât be back until heâd have only a weekend of his vacation left. So he had set those last 3 days aside for his family and had decided to just laze around in the dorm, doing those little things he hadnât been able to in a long time, like reading this particular book, until he could come up with something better.
Jonghyun had been out until late last night because of his radio show and hence couldnât have fled like the other three. Jinki had heard him stumbling into the dorm around 3 A.M and had assumed that he was just gonna sleep in and then go home later today. It was almost noon and Jinki was expecting Jonghyunâs fluffy little head to pop at his ajar door any moment to say goodbye.
But, honestly, he wished Jonghyun stayed.
They hardly got such time when it was only the two of them.
But Jinki couldnât ask him to stay.
They hadnât been very close from the start. That was normal. They had their differences, they had their quarrels, days of cold wars, and slowly they began to warm up to each other. The fights had already exposed all their ugly sides, the way they thought and how they felt about each other. They were their truest selves when they were with each other, not caring if a comment was too harsh or too cheesy; they had gotten to know each other so well in the whole time they had spent struggling to match, to adjust...that now they knew exactly how the other might react for most of the times. They had come a long way, from quarreling to joking around with each other. From being irritated at each otherâs sight to enjoying each otherâs company.
But it was the cold silence they had shared that had given Jinki the best moments of their bond. Those cold silences made the silences they shared now comfortable. Somehow, they knew when the other wanted peace and they remained silent in acceptance. Jinki especially appreciated those moments when they would just sit side by side, doing nothing, saying nothing. It gave Jinki a peace nothing ever gave him. He just liked sitting there with his thoughts, Jonghyunâs faint scent adrift in the air, his warmth passing into him through how he casually rested against him.
And it was in one of those moments he realized that he probably loved him.
He had spent a long time dwelling on the thought, he had never acted on it, because of many, many reasons. Reasons that were perhaps trivial. Maybe it was just him, afraid that if he took a step forward, it might ruin the dynamic they shared. He wanted to preserve that, cherish it for a lifetime.
But he was tempted so many times when they had to perform and sing close to each other, whenever he was asked to do something as fan service; whenever he was asked questions about Jonghyun...or questions of his love life and the person he would like to date.
Many a time, his tongue might have slipped, following the image of Jonghyun engraved in his mind, brimming his every thought.
Many a time, in the way they joked around for fans or in the way Jonghyun would casually come rest against him or embrace him, or sit so dangerously close, Jinki might have returned a little more affection than what was considered normal between friends, bandmates.
He thought it was somewhat of a miracle that his heart was still his secret to keep.
His thoughts had set his heart at a wild pace and he blinked, realizing that he had been staring at one word for all this long.
He should have known, nothing could ever have his attention the way Jonghyun did. He slipped into his bed to lie down properly, holding his book over his face and trying to read again.
But right then, Jonghyunâs head popped in and Jinki turned towards the door, finding him still in his pajamas, his hair adorably askew as he stepped inside after a soft knock, pushing the door completely open. He said nothing and just walked slowly towards the bed and got in beside him, pulling the blanket back on both of them. He pressed Jinkiâs awkwardly raised arm down and then rested his head on his forearm, snuggling closer as he pulled the blanket till his ears. He wrapped one arm around Jinki and closed his eyes.
Jinki had been passive, his guards down, his very presence malleable whenever Jonghyun entered his space. He was struck, knowing he should not be. Jonghyun had rested against him many a time, he had embraced him many a time. A good share of them were genuine gestures, but none of them had been so intimate...none of them had occurred when they were entirely alone like this.
Thoughts raced in Jinkiâs head, at the same pace of his rushing heart, his eyes upon the little furrow of Jonghyunâs brows, upon the faint tint in his cheeks. He was being both brave and nervous, both confident and shy. In that very moment, he also realized, how good Jonghyun could hide such emotions, or maybe, it was him- poor at noticing them unless they were so blatant.
He was here to stay; he was here to say, something that their words probably couldnât. Something that maybe they both had been displaying in their silences, something that had maybe gone unnoticed in the many worries and fears that came along with it.
Jinki discarded his book and placed his other arm around Jonghyun as a response to his gesture and he watched the little tension in his brows ease, his cheeks rise a little, hinting at the smile that he was hiding underneath the blanket.
Jinki couldnât help but smile himself, smile in fondness, smile because perhaps, his heart had always been a secret they both had kept.
pairing: het!jongyu (junghee x jinki)
description: loosely based on Snow White and hence also a part of the âonce upon a timeâ story collection
âMirror mirror on the wall,â Junghee walked past the glowing mirror, the glass tinting with a shade of blue, âWho in this land is fairest of all?â
âYou are indeed fair, my queen,â The Mirror replied, âBut there is someone fairer than you now...and he is the fairest of all.â
âHe?â Junghee scoffed, taking a sip from her goblet, âWho is this he?â
âThe Prince of the neighboring kingdom,â The Mirror replied, âLee Jinki.â
Junghee stiffened at the name spoken, her heart clenching, yet she did not let it leak onto her face for more than a second. âYou are broken, Mirror.â She sent a beam of her gray magic towards it, lessening its glow, âHow can he be any fairer than me?â
âYou can see for yourself, my beloved queen,â The Mirror answered, âHe is returning from the battlefields...and instead of riding home, he is riding to you.â
Jungheeâs face softened a bit and she turned away from her mirror, âI will see him,â She sighed, âBut he will not be able to see me.â
Ever since the Mirror had mentioned Jinki, Junghee had been greatly distracted. She had been once betrothed to him...when she was a princess and not a self-announced Queen. He was someone she had been fond of, she had once cherished, someone who made her heart catch beautiful rhythms, made it dance with joy whenever she danced with him. He was arrogant to the world but for Junghee, his walls would lower. Behind his arrogant mask, was a gentle boy who would smile shyly but bright, his smile so innocent, so contagious that made Junghee drop her own mask of arrogance. She was livelier after she had met him, her magic was the most golden it had ever been, reflecting her jubilant heart.
But now it was gray, and Jinki had lain forgotten amidst the pain that she had been inflicted with, the pain that she still struggled to live with, the pain that had made her what she was now.
It was four winters ago...when the gold of her magic had begun to dim into the gray that it was now.
âExistence, in entirety, shall see what is wished them to see,
The evil cast around you, you can never flee.â
- She had woken up to a dead silence and when she walked out, she found the workers scurrying around, avoiding her, not greeting her as usual. She headed to her parentsâ chamber and there were many workers and nobles gathered around. They paved a path for her on noticing her and when she entered, she halted at the sight, her heart clenching with horror.
Her parents lay motionless in their bedstead, the royal doctor dismayed.
She walked in closer, spotting how their skins were sickly pale, how their lips were a dark shade, how blood dripped off their noses and lips. How they were angry marks around their necks, golden specks littered around them.
She staggered and fell upon her knees, tears clouding her eyes, her senses whirring around as her loss settled in, unable to focus upon the nobles in the room, their angry, hateful faces, the words they threw at her. She couldnât defend herself against them, nor could she fight the soldiers who pulled her away, taking her down to the dungeons, locking her away.
Days passed and all she saw were soldiers guard her, push measly meals into her cell, their eyes full of hatred and fear. She couldnât comprehend the faces they wore, the eyes with which they glanced at her.
When the soldiers changed duties, she spotted a familiar one, her private guard, one that had watched her grow up, one that was always kind to her, one that was familiar with how her nature truly was. She called out to him, but when he turned, something in his eyes struck her. It was the same as what she had seen in every pair of eyes that she had sighted. Hatred.
He looked away with contempt and Junghee called out to him again, reminding him of some moments he had been kind to her, some moments she had been kind to him, but he ridiculed them all. From his unreasonably stubborn words, Junghee could grasp that something was off. She watched him a while and noticed a difference in his eyes. Whenever he glanced from somewhere else towards her, a glint appeared and disappeared within a fraction of second...and that was when Junghee knew what was off.
She rested back against the wall, remembering the spell books she had read all her life. But this wasnât a spell...it was a curse.
The curse of false impression.
When cast, everyone will only see what the caster wanted them to see. She had been framed for her parentsâ murder to support that false impression of evil...and that impression...was now barricading her true self, making that the only thing they would see upon looking at her.
She knew she had to get out of the dungeons. It was futile to believe that she would receive justice. Everyone had a false impression of her, a curse that she knew not how to break.
She finally gathered courage and broke out of her cell using her magic, knocking out the soldiers who attacked. The others fled from her path, upon seeing the magic whirling around her fists. As she walked the corridors, everyone began to flee and by the time she reached the throne room, the castle was abandoned.
The moment she was in power, the moment she was free, the hatred in the eyes of her people had easily given rise to another emotion. Fear.
She could hear the fearful murmurings of the fleeing soldiers and workers...and it angered her. As the whispering faded and she was left in dead silence, the air grew suffocating. She knew she couldnât revert anything, she knew that she could not win back her people with the cursed impression dousing her. The only thing that she could in that moment to secure herself was to take advantage of what she had become.
Without a second thought, she picked up her fatherâs crown which had been resting beside his throne and wore it on her head before walking out into the balcony.
âSwear allegiance to your queen,â She spoke as everyone quivered, lifting her palm surrounded with her darkening magic, âOr die.â -
âMy queen,â The Mirror broke her daze and she turned to it with questioning eyes, âDid you find anything in the new books you acquired?â
Junghee glanced at the pile of books littered around her chamber. Somehow, the curse was incomplete in all of them...even in books she had paid exorbitantly for, books that came from every corner of the world she could reach.
âNothingâŚâ She sighed, âI guess I am fated to be known as the Evil Queen.â
âMirror mirror on the wall,â Junghee began as she entered her chamber after dressing up, only to trail off, realizing that the answer the mirror would speak is now no longer the same. She had been lonely all this while, and the only thing she took proud in had been her beauty. But honestly, she couldnât care less who in the land was fairest of all. That question was the only one she asked, that question had become a habit, and on hearing the mirror say it was her, she felt a little pleasant about herself. That was all.
But maybe she needed to hear it because now nothing about her was prideful or pleasant.
Jinkiâs mention had her riled up...her struggling heart was struggling more with the pain she had long suppressed, with the memories she had pushed away, with the feelings she had long forgotten.
All she could reminisce were the words from a scroll she had received a few days after that unfortunate incident, the scroll from the neighboring kingdom, revoking the betrothal. It wasnât in his hand, not that it made any difference. He would have had no choice but to obey his father. Moreover, he was away, fighting battles with allies, maybe unaware of everything...but his oblivion was in vain. No matter what he held in his heart...it was bound to be replaced with hatred, with evil upon sighting her.
She had begun to fear meeting him, begun to fear the eyes he would glance at her with. The thought itself pained her, to find the only person left in this world who she cherished, who cherished her in return, to disregard her, blame her, be repulsed by her sight.
She sighed, deciding not to think of it much.
She was no longer the cheerful, loved princess of pure heart. Her heart had grayed due to the anger and dismay she had accumulated over the years, reflecting in her magic. She was cursed...and already a Queen. The Evil Queen. He definitely deserved better.
She didnât even have to do anything. One glance would end it all. The thought weighed upon her heart, that she could no longer even hope for something everyone hoped for. Love.
âHow many more days for the prince to get here?â She asked the mirror as she put on her crown and jewels.
âBetter hurry up, my queen,â The Mirror answered, bemused, âHe is already here.â
She finished dressing up, transferring the magic of her mirror into a smaller one and she tucked the little mirror in her coat like she always did to keep it by her side, as a support of sorts. She began to walk the corridors towards the throne room, her eyes falling on the snow that had doused her entire view. The air was still quiet as she walked the corridors. She had expected a slight chaos to be in the air, for, no one ever dared to visit the Queen, but she brushed the anomaly off and finally walked into the throne room, taking her throne and waiting patiently for her visitor.
The doors opened and Jinki walked in, dressed in simple yet elegant attire. He seemed a little haggard, his head lowered slightly as he neared and lowered on one knee when he was a mere step away from Junghee, âI am here to honor our betrothal.â
Jungheeâs heart rose slightly...because Jinki still wished to wed her despite the time that had passed since their last meeting. Her eyes softened and she almost uttered her heart out, but pursed her lips, speaking instead, âRaise your head, look at me and then repeat those words.â
Jinki obeyed. He raised his head, his eyes meeting Jungheeâs.
Jungheeâs heart was beating heavily, waiting for him to speak, preparing herself to be strong despite what he was to speak.
âI am here,â Jinki began, his voice louder, clearer, âTo honor our betrothal.â
Junghee gasped, her wide eyes upon Jinki, who had now lowered his gaze again, his lips curving up slightly in a blend of amusement and modesty, âMay I rise, Your Highness?â
Junghee got up from her throne, her heart hammering in confoundment as she fled his sight, muttering, âYou may.â
Flustered, frustrated, confused. Junghee was pacing around her chamber, trying to mask the rapid beat of her heart with her steps, before she finally threw her question at the Mirror.
âHow can he remain unaffected?â
âPerhaps, he likes what he sees, even if it is evil.â The Mirror answered simply and Junghee blushed, âThat does not make sense.â
She paced around a while more, thinking and thinking for reasons, âIs it because he was far awayâŚ?â She asked softly and then answered her own question, âBut I am cursed, even if he came from another realm, nothing should change.â She paused, reminiscing that moment, her face striking in the realization of something she hadnât realized in that moment due to her bashfulness, â...his face. The way he smiled...he...knows. But what? And how?â
âMy queen,â The Mirror answered, bemusement tinting its tone â...there is a simple solution to your plight.â
âAnd what may that be?â
âAsk him yourself.â
Junghee finally sat down in her armchair, disgruntled, grinding her teeth subconsciously as her thoughts collided within her mind before she sighed and gave up pressuring her mind.
A few minutes of silence later, the Mirror inquired, âSo...is he the fairest of all?â
The chaos on Jungheeâs countenance calmed as she softly replied, âIndeed he is.â
Junghee stood on the balcony of the throne room next day, watching the white silence, the heavy footprints left by the soldiers on their patrol, as she snuggled in her coat, lowering her face a bit so her cold nose could get warmed up in the collar of her coat. She flipped her hand mirror open, making it gleam softly, âWhere is he, Mirror?â
âAnd I thought I would never see the day when I would finally spy for my Queen.â The Mirror spoke deridingly and Junghee frowned.
The Mirror chuckled, âYou are lucky, my Queen...or maybe it is fate? Your once betrothed is walking to you. Look below.â
Junghee shut her mirror and looked below, finding Jinki walk into her view, wading through the snow, his handsome countenance rosy due to the cold. A few snowflakes had settled between his neatly parted locks, on his dark coat. He looked up, his eyes closing to the soft snowflakes that fell upon his face and when he opened his eyes, they met Jungheeâs and he stopped in his tracks. A handsome smile grew on his face and Junghee felt her heart race.
His sight riled her heart more than it ever had...for she was thinking of how Jinki could see through the curse again. In her daze, she didnât notice him reach her side and only did when he cleared his throat, âYour Highness, would you fancy a walk-â
âHow,â Junghee interrupted him, still looking to the snowy scene ahead of her, her heart beating heavily, yet her face showing nothing of it as she continued to ask, âHow can you...see me?â
Jinki remained silent a while before he took out a scroll from his pocket. He extended it towards Junghee who took it after a long pause, gingerly rolling it open.
"Existence, in entirety, shall see what is wished them to see,
The evil cast around you, you can never flee.
Alas, there is solace, for even evil has a foe,
To the one your heart truly belongs, your real self will show."
âIt is complete,â Junghee breathed, the arrogance, the cold she wore, dissipating, âThe curse, it is complete.â She looked from the scroll to Jinki, âHow...how did you know?â
Jinki lowered his gaze in thought before looking back to Junghee, his eyes a little playful, a little modest, and his cleared his throat, âYou told me yourself,â He spoke in a changed voice, in the voice that had kept Junghee company all this while, âMy beloved Queen.â
Junghee blinked, struck by his voice, by his words and she flipped her mirror open, making it gleam. The moment she did, something gleamed in Jinkiâs pocket, and he pulled it out- a rustic yet beautifully carved hand mirror, similar to the one Junghee had received on one of her travels. She had not used it until after she had pronounced herself queen and loneliness had begun to suffocate her, making her unpack all the enchanted objects and spellbooks she had enclosed in her trunk. While she fidgeted with them, the mirror gleamed, addressing her. It was misty and she couldnât see her own reflection, let alone the actual form of the voice. The soul in the mirror, or so she thought, couldnât see her or was simply immune to her curse, hence becoming the most realistic presence in her life. She conversed with it often and soon grew attached because from its words, she could ascertain that the âmirrorâ meant her no harm. She sought its guidance when she tried to find the rest of the curse or the break, discreetly also seeking a method to free a soul from an enchanted object. But all she found was to transfer the enchantments of the mirror into different ones...and now she understood why she couldnât have ever freed the Mirror. It was never a trapped soul, but an enchantment for communication. She remembered now, Jinkiâs father had a vault full of enchanted objects he had conquested in battles. Jinki might have snuck the mirror into her belongings when she had last visited.
She looked down to the scroll, her gaze falling upon the last line, the words setting her heart into many a rhythm.
"To the one your heart truly belongs, your real self will show."
She had her answer.
Something that she had never admitted to herself, something that she had always underestimated, something that she believed had faded from her heart.
But it hadnât. It had grown instead. Despite how much she had ached, despite how bleak her chances at truly living had become. Her heart had always belonged to him...and she had always known...that it forever will.
She looked from the scroll to him, to his dark eyes, clouded with worry and the soothing bliss that had seeped into Jungheeâs veins began to dissipate.
He neednât had kept her company through a mirror all these years, he neednât had believed in the unspoken bond they once shared, he neednât had quested for the break, he neednât had come to her, to a cursed existence.
But he did.
He was precious, his heart was more...and she did not deserve to have it.
Jinki observed how her eyes changed with her thoughts and he stepped closer, finding her short of breath, holding her tears. But she stepped away, her tears finally flowing out, dripping onto the scroll and Jinkiâs face paled.
Junghee blinked, wiping her tears, her eyes catching an anomaly in the scroll. The spot where her tear had fallen had revealed ink and she breathed heavily, touching the spot, soft gray wisps wiping away whatever had concealed the hidden inked words.
"But it shall be ensured your love never transcends this verse,
The one you truly love, will also suffer from a curse.
The price of holding love, of solace will only accrue,
The one who truly sees you shall be visible to none but you."
Jungheeâs hold on the scroll tightened. Her vision grew blurry. The words were resounding in her mind, piercing her heart and when she finally parted her lips, she couldnât speak anything.Â
The anomaly that she had felt, of the air being unperturbed by Jinki's presence, by how no one came asking what to do of their visitor, finally settled upon her. No one had seen him ride in, no one had seen him enter, no one could see him right now, standing before her.
She lowered her head, concealing her face with her palms, her entire body shaking as she suppressed the pain from taking over.
Jinki engulfed her in his arms, and when his warmth hit her, she finally let go of her restraints, âI am sorry,â She spoke, her voice repressed, âI...I am sorry, Jinki. I-I-â
âFor what?â Jinki asked softly, his features doused in pain upon seeing Junghee cry, âFor loving me?â He let go of her, gently making her drop her hands, revealing her distraught face, the tears that were making paths on her aflush cheeks. He wiped them away and she calmed at his touch, looking to him with her beautiful eyes, that now held whirls of agony.
âI do not know what I would have done,â Jinki spoke, âIf you had not loved me.â He took her hands, âIf the price to see you, to love you, is to be unseen to the world...then so be it.â
âNever ever dare,â Jinki continued on seeing her silent, wearing his struggle in his countenance, his brows constricting, his voice soft yet stern, â...to think this is your fault. Never dare to push me away because of this, never dare to-â
His words drowned on Jungheeâs lips and when she broke away from him, she caressed his cheek gently, her voice soft yet arrogant, âNever ever dare to leave my sight.â
Her words vanquished the disquiet that had rested on his features and he smiled, âI promise to never, my beloved Queen.â
It was winter again soon. When the first snow fell, Junghee had been sitting by her window, writing, smiling at the snowflakes that flew in on to her face. When she turned, Jinki was walking to her, snowflakes caught between the strands of his dark hair, the cold tinting his skin to pink, his smile holding warmth despite the chill in the air.
Even if the Mirror wasnât what she had thought it to be, it had never lied.
Jinki indeed made the fairest sight.
Her gaze was broken with his soft question, âWhat do you write, my Queen?â
Junghee glanced down to her words, âIf anything in this world is false, it is the verse.â She looked to Jinki, smiling back at him, âEven if we are bounded by the curse, our love isnât. The curse will break one day through these words.â
Awestruck, Jinki dragged a chair to her side and sat on it, shifting closer, looking to her words, smiling as he read through.
âI need a title,â Junghee spoke and Jinki took her hand gently, caressing her knuckles, âI think I know a fitting one.â
Junghee urged him to speak with her eyes and Jinki smiled, âTranscend.â
Junghee immediately scrawled it at the top, content with it, her smile modest, âOne day, the world will finally see us.â
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a/n: Iâm hesitant to tag someone in this because, well...itâs sad.
Taemin enjoyed making snowmen ever since he was a kid. It wasnât his most favorite thing about the snow but making a snowman held a special importance to him. He grew up and didnât play in the snow anymoreâŚbut after the first snowfall every year, he spent an entire day making a big snowman in his yard, and watched it every day of winter from his window, leaning against the sill, drinking his coffee before he left for work.
It was because he had first met Minho when he had been making a snowman all those years agoâŚ
Their town was small and Minho didnât belong there. He was from somewhere else, forced to live with his grandparents in this quaint placeâŚfor reasons he never mentioned.
Minhoâs eyes carried kindness and his smile, warmth. He was too friendlyâŚand maybe that was why Taemin, who was reserved by nature, couldnât brush him off like he did with the others.
People usually left Taeminâs side because he took a while to open up- he was too cautious; his words too frank. He hardly had friends except for his cousins and he was fine with that. But despite how much Taemin ignored Minho, he was there every day, pestering him if he needed help with the snowman.
âDo you need help with that?â
But Taemin ignored him which resulted in Minho withdrawing and instead sit on the rocks nearby, watching him build the snowman with doleful eyes. Taemin gave in one day to his constant presence. He was a child then after all- naĂŻve, beguiled by aberrances, and despite how much he denied it- in need of a friend.
Minho chattered away and Taemin remained silent at first, a little annoyed, trying to be patient but he lost himself in his stories, in his cheery voice. He began to join in the conversation, sometimes humor him, sometimes tease him, sometimes order him around. Minho happily enjoyed every of their interaction, his eyes gleaming whenever Taemin initiated a gesture.
But there came some days that Minho didnât come by and Taemin felt the air to be colder and vacant without his warm voice flitting against it. In one of those moments, he realized that one of the reserved spots of his heart, he had given it away to Minho.
Seasons passed and they grew, changed. Seasons passed and the bond their shared molded into something else, something they never acted upon, yet could feel it within. Something that made them confused at times, determined at others. Something that made them too afraid to express it, but gave them enough courage to capture moments through excuses at times.
Seasons changed and so did the distance they maintained- from a step to an inch. There came one winter when they held hands, claiming it to be too cold, but knowing in their hearts it was not. There came one winter when they lay in the snow, side by side, arms entangled, laughing at the weird shapes of the clouds. There came one winter when they shared the blanket, snuggled together, watching movies on a day too cold to be out.
The bond they shared had molded into something beautiful and warm, and now they were more determined than confused, more courageous than afraid, yet they spoke nothing of itâŚbecause it was evident in their eyes, in the warmth of the gestures given and returned.
Despite all that had changed, all that was yet to, there was one constant. The snowman they built together after the first snowfall of winter.
It was the ninth winter after they had met. Minho was extremely early that morning, sitting on the rocks in the cold, waiting for Taemin to come out of his house. Taemin happened to peek out when he woke and ran outside, dressing up untidily, his layers incompletely fastened, curious as to why Minho was so early and had chosen to sit in the cold instead of ringing the bell.
Minho smiled fondly watching him wade through the snow. He buttoned up Taeminâs jacket properly and wished him a good morning in his soft voice, a voice that had changed, become richer, yet still had the same warmth it had when he was a child.
Taemin replied in a tone that was less excited than the way his heart was, than the way he had come running at his sight. He never had let his heart reign his gestures openly, because though he didnât need their relationship to be put in words, he indeed did look forward to it. It was his worthless pride and nothing more, that restrained his smiles at times, restrained the urge to engulf Minho in his arms, because it had become a habit of his, to make an excuse for every gestureâŚand to wear his love in his smile, to embrace him without any reason, he hadnât yet found proper excuses.
âI canât build a snowman together today.â Minho spoke, a little nervous, his voice shaky, âIâm leaving.â
Taeminâs mind froze for a moment, âWhy?â
âI never told you, Taemin.â Minho answered, his head bent, âThe reason I was here.â He took a deep breath, âI was dyingâŚI had only two winters to liveâŚyou gave me nineâŚand I realizedâŚeven that number, is not enough. I want to spend every winter that I live, with youâŚand that is why I am leaving. To try capture those winters.â
Taemin felt the cold of the wind seep into his body and hit him right in the chest. It was only then that he admitted to himself that he had given every spot of his heart to Minho...the pain was ablaze in that entirety.
Minhoâs words had his mindset in haywire, and it was fear that was raging within him, fear that he might lose Minho, a fear that grew immense on remembering every second he had spent with Minho, oblivious to this knowledge, assuming Minho to be a constant, restraining himself in arrogance.
Fear fell heavily upon him, turning into dread, turning his pain sharper, shattering something within him.
All that he could manage without giving out this broken heart of his was, âWhen will you be back?â
âNext winter.â
ââŚand if you are not?â
His soft question broke those formal restraints they had, and Minho pulled Taemin into his arms, not speaking an excuse why he did so, but instead whispering, âI promise that you will see me standing here the morning after the first snowfall.â
Taemin wrapped his arms around him, the promise Minho had spoken, holding the broken pieces within him barely together, âI have something to tell you that day.â
Minho softly kissed the top of his head, smiling through his tears, âI canât wait to hear it.â
Taemin had lost hope. Three winters had passed since the promised winter. Minho was not standing there after the first snowfall of any of them. He had consoled himself, assuming Minho needed more time, deciding to have more faith in him. He had consoled himself again, and then againâŚbut now that the fourth winter was approachingâŚhe could feel how tight fear had clasped his heart during his waitâŚand he no longer believed that he could hold his heart together if didnât see Minho after the first snowfall.
The first snow fellâŚand it doused everything in a blinding white, made the line between the earth and the skies almost non-existent. Taemin woke up that day, after not having slept at all that night, his breathing uneven, as he waited for the sun to rise. When light crept into his room through the gaps between the curtains, he walked towards his window to peek outside.
All that met his eyes was whiteâŚand white. He decided to be a little more faithful and he waited at his window for the entire morning to pass.
His eyes grew tired, yet they barely blinked, staring at the absence in front of him.
The clock struck twelve and he flinched, closing his eyes, stepping away from the window, grabbing his jacket with shaky hands.
He walked towards the rock and crouched down before it, finding the last of his hopes drain him. Tears finally left his eyes, tears that he had not let out for four winters, not in arroganceâŚbut in belief.
They fell, warm on the cold carpet, streaming down his reddening cheeks, as he finally lost balance and dropped down onto the snow entirely, covering his face in his palms.
He wailed and he whimpered, letting out the last of his pride, his broken heart filling with regret and anger at himself, words resounding in his mind. Words that he had wished to say but never hadâŚwords that now he would never get to say.
He got on his knees, stabilizing himself in the snow, shakily beginning to mold the snow, beginning to build the snowman he had not built for four winters, in wait for Minho.
With every handful of snow that he molded, with every detail that he added, he reminisced him, dropping all restraints one by one, softly muttering the real reasons behind every excuse he had made.
âI wanted to hold your hand, I wanted to bring you coffee, I wanted to walk with you that evening, I wanted toâŚI wanted to.â He shifted away from the snowman, the very first glimpse of Minho flashing before his eyes.
âDo you need help with that?â
His lips quivered, âNoâŚitâs already made.â
Taemin enjoyed making snowmen ever since he was a kid. It wasnât his most favorite thing about the snow but making a snowman held a special importance to him. He grew up and didnât play in the snow anymoreâŚbut after the first snowfall every year, he spent an entire day making a big snowman in his yard, and watched it every day of winter from his window, leaning against the sill, drinking his coffee before he left for work.
It was because he had come to realize that it was not him that was waitingâŚit was Minho.
A/N: @fayrenz This one is for fay! Thank you for everything and hope you have a nice and toasty winter ;;;;;;; âĽ
The sound of the blades scratching the ice and the steady whoosh of the air had Minho smiling as he neared the ice rink. He stood at the entrance, watching Taemin make those graceful twirls and jumps. âHey!â he called out when he saw Taemin slow down.
âYouâre here finally!â Taemin grinned as he went to greet Minho. âPut them on and join me.â he gestured towards the spare skates on the bench.
âYou know I canât skate.â Minho watched amusedly as Taemin glided across the rink.
âPut them on now!â Taemin called out, chuckling, âOtherwise Iâll drag you in here without them.â
Minho sighed, he carefully put them on and with the support of the rink barriers he walked toward Taemin. âWhatâs next?â
Taemin grinned sheepishly as he stopped in front of him. âNow we skate.â He gently took Minhoâs hand in his and lead him across the ice.
âHey hey hey!â Minho panicked a few minutes later, âWe are going too fast.â
âNo, we are not.â Taemin chuckled. âTrust me.â and he closed the distance between him and Minho in a single step, planting a soft kiss on Minhoâs lips.
Minho, a member of the National basketball team, had first seen Taemin at the yearly athletic award ceremony held in their country. He was intrigued by the tall, sharp-featured, handsomely beautiful man sitting across the room from him. Their eyes had met once or maybe twice and the smile he got in return had his eyes glued on Taemin for the rest of the night.
A few chance meetings more and Minho found himself asking Taemin out. Their first few dates were initially a bit awkward, but their passion for their sports broke the awkwardness bit by bit and soon they grew close. This Christmas would mark their second year anniversary.
They kept their relationship hidden from their families, their coaches, Minhoâs team and the whole world, fearing the repercussions on their respective careers if the news got out. But that fear was long gone as time passed...they didnât care if their secret was out. They had realized that nothing was worth not being together. But they hadnât made an effort to either make it known or hide it, trying to enjoy the spontaneity and the privacy the oblivion of others gave them at times like now.
Minho grabbed the barrier to stop himself as he breathed out. âAnd here I was thinking maybe you wanted to go out on a date before you fly off for your competition.â
âIsnât it a perfect date?â Taemin whispered as he stopped right behind Minho, embracing him from behind, his voice cutely muffled.
âIf we were playing basketball back at the court in my place, then maybe,â Minho answered teasingly as he intertwined his fingers with Taeminâs on his stomach.
âYou need to learn how to skate too.â Taemin said feigning to be miffed as he let go and slapped Minhoâs bum before skating away, âCome on Choi, donât let all that muscle go to waste. Come!â
Minho turned around, his pout turning into a smile at the joy on Taeminâs face. He took two steps, the blades feeling wobbly and he lost his balance. He laughed too when he heard Taeminâs loud chuckles.
âStop laughing and help me get up now!â
Taemin glided back to him and extended his hand as he pulled Minho up. Once Minho was up on his feet he pulled Taemin against himself effectively wiping away the grin. âJust watch me, Mister, Iâll beat you.â and he kissed Taemin on his nose before skating away and practicing what Taemin had taught him.
An hour later of casually skating alongside Minho, watching him follow him and improvise on his own, Taemin felt his feet became heavy with each step. He stood against the railing watching Minho glide on the ice. He chuckled at the concentration and seriousness evident on Minhoâs face as he tried to get the move right.
His little chuckle caught Minhoâs attention who immediately glided towards Taemin. He trapped Taemin between himself and the railings, completely pressing into him as he leaned down. âEnjoying the show?â he asked as he littered small kisses along Taeminâs neck.
Taeminâs hands descended up Minhoâs back and finally settled on his cheek, directing Minhoâs attention away from his own neck. âYou bet,â he whispered against Minhoâs lips before he kissed him.
Minho pulled away from Taemin, âWe need to leave now. We have to catch a plane early in the morning.â
âYes! I am not going to let you go all alone, and,â Minho felt his ears burn, he cleared his throat, âand itâs going to be our anniversary soon.
âOh!â Taemin exclaimed as he pulled Minho in a tight hug enticing a fond chuckle from Minho.
âCome, we need to leave,â Minho said as he led Taemin out of the rink.
Taemin nodded cutely as he followed Minho. He took off his skates and handed them over to Minho. âCan you put back mine too? I need to change out of my practice clothes.â
Minhoâs eyes widened when Taemin stepped outside. He was dressed up in Minhoâs jersey and was pulling on Minhoâs coat.
âI stole some clothes from you.â Taemin smiled a little nervously, his cheeks pink from the quick warm shower, growing pinker on noticing Minhoâs gaze.
Minho took Taeminâs hand, smiling fondly, whispering to him, âYou stole my heart and that is all that matters, Lee Taemin.â