#platonic: Minkey | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

anyebbeo · 6 years ago

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they say home is where the heart is 1/2 [shineemulti!pairings I r I hogwarts!au]

pairings: sensualplatonic!taekey, jongkey, sensualplatonic!jongtae, platonic!minkey, jongho, onkey, jongkeytae (lots of poly goodness, basically) rating: r genre: hogwarts!au, fluff, friendship, slight romance, slight angst. warning: mentions of sexual situations, mentions of alcohol, language, brief mentions of body image, mentions of oppression and mistreatment of minorities length: ~30k (part 1) a/n: i took the liberty to add some stuff in here that's not actually a thing in the hp universe because i can and i wanted to :P also, this thing is massive and it's only the first part...idek what i'm doing anymore xD anyway, i hope you guys like it and i'm looking forward to writing the second part. i shall post it as soon as i can^^ and don't worry, i'm definitely planning to move back to more original aus after this. i just really had to get this story out of my system. thank you all for reading and until the next chapter~

Taemin's heart is hammering in his chest as he strides down the school's hallways. His gaze darts from left to right - in a frenzy, almost - taking in the framed paintings adorning the plain stone walls to make sure he isn't going into the wrong direction. But although he swears he has walked past the weeping lady in her blood-stained dress before, he has been living with himself for long enough to never trust his sense of direction. Not since that one time at Mahoutokoro, when he opened the wrong door - entirely convinced that it was one he'd used a million times before, mind you - and almost had all of his hair burned off by a fire spewing dragon. So there is a wave of relief washing over him when the entrance to the Slytherin common room comes into view as he turns what has to be the twentieth corner in just a few minutes. Fastening his pace, there is a smile on his face and a spring to his step now that he knows he hasn't led himself into the wrong part of the building. His enthusiasm is short-lived, however. Because as soon as his steps come to a halt, it finally sinks in that he can't for the life of him remember what the stupid password is. "Are you just gonna keep standing there or what?" A voice startles him from behind. Whipping his head around, Taemin comes face to face with another boy, tall and black-haired, with clear amusement curling the corners of his lips. Taemin has no idea how he managed to approach him without a sound in a place where every step echoes through hallway after hallway, but the thought slips from his mind as quickly as it came. "Sorry, I don't-" Taemin begins, redness rising into his cheeks. "It's 'Devil's Snare'," The boy says, the wall in front of them giving a rumble at the words as the passageway to the dungeon is revealed. "The password," He clarifies, advising "You better remember it," when Taemin keeps staring at him, still taken aback and more than a little lost. "Right," Taemin shakes himself out of his stupor, smiling sheepishly, "Thanks." "You're the new guy, aren't you?" The boy asks as he gestures for Taemin to step into the common room first. Nodding 'yes', Taemin climbs down the slippery stairs, careful not to trip and make a fool out of himself twice in a matter of mere seconds. "My memory isn't very good, sorry," He apologises, somehow hoping to find a way to communicate to the boy that contrary to what his first impression may suggest, he really isn't as scatterbrained as he seems. Although many would say otherwise, perhaps, but that's beside the point. He never receives a response, however. Instead, the boy musters him for a moment, before he simply observes "You're cute. But your accent is funny," and Taemin blinks at the blunt comment. He has no idea what he is supposed to respond to that. But the boy doesn't seem to expect him to. "Aren't you Korean?" He asks instead, his sharp eyes mustering him as if he can't yet decide what to make of him. "Yeah," It takes Taemin a moment to realise that the question is referring to the 'funny accent'-part of the boy's comment. "I've always lived in Japan, though," He explains, and the boy shrugs. "Fair enough." Following up with a simple introduction of "I'm Kibum," he adds "I arrived a bit late this year cause I was out of the country. Traveling large distances by ship is a shitty idea, I'm telling you," and Taemin nods along to all of it, making a mental note not to forget the boy's name by the time they have made it up to the dormitory. "What about you?" Kibum asks. "Umm…" Taemin falters, the conversation moving along much too quickly for his taste. He isn't usually this slow - he swears he's not - but he's tired and overwhelmed by all the new impressions to begin with, and this whole jumping from one topic to the next thing isn't helping. "Your name," Kibum supplies. 'Oh, right,' He thinks, another wave of embarrassment washing over him as he offers "It's Taemin." It doesn't seem like Kibum is too bothered by his awkwardness, though. Quite the contrary, if the smile and the good-natured "Nice to meet you, Taemin," he offers in response are anything to go by. Taemin appreciates it. Most people's patience would have begun to run thin by now. "Ohh," Kibum turns around, his face lighting up as if he just remembered something incredibly important and Taemin has no idea what to expect. "Welcome to Hogwarts," He says, adding an entirely unnecessary wink at the end and beaming at him so brightly, he rivals the sun. Taemin prays that his blushing isn't too noticeable.

///

Kibum's bed is the one right next to his. Of course it is. Taemin remembers now, how one of his upperclassmen had informed him that his neighbour wouldn't arrive until the end of the first school week and he wants to punch himself in the face for always being so inattentive. Because he would have had far more time to freak out about meeting the person he's going to be sharing such an intimately small space with for at least the entire next year if his head wasn't always so far up in the clouds. His bed is tucked away into the furthest corner of the dormitory next to a large window. With a heavy, green curtain to pull close if he needs to and shielded from his fellow students' eyes by a wall, too. He spent his entire first day wondering how he got so lucky. Because there is no way this kind of privacy would be so easily offered to him without a catch. After a night of freezing winds blowing in through the draft in the window, it did make sense to him, though, that his bed had been left empty until now. Kibum doesn't mind the cold, apparently. Which is why he had oh-so graciously volunteered to occupy the bed right next to his. That's what he told him, at least. Taemin is pretty sure Kibum is bullshitting, though. Because the older boy never seems to actually sleep in his bed to begin with. Whenever Taemin switches off his lights in the evening, Kibum's is nowhere to be seen and whenever he wakes up - whether it's a few moments of consciousness during the night or early in the morning - Kibum's duvet is unwrinkled and his pillow soft and puffy. And he is curious, but he doesn't ask. Because it's too soon and he doesn't want to scare Kibum off with probing questions when they haven't even seen each other cry yet. (Plus, he's a bit glad Kibum isn't around at night to witness him fall off the edge of his bed time and time again, because he is so used to sleeping in a futon where the ground is never so damn far away.) He easily decides that he could have ended up with a dorm mate a lot worse than Kibum, though. Someone smelly, or someone with anger issues or someone who'd steal from the small stash of Gummy Worms and Sour Strips he's got tucked away under his bed for when the craving for sugar hits. Kibum is none of these things. If anything, he's the exact opposite. Taemin didn't intend to hang around him a lot. He doesn't want to be the kind to trail the first friendly person he meets like a lost duckling. But it is actually Kibum who approaches him most of the time. He's always ready to walk him to class if he struggles to find his way, has invited him to eat with his small circle of friends more than once (an offer Taemin really wants to take him up on, even though meeting new people is always terrifying enough to make him feel sick) and he definitely doesn't smell bad. And his occasional snark and sarcasm, too, are a source of entertainment for him more than anything. Even if he thinks it'll take some time for him to tell when the older boy is messing with him and when he's actually being serious. He just hopes that the inappropriate flirting he will get used to as well. Eventually.

///

"Taemin?" He flinches at the call of his name, bouncing off the walls, in a volume so loud, he can't even pretend to have missed it. "Ohh, hi," Taemin turns in his spot, rearranging his expression into something that doesn't look like he's been wandering around the same two hallways for the past fifteen minutes with panic spreading through his chest. Because he knows exactly where he is going. He totally does. "What are you doing here? You know this is the staircase up to the Owlery, right?" Kibum asks. "Yeah, sure, I-" Taemin nods, feigning confidence, but Kibum cuts him off halfway, seeming to have made the decision already, that he isn't going to play pretend and humour him today. "You don't own an owl," Kibum pulls up one of his eyebrows, amusement written all over his face and Taemin can no longer deny that he's been caught. "I'm late to Divination," He sighs, dejected. He hates how much help he needs with something that should come naturally to him by now. There had been stubbornness burning like a flame in his chest when he first left the Slytherin common room this morning. Determination to finally find his way by himself because it really isn't that hard. But the flame has become more of a faint glimmer at this point. At least he did make it to a tower, though. That's an accomplishment. Even if it isn't the one he is supposed to be at right now. "Want me to take you?" Kibum wraps an arm around his shoulder and begins to guide him into the opposite direction without waiting for an answer. "Aren't you supposed to be in class, too?" Taemin demands in a feeble attempt to steer the older boy's attention away from his hopeless struggle to find his way (and cover up just how tense their sudden closeness makes him feel). "The professor is sick," Kibum says. "I was on my way to the Green houses 'cause I read about this really cool bulb that can be used to make people admit their darkest secrets and I could have sworn I saw some of them the last time I-" "That sounds terrifying, what the fuck?" Taemin blurts out, realising a bit too late that he shouldn't be cursing around someone a good bit older than him. Kibum doesn't even bat an eyelash though and 'Oh, that's right,' Taemin thinks. He keeps forgetting that formalities and honorifics aren't quite so strict here. "I'm not gonna use them on you, relax," Kibum chuckles. "You're not gonna use them on anyone, I hope," Taemin insists, disbelieving. "Of course not," Kibum responds, in the kind of voice that makes Taemin doubt his every word. "I'm gonna study them." "It's good to know how these things work in case someone does end up using them on you, you know?" Taemin isn't sure how to communicate 'Nope, I don't and that still sound terrifying' without sounding like an ass. So he lets out a vague hum and asks Kibum about his breakfast instead. Taemin sees him sitting with his friends sometimes - two guys from Gryffindor, one tall and lanky and the other short and bubbly, and sometimes a girl from Hufflepuff, with long blonde hair and a large assortment of colourful buttons pinned to her cloak. And Kibum keeps trying to make him join them. He hasn't had the courage to tag along yet, though. Most of his meal times have been spent alone, in the library or down in the Slytherin common room, reading about the Magical Creatures of Great Britain or messaging Jongin or thumbing through one of his favourite Manga. Kibum is all smiles as he talks about the newest events at their table. About Jonghyun who mistook one of his most awful tasting herbal mixtures for tea and almost threw up after he downed the whole thing and his best friend Minho and how he is preparing to try out for the Quidditch team for the sixth year in a row (and how he doesn't doubt for a second that he will make it in). Nodding in all the right places, Taemin is proud at his mind for actually focusing on what Kibum is saying for once, instead of drifting off at the first chance it gets. He always does his best to listen, but fails to stay present more often than not. So it's nice to be able to pay attention for once. Not just fake it and hope no one notices. Especially because he likes listening to Kibum a lot.

Before he knows, they are standing in front of the large wooden door leading to his Divination classes and Kibum opens his arms in an exaggerated gesture of 'Et voilà, we have arrived'. Taemin laughs. "Thanks for your help," He says, feeling only mildly embarrassed at the habitual bow accompanying his words. He doesn't doubt for a second that he would still be wandering around the wrong part of school if Kibum didn't find him. "Sure," Kibum lifts his hand in an exaggerated wave, adding a "See you later cutie," before he turns around to make his way back down the tower. Taemin is ashamed to admit that the comment leaves him so flustered, he needs another five minutes to calm down enough to will his feet to move.

'This school fucking sucks. It's a goddamn labyrinth I'm telling you.' He texts Jongin later, only half of the added emojis expressing frustration and the other half being thrown in there simply because they are cute. 'You can always come back here,' Jongin replies, the picture he has attached alongside showing him sitting by the small pond of baby Firekoi they used to spend countless free periods at. Taemin chuckles at the utter lack of sympathy in his friend's words. It hasn't even been two months and of course nothing much has changed. But Taemin is always relieved to see how similar everything he left behind still is. The same pond, the same glowing Koifish with their golden scales and bright lights illuminating the water. And the same merciless best friend - although his hair is shorter than Taemin last saw it. He had threatened to get an owl and only send Jongin letters when he first moved to London just to pay him back for all the teasing, but there is no way he will actually resort to the Wizarding world's outdated mailing system. He isn't quite sure, why Muggles are so much more advanced when it comes to technology (or rather, why the Wizarding world is holding on to owls delivering their letters in handwritten form with such determination), but of course he isn't going to exchange his smartphone and its ability to send messages in the blink of an eye for an owl that will struggle to even make it from England to France. 'We've had your favourite sashimi like four times this week,' Another message pops up at the bottom of their chatroom, topped off with picture proof and all. 'Fuck you, I'm going to sleep.' Sometimes Taemin kind of hates his best friend.

///

The potion in his cauldron is of a deep purple colour, steam rising from its surface at a sluggish pace. Eyeing his half-emptied vial of unicorn horn powder in confusion, Taemin chances a glance around the room, his shoulders slumping when he realises everyone else hasn't even made it past the fifth step yet. Although he doubts it would be smart for him to accept any help from his fellow fifth years, either way. Because the colours of their potions are ranging from bright green to dirty orange, the latter of which looks far from healthy and the former of which is just utterly wrong, but hey, no one is asking him. 'Until the potion turns pink' it says in his textbook. But he has been adding more for a solid five minutes now and nothing has happened yet and this can't be right. He has made this potion before - more than once - and he's only ever needed a pinch or two at most. He hates asking questions, though, and their teacher is bustling about as new hands keep rising left and right and Taemin guesses he will have to figure this one out by himself. He just hopes he won't blow himself up in the process.

There is a pleasant sense of accomplishment fluttering in his chest, as he exits class twenty minutes later. His potion had turned out decent enough, albeit not quite how it was supposed to be. But he had figured out somewhere along the line that the concentration of the unicorn horn powder provided in Hogwarts simply isn't as strong as the one they used for their potions in Mahoutokoro. So that has been quite the discovery and definitely something to keep in mind for future Potion classes. Paying no mind to the few students still hanging around in the corridor outside the classroom, he doesn't notice how one of the is whispering to the other, or how they get the kind of look on their faces that screams trouble, but the next thing he knows he is stumbling, some of his books landing on the ground in front of him while he just so manages to keep himself on his feet. "Oww, what was that for?" He demands to know, turning to glare at them as he crouches to gather his things. "Ohh, so you can speak English," The taller one says, feigning surprise. 'Of course I can,' Taemin wants to shoot back, because what kind of bullshit is that? But before he has time to open his mouth, the second student already beats him to it. "Why aren't you ever saying anything? You're not that special," They taunt, patronising, and Taemin doesn't understand what is happening. There is no time to feel embarrassed, because his Defenses Against The Dark Arts class starts in five minutes and he still has to take a quick trip to the restroom, and so it is only much later that he gets to really think about the incident and his stomach sinks just remembering their words. Because he knows full well that he hasn't spoken a whole lot in the few weeks he has been here. It's not a conscious decision, though. He has his talkative days - he does - but sometimes, it's hard. Sometimes, he doesn't utter a word for hours even when he is with a friend. Doesn't respond with much more than single syllable answers or wordless shrugs or vague hums because everything beyond that takes so much damn effort. Not because he doesn't care about the situation at hand or he is trying to be difficult or has no interest in whatever his conversation partners (or teachers) are saying. Back home in Japan, it hadn't been too odd, for people to be on the quiet side. Hell, he's had classmates he'd spent years going to school with but couldn't recognise the voices of for the life of him because they spoke that little. But in a country like England with such a vastly different culture, he had been sure he'd stick out like a sore thumb. Just like he used to a few years back, when his parents sent him to England for summer camp every time summer vacation at Mahoutokoro came along. Kibum doesn't seem to mind, though and he had hoped that everyone else wouldn't, either. He knew it would only be a matter of time until someone would come along who did and he wishes he could have said something. Witty comebacks aren't his forte, though.

"Are you okay?" Kibum asks him later, after they run into each other out in the courtyard and Kibum makes him tag along on his afternoon trip down to Hogsmeade, because 'you don't have anything better to do, do you?' "Yeah, fine," Taemin nods, a little confused, because should he not be? "Minho said that he heard from Eunsook that some kids gave you trouble after class," The older boy tells him, tugging off his cloak to throw it over his shoulder. It is one of the few rare, sunny days and the temperature is just right. Just enough to warm up their skin without making them sweat, even in their school uniform shirts. "I'm not gonna let people like that ruin my time here," Taemin shrugs. Sure, he wouldn't mind if it never happened again. But he isn't naive enough to believe that there won't be any more moments like this. And maybe he can't be brave and cocky, but he wants to learn to be less affected. "That's the spirit," Kibum nods in approval. "Seriously, though. If this keeps happening, let me know. I'm not just studying all these herbs for nothing," He makes sure to add and even if Taemin isn't planning to take Kibum up on the offer, he appreciates it.

///

"Japan?" The question is asked with genuine excitement - gleaming eyes and raised voice and all. "That's so cool, oh my God," Taemin responds to the boy's enthusiasm with a smile that's probably more confused than much else, because this kind of reaction is definitely a first. His name is Jonghyun and he is one of Kibum's closest friends. That's about as much of an introduction as Kibum had been able to provide before Jonghyun began gushing about Taemin's home country. He is wearing the house colours of Gryffindor and Taemin sees him sitting with Kibum all the time. He is hard to miss with his bright pink hair in a crowd of students with relatively natural hair colours. There is another Slytherin - a girl with long blue locks - and a few others who opted for fiery reds and darkish greens, but no one is pink like Jonghyun. Taemin thinks it's pretty. "What was it like?" Jonghyun asks, and it takes Taemin a moment to realise he is talking about Japan. "Umm," He falters. He isn't sure what the other boy wants to hear. "What sort of a question is that?" Kibum drawls, coming to his rescue without intending to. "What's England like?" He asks, a pointed edge of sarcasm to the question that makes Jonghyun pout. "Don't be mean," He whines, but he doesn't actually look upset. It makes Taemin's heart swell, because it's pretty darn adorable. He already likes Jonghyun, even if he doesn't know how to answer his question without making it sound bland and obvious. He opts for, "It wasn't too bad. Muggle education sucked, but once I started going to Mahoutokoro, it was nice," and he is kind of proud of his response. Jonghyun on the other hand doesn't seem very impressed, though. "No, I mean, what was the country like?" Jonghyun insists. "You know all the game arcades everywhere and the flashy buildings and everything?" "Uhh," Hesitating, Taemin tries to think of a more exciting adjective than 'nice' or 'cool' (because he has been surrounded by it all his life, it's honestly nothing too special to him), but his mind seems to have decided to take a time out, because all that comes up is blankness. "I think Taemin will have to tell you another time, he's still gotta walk all the way over to the Green houses," Kibum chimes in and Jonghyun nods in understanding. Although not without making sure to remind Taemin "You definitely have to tell me more, though, I have so many questions." "Your next class is Herbology, right?" Kibum turns to him, prompted by the lost look on his face, Taemin assumes, and he nods. "Are you gonna be okay?" "Yeah, I got it," Taemin says. He doesn't. But he isn't going to admit that he still struggles to find his way around not only when it comes to the Slytherin common room, but with the entire rest of the school, too. Because that's just tragic. It has almost been four weeks. Whether Kibum actually believes him or not, he isn't quite sure. His expression gives nothing away. But he doesn't drop any doubtful comments, at least. So he must have been semi-convincing if nothing else. "All right," Kibum lifts his hand in a wave "See you later then." "Just take the corridor over there to get into the East wing, not that one," Kibum pipes up when Taemin turns to walk off into what's apparently the wrong direction. "You don't wanna end up in the Transfiguration corridor," There is a hint of amusement in Kibum's smile as he grabs Jonghyun's bag along with the few books he'd been carrying and throws it over his shoulder. Taemin flushes. Kibum saw straight through him, didn't he?

"I really wanna go to Japan someday," He hears Jonghyun tell Kibum and when he turns around to catch a last glimpse of them, Jonghyun is sneaking his hand into the other boy's. "Once we're out of here, I'll take you," Kibum promises, suddenly all sweet and soft and Jonghyun beams. It's so cute, Taemin thinks he is going to melt.

///

Jonghyun and Kibum are a funny pair. Kibum spends half of his time being flirtatious to the point of it being almost ridiculous and the other half teasing the shorter boy. And Taemin wonders how Jonghyun isn't ever upset or annoyed or any of that. Because Taemin knows he would be. Thinks he would be, at least. He's never dealt well with mixed signals (never dealt well with signals, period, but that's a different conversation entirely). But then again, it's Kibum and Kibum has a lot of quirks that simply need some getting used to. And Taemin figures that with how long they have known each other (five years and two months, Kibum had told him with pride shining in his eyes) Jonghyun is very used to everything Kibum does. Especially once he starts paying more attention and notices all those little things between them. Always catches them with their hands intertwined, and watches as Kibum pulls Jonghyun into his lap or presses the occasional soft kiss into his hair. It makes Taemin wonder, but he doesn't ask. He figures it's just one of those things Kibum does. One thing to add to the mental note labeled "Kim Kibum" in the back of his mind. Fellow Slytherin, unashamed, oddly enthusiastic about Herbology and not afraid to be affectionate (and maybe more) with multiple people at once. Because it's Jonghyun who is with Kibum most often, but there are others, too. Some he's exchanged formal introductions with and some he's seen around, but hasn't been given a name to. (Not because they aren't as important as Jonghyun - far from it - but because Kibum is weary, as he later learns. Weary to invite him so deeply into his life so early on.) And Jonghyun knows. He definitely knows about them all and it does not seem to be an issue, but Taemin hasn't decided yet, what he thinks of it. He catches himself wondering a lot, though, if that's what Kibum wants with him, too. It's never more than a passing thought. Nothing he loses sleep over and nothing he feels the need to speak up about. But it comes up every once in a while. When Kibum sends him one too many winks, or pulls him in for a hug or reaches across their table at lunch break to fix his messy bangs for him. He hopes he doesn't, though. Kibum is nice and good-looking and Taemin does find himself staring sometimes, because he appreciates unique beauty and Kibum is the epitome of it, but he hopes Kibum isn't looking for more. If there is one thing he does know, however, it is that out of all the people Kibum is involved with, he likes Jonghyun best. No questions asked.

///

There aren't many places in the castle to be at night. Not officially, anyway, because students aren't supposed to leave the dormitories after eight. But even unofficially, Taemin hasn't found many good spots to seek a bit of solitude yet. At Mahoutokoro, Jongin and he spent hours upon hours at the pond for the baby Firekoi or up in the old Pagoda everyone avoided because of the rude pair of ghosts blocking the staircase past the third story. Just talking or watching the stars or sitting in silence while one of them dozed off. They never stayed for too long, because Taemin needs his eight hours of sleep, but it was always his favourite time of the day and he misses it. The world is so much more peaceful at night and people so much more quiet. Hushed whispers and soft hums and muted voices creating the most calming contrast to every day's noises. There is a spot a few corners from the Slytherin common room, though. Right by the painting of the lady in her blood-stained dress that has been his lifesaver more than once in the past weeks and spared him the embarrassment of having to ask for directions too often to count. A tower so narrow, the staircase doesn't fit more than one person at a time, but with an open platform on top. It was during what had to be his tenth time sneaking out the dormitory to find somewhere to retreat to that he first came across it. He had been so close to giving up and accepting that for as winding and large as Hogwarts was, he was going to have no luck finding what he was looking for. And he wasn't going to ask Kibum about it, either, because that would defeat the whole purpose of having a place for himself. Not once did he think to check where the door by the painting led to or whether it could be opened in the first place. But once he did, he was so happy he wanted to scream. It's exactly what he had been looking for this whole time - just the right amount of hidden and peaceful. Today, however, he is just in the middle of typing out a lengthy text to Jongin when he hears a soft sound like footsteps coming up the staircase. At first, he brushes it off as his mind playing tricks on him, because the castle is always filled with taps and creaks from every direction and he is hardly ever paying attention anymore. But then it happens a again, louder this time, and he tenses up when he realises someone is on their way up here. Eyes darting around, he tries to come up with the fastest escape route, but the only option he has is staying put (or jumping and hoping for a soft landing because it really doesn't look that high, but knowing his luck, he's going to flip mid-air and crack open his skull or some one in a million-bullshit like that so he won't risk it). Surrendering himself to his fate, Taemin waits in nervous anticipation. Anticipation that quickly morphs into surprise at the familiar head of pink hair appearing through the opening of the staircase. "Taemin?" "Umm…hey?" Taemin offers an awkward wave, relieved to see that Jonghyun seems just as confused about running into him up here as Taemin does. "I see you found my secret hiding spot," Jonghyun observes with a smile, hesitating for just a moment before he sinks down next to him and shifts a bit to get comfortable with his back against the stone wall. "Oh, sorry," Taemin runs his hand through his hair - a nervous habit. "What are you apologising for?" Jonghyun blinks, his voice soft and gentle and Taemin feels a squeal building in his chest. He gathers all his willpower to keep a calm and collected front, though, because he definitely can't allow himself to be weird. That's just embarrassing and he isn't planning to drop out of school because he acted all creepy like that. "I wasn't meaning to disturb," He explains, forcing the words out with much difficulty. "Oh, don't even worry about it," Jonghyun assures. "It's nice to have some company up here from time to time." "Do you mind?" Jonghyun holds up a book Taemin hasn't noticed before and Taemin can't quite keep up at first. He wonders for a moment if the older boy is trying to ask him to grab it for a second, but he quickly realises that that's not it. Taemin shakes his head 'no' and Jonghyun offers him another blinding smile before he thumbs through the pages until he reaches a piece of parchment acting as a bookmark of sorts.

Jonghyun wasn't kidding when he referred to the tower as his hiding spot, Taemin finds. He returns every other day - when the daily school life becomes overwhelming all over again or when he simply needs a bit of silence to answer his text messages - and like clockwork, Jonghyun joins him at the exact same time. Always with a book, always with a few questions about his day, and sometimes with a bar of white chocolate or two. What he is hiding from, Taemin has no idea, though. They don't talk much at first. Despite the older boy's request to hear more about Japan, he only ever asks a few simple questions about Taemin's day before he flips open his book and disappears into his own world for the evening. It is a little disappointing, Taemin thinks, because watching Jonghyun interact with Kibum, the older boy is so talkative and bubbly, he didn't expect all this silence from him. But then again, he isn't much different himself, so perhaps it simply isn't the best combination. Except it's really nice once Taemin gets over the initial fear of Jonghyun not liking him. Because if he didn't, Taemin figures he wouldn't sit close enough to him for their shoulders to be touching, or make sure to grant him at least a few minutes of genuine attention whenever he first claims his spot next to him. And so it doesn't take long, for him to spend whole days looking forward to his evenings with Jonghyun.

///

"I'm a Muggleborn, that's the only reason shit like this happens," Jonghyun looks like he is ready to cry. Taemin's bed dips as the older boy sinks down onto it with a shaky sigh, his eyes glued to his bloodied arm as if he is scared the damage will spread further if he will avert his gaze for even just a moment. "Stop that," Comes Kibum's voice from the other side of the room, filled with disapproval. "That's no reason to treat you this way and you know it," He says, and Taemin watches him hapazardly tossing boxes of all shapes and sizes onto his bed in search for god knows what. "But-" "There is no but," Kibum cuts him off, guiding his wand through the air with a cutting motion to close the curtains of their beds when two of their fellow Slytherins step into the dormitory. "You don't deserve it, period." He doesn't sound angry, but his shoulders are tense and his hands are trembling as he lays out an array of bandages and creams to treat the older boy's injury with and it isn't hard to tell how affected he is by the situation. "I wanna help," Taemin finally dares to speak up, just barely resisting the urge to cringe at the sound of his own voice, slicing through the tension-filled silence between them like a knife. Surely, there must be something he can do other than sit around and watch, though. Even if all he'll do is wipe off the blood on Jonghyun's skin to make it easier for Kibum to see what he is working with. "No, you're just gonna make it worse," Kibum says - uncharacteristically sharp - and Taemin feels like he has punched him straight in the gut. It is coming from a place of agitation more than anything. Taemin can tell. But it hurts, still. The older boy realises his mistake as soon as he notices his crestfallen expression, eyes growing wide and panicked. "Fuck, I'm so sorry Taemin. I didn't mean it like that," Kibum quickly scrambles to apologise. "Don't worry about it," Taemin makes sure to smile as he says it, but it feels far from genuine. He is glad Kibum doesn't comment on it, though. "You can hold these for me," The older boy offers instead, grabbing a bottle of thick blue liquid and a small tin box for him to take. "I'll need the bottle first. Just unstop it and put a couple drops onto one of the cloths over there," He instructs, gesturing to his nightstand and Taemin obeys without any more prompting. Jonghyun's arm is bandaged up in no time, the wound having looked far less severe after all the blood was gone, but Taemin can't understand why anyone would do this, regardless. From what he gathered, it happens all the time. Never like this, with visible marks to prove what words can't. But just the fact that anyone would touch Jonghyun at all, regardless of whether it it physical or verbal, makes Taemin's stomach churn.

Taemin is surprised when Kibum sneaks into his bed a few hours later; just as Taemin has slipped into his pajamas and stacked his pillows on top of each other. He is just there all of a sudden, his presence making the younger boy's heart skip a few beats because where the hell did he even come from? It's seriously starting to worry him, how much worse his tendency to space out has been getting, because there is no way Kibum is always creeping up on him on purpose. And yet he finds himself startled by him so often, it can't be healthy for his poor heart. The last time the older boy had actually slept in his own bed instead of wherever he goes on any other day must have been at least two weeks ago and Taemin knows he is gaping at him like he has seen a ghost. Don't get him wrong, he is happy to be graced by such rare night time company. But he had been sure that Kibum wouldn't leave Jonghyun out of sight for the entire rest of the day. If Kibum notices any of it - his surprise or his wide eyes or the hint of accusation in Taemin's voice as he blurts out 'What are you doing here?' - he doesn't mention it, though. "This happens to be my bed," Kibum responds simply - characteristic drawl perfectly in place - and then "Jonghyun says good night." And the smile on his face is fond, but there is an edge of sadness to it that is painful to look at. Jonghyun hadn't said more than a few words after Kibum and he had taken care of him and Taemin had been so worried, he spent the past hour doing nothing but stare at the ceiling. So he is relieved to hear that the older boy seemed to have spoken to Kibum, at least. Even if it wasn't much. "Hey Taemin," Turning to face him with his head propped up on his hand, Kibum looks conflicted for a moment before he says "I'm really sorry about earlier." "Don't worry about it," Taemin shrugs, "I know you didn't mean it like that." Kibum can be a bit prickly sometimes. Even just knowing him for those past couple of months, Taemin has noticed that anxiety and stress don't do him much good. But his irritation has never been directed towards him before and it really hit him hard, to hear Kibum speak to him like that. He can't find it in himself to be upset, though. "I still shouldn't have said that," Kibum tells him in a muffled voice, sinking back into his pillows and covering his eyes with one of his arms as he explains, "I'm just super on edge whenever things like this happen cause I feel like I should have been there to protect him, you know? Cause people never dare to do anything when Minho and I are with him." "You realise that that's the real issue, though, right? He shouldn't need any protection just going about his school day to begin with," Taemin argues. He knows it's a century old issue and there isn't much they can do about it. But it isn't right for Kibum to blame himself for it either. "I know," Kibum lets out a heavy sigh. "I just hate that there is nothing more I can do to keep him safe," He says, and frankly, Taemin has no idea how to respond to that. Because he can only imagine how hard it is for Kibum (hell, it's hard for him and he hasn't even known Jonghyun for very long) and the last thing he wants is to invalidate that. Kibum doesn't actually seem to expect him to respond, however. "Do you mind if I sleep in your bed tonight?" He asks instead, after a long moment of silence. "Ohh, umm, I-," Taemin feels heat rise into his cheeks as he fumbles for the right words. "No, not at all." He is already scooting closer to the edge, making room for the older boy to settle down next to him, but a sudden thought makes him pause. "With me in it, or…?" He asks, and Kibum look dumbfounded for a second before he starts laughing, only remembering halfway through to muffle the sound because most of their fellow Slytherins are already sleeping around them. "Of course with you in it, silly. What kind of a question is that?" "I'm just making sure," Taemin pouts, but he can't help the smile that's taking over his face once Kibum is lying right there next to him. There is a safe distance between them even as they both turn to face each other, Taemin with his cheek squished against his green pillow and Kibum curled up onto his side with his arms hugging his legs. They talk about the most trivial things - with lazy silences sprinkled in left and right - and any touches they exchange are fleeting and unintentional at most, and yet Taemin swears he has never felt as close to the older boy as he does right then. And never so comfortable, either. "Are you falling asleep?" Kibum's voice reaches him through a haze, the palm that comes to rest against his cheek so warm, Taemin instinctively leans into it. He doesn't like it sometimes, when Kibum touches him. He has yet to figure out why, because it's no different from whatever hugs and casual arms-around-shoulders he exchanged with Jongin on a daily basis, but it still makes his skin crawl on some days. But he has no idea what to tell Kibum or how to explain himself and so he just doesn't. Simply brushes it off as a strange mood and holds onto days like today, because today, it's exactly what he needs and it's so nice. "You're struggling to keep your eyes open, aren't you?" Kibum asks teasingly, and now that he is mentioning it, Taemin notices for the first time, just how hard he had been fighting to stay awake. Letting out a hum of agreement, Taemin allows himself to close his eyes, the soft sensation of Kibum's thumb stroking along his cheek the last thing he feels before sleep has taken over his consciousness.

"Hurry up, I'm starving," Is the first thing Kibum tells him as they get up in the morning. They somehow managed to miss breakfast (because it's a Saturday and Kibum had stopped trying to make him get up after receiving no more than a whine of protest in response for the third time in a row) and Taemin's tummy is begging for food, but he just can't be bothered to move any faster right now. It makes Kibum grumble unhappily, but at some point he simply takes it upon himself to speed up the process, tugging Taemin close to pull a fresh shirt over his head and smooth down his messy hair and oh well, that's something Taemin can work with. "We really need to get that goddamn draft fixed, it's fucking freezing in here," The older boy complains as they throw on their cloaks and finally get going and it's such a Kibum-thing to say, Taemin is still laughing when they have walked halfway through the school building. Sure, it really is freezing, but if he is honest, Taemin finds it actually isn't too bad if there is someone else in his bed to keep him warm. But he chooses not to tell Kibum that.

///

"I didn't think you'd get so passionate about Quidditch." "Well, we don't really play Quidditch in Japan," Taemin feels heat rise into his cheeks at the playful nudge to his shoulder. He didn't realise how into the game he had gotten, shouting and grabbing at whoever happened to be sitting next to him (Jonghyun to his right and Kibum to his left, fortunately) and all. But Kibum seems amused at worst. "And it's been a really exciting game, don't you think?" Taemin asks as they ascend one of the many staircases leading back to the Slytherin common room, because he couldn't have been the only one to think so. He has watched his fair share of Quidditch games on TV and a handful of live ones, too, but today's game is definitely far up there in terms of entertainment and suspense. "It was," Kibum nods, good-natured. Taemin is glad he agrees. "Minho is amazing, how he just took the chance to jump off his broomstick to catch the Snitch and it actually worked," Taemin knows he is gushing. He is still all flustered, adrenaline rushing through his veins, and it's hard to shut up when everything is so fresh in his mind. Maybe he will feel stupid about it later. Once he calms down and has time to really think about how weird he is being. But right now he doesn't care. "Yeah, he's ridiculous like that," Kibum shrugs, but there is a fondness in his expression that's impossible to miss. "He's amazing," Taemin insists and Kibum's smile only broadens at his words. "You're cute," He says, blunt as usual. And it is nothing out of the ordinary, but the words make Taemin falter, still. "I guess." Taemin doesn't mind being called cute. As long as people take him seriously regardless and don't belittle him, because in their eyes, cute is all he is, he doesn't mind at all. There is something about everything Kibum does - every little touch and every smile and most of all, the way he has just recently started slipping the endearment of 'babe' into their conversation - that is so full of natural affection that it makes Taemin feel incredibly uncomfortable, though. At least sometimes. That's his sole reassurance. That it is only sometimes. Just like it is only sometimes, that the older boy's touches make him all tense inside. Because on most days, he doesn't mind as much. Enjoys it a tiny bit, even. Which is good, because this, too, he doesn't yet know what to do about. Has no idea how to find words for what he feels without sounding like a terrible person and ruining whatever kind of friendship is building between them. "No, you definitely are," Kibum insists, cutting off his train off thought and successfully pulling him back into the present. "Really cute." And Taemin smiles, because he might not be happy about it always, but today he absolutely doesn't mind.

///

It is just Minho and him in the library that day after dinner. Kibum and Jonghyun had left early to do God knows what (homework, according to Kibum, but from the look Jonghyun had given him, Taemin doubts they'd be getting anything done today even if they wanted to). Taemin had mentioned his search for a book about his five thousand word Defense Against the Dark Arts essay that is due in a week and Minho decided to keep him company because he finally has a free evening for once. He choose the topic of the Black Lake and its creatures, realising too late that so little sources existed about it, he would probably have to jump in there himself and gather information firsthand to reach his word count, so a lot of filler words will be needed. Minho and he haven't spoken a lot before, because the older boy is always up and about - attending Quidditch practice, performing prefect duties, tutoring first and second years, you name it - and it's awkward. At least, Taemin thinks it is. Minho on the other hand hardly seems bothered. He asks a few questions that are easy enough for Taemin to respond to and nods encouragingly whenever he struggles to find the words he is looking for (because Minho isn't quite like Kibum who is content talking and stops asking questions once he realises it's one of those days again, where it's just hard for Taemin to talk, so he actually has to go along with it and make the effort to use his vocal cords). But it isn't too bad. Minho seems to have an infinite amount of patience and Taemin is grateful for that. Apparently that's a thing Kibum and Minho have in common, even though Kibum's patience is a lot more subtle than Minho's. "You did really well out there at the Quidditch game," Taemin says, once the silence stretches out for too long and he feels like Minho is hoping for him to speak up. "Thanks," Minho beams at him, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "I had to do my absolute best 'cause Jonghyunnie came to watch," He chuckles, explaining "He hates Quidditch," when Taemin pulls up one of his eyebrows in question. "Especially since that one time in third grade where I broke five ribs after being hit by a Bludger." "So it's always an honour to have him there," Minho nods to himself, and it is such a formal thing to say, but the older boy seems to mean every word, if his bright smile is anything to go by. "We never had anything like Quidditch in Japan. A team play kind of thing," Taemin muses, recalling all the times he has returned from England after vacations wishing that Quidditch was as big of a thing in his home country as it is over here. "Nothing at all?" Minho asks, his eyes growing comically wide at the words. "Yeah," Taemin confirms, adding "Not at Mahoutokoro, at least." "But we do have Dragon lantern shows, if that counts," He says, remembering the many hours he had spent perfecting his spells to create the most intricate lantern to present for judgment. It wasn't about winning. Not to him anyway. Instead it was more than enough to be a part of the spectacle, watching his own lantern along with countless others glide across the sky in a dance never before practiced, but coming to them entirely by instinct. It's always been his favourite time of the whole school year. "Those are mostly an artistic thing, though," He quickly continues talking, because he is starting to feel nostalgic and he can't have that right now. "Ohh, and Koifish races." "Not Firekoi, though. Riding them would sear your skin off. Just the regular kind, you know?" He shrugs, figuring that Minho probably doesn't need him to explain the difference. Everyone knows why Firekoi are just about the very last creature you'd want to sit on the back of. Even the babies can cause the most horrible burns. "I literally have no idea what you are talking about, but it sounds cool," Minho admits, and when Taemin turns a little to glance up at him, his expression is one of utter confusion. It would be cute if it didn't look so funny. Minho has really huge eyes, he realises. But that doesn't take away from his handsomeness in the slightest. If anything, it only adds that special something to his appearance that catches your gaze and makes it linger. "I can show you pictures sometime," He offers and the huge smile Minho shoots him in response is totally worth it.

///

He grows closer to all of them over the course of the next two months. Minho teaches him Wizard chess and in turn, Taemin shows him how to play Shogi and whenever Minho has some rare chunks of free time, they spent their whole afternoons playing one round after the next. Kibum becomes his study buddy, because he is phenomenal at making him feel guilty for finding distractions in every ghost floating past them and every tiny movement in a painting catching his eye (it's not his fault Kibum always chooses the rooms with the most art on the walls for their study sessions), and it is effective if nothing else. As much as Kibum shakes his head at him, however, he is always there to remind him that he is doing so well whenever Taemin needs it most and doesn't ever hesitate to help him figure out just why his potions turn out wrong sometimes although he has never had an issue with getting them done just fine before. And at the end of the day, Taemin is more than happy to lift his duvet for Kibum to sneak under and lace the older boy's fingers with his. And Jonghyun, most of Jonghyun's and his time together is spend in silence, still, but every once in a while, the older boy will look at him with the softest of smiles and tell him about his favourite books (Taemin learns that there are a whole lot of those) and nap with his head in Taemin's lap and those are his favourite days. They are few and far in between, but he likes them a whole lot.

///

The first time Jonghyun asks to kiss him, Taemin stares at him for what feels like a solid five minutes. Jonghyun had been sniffling as he told him about the fight he's had with Minho earlier in the day. It had been nothing too explicit, because Minho is Taemin's friend, too and it wouldn't feel right to hear about all the tiniest details, but it was more than enough for the younger boy to hold him and assure him that Minho loves him a lot and all they need to do is to talk it out. "I guess you're right," Jonghyun had mumbled, his voice muffled against Taemin's chest as his breathing slowed back down to a less frantic pattern and the tension in his limbs eased up. "Of course. I'm always right," Taemin had joked, his hand coming up to run through Jonghyun's hair in an affectionate manner. And Taemin had physically felt the shift in the air around the older boy at the gentle contact, but he didn't think it would lead to this. Didn't think Jonghyun would wiggle out of their hug to look at him and ask him the kind of question that send his mind reeling with confusion. "Sorry," Jonghyun deflates at his lack of a a response, the distance between them growing as he moves to settle down next to Taemin instead. "I know I get clingy when I'm sad. You can just push me away, it's..." There is a pause as Jonghyun gazes at the ground, a far-away look in his eyes before he shakes his head as if to dismiss his own train of thought. "Never mind." And Taemin wants to tell him that it's fine. That he doesn't mind kissing (not today, at least) and as long as that's all they are going to do and Jonghyun won't try to shove his tongue into his mouth, he can go right ahead, but it feels like he has missed his chance and it would be weird to say anything now. But he sneaks his arm around the older boy's shoulder, still, because he needs him to know that they are okay, at least.

"Jonghyun," Taemin calls out the older boy's name as they climb the last flight of stairs to the Gryffindor common room later that same evening. His palms are clammy and his thoughts are racing and he knows he will regret not speaking up. He just knows. There is a look of confusion taking over Jonghyun's face as he turns around to find Taemin trailing behind, but it quickly transforms into something much softer when Taemin blurts out "You can kiss me." "I mean, if you still want to," He backpedals, because he doesn't want to sound more eager than he is. He has known ever since he shared his first kiss with someone that it wasn't ever going to become his favourite thing to do - wasn't going to even make it anywhere near the upper half of the list, really - but if Jonghyun is sad and he is able to help, he is more than okay with doing this. "I just..." Furrowing his eyebrows, Taemin tries but fails to find the words to explain how he feels, a long pause making silence stretch out between them. "I don't always-" He takes a deep breath, encouraged by the way Jonghyun nods at him as if to say 'Hey, it's all right, take your time.' "I haven't really told anyone about this before 'cause I don't understand it very well myself but I don't want to be kissed always, and I don't want to always be touched, either," He confesses, feeling relieved when he realises that he isn't stumbling over his words like he feared he would. "Okay, I get that," Jonghyun says - missing no more than a beat or two - and Taemin is taken aback at the easy acceptance. But even more so when the older boy tells him, "It's the same for me, actually. But only with sex." "Ohh, really?" Eyes widening, Taemin musters the older boy in disbelief, because he didn't expect that. Not at all. "Yeah," Jonghyun nods, and as he tells him how it's fine on most days - something he has no issue initiating, even, because he wants it very much - but every now and then, he can't stand to touch or be touched, Taemin feels like he has finally found someone who understands. Who has already discovered the words for something he still struggles to put a name to. They talk some more after that, about tomorrow's lessons and meeting up with Kibum and Minho in the afternoon to practice their spells at the Black Lake and Jonghyun does kiss him in the end. Quick and chaste and just right. Just enough for Taemin to feel entirely comfortable about it. "Thank you," Jonghyun whispers, and then, "Good night," and his smile is bashful as he looks at him. Taemin thinks it's adorable. He keeps standing outside the Gryffindor common room until the painting of the fat lady has shifted back into place, paying no mind to her moaning about hormonal teenagers.

///

"How are things with Kibum?" Jongin has called this time. At such an ungodly hour in the morning, Taemin has had a few curses thrown at him as he snuck out the dormitory and down into the common room to keep their conversation from being disturbed. It's been a difficult week for the younger boy and although Taemin knows he is terrible at listening, it's what his best friend needs. So for the past twenty minutes, he has tried to stop his mind from wandering (and failed) so many times, he can feel a headache coming on. But he had pulled through somehow and he is proud to say that he hasn't missed any of the essential parts of Jongin's story, either. "Oh, everything's good, yeah," Taemin responds, not quite prepared for the conversation to suddenly move on to him. "You didn't ask, did you?" Jongin drawls, exasperated. "I'm gonna do it today, gimme a break," There is an edge of stubbornness to his voice, because he just didn't have the chance to bring it up yet, but he's totally going to do it. "You better," Jongin scolds. Taemin can't believe he is letting someone younger than him boss him around like this.

His chance comes a lot earlier than he would have liked, and Taemin finds himself fidgeting with nerves when he meets Kibum in the Great Hall for lunch a few hours later. It's stupid, because Kibum isn't the kind of person to get mad easily or jump to hasty conclusions without listening to the full story. But Taemin is worried, still. Kibum is already there, surrounded by enough food to feed another two people beside himself, but staring off into space without eating any of it. "Hey," Taemin greets, sinking down opposite of the older boy and Kibum's eyes snap up to look at him before he nods in acknowledgement and nudges a bowl with what seems to be the last two chicken wings on the whole table towards him. "I fought a first year to get you these," Kibum says, deadpan. "You what?" Taemin's looks at him in shock, frozen in his seat. "I'm just kidding," Kibum laughs, assuring "I would never," but Taemin isn't sure if he believes him. This is the same person who has spiked a bunch of guys' drinks with some kind of undetectable poison after they waited for Jonghyun outside of class to throw a bunch of nasty sneers at him. They hadn't been able to attend class for days because of the burning blisters all over their bodies. Taemin is glad Kibum likes him. Because at least he won't have to worry about waking up with face deformities or green skin or whatever else those herbs of his can do. "Jonghyunnie will be a bit late," Kibum announces as he begins piling more fruit onto his already overloaded plate. "Someone in his class accidentally set loose a Demiguise in Care of Magical Creatures and it got away." Taemin pulls up one of his eyebrows in silent question and Kibum nods, laughing. "Yeah, I thought the same thing. Jjong's had nothing to do with it, though," He assures, but Taemin can't say he is convinced. He sure as hell wouldn't blame Jonghyun even if he did help the poor creature escape, anyway. Since the last Gamekeeper of Hogwarts left to pursue a life of solace somewhere deep in the Highlands, no one has had the proper skill to treat them right and even with the little experience Taemin has with Magical creatures, he could tell what a miserable state a lot of them are in. "Minho?" Taemin asks, and Kibum shrugs. "No idea." "I saved some mashed potatoes for him, though, just in case he decides to show up," Kibum gestures to one of the small plates between them, visibly proud of himself. It's really endearing. So much so that Taemin almost forgets what it was he had been so anxious about. It hits him again soon enough, however, when he observes Kibum for a second too long and Jongin's question from this morning forces its way back to the forefront of his mind. "What's with the funny face?" "You look like you're in pain or something," Kibum reaches for one of the few bowls of strawberries left on the table, ignoring the displeased looks he receives from the group of girls sitting next to them. He offers it to Taemin and he takes out three of the biggest ones he finds, placing them on his plate along with the rest of his untouched food. "Are you okay?" The older boy asks, mustering him oddly, "I've got some pastilles in my bag if you're feeling sick." "Oh no, I'm fine," Taemin blurts a bit too quickly, the pitch of his voice much too high to be read as casual. Way to go Taemin, he thinks. Way to be super weird and suspicious about this. Shrugging, as if to say 'Suit yourself', Kibum turns back to his lunch and Taemin mentally curses himself because this would have been his chance. Now he has to bring it up himself, instead of latching on to the older boy's prompting and that's so much more difficult than admitting that no, he wasn't actually okay and he has a million questions ghosting through his head right now he feels stupid wondering about in the first place. "Kibum," Taemin begins, slow and hesitant, pushing the word past his lips like he is only just learning to speak and every syllable puts an unbearable strain on his voice. "Huh?" Kibum refuses to abandon his task of plucking the leaves off his strawberries, his gaze focused in a way that is so typical for the older boy. It's pretty admirable, Taemin thinks, how Kibum is able to muster such concentration for the most simple tasks when Taemin struggles to pay attention even when it comes to those. That's probably why Kibum's grades are so much better than his. And why studying comes a lot easier to him. But that's not what he wanted to ask Kibum about. Has absolutely nothing to do with it, actually, so he quickly brushes off the thought. "Some of the others told me to stop hanging out with you," He hadn't planned to bring this up. It was nothing but stupid gossip and he wasn't going to listen to any of it. Just like he hadn't listened all those times before, when they tried telling him that Kibum is gay (he's not, and dammit, why does it even matter?) or that he dates everyone and their mother (he doesn't) or that he just wants to get into his pants (also false). He enjoys Kibum's company too much to fuck it all up by letting all of that unsolicited advice get to him. But even so, he had failed to ban this particular accusation from his mind. Because as wild as his fellow students imagination seems to be, it kind of makes sense. And confronting his friend about it doesn't sound like such a terrible idea anymore. By far not as terrible of an idea as keeping silent does. At least they can have a good laugh about it, then. And he won't have to rely on fancy theories in an attempt to fill in the many gaps in the logic himself. "They said you're…" He hesitates, still, unsure how to make his next words sound as inoffensive as possible. "I'm what?" Kibum doesn't look fazed in the slightest. Just a little impatient, maybe. "A werewolf," Taemin half-whispers, more dramatic than necessary. There it is. He said it. And it does make sense. If he ignores just how absurd putting it out there in the open like this really makes it sound, he can even think of a few arguments to prove a point. Kibum is hardly ever sleeping in his bed at night like any ordinary wizard should, after all (although he knows the older boy is usually with Jonghyun, but that might as well be an excuse, because it isn't exactly easy to sneak into a dormitory that isn't your own). And Taemin has often wondered why Kibum's robes are always littered with hair (animal hair, for sure) when his wizard pet is an owl. Just about the least hairy creature beside a toad, maybe. Granted, it's not much and there could be a million explanations that don't include the word 'werewolf' at all, but Taemin would sure love to hear those. Kibum pulls up one of his eyebrows in response, anything but impressed, before a heavy sigh makes its way past his lips. "I wish people would get their facts right for once, seriously." "So you are?" Taemin's eyes grow wide, something like awe in his voice, "A werewolf, I mean?" Pushing another strawberry past his lips, Kibum pauses in contemplation for a moment before he reveals "I'm a shapeshifter." Oh, Taemin thinks. Maybe that kind of makes sense, too? "Like an Animagus?" Taemin wonders, still struggling to connect the dots. "Kinda, yeah," The older boy nods. "I didn't have to learn to do it, though. That's the difference. I always could." "Runs in the family," He adds. "But I honestly have no idea where the whole werewolf bullshit came from," Giving a small shrug, he clarifies, "My animal form is a cat," and Taemin barely manages to keep himself from cooing, because he loves cats. "Oh wow, that's actually really cool," Taemin tells him, enthusiasm mounting as he tries to imagine the boy in front of him turning from his tall wizard self into a fluffy cat. It isn't what he expected, but he likes the thought. It's a whole lot cooler than turning into a werewolf, for sure. "Yeah, I know" Kibum says, a slight smile gracing his features, "Of course it is."

But in the following months, Taemin finds himself wondering more often than not, if Kibum really does know. Because even after making it an entire year into their friendship - even after sharing the kind of heavy and the not so heavy stuff one wouldn't usually start a conversation with - Taemin has yet to see Kibum take his animal form. And it's weird. They easily grow close to one another. Much more easily than Taemin ever remembers growing close to someone before, because Kibum is just that comfortable to be around. But it's for that reason exactly, that he wonders why it's this part of Kibum's identity that he hasn't been granted a closer look at, still. Why Kibum has kept it hidden and locked away and hardly ever even mentions it to him. And why it took months of knowing each other - months of near heart attacks whenever Kibum popped up behind him in the most unlikely places, soundless, because that's what cats do - for him to learn about it in the first place. Taemin tries not to think too much - tries not to fall victim to his own gloomy thoughts - but on some days, it's hard to stop overthinking and he feels sad then. Wonders whether he should bring it up or whether it's safer to play along and hope Kibum will trust him enough to be more open with it some day. Because Taemin really does think it's the coolest thing and he wishes his friend would feel less self-conscious about it.

///

The castle is peaceful like Taemin has never seen it before, a pleasant quiet following him everywhere he goes. Most of his fellow students are with their families, spending their Easter holidays at home and it's both a strange but not entirely unwelcome change to the busy bustle he is used to. Steps coming to a brief halt in front of the entrance to the Slytherin house, he waits for the wall to open after offering the password before he slips inside the common room. It's late in the afternoon, so the few students still at school are probably hanging out down in Hogsmeade or in the library, just like he intended to as well. But when he went to search for Kibum to make the older boy tag along for a Butterbeer and some snacks, he was nowhere to be found. And neither were Minho and Jonghyun. So after taking a quick detour to snatch a couple of biscuits from one of the tables in the Great Hall, he decided to return to the Slytherin dormitory. The common room is just as deserted as the rest of the school grounds, two girls from a class below him the only ones lounging on a sofa in the corner with a bunch of notes strewn around them. The taller of the two is fast asleep, Taemin notices at second glance, and when he meets the eyes of the shorter one - Taeyeon, he remembers now - she offers a nod and a small smile. Nodding back, he awkwardly lingers in the archway for a moment before deciding that the gray weather is just about the most exciting conversation topic he can come up with right now and he wants to spare her the forced small talk. So he makes a soundless retreat and closes the door of the staircase behind him for good measures. Letting out an internal cheer when he slips into the boy's dormitory to find it empty as well, he already starts planning the perfect afternoon of pajamas, a good nap, some Yaoi manga and a bit of fondling between his legs, when he catches something odd from the corner of his eye. Something he is certain wasn't there when he left a few hours earlier. Stopping dead in his tracks, Taemin furrows his eyebrows at what he now recognises to be a bundle of fur lying atop his duvet. It could easily be mistaken for one of the other students' pets, cats being far from an unusual sight on the school's grounds (and even less of an unusual sight in their dormitories, filled with comfy sleeping spots from top to bottom). But bright green fur isn't exactly a common colour even for a wizard's cat. And as if that alone isn't already enough for Taemin to grow suspicious, the fact that it's the exact same dirty shade of green Kibum had dyed his hair in just a few weeks ago definitely is. Taemin can't say he has much of an idea about how this kind of shapeshifting works, but he doesn't need to to be able to connect the dots. Approaching his bed with the softest and slowest steps he can muster, Taemin finds himself hesitating, uncertainty rising high. If Kibum as a cat is anything like Kibum as a human, he won't appreciate having his sleep disturbed, Taemin muses, and he can think of plenty things nicer than having claw marks all over his face right now. He is so focused on keeping quiet, however, he doesn't actually look where he is going, the cauldron he so carelessly left on the ground standing right in his path. Jumping in shock when a sudden clatter rips him from his thoughts, his eyes dart around for the source of the noise and he curses himself not for the first time, for always leaving his shit lying around. Nine times out of ten, there isn't no point in bothering to pick up after himself, but sometimes, days like this one come along and he finds himself wishing he wasn't such a mess. Chancing a careful glance towards his bed, where Kibum had been dozing away just a few moments prior, Taemin isn't surprised to find his friend alert and on his feet. Kibum's features are a lot less expressive as a cat but his feline eyes are wide and his back is arched and Taemin doesn't need anyone to spell it out to him, to figure that the older boy is just as startled as he is. Stepping closer to the edge of his bed, Taemin offers a sheepish smile and a small wave. He feels kind of stupid. And Kibum probably does, too, because his paws are rooted to the spot as he stares at him, unblinking. His friend manages to shake himself out of his stupor quicker than Taemin, however, already preparing to jump off the bed and make a speedy retreat to god-knows where and Taemin panics. "No, it's fine, you can stay. I don't mind," He interrupts with maybe a little too much urgency in his voice, if the skeptic glance from Kibum is anything to go by. But he is finally getting to see Kibum as a cat and the last thing he wants is for the older boy to feel like he can't be himself around him. Wizard-shape or not. "But make some space for me," He adds as an afterthought, flapping down face first the second Kibum has scooted over, uncaring of the drawn out mewl of protest Kibum lets out.

When Taemin wakes up two hours later - from a nap that was not at all planned - Kibum is sitting next to him in his full wizard glory, skimming through the pages of what Taemin vaguely recognises to be one of the Manga (not a Yaoi one, fortunately, although it doesn't really make a difference) from the stash he had brought with him. As if the past few hours had been nothing but a strange dream. But Kibum is in his bed and there is cat hair all over his pillows and his imagination might run a little wild sometimes, but never like this. Before his sleepy thoughts have the chance to carry him further into the abyss of racing thoughts, Kibum is already turning to look at him, though. "You read some weird shit," The older boy observes, unimpressed. "Is this what Muggles in Japan are into?" He asks and Taemin groans, his eyes squeezed shut as he stretches his arms above his head. He is surprised his brain even manages to make sense of the older boy's question through the heavy fog clouding his thoughts. "It's what everyone in Japan is into," Taemin tells him, his voice still thick with sleep. It's a Shonen manga after all. Who doesn't love those? "Even this part?" Kibum insists, shoving an opened page under his nose that shows the female lead in a poor excuse of a bikini, the fabric stretching tight over her massive boobs. Taemin snorts. "Oh yeah, especially this part," He confirms, his initial amusement transforming into full blown laughter at the scandalised look taking over his friend's features. He should definitely take Kibum to Japan some time. It would be hilarious to watch him lose his mind over all the quirks and peculiarities of his home country. "This whole shapeshifter thing is really cool, you know," Taemin remarks, the need itching in his bones, to somehow communicate to Kibum just how much he appreciates to have seen him in his animal form. If only to give his friend whatever assurance he needs. Because with the way Kibum is side-eying him, still, it isn't hard to figure out that insecurity is weighing him down once again. Even if Taemin has yet to understand where it is coming from in the first place. "Not the most useful ability, maybe, but really cool." "You make a cute kitty," He winks, another fit of laughter bubbling up inside of his chest when Kibum shoots him a sharp glare. "Shut up."

///

It doesn't take long, until the whole thing becomes something like a routine for them. The seventh year's tests and assignments are a heavy burden on Kibum's shoulders and even though it has only been a month since the end of summer vacation it already shows. In his constant tiredness, especially, but in a lot else, too. He is much less communicative, for one, talking so little on some days, it sends Taemin's worry soaring. And he's irritated, too. Never with him or Jonghyun, but with Minho sometimes - and just about everyone else. It would be funny, watching their fellow Slytherins duking their heads or straight out bolting at Kibum's sight if the older boy wasn't struggling so much. The only thing that seems to help make the situation bearable is shifting. At least, Taemin assumes it does, because if Kibum isn't studying, he is curled up in Taemin's lap or on his bed, every spare second spent as a cat now that Taemin finally got to see him like this for the first time. Taemin figures there must be something calming about it. Or maybe it just makes life a bit simpler, to be small and cuddly and not have to worry about responsibilities for a bit. Either way, Taemin is glad Kibum wants him to be there. He isn't as naturally comforting of a presence as Jonghyun and he isn't as caring and kind as Minho, but he can be here. If that's what Kibum needs, he can be by his side for however long. At first, Taemin keeps his hands to himself. It's purely without thinking that they twitch into Kibum's direction sometimes, itching to pet his head or stroke along the length of his feline form like he would with any other pet he comes across on the school grounds, but it feels too intrusive in a way. Like overstepping a line not meant to be crossed. Because Kibum hadn't intended for Taemin to see him like this to begin with. And even though Taemin still isn't sure why, the awareness alone is enough to stop him from giving in to his instincts. It isn't a new or unusual thing, for his mind and body to fail at working in tandem, however, and so it is only a matter of time until he buries one of his hands into Kibum's fur entirely on instinct. His friend's response is immediate, his tail freezing mid-sway and Taemin recoils like he has been burned. He feels terrible the moment he realises how unnecessarily vigorous of a reaction he's had, but rather than being offended, Kibum seems concerned above everything else. Musters him as if he isn't sure what to make of his rejection and paws at his arm until Taemin stops avoiding his gaze. It isn't always easy to read Kibum even in his usual wizard form, though, and it's more difficult still, to try and figure out what he wants to tell him when he has no words to get his point across. So when he dives down to nudge Taemin's leg with his head now, the younger boy can only guess what the meaning of it is supposed to be. "Do you want me to keep going?" Taemin asks, cautious and more than ready to backtrack in case he misunderstood, because the last thing he wants is to do something Kibum isn't comfortable with. But Kibum butts his head against his leg a second time in what Taemin recognises to be agreement before he takes a leap and half-jumps into Taemin's lap. Half-jumps, because before he even has the time to really make it there, Taemin lets out an embarrassingly high-pitched squeak and all but shoves him to the opposite side of the bed. "Actually, let's not do that," He tells him, because that's a terrible idea. Really damn terrible. Zero out of ten wouldn't recommend.

"You're ticklish," Kibum observes later, a teasing grin splitting his face. "Maybe I am," Taemin shrugs, feigning indifference, but the last part is distorted by another squeal when Kibum tries to jab his finger into Taemin's tummy. "That's very dangerous territory," Taemin warns, hands raised protectively in front of his lower abdomen as he takes a few breaths to calm down after the scare. "Noted," Kibum assures, but the corners of his lips are twitching uncontrollably as he tries to keep himself from laughing and Taemin is almost sure his friend will go out of his way to use the discovery to his advantage from now on.

///

It's a couple nights later that Taemin wakes up shivering. Although shivering is still too tame of a word to describe the quivers that are wrecking his body. Letting out a soft groan, he tries sitting up only to find the world around him spinning. Quick and blurry and leaving his head pounding with pain. He tries to get up anyway, but he ends up stumbling face first into Kibum's bed, missing the older boy's sleeping figure by a mere inch or two. Kibum is a light sleeper, though and the impact is more than enough to shock him awake. "Taem?" The older boy's voice calls out, way too loud and up close for Taemin's taste. His answer is an unintelligible sound that speaks of suffering and disorientation but when his gaze meets Kibum's, there is an undeniable hint of amusement twinkling in the older boy's eyes. Asshole. He can't believe Kibum's sympathy for him is so painfully nonexistent on some days. "Don't laugh at me, I'm dying over here," Taemin complains, not even trying to stay on his feet anymore as he gathers the last bit of his strength to pull up his feet onto Kibum's bed. "Sorry," Kibum says, without actually sounding sorry in the slightest. But he reaches out to feel his forehead, at least. "You're burning up." It's a fairly unnecessary observation, because he is hot all over, so of course he is burning up, but he doesn't want to act all snappy right now. He just wants Kibum to make it go away. "I feel like shit," He rasps. "We need to take you to the Hospital wing," Kibum announces, but he mere mention of the place makes Taemin shake his head. "Definitely not," He exclaims, another groan pushing its way past his lips when the movement sends a particularly violent wave of dizziness through his body. He hates the Hospital wing and all the disgusting medicine they force you to swallow there. And the ghosts that won't let you sleep in peace. And the thin mattress that always makes his butt hurt so bad, it's torturous to walk for days after. In short, he wouldn't go there voluntarily if he was dying. There is disapproval written all over Kibum's face at his unwillingness to cooperate, but Taemin sure as hell won't let it stop him. "I'm not going," He repeats, somehow managing to sound forceful even with the violent coughing he breaks out into as soon as he has uttered the last syllable. "Why are you always so stubborn?" Kibum looks so done with him, but he just doesn't understand. Taemin really hates the Hospital wing. "Just…" Taemin pauses, his brain struggling to provide him with the words he is looking for. That, at least, is nothing new, though. He doesn't actually need to have a sky-high fever to fail at speaking. "Don't you have some of your strange herbs for this?" "They're not strange herbs," Kibum narrows his eyes, looking offended for a moment, but in the end he sighs and nods. "Whatever," He rolls over to rummage through the drawer in his bedside table in search of whatever vials and tins and boxes he keeps in there. Taemin wishes he'd just come back and hold him and let him suffer in peace. But all Kibum does is roll his eyes when he tells him exactly that. Pulling out a small bundle of leaves, Kibum considers them for a moment before he mumbles a spell Taemin doesn't catch and they shrink down to almost half their size. Seeming far from satisfied with the result, the older boy gnaws at his lips in uncertainty but decides soon enough that one more time can't hurt as he utters the spell once again. "This should work," Kibum nods to himself. "Here, try it," He presents Taemin with the now dried up leaves, shoving them right under his nose as if that alone is going to be enough to help somehow. "Is it necessary for them to be dried?" Taemin asks, one part curious and the other greatly suspicious. Although Kibum's expertise with Herbology is infamous and he has always been nothing short of fascinated above everything else. If it was him, he would probably be dead already because he would have managed to poison himself years ago. He puked his guts out twice and even fainted once at Mahoutokoro, when Jongin and he searched for a simple red flower with a name Taemin couldn't recall even if he tried and ended up with Hellbore instead. Jongin had told him the colour wasn't quite right but Taemin's conviction couldn't be swayed. The next thing he remembers is waking up on the moist forest ground. Not his proudest moment. So he is glad Kibum knows what he is doing, at least. Because he sure doesn't. "If you don't want to spend the next two days with your head in a toilet bowl it is, yeah." "Just don't expect anything too tasty," Kibum warns. "And stop flailing around. We have to keep you warm." Allowing his friend to drape the duvet over him, Taemin shifts a little to get comfortable before he squeezes his eyes shut and shoves the leaves into his mouth, his face scrunching up as he chews and swallows as quickly as he can. "Good?" Kibum asks, the smile in his voice audible to Taemin even with his eyes still closed. "Not exactly," He says. "Doesn't taste as terrible as I thought, though." "Of course not, I wouldn't give you anything that tastes terrible babe," Kibum presses a kiss to the top of his head and despite the cold still making Taemin's body shake, he swears he is all but melting at the contact. He loves when Kibum is being so soft with him. "But seriously, stop fidgeting," The older boy reminds and Taemin lets out a scratchy laugh as he settles against his friend.

The next time Taemin wakes up, the sun is already starting to rise. He is shaking again, but with laughter this time and Kibum's initial worry over the noises he lets out soon evaporates when he realises Taemin isn't in pain. "What the hell?" The older boy asks from the other side of the bed, obviously having not quite decided yet, whether to be amused or bewildered at his odd behaviour. "I had the strangest dream," Taemin manages to force out before another laughing fit interrupts him midway. He isn't entirely awake yet, the last edges of sleep still blurring his consciousness, but he can't stop laughing. "Actually, it wasn't even that funny, but-" He has to cut himself off once more as he is thrown into another fit of laughter. "What was it about?" Taemin tries for a second, to articulate himself. His chest is hurting and he can barely breathe, though, and it's totally not working. "Oh God, what is wrong with you?" Kibum asks, but he is laughing now, too. Even if Taemin is pretty sure it's only because he makes such a funny picture. "It's your herbs," Taemin claims, still a little winded and Kibum pulls up one of his eyebrows in response before he drawls, "Yeah, just blame me, go ahead," the words followed up with a mostly unintelligible mumble about ungrateful friends and never helping out again. Taemin is glad he can always count on him. "You're still pretty hot," The older boy tells him as he reaches out to check his temperature again after some more muttering about how he really can't be that sick if he's so giggly so early in the morning. "I'm always hot," Taemin winks, lips stretching into a grin. Kibum rolls his eyes. "You haven't even been awake for five minutes and I'm already done with you. Good job," He says and Taemin chuckles. "I do what I can." "I'm feeling better though," He announces and Kibum finally smiles at that, all soft and sweet. "I'm glad."

///

Jonghyun looks like he hasn't slept in days when Taemin joins him up on the tower again for the first time in weeks. There are dark bags under his eyes and he hasn't even brought a book today, but clutches onto one of the Manga Taemin had lend him instead - a story that's meant for easy entertainment more than anything. "It's good to see you," Taemin greets, a smile taking over his face despite the older boy's state because he really is excited to spend time with him again. Jonghyun cracks a tiny smile of his own before he all but collapses on the ground next to him, his body leaning heavy against Taemin's side. Jonghyun had only been allowed to entered the seventh school year at Hogwarts with much difficulty despite his good grades. The situation for wizards of his kind had come within a whisker of escalating more than once in the past few years. And escalate to the point of Kibum, Minho and him fearing for Jonghyun's safety, no less. But it wasn't until the middle of summer break, after an entirely peaceful but 'highly controversial' protest (the Daily Prophet's words, not his) for Muggleborn equality that everything began spiraling out of control. With such speed and intensity, they could barely keep up with everything that was happening until Jonghyun already found the first letter from Hogwarts on his doorstep. A formal notice that things didn't look very good and the headmaster couldn't promise him the possibility of return. They made it work in the end - just barely. But as powerful as a milestone as it had been, Jonghyun and so many others are the ones to bear the brunt of it. Taemin hates it. He thinks it's outrageous, that something like this is happening once again. Things had been peaceful for a decade or two after the Great Battle of Hogwarts and he'd expect his fellow witches and wizards to have learned from the mistakes of past generations, but hatred against Muggleborns never died down completely and there had been multiple occasions just like that time they had to bandage up Jonghyun's arm, during which Kibum had to accompany Jonghyun on his way to class or back to the safety of the Gryffindor common room to keep the older boy from getting hurt. But that was last year and it's even worse now. So much worse. And the older boy's dark circles and equally dark bruises are only one of many painful proofs of it. Taemin had learned quite a bit about the Western Wizarding world's oppression - and in some cases, straight out hatred - of Muggleborns at Mahoutokoro, but witnessing it first hand had been downright mind blowing to him. Hearing some of the taunts and curses thrown Jonghyun's way (much more vile even, than the dirty looks Kibum has to put up with) stunned him into silence more often than not. In Japan, Muggleborns are celebrated as a great gift - a beautiful alignment of fate that had made it possible for a Muggle family to bear a magical child - and to Taemin, Jonghyun is exactly that. Amazing and wonderful and undeserving of all the hurt he is being put through. "Are you holding up okay?" Taemin asks, his arm slipping around Jonghyun's smaller frame to pull him closer. Jonghyun nods as he leans into the touch and lets his head fall onto Taemin's shoulder. Searching his brain for anything he could say to provide his friend with some much needed distraction, Taemin latches onto the first thing he sees. "Are you liking the Manga so far?" He asks, catching its brightly coloured cover out of the corner of his eye. Jonghyun seems confused for a moment, his eyebrows scrunching up, and Taemin thinks it's beyond adorable. "Not exactly," He answers truthfully, a shrug accompanying his words. "Really? What's the issue with it?" "The portrayal of the female characters," Jonghyun says, a bit of light returning to his eyes. "I don't like it. You know how they are all introduced as these strong women at first and you're thinking 'Finally, some good representation,' but by the tenth volume the artist completely ruins it by making them do all this irrational stuff and turns them into the typical Shoujo characters we've seen a million times before? I've never read a character development that's been worse, seriously. Why bother painting them as tough girls if he gives up halfway through and ends up forcing them into easy stereotypes after all?" Taemin is pretty sure he hasn't grasped half of what Jonghyun just told him - especially once his speaking speed picked up somewhere in the middle - but he's heard enough to get the gist of it. "Did you never notice that?" Jonghyun wonders at the look of confusion that has taken over Taemin's face and Taemin has to admit that no, he totally didn't. Not once. "I guess I didn't pay much attention to the girls?" He tells him. "I just care about the action scenes." "Of course you would," Jonghyun giggles and Taemin can't help but mimic the expression. Jonghyun's laughs are infectious and it's adorable.

It's only two days later that Kibum snaps - when Jonghyun shows up to lunch break with a black eye and a split lip - and smuggles the older boy into the Slytherin dormitory for the first time, because sleeping by himself just isn't safe anymore. Taemin wonders why no one ever stops them, but he doesn't want to ask and risk having their luck slip straight through their fingers. "Even if they'd try to, I wouldn't give a flying fuck," Kibum tells him when he does bring it up at last. It is only much later that he learns that even the teachers knew about Jonghyun's nights spend in the Slytherin dormitory. They knew but chose to to turn a blind eye on it, because many, if not the majority, of them didn't agree with the treatment of Muggleborns, but couldn't do much else to help. Some of their fellow Slytherins weren't quite so kind, but Taemin expected far worse than the few glares they had thrown their way. Taemin figures it's thanks to Kibum, who can be pretty scary and intimidating if he needs to be. And had openly threatened to accidentally spill a few drops of some highly toxic tincture into their teas if they didn't behave. Which might have helped, too. It isn't ideal and Taemin thinks it's horrible they had to take such measures in the first place, but he finds himself smiling whenever he wakes up to see his friends curled up next to each other, still. Kibum always makes a point of keeping Jonghyun close, a protective arm wrapped around him even in his sleep and it makes Taemin feel warm all over. He is so glad Kibum and him can be there for the older boy in difficult times like these. (And he especially likes the days when Jonghyun sends him a look from the other bed and gives a careful nod when Taemin asks "Do you have space for one more person over there?" and allows Taemin to reaches out for his hand while Kibum holds him tight.)

///

Kibum and him are striding through the corridors leading to the Slytherin common room when an unfamiliar voice calls the older boy's name from a distance away. "Hey Kibum," They yell again, louder this time, and Taemin turns around to find a group of boys approaching. One of them is the same who'd been 'warning' him about Kibum all these months ago and Taemin is instantly alert. It's always the same few people who are unable to accept differences and those boys definitely fall into that category. The kind who talk shit all the time and can't walk past Kibum without dropping a comment and won't leave Jonghyun alone because he's a Muggleborn and he deserves it. Subtly nudging Kibum to the other side of the broad corridor, Taemin tries to put as much distance between them as possible, the taunting laughs making his lungs constrict. "Did you take your potion today?" One guy asks and another adds "The full moon is out," finishing off with a poor impression of a werewolf's cry. Taemin can see the irritation taking over Kibum's face, his features twisting from what had been an unaffected mask all throughout the past few minutes to a seething sneer. And the other boys seems to be aware of the shift, too, ready to take on the unspoken challenge. Taemin doesn't like it. It is painful enough to see the countless marks of conflict on Jonghyun's body every day and he really doesn't want Kibum to suffer through the same thing, too. So before his friend has the time to voice the litany of colourful insults he is getting ready to throw at them, Taemin has stepped in front of him. "Go bother someone else," He says with feigned bravery in his voice, before he grabs Kibum's hand to lead him away from the situation. He is surprised that no one tries to stop them, or throws some inappropriate comment at their retreating backs. But it's just as well. Taemin hates these kind of confrontations anyway. He never handles them as well as he would like. Letting go of Kibum once they're in the clear, he asks, "Is it just me or does this school keep becoming a worse place to be?" frustrated and disappointed, but Kibum doesn't answer. "I can take care of myself, you know," He says instead, and Taemin freezes on the spot, worried he's angered his friend, for a moment. When he turns to look at him, Kibum is smiling, though. The fond kind of smile Taemin adores so much more than words can express. "Oh, I don't doubt that," Taemin chuckles. It isn't the first time he witnesses something like this happening, after all. And Kibum is capable of dealing with it so much better than Taemin ever could, that's for sure. He always has the best comebacks and the perfect expressions to excerpt superiority - full of disdain and condescension. "That was sweet of you," Kibum grabs his hand again and gives it a tiny squeeze, and he doesn't let go until their walking up the stairs to the Slytherin dormitory.

Taemin loves Hogwarts. He really does. Enrolling had been like a dream come true - so much so that it made even the prospect of leaving behind his best friend in Japan seem manageable. But the incident with Kibum had been the last straw. The fatal blow to his tiny bubble of pink clouds and excitement he had floated in ever since he first arrived at Hogwarts. It isn't the first time someone is targeting Kibum and it is far from the only frustrating thing that's happened in the past year, but somehow it took that one confrontation for everything to finally come crashing down at him. And he hates how powerless it makes him feel. Because he can be there and he can stand up for his friends - in those occasional brave moments - but he can never really keep them safe like he wants to. Shield them from all the pointless hatred and the hurtful words and only ever tell them how beautiful and amazing they are.

///

Taemin can all but feel Kibum fuming as they make their way back to the Slytherin common room. The older boy's strides are quick - too quick for him to keep up with, almost - and his expression is tight with anger. It takes until rounding multiple corners and leaving the last of their fellow students behind, for Kibum to voice his frustration, though. "I can't believe they are doing this. It's so fucking messed up." "At least they will be allowed to finish the school year," Taemin tries to muster a little positivity, but Kibum crushes it right on the spot. "Ohh yeah, how gracious of them," He spits, all tense shoulders and seething words. Taemin is glad Kibum's anger isn't directed at him, because it scares him to see his friend like this. Kibum has always been the passionate type, but it isn't often that he gets angry and Taemin understands, but he doesn't like it. He never likes people getting angry. Before his discomfort has the chance to reach the point of being unbearable, however, Kibum's entire demeanour shifts - narrowed eyes and gritted teeth making way for hanging shoulders and heavy sighs. "Why is it always like this?" He asks, dejected. "Why do we keep making the same mistakes all over again?" Taemin has no answer for him.

Kibum sneaks outside again later that night and doesn't return until long after midnight, without Jonghyun in tow like Taemin expected. If it wasn't for his tail brushing against his nose, Taemin wouldn't even have noticed. But as graceful as Kibum is with his movements as a cat, he is always a little clumsy with his tail. Enough so for Taemin to be the one to pick up shards and broken items from the ground more often than he can count. "Where'd you go?" Taemin slurs, peering over at his friend with hooded eyes. Kibum looks like he is contemplating for a moment, his ears twitching into every which direction and his tail swaying from left to right. And it startles Taemin when he jumps back onto the ground only to stand a few feet above him all of a sudden as he shifts back into his wizard self, the transformation hidden in the dark. "Jonghyun," Kibum says simply, and Taemin is confused, because what where they talking about again? Oh yeah, right. He really shouldn't try and have a sensible conversation when his mind is so fuzzy, he can barely remember his own name. "You used protection I hope." "Shut up," Kibum says, but it lacks the sass he is very much capable of. That's never a good sign. "Is he doing okay?" Taemin asks, worry filling up his chest at every second of silence ticking by. The news of the day had been crushing to them. Hogwarts won't be allowed to accept any more Muggleborns from the next school year on (there will be a special school introduced for their kind and Taemin doesn't even want to imagine what that entails) and the ones already enrolled at school won't be allowed to take their N.E.W.T.s without passing multiple Ministry-controlled preliminary tests to determine their skills. Which they all know means that the Ministry will do everything in their power to make it as hard for them as possible. Stepping into his pajama pants, Kibum takes his sweet time responding and Taemin is getting ready to complain just as the older boy finally assures "He's fine." "You know he wasn't planning to get a job in the Wizarding world anyway. So it's gonna be okay," Kibum doesn't look convinced of his own words, though. Not really. But Taemin hopes he is right. Pursuing work in the Wizarding world or not, Jonghyun doesn't deserve to be treated this way. And he hopes Jonghyun knows that. "Why didn't you bring him?" Taemin asks, slightly more awake now. "Minho is with him," Kibum says, and then "Sometimes he needs Minho more than me. " Taemin nods. Jonghyun loves Kibum more than anything, but Taemin has learned that there are days where the boy's presence is a bit too intense and overwhelming. It's still hard for Kibum not to beat himself up whenever Jonghyun tells him that he needs some space and Jonghyun feels sorry every single time, but they are getting there. And if Kibum has a rough day and it's especially upsetting for him, to be send away, Taemin is always waiting right here to provide comfort. Today, Kibum is okay, though. Enough so to crack a small smile when Taemin lifts his duvet to invite him into his bed, even.

Taemin doesn't comment on the dark hickey peeking out from underneath Jonghyun's school uniform collar the next morning or the matching one he spots on Kibum's shoulder as they are getting dressed. But he can't resist wiggling his eyebrows and shooting Kibum a knowing grin and Kibum looks like he is going to be done with him for the next five weeks at least. "Shut up," Kibum deadpans. "Never."

///

The sky is covered with fluffy grey clouds - the kind that look like someone has washed one of their pristine white blankets with their black skinny jeans by accident and stretched it above their heads instead of throwing it into the trash - and it has been raining ever since he first woke in the morning. A steady drizzle that might as well continue for the entirety of the week (and maybe next, too. Taemin sure wouldn't be surprised.) And it's the perfect kind of weather for a lazy Sunday. Absolutely stellar. Except Taemin has been on his feet for hours, excitement making it hard to sit still. "Why on earth are you so hyper today?" Kibum lets out a groan as he watches him all but jump down the hallways, barely able to keep up with his fast pace. "You're grinning like you won the lottery or something," The older boy says and Taemin thinks he might as well have. "I'm just happy," Taemin tells him, the disdainful glare Kibum sends him doing nothing to put a damper on his good mood. "We're all going to Hogsmeade together," He gushes when Kibum raises his eyebrow at him. Taemin has no idea how his friend doesn't share the same sentiment. It doesn't happen a whole lot that all four of them have the chance to spend an entire day together. Sure there is lunch and dinner, but even for those their little circle of friends is missing one person more often than not. "You're never this excited when it is just the two of us," His friend accuses and Taemin falters. "But I am," He pouts, not quite upset but still a little shaken. "You know I like you a lot and I love spending time with you," He makes sure to tell Kibum, because there an underlying trace of insecurity to his teasing sometimes and the last thing he wants is to feed into that. "Of course, I know. I didn't mean to upset you, baby," Kibum steps into his personal space to take a hold of his hand and Taemin easily accepts it. He has always liked how much bigger than his Kibum's hand is. Maybe he is biased, but he thinks they fit into each other perfectly.

They are not even on their second Butterbeer and Jonghyun is already properly buzzed. They had stopped by the post office, first, because Minho's parents still insist on receiving their mail the traditional way, before strolling through the village with no particular destination in mind. At least until Dogweed and Deathcap comes into view because there was no stopping Kibum from then on. They spent what must have been an entire hour squeezed into the tiny shop, standing by as Kibum admired their newest arrivals and attentively listened to every bit of information the old lady at the front desk provided him with. Jonghyun and he didn't dare to complain, but Minho wasn't quite so cautious and so before Kibum could use up even the last of the money he brought on colour-changing Chinese ginko leaves and deep sea algae, he unceremoniously guided Kibum out the door without paying his protests any mind. And Kibum had grumbled a little under his breath, but Taemin was surprised he didn't resist more. Perhaps he knew it was going to be futile. Or perhaps the promise of a drink at the Three Broomsticks was enough to have Kibum decide that he's heard enough about herbs today. "We'll have to carry you back to school if you actually finish that," Kibum teases as Jonghyun grabs his mug of Butterbeer with both hands before trusting himself enough to take another sip. "I told you we should have just went for tea instead," Jonghyun whines, glaring at no one in particular but Taemin doesn't remember the older boy to have been very insistent in his attempt to sway their choice of establishment. It isn't a secret that he doesn't hold his liquor well, but Taemin had never actually seen it and it's adorable. Butterbeer is far from the strongest drink, after all, and yet Jonghyun has already reached a point of slurring his words. Even if it's just the slightest bit. "Come on, I'll order a tea for you," Minho gently eases the mug out of Jonghyun's hands. "Is peppermint fine? I don't think they have anything too fancy here." "Yeah, that's all right. Thank you," Jonghyun nods, but his eyes are glassy and unfocused and Taemin isn't sure if he even knows what he'd agreed to. "Jonghyun," Kibum calls out, his Adam's apple bobbing with the last gulp of his own drink before he slides Jonghyun's half empty mug to his side of the table. "Yes?" Jonghyun lifts his gaze, questioning. "You're always so messy," Kibum says, and there is no particular intention behind the words, but Taemin can hear Jonghyun's breath hitch as Kibum reaches across to wipe off the foam along Jonghyun's upper lip. The older boy's mouth falls open almost on instinct and Kibum falters briefly before a wicked grin takes over his face as he slips his thumb inside. Just for a second. Just long enough to catch on his bottom row of teeth and tug at his lower lip and make Jonghyun shudder in his seat, before he pulls back. The whine of protest Jonghyun lets out is so loud, Taemin chances a careful glance around to make sure nobody is watching. But Kibum is unfazed. "Later," He says simply. Taemin can't believe he just had to witness that with his own two eyes. When Minho returns, it takes no more than a quick look at Jonghyun for him to notice the older boy's flustered state. "Why are you teasing him when he's already like this?" He narrows his eyes at Kibum, one arm coming to protectively sling around Jonghyun's shoulder as he reclaims his spot next to him. "He likes it, don't you baby?" Kibum shrugs, not looking sorry in the slightest, and judging from the way Jonghyun's gaze keeps finding Kibum's - his expression a mixture of impatient and hopeful - he has no reason to be. Taemin isn't even surprised when Kibum's bed lies empty that night.

///

Taemin loves Christmas. Not the cold, for sure, and not the snow, either. But the food and spending time with his family and giving out presents. Especially giving out presents. Jonghyun and Minho already got theirs early - a Charmander plushie for Jonghyun (sometimes Jongin actually is good for something) and a pair of gloves for Minho (handpicked by Kim Kibum himself) - and Taemin still feels all giddy whenever he recalls just how smiley they both got after the wrapping paper came off. Kibum is excited about the holidays, too. Last year, the older boy's parents weren't around for almost the entirety of December and January - because of a trip to America, to visit a couple of distant relatives, according to the older boy - and Taemin had insisted that his friend should come along to his family's celebration (plus Jongin who came all the way from Japan to see him, but he kind of counts as family, too) back then, but it never happened. Instead Kibum had opted to stay at Hogwarts with Minho and that was that. This Christmas, his parents have no plans of leaving the country, though and Kibum's eyes are shining every time someone asks him about it. It's adorable and Taemin is happy for him. It hadn't been easy for his friend to have no chance to see his parents the previous year and he is glad this time is going to be different. They board the Hogwarts express together and slip into one of the last empty compartments left. Kibum scolds him for propping up his feet on the seat opposite of his (and complains for five minutes straight when Taemin toes of his shoes because "Fine, I'm not getting it dirty anymore now. See?") but in the end they fall into peaceful silence as the train passes snowy hills and fields and tiny towns appearing in the most unlikely spots all along the tracks. Watching the world rush by, Taemin feels his eyelids grow heavier by the second and before he knows, his head is doing the embarrassing bobbing thing as he starts dozing off. "Sleepy?" Kibum asks, and Taemin is conscious enough to let out a soft "Huh?", but although he even manages to open his eyes, he struggles to keep it that way. Sees no reasons to waste his energy fighting it, really. All he needs is somewhere soft to rest his head, and sure, Kibum is infinitely more cozy and petable as a cat, but he's tired and his friend's shoulder looks beyond comfortable. At least compared to the scarce amount of other options he has - the cold train window and the hard armrest and not much else. So he makes the decision on the spot. His body must feel like a dead weight against the older boy, but Kibum doesn't complain. When he turns his head a little to get more comfortable, he can see Kibum grinning out of the corner of his eye. And the urge to tease him about it is strong, but in the end, Taemin decides not to comment on it.

///

"My mum said she'd be waiting on the platform to pick us up," Taemin forces out between muffled yawns as they squeeze their way through family reunifications and heaps of lost students crowding Platform 9 3/4. "Does she look a lot like you? Just way shorter and with more meat on her ribs?" Kibum asks, and Taemin furrows his eyebrows, because yeah, she totally does. "How do you-" He begins, his voice filled with confusion. He never has the time to finish the question, though, because suddenly his mum is right there, hugging him and fussing over him and if she squeezes him any more tightly he swears he is going to suffocate. Pointing into his friend's direction, Taemin introduces him with an awkward mumble of, "Mum, this is Kibum." Kibum makes up for it tenfold, though as he sends his mother the most dashing smile and extends his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." "Ohh my, our Taeminnie never told me what a handsome young man you are," Taemin's mum says, mustering Kibum from top to bottom before accepting his handshake. Taemin wants the ground to swallow him whole.

///

They drop Kibum off a few blocks from his home because he insists it's fine and Taemin is just a little sad that they won't see each other for two whole weeks. But Kibum is going to have a great time at home, he is sure. And he doesn't want to ruin that by whining about how much he is going to miss his friend. So he smiles and waves and hugs Kibum tight one last time and they part ways just like that. His mum gushes about Kibum and his good manners and his pretty face the entire rest of the way home and it's embarrassing, but Taemin can't say he disagrees with her.

Once they have arrived, he lies down for a nap without bothering to unpack (he wouldn't even have stripped of his school uniform if his mother didn't scold him for wrinkling his dress shirt) and catches another three hours of sleep before his body finally decides he has rested enough for the day. His mind is fuzzy and he is still a bit unsteady on his feet when he staggers to the other side of his room to flip open his suitcase, so when a sudden buzzing sound cuts through the silence, he has no idea where it is coming from at first. But then it happens again, and again, in a suspiciously meticulous pattern, and Oh. Oh, right. He does own a phone, doesn't he? Frantically tossing boxer shorts and school books aside, he fishes the device from the depths of his suitcase just as the vibrations pick up a second time to signalise an incoming call. It's from an unknown number and Taemin stares at his phone like he hopes the intensity of his gaze alone will be enough to make it stop ringing, because he sure as hell isn't going to pick that up. Unknown numbers are begging to be ignored. Breathing a sigh of relief when the call is turned over to voice mail, he thinks that whoever it is will call again if it's actually important. Or they'll never call ever again. He could live with that, too. Luck isn't on his side today, however, and it's less than a minute later, that the vibrating picks up again. Taemin swears it sounds more insistent this time, even. And he struggles to make the decision to pick up, his body all but fighting him as he begins reaching out, but in the end, he manages to drag his thumb over the screen and lift the device to his ear. "Yes?" He asks, careful and ready to throw his phone across the room if someone tries to talk to him about Jesus or congratulate him for his one million pound lottery win. "Finally, for fuck sake," Kibum's voice sounds from the other end of the line, annoyed but oddly relieved, even as he asks, "Do you always take this long to answer your phone?" "Bum?" Taemin blinks. He didn't expect that for sure. "Where did you get my number?" "From you?" Kibum drawls, clearly impatient. "Can I come over?" "Umm, yeah?" Taemin is confused. Very confused. He's been home for no more than five hours and he didn't expect to hear from Kibum any time soon. Wasn't even sure if they would be in contact at all until their trip back to Hogwarts after the New Year. "Right now?" He asks, his brain barely able to keep up with the sudden request. "Good, I'll be there in a bit," Kibum says simply and hangs up before Taemin can complain about his question being so blatantly ignored. Sometimes Kibum really is kind of unbelievable.

"Okay, what's up?" Taemin demands to know the second they got the awkward introductions and half-assed explanations out of the way. (Kibum came up with some white lie on the spot and Taemin nodded along without listening, because he knows Kibum so much better than that). "You know I'm thrilled to have you here and stuff, but what's going on?" Making a quick gesture to invite Kibum to sit on his bed, Taemin plops down without much finesse, hoping to break some of the odd tension between them. A look of conflict passes over Kibum's face, and he takes his time joining his friend, the silence between them becoming harder to bear by the second. "My parents were fighting," He admits at last, his eyes jumping all across Taemin's room to avoid his gaze and Taemin's heart sinks at his friend's hunched shoulders and uncharacteristically meek voice. "Lots." "With you? Or with each other?" Taemin wonders. He isn't sure what he'd expected to hear. Had attempted to come up with a reason for Kibum's request the moment their phone call ended, only to turn up empty-handed every time. All he knows is that by the time Kibum arrived, his chest was tight with worry. "Both," Kibum looks like it pains him, to keep speaking, and Taemin wants to tell him that it's okay. That he doesn't have to force himself. But Kibum seems to have made up his mind already. "They found out what I'm doing at school," He says, and Taemin has no idea what his friend is talking about, until Kibum elaborates "You know being involved with more people beside Jonghyun." Because that kind of makes sense. As much as Taemin wishes it didn't. "The headmaster contacted them about it after someone 'voiced their concern' or some shit like that," Kibum goes on, his voice turning bitter and Taemin's eyes grow wide. "Are you serious?" Kibum nods and Taemin doesn't even try to hide how much it pisses him off that anyone would do something like this. "That's so messed up, what the hell?" "I mean…I get that people don't understand. I don't expect them to," Kibum says. "But I wish they'd mind their own fucking business." "I'm sorry," Taemin knows it isn't going to fix anything, but he feels the need to say it anyway. "It's okay. I just need some time away from home right now," Kibum says, scooting closer to rest his head on Taemin's shoulder. "My parents will get around. They always do," Taemin feels him shrug, a weak little motion, and Taemin can't help but wonder how often this happens. He doesn't think there is anything about his friend that warrants any freak outs. Disapproval, maybe, or concern, but most of it is irrational above everything else. He doesn't intend to ask about it, but Kibum knows him too well by now. Well enough to read the question in his eyes without him uttering a single word. "They knew about Jonghyun and me for a long time. And they couldn't stand the thought of it at first," He says, teeth worrying his lips. "It's all about maintaining face to them. Being a perfect and pristine picture of a family. You know," The pause is followed by a shaky sigh, and then "The kind that is only ever envied and gossiped about for their achievements, not their flaws." Taemin nods, an automatic motion. Those kind of people exist for sure. "They didn't like me dying my hair, either," Kibum goes on. "But that they were able to look past pretty quickly at least." It hits Taemin then, that Kibum has hardly every mentioned his family around him. Often enough for Taemin to know that Kibum is an only child and his parents have always worked a lot, but not much else besides that. Not a word about arguments or unrealistic expectations or anything of the like. "So this happens a lot?" If he is honest, Taemin is scared to ask, because he knows he won't like Kibum's answer. "I guess," Kibum shrugs. "It used to be way more often when I wasn't attending Hogwarts yet. Now it's just whenever shit like this happens." "Don't worry about it," Kibum nudges his shoulder when Taemin pulls back a little to look at him, lost and wanting so badly to help, but having no idea how. "It's okay," The older boy repeats. Taemin would have no problem detecting the uncertainty in it from a mile away, though. And there is something else that bothers him. "You never told me about any of this," Taemin mumbles, trying but failing to keep the disappointment from sneaking into his voice. It's the first time he hears Kibum speak about his parents in a manner that isn't vaguely positive at the very least and he trusts that his friend has had his reasons to keep quiet, but it upsets him, still, to think that Kibum never even mentioned it. "I know," Kibum sighs. "I'm sorry." "But to be honest, there was no reason to," He says, finally meeting his eyes as he explains "Ever since we took that vacation together back before you and I first met everything was going really well. And I thought they finally accepted that I'm just…not the conventional type." "But I guess they are still struggling to wrap their head around having a son that won't graduate with flying colours and work a high position at the Ministry of Magic and bring a wife and three children to the table five years down the road," His friend doesn't sound upset. Resigned is more like it, and Taemin isn't sure which is worse. Taemin knows he got lucky with his own parents, because it is rare to find a Korean mum and dad who are quite as open-minded as them. His dad spent the entire first twenty six years of his life in London and his mum came to England to study, so he guesses that's how their attitude became liberal like it is today. But then again, Kibum's parents have been in England for a good three decades, too, so there probably isn't much to be certain about with any of this. Taemin thinks it's funny, because he still remembers what kind of an image he's had of Kibum all the way back when they first met. How he looked at him and immediately decided that he knew Kibum's type. Knew that he was one of those people Taemin used to despise. The kind that has a huge talent for one specific field, but excels at every other subject, too. As if it wouldn't be so much more fair to distribute talent evenly amongst the population. Give everyone a piece of the cake. But even more than the unnecessarily large amount of skills, Taemin hated when those exact people were the ones to stress about every little test and project as if failure was imminent. As if it wasn't already clear that they would emerge with the highest scores and a few extra words of praise from the teacher and all else good students deserved. Meeting Kibum, however, he learned that just like everything in life, this too was an issue far from black and white. Learned that Kibum wasn't perfect and didn't always radiate confidence and simply needed a little reassurance sometimes. Placing his hand on top of Kibum's, Taemin gives it an encouraging squeeze. "Maybe you're not the conventional type, but your still pretty amazing," He tells him. Kibum looks surprised for a second before the corners of his lips twitch into a smile. "Yeah, I'm magical," He agrees, and it doesn't sound entirely sincere, but there is a twinkle in Kibum's eyes that Taemin knows all to well. Pulling Kibum close, Taemin presses a kiss to the top of his head and Kibum is full-on grinning now. So bright and beautiful, it makes Taemin's heart flutter with excitement. And he is just a little sad when Kibum leans over to rest his head on his shoulder a second time, because he can't see his face properly like this. Taemin likes looking at Kibum. He's perfect. His sharp eyes and bow-shaped lips and defined jaw. His broad shoulders and wavy hair and big hands. Each feature is contrasting with the next, and it shouldn't make for such a fitting picture, and yet it does. It's unconventional, just like most of Kibum is unconventional, but that's what Taemin loves about him. He could probably tell Kibum that the sound of running water turns him on (it doesn't), or that he always needs to have at least five stuffed animals in his bed at night to be able to fall asleep (one is more than enough) and Kibum would treat it with the same open mind as he treated everything else Taemin has ever told him. And that's beautiful, too. But sometimes Taemin doesn't think Kibum knows. When it's one of those days where he avoids his own eyes in every mirror and and complains about his school uniform being too tight - implications of 'my shoulders are too broad' or 'I totally gained weight' sprinkled in left and right - and Taemin can practically see just how uncomfortable he feels in his own skin. Taemin always wondered where it was coming from. And what kind of events would trigger it. Because the Kibum he spends most of his time with is confident and blunt and doesn't care what others say. Only now he is starting to feel like the pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together. "You really are. Amazing. And magical," Taemin thinks that he will keep saying it until Kibum will believe him. Until even the last hint of sarcasm will be gone from Kibum's voice. "What's with you today?" Kibum musters him suspiciously, like he is trying to figure out whether Taemin is just messing with him at this point. Taemin isn't sure if he finds anything. But he doesn't need to. Because when he reaches up to brush Kibum's bangs out of his eyes, Kibum holds his breath - as if he already knows what's going to happen. Taemin has never been particularly enthusiastic about kissing, but sometimes Kibum smiles at him like he is the most precious thing in the world, or gets that look of infinite fondness in his eyes when their gazes meet and Taemin feels the intense need to be close to Kibum then. As close as he possibly can without shedding their clothes and letting their hands wander across bare skin. Today it's neither. Today, Kibum's gaze is guarded and his shoulders are tense and Taemin wants to help. Even if he can do no more than take Kibum's mind off his parents for a while. Kibum's lips are soft against his own when he kisses him. Taemin had made sure to keep his approach slow, to grant his friend enough time to assess the situation and tell him no if he'd rather Taemin staying away. Kibum meets him halfway, though, nothing but the sheer fear of frightening Taemin keeping him from crowding the younger boy into the wall. And it's nice. It's nice until Kibum tilts his head and presses closer, hands gripping at either side of his waist. His movements are just as slow and careful as Taemin's had been, giving the younger boy the freedom to retreat if he feels uncomfortable with anything Kibum is doing, but Taemin remembers all too soon, why he doesn't usually kiss people. And Kibum's touch serves as a stark reminder, his skin burning in a way that is almost painful. Pulling back with a jerk, Taemin sucks in a deep breath to force down the wave of panic building in his chest and he feels so, so bad when Kibum immediately moves to the other side of the bed. "I'm sorry," Kibum says, the apology followed by the soft question of "Are you okay?" "Fine," Taemin insists, but when he shifts back into Kibum's personal space, the older boy shakes his head. "You don't have to," Kibum tells him, his eyes searching Taemin's face as he keeps his palms flat against the younger boy's chest to leave a safe distance between them. "I know," Taemin nods. He leans in to place a kiss on Kibum's cheek this time, but it doesn't feel right anymore. 'But I want to,' is left unsaid, because Taemin feels stupid now. Offering comfort was all he wanted to do, but it's been replaced by regret burning in the pit of his stomach, because he should have known it wouldn't be enough. And he feels like an idiot for trying, still. But Kibum's smile seems a bit more genuine now and he doesn't look quite so dejected anymore, and Taemin doesn't want to ruin that. Doesn't want to make this about him when it's Kibum who's had a shitty day and needs cheering up.

///

They have dinner with Taemin's parents, no questions asked about Kibum's sudden appearance. His parents aren't exactly the relaxed type and Taemin can all but feel the suspicion and the unspoken questions hanging in the air, but he is grateful they decided to keep those to themselves for now. Kibum is still tense - albeit doing a decent enough job covering up the signs and fooling his parents, at least - and Taemin doesn't want him to feel any worse. Retreating back into Taemin's room as soon as the dinner table is clear, they unpack the few items of clothing and toiletries Kibum had stuffed into the first bag he found before bolting from his home. "I won't bother you for long," Kibum makes sure to tell him, because the pile of clothes he brought kind of makes it look like he planned to spend a lot more than just the two weeks of Winter holidays with him. "You aren't a bother," Taemin retorts. "It sucks that you have to deal with this, but I'm glad you're here. Two weeks without you would have been pretty hard." Pulling up one of his eyebrows, Kibum considers his words for a moment before he breaks out into a teasing smile. "I think you're taking it a bit too far with all the flattery today." Taemin feels heat rise into his cheeks at the obnoxious wink Kibum sends his way. It is a miracle that even after all this time, he isn't used to Kibum's flirting yet. Throwing himself onto his bed, he buries his face into his pillow to hide how flustered he his. Not that Kibum can't read him like an open book by now. "Taem?" Kibum calls out for him, and when Taemin lifts his head to look at him, the older boy has his teeth buried into his lower lip, conflicted. It's such a sudden shift that it leaves Taemin's head spinning. "Would you mind if I shifted for a bit?" Kibum asks. "Of course not," Taemin assures quickly. "You literally don't even have to ask." "But a quick warning is always good," Taemin adds. "Right. Thanks. You can go ahead and…do whatever I guess. I just need some peace," Kibum shrugs and Taemin nods because he really doesn't mind. And he expects Kibum to move into another room, because he never shifts in front of him, but the older boy is hesitating, still. Finally, he steps closer to join him on his bed, leaving them in the exact same spots they had abandoned less than an hour ago when Taemin's mum called them to the dinner table. "It is very useful, you know," Kibum says - out of the blue - and Taemin has no idea what he is referring to. "Being able to turn into a cat, I mean," Kibum explains. "It takes a lot of stress away," He says and Taemin isn't sure where Kibum is going with this, but it is interesting to hear him talk so candidly about a skill he always treats with such secrecy and reluctance. It had Taemin wondering a lot, whether it is actually a burden to his friend rather than a blessing. Had him wondering whether there was much of a purpose to it at all and whether Kibum would be better off not being able to turn into a cat at will. But it starts making more sense now. He had figured that shifting did serve some kind of purpose to the older boy. One that went beyond looking soft and cuddly and having the ability to make himself fit into a shoebox. He could never quite see the connection, though. But he kind of gets it now. There is no need for speaking as a cat, no need for complex verbal communication like there is as a wizard. And Taemin images it to be more instinctive and simple, too. "I don't know what I would do without it," Kibum adds. "But why are you so insecure about it then?" Taemin asks the question he'd been burning to pose for the longest time. "Cause people are stupid," Kibum shrugs, feigning indifference, but Taemin sees right through him. "That's a vague answer," Taemin remarks, and he doesn't mean to upset his friend, but since they are already on the topic, he feels like maybe he can press a bit more. Because Kibum doesn't seem uncomfortable per se. More so frustrated, his voice heavy with it as he retorts, "If you heard about how much of a freak you are almost every day for years of your life, you wouldn't think it's so vague anymore."' "In a goddamn Wizarding society," He shakes his head as if he can't believe it himself, just how people would react to his abilities. "Isn't this shit supposed to be normal here?" "You know I think it's amazing, right?" Taemin tells him. Because it is. And Taemin hates that anyone would try to make Kibum feel otherwise. "Yeah, I know," Kibum nods, some of the tension leaving his body as he sinks into Taemin's side, "I'm glad you do." It's the first time Kibum doesn't leave. The transformation is over in a flash, the seamless morphing from skin to fur and human limbs to elegant curves barely visible to the eye. But Taemin is struck by awe either way. "That's so cool," He swoons as Kibum jumps onto his bed, the older boy letting out a warning hiss when Taemin reaches out with a devilish grin, ready to mess with his tail. "Okay okay, sorry," Taemin apologises, holding up his hands in defeat but not looking sorry in the slightest. Kibum is so used to his antics by now, he isn't fazed. And even Taemin's comment of "Just so you know, if you don't wanna see Manga dudes having messy sex, you should close your eyes for like the next two hours," as he holds up the first book from the pile of Yaoi Manga he plans to make his way through doesn't earn him much of a reaction. Taemin remembers the first time he allowed himself to read one of them with his friend curled up next to him. Remembers how Kibum had been indifferent at first, uncaring of the decidedly plain dialogue, but how his interest (and indignation) had been sparked the second things became more steamy. Kibum had pawed at the bright red 'Rated R' sticker on the cover, as if to say 'You're only 15 you're not supposed to read this, Lee Taemin', but they both knew it was all for show. Taemin has never cared much about what he is and isn't supposed to do and Kibum has been friends with him long enough to have stopped bothering to try and lecture the younger boy. It's nothing but a waste of breath anyway. Today, Kibum doesn't even bat an eyelash anymore. But he makes a point of maneuvering his body so his head is buried in Taemin's chest, the last of the tension in his limbs easing as his eyes fall shut and he relaxes against his friend. Taemin grins, tempted to tell Kibum just how adorable of a picture he makes, but he figures he's already cooed about him enough in the last hour. He doesn't want to spoil him too much, after all. One of his hands comes up to ruffle behind Kibum's ears ever so often - an absent-minded motion - and he smiles when Kibum's body starts vibrating with purrs. He knows there isn't much he can do for his friend, but he is glad he can make him feel good. It's reassuring to know his presence isn't entirely useless, especially on days like this one where he wishes he could be there for him in every way he needs. And he feels grateful, to have the privilege of being allowed to see his friend in such a vulnerable position. As a wizard, Kibum is tall and broad-shouldered. Unwavering. But as a cat, he is so lithe and breakable, Taemin worries he could hurt him sometimes. He never would, but it's would be so easy, and it scares to know Kibum is straying about the castle grounds as a cat every once in a while. It's easy to cause serious damage to such a small creature and there are enough people who have no qualms doing so. But they aren't in Hogwarts right now and Kibum is safe with him. He always will be.

///

Christmas Eve goes by in a flash, and without a hitch, too. Lots of socialising, lots of food, but nothing out of the ordinary. Except that Taemin isn't the only person below forty at the table, which doesn't only make for a welcome change, but a more relaxing time as well. Because at least his parents' attention isn't always on him like this. And at least he doesn't have to explain why his Potions mark was so much better at Mahoutokoro than it is now. Or justify why his hair is now a dashing shade of blonde. Or talk about Jongin and what his family is doing this wonderful Christmas season when he still misses his best friend so dearly, the last thing he wants is to be reminded that they aren't spending the holidays together for the first time in over ten years. Instead, they are grilling Kibum about anything and everything (Taemin alternates between feeling bad for his friend and kicking him in the shin from across the table because it really isn't necessary for Kibum to spill any "funny" stories about their time at Hogwarts to his parents), but he is impressed at how well Kibum is handling it. He would have had to excuse himself and hide in the restroom hours ago because all the attention would have stressed him out so much. Kibum stays engaged all the way through, though. And Taemin can tell how much his mum adores him. The asshole knows exactly how to be nice and charming in the right moments and it's so endearing, Taemin can't stop smiling.

His parents are returning to work after the holidays - his mum to her newly opened workshop in Diagon Alley and his dad to his Muggle job as an elementary school teacher - and Kibum and him are all too soon beginning to run out of exciting things to do. Yes, lazing around is nice and ignoring their responsibilities even nicer (although their unfinished assignments are bound to come bite them in the ass sooner rather than later, but Taemin oh-so conveniently chooses not to think about that for now). And they both hadn't minded sleeping large portions of the day away just because they could. But it's getting boring. Just a little. "I'm bored," Taemin makes his disdain known, a pout on his lips as he nudges Kibum's leg with his foot. They are spread out on Taemin's bed, their heads facing into opposite directions with Taemin lying with his head at the foot of his bed and Kibum sitting with his back against his bedrest. Kibum is knitting what looks like another one of many colourful socks while Taemin slips in and out of a light sleep. Knitting is a hobby Taemin would tease his friend about a whole lot more, if it wasn't so convenient. Because the comfiness of the socks is no joke and if he is extra nice, Kibum won't mind gifting them to him. "What do you want me to do about it?" Kibum looks entirely unimpressed as he glances up from his task for no more than a split second. "Entertain me?" Taemin suggests, but before Kibum can verbalise the disdain that is taking over his features, he is already speaking up again. "Ohh, I have a great idea," Taemin exclaims, jumping to his feet. He slips out the door only to return a few moments later, presenting Kibum with a bottle of dark blue, glittering liquid and two glasses. "We should try some of this," Taemin decides. "My dad usually has a glass after dinner," He nods to himself. He had wanted to try ever since he was little and sometimes his dad would allow him a tiny sip but never more. They aren't complete strangers to alcoholic beverages anymore, though - even if Butterbeer isn't exactly the epitome of hard alcohol - so Taemin figures it can't end too badly. They are responsible individuals, after all. And besides, "It's good for you." "Okay, fine. A glass won't hurt," Kibum shrugs, and Taemin is sure he must look like a fish with his mouth hanging open when Kibum agrees so easily. He had been certain Kibum would jump into one of his great soliloquies about the dangers of irresponsibility and how they haven't been raised to disobey (and blatantly disregard) rules at Hogwarts but he doesn't even bat an eyelash. It's kind of concerning. Taemin wonders if he is starting to rub off on his friend. But he can't say he minds if it means he will finally have Kibum go along with his ideas without a one hour long argument about the pros and cons for once. "You're not supposed to have more anyway. Look, it says right here on the bottle," Taemin points to the note of warning at the bottom of the label like he actually cares, bright red letters talking of all the various side effects caused by irresponsible consumption of the liquor.

Later, he swears he hears Kibum's voice reminding him 'Just one' as he makes to pour himself another glass, but the taste is too good and Kibum isn't particularly forceful in his efforts and Taemin can't bring himself to listen. How they ended up lying next to each other on the carpet in front of his bed, Taemin doesn't remember, though. The ceiling above them is spinning with the most exciting lights and colours and every time he tries to get up, he falls back over, his legs too shaky to support him. And maybe that's why they should have stopped after the first glass. Maybe that's why it's stated so explicitly on the bottle, with illustrations and capital letters and everything. But god, Taemin couldn't care less. Because the fuzzy feeling in the pit of his stomach is about the most amazing sensation he's felt in a while. Like a faint buzz of adrenaline, mixed with excitement over absolutely nothing but the existence of the world and the pretty shapes now floating all around them. "Bum, look, that's a nice shade of pink," Taemin points at the fluffy clouds hanging a couple feet above his head. They really should do this more, it's amazing. "All I see is stars," Kibum responds, the words reaching Taemin with multiple seconds of delay. "No pink?" The younger boy asks, his voice filled with disappointment. "Nope," Kibum shrugs and Taemin shakes his head in disapproval as he claims "I think you're just not looking hard enough." "Or maybe you need another glass," Taemin's eyes light up as he tries to get back to his feet, giggling uncontrollably, even as gravity keeps him down. "Definitely not," Kibum is quick to intervene, wrapping his arms around his middle to keep him from getting up. "And you don't either." "Kay, Mum," Taemin half-slurs, mostly unaffected by his friend's attempts to restrain him. He likes when Kibum is holding him tight like this - even if it's for no reason other than to stop him from doing something stupid. "I prefer you as a cat sometimes," Taemin declares as he lies down with Kibum halfway on top of him. "And why is that?" Taemin purses his lips in thought for a moment before deciding "You're more cuddly." "I got my head in your lap right now," Kibum deadpans. "Ohh yeah, you do," Taemin eyes widen, as if he is only now realising the position they are in. He is swamped with a wave of affection when Kibum snuggles a little closer for good measures, his hands weaving into the older boy's hair as he orders, "Keep it there." "I don't think I can move anyway," Kibum chuckles.

Waking up a good ten hours later to the worst headache of his life, Taemin groans and twists, almost rolling off the edge of his bed in the process. "Fuck," He clenches his teeth. "Fuck, my head hurts." "Good morning to you, too, love," Comes Kibum's response, and Taemin jumps a little, because he didn't expect his friend to be awake already. When he finally opens his eyes - a huge mistake, because dammit has the sun always been this bright? - he finds Kibum sitting with tousled hair and a book perched in his lap. "It's good for you," Kibum says, voice dripping with sarcasm. "May I remind you that those were your exact words?" Taemin can only guess that Kibum's head is pounding just as badly as his, because the sour twist to his lips speak of pure regret about all the choices he's made in his life so far. "Well, it was a fun night though, wasn't it?" Taemin insists even as he lies right back down when he finds his head spinning, because maybe it wasn't the greatest idea, he's going to give Kibum that. But his boredom had been cured and he got to cuddle with the older boy and it could have gone a whole lot worse. At least they didn't dare each other to yell 'I want Park Bo Geum to pee on me' out the window or race around the house naked or whatever absurd stuff Muggles do when they've had too much alcohol. "It was," Kibum agrees, his eyes shining as if he suddenly remembers something. "I like how much you praise me when your drunk," He tells him. "I should have counted all the times you professed your love to me last night." "Shut up," Taemin whines. Eleven times. That's how often he directed some variation of 'Bum, I really love you so much,' at him. Maybe even twelve, if 'I kind of hate you for always being so perfect and beautiful,' counts. He doesn't regret a single second of it, though. "I'm just teasing babe," Kibum assures and Taemin smiles, because God, he loves when Kibum calls him that. He still remembers how his chest had been filled to the brim with panic the first time Kibum had slipped in the endearment of 'babe' into a conversation. He had been too scared to comment on it back then, because Kibum had been so casual about it. Just as casual as he was about his touches. As if he didn't see anything strange about it at all. But then it happened a second time, and a third. And his discomfort only grew further the more frequent of an occurrence it became, no matter how hard he tried to be okay with it. So despite keeping silent (and gathering all his willpower to appear relaxed and unaffected on the outside) it didn't take long for Kibum to catch on and for the single question of "You don't like me calling you that, do you?" the older boy had asked one day, to transform into a long overdue conversation about all else Taemin had been battling with in his friend's presence. All the affectionate gestures and gentle smiles and fleeting (and not-so fleeting) touches he both enjoyed and didn't. "If it makes you uncomfortable all you have to do is tell me, you know? I won't do it again," Kibum had assured him, blunt and straightforward. Taemin didn't want him to misunderstand, though. "It's not that," He had hesitated for what felt like forever before daring to ask the careful question of "There is no…romantic intention behind it, is there?" His heart had pounded like crazy, the fear of his friend making fun of him or worse cutting into his chest like claws. He knew Kibum wasn't like that. He just wasn't. But it didn't help to ease his nerves. "Ohh," The older boy's face had lit up as if it was finally dawning on him what kind of implications could be lying behind a simple word like that. "I really love you a lot. But not like that," Kibum was quick to tell him, his usual sarcasm pushed aside in favour of sincerity. And Taemin still remembers how relieved he had felt, hearing Kibum's explanation. Because that's what he had been most afraid of. For his friend to be looking for something Taemin couldn't give him. All this time, he worried that every touch, every endearment, every kiss to his cheek was going to boil down to Kibum wanting to cross the boundaries of friendship. But hearing it from Kibum himself, how he wasn't intending to go down that path, made Taemin feel a whole new kind of comfortable with the older boy. And with all his different ways of showing affection, too. "Okay," Taemin nodded, the first hint of a smile having tugged at the corners of his lips as Kibum's words began to really sink in. "Are you sure?" His friend had asked, looking doubtful. "Yeah," Taemin confirmed, hoping to lift the tension a little with his addition of "You can call me babe all you want then. Or baby. Or whatever else floats your boat." Kibum hadn't looked convinced, still, even with Taemin insisting once more that it really was fine. But when Taemin didn't even falter the next time Kibum called him baby - frozen in place the second he realised he'd done it again, but calming down considerably when Taemin simply smiled at him - the older boy seemed to finally believe him. And he hadn't stopped since.

Sticking out his tongue at his friend, Taemin slips out of bed with the announcement of "Whatever, I'm taking a shower," and Kibum laughs until he can't breathe when he emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later - dripping wet and naked and whining about how he forgot his towel.

///

It's the first time in a long four weeks, that they are all getting the chance to have dinner together in the Great Hall; Taemin on the bench next to Kibum, and Jonghyun and Minho opposite of them. Jonghyun's hair is a bright pink again - brighter even, than the hundreds of candles hanging above their heads - freshly dyed and vibrant, but his expression doesn't match. And when Taemin's eyes wander to Minho, he finds a similar look on his face. It's unnerving. Taemin doesn't like it. But they naturally start talking about the Christmas holidays and their families and how they spent New Year's eve and Taemin has no idea how to bring it up without making it awkward. He isn't exactly the most tactful person, after all. It turns out he doesn't need to, however. Because as soon as there is a small pause in between their conversations, Minho announces "I need to tell you something," and Taemin finds himself straightening in his seat. "What is it?" Kibum asks, curious, but unfazed. And here he thought he was always the oblivious one. Jonghyun fidgets in his seat as if he already knows what's coming and Taemin wonders if it's all right to start worrying yet. He can't remember ever seeing either of his friends quite so tense and uncertain. "I got an offer to join the junior league of the national Quidditch team," Minho tells them in a rush, sucking in a deep breath before he adds "And I agreed." "But that's good, right?" Taemin asks when no one else does, soft and careful. It sure sounds good, but Minho's expression is still guarded and it makes no sense. Not until Minho adds, "It is. But it means I won't finish the school year." "I wasn't even supposed to come back after the New Year, actually. But I asked them for another month so I wouldn't just pack up my bags and disappear from school without at least saying goodbye." When there comes no reaction from any of them, Minho takes that as his cue to continue speaking as he adds "The initial contract is only for a year, but they're providing me with my own apartment. I already moved some of my stuff there and it's not the most spacious, but there is more than enough room for two people." Taemin chances a glance at Kibum, because he doesn't get where this is going and he needs to check if he is the only one. His friend's expression is unmoving like Taemin has never seen it before, though, and all it does is stress him out more. Maybe he really is the oblivious one because at this point he feels like they all know something he doesn't. "Two people as in…" Taemin provides. "Minho and I," Jonghyun speaks up for the first time, his gaze glued to his half-empty plate as if he can't bear to look at their faces right now. Kibum has been eerily silent throughout the entire conversation, but Taemin feels him tensing up next to him at Jonghyun's words. "What?" Taemin swears Kibum's face is drained of all its colour and he instinctively shifts closer to the older boy. "I know the school has tried hard to make the year bearable for me but I'm sick of it," Jonghyun confesses, eyes swimming with sadness. "I don't plan to ever work in the Wizarding world anyway, and even if I did, there are plenty of places to get into fine even with my O.W.L.s marks, so this is the best opportunity I could have asked for." "So you two are gonna move in together?" It's him who breaks the silence that follows, because he understands - knows that if it was him in Jonghyun's shoes, he would have cracked a long time ago, really. And he doesn't want Jonghyun to feel like he doesn't support his choice. "Yeah," Jonghyun nods, grateful, flashing Taemin the tiniest smile as he explains "At least until the situation for Muggleborns will become better." "But maybe finding a Muggle job in London will already help me keep my distance from any ill-willed wizards," He adds, more hopeful than Taemin has heard him sound in months. And Taemin doesn't care how much it sucks that this is what Jonghyun has to do to avoid being treated like shit, because there finally is a spark of light in the older boy's eyes again and that is all that matters. "Kibum," Jonghyun calls out his name as he turns to look at him and Taemin's hand lands on Kibum's thigh as he gives it an encouraging squeeze. Averting his eyes as soon as his friends' gazes lock in an attempt to give them a bit of privacy in a room full of students, he looks at Minho instead. And, after a moment of hesitation, sends him a smile, too. "Minho will keep me safe," He hears Jonghyun tell Kibum and Kibum leaves them all startled as he stands to lean across the table and places a quick kiss on Jonghyun's lips. "I know," He says, and then turns to Minho before reminding "Just be careful, yeah?" "Of course. Always," Minho promises.

///

It becomes a lot more difficult to catch Kibum in the weeks following New Year's eve. The date of his N.E.W.T.s is still months away, but their teachers make sure to pile one assignment after the next on the seventh graders. They don't hang out a lot, and if they do, their time is filled with exhausted silence and not much else. But sometimes Taemin stays down in the common room and reads Manga while Kibum studies. And sometimes Kibum sneaks into bed with him when Taemin is already fast asleep, and he finds himself waking up in the morning to the older boy's fur tickling his skin and it isn't much, but it means the world to him.

///

The first Quidditch game of the year and Minho's last ever game at Hogwarts is a match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Taemin has already saved Kibum and himself a good spot amongst the students of Gryffindor to cheer on Minho for his Grande finale, but the dark clouds that have been covering the sky ever since yesterday evening are becoming more threatening by the moment and Taemin doesn't have a good feeling about this. The first hit of lightning strikes ten minutes before the start of the game and he is dripping wet before he can even think to retreat, shivering from the cold and deciding that he definitely isn't going to wait out in the rain any longer. It's only as he makes his way back to the Slytherin common room - his clothes sticking to his skin in ever place he can think of - that he wonders where Kibum is. He hadn't been anywhere near the Quidditch pitch, that Taemin is sure of. And they hadn't run into each other in the hallway yet, either. So he can't be far. If he has even stepped past the threshold to their common room in the first place, because that's where Taemin had last seen his friend, after all. "You're back already?" Comes Kibum's voice as soon as he rounds the corner to their beds and he finds Kibum surrounded by books and worksheets - and a bunch of his usual herbs that are supposed to spread some kind of subtle scent helping with concentration. "The game has been put on hold, I'm not sure if they will play at all today," Taemin tells him, shrugging off his cloak and stripping out of his wet clothes. "It's pouring outside." "Oh," Kibum says and it's only then that Taemin notices the wads of tissues thrown into the mix on his bed and the flatness of his voice. "Is everything okay?" He asks, instantly alert because Kibum never cries in public spaces. Granted, they are still the only ones in the dormitory, but Taemin is sure that's going to change before long. And Kibum is always uber-careful with these things. Slips into the nearest restroom or bites his lips raw and keeps it all inside (a tendency Jonghyun has scolded him about hundreds of times, because it's not healthy, apparently) or buries his face into his shoulder when they are sharing a bed at night and leaves wet patches all over Taemin's shirt. All of that, he is more than used to. But this? "Not really," Kibum answers and his eyes are brimming with tears just like that, the look of utter sadness in them cutting Taemin straight to the core. He hops into action entirely out of instinct, closing the curtains around Kibum's bed before guiding his wand through the air to keep out any curious eyes and ears. Taemin knows his protective spells aren't half as effective as Kibum's, but he hopes it's going to be enough for now. Most of their fellow Slytherins are probably still hanging around near the Quidditch pitch in case the game does happen after all, but he isn't going to risk having anyone barge in. Because it is rare for Kibum to be this vulnerable with him and the last thing he wants is to make him feel more uncomfortable than he already does. "What's wrong?" He asks, now clad in a too big shirt and pajama pants as he sinks down next to him, one arm slung around Kibum's shoulder. "You're freezing," Kibum complains, but he buries his face into his chest, still. His eyes are closed and his breath is shaking when he finally answers "They're really leaving aren't they?" and it takes Taemin a moment to understand who his friend is referring to. "And I'm stuck here cramming all this shit into my head only to forget everything by the next day." Taemin waits for him to say something more, but all Kibum does is sink his teeth into his lower lip as his tears start rolling and Taemin knows he can't expect him to keep talking. So he holds him tight until he is no longer trembling in his arms. "I mean, I'm still here. You know that, right?" Taemin tells him as he runs his fingers along Kibum's skin in an absent-minded manner. It's difficult, to have their two friends leave so suddenly. Taemin gets that. Especially because Kibum has spent such a large part of his life with them always around. But he had hoped it would lessen the blow just a little, that Kibum still had him right here. "I won't go anywhere," He promises. "I know," Kibum nods. "But it's not enough?" Taemin asks, and it isn't accusatory or disappointed, but Kibum looks at him like he had never heard him utter such outrageous words. "No, fuck. Don't even think like that, Lee Taemin," He scolds, shoving him none too gently and Taemin smiles because there is the Kibum he knows. "I'm just sad," Kibum shrugs, dragging the back of his hand over his eyes. "But it's gonna be okay. I'll be fine." "Jonghyun and Minho love you very much," Taemin makes sure to remind him, because he feels like Kibum loses sight of that sometimes. Gets so caught up worrying and stressing himself out that he forgets how much he means to them. "And you don't?" Kibum asks, but there is an edge of amusement to his voice. "Of course I love you, too." "I'm just teasing babe, I know you do," Kibum chuckles at the urgency in his voice, but Taemin can practically see him deflate at whatever thought crosses his mind next. "God, I hate feeling like this," Kibum sighs as he lets his head fall onto Taemin's shoulder. "I wish Jjong was here to suck me off or something," His voice still sounds a little shaky and his cheeks are damp and Taemin wants so badly to help. "You know I could-" He starts, because as long as Kibum won't want to touch him, too, he thinks that he could make it through well enough, but Kibum cuts him off before he can say anything more. "Absolutely not," He shakes his head, scolding "I don't ever want you to feel like you have to do anything like that to keep me around, okay?" "Okay," Taemin nods, more than a tiny bit relieved. "You could stay over here for the night, though?" Kibum offers, his hand searching for Taemin's under the duvet and Taemin nods "Sure." That he doesn't have a problem doing at all. Except a very tiny one, maybe. "But first: dinner," He exclaims, because sleeping much longer than necessary is great and all, but he needs his three meals a day to keep him happy. Kibum lets out a sound that is half protest and half exhaustion - a wordless question of 'Do I really have to?'. "Yes, you're absolutely coming, too," Taemin nods, leaving no room for protest.

"You'll do well," Taemin tells him later that night, his arms wrapped around Kibum's middle in what he hopes is a successful attempt at being reassuring. "Thanks," Kibum smiles, and when Taemin leans over to steal a quick kiss from his lips, Kibum lets him.

///

Kibum brings Jonghyun with him two nights later. 'Just one more time,' He had said, avoiding the word 'last' because he knew they would see each other again. And Taemin had joined them without prompting. They talk at first - about everything and nothing - but before long, there is only silence left as Jonghyun nuzzles into Taemin's shoulder and Kibum plays with his soft strands of pink hair. Taemin is just about to doze off when Jonghyun shifts and curls up even closer to him, a slight shiver running through his body. "Are you cold?" Kibum's voice sounds from the other side of the bed, his hand brushing against Taemin's arm as he reaches out for Jonghyun. "Just a little," Jonghyun whispers. "Come here," Kibum orders. And Taemin swears his two friends must he communicating through some kind of telepathic powers sometimes, because the sounds Jonghyun lets out in response it both desperate and hopeful. As if he has been waiting for Kibum to say the words all day. Locking eyes with him even as Kibum beckons Jonghyun closer and pulls him into his lap, Taemin is surprised to find his friend's gaze on him all the while. Taemin watches as Kibum sneaks one of his arms around Jonghyun's waist while the other one comes up to grab his chin, a teasing smirk on his lips. "Yeah?" He asks, and Jonghyun nods eagerly, but Kibum is waiting for Taemin to do the same before he pulls his boyfriend into a kiss. It is far from the first time that Taemin is seeing his friends kiss like this. Watches them all but melt into each other with their bodies moving in familiar ease and Jonghyun's lips following Kibum's lead every step of the way. But Taemin is awestruck by the sight over and over again. They are putting on a show, Kibum's hands slipping beneath the hem of Jonghyun's shirt to expose his bare skin and angling his head just right so Taemin gets a good view of their tongues tangling between them. And Taemin can't say he doesn't enjoy it. It's only when Jonghyun starts letting out one high pitched sound after the other that Taemin wonders if he should give them some space. "Bum," He calls out, so quiet, he is worried for a second, that his friend didn't hear him. "I can leave…" He offers and Kibum musters him for a second before asking, "But do you want to?" Taemin side-eyes Jonghyun for a moment, not sure if the older boy is even aware of their exchange with how far gone he already seems. Shaking his head 'no', Taemin hesitates for a moment, "I just…" "Yeah, okay," Kibum reaches for his hand to give it an encouraging squeeze before grabbing his wrist to guide him closer. And Taemin has no idea what's going to happen, but he trusts that Kibum understands. He knows his limits better than anyone. "Jonghyun," Kibum calls out, radiating authority, even though his next words are gentle. "Taeminnie and I are gonna take care of you, yeah?" He says and Jonghyun is suddenly hyper-aware, fixated on Kibum's face as if he is going to miss something vitally important if he looks away for just a second. "But only if you keep quiet," Kibum continues, and Jonghyun starts nodding even before Kibum has asked "Can you do that for us?" Pressing closer to Kibum with an insistent whisper of "Please," Jonghyun moves to reclaim his spot in Kibum's lap, but Kibum gestures to Taemin instead and Jonghyun seems quite happy with that idea, too. Spreading his thighs for the older boy to settle between them, Taemin makes Jonghyun lean back into him as Kibum grabs the hem of his own shirt to pull it over his head before doing the same to Jonghyun's. Everything that happens after is a blur of Taemin kissing Jonghyun's neck - alternating between carding his hands through his hair and pulling hard to keep the older boy in place - while Kibum touches him through his boxer shorts. And the next thing Taemin knows, Jonghyun is tensing up between them as he comes, soft moans spilling from his lips because Kibum ordered him to 'Stop making so much noise, you don't want the whole dorm to hear, do you?' It's beautiful and Taemin can't tear his eyes away even once it's over and Jonghyun is heavy in his arms, sinking back against him as his breathing starts calming down little by little. "You're so cute Jjong," Kibum says, and Taemin smiles when Jonghyun lets out a small whine, hands coming up to cover his face. Very cute indeed. "Are you feeling okay?" Kibum turns to look at him and Taemin nods. Sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes he can hardly look at Kibum afterwards, and it makes him feel terrible every time, because it is never out of regret. Instead he is overwhelmed, plain and simple. But today, he's fine. More than. "Still cold, though," Jonghyun pipes up and they both laugh in response. "What are you waiting for then? Just come back here." They fall asleep curled up into each other, Kibum keeping Jonghyun warm and Taemin holding his hand and Taemin is sure he isn't the only one feeling infinitely safe and happy right now.

///

Once they have dropped Minho and Jonghyun off at the train station and watched the train disappear in the distance, the rest of the school year seems to go by in a flash. Kibum graduates with flying colours - of course he does, Taemin knew he'd do well - and before they know, the last week has come along and farewell is imminent all over again. Only this time, Taemin will be left behind completely by himself. It's odd, though, because he is sad, sure. But it's okay. He thought he would be devastated - dread the day months in advance and lose hours upon hours of sleep over the approaching separation. And yet he is nothing but calm, now that it is actually happening. Because he loves Kibum more than anything in the world and he won't get rid of him that easily. So when Kibum mumbles, "I don't want to leave," as they lie next to each other in Taemin's bed, it is the first time he chooses not to respond with 'I don't want you to leave, either.' Instead, he says "I'll come visit you, I promise," his hand finding Kibum's. Because he will. He will travel all the way across the world to see Kibum if that's what it takes. "You better," Kibum tells him, getting ready to poke his tummy, but retreating the moment Taemin lets out a squeal of protest, hands coming up to shield himself. "Right, I forgot," Kibum laughs, "not a good idea." "Just hug me or something, why won't people leave my tummy alone?" Taemin complains, but he is glad Kibum doesn't find enjoyment in his reaction the way others - Minho - do. Because God does he hate that. It's nothing else but plain rude to keep aiming one's jabbing fingers into the general direction of his lower abdomen just to hear him screech like a madman. "Sorry baby," Kibum apologises without looking very sorry at all. But he gathers Taemin in his arms, still, and Taemin loves cuddling with Kibum too much to complain. "I really don't want to leave," Kibum sighs, his face buried in Taemin's mob of dark hair. Taemin is glad Kibum isn't a cat right now, because he would be scared to crush him with how tightly he is holding onto him. They won't be separated for another two days and back in London, their homes aren't too far from one another either. An hour bus ride and a few minutes of walking at most. But Taemin has become so used to having Kibum by his side during the past two years, the thought of being separated for such a long time seems surreal. He trusts that they can make it work, though. They have to.

part 2 (coming soon)

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minhoinator-writes · 5 years ago

Text

Pairing: Kim Kibum/Choi Minho (side: Kim Jonghyun/Lee Taemin)

Rating: G

Word Count: 10,803

Links: AO3 // AFF

Summary: Five friends decide to escape their responsibilities for some fun in the sun...just for the weekend.

A/N: inspired by the View music video, and this particular moment

Tagging: @lockandminkey, @untangle-my-heart, @anna-watermelon, @minhosglasses

Friday

2:09 // we're going to Jeju...wanna come?

2:23 // will you kidnap me and take me anyway if I say no?

2:25 // first of all why would you say no? 2:25 // and secondly maybe I would

2:25 // ㅋㅋㅋ

2:26 // does that scare you?

2:26 // hmm 2:27 // I'd rather not say

2:32 // ㅋㅋ…..so?

2:32 // yeah, I'll be there 2:33 // when do we leave?

...

Saturday

A wave of humidity washed over Kibum as he followed the others out of the Jeju International Airport. Jinki had forged ahead, running to catch a taxi for them so they could drop off their meager luggage at the hotel before they went off in search of food. The wheels of Jonghyun’s suitcase rattled loudly in the lobby, but he didn’t seem to notice. His conversation with Taemin was too riveting, it seemed. Kibum smirked, then glanced behind him.

“Hey! What’s taking you so long?” Minho looked up at him from where he was tying his shoelaces, his eyes wide. “Come on, you can do that on the way!” He smiled and went back to tying his shoes, and Kibum rolled his eyes as he jogged to catch up with the others.

This impromptu vacation had been his idea, wholly and completely. He was so completely bored -- having been at the same job for over two years now, it had grown to be quite monotonous -- and he knew that his college buddies were probably feeling the same way.

It was quite by chance that they had come together, all those years ago. Kibum always thought it was kind of lucky that they all happened to meet in the theatre club -- Kibum, Minho, and Jinki wanted to act, Taemin wanted to be in the chorus, and Jonghyun wanted to compose his own plays. Unfortunately, for them, they were too late and the club was already at its full capacity. They, at Taemin’s suggestion, decided to drown their sorrows in pizza and beer, and by the end of the night, they were inseparable.

They still were, even now that they had left college. Sure, Kibum had returned to Daegu, Minho to Incheon, Jinki to Gwangmyeong, while Jonghyun and Taemin stayed in Seoul, but that didn’t mean they didn’t text or call each other as often as their schedules would allow.

The drudgery of everyday life had taken its toll on Kibum, though, which is why he decided to reach out, to see if any of the others wanted to escape for a little while. To remember what it was like to feel...to feel alive with the myriad of possibilities available to them.

He texted Jonghyun first, a strategic move. Jonghyun would be able to convince anyone to do anything, if he really, really wanted to. He skipped Taemin altogether since he knew that Jonghyun would take it upon himself to get Taemin to agree, and went straight to Jinki. It didn’t take much to get him on board -- the promise of all the cold beer and food he could want while laying on the beach was more than enough.

While he knew Minho would be easy to convince -- he missed everybody just as much as Kibum did -- he couldn’t help but hesitate. Kibum opened their messages, starting a text, only to backspace and try again. It took hours before he finally decided on we’re going to Jeju...wanna come? even though he wasn't quite sure why.

Well, that wasn't quite true...but, they were here now, all of them. Kibum stopped for a second in the automatic doorway, taking a deep breath of the warm, summer air. He smiled to himself, satisfied with the start of their weekend getaway.

“Kibum, come on!” Jinki called, taking Kibum out of his reverie. The door to a taxi was open, and Jonghyun was throwing his and Taemin’s luggage inside the trunk.

Minho, who had surpassed him now, looked back. His eyes were twinkling as he grinned. “Yeah, what’s taking you so long?” What a little shit. Kibum slowly returned his grin before Minho turned back around and picked up his pace, jogging to toss his backpack in the trunk before he slipped inside.

He stuffed his duffle bag beside Minho’s backpack and closed the trunk, squeezing into the backseat next to Minho. Jinki closed the door and hopped into the front. “Where are we going?” the taxi driver asked, and Kibum leaned into Minho as he reached into his back pocket for his phone, rattling off the address for the hotel.

Jonghyun stretched his legs out from where he was sitting on Taemin’s lap, resting his ankles across Kibum’s thighs. He closed his eyes and leaned back, his freshly-dyed -- as far as Kibum could tell -- platinum blond hair ruffling in the breeze of the open window. “Don’t you even think about it, Choi,” he said without looking up.

Minho’s hands froze over the rips in the knees of Jonghyun’s knees. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

“Mhm.”

Taemin and Kibum shared a look before Taemin reached out, slipping his hand beneath Minho’s, and tickling Jonghyun’s exposed skin. He pulled his hand back before Jonghyun sat up and Kibum pursed his lips to keep from laughing, looking out his window as Jonghyun started yelling at Minho, despite his protests.

The line of shops they were driving past came to an end, revealing the sea beyond. Blue, as far as the eye could see. The ocean melted into the distant horizon. Little puffy clouds were scattered like popcorn across the sky, casting their shadows on the calm sea and the beach and the roads. Kibum rolled down his window and leaned against the door. Behind him, Minho sighed.

“Thanks for doing this, Bummie,” he said, softly enough so only Kibum could hear him.

“Yeah, no problem.”

… … …

He was staring; he knew he was.

In his defense, it had been nearly six months since he had last seen Kibum and he was still so...so beautiful. Not that he was expecting him to change all that drastically in their time apart, but… His hair was longer now, the breeze toying with the many-colored strands. Minho worried his bottom lip as Kibum brushed it out of his eyes, his gaze not leaving the sea now that it was in view, and he looked away.

Jonghyun reached out, a smile in his eyes as he ruffled Minho’s hair. “So, when you’d do that?”

“Hm?” His eyes flicked up to Minho’s honey-blond hair and then back to meet his gaze, smiling fully now. Minho knew without having to check in the rearview mirror that his face was coloring. “A couple of weeks ago.”

“It’s a bold choice for you.” Taemin snorted, carding his fingers through his lavender hair. “What, it is!” Jonghyun said, smacking Taemin’s chest with a laugh. “I never thought he’d go this light!”

“I think it looks good,” Kibum said, still without looking away from the window.

Minho’s eyes widened, and he made the mistake of meeting Jonghyun’s knowing, slightly pitiful gaze. He lowered his eyes, smiling to himself. Of course, Jonghyun knew. “Thanks.” His hand found Minho’s thigh, and he patted it gently before he withdrew.

“I like how we all decided -- without telling each other -- that we’d dye our hair.”

“It just proves that we’re on the same wavelength, no matter how far away we are from each other,” Jinki said, turning around with a smile. “So, where do we want to eat?”

“I’ll look up some places,” Taemin said, reaching into Jonghyun’s pocket and pulling out his phone.

“What happened to yours?” he asked as Taemin typed in the pin, unlocking it.

“I forgot it at home, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Minho started when Kibum grabbed his shoulder, pulling him close. He leaned into him, closing his eyes as Kibum’s breath tickled his ear. “Could they be any more obvious?” Minho bit back a smile, shaking his head when Kibum pulled away to look him in the eye. Kibum leaned back in. “Do you think they’ve told each other yet?”

He hummed in thought, turning his head to whisper in Kibum’s ear. “I mean, they live together, so…”

Kibum snorted softly. “That doesn’t mean anything, though.”

“I guess.”

“What are you two gossiping about?” Jonghyun asked, Minho looking his way with guiltily wide eyes.

Kibum’s hand slid off of Minho’s shoulder and down his arm, slowly pulling away at his elbow. “Nothing,” he said with a nonchalant shrug. “I was thinking we’d go to Hwaro Hyang, and I was just telling Minho what I read about it online.” Minho’s eyebrows shot up and he looked back at Kibum, whose eyes were twinkling as he avoided meeting his gaze.

He was always so quick on his feet -- it got them out of so much trouble during college. Kibum unlocked his phone, pulling up the restaurant website and passing it to Jonghyun. His eyes flicked to Minho’s -- he had been staring again -- and his cheeks dimpled with a small smile.

The rest of the ride to the hotel was fairly quiet. Jinki and the driver chatted about things to do while they were -- as if he’d be anywhere but their hotel or the beach -- while Taemin watched Jonghyun play a game on his phone, pointing at the screen when he thought he should make a move. Kibum went back to staring out the window, and Minho folded his hands in his lap, tapping his thumbs together as he stared blankly at the ocean.

“So, what’d you want to do today?” Kibum asked, leaning his head against the door and looking back at Minho. He blinked, refocusing, and searched Kibum’s expression. “We’ve got all day.”

“Just us two?”

Kibum shrugged, squinting when the sun shone in his eyes. “We can bring the others along if you want.”

Odds were that Jonghyun and Taemin would be lounging around today and would only want to leave the hotel once the bars were open. Jinki had been talking about napping ever since they met up at the Incheon airport this morning, so it would probably just be them this afternoon.

Not that Minho was complaining, of course.

“No, I’m good with that.” Kibum smiled, turning to look out the window again. “What’d you have in mind?”

… … …

“What floor?”

Kibum’s eyes followed Minho as he leaned across him to press the button of the elevator. Fifth floor. He tapped their room key against his palm, glancing over Minho’s shoulder at the others. “Are you sure you guys are fine with me having the single room?” Jinki asked, his hands wringing around the handle of his carry-on bag.

“You asked for it,” Kibum said, snorting.

Jinki sighed. “I know, but -- “

Jonghyun cleared his throat. “I mean, Taemin and I are roommates, so this isn’t new for us.”

“Yeah, and you know how hyper Kibum and I can get," Minho said as he slung his arm over Kibum's shoulder, pulling him snug against him. "We wouldn't want to bother an old man like you with our bullshit."

Jinki cocked his head with a glare, feigning exasperation. "Really? We're already starting with the old man jokes?"

Jonghyun covered his mouth to keep himself from laughing and turned to Taemin to hide his amusement when the elevator stopped. The door opened and a family of white tourists coming on. Americans, it sounded like, based on their accent. They huddled in the middle, and Minho moved him and Kibum to the wall, while Jonghyun, Taemin, and Jinki did the same on the opposite side. Jinki covered his mouth with his fist, his shoulders shaking in silent laughter.

"Should I tell them we're not laughing at them?" Kibum whispered to Minho when the mother kept giving them weird looks.

"It's up to you."

He couldn't decide by the time they reached the fifth floor, and Minho swept him away and into the hallway, the other three following them. Minho dropped his arm from Kibum’s shoulder, and Kibum let out an almost sigh, already missing the weight of his arm. “523...52 -- This way!” Jinki said, turning around and leading the four of them down the long, beige hallway.

Kibum glanced around at the prints hanging on the walls, unsurprised to find picture after picture of the ocean or waves. His gaze fell to the royal blue carpet, and he smirked, leaning toward Minho. “I wonder where they got their inspiration for the decor.”

Minho took a quick cursory glance around, his eyes lighting with amusement before he looked Kibum’s way. “It’s unclear.”

“Mm. Maybe...just maybe...it has something to do with the sea.”

He hummed thoughtfully, stopping in front of their door as Kibum fiddled with the key card. “It’s possible. Or perhaps the ocean.”

“I see where you’re coming from. But I think it’s more from the sea.”

“But this is Ocean Suites, so…” His voice trailed off with a sarcastic lilt, and Jonghyun scoffed as he unlocked his and Taemin’s door on the other side of the hallway, letting Taemin head inside first.

“Text us when you want to eat,” he said to no one in particular, the door closing behind him.

“All I’m saying is that the ocean is more likely as a source of inspiration than -- “ Jinki sighed, his door slamming shut and making them both jump. “See, I told you you wouldn’t want to share a room with us!” Minho called out, and they leaned toward the door, waiting for Jinki’s laugh. When it came, Kibum grinned and slid their card into the slot and pushed the door open.

A blast of cool air caressed him as he walked inside, Minho closing the door behind him. “Right or left?” he asked when Minho followed him into the main room.

“Bummie, they’re separate beds.”

“Yeah, but -- “ Minho tossed his backpack on the left bed, leaving the one closest to the window for Kibum. “Thanks, you’re a total sweetheart.”

Minho blinked sarcastically. “Aren’t I just?”

Kibum shoved him, and Minho went limp as he fell onto his bed. He smiled then, dazzling as ever, and Kibum’s heart fluttered like it always did. He swallowed thickly, crossing his arms over his stomach as he sat on his own bed, facing Minho’s. “So, how have you been? It’s been a while.”

He rolled over onto his side, propping his cheek up on his fist. “We talk literally every day.”

“Not in person. It’s different.”

“Yeah.” Minho watched him for a second, his stare wandering until he blinked and met Kibum’s eyes again. “I’ve been okay. You?”

“Just okay?” Minho nodded, shrugging with one shoulder. “I’ve been fine.”

“Just fine?” Minho asked, mimicking Kibum’s tone. Smiling, Kibum nodded. A silent better, now that I’m with you hung in the air, waiting to be spoken. But some things were better left unsaid.

Back in college, Minho had been his almost, and there were moments -- like this -- where Kibum thought he might be aware of that fact. He had considered it, telling Minho how he felt, but when Minho said that his dad wanted him to come back to Incheon and work under him as his assistant coach… Kibum knew better than to interfere, knew better than to try his luck on a “what if.”

“I’m here if you need to talk about it,” Minho said, bringing Kibum back to the present. He shook the cobwebs of his college memories out of his head with a small smile.

“Thanks. Maybe later.” Minho started to sit up. "Did you eat breakfast?"

He nodded. "I mean, I could eat again, if you're hungry."

“Let’s go, then!”

… … …

“So, then you two broke up?” Minho asked, passing Kibum the cup of peach ice cream they were sharing. He nodded and Minho grinned, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Is that why you dyed this, then? Emotional distress?”

Kibum scoffed, moving away from Minho and shaking his head, trying to get his hair back to its original style. “No, I just did this because I wanted to.” When he moved back to stand beside him, Minho reached over and brushed Kibum's fringe off his forehead. He smiled to himself as he took another spoonful of ice cream then passed it back to Minho. “I knew you’d tease me about my hair.”

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you, then.”

A sigh, and then Kibum reached for the ice cream, his fingers covering Minho’s as he took another spoonful. “But really, she and I just weren’t compatible. We were really only dating because our parents set us up.”

“Yeah, same.”

“Oh right, you broke up with Seulgi too, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but that was months ago.”

Seulgi was one of the female soccer players that practiced after his dad’s team did. She had been wearing an oversized Park Jisung ManU jersey, and Minho had stopped to chat with her until both his dad and her coach were yelling at them to move on. The next time they saw each other was at a sports bar in town, and she drank him under the table. Their conversation slurred as the night went on, but when they made it back to her apartment, she had sobered up enough to push Minho out of her space, as they had been leaning on each other to be able to walk.

“Please don’t get the wrong impression,” she said as she fumbled with her keys. “I like you, but I’m not interested in you.”

Minho had been about to blurt out that he wasn’t interested in her either, when the door swung open, to reveal another woman, whose wide eyes met Minho’s when Seulgi’s inhibitions lowered enough for her to coo “Jagi-ya” at her as she stumbled in the house. Minho blinked, the term of endearment settling into his alcohol-addled. He smiled, his brow furrowing as he pressed his finger to his lips and nodded, and staggered off the porch and away.

“So, my parents want me to ‘find a nice boy and make him date me’,” Seulgi said once she pulled him aside before her practice started. A tired smile lifted her features. “Which is, you know, great for me.”

“Of course. I’m sure Joohyun is thrilled.”

Seulgi snorted. “So, listen...I was thinking…” Minho’s eyebrows raised and he glanced her way, already guessing where this was going. “Since I’ve got a girlfriend, and you’re still hung up on that Kibum guy…And since you’re the only nice guy I’ve ever met, I thought we could help each other get our parents off our backs.”

“As long as Joohyun is okay with it, sure.”

“Really?”

“We can date for as long as you need to, I don’t mind.”

She let out a sigh as she pulled him into a quick, tight hug. “You’re the best!” she called out over her shoulder, blowing him a kiss before she joined her team. Minho rolled his eyes with a smile.

Kibum snapped his fingers in front of Minho’s face, bringing him out of his memories. “Thought I lost you for a second.”

“Aww, were you worried you’d have to go on without me?” Kibum scoffed, his face coloring as he took the ice cream out of Minho’s hands. Minho grinned. “Did you miss me?”

“Yes,” Kibum said in a droll monotone. “Every moment that passes without you is a waste. Every second that you’re not beside me, I yearn for you.”

He grabbed Kibum’s arm, stopping him in the middle of the street, his expression one of faux agony. “I long for you with every breath that we're apart,” Minho said, finishing the lines from the play they had auditioned for, all those years ago. Kibum’s face scrunched up as he laughed and pushed Minho away, and Minho broke character, laughing with him. “God, what was that play?”

“The writers were just trying to invoke emotion.”

“At what cost?”

“Our sanity?” Kibum’s eyes met Minho’s then, and they both broke into a fit of giggles. He leaned on Minho to keep his balance. Once he had regained most of his composure, Kibum tossed the empty cup into the nearest garbage can, his spoon clattering onto the pavement. He bent over to grab it, and Minho put his own spoon into the garbage.

They started walking again, their shoulders bumping together. “I’m glad we decided to do this,” Kibum eventually said, his voice quiet. “To come here, I mean.”

Minho nodded. He had been surprised to get that text from Kibum that early in the morning. He had just been crawling into bed after playing video games until he was struggling to keep his eyes open. Truth be told, he had been relieved that Kibum finally texted him. It was strange to go almost a whole day without them really texting much, and he had been unsettled all day...until that moment. He sunk into bed, making himself comfortable before texting him back.

“Yeah, I really missed...you guys.” He gulped, glancing over to see if Kibum had caught his almost slip-up. “Honestly, we should do this more often.”

“I’m the only one who lives so far away, though. You four can still see each other more often,” Kibum said with an overly dramatic sigh. He grinned when Minho shoved him.

“Daejoon is probably the halfway point between us.” Not that he had looked that up or anything. Or checked out the restaurants there. Of course not. “We could always head there for the weekend. Or, you know, whatever works for you.”

Kibum looked at him, searching his expression with a suspicious twinkle in his eye. Oh shit, did he catch onto him? Before Minho could think of an excuse or explanation, Kibum’s phone chimed and he pulled it out. “Ah, Jjong is awake.” He texted him back, watching his screen until another message popped up. “They’re ready to eat.”

Minho glanced up, looking across the street to see Hwaro Hyang. He tapped Kibum’s arm and pointed at it, and Kibum nodded.

“Okay,” he said, Minho following him as he started to cross the street. “They’ll meet us there. We’ll get a table for us.”

When they said they needed a table for five, the hostess led them out onto the patio, bringing a chair over from one of the tables. “Your server will be right with you!”

“Thanks!”

The others arrived within a few moments of the bottles of soju and beer being brought to the table, and it wasn’t long before they ordered their fill of barbeque. As day transposed to night, and the comfortable haze of alcohol settled around them, Minho couldn’t help but stare at Kibum. He was dancing to one of f(x)’s older songs, the choreography sloppier than it should have been. He and Taemin and the group of girls who were also on the patio with them were having a great time dancing offbeat to the music blaring through the speakers.

He had asked Minho to dance with him, his fingers teasing down his arms as he reached for his hands. As much as he would have liked to, he was far more content to just sit back and enjoy Kibum’s uninhibited excitement.

He knew he was smiling like a lovestruck fool, but he just couldn’t bring himself to care.

… … …

“I bet he’ll confess by the end of the weekend.” Jonghyun pulled his beer away from his lips, frowning at Jinki until he nodded across the patio to where Minho was. He smirked then. “₩20,000 if he does,” Jinki said, holding out his hand for a shake of agreement.

Jonghyun took it, shaking it once. “They might not tell us, though.”

“True. But, we should be able to tell, right? They’ve never been great at hiding their feelings.”

“Yeah, to everyone except each other.”

Jinki laughed and took a swig of his soju. “I guess sometimes feelings are just more obvious to the people not wrapped up in them.”

Slowly, Jonghyun brought his beer back up to his mouth, hesitating for a second before he took a drink. His attention shifted from Minho and back to Taemin, his heart fluttering a little when he smiled his way.

… … …

Minho’s buzz had all but worn off by the time he dragged Kibum back to their room. Kibum, however, had had a few more bottles of soju before they left when the restaurant was closing. He was clinging to Minho like his life depended on it as he dug around for the key card in Kibum’s pocket, fishing it out and unlocking the door. It swung shut behind them as Minho maneuvered Kibum into the room and dropped him on his bed. He started to bend down to take off Kibum’s shoes for him when Kibum grabbed his hand, fiddling with his fingers.

“Stay with me,” he said, his slurred words ending with a giggle as Minho wiggled his fingers out of his grip.

“I am.” He pulled off one of Kibum’s shoes, tossing it toward the door. “We’re in the same room, Bummie.”

“No no no no no...no,” he stumbled over the words, shaking his head as he tried to sit up.

“Just lie down.” Minho tossed the other one aside before he stood and helped Kibum find his pillow. He pulled the covers over him, and Kibum grabbed his wrist before he could move away. He released him almost as soon as he grabbed him, but Minho didn’t pull back his hand. Not when Kibum’s fingertips grazed over his palm, a rash of goosebumps blooming across his skin. He laced their fingers together, squeezing his hand before his grip loosened.

But he didn’t let go.

“Stay with me.”

Minho opened his mouth, trying to think of a response.

His thumb brushed over the back of Minho’s hand, and he looked up, the light from the lamp gleaming in his eyes. “Please?”

Minho sighed, squeezing Kibum’s hand before he let go, his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he stepped into the bathroom. Deep breath in; long exhale out. His gaze flickered up, meeting his own eyes in the mirror before he shook his head slightly and grabbed two of the cups, filling them with water. After some digging into the drawers, he found some ibuprofen for when Kibum woke up.

He brought the cups and the pills out into the main room, his shoulders relaxing when he saw that Kibum was fast asleep, his arm stretched out across him. Minho set the cups down, one on each side of the nightstand, and then the pills closer to Kibum’s side. He checked to make sure that Kibum’s blanket was covering him before he turned off the light between them and settled into his own bed.

...

Sunday

Bright sunlight pierced the room, searing Kibum’s eyes as he started to open them. Groaning, Kibum curled up, pulling the covers over his head as he sank further into bed. “I’m never drinking again,” he mumbled to himself, pulling the covers back a fraction so he could see Minho.

Still asleep. Of course.

Kibum smiled despite the pounding of his head, his pained gaze flicking to the water and bottle of pills set out on his side of the nightstand. Slowly, he sat up, his stomach churning at the slight movement. He grabbed the cup of water and took a couple of sips before he picked up the bottle of pills and slid out of bed.

He braced himself on Minho’s bed as he walked past, being careful not to jostle it too much -- even if he knew Minho could sleep through a monsoon. Minho shifted, hugging his pillow a little tighter, and Kibum swayed for a second when he stopped, staring blearily. He smacked his lips in his sleep, his soft snoring continuing as he rolled over onto his back. A light rapping on the door drew his attention away, and Kibum staggered toward it.

Jonghyun grinned at him as the door swung open. “Get any sleep?”

Kibum started to nod but thought better of it. “Yeah.”

“Tae and I are heading down to breakfast, want to join us?”

“In a minute, gotta shower first.”

He let the door close and heading inside the bathroom. After he took his pills and drank the water, he turned on the shower. As much as he wanted to take a quick shower, once he stepped into the warm stream, he wanted to live in it. He sat on the floor of the shower, hugging his knees and closing his eyes as the water massaged his aching head.

How long he sat there, Kibum wasn't sure -- he just knew it felt amazing.

Once he stood, he washed his hair and body quickly and reluctantly vacated the shower. The bathroom was filled with steam, a sort of makeshift sauna. He wiped the mirror clean where his face was and he blow-dried his hair once he was dressed.

The ibuprofen must have taken effect because he felt marginally better as he stepped outside his and Minho's hotel room and started for the breakfast downstairs. He nodded to Jonghyun and Taemin, who were sitting on the same side of one of the tables -- Jonghyun sipping his coffee while Taemin was stuffing his face with a plateful of American food.

That actually...surprisingly...sounded good. He made himself a waffle and loaded up his plate with scrambled eggs and sausage links. He drowned it in syrup before he made his way over to Jonghyun and Taemin.

"Is Minho awake yet?" Taemin asked around his mouthful of food.

Kibum scoffed, cutting off the first bite of his waffle. "I know better than to try to wake him up." He smiled as he chewed, then swallowed. "As...funny as he is when he's grumpy, I'd rather not have that directed at me."

"Right."

"Like he'd ever really be grumpy with you." Kibum frowned mid-bite and looked at Jonghyun, who just laughed. "Forget it."

Jinki stumbled into the room, waving sleepily at them as he passed. “So, what’s the plan for today?” he asked once he sat across from Kibum with his own breakfast

Everyone turned to look at Kibum expectantly. He chewed quickly, swallowing. “Why is this on me?”

“It was your idea to come here?” Taemin said.

“I don’t know. I guess we could go to the beach?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

They ate quietly, Jonghyun picking food off of Taemin’s plate while they whispered back and forth to each other. Kibum watched them for a moment, amused, before he looked up to see if Jinki was paying any attention to them. He wasn’t.

Once Kibum finished eating, he got up to make a plate to take back to the room for Minho. By the time he finished with the waffle, Minho shuffled into the lobby, carding his fingers through his honey-blond hair. He sat in Kibum’s vacated seat, glancing his way with a sleepy smile. Kibum returned the smile and finished fixing him his coffee. He sat in the empty seat, setting Minho’s food in front of him, his smile growing when Minho looked up at him with adorably wide eyes.

“Thanks, Bummie,” he mumbled, picking up his fork and starting to eat. His hair was sticking up on one side, the wrinkles from his pillowcase indented on his cheek. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Not as bad as I was expecting.” Minho nodded, cutting off another bite. “Thanks for setting out that stuff for me.”

Minho smiled, his eyes darting to meet Kibum’s for a second before they fell back to his plate. “Yeah, no problem.” He ate a couple more bites before he asked, “So, what are we doing today?”

… … …

"Ooo, watermelon." Minho glanced in the direction that Kibum was pointing. There was a small kiosk on the edge of the beach selling fresh fruit, ice cream, cold beverages. "That sounds good."

"Hm, it does," Jinki said absently, lifting his sunglasses so he could see better. "There are some empty spots in the shade over there." If Minho had been looking, he would have seen the empty lounge chairs under the umbrellas, but he was still focused on the fruit kiosk.

The others were already making their way over to the shade, quickly so no one else could snatch the vacant spots up, but Minho hung back, digging his wallet out of the pocket in his swimming trunks. Kibum called out to him when he got in line, and Minho waved him on to join the others. He was too far away, but Minho could almost hear Kibum sucking his teeth at him. Smiling, he turned back around, ordering a large platter of cut fruit and a couple of water bottles.

He carried it all carefully over to where Kibum, Jinki, and Taemin were making themselves comfortable, setting it by Jinki’s feet. “Woah, Min, what’s this for?”

Minho shrugged, opening one of the water bottles and passing it to Kibum. “I just thought it would be nice.” He avoided meeting Kibum’s eyes until he passed the water bottle back to him, his expression soft. Minho grabbed the bottle and took a sip, almost coughing it back up when Jonghyun clapped his hand on Minho’s shoulder, crouching beside him.

“Hey, wanna go play volleyball?” He turned and found the group of guys Jonghyun was gesturing at. Jonghyun hooked his arm around Minho’s neck, grinning at him. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve played, but I think we still have it in us.” He patted Minho’s chest before he stood, looking back at the other guys. “Anyone else want to come?”

Kibum scoffed, shaking his head as he snatched the water bottle from Minho’s hand. “Please, you guys were the dynamic duo.”

“Will you guys watch us?”

“From here,” Jinki said, pushing his sunglasses up his nose.

Jonghyun tugged on the back of Minho's tank top before he started running back across the sand, and Minho pulled off his sandals and sunglasses, setting them by the chair that Kibum was sitting in. “Hey,” he pulled out his wallet and handed it to Kibum who readily took it. “You mind watching this for me?”

“Not at all. Have fun,” he said, his dimples appear when he grinned. Minho started to smile, his drive to go join Jonghyun and the others dwindling. Until Jonghyun called him, that is. He let go of his wallet and jogged out onto the white sand.

… … …

It had been several years since Kibum had had the...opportunity to watch Minho play volleyball.

It was always just a recreational thing, since he played for the basketball and football teams at university. But, he liked to keep active, and it meant that Kibum always had something to do on the weekends because that’s when his games were and he always asked Kibum to come to watch him play.

Volleyball was his and Jonghyun’s game -- they dominated. Jonghyun’s slight stature always threw off new opponents, but he was a threat to be reckoned with. No one had better hustle than him on the court -- not even Minho -- and he could almost always perfectly set Minho up for the attack, no matter where he was on the court. There was a precision and fluidity to their movements that were unrivaled by anyone who dared oppose them.

Kibum’s breath hitched as Jonghyun set the ball up for Minho to attack, both of the guys on the opposite team jumping to block, and Minho tipped it across the net where it fell, untouched, in the sand.

He could hear their celebratory hollering from where he sat across the beach.

“Looks like they’re having fun,” Jinki said, grabbing another strawberry from the platter Minho had bought.

Kibum and Taemin gave unsynchronized hums in response. They had both been paying close attention to the game, but once Minho and Jonghyun's tank tops came off in the middle of the first match, they were both riveted. Not that Jinki minded, of course -- he had brought one of his books to read.

“Do you…” Taemin started to ask, his voice trailing off when Jonghyun moved to serve the ball.

“Do I what?” Kibum asked once the volley started.

“Do you think they need water?”

Oh...probably. It was a hot day and they’d been playing for a while...it’d only make sense. “We’ll be right back,” Kibum said, tapping the arm of Jinki’s chair. He picked up his and Minho’s half-drunk water bottle and Taemin did the same, and they ran out to them, standing on the sidelines. The ball was still in play, the longest volley of the match so far, both teams taking whatever attack the other could make. One, two, three, then over the net again until Jonghyun got the first touch.

For a split second, Jonghyun and Minho made eye contact -- Kibum assumed -- and Minho raced for the ball, lobbing it over on the second touch. It landed in-bounds on the backline of the opposite side, the other two guys scrambling to hit it and missing it by a hair. Taemin clapped loudly and Kibum let out an obnoxious cheer, drawing their attention.

Jonghyun jogged over first, taking the offered water bottle out of Taemin’s hands and taking a couple of quick sips before he drank almost all of it. Minho soon joined him, breathing heavily as he took the water bottle from Kibum.

“I think this is the game point,” he said between drinks. He bent over, grabbing his tank top from where he discarded it and wiped the sweat off of his brow and out of his eyes.

“Getting tired?” Kibum asked, holding out his hand for Minho’s tank top. He nodded, and Jonghyun huffed a laugh. “Are you having fun, at least?”

“Yeah,” Minho said with a small smile, and Kibum lowered his gaze, which locked onto his exposed torso.

“Well,” Taemin cleared his throat, crinkling the empty bottle that Jonghyun passed back to him. “You guys are doing great.”

“Thanks!”

Minho grabbed Kibum’s arm, pulling his attention away from Minho’s abs. “I think I have enough money, could you buy a couple more waters for us?”

“Uh, sure thing.”

Thanks, you’re the best.”

“I really am, aren’t I.”

Minho snorted and pulled Jonghyun’s attention away from Taemin with a pat to his shoulder. “Come on, we’re almost done.” He turned, and Kibum’s gaze lingered until Minho got into his ready position, glancing back over at them at the sidelines. Kibum immediately looked away, clearing his throat and discarding Minho’s tank top by his feet. When he looked back, Minho wore a cocky sort of smirk until Jonghyun served the ball.

Kibum rolled his eyes, huffing, and trudged back across the beach to where Jinki was lounging. “Did they win?”

He picked up Minho’s wallet. “Not yet,” he said, jogging as he ran over to the back of the line at the kiosk.

He opened Minho’s wallet, checking to see how much money he had before it came time to pay. Enough for three more bottles, it looked like. He was about to close it when he spotted a time-worn movie ticket stub. Curious, Kibum pulled it out.

Huh…

It was for Thor, the first one. He checked the date, his smile growing. It was the first movie they had went to together. Just them. The other three had already seen it, but Minho was busy studying when they went to the theater and he had asked Kibum to tag along with him. Afterward, they still didn’t want to head back to the dorm, so they hit the night market, eating as many samples as they came across.

Funny that he kept this…

“Sir?”

Kibum looked up to find that he was the next in line. He stuffed the ticket stub back in and pulled out the won he needed. “Hi, yeah, sorry…Three waters, please.”

… … …

"Good game!" Jonghyun called out to Sungwoo and Minhyuk, their opponents. Minho waved to them before he slipped his tank top back on and followed Jonghyun back to where the others were lounging in the shade. "Well, that was certainly fun," Jonghyun said, grinning up at Minho.

Minho slung his arm over Jonghyun's shoulders, holding him close for a second before releasing him. "I definitely missed playing with you."

"Same." He looked back to where the others were -- Kibum sliding into his seat and looking across the sand at Minho, holding up one of the bottles. Minho quickened his pace slightly, and Jonghyun hurried to keep up with him. "It was fun to show off a little, too."

He glanced down at Jonghyun before looking back at Kibum. "Yeah, it was."

Once they were back with the others, Taemin crossed his legs beneath himself and Jonghyun sat in the space he cleared for him. Kibum tossed Minho the water bottle he was holding. He sank down, sitting on the end of Kibum's lounge chair, his gaze slipping over to Kibum as he took a drink.

"Oh, you guys are back!" Jinki said, putting down his book to grab one of the wedges of watermelon. Minho grabbed the fruit platter, setting it between him and Kibum so everyone could finish it off. There were only a couple pieces left, and when Jonghyun took the last of it, he picked up the platter to return it to the kiosk.

Minho stretched his arms over his head, glancing out over the beach. Another volleyball game had already started -- two couples, it looked like. Seagulls cawed overhead as they searched for any scraps of discarded food. The breeze was warm, blowing through his still-sweaty hair. He turned his head, focusing on the cerulean waves washing ashore and the people chasing after them as they returned to the ocean.

He started to smile when he turned around, his eyes falling on Kibum who cocked his head in silent question. “Those are nice sunglasses,” he said, hoping his smile didn’t give him away.

“...Thanks? I just got them a couple of weeks ago, actually. They’re real Ray-Bans.” Taemin ooo’ed, and Kibum’s smiled at him. Minho held out his hand for them, and Kibum slowly took them off, squinting at Minho as he handed them to him.

His vision darkened when he slipped them on, the glare from the sun immediately going away. “Oh, they’re nice…” he said, flashing Kibum a smile before he jumped to his feet and started to run.

“Hey!”

There was laughter in his voice, and Minho’s smile turned into a grin as he ran through the crowded beach and to the water. The sand grew wet beneath his feet, a cool relief from the warmth of the dry sand, and water splashed around his ankles as he ran into the sea. The water was lapping around his knees before he started to turn around, only to be surprised by a splash drenching him.

"Come on, give them back!" Kibum said with a laugh, kicking more water at him as he turned fully around.

Minho took another step back, his eyebrows raising. "Come get them, then," he taunted, chuckling when huffed. He stepped back again, and again until the ocean reached his mid-thigh. Kibum followed him, raising his chin when he stood before him. For a split second, Minho was worried that Kibum was pissed at him, but it was soon eradicated by the appearance of Kibum’s dimples as he tried not to smile.

He took the sunglasses off, squinting at the sunlight shimmering on the surface of the water, and slipped them gently back onto Kibum’s face. “Better?”

“Yup.” Kibum smiled then, and if he hadn’t been wearing sunglasses now, Minho would have had a warning from the twinkle in his eye. He pushed Minho into the water, his laughter becoming distorted and warbled as Minho submerged. Minho wiped his face clean once he resurfaced and ran after Kibum before he got too far away. “No no no -- “ he chanted as he ran away, and he let out a yelp when Minho grabbed him from behind, picking him up in his arms. “What are you doing?” he yelled when Minho started to twirl him, water splashing around them.

He meant to just toss him into the water, really, he did, but Kibum didn’t stop clinging to him, and Minho tumbled into the water with him. Minho pulled them out of the water almost immediately, Kibum sputtering a laugh as he took his hands off from around Minho’s neck. Before he could think better of it, Minho reached out, adjusting Kibum’s sunglasses so they sat straight on the bridge of his nose.

Sighing, he sat back, creating a little bit more distance between them. Neither stood, the small waves rolling past their chests. Kibum stared behind him with a smirk. Minho turned to find Jinki, Jonghyun, and Taemin splashing around in the water a little ways away. “We should all go skiing,” he eventually said, and Minho looked back at him.

“Right now?”

Kibum snorted. “Sometime after Christmas. Don’t you think it’d be fun?”

“Have you ever skied?”

“Just water skiing.” Minho frowned in question, and Kibum smacked his shoulder. “Remember, I told you about that! It was a thing my parents liked to do during the summer.”

“Right...I’ve never skied.”

“You’ll probably be a natural at it, don’t worry.”

The breeze picked up, Kibum’s wet hair blowing into his face and sticking to the lens of his sunglasses. He tried to shake it off, but it wouldn’t budge. So, Minho reached out and brushed it away, fixing his part while he was at it. He couldn’t tell if Kibum was watching him when he dropped his hand -- the lens was quite dark and he couldn’t see his eyes. Minho cleared his throat when Kibum’s lips parted and lowered his gaze to the water between them.

“We should probably head back to the room and shower before we go out tonight.”

Minho’s brow furrowed. “Go out?”

Kibum’s lips curled up in a smile, and his attention turned back to the others. “Yeah, to the bar. Jinki mentioned it when you guys were playing volleyball.”

“Yeah, okay.” Minho pushed himself up, water dripping off of his clothes as he reached out to help Kibum up. Their joined hands lingered a second longer necessary as they made their way out of the water.

… … …

Thunder rumbled overhead, the promise of rain perfuming the air as Kibum and the others hurried into the Bluebird. Minho closed the bright blue door behind them, and they ventured into the main room.

A haze enveloped the room, the scent of old cigarettes clinging to the rafters and the gaudy red chandeliers. Colored lights cut through the haze, shining on the dance floor and the karaoke stage. Tall tables and supporting poles were scattered about the room, patrons roaming between the dance floor, the karaoke stage, and the bar for more drinks. Jonghyun and Kibum both looked at the current singer, cringing at how off-key they were. Minho laughed and pulled them away and toward the bar.

They ordered their drinks, setting up at the counter when Jinki started asking the bartender questions about the whiskey he had ordered. As soon as the last note played, Jonghyun shot up from the bar, abandoning his drink, and hurried to take the mic.

Three drinks later, and Minho had grabbed Kibum's hand, leading him away from the bar. He let go of him and hooked his arm around one of the poles, twirling around a couple of times until Kibum laughed. Then he grinned, stepped away from it, and took Kibum’s hand, letting him take him to the nearest open spot on the dance floor.

Kibum tried not to read too much into it -- they were both a little tipsy and just having fun, after all. But, it was a little hard not to get his hopes up with the way Minho’s hands kept slipping around his waist and pulling him closer. He had always been a tad flirtatious, especially after a few drinks, but...Kibum lost his train of thought when he met Minho’s eyes.

The blue light they were bathed in shifted to purple as Minho’s gaze caressed him, and he opened his mouth, starting to say something, only to clear his throat and look away. A small smile toyed with the corner of his mouth and he nodded to the empty stage. “You wanna?”

Kibum followed him up on stage and scrolled through the song choices. “Oh, they have Boa!”

“Of course they do,” Minho said as he adjusted the mic stand.

“Do you know Dangerous?”

“Just the choreography.” Kibum frowned his way and Minho just laughed. “We got drunk one night and instead of studying you showed me a bunch of live stages and we learned it.” Kibum selected it with a chuckle, the loud techno music booming from the speakers as the song began.

He did his best to sing and do the choreography with Minho, who was giving it his absolute everything. But when Jonghyun ran up to the stage, holding his phone like he was recording them, he couldn’t help but break and laugh. Minho stepped in, singing along slightly off-beat until Kibum could sing again. When the last note played, Minho held up his hand for a high five.

He grinned, tapping the back of his hand against Minho’s palm before he put the mic back on the stand. Kibum braced himself on Minho’s shoulder as they took the steps back down to the dance floor, and he followed him back to the bar through the crowded bar getting separated when a group of guys stepped between them.

Kibum stumbled over someone’s discarded shoe, reaching out to a nearby table to brace himself but accidentally grabbing the arm of one of the nearby patrons. “Sorry,” he said, patting their arm before he let go and started to move away. Only, someone grabbed his arm and whipped him around.

The guy was a little taller than Kibum, and about the same size, bulk-wise. If it came to that, Kibum could probably hold his own against him, as much as he detested the thought. He shrugged the man’s hands off of his arms only for him to grab him again, squeezing a little tighter this time.

“Hey, it was an accident, I didn’t mean to grab you.”

“Me?” The guy shook Kibum. “You touched my fucking girlfriend!”

“And I said I’m sorry?” Kibum batted his hands away again, his brow furrowing. “Obviously, I didn’t mean anything by it, so if you could just fuck off now so we can all move on with our night, that’d be great.”

He grabbed the front of Kibum’s shirt, pulling him a little closer. “No one touches my girlfriend without my say so.”

“I think you mean without her ‘say so.’ It’s her body, dude, not yours.” He tried to push him away, but his fist tightened in Kibum’s shirt.

“Junho, just leave him be,” the guy’s girlfriend said, trying to step between them. “I’m fine, nothing happened.” Junho shoved her away, and she stumbled into the table, catching herself before she fell.

Oh, fuck, the guy was belligerently drunk. Kibum wrenched himself free of his hold and backed away, standing between him and his girlfriend. A pair of hands slipped around Kibum’s waist. He didn’t even have to look up to know that it was Minho turning and guiding him back to the bar. Junho staggered forward, yelling something that Kibum didn’t quite catch.

The crack then tinkling of glass was unmistakable, however, but Kibum didn’t feel the blow. Instead, Minho slumped against his back and Kibum turned, catching him before he fell to the floor. “Min?” His eyes opened slowly, and he stared at the floor beyond Kibum. “Minho?”

The bar bustled to life around them, but Kibum didn’t pay them any mind. He cupped Minho’s face in his free hand, looking into his eyes until Minho focused on him.

“Let’s get you out of here.”

… … …

All was quiet in the bathroom of the bar, except for the dripping of one of the sinks. Minho leaned against the wall and Kibum sat crouched before him, holding the bag of ice he got from the bartender where the bump on the back of his head was. Minho kept his eyes closed, the dim light of the bathroom still too bright for him right now, and focused on the steady, soothing strokes Kibum’s other hand made against his side.

“You’ve gotta keep talking to me, Min,” he said, his voice strained.

He had already thrown up. Twice. Kibum stayed beside him both times, rubbing his back and dabbing the sweat from his brow with a wet paper towel.

“Thanks, Bummie,” he whispered.

He scoffed. “What are you thanking me for? I’m the one who got you hurt…”

“For...making sure I’m okay.” He opened his eyes then, barely, and Kibum immediately met his gaze. “And don’t blame it on yourself. It’s not your fault. Better me than you.”

“Hey, no, that’s not true. You think I like seeing you like this?” Minho sniffed, the need to cry building up and making his headache worse. He closed his eyes again and Kibum sighed, his thumb brushing away the first of Minho's fallen tears. "How are you doing?"

Before he could answer, the bathroom door creaked open and Kibum retracted his hand as quiet footsteps approached. "You doing okay, Minho?" Taemin whispered -- Kibum must have told him to stay quiet.

"Yeah."

"The bartender made you another ice pack and found some tylenol."

"What about the guy?" Kibum asked.

"He got thrown out."

"Okay, thanks, Tae." The door opened and closed once more, and Kibum carded his fingers through Minho's hair, massaging the crown of his head lightly.

"Are you mad at me?" Minho asked with a heavy sigh.

"Of course not. Here." The pills rattled together as Kibum opened the bottle and he grabbed Minho's wrist, opening his palm. "Take these." Minho slightly opened his eyes again, sipping the offered water and taking the pills in his hand.

Kibum leaned forward, pressing Minho's head until his forehead rested on his shoulder. "Just a second," he said, his breath ghosting over the shell of Minho's ear. Something wet splatted off to his right, and the new ice pack was pressed against the back of his head. "Lean back now."

His thumb caressed Minho's cheekbone, and he opened his eyes. Kibum started to pull away but Minho grabbed his hand and rested their joined hands in his lap, lacing their fingers together. "This is probably a weird time to say this but, uh, I'm really glad we got to come here. To Jeju. Together. I’ve been, well, pretty lonely since we all left college, but..." Kibum squeezed his hand, and Minho looked up at him. "This trip has been nice."

"Except for this part," Kibum said with a soft laugh.

Minho smiled then huffed when the throbbing of his head increased for a second. "This part is still nice. Being with you is...is nice."

Kibum searched his expression, his eyes brightening slightly in the dim light. Then, he smirked, looking down at Minho's chest. "I don't think you realize what you're saying."

"Because of my head?" Kibum nodded, his gaze slipping back to meet Minho's. "You're right. Maybe that's why I'm finally saying it, but -- "

"Finally?"

Minho sighed and reached back to adjust his ice pack. "I've missed you. A lot. Ever since I dropped you off at the train station so you could go back to Daegu." A small smile bloomed on Kibum's face. "That's...that's when I knew. For sure."

"Knew what?"

Minho squinted at him then smiled when he saw Kibum’s smirk. “Do I really have to say it?”

He shrugged, squeezing Minho’s hand. “Not if you don’t want to.” Minho’s gaze dropped to Kibum’s lips, just for a second, and when he looked back up he found that Kibum was doing the same. His eyebrows raised in silent question when Kibum’s eyes met his once more. In answer, Kibum’s hands gently cupped Minho’s face, holding his head steady as he leaned in.

The kiss was softer than Minho had expected their first kiss to be.

Perhaps it was because of his probable concussion, but Kibum was being extraordinarily gentle with him. He wanted nothing but to melt into Kibum’s arms, to relish in this moment that he’d wished for. That he’d dreamed of for years. When Kibum started to pull away, Minho reached out with his free hand and grabbed his shirt, pulling him back. Kibum smiled against his lips, deepening this kiss as he leaned as much into Minho as their positions would allow.

He pulled back, leaving Minho a little breathless, but didn’t lean away. Their noses brushed together as Kibum rested his forehead against Minho’s, and there was a smile in his voice when he said, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

The door opened again, and Kibum scooted away from Minho and looked toward whoever it was while Minho adjusted his ice pack again.

"You doing alright?" Jinki asked, his voice echoing slightly.

"Yeah, I think the tylenol is starting to kick in."

"Good. Just say the word and I'll get you a taxi back to the hotel."

Kibum looked back at him with a small smile. "We'll be back in a minute," Minho said and Kibum turned back to Jinki, nodding.

"Okay." Jinki slipped out of the doorway, letting the door creak shut behind him.

… … …

"Are they doing okay?" Jonghyun asked Jinki as he returned to his place beside him at the bar.

Jinki smiled, swirling his beer around in his glass. "Yeah. I think I walked in mid-confession."

"Oh?" Jonghyun sat up, his attention snapping to Jinki. "Are you sure?"

"I mean, they looked like they were about to kiss…Or just kissed..." Jinki shrugged, then, with a bright smile, held out his hand to Jonghyun. Sighing, Jonghyun dug into his pocket for his wallet, fishing out ₩20,000 and passing it over to Jinki. "It's about time, don't you think?"

"Yeah," he said, glancing over to where Taemin was singing karaoke. "It is." He finished the rest of his beer, pushing away from the bar. "I'll be right back,"

If Kibum and Minho could finally admit their feelings for each other, then so could he…

Taemin smiled at him as he approached the stage, and Jonghyun returned it, stuffing his hands in his pockets while he waited for him to finish singing. When he did, Jonghyun held his hand out and Taemin readily took it, hopping off the stage.

"Hey."

"Hey...can we talk?"

… … …

“Woah…”

Kibum stopped, steading Minho when he swayed once he was standing. “You good?”

“Head rush. I’m fine.” He huffed a laugh. “God, I hate headaches.”

“We can leave as soon as you need to, okay?”

Minho started to nod, but instead said, “Okay.”

He guided him out the door and into the noisy bar, returning him to his spot on the bar. Minho’s hand settled on his thigh as Kibum ordered him a glass of water. Jinki turned to them and Kibum swiveled around on his stool, finding Jonghyun lead Taemin away from the dance floor and out the front door. “Oh, is it finally happening?”

Minho hummed in question and Jinki asked, “What?”

“Nothing.” He swiveled back to face Minho, finding him squinting in the light. “Here.” He took his sunglasses out of his pocket and gingerly put them on Minho. “Better?”

“Much.”

By the time Minho finished sipping his water, Jinki had gotten a taxi for them to head back to the hotel. Jonghyun and Taemin were waiting for them by the curb, both drenched from the drizzle. Both were grinning, though, despite their shivering. Kibum thought about asking them what happened, but the cab arrived. They filed inside and Jinki gave the driver the address and they were off.

Minho leaned his head against the window, wincing when there was a pothole. Kibum touched his arm and Minho looked over. He patted his shoulder and Minho slowly scooted over, resting his head on Kibum’s shoulder with a sigh.

Someone cleared their throat, and Kibum looked over to find Jonghyun watching them. He glanced at Minho then back to him, his eyebrows raising. Kibum nodded and Jonghyun grinned, then Kibum glanced pointedly at Taemin before looking back at Jonghyun. His grin turned to a shy smile, and Taemin leaned closer to him, distracting Jonghyun from his and Kibum’s silent conversation by whispering in his ear.

Kibum looked away, giving them a bit of privacy.

“You still doing okay?” he whispered when the lights from the hotel came into view.

“Yeah.”

“We’re almost there.”

The elevator ride seemed longer than normal, and Kibum helped Minho maintain his balance as they reached their floor. “So I texted Chinri,” Jinki said as they walked down the corridor. “And she said that it’s okay if you sleep with a concussion.”

“Okay,” Kibum answered for him. “Did she give any special instructions?”

“Maybe wake him up every few hours? Make sure he’s still doing okay.” He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the texts between him and his wife. “If you want to, Min, you can head home with me and she can check you out for free after her shift tomorrow.”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Let us know if you need anything, okay?” Jonghyun said once they stopped at their doors. Kibum nodded and unlocked the door, letting Minho go in first.

“Do you want the light on?” Kibum asked once the door closed behind him.

“Uh, I guess.” Kibum flicked it on as Minho walked into the bathroom, wetting his toothbrush.

He brushed his teeth and Kibum went to the main room to change into his sleeping clothes. He turned down Minho’s bed before he crawled into his own. As much as he would like to sleep in the same bed, he wasn’t quite sure if Mino was ready for that. All doubts, however, were eradicated when Minho came back into the main room, glanced at his bed, and walked over to Kibum’s with a question in his expression.

Kibum scooted over, trying very hard not to smile as Minho slipped beneath the covers with him. He curled into him, his arm draping over his stomach as he settled into bed. “Sleepy?”

“No.” He sighed, his breath tickling Kibum’s neck. “Okay, yeah...but I don’t want to sleep. I’d much rather talk with you.”

Kibum stroked Minho’s back, pulling him a little closer and kissing his forehead. “Go ahead and sleep. I’ll wake you in a few hours, and we can talk then, okay?” His eyes fluttered closed when Minho kissed his neck. He could feel his smug smile against his skin, and he shifted away so he could look him in the eye. Kibum brushed his hair off of his forehead, his hand cupping Minho’s cheek. “As much as I want to, you need your rest, right?”

“Yeah. It’s just…” Minho sighed sadly. “We’re going home tomorrow. And who knows how long it’ll be before we see each other again.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” He brushed his thumb over the scar on Minho’s cheekbone, his expression softening when Minho leaned into his touch. “We’ll figure something out, alright? Don’t worry.” Kibum closed the distance between them, guiding Minho into a tender kiss that led to another and another. They both sighed when Kibum pulled away, and he leaned over Minho to grab his phone from where it was charging on the nightstand. Quickly, he set a series of alarms and he placed his phone on his side of the bed.

He leaned back over him, flicking off the light and covering them in darkness. “Get some sleep, Min. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Minho wrapped his arm around him again and nuzzled into his neck. “I already can’t wait.”

...

Monday

7:48 // I already miss you how pathetic is that?

7:49 // I would say very but then I’d be calling myself pathetic so

7:49 // you miss yourself? Self-absorbed much? Just look in a fucking mirror and move on with your life

7:51 // ㅋㅋㅋ obviously I was talking about missing you ㅋㅋ

7:51 // oh I know...it’s just nice to hear is all :-)

7:53 // ㅋㅋ you’re cute

7:53 // I’m well aware but thank you for noticing

7:55 // hey I'm boarding now so I’ve gotta go 7:57 // are we still meeting in Daejoon on Friday?

7:57 // yup, I can’t wait

7:58 // me too <3

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