#LWFAWWE

[iceamericanoventi]

Love Will Find a Way, Well, Eventually : 3. Bloom

“Is that it?”

Jinki raised his eyebrow to the man beamed like morning dew in front of him. He’s quite surprised with the visit of the younger. When he said he’ll stop by his café last time they met, he thought it was just formality of the courtesy talk.

“Nah, it would upset my stomach if I took more than coffee this early.”

“This is early for you?” Jinki glanced at his watch inevitably hearing such thing.

“My client and supplier abroad are still on the dreamland by this time,” he winked, makes Jinki chuckles behind the counter, “So how much do I owe you?”

“It’s on the house.”

Those round eyes immediately turned brighter, “You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Really?” He leaned further to his front, limb almost completely over the wooden surface. His neck stretched to the direction where Jinki’s making his order. Even from the back, Jinki still looks gallant, his back muscle subtly visible over his indigo cashmere.

“Cut it out before I change my mind,” he turned his back with cup of coffee in his hand, “Since this is early for you, do you mind if you have your coffee here instead for take away? Better for the environment.”

The blinding smile hypnotized Taemin on the spot, “Only if the boss sits with me.”

Another snorted came from Jinki, “Go pick your table then.”

***

“You seem happy this morning.”

Taemin put down the cup and support his head with his left hand on the table, while the right playing with the edge of the saucer.

“Me? Happy? We clearly didn’t know each other for a long time. This is the regular me.”

“Well, what I know is back then you were super grumpy during the whole dinner.”

Jinki brushed his hair back, the locks appeared so soft between his fingers. Taemin needs to suppress his urge not to feel it by his own hand.

“Sorry if my first impression disappointed you,” Jinki’s words halted for a moment, “My head was somewhere else.”

Minho has been texting him a lot since the next morning after they parted. He doesn’t like being accused as anything, but he doesn’t like it more when it’s actually true. He admits he was a bit rude, talking too cold to some people who weren’t at fault.

Even worse, the tall man bothering Jonghyun making the later had no options besides calling Jinki right after he finished with his shift at the hospital. And nagging Jonghyun is the worse.

“Kibum couldn’t stop wondering what the heck is going on with you during our ride home. He thought you’re on your period or something.”

“Maybe I was. Who knows?”

“Kibum was right when he said you’re a bit jokester.”

“It’s only me and you yet you keep talking about Kibum.”

“Jealous much?”

“Too early to talk about feeling. It would upset my stomach.”

Another smile adorn Jinki’s face, sending Taemin heartbeat to run faster than it’s supposed to be, “You’re interesting, Lee Jinki.”

“That’s what people said about me.”

At this rate, it’s hard for Taemin to not take Jinki’s friendly attitude as a light flirt. It seems he faced two different men. The dinner Jinki appeared like assassin in disguise, while the man before him idly looks like ball of sunshine. He sipped his coffee once more to cover his trembled lips.

“So how do I talk to you besides coming here to get my coffee?”

He expected the conversation would go this way, what else brought a busy designer like Taemin to the other side of the city, far for where his studio’s address – thanks to Choi TMI Minho – only to get a cup of cappuccino?

Besides Minho and Jonghyun, and some business partner of course, only several people has his number. Some family member doesn’t even know how to contact him besides the number of his shop. Jinki doesn’t like being disturbed. His time passed seven in the evening belongs for him, and for him only.

But something is unusual from Minho’s rants and excessive reminder to get closer with Taemin, at least try to give a chance for him. He figured that Minho must want to know Kibum better and Taemin won’t allow him to touch his precious best friend if he doesn’t get something in return. 

“Ask Minho.”

“Don’t you think I haven’t tried? I can get coffee on the ground floor of my building, Jinki.”

“Bet I have better brew.”

“Of course, the owner is such a view. I didn’t put any sugar but I guess when I leave this place I need to check my blood sugar. I might get early symptoms of diabetes.”

“Stop blurting out some non-sense.”

“Not until you tell me your digits.”

“Are you always this aggressive? Should I be worried?”

“Only to certain people,” Taemin winked playfully to finish his sentence.

“I’ll ask your number from Minho later.”

“If you had three-days rule under your sleeve, you better cancel it right here right now, Sir.”

“I think it’s safe for me to start worried now.”

***

Jinki walked aimlessly between the bookshelves, checking some new novels to enjoy with one or two glasses of Bailey’s. Yesterday he was cleaning his apartment, taking half day off from his shop to finally realize he needs to hold yard sale by the end of the night because apparently he’s certified hoarder.

He has too many books. Some of the binds almost fell off, some of the cover even ripped, and some got coffee stain or maybe wine or some liquor he downed while reading the said books. After some deliberation, he opted to bring all the books to the shop and purchased some new one to accompany him at home.

Minho said, nobody reads book anymore at the coffee shop nowadays, but Jinki spat right on him for delaying the promotional strategy he promised a while ago because the photographer suddenly ought to go to Japan for some possible exhibition the next fall.

“Five at most, Jinki.”

He looked to his the small basket on his left hand, it’s been a while he went to real book shop, there are already seven books inside, “We’ll see.”

“What’s the point of moving everything to your shop then bring back another hundred home?”

“I am not that rich, Honey.”

“You aren’t. But you are not gonna give up a book when you already like it as well.”

“Wow. The perks of being boyfriends for five years.”

“Not a perk. An agony. You could buy some nice wallet or watch for me instead piling books on each corner of your place.”

“Ouch. I’ll buy you snow globe on the anniversary of our break up.”

“Oh, how sweet.”

“I am.”

“Whatever. Gotta go, some kids need their hero.”

“I need my hero as well.”

“Then stop shutting people down and take the courage. Live a little!”

“Yes, Dad.”

Jinki shoved his phone at his back pocket and continued touching and picking and putting it back to the shelf, repeating it several times until he reached the new arrival sections. He saw a book with a teal cover with a sketch of beautiful window in embossed silver ink on the middle of it, with small handwriting right below, About.

He peek his basket again, still less than ten, I’m good. Saw him dumping the book on top piles of the others, a staff walked closer to him.

“Hey, would you like to join our fan sign event?”

“What?”

“Ah yeah, the writer of that book is holding a fan sign at the moment. There would be some little reading as well. And everyone who purchases that book today, can join the fan sign for free.”

The girl sees how Jinki’s hesitating at the moment, half whispered, she showed him to the shelf on her right, “The book just released two days ago. It’s already on the best seller wall. It’s the fifth book of the writer that made it there. I’m sure you don’t want to miss this.”

“I’ll think about that,” he walked to the check out counter to pay all of his books. It’s three in the afternoon but the bookshop is crowded as much. While waiting by for his turn, he flipped the teal-covered book to check the summary written.

‘A flower would wither, inevitably, with or without care. When a tree is not teared down by an axe, reality might override some expectation, while it stays in her might, it’s eating herself from the inside. Since nobody know, nobody care. Just like flower, inevitably, it would wither. You said a mother would always stays, it’s about love. But rain smashed down the earth, flooding the land, vanishing some hopes. So much dread, but it’s about love as well.’

He saw the writer’s name, Key it says – which he’s much not familiar with. But what irked him is the commentary notes, he saw the name of the first author his grandfather introduced him: Key did it again. Same energy, some reflection, but different touch as always.

Interesting, he thought. Retreated from the line he picked his phone and texted his manager that he’s not returning back to the shop after his afternoon shopping spree.

***

Something inside his chest is racing, thumping with unnecessary rapid pace. His eyes glued to the figure appeared at the corner of the small stage arranged at the back part of the bookshop. He looks so soft with another oversize sweater wraps him, as if the article of clothes is specially made for him. The color burgundy is contrast with the skin peeking just right above his collarbones.

Some audience by the first three rows squealing at the smile he sports when he looks at their directions. The scene makes Jinki ducked his head quickly, afraid that the man would think him a creep. A creep who stalks people they barely knew with book shopping as their excuses, hiding among some late teenagers making a fuss over small wave from the man.

Jinki stretched his neck a bit, checking for empty seat he could sneak in. He found a place on the right side next to a pillar covered by some wooden shelves, a perfect hideout until his turn for the sign.

“Hi, everyone!” his voice is still as charming as Jinki remembered, “Thanks for coming today though it’s with very short notice, you are all here! I am impressed, but also grateful to the hill.”

He stops for a while to reach his copy of the book he’s going to sign this afternoon.

“Actually, it was scheduled to be released only next month, even if I finished it early. So, I bugged my editor to chase their tails to distribute it faster. Guess I am a very good dog person!”

Roar of chuckles fill the air by the joke, but mainly by the way he rolled his eyes when he’s talking about his publisher.

“Today I will read for you some pages which are my favorite from ‘About’. This book composed by questions we have about all the simple things happened around us. Or to us. About all the things we take for granted.”

From his seat, Jinki can clearly see how the man blushed when a girl took a picture of him but forgot to turn off the flash light.

“For the first time, I don’t have main character. The story isn’t specifically centered on particular people. I want to be as inclusive as can be for everything’s happened inside this book could occur to anyone despite their social status or their point of view toward life.”

He takes his glasses and gulped down some water prepared for him before he opens the book in his hand, and started reading.

“She just left. She yelled one night, screamed her lungs out, spat on my face, at one point made me believed words came out from her, that I am useless. Ungrateful and asking too much. I had enough of you, that’s how she ended the dreadful conversation. The following morning I saw a glass of milk on the table, fifty dollars slipped neatly underneath. Cinnamon rolls placed next to it, wrapped by blue napkin, a letter laid on the top of it. No, it wasn’t letter, it was not even one paragraph, and it’s written at the back of old supermarket’s receipt. I’m sorry I had to do this, it began. I would be a bad mother if I’m with you. We shouldn’t have been each other’s pain. Since then, I resent my mother for all bad lucks I encountered for the last ten years.”

There’s no single sound from the audience. Everyone’s drown to the sooth voice reciting some lines from his book. One girl at the back even took out her handkerchief and silently wiped her tears. He bit his lips, seems reluctant to continue reading the passage.

Jinki stunned by the words. The last sentence tastes too familiar.

***

Kibum can only stare to the man walked closer to him. He blinks, once, twice, but the scene didn’t falter. The man even smiled, waved his book to the dumbfounded author. So many questions popping inside his head, starting on how on earth such an aloof personality is bothered coming to an event like this.

“I am a fan. Starting today,” he put the book in front of Kibum just like previous people before he observed. But the eyes of the said man still wedged on Jinki’s face, “You okay? Last time I checked, I’m not a ghost, Kim Kibum. Or should I say, Key.”

He took the book anyway, head still shaking in disbelief, “That name is off limit. How did you get here?”

“Err.., by subway?”

Only chuckles blurted out before he starts writing on the first page, “I thought an alien abducted you here.”

“Well, that would be less boring.”

“This is awkward,” Kibum snorted, “But thank you for coming. I mean it.”

“My pleasure, Kibum. I’ll finish this as soon as possible.”

Kibum waved to him slightly too excited, eyes glued to Jinki’s back, following him to the seat he’s sitting by himself, away from the crowd. A staff needs to tap his shoulder lightly announcing another reader already waiting on his right. He quickly apologized and detached himself from Jinki’s direction.

Meanwhile, Jinki traced the fresh ink on his copy, simple smile reappeared when he read the cute handwriting.

‘Let me know if you like the story. Or not. Enjoy, Lee Jinki! J’

He looks to the small stage, secretly hoping the later turned his head his way so he can mouthed another thank you and leave better impression. But Kibum’s of course busy signing and chatting with his fans. Sometimes he cracked a little bit too loud an excuse himself for startling people around.

Jinki is still trying taking in the entire situation without being overwhelmed. When Minho said Kibum’s a writer, he didn’t expect it would be this famous. And the way he treats each reader, furtively gave him hope. A hope of something he didn’t understand yet for what. A hope he secretly wished it was only on his misshaped mind.

“Is my book that amazing I got a beautiful man flipping the pages or is that too boring you expected some twist on the next paragraph?”

Jinki looked up when a familiar voice approached him. He was too caught up with the story line, he didn’t realize the fan signing is all wrapped up and some staffs already started clean up the chairs. Kibum smiles sincerely, and without asking any permission he sits next to him, leaned closer to check until which part Jinki already reading. Little did he know, his perfume confiscated Jinki’s respiratory system, making it hard to balance his need of oxygen.

“Care to explain again what on earth brought you here?”

Jinki closed the book and rested in on his laps, “I was buying some books. It’s the time of the month. Not something I’m proud of, but I do judge a book by its cover. Literally. And when I saw yours, it goes to the cart immediately. And one of the staff told me I got a chance to have my book signed by the author.”

“I should call my graphic designer after this and treat him a dinner.”

“You should. I’m rarely this open complimenting people.”

Kibum burst into another long haul of laughter. He looked at Jinki once again, and still, shaking his head again for this is such a weird coincidence. He was a bit ill this morning when he woke up and was still not in the mood even he got better after some medicine Amber gave him. He almost calling his publicist to postponed the book signing until at least next week.

He thanked his hard headed manager to shove him more soup and vitamins while yelling him it’s impossible to cancel the book signing which he personally asked to be added on his schedule.

“What do you think so far?”

“It’s too soon to come up with some conclusion. I’ll save that for later. But the passage you read before, I like that a lot.”

Lots of people reading Kibum’s book, lots of people said they love it. What just rolled out Jinki’s mouth, though, painted him some contentment. For Kibum, what he grasped from Jinki’s attitude back on the restaurant showed him that Lee Jinki is very hard to please. Taemin was almost all over him during the dinner, but he didn’t budge. And befriended with the designer, he got to know that Taemin is a very charming person, no one actually wasn’t drown on his vibe.

“What are you doing after this Jinki?”

He was planning to stop by Jonghyun’s house and bought some egg breads on the way knowing it was his ex-boyfriend’s favorite. The later has been bugging him with endless texts saying he’s exhausted.

“Hmm, nothing. Mostly go back home and continue reading.”

“Do you want to grab some bites?”

Jinki thanked his grandfather words as much as he cursed it. He would never say no to that kind of questions.

“Relax, it’s not a fancy dinner which might turn you into cold asshole.”

“Hey. I might be cold but I’m not an asshole.”

“We’ll see.”

***

Kibum brought him to his favorite burger joint in a very nice neighborhood. It’s close to the hyped area near Hongdae, but secluded enough to actually able to get some order served without being annoyed by some line. Kibum decided to take away and enjoy the burger while walking around with I-already-sit-for-a-very-long-time as an excuse.

They talked about books, puppies – Kibum has two –, and some stupid stuffs they encountered while walking down alleys to alleys. It’s not weekend yet, but the street’s already filled by youngsters.

“These kids are supposed to sit on their desk studying for dear life!”

Kibum couldn’t hide his anger when a group of freshman walked passes them and nearly knocked him down butt kissing the pavement. Luckily, Jinki was there snatching his arm in flash.

“Let them be. Too much studying is such a waste, they’ll stress themselves. Nothing great about being depressed.”

“Was that the story of your life?”

“Maybe, the part of being depressed in such young age sounds familiar.”

The answer brought Kibum quiet. By the corner of his eyes he catches Jinki secured both of his hands on the pocket of his coat, face straight to the front trying not to give Kibum any chance to ask something related to that.

“What life without drama, then? Now tell me, why you insist on running specifically jazz café.”

“I love jazz and I love coffee. I have the opportunity to wed them, that’s what happened.”

“But you don’t seem happy talking about it.”

“I’m not a talker to begin with. So to incorporate happy feeling on my conversation is quite challenge.”

“I wonder how I’m the writer and not you,” Jinki raised his eyebrow in question, “You always have a way with words, you know?”

“A gift. When you’re raised to argue with your folks, you’ll manage.”

They walked side by side for the rest of the journey back to the main street, both are occupied with their own thoughts. The temperature dropped as the night goes by, but neither is bothered with it. Much to Jinki preference, he likes the comfortable silence.

Sometimes he glances to his side, Kibum always caught him looking but he said nothing. So he did the same when Kibum cocked his head to check on him.

“You sure you don’t want me to drive you home?”

Kibum asked the other man when he saw his car from a far.

“Nah, I’m good. Besides, I’ll be the end of your avid fans rant when they found out you drove back a newbie like me.”

Light slap landed on Jinki’s shoulder, “Stop it, will you?”

Jinki’s about to tease Kibum further, but seeing the man before him pouting like a toddler, all the will evaporated into the night sky and replaced with some funny feeling inside.

As they eased closer to Kibum’s car, Jinki hummed random song he listened to the radio blasted on the burger place which happened to stuck inside his head.

“I like that song.”

“The melody kinda stuck here,” he pointed to his temple which Kibum totally agreed with him.

“One last chance to get a ride from your new favorite writer.”

Kibum stands near the passenger door, waiting for Jinki to change his mind.

“Sounds amazing but I’m going to take the subway.”

“Your choice.”

He opened the backseat door to retrieve some of Jinki’s stuffs. He told him to leave the books in his car because he knew they will walk a lot and Jinki has at least four pounds of book in the paper back he handed back to the owner.

“Here you go. It was nice bumped into you, Jinki. Who knows you’re this, you know, remarkable.”

“I’m flattered.”

“Promise me you won’t hate me if you don’t like my book.”

“That won’t happened, I promise you.”

“A deal then.”

“A deal.”

Kibum decided that giving the other man a farewell hug is super awkward and would ruin the night. So he just nods and reaches the handle of the door, already missing the nice conversation he had even before he buckled his seatbelt.

“Kibum.”

“Yeah?”

“Umm, can I call you sometimes?”

Kibum’s smile never been this liberating.

***

It was posted on my AFF and I was thinking to cross posted it here. But, ofc, in a very very slower pace because I am that lazy yes, sloth is my spirit animal. If you’re interested to read the story, go check there. It’s already on chapter 7 lol! Thanks for reading this, I hope you like it! XOXO

[iceamericanoventi]

Love Will Find a Way, Well, Eventually : 2. In Between

“Where are you going?”

If it was inside Cartoon Network’s universe, everyone must be able to see the smoke fuming from both his nostrils and ears. Jinki looks beyond distressed when he’s lifting his ass from the chair. No one on the table was his partner, but Minho decided to throw some ridiculous question then played dumb as if he didn’t just ask one.

“Should I have number one here?”

He started getting irked, but that doesn’t stay long until Kibum casually munched his breadstick while spluttering his witty comments as usual, “Surely Taemin would be delightful.”

Taemin who didn’t do anything almost chocked himself with a piece of tomato and kicked Kibum’s shin under the table, eventually.

“Promise me you won’t run away?”

Dumbfounded, Jinki emptied his pocket and almost smashed the table with his belonging.

“Are you my husband? Here’s my wallet. And my phone!” and with that, he left the other three men finishing their meal.

“Is he always in this temper?”

Lee Taemin gave him another look, pleading him not to embarrass them further, but Kibum just shrugged and muttered ‘I’m just asking’ under his nose.

“He was mad with me since this afternoon. Plus, he has lots of stuffs to think about these days. But don’t worry, he never really got mad unless you disturb his nap.”

“What is he? A bear?”

“Yaa! Kim Kibum!”

Minho couldn’t help but laugh to the scene happened before his eyes. Taemin is famous for being friendly and very expressive only if you know him, even if he’s talkative. To penetrate his bubble is very hard at first, but this man sitting across him, he seems like he’s already inside that bubble since the very beginning. He really is someone closed to him. Kibum looks mesmerizing, even in his grumbling nature. The oversize sweater wrapped his lithe build perfectly.

A phone call arrived to Kibum's phone, he picked it up frantically and excused himself to take it outside.

"What do you think?"

“Eh?” Minho doesn’t even realized he got his eyes entailed Kibum’s silhouette until it disappear by the entrance door.

“You seemed in trance. I know Kibum is beautiful but I didn’t expect you’ll be this amazed with my friend,” Taemin’s sipping his wine, a smirk is very apparent in his devious face. 

“I guess it’s safe to say that you’re not a liar.”

Minho reopened his mouth few minutes after he’s assured that Kibum’s not going back any soon. Taemin is not ecstatic, sometimes he wondered if Minho has a decent sense of humor of a friend.

“For your information, I’m not and never been. I’m the most honest person you’ve ever encountered in your life.”

“Everyone in this room knows that’s not true.”

“Whatever. I might know my ways deceiving people, but I never lie to my friend.”

 “Did you just admit that you’re lying here and there, Lee Taemin?”

Taemin rolls his eyes, again, probably for the nth times already this evening. Without Jinki around, he can be more relaxed on throwing his tantrum on Minho.

“Choi Minho, people lies at some certain points of their life. Get over it.”

He gulped down the rest of his wine, Taemin then called a waiter near them to bring him another one.

“Kibum seems nice. He sounds smart.”

“Sounds? Did you even listen to yourself? No writer is not smart, Choi. Moreover, someone who’s been writing the past decade!”

“I only know him for one night. Who knows he’s just acting?”

“Dude, not everyone is an asshole like you.”

“An asshole wouldn’t agree to bring his best friend along in front of a psychopath like you.”

Taemin snorted and Minho’s smirk reappeared on his face.

“That is literally what a psycho would do, selling their friend for their own benefits.”

Minho wiped his mouth before washed down the dinner with cold water, “And that’s exactly what Jinki accused me for. You two shared a brain or what?”

“Any sane people would say the same, Honey,” this time Taemin’s smirk that made the other scoffed, “By the way, what’s the deal with Jinki? He looks like he’s been sitting on thorny cushion the whole dinner!”

Minho knows Taemin would ask such question eventually. However, he couldn’t say that Jinki hates the whole dinner date plan, it’s impossible. Besides that, knowing him for years, Jinki really is an angel in disguise, well, at least when he’s in the mood.

“People have different, what should I say, defense mechanism? And that’s how he is. What kind of person who talked nonstop during their first meeting, anyway?”

“Oh, I don’t know, me?”

“That’s why you’re a freak.”

“A freak who introduced you to your potentially next boyfriend.”

“Ha. Point taken,” Minho raised his hand to ask for the dessert, “Jinki is just not the type of person who will talk a lot and open up in a second. But I guarantee you, he’s a good person. Sometimes a little bit care too much for other at certain time so probably being brazen is his forte.”

“That reminds me of someone.”

Taemin and Kibum spent their high school days together. Separated for some years due to works and educations, their relationship’s all well maintained. They understand each other, including Kibum’s nature to always put others before him at any given situation.

“Appearance wise, though, what do you think about Jinki?”

“Choi Minho, I’m not a teenager anymore. Judging people around by its cover is no longer my habit.”

“But a designer like you must love a beautiful package, don’t they?”

“Well, to be honest, his lips and eyes itself could get me floored in one glance.”

“I knew it.”

“You’re a famous photographer for a reason.”

***

Cold wind slapped Kibum’s cheeks lightly when he pushed the door and parched to the corner near the valet post.

“Okay, now you can speak. Sorry, I don’t know why the reception wasn’t good enough inside.”

“Then I’ll be frankly here. There’s a possibility for making the special edition for the short story collection. But then, we’re still short of two stories at the moment.”

“Wait, wait, but we already have nine! I finished writing nine! Why should I add another two?”

“The publisher agreed to the preposition for at least twelve stories. You should be grateful I could pitch one less story!”

Kibum looks like he’s about to punch anyone passed within radius one meter around him, but nothing in reach besides a huge pot of short palm tree and concrete wall. And he needs his hand to finish his books still.

“But, Amber. Page wise, those are more than enough to make two new books. Are they out of their mind?”

There’s a loud groan banging on his ear drum came from the other line, “Dude, I almost flipped the table when I was at the meeting you have no idea. The board has new man and that guy is a pain in the ass.”

“Would it change the circumstance if I talked to them by myself?”

“Since when do they have time to talk to the writer directly? We’re head to head with bunch of snobs here, did you forget?”

“I should had not agree to let them touched my writings. Now we’re about to face dead end.”

It was a dream to work along this publisher. It was Kibum’s dream since he started writing when he took gap year after graduated high school. And as if it’s a fate, it was the only publisher agreed with his graphic novel concept five years he climbed his career professionally.

“Listen, Kibum. When I met you years ago, I promised I’ll work my ass hard to help you publishing your books. Not because I knew you, it’s because you’re good. You’re amazing writer and I’m not giving up easily. And neither you. Not when anybody can tell that you’re a gem.”

“I haven’t written any book since last year, Amber. I’m in a slump. Writer’s block is not even describing my bad luck at the moment.”

“Honey, you haven’t written any because you’re currently waiting two books released. And if I could do my magic, another one in, let’s say, six months.”

“If I could make up some words into another story within two weeks. If you could convince them to give me mercy.”

“Did you just know me yesterday?”

Kibum’s tired giving sane response, “What do you mean?”

“I’m waiting their secretary to call me in ten minutes. We’re going to discuss some new deals and I’ll make sure one of them is going to be your new nine stories book.”

“I actually have no idea if I don’t have you as my editor slash manager slash friend slash personal ranting partner slash whatever you want to be.”

“Rockstar. That would be cool.”

“You’re going to be a kick ass one to be honest.”

“I bet. Anyway, expect another call from me in the next couple hours. I’m sorry, but tonight we might need video call to resolve some issues.”

“I hate you for confiscating my time but you’re the best.”

“As always, ain’t I?”

The phone call ends already, but he still forlornly looking at his phone’s screen. With that, Kibum remembers all the works he needs to catch up for tonight. With that, he can put aside all the unnecessary anxiety and tension of tonight’s stupid match making session.

He took a glance of his watch and could only sighed, he better hurried inside to his dessert. The faster he finished, the sooner he can hit home and face the real deal. His deadlines.

Two steps away from the entrance however, he caught a familiar face sitting by themselves, staring to the busy street in front of the restaurant.

“Jinki?” he carefully calling the man, “Lee Jinki, right?”

The later tilted his head to the right and gave Kibum a simple smile, didn’t realize it dropped Kibum’s heart by the bottom of his gut.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Everyone would agree this winter is even harsher than last year’s. Jinki just lifted his left hand to make sure Kibum saw a cigarette slipped between his fingers, “Can I sit here?”

Jinki chuckles, “Aren’t you cold?”

Listening to the same question he threw a minute ago, he just rolled his eyes and took a place next to the other man.

“I’m waiting a phone call.”

“Important?”

“Kinda.”

Jinki blew some smoke out, “Hmm, I guess so. You sounded pretty upset over there.”

“Did I scream that loud?!”

“In my opinion? No. but a girl flinched and buzzed off rather hastily, so, you tell me.”

When he saw Kibum’s gaping like a fish in frantic expression, Jinki has no choices beside laughed again, surprising Kibum who’s quite convinced with his aloof personalities.

“I didn’t know you have so many jokes in store.”

“You learn something new every day.”

“Your face doesn’t show.”

“What about my face?”

“It’s handsome but with that attitude inside, seems like you’re the type who woke up at the wrong side of the bed every single morning and could kill someone annoys you at any time.”

“Well, to be fair, I did wake up in the wrong side of my bed this morning. But it’s because a certain dog occupied half of my blanket so I couldn’t disturb her.”

“You have a dog?!”

Kibum’s face lit up thousand times as if he just won some lottery. Strangely, it warms Jinki’s heart. No, scratch that, it would warm any heart, Jinki tried to generalize the situation.

“I don’t, unfortunately. She belongs to my friend. I’m taking care of her while he’s travelling abroad. Her father will pick her up this weekend.”

“Ah, too bad. We could have play date with my boys.”

“I’ll make sure to give you a call when I decided to adopt one later.”

“Do you think my invitation hasn’t expired yet by that time?”

“A man can only dream, can’t he?”

Kibum’s laughter is muffled by his own palm covering his mouth.

“Let’s go inside, you must be shivering.”

“But your cigarette?”

Kibum’s half stuttered caught red handed, Jinki already pressed the half-done cigarette on the sand bowl on his left, “I can always have another one at home. Besides, I doubt you would go inside without me dragging you along.”

Kibum thanked the universe that the place is not well lit, so he could hide the blush creeping his cheeks. Unfortunately, Jinki has a very good eye sight.

***

“Is my baby being a good girl when daddy’s away?”

Jinki scoffed when the man just entered his living room just literally threw his suitcase aside and scooped the little dachshund running toward his embrace. He gathered the suitcase and poor leather bag on the floor and placed it neatly near the saffron color couch.

The man later dropped himself next to Jinki who’s lounged himself there, checking his phone halfheartedly.

“Minho texted me the other day.”

“Why did he keep texting you?”

The man with dark grey hair didn’t catch the frown hanging on Jinki’s face and buried his face to the dog’s belly, making him groaned again. He lightly pushed the dog further and toppled his head on the other man’s laps.

The dog owner realized something’s happened when he’s not around. He put the dog on the ground and tapped her butt to send her back to her small bed near the pantry.

“Minho has my number and I have his name in my contact list. He can text me whenever he wants. Still jealous?”

Jinki closed his eyes when he started playing with his hair, “He’s still one of the reasons we broke up.”

“Baby, the only reason we broke up is because neither of us didn’t want to succumb into marriage. Minho was just a handsome face happened on the wrong time.”

“I have no idea why I still befriend him when it’s clear he wanted to shove his face to yours, all the damn time.”

“And I have no idea that you’re this type who holds the grudge for a long time. We were already out of relationship back then.”

“Still, a friend wouldn’t openly chase after their friend’s ex.”

“A friend wouldn’t, but a best friend would.”

“Whatever.”

He almost lost his control and slapped Jinki’s head of him, “Oh, come on. What’s bothering you this time?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit. It’s written all over your face the second I saw you behind the door. And I’m pretty sure it’s not because my daughter misbehaved while I’m on my annual pediatric conference.”

Jinki sighed, nothing he could really hide it from the other man. Since they were in their almost five years relationship, since they became best friends around three years prior.

“Minho invited me for a dinner night.”

“Wow, fancy,” actually Minho already texted him about the dinner a bit, how he wanted to introduce Jinki to some acquaintance he has, “He gave up on me so he went for the only option?”

“For the record, your mom agreed that I’m way much sexier than you.”

“Three years ago, before your cheek bones buried under those mount of fluffy fat.”

“Said a man who came to me and straight ahead told me I looked cute after leaving a piece of paper with their number on my table.”

“I will put aside the fact that I love how romantic you’re for still remembering our first meeting but let’s back to the right path here because I don’t like the upset you. It’s fucking annoying.”

“He introduced me to someone, Jonghyun.”

He let out inaudible gasp and thanked the universe Jinki’s still closing his eyes. Otherwise, he would stop at once and avoided any discussion of the main reason which distressed his ex-boyfriend. Knowing the scenario before hands didn’t prevent him with the sheer pain graze him when it came from Jinki’s mouth himself.

“So? Isn’t that great? Do you think it’s about time?”

“I was about to argue that two years are still not enough to get over you but I guess you’re not in the same page with me so I’d say that I’m not interested into some relationship whatsoever at this point.”

Jonghyun wanted to cry listening to such words. His heart clenched, he inhaled – a very long one – before he continued caressing Jinki’s forehead.

“I am flattered, but I know you’re just teasing me.”

“Ha, you know me so well.”

“I’m not gonna fall on the same hole, Lee.”

“You won’t. You’re too smart to repeat the torture on the loop.”

“It wasn’t a torture, Jinki. I love you as much as you do. Or maybe just slightly more.”

“Not a chance. I love you more.”

“Stop it or I will kiss you.”

“I dare you.”

“I told you I’m not gonna fall on the same hole.”

“Smart, very smart,” Jinki opened his eyes only to find Jonghyun sticking his tongue out, “Okay, so at first, I don’t like the idea already. You know I hate any type of match making method. Even the online one. But being there, I realized that my current focus doesn’t involved other party besides me, my business, and—“

“And your grandfather?”

Jinki looks annoyed, “Remind me to add ‘always-cutting-people-sentence’ on the list of reasons why I broke up with you when I’m writing my journal tonight.”

“It’s true. I think he was also the cock blocker during our relationship back then.”

“Dude, we’re talking about my gramps. And to put him on the same category with Minho is beyond weird.”

“We already broke up when Minho made his move, for Pete’s sake!”

“Okay, okay! No need to raise your voice, you’re so scary when you’re angry.”

“Then don’t make me! Now, now, can you please be a normal human being so we can talk like adults for once?”

Jinki pulled himself from the couch to the pantry, snatching a pack of cigarette on the tea table before slipped one on the corner of his mouth.

“Can you not smoking inside?”

He snorted and padded to the direction of his balcony. It’s in the middle of winter but he doesn’t care a bit to the wind ready to slaughter his bones. If tomorrow the cold prevented him to leave the bed, then let it be. For once, he just wants to free his mind from the business.

“You need to remember that I can only treat patient on certain age,” Jonghyun followed few minutes after with a blanket he spread as wide as possible to cover both of them without feeling suffocated for standing too close.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care up to the age of 21, though.”

“Did you just quote Wikipedia? And we’re not in fucking States! Above and beyond, shame on your wrinkles!”

“Rude.”

“You’re the rude one to your lungs!”

“Then tell me how to ease my mind without nicotine! Tell me how to forget all those troubled night and just sleep! Do you think it’s easy taking care of worrisome business and messy family without distraction?! Stop talking non sense if you do know how to save my days!”

Any word seems taboo once Jinki exploded. Both man just staring into the dark evening below Jinki’s unit. People paraded as quickly as possible on the street to fight the harsh weather. It’s not that late, but only few cars passed by. The dim light of the street lamp’s soothing the tense atmosphere in a way.

Jonghyun leaned closer to Jinki’s arm and rested his head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with that.”

“I’m sorry I yelled at you.” 

“You know that you can always talk to me right?”

“I’m tired bothering you. You already have a lot in your hands.”

“Besides my patients and Roo, there’s nothing really confiscated my time.”

Having someone like Jonghyun who would stand next to him, scold him then hug him right after, no matter how awful he behaved and treated the other man, Jinki every so often thinking what kind of good deeds he did in his previous life.

Jinki cocked his head, inhaling the trace of scent of Jonghyun’s favorite shampoo. Initially, he was about to kiss the top of his head, like he used to do when the other man leaned on him for whatever reason it was. He remember, though, the earlier period after their broke up – after settling their feelings for few months of course – the shorter man told him not to do that anymore because it was the doctor’s Achilles heel. So instead, he rubs his cheek over the thick hair, silently telling Jonghyun he’s sorry.

Some nights – especially right after that dinner date – he had thought, maybe one of the reason he reprimands Minho’s idea is just because he still has tiny hope that Jonghyun and him might had another chance in the future.

“From time to time, I was thinking that the more day passed, we’re closer to the image of friends with benefit.”

“Friends with benefit? Tsk,” Jonghyun slapped his forearm, “The only benefit I got from you is you’re the only perfect nanny for Roo when I’m away.”

“Those cups of coffee every single time you stopped by my shop?”

“Pfft. How stingy. I’m leaving.”

“Heartless.”

Jonghyun didn’t say anything more and returned inside to gather his things and called Roo. He desperately needs some hot shower. Somewhere inside him, he was expecting Jinki offering him to stay the night knowing how caring the man and the fact Jinki knows he bolted to the other’s apartment right away after landed.  

When Jinki handed him the leash, that hope vanished in second.

“What if later I really considered this person? Or any other person collided with me on the future?”

Jonghyun smiled, he looks tired, but very sincere, “Then good.”

“Because I’m not gonna bother you anymore?”

“No. Because you’ll have someone to share the happiness with.”

***

cross-posted in my AFF

[iceamericanoventi]

Love Will Find a Way, Well, Eventually : 1. Eventide

A complicated yet very simple slice of life of five different men, and the entire world rotating around them, and all the coincidence colliding among them, and all the shenanigans entailed.

One is a sneakers designer, one is a jazz cafe owner, one is a pediatrician, one is a photographer, one is a writer - and five are free souls finding what we called love. 

In the world where Tinder exists, some chose to go vintage. Who said these days meeting people conventionally is out of date? What they thought a simple dinner, turned out to be the first encounter of more nights later.

Coincidence? Universe don’t think so.

cross-posted on my AFF

------------------------------------------------

“What?”

“You’re not deaf, don’t pretend to be one.”

“I’m not deaf. I just confirming, whether it’s true or not that my friend gone mad already after spending almost two weeks in Spain.”

“Mad? Try kind.”

Jinki only rolled his eyes and back to his scale and continued to weigh some coffee beans that just arrived to the store. It’s 8 A.M in the morning, the only thing he wanted to picture in his mind is how many new customer today he could gain. Business is not doing well lately, since lots of cute café appeared in the neighborhood, after some rich people found out it’s a very promising area.

It’s not like his café is less great, it’s just young people nowadays prefer to go to some instagramable places. And the rustic Scandinavian style he offered since four years ago is a bit out dated. Of course he got some regular, those people who stick to his coffee choices and live music performance, he just feels the needs to keep up with the market demand.

That’s why, Minho stupid dinner night invitation is not preferable at the moment. Dinner is always good, actually – it is a belief he walked by since he knew how to chew solid meals –, but his friend’s agenda entailed is too tacky for 35 years old Jinki.

“Come on, Jinki. You just need to be present.”

“For what?”

“Moral support?”

“Moral support doesn’t involve selling your friend soul to get what you need.”

“For God’s sake, stop using the term selling. I’m not a pimp!”

“Yet,” he moved to check the espresso machine and snapped his finger to call one of his employees. A young man walked closer, and when he pointed to the machine, he just nodded and started inspecting the machine, “You’re actually worse than my Aunt. She gave up finding a perfect spouse for me a while ago. And here you are trying to drag me to one of your wild hunting season because the other end wouldn’t show up with the prey if you didn’t bring me as the offer.”

“You made it sounds like thousand times worse.”

“It does!”

Minho massages his temples once again, clearly forgot that his friend is too hard-headed sometimes, “I just asked you to go for a dinner with me and my friend who happened to tell me he would bring his friend as well.”

“Who happened to be potentially the new man Choi Minho would take back home at night.”

“Only if everything went well of course!”

“And by well you mean I got matched with your friend then said friend would let you take his friend, am I right?”

“I always thought you’re the smarter one between both of us.”

***

It all started two weeks behind, at one night before Minho took the flight for a shoot in Spain. The editor in chief personally appointed him as the main photographer for the autumn spread for the magazine. He lived in Spain for almost six months for his ‘Iberian Rendezvous’ photobook released on January. Everyone fell in love immediately with the book. Not only because he did very good job on the story line of the book, but also because at some point he used the tripod and captured himself at the roof top of La Muralla Roja, giving all the summer vibe with the pinkish wall, vast ocean, and of course his all tanned sun-kissed skin. That one photo itself got the book on the bestseller shelf for six weeks nonstop.

After the last briefing before the team took off, he went to his favorite bar where he met Taemin, a partner he worked with on one project about street style.

“Spain?”

“Yeah, Barcelona supposed to be the main. But I’m still not sure about that decision.”

“Dude, but you’re flying tomorrow.”

“That’s what brought me here. I couldn’t shake that off of my mind, you know. I mean, they hired me because I’m more familiar with Spain. But then they came up with Barcelona, which couldn’t be more mainstream. If they wanted to do Barcelona shoot since the very beginning, any photographer will do! There’s no need to contact my agent and book me.”

“I would kill to go to Barcelona again.”

“Too crowded, too noisy, too many tourist. Just like you and your friend.”

“Leave me and my friend alone, you tall giant!”

Minho almost fell off his chair laughing his ass hard, “You’re really cute when you’re mad, you know that?”

“And you’re too ugly and nasty when you’re drunk. That’s it,” he took the glass from Minho’s grip which earned him some adult baby whining, “You got yourself a flight tomorrow, young man.”

“The flight is by midnight. And I’m not the one who flies the plane.”

“If you started the flight with headache, you’re going to have headache the whole trip.”

“Where and when did you learn all this stuff?”

“My friend who you’re always mocking is actually much better adult. And you should thank him he made me into quite decent human being.”

“Should I pay my respect, bow to him, or offer my heart to this noble man?”

Minho might still under influence of those bitter aperol, but in Taemin’s ears, his words sound like a perfect jingle of new world advertisement, lured him off just enough.

“You know what? I have an idea.”

“Sure you have an idea, if not, how can you survive in this hella competitive world? Your creativity so far saved your ass from starvation.”

“No, no, listen. My friend is nice and you’re not so bad,” Minho annoyed ‘hey’ halts him for a second, “Why don’t I introduce both of you to each other? I don’t see any harm on it.”

“Surely you never had seen me in bed, Honey.”

“You wish,” Taemin gulped down his rum cola down and asked the bartender to give him any other stuff, apparently, rum is not for him.

“So what are you saying? You’ll introduce me to your dear friend?”

An apparent smirk appeared on Taemin’s face under the dim of light, “Baby, there’s nothing in this cruel world that is free.”

“When people said you are cunning, I didn’t believe it. Your innocent eyes are pretty convincing.”

“I learned from the best.”

“And I am very glad I could teach you whatever I got, truly a diligent apprentice.”

An apparent eyes-rolling scene landed on Taemin’s face, “Let’s say.. We can try this restaurant that I always passed every single time I went to my office.”

“Too fancy. I hate restaurant.”

“You should learn to like it, the man you’re about to meet very fond of night out involving tasty supper.”

“He can get tasty supper back home.”

“You and your squalid mind, intrigue me and disgust me at the same time.”

“My charm indeed, my darling,” Minho’s giggling too much he almost fell the tall bar stool Taemin needs to use his fast reflect to catch him by the shoulders.

“Anyway, I’ll let you touch his pristine skin if you brought some dishes to table as well.”

“You know I don’t coo—oh.”

“Get it?”

“You’re an evil, yet the most brilliant man I’ve ever met.”

“That’s why I don’t date you, Baby.”

“Fair enough.”

“So are we deal?”

“Sold. I’ll return from Spain by the end of the month. Text me whenever you’re available.”

“No, Minho. Text me whenever you’re available.”

So here he is, two days after landed and 24 hours jet lag, begging Jinki to be his sort of plus one. Not the ordinary plus one, because Minho’s coming for hunting. Taemin already at the top of his wits, told him not bother to come if he’s walking to the restaurant by himself.

But Jinki settled his mind only to the matters which gave him benefit. At this moment, taking care of his jazz café before the rustic theme eating up its own existence. Dating is not something he pursued these day, nor live action of Tinder.

“One last time, Jinki. One last time. If this one doesn’t work, I’d stop dragging you with me.”

“You said these at least four times already, Choi. You think I just befriended you yesterday? You don’t need me anyway. I’d be lump of rock there sitting restlessly and by the end of the night, would just embarrassed myself by spilling someone’s food onto their perfect dress shirt.”

“So your answer is no?”

“You heard that already twenty minutes ago.”

“I’m never been this desperate before.”

He is indeed, that’s what crossed Jinki’s mind when he saw the destitute looks on Minho’s face. His best guess, Minho is actually having issues on something else. The way he tried to get out from there though, is to vent everything up on completely different matters to divert his mind.

“True. And I barely know you at this very second. Why are you so distracted? Where is this composure you always talk me into it?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t know. This is the first time I feel helpless. And the idea of someone choosing the perfect option to me is too tempting. As if at the end everything isn’t ended as I expected, I could just blame someone else. Because it wasn’t me who picked them at the first place.”

Jinki hang the apron he had on the side of the tall credenza. He moved to the old piano by the corner and started to clean it, as gently as possible. He doesn’t want to ruin the only love evidence left from his grandfather.

“It’s always easier to blame someone else. But we won’t go anywhere near that way.”

“Too early for some lecture,” Minho parched to Jinki’s side, “If you help me this time, I’ll shoot your café and put it in my blog. How’s that?”

Any deal regarding his café always irked Jinki’s head. He knew what his friend’s talking about, that very blog, at least got 2000 hits every single day. And it’s probably the only way out from the slump catching his business at the rear end. But he’s also a man of his word.

“Don’t tell me we’re negotiating, because I’m not.”

“Your voice says different thing.”

“It’s just because I’m upset you’re ruining what supposed to be a new day for me to keep my business running. With the amount of fame you have, you’d have no idea how some people are struggling to meet every day’s end.”

“That’s why I made you this proposal. It’s a win-win solution. You came to the dinner, it’s on me, no worries, you only need to put some nice and clean pants, you probably meet some handsome faces, and I’ll take care of your marketing.”

“No wonder you have long list of people kissing your feet.”

“Is this a yes?”

“I’m only available on Thursday. No rescheduling because I got some employees to feed.”

“You are the actual best.”

Jinki starts to play some tunes from Tchaikovsky, “Tell me something I don’t know.”

***

“A date? You literally got me a date?”

“What’s with the tone of surprise?”

Kibum removed his notebook from his laps, almost flying he marched to the side of Taemin’s desk, a perfect disbelief expression washed all over his face.

“Tell me this is because you left the part of me being an odd certified day-dreamer who has his head at least ten hours per day on the clouds when you described me to this said person.”

Looking at his friend of seven years Taemin could only serve his trademark flat unimpressed forced smile to Kibum before returned to his Wacom and started to fill his sketches with some colors.

“Judge by your tone, I can tell already that you’re excited.”

“Try terrified,” Kibum scoffed.

“It’s not like your first date after you got rescued from some weird cult bunker.”

“Don’t play Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on me.”

“You sounded you came out of it, though.”

Kibum doesn’t date. He does have several episodes of one night stands but in his life manual, none of those is considered a date. And imagining the scenario where he’s sitting in front of another person sober and without stuffing his own face on the other’s gave him goosebumps. How unreal. He sucks on dating, not because he’s an asshole. He just happened to get bored very easily. And if the company couldn’t excite him with the flow of conversation, there would be only two choices left, call it off or bring it home.

“You know I don’t date.”

“Hmm, you might as well start to. He’s a friend of mine.”

“Doesn’t guarantee he would make a very nice date.”

Taemin lazily looked up to meet Kibum’s gaze.

“What do you need? Face? Checked. Build? Checked. Wallet? Checked. Ass? Double checked, assessed thoroughly, approved and great quality certified.”

Sometimes Kibum wonders what’s inside Taemin’s head besides shoes and men, “Does he know already what I do for a living?”

Kibum is actually very particular with people he would deal with, he’s very proud of what’s he doing even though people sometimes look down on it.

“Besides being my pimp, no, he doesn’t.”

The man before him tossed one of the dinosaur figurines lined up on the desk.

“Ouch! What the heck?!” he stopped his activity and rearranged the dinosaurs back – no one should ever mess with his toy collection –, “Next Thursday, dinner is on the gentleman.”

“Oooh,” Kibum coos, “Fancy.”

He then detached himself from the chair and collected his MacBook Air from the couch where he left it since he arrived.

“He’s just being himself.”

“We’ll see. Gotta check my schedule first.”

“I’ve called your assistant. You have no event on that day.”

“You are a snake.”

“Proud Slytherin over here.”

“Whatever. Smooch you later!”

He walked towards the glass door of Taemin’s workspace, train of thoughts filled his mind for such out of nowhere date night.

“Bum.”

“Yeah?” his hand lingering by the handle of the door, ready to push it, but he cocked his neck in the direction of Taemin.

“I forgot to mention, it’s a double date night.”

“I should have known better that you’re a man with agenda.”

***

Jinki pushed the door of the restaurant after two times rechecking his phone, because, hell, the restaurant is too fancy for his preference. It’s not about what he can or cannot afford, but fancy restaurant tends to be overprice for something he knew he could get it in so much better offer. Plus, he needs to dress up on certain level. Again, it’s not about what he can or he cannot make a fashion statement, but overthinking about his outfit just not something he would use his time up for.

“Table for how many?”

“I have reservation.”

“Oh, which name if I may?”

“Choi Minho.”

“Ah, the gentleman arrived twenty minutes ago, Sir. Very draped, for sure. This way.”

Judging by the look of the usher, he already thought Jinki was Minho’s date. Unnecessary smug and scanning from head to toe over him, told everything. He doesn’t mind at all, he doesn’t care actually. All he needs to know is that friend of him going to pay all of the expense tonight and keep his promise to promote his cafe or he would cut the friendship right away.

“Five minutes ago I wasn’t sure you’re appeared before me. But look at you, killer turtle neck and even put your watch on.”

Minho smirked right away when Jinki dragged the chair in front of him. He gave his coat to the usher who took it diligently and wait for him to leave before flopped his ass down.

“Well, look at you. The symbol of tardiness itself already standby before the show time. I don’t know should I applaud on it or cry over your display of desperation.”

“Would it hurt you if just for once not to be sarcastic?”

“I’m just being honest. Courtesy talk tired me.”

“And being mean turned you on.”

“I’ll take that as compliment.”

“Compliment my ass.”

“Cannot see it unless you’re standing, but I’m pretty sure you prepared your best for whatever your friend will introduce you to.”

“So are you, I guess. Purposely wearing something that drawing some good lines of your pecks. You’re quite desperate as well.”

“Only because I need to save my business. That’s all,” a waiter come to serve him the wine Minho chose a while ago, “And this. If someone buys me drinks or dinner, I should be grateful. That’s how my grandfather told me.”

“Have no idea you gramp should be proud or throw a pity on you.”

“Neither, he would probably just read quietly by the corner of his room and ignored the whole universe happening around him.”

Minho failed to notice some resentment over his buddy’s tone, and Jinki couldn’t be more relieved. Silently he picked up the menu and studied it while Minho’s busy typing something by his phone.

Choi Kermit        : where the heck are you?

Choi Kermit        : I won’t hesitate to kill if you bailed out

The Taem            : chillax dude

The Taem            : coming over in ten minutes, fucken traffic

The Taem            : you have the goods on your arm?

Choi Kermit        : you have the goods on your arm?

The Taem            : well played, Choi

Choi Kermit        : stop blabbering and get your ass over here

“Can you speed it up?”

“Excuse me?” Kibum dramatically cocked his head to his left, almost losing himself trying to kill Taemin by pushing him far to the window, “You’re the one who still had a meeting until six!”

“In my defense, I had no idea that the artist already agreed to the design proposal and wanted to proceed right away talking about production and operational!”

The restaurant is only two blocks away, and Kibum taps the wheel rapidly, slightly more frantic than before. No, no, not because the traffic is getting worse, it’s because he’s going to meet someone who high potentially hurting him somewhere near the future. Mind the sappiness and angsty vibe, Kim Kibum is a writer after all. He got his bills covered by succumbing into his sadness and made words over it.

“Bum.”

“Yeah?”

“Relax. You’ll be okay.”

“What do you mean? I am completely okay. Just the traffic plus rain plus rush hour, why shitty hell like this had their gut ruining my mood? It starts to get on my nerves.”

“Dude, you’re just meeting my friend. He’s not some investor whatsoever who gonna judge your book poorly before betting his money to make a movie of it.”

“Heck it’s better if he’s an investor.”

“Point is, you have no need to impress some people. I know you did this to me, but if your date tonight makes you uncomfortable, then leave it. Have your meal and bye, no pressure, really.”

“Are you being serious?” Kibum scoffed and wheeled his car to the left, “I can see the front door of the restaurant already from here and you being oh-so-wise lecturing me about how I should behave tonight? Unbelievable.”

Taemin cracks while Kibum makes sure he parked properly. He didn’t say anything after turned off the engine and collecting his bag from the back seat. Those bow lips still perfectly zipped even when he checked himself on the rear mirror.

“Oh, so you give me silent treatment now?!”

“Zip it, Lee Taemin. I’m preparing my show. Who knows I’m going home with both?”

He winked, leaving his black Mini Cooper and loudly laughing Taemin inside.

***

When the usher pointing his hand to the table across the room where two men are casually talking to each other while sipping their wine. What makes him let out silent gasp is the fact that neither of them he could put on his shame-on-you box, an imaginary box he created himself back when he’s still 18 years old to put some people who by the face already looks like mean person. Both are equally gorgeous and seem friendly. He started to swallow all the curse he saved for Taemin.

“Which one you said you’re going to introduce to me, again?”

Taemin smirks, knowing that his friend is not mad anymore, “The one with the turtle neck.”

“You blind? Or stupid? Both of them wearing turtle neck.”

He closed the gap and whispered, “Torturing you gave me more pleasure, Kim Kibum.”

“Masochist.”

“That’s what I like, Baby.”

“You’re disgusting. Stop it before I lose my appetite.”

Both men by the table haven’t caught two people walking their direction yet. They’re still arguing the chance of Minho would deliberately forget their deal. Jinki bet his money on Minho bailed out because the man introduced to him is a moron. Minho on the other hand, still believed, Jinki would fall in love faster to the other man way faster than Minho would be able to land a kiss to the date.

“Am I interrupting?”

Taemin nonchalantly approaching Minho’s right’s side, making the later cocking his head in surprise. Jinki managed to keep his composure and stayed in one of his series of poker face.

“Stop your nonsense and come here.”

Minho wrapped Taemin in casual hug, leaving Kibum standing awkwardly between a warm affection happening on one side and cold dagger stare shooting from the other one.

“Sorry, we’re late. I had unexpected meeting and the traffic was no joke.”

“No worries,” Minho smiles slightly wider when he face Kibum, leaving the later flustered, and ducked his head quickly while taking the chair next to Jinki, who seems still out of place and keep it quite all the time, “This is my friend Jinki.”

The said man only smile, nodding his head a bit, he wanted to ask Kibum if he needs any help with his stuffs but refrain himself to say so for the fear interfering someone’s comfort zone.

“Hi, Jinki. I’m Lee Taemin, and this is Kim Kibum over here.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

For Jinki, the whole matchmaking shenanigan is a complete bullshit, still. But the smile just greets him, proves him that even if it’s way after the velvety dusk, sometimes you can still catch glimpse of rainbow after the rain.

***