untitled

[.livejournal.com]

university!au based on this interview
minkey; onjongtae
pg (for now); 2107 words
tumblr link

"Hey, hey! I have some new stuff you might be interested in buying…" "No, thanks." Jonghyun made a face as he tossed his backpack on the table, making some of the books previously scattered on it slide towards the edge. “Come on, Bummie. Just take one look at it and I’ll give you a discount. Please?” "I don’t even know why you’re so pressed about this." Kibum pushed Jonghyun’s backpack away so he can rearrange his organized mess on the table. "I’m not some kid who uses pictures to get off, Jjong. Do you think of me as someone that shallow?" Jonghyun didn’t reply, but pulled out some 3Rs from his pocket. “If it’s pictures of our football star, Choi Minho, then I do think of you as someone that shallow.” He scanned the photos while intentionally hiding their contents from Kibum’s obviously curious glance, even though the latter was trying to hard to keep his concentration in his bok. “Well, I have here some shots of him after that game with Konkuk Uni, the one where it rained hard? His whole uniform’s stuck to his body like latex and his hair’s disheveled. Then here’s a picture of him from the locker room wearing just a towel…” He blinked as the photos were snatched from his hands. Kibum leafed through the rather impressive collection, then heaved a sigh. Quietly putting the photos between the pages of one of his books, he turned back to Jonghyun, who was expectant with his chin on his hands. “I was just…the photos would go to waste if I didn’t take them! And I don’t want you spreading such perverted shots to just some people!” "I don’t even know why you’re so into him," Jonghyun said, leaning back in his seat as he grinned at his flustered table mate. "I mean, he’s just a normal student. He just plays really well, but he’s not even university idol status." "University idol like your underage boyfriend, Lee Taemin," Kibum quipped, making Jonghyun wince. "What do you know? Minho’s really nice to me, okay? Plus he’s a pretty nice actor. Remember we met during that musical where he floored everyone. I’m just…" Kibum looked down in an effort to hide his blush. "I’m just curious about him, that’s all." Jonghyun frowned for a bit, fiddling with the zipper of his backpack. “Really? From what I remember, you met our dashing football star during their friendly game event in your school back in America. Then somehow, you became a translator for them. Then somehow, he praised your English and your ass. And them somehow, you decided to transfer back here just so you can act surprised at your ‘accidental’ meeting and use it as a reason to stick to him like glue.” "Shut up!" Kibum hissed, muttering several curse words in English. "I…I am not stalking him like you’re trying to subtly say! Plus he didn’t praise my ass. He said I had nice assets! That’s different!" He huffed and glumly turned a page of his book. "Unlike you, he was pleasant about our second meeting and even offered to tour me around and accompany me to rehearsals. And he doesn’t diss my cooking. And he listens to every word I say. And he—" "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Perfect, of course." Jonghyun waved a dismissive hand. "Let’s stop this before you get to the nitty-gritty details of how he likes to cuddle or how maybe one of these days he’ll finally allow you near his di—" "But he probably does like to cud—" Kibum stopped in midsentence, turning stiff with a smile immediately on his face. Jonghyun didn’t even have to turn around to know that Choi Minho, Kibum’s biggest fantasy since that guy from their chemistry class, was walking towards them. Kibum’s previously cloudy face turned into different shades of pink as he vibrantly smiled and gave Minho a small wave. “Hey.” He blinked around twelve times, Jonghyun counted, as Minho paused by the side of their table. “Are you going to practice now?” Minho’s too tall and Jonghyun had to crane his neck backwards just to give the man a smile for a greeting. “Yeah. It’s going to be a tough game soon,” Minho said, a fond smile on his lips. “I see you’re having fun with your boyfriend.” Kibum’s smile froze again. “B-boyfriend?” "Yeah." Minho gestured towards Jonghyun, who also looked as dumbfounded as Kibum. "Aren’t you guys dating?" When Jonghyun profusely shook his head, Minho looked confused. "Oh. I’m sorry. I thought—since Key’s always talking about you and sometimes texting you when we’re together…" He turned to Kibum, who turned very pale. "He’s just my best friend," Kibum quickly said. "He and I, uh, we kind of far cousins? We grew up together so we kind of depended on each other and honestly, Jjong just depends on me a lot so I have to talk to him always so I know he’s not getting himself in trouble and I’m just with him because I have to watch him so he doesn’t make a mess of himself and really…we’re just friends! I’m…" Kibum looked at Jonghyun, as if asking for help. "I’m…interested in someone else, haha! How can I be interesed in this dumb guy?" Gee thanks for those compliments, Jonghyun thought as he glared at Kibum. But he quickly nodded when Minho looked at him again. “Yeah, we’re good friends, haha! Nothing big. I’m like Kibum’s Pandora’s Box. Where you know, he keeps all his dirty little secrets.” He winced when Kibum kicked him from under the table. “Sometimes I sell him stuff…” "MINHO. Isn’t it time for your practice?" Kibum said, a bit too nicely. "Let’s just talk about this later when you actually have the time." He paused, tensed, and Jonghyun knew he was about to throw a bait. "I’ll call you later?" Surprisingly, Minho just nodded and patted Kibum’s shoulder. “Sounds okay. See you later, Key. Nice to see you, Jonghyun-hyung!” He ran off, leaving Kibum smiling coyly and Jonghyun clicking his tongue. "He calls you Key?" Jonghyun said as soon as Minho was gone. "You let him call you Key?" "What?" Kibum asked in annoyance. "He knew me as Key when we first met. Plus it sounds cooler." He leaned closer to his friend. "Well, I guess I have to go home now and prepare." "Prepare for what?" "For when I call him tonight." Kibum started gathering his books. Jonghyun grabbed one of Kibum’s wrists. “Wait a minute. Where’s your payment for the photos?” Sighing, Kibum reached into his bag for his wallet before stopping. “Can’t I just…treat you to lunch for the rest of the school year or something?” "No way! I need cash, Bummie!" Jonghyun had a pleading look in his large eyes and even for someone who grew up with him, Kibum couldn’t resist it. Jonghyun grinned as Kibum handed him a wad of cash. "Thanks!" "I don’t even know why you’re in a hurry to move out of your apartment," Kibum asked as he watched Jonghyun pocket the money. "I mean, it’s an okay apartment and you don’t even have to pay for it because your boyfriend’s family owns the building. It’s not like you had a huge fight with Taemin that you have to immediately move out." "Who’s moving out?" Jonghyun could feel the hair at the back of his neck rising. He was so immersed with his sale that he didn’t notice Taemin creeping up behind him. He usually noticed when Taemin was around since everyone just seemed to stop in their tracks to stare at him. Slowly, he looked up and saw Taemin’s pretty face decorated with a frown. “Taemin, I…” Kibum made a weird gesture pointing to Jonghyun. “I don’t know, ask Jjong.” "I thought you said you’re fine with the room," Taemin continued as he sat beside Jonghyun, a pout starting to form on his lips. "I would’ve asked them to provide a bigger room if you’re not okay with it…" Jonghyun turned to Taemin with a smile. “No, I’m fine with it! It’s just that…” "Hyung is even asking why you’re not home most of the time. Did you know we came to visit you the moment he arrived from the army?" Jonghyun’s breath hitched. “Jinki-hyung is back from the army?” Taemin nodded, his smile reaching up to his ears. “Yeah. He’s been here for a week already and he’s gonna start classes again tomorrow. We tried telling you but you’re not home most of the time and I can’t find you during your breaks.” Taemin started to sound whiny. “Where is your phone anyway?” "He sold it for the money," Kibum said, shaking his head. "I don’t understand the thing between the two of you, but I have to head home to rehearse lines, alright? See you tomorrow, Jjong! Please take care of him for me, Taeminnie." Kibum gave Taemin a fond smile as he stood up, giving both a small wave as he left them alone. Taemin smiled and waved cheerily at Kibum’s retreating back until the latter turned into a corner and disappeared. Like clockwork, Taemin’s smile disappeared too, replaced by an intense look he gave Jonghyun. “I finally found you, hyung.” He slightly smiled, but Jonghyun knew it wasn’t the same smile from before. “Now, please explain why you’re trying to move out of our apartment?” Jonghyun swallowed. He forced a smile and raised a hand to gently carress Taemin’s cheek, not missing the way Taemin leaned into the touch. He still looked cute despite the menacing look in his eyes. “I’m not moving out because I don’t like it,” Jonghyun softly said, trying to think of the most convincing words. “It’s just that…the work I’m applying for is on the other side of the city and I…” "We can drive you there," Taemin muttered, turning his head this way and that so that Jonghyun’s fingers ran all over his face. "You know I want to take care of you, hyung." "I know," Jonghyun said, throat constricting a bit when Taemin gripped his wrist and started pressing his lips on Jonghyun’s fingers. "I…It’s just I don’t want to inconvenience you." Taemin frowned. “You’re not. Also hyung will be mad if he finds out you’re going far away.” "I’m sure he doesn’t mind," Jongyun said, laughing a bit. He reached for his backpack and started to stand up despite Taemin still clutching his fingers. "I— I have to go now to my part-time job, Taemin. I’ll just talk to you some other time, okay?" "You don’t have a part-time job today," Taemin said, eyes wide and head cocked to the side. Jonghyun frowned. “What are you talking about? It’s Thursday and you know I’m…” "We quit your job for you," came a voice behind them, and Jonghyun immediately felt the electricity down his back. Before Jonghyun could turn around, a pair of hands rested on his shoulders, forcing him to sit down once more. Slowly, he obeyed, and Taemin gently took his bag from his hands. “Don’t run away,” came the voice once more, but this time it was merely a whisper in Jonghyun’s ears. Jonghyun swallowed thickly and quietly sat down in his chair, barely looking up as the man behind him moved forward to take Kibum’s previous seat. Jonghyun’s last memory of him was when he was dressed in military outfit with cropped hair and fierce eyes. This time he wore a button-down shirt and jeans, his cropped hair dyed a very light blond, and his eyes smiling. "Jinki-hyung," Jonghyun breathed, his heartbeat a pace quicker and his hands clammy. Taemin lightly rested a hand on his arm, but if it was to comfort him or restrain him Jonghyun couldn’t tell. Jinki gave him a gentle smile and rested his elbows on the table. “Hello again, Jonghyun. Were you good while I was away?” Jonghyun couldn’t hide his shiver.

(might be continued)