➝ a new pair of nikes.
pairing: jinki/kibum
rating: pg-13
word count: 5,618
summary: jinki is a detective and key is not quite what he seems.
notes: theme song: pink panther. this has been in the making for months. for my beloved mujyakina because this would not be done without her. it is her heartblood. ♥
mujyakina says:
SOBBING
CRYING
KZLDGLKS SOBBING
"It was a dark and stormy night. The streets were silent, with only the rain and smell of crime in the air for company."
"Jinki," Minho says, in his low and mysterious voice that just fits being Choi, Private Investigator.
"Yes," Jinki squeaks. He clears his throat. "Yes?"
"Stop narrating, please. It's not even raining."
Jinki sits back in his chair and looks out the window, blowing his cheeks out. He was just trying to create a mood, but Minho is right and the world is spiting him. There's nothing new there, and Jinki shoves his bangs out of his face before picking up his note pad, shuffling through the pages. He has detailed, if illegible, notes filling almost every page. His most recent fascination is the cat burglar who has a fondness for stealing jewelry and leaving only one thing behind -- a key. Jinki thinks it's all very Catwoman-like. A cat burglar who only steals gems and jewelry; it's definitely someone idolizing Catwoman.
There's been one robbery a week for the past two months, but Jinki can't find a pattern. Sometimes it's a small, family-run shop. Other times it's a high-end department store. The only thing Jinki can think of is that keys are made of metal, as is jewelry. The symbolism is thick in the air, and Jinki tries to stare out the window harder for effect.
"Jinki," Minho repeats and Jinki jumps, flinging his pen across the room. "You're narrating again." Minho pushes his files to the side and braces his elbows on the desk, leaning forward. Jinki does also and thinks it's rather like discussing a conspiracy. "Go get coffee."
Jinki deflates, pouting, and bows his head, bangs flopping into his eyes. He really thought there was going to be a shocking reveal of some new clue. His mood brightens considerably when Minho tells him to get some doughnuts as well, and he doesn't even mind stepping on his pen on the way out.
Jinki throws open the door to the diner and imagines a crack of thunder behind him. He settles for clearing his throat and stomps into the building like a man on a mission. His mission is a small step onto a bigger ladder, to get him from a small pond into a huge ocean of clues. His stomach growls and he admits to himself that while his mission is not as pressing as he would like, it is still essential to make all missions appear to be of great importance. It is vital to the craft of sleuthing to always convey a sense that one is very personally responsible for holding up the world. Or so Jinki had read in a self help book. He is still not so good at conveying importance and tended to drift into the "crazy homeless guy" field and did not, in fact, get any secrets.
"Maybe the doughnuts hold the secrets?" Jinki mutters to himself, tilting his head at the shelves of pastries.
The girl sitting near the door shifts away from him, chair scuffling along the floor. She glances at Jinki with the look he has grown accustomed to -- a slight amount of anxious panic, coupled with the urge to flee. He decides to tone down his intensity and shuffles his feet, inclining his head towards her. She looks away.
Jinki hears a laugh and he turns toward the sound, surprised. It's probably a mocking laugh, but Minho never laughs at his jokes, so Jinki will take what he can. A young man is leaning an arm on his table, hand curled under his chin, and he's smiling at Jinki. Jinki falters for a few seconds before giving a small smile back and nods his head. The man reaches his hand up, lazy, and Jinki can tell he's full of enough attitude for everyone in the restaurant. He beckons to Jinki and points at the chair in front of him.
Jinki debates about whether or not to sit down. He is a man with a mission. The kid at the table however, with his hair casually slung in one eye, arm lazily strewn across the back of the chair next to him, does not look like a man with a mission. He looks like a man entirely without any sort of plan whatsoever. Jinki finds it strangely alluring. His feet move without his permission toward the table and Jinki looks at them while they betray him. He tries to make himself walk to the counter and stumbles a little, but he's met with neither the sigh of exasperation Jinki often receives from Minho nor the man reaching a hand out to steady him as most everyone else does. It's different, and Jinki is pleased not to be patronized.
"I'm Jinki," Jinki says, stretching his hand out for a shake. His brow furrows slightly. He should have made up a fake name. "Jinki-ki." He clears his throat. "Jinki. Jinki is fine." He shuts himself up at the boy's raised eyebrow, feeling somewhat silly with his hand still outstretched. After a slight pause, the other shakes his hand.
"I'm Key," he says with a slight tilt of his chin and lets his hand drop.
"Nice to meet you," Jinki replies automatically and nods. "Wait, Key? Like, the metal thing used to unlock doors?" Jinki hardly waits for Key's nod and sits forward, eyes wide. "I'm working with keys for my job!"
Key sits back in his chair and raises an eyebrow. Really, he murmurs. Jinki nods emphatically and straightens up a little, puffing out his chest.
"I'm a detective," he informs Key, proudly, and then his shoulders sink a little. "Well, Minho is the detective. But I'm pretty good, I have lots of notes on this case with keys and--" Jinki cuts himself off. He shouldn't be discussing the details of a case with a civilian.
Key's smile widens, and he flicks his bangs out of his eyes. He looks like he knows something Jinki doesn't, but Jinki assumes he's probably just thinking that Jinki is a freak. Instead of asking Jinki to leave, though, Key reaches for Jinki's notepad.
"Tell me about it," Key says, and Jinki is so pleased that he does.
It's near eight at night when Minho turns the sign on the door to closed and shuts the blinds. Jinki is almost relieved. He's made no progress and it's as frustrating as the time he got his sleeve caught in the door after it locked. There haven't been any more burglaries in the better part of a week and a half, and Jinki stares at his notes rather angrily. Minho clears his throat and gives Jinki a look. It's very imposing. Possibly because Minho is very tall. Jinki straightens up a little in an attempt to be as dignified as Minho before gathering his things.
Jinki wanders down the stairs after Minho and stumbles into him when Minho stops. He peers around Minho and makes out someone sitting on the steps. He raises his notebook as a makeshift weapon and Minho reaches up, pushing it down.
"It's a robbery!" Jinki doesn't quite shriek, which earns a laugh from the figure. They move out of the shadows and Jinki tilts his head. "Oh. I guess not."
Key smiles at him before bowing to Minho and taking hold of Jinki's wrist, tugging him out from behind Minho. The movement jolts Minho and he frowns, placing a hand on Jinki's shoulder.
"Who is this?" He asks and Key interrupts before Jinki can introduce him. Key avoids the question with a smile, but Jinki notices him stiffen. Jinki shrugs it off and assumes Key is either intimidated, though he doubts it, or impatient, which is more likely.
"Come with me," Key demands and starts off the street. Jinki looks back at Minho, waves and sees Minho with his patented suspicious expression on his face. He decides Minho is suspicious of everything, especially after Jinki had managed to put salt in Minho's coffee, and allows himself to be pulled along, Key's warm fingers on his wrist much more pleasant than whatever Minho is suspicious of.
Key guides him to a nearby park and Jinki starts off for the swings, but Key's hand on his wrist keeps tight and Jinki shifts off-balance. He follows after Key to a picnic table and Key pushes Jinki onto the bench before tugging a large basket out from under the table. Key opens it with a flourish, waving the cloth a little before throwing it at Jinki.
"What's all this?" Jinki asks, putting the cloth to the side and peering into the basket. Key shifts a little and rubs at the back of his neck, shrugging and dropping onto the seat opposite Jinki. He folds his hands on the table and clears his throat, tossing the hair out of his eyes.
"Dinner," he says. "There was extra after I made it for Taemin and I thought -- listen, just eat." Key is looking very intently at the basket and Jinki reaches in, taking out a triangle of kimbap. It's wrapped with a ribbon and Jinki unties it, keeping it in his fingers as he takes a bite.
"It's really good," Jinki says, taking another bite and reaching for a second. Key is still looking at the basket and Jinki nudges at Key's shoe with his own. Jinki grins at him when Key looks up and nods his enthusiasm. "Really, it's delicious. Thank you."
"I didn't even do it for you," Key mumbles, kicking Jinki's shoe back, but he smiles anyway.
It's a quarter past seven on Tuesday night. The waitress refills Jinki's coffee mug with a sympathetic smile and Jinki realizes he's pouting. He sits up and cups the mug in his hands, avoiding looking at the clock again. Key gets off at seven Tuesday nights, and they always get dinner after. Jinki isn't sure when it became habit. It was one of those things that just happened, like a lot of things with Key.
"He's off when Jonghyun gets here," the waitress says and Jinki looks up at her. He opens his mouth to say something and she just talks over him, waving her hand. Jinki thinks maybe she's been working with Key too much. "He's going to yell at Jonghyun so loud that people in Jeju will probably hear him."
"Oh, well," Jinki begins and cuts himself off. He scrunches up his nose and tries not to imagine Key's temper. "I should just go."
The waitress looks at Jinki with raised eyebrows and an expression Jinki can't quite place. He shifts in his seat and flexes his fingers around the mug and pushes down the feeling that he's missing something, that something is going over his head once again. Her lips turn into a smile and she shakes her head, puts the lid back on the coffee pot.
"Stick around. Kibum's always happy to see you," she says and walks away with a tilt of her head before Jinki can say anything.
Jinki turns at the sound of the door slamming and Jonghyun races by. Key comes out to meet him halfway, scowling, and he grabs Jonghyun's elbow. They start bickering, with Key adding a few punches and Jonghyun getting in his say by shoving. Jinki pretends to look disinterested but leans over slightly, trying to catch their conversation. His elbow slips off of the table and Jinki busies himself with the napkins, but the pair aren't paying attention to him.
"Could you be any later?" Key snaps, jabbing his fingers into Jonghyun's chest.
"God, relax, your boyfriend can wait a few minutes," Jonghyun replies, and Jinki diverts his eyes to his hands. He hadn't missed the glance Key shot his way or the slight reddening of Key's cheeks, and Jinki feels his own face heat up. He shifts in his seat and fiddles with a napkin. Key doesn't so much slide into the booth as flop. There are a few moments of silence and Jinki tries to block out the gossiping he hears coming from Jonghyun and the waitress.
"Slow night, isn't it," Jinki says, more to break the silence than anything. Key just mumbles out a sound of agreement, looking everywhere but Jinki, and it falls quiet. Jinki clears his throat. "Um. I don't mind. You know. That Jonghyun -- I don't mind." Key rearranges the salt and pepper shakers until Jinki reaches out and takes one of his hands. "Let's go," Jinki says and ignores the grin Jonghyun throws at them on their way out.
Jinki isn't sure where he's pulling Key, but Key doesn't seem to be resisting much. They usually stay at the restaurant, but it had felt stuffy and awkward with the waitress's smile and Jonghyun sticking his tongue out at Key. Key's fingers tighten around Jinki's and Jinki tugs them down one street and takes a turn on another. They're a block away from Jinki's apartment when he realizes it and he heads there like it was where he intended all along.
"I have bread," Jinki informs Key, letting them into the building. "And I make good sandwiches. And there's ice cream. So."
Halfway through the sandwiches, Key begins to relax and when he's almost finished with his ice cream, he's acting like himself again. Jinki tells himself that it was no big deal, nothing happened, and he drops onto the couch, sinking into the cushions. Key sits beside him and continues telling Jinki how irritating Jonghyun can be, always late and singing obnoxious songs when Key is trying to concentrate, and Jinki blinks down at him when he drops onto Jinki's lap.
"Play with my hair," Key whines, when Jinki doesn't immediately thread his fingers into Key's hair like he usually does. There is something different about it now, with the color Key’s face had flushed in the diner, and the waitress's words come back to Jinki and he thinks he gets it now. Or at least he gets why he waits every night, even when Jonghyun is late. Jinki's fingers are idly sifting through Key's hair and he's making the appropriate mmhmm and he didn't! every so often to placate Key, but he's not really paying attention.
"Are you listening to me?" Key demands, sitting up and elbowing Jinki in the ribs.
"I -- well -- you see --" Jinki stammers and Key huffs, pushing Jinki away from him and crossing his arms. He puffs out his cheeks and Jinki reaches for him, fisting Key's shirt in his hand. Key smacks at his hand and tells Jinki he's going to wrinkle the fabric, voice on the edge of whining instead of irritated. Jinki takes a breath and pushes forward, catching Key's lips while he's still speaking. Their teeth knock and Jinki pulls away, flushing slightly.
"Sorry," he mumbles. Key punches his shoulder, tells him to shut up and tugs him back in response. And kisses him again and again and again, until Jinki can't breathe and his senses are on overload. Key wraps his arms around Jinki, pressing up against him and filling him in spaces Jinki didn't know were empty. It's overwhelming and Jinki clutches at Key's shoulders and breathes him in. Key pulls away enough to mumble something that sound suspiciously like god, Jinki, you're such a moron and Jinki nods absently, replies please don't punch me again and kisses Key like it's the very air he's dependent upon.
Jinki wakes when someone slides into bed next to him and he tries to mumble out threats against the intruder, even as cold fingers are pressing against his lips. He tries to make sense of what's going on as he's shoved aside and it doesn't quite work. An elbow jabs into his ribs and Jinki gets it then, scoots over and surrenders some of the blanket. Key turns onto his stomach and takes up at least half of Jinki's bed in the process. Jinki sits up on his arm and tries to make out the shape of Key's figure in the darkness. Key resists and groans into the pillow when Jinki nudges him.
"Hey," Jinki says, pressing at Key's shoulder again. "What's wrong?" Key mumbles noncommittally and Jinki tries again. "Key, seriously, what's wrong?"
"Work," Key says after a long pause.
"You weren't on today," Jinki points out and his hand drops to the small of Key's back, rubbing circles absently and receiving only silence from Key in response. Key finally shakes his head and tugs the blanket over them with a small "forget it". Jinki lets it drop and flops back down, tucking his other arm under his head. "How did you even get in here?"
"You left the door unlocked again," Key says, almost before the question is finished, and it throws Jinki off for a moment. Jinki bites down on the inside of his lip and nods -- he's done that a couple of times, and it's happened each Key comes over unannounced. Jinki opens his mouth to speak, but Key burrows further into the blanket and Jinki gives up. He stays awake until Key's breathing evens out, and goes back to sleep still confused.
"I'm dating a criminal!" Jinki wails, voice muffled by the restaurant table his face is currently intimate with. He receives no answer and looks up and Minho is reading his newspaper, ignoring him. Jinki stares at Minho in determination, willing him to pay attention. It doesn't work. "Minho!"
Minho finishes the page and folds the paper up, placing it on the table next to his coffee. He looks at Jinki expectantly and Jinki sits up, drawing himself to his full height, which is still not as imposing as Minho's. There is a battle of wills, and Jinki comes out on top. He feels triumphant. Minho sighs.
"What did he do?"
Jinki ignores how the tone of Minho's voice clearly says he's just amusing Jinki and clears his throat for effect. Minho just stares at him.
"He stole my sandwich this morning!" Jinki says. Minho looks unimpressed. "It had the crusts cut off. I was going to eat it for lunch. And he was taking grapes at the supermarket and testing them, isn't that stealing?" Jinki slams his hand on the table. "I demand justice!" Minho ignores Jinki and goes back to skimming his paper.
"Justice for what?"
Jinki whirls around at the sound of Key's voice and points his finger in accusation. Taemin is standing next to Key, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, and Key is just smiling at Jinki. Jinki pauses and grins back, then remembers why he's jabbing at Key.
"You! Are you a criminal? Confirm or deny!"
Taemin's arms drop and his mouth falls open. He looks back and forth between Jinki and Minho before settling his eyes on Key, lips pursed and expression dark. Jinki feels pleased at Taemin's support. Nodding, Jinki lowers his arm and glances at Minho.
"I told you," he says, but all Minho does is turn the page in his newspaper and stir his coffee. Jinki turns back to Key, narrowing his eyes. Key is standing still, looking at Jinki, face blank. He's never looked at Jinki like he is now and Jinki shifts, the icy mood of the room hitting him. He offers Key a grin, trying to diffuse the situation. "You owe me a sandwich."
Taemin's arms drop and the anger fades from his face. Jinki ignores the rolling of Taemin's eyes and the words muttered, the way Key's shoulders sink as he relaxes and a smile spreads over his face again.
"Sure, Jinki, but I'm not cutting off the crusts," Key says and turns, heading towards the kitchen. Taemin follows after him and leans over Key's shoulder the entire way, whispering in rushed tones. Jinki sits back in his chair and looks at his hands before snatching the newspaper from Minho, laughing at Minho's sigh.
The door is ajar and Jinki bounds up to it, starting to push it open. He pauses at the sound of voices and after a small internal debate, listens in. He reasons with himself that the door is open anyway, and they may have been talking about something as harmless as ice cream. Jinki does need a new flavor anyway -- double mousse chocolate with marshmallows and sprinkles can only last him so long.
"What are you doing?" Jinki hears, and he frowns. It sounds like Taemin, and his voice is angry. The tone is unusual from Taemin, low and almost threatening. Jinki shrinks back a little.
"I don't know what you're talking about," and it's Key this time, airy and dismissive. Jinki frowns. Something is wrong, and he feels like he's intruding. He steps away, turning from the door, and stops short at Taemin's next words.
"He's a detective! What are you thinking?" There's a scoff, and Taemin ignores it. "This isn't a game. Is that why you're doing this, to see if you can get away with it?"
"No," Key snaps out, sounding angrier than Taemin. It unnerves Jinki slightly. The silence following Key's outburst is long and tense and when Taemin speaks, it's in disbelief.
"You can't be serious."
"He's not going to find out."
"How can he not find out you're his case, he's not that--"
Jinki doesn't wait to hear the rest and trips over himself in his rush to get away from the door.
Jinki freezes as he walks up to his door and he begins to back away. Key is standing at the door, pressing the bell repeatedly. He hits it in frustration and turns, spotting Jinki. They stand there for a few moments and Key smiles, a little awkwardly. Jinki takes a deep breath and steps forward, under the street lamp, and Key goes out to meet him. The silence is heavy, but Jinki doesn't break it, and then Key is speaking, words rushing out.
"You weren't there last night and I went by the office but Minho said you were out, and you weren't at that playground you like either, so I came here, and I just--" Key cuts himself off, exhaling sharply. "What happened?"
Jinki looks up and stares at Key, at the worry on his face, teeth catching on his lip, and momentarily loses all sense of who he is. He thinks maybe they could just run and hide, go to another city and damn everyone else. But that wouldn't change that Key is Key, the one he's been looking for. Key must have known that, Jinki realizes with a start, and looks down at the ground. He takes a steadying breath and Key reaches out to him. Jinki pulls away harder than he means to, so hard that Key jerks back in surprise.
"Key." Jinki can't look at Key. He can't even think and he closes his hand tightly around his house keys. "We need to talk."
"No, Jinki, just listen to me for a second," Key says and he sounds nervous. "You weren't there and I wanted to tell you -- look, Jinki, I love you." Key pauses and inhales like he's bracing himself to say more, and Jinki's heart soars and sinks in the same beat.
"I heard you," Jinki says, harsher than he intended. "With Taemin. I heard." Neither of them speak and Jinki doesn't look up. He rubs his fingers over his keys and finds himself torn between wanting to walk away or to press kisses to Key's cheeks, tell him it's okay. He does neither.
Key says Jinki's name and his voice is sad, cutting into Jinki. He reaches a hand out and Jinki falls into Key because he can't help it, can't help the way his breath catches when Key puts his hand on Jinki's cheek and kisses him. Jinki kisses back, briefly, before stopping himself and putting his hands on Key's shoulders. He looks at Key then and almost wants to take it all back, but he shakes his head.
"Key." Jinki has to force his voice to remain steady and he isn't quite sure it works. "I want to -- I want -- Key, I can't."
"Jinki, please." Key doesn't look away and his words are tight in his throat, breath skating across Jinki's face.
"Key, I can't. You're a thief, "Jinki says and the word is harsh. Key shrinks into himself and it's like Key gets so small, almost fragile, that Jinki's breath catches.
"Jinki." Key is barely speaking. "I don't do it anymore." Jinki makes himself step back, hands dropping from Key's shoulders. Key is looking at him, breathing shakily, face so sad it almost breaks Jinki's resolve. "I don't," Key mouths and bites down hard on his lip, moving past Jinki and it's all Jinki can do to stop himself from reaching out.
Jinki watches as Key walks away, his shoulders hitching underneath the coat that Jinki just now realizes is his. He looks away and tries to unlock the door, but only gets so far as turning the key before he drops down on the steps and presses his palms into his eyes. Jinki doesn't know if it hurts because he feels as if everything is a lie or if it's because he loves Key and is grasping at straws, trying to push down everything else just so he can press his face into Key's neck and thumb his cheeks when he laughs. He rubs his hands over his face and tells himself that his eyes don't sting, that he's not unsure of himself, but it's just another lie.
Jinki doesn't go to work the next day. He keeps the blinds closed and ignores the ring of the phone. The coffee table is cluttered with candy wrappers, a carton of ice cream and his container of fried chicken from the previous night. He is, for all intents and purposes, sulking. The notebook detailing Key's case is on the other side of the couch, open to a page somewhere in the middle. Jinki stares at the notebook and wonders how he didn't piece it together. Maybe he just ignored it. Everything had clicked into place: the late nights, Taemin's particularly venomous glares, Key letting himself into Jinki's apartment. Jinki sinks down into the couch and tugs a throw pillow to his chest, continuing to stare at his notebook. He kicks it off of the couch and buries his face in the pillow, resisting the urge to flail around. After approximately ten seconds, the urge gets the better of him and he kicks his feet much like a pre-schooler.
Going limp, Jinki tosses the pillow aside and directs his stare to the ceiling. He wonders if he's more disappointed in himself for being stupid enough not to see it, or if he's angry at Key for lying. He decides it's the former and pushes himself off of the couch, gets dressed, goes to work and pretends it doesn't hurt.
Jinki stuffs the file into its place with more force than necessary. Minho looks up and Jinki ignores him, continues shoving papers in the cabinet alphabetically. He finishes organizing the pomeranian ransom case and skips over the section marked with a 'K'. The filing cabinet slams shut with a satisfying and loud bang, and Jinki sits at his desk, leafing through his notebook. He flips through his old notes, folds the notebook open to a new page and begins a list of things to do. At the top of the list is to organize his pens by color, followed by rearranging his desk and re-alphabetizing Minho's books. Nodding to himself, Jinki puts a small check on the first task and begins to place them in piles of blue, red and the stray black and orange. Halfway through, Minho clears his throat and puts his newspaper to the side.
"Jinki. You should take the day off," Minho says and Jinki waves his hand, shaking his head. His organizational skills are being honed. It takes precedence. "That wasn't a suggestion."
Five minutes later, Minho all but shoves Jinki out of the office and locks the door behind him, ignoring Jinki's protests. Jinki stares at the door, feeling betrayed, and scuffs his shoe on the steps, unsure of what to do. Last week, he would have headed to the restaurant or the playground, but things are different now. He stands there for a few moments before heading to his apartment, purposely taking the long way around, avoiding any streets that lead up to the restaurant. Jinki closes the door behind him and turns to find Taemin sitting on his couch and all but shrieks, dropping his keys.
"You left the door unlocked," Taemin says flatly, even though Jinki didn't, and Taemin gives him a look that holds no room for argument. Jinki opens his mouth to speak and Taemin interrupts him with a glare, snapping out a "no". There's silence, more awkward on Jinki's part and kind of murderous on Taemin's, and Jinki tucks his hands into his pockets, keeping his mouth shut.
"You're an idiot," Taemin informs him, and it's more stating a fact than anything. "No, seriously, shut up and listen to me. Key is miserable, so he's taking it out on Jonghyun and Jonghyun is taking it out on me, and it's all your fault." Jinki attempts to take a few steps back and ends up stumbling. Taemin gives him a look of disgust and Jinki shrinks in on himself a little. "I don't know what he sees in you, but you better fix it."
Taemin pushes himself up from the couch and stops in front of Jinki, arms crossed. "The last one was three months ago and he returned everything. Stop being a moron." Taemin leaves, muttering I really liked that watch, and Jinki stands in the middle of his apartment.
"Um," Jinki says, and sits down.
It's late a few nights later, and Jinki finds himself walking to the restaurant. He's been thinking about Taemin's scolding and it makes his stomach twist into knots. Maybe Jinki is too gullible, or just hopes Key really has changed. He remembers Key saying he'd stopped, but Jinki wasn't sure if he believed him. Taemin's confirmation sends a small shock of hope through Jinki and he tries to push it down. There hasn't been anything in the papers about robberies in months either, and Jinki bites down on his lip before opening the door to the restaurant. He hovers in the doorway for a couple moments before taking his usual table and grabs a napkin, tearing it into pieces to calm his nerves. Jinki feels jittery and he looks around, folding his hands together.
Jonghyun is at the counter and he catches sight of Jinki, pauses, and looks at him with some sort of confused glare. Jinki shifts in his chair and offers a smile and it feels more like a grimace. Raising his eyebrows, Jonghyun shrugs and refills a customer's coffee when he looks over and tilts his head at Jinki's table. Jinki follows Jonghyun's line of sight and Key is staring back at him, surprise on his face. Jinki's heart jumps and lodges itself somewhere in his throat. Key looks sad and worn down, and Jinki momentarily feels overcome with guilt.
Key makes his way to the table and pulls out his pad and a pen, avoiding looking at Jinki. He shifts a little and asks for Jinki's order, looking about as awkward as Jinki feels.
"Key," Jinki begins, but Key interrupts him.
"I'll get your usual," Key mumbles and turns to go. He makes it a few steps before Jinki reaches out and grabs his wrist, holding on tight.
"Kibum."
They both fall silent and Jinki tries to ignore Jonghyun watching without even trying to hide it, the waitress's knowing smile.
"I get off at ten," Key says and Jinki lets go. He nods, sits back in his chair and waits.
Key is sitting across from him, shoulders slouched and face tired, and Jinki has to suppress wanting to tuck Key's hair behind his ear, like he always does. Key doesn't speak and Jinki clears his throat, thankful that the waitress had dragged Jonghyun into the kitchen and away from staring at them. He's not sure where to start, so he reaches for another napkin and twists it between his fingers, a small distraction in what is possibly the most awkward situation Jinki has yet experienced.
"Did you really stop?" Jinki asks, and Key looks up at him, exasperation on his face, a look Jinki is more than used to. Jinki resists smiling and tries not to get his hopes up.
"Taemin's right," Key says, staring at Jinki. "You really are a moron." Key continues talking through Jinki's protest and takes the napkin out of Jinki's grip, batting his hands away. "That night I went over. It was the last one."
Jinki blinks, does the math in his head. "That was months ago. And you -- everything's back?"
"Yes," Key says, sounding defensive. "Minho's known since January."
Jinki freezes and looks at Key in horror. "It was my case! How could he -- without telling me -- this is so --"
"Was?" Key asks, and Jinki doesn't miss the corners of Key's mouth curving up. Jinki tries to stutter out an explanation and Key reaches over, kisses Jinki across the table.
"I guess being a thief is okay," Jinki says, and Key gives him a look like he's grown two heads. Jinki grins at him. "You stole my heart."
"Oh my god, shut up," Key says, looking disgusted. Jinki kisses him and does.
rating: pg-13
word count: 5,618
summary: jinki is a detective and key is not quite what he seems.
notes: theme song: pink panther. this has been in the making for months. for my beloved mujyakina because this would not be done without her. it is her heartblood. ♥
mujyakina says:
SOBBING
CRYING
KZLDGLKS SOBBING
"It was a dark and stormy night. The streets were silent, with only the rain and smell of crime in the air for company."
"Jinki," Minho says, in his low and mysterious voice that just fits being Choi, Private Investigator.
"Yes," Jinki squeaks. He clears his throat. "Yes?"
"Stop narrating, please. It's not even raining."
Jinki sits back in his chair and looks out the window, blowing his cheeks out. He was just trying to create a mood, but Minho is right and the world is spiting him. There's nothing new there, and Jinki shoves his bangs out of his face before picking up his note pad, shuffling through the pages. He has detailed, if illegible, notes filling almost every page. His most recent fascination is the cat burglar who has a fondness for stealing jewelry and leaving only one thing behind -- a key. Jinki thinks it's all very Catwoman-like. A cat burglar who only steals gems and jewelry; it's definitely someone idolizing Catwoman.
There's been one robbery a week for the past two months, but Jinki can't find a pattern. Sometimes it's a small, family-run shop. Other times it's a high-end department store. The only thing Jinki can think of is that keys are made of metal, as is jewelry. The symbolism is thick in the air, and Jinki tries to stare out the window harder for effect.
"Jinki," Minho repeats and Jinki jumps, flinging his pen across the room. "You're narrating again." Minho pushes his files to the side and braces his elbows on the desk, leaning forward. Jinki does also and thinks it's rather like discussing a conspiracy. "Go get coffee."
Jinki deflates, pouting, and bows his head, bangs flopping into his eyes. He really thought there was going to be a shocking reveal of some new clue. His mood brightens considerably when Minho tells him to get some doughnuts as well, and he doesn't even mind stepping on his pen on the way out.
Jinki throws open the door to the diner and imagines a crack of thunder behind him. He settles for clearing his throat and stomps into the building like a man on a mission. His mission is a small step onto a bigger ladder, to get him from a small pond into a huge ocean of clues. His stomach growls and he admits to himself that while his mission is not as pressing as he would like, it is still essential to make all missions appear to be of great importance. It is vital to the craft of sleuthing to always convey a sense that one is very personally responsible for holding up the world. Or so Jinki had read in a self help book. He is still not so good at conveying importance and tended to drift into the "crazy homeless guy" field and did not, in fact, get any secrets.
"Maybe the doughnuts hold the secrets?" Jinki mutters to himself, tilting his head at the shelves of pastries.
The girl sitting near the door shifts away from him, chair scuffling along the floor. She glances at Jinki with the look he has grown accustomed to -- a slight amount of anxious panic, coupled with the urge to flee. He decides to tone down his intensity and shuffles his feet, inclining his head towards her. She looks away.
Jinki hears a laugh and he turns toward the sound, surprised. It's probably a mocking laugh, but Minho never laughs at his jokes, so Jinki will take what he can. A young man is leaning an arm on his table, hand curled under his chin, and he's smiling at Jinki. Jinki falters for a few seconds before giving a small smile back and nods his head. The man reaches his hand up, lazy, and Jinki can tell he's full of enough attitude for everyone in the restaurant. He beckons to Jinki and points at the chair in front of him.
Jinki debates about whether or not to sit down. He is a man with a mission. The kid at the table however, with his hair casually slung in one eye, arm lazily strewn across the back of the chair next to him, does not look like a man with a mission. He looks like a man entirely without any sort of plan whatsoever. Jinki finds it strangely alluring. His feet move without his permission toward the table and Jinki looks at them while they betray him. He tries to make himself walk to the counter and stumbles a little, but he's met with neither the sigh of exasperation Jinki often receives from Minho nor the man reaching a hand out to steady him as most everyone else does. It's different, and Jinki is pleased not to be patronized.
"I'm Jinki," Jinki says, stretching his hand out for a shake. His brow furrows slightly. He should have made up a fake name. "Jinki-ki." He clears his throat. "Jinki. Jinki is fine." He shuts himself up at the boy's raised eyebrow, feeling somewhat silly with his hand still outstretched. After a slight pause, the other shakes his hand.
"I'm Key," he says with a slight tilt of his chin and lets his hand drop.
"Nice to meet you," Jinki replies automatically and nods. "Wait, Key? Like, the metal thing used to unlock doors?" Jinki hardly waits for Key's nod and sits forward, eyes wide. "I'm working with keys for my job!"
Key sits back in his chair and raises an eyebrow. Really, he murmurs. Jinki nods emphatically and straightens up a little, puffing out his chest.
"I'm a detective," he informs Key, proudly, and then his shoulders sink a little. "Well, Minho is the detective. But I'm pretty good, I have lots of notes on this case with keys and--" Jinki cuts himself off. He shouldn't be discussing the details of a case with a civilian.
Key's smile widens, and he flicks his bangs out of his eyes. He looks like he knows something Jinki doesn't, but Jinki assumes he's probably just thinking that Jinki is a freak. Instead of asking Jinki to leave, though, Key reaches for Jinki's notepad.
"Tell me about it," Key says, and Jinki is so pleased that he does.
It's near eight at night when Minho turns the sign on the door to closed and shuts the blinds. Jinki is almost relieved. He's made no progress and it's as frustrating as the time he got his sleeve caught in the door after it locked. There haven't been any more burglaries in the better part of a week and a half, and Jinki stares at his notes rather angrily. Minho clears his throat and gives Jinki a look. It's very imposing. Possibly because Minho is very tall. Jinki straightens up a little in an attempt to be as dignified as Minho before gathering his things.
Jinki wanders down the stairs after Minho and stumbles into him when Minho stops. He peers around Minho and makes out someone sitting on the steps. He raises his notebook as a makeshift weapon and Minho reaches up, pushing it down.
"It's a robbery!" Jinki doesn't quite shriek, which earns a laugh from the figure. They move out of the shadows and Jinki tilts his head. "Oh. I guess not."
Key smiles at him before bowing to Minho and taking hold of Jinki's wrist, tugging him out from behind Minho. The movement jolts Minho and he frowns, placing a hand on Jinki's shoulder.
"Who is this?" He asks and Key interrupts before Jinki can introduce him. Key avoids the question with a smile, but Jinki notices him stiffen. Jinki shrugs it off and assumes Key is either intimidated, though he doubts it, or impatient, which is more likely.
"Come with me," Key demands and starts off the street. Jinki looks back at Minho, waves and sees Minho with his patented suspicious expression on his face. He decides Minho is suspicious of everything, especially after Jinki had managed to put salt in Minho's coffee, and allows himself to be pulled along, Key's warm fingers on his wrist much more pleasant than whatever Minho is suspicious of.
Key guides him to a nearby park and Jinki starts off for the swings, but Key's hand on his wrist keeps tight and Jinki shifts off-balance. He follows after Key to a picnic table and Key pushes Jinki onto the bench before tugging a large basket out from under the table. Key opens it with a flourish, waving the cloth a little before throwing it at Jinki.
"What's all this?" Jinki asks, putting the cloth to the side and peering into the basket. Key shifts a little and rubs at the back of his neck, shrugging and dropping onto the seat opposite Jinki. He folds his hands on the table and clears his throat, tossing the hair out of his eyes.
"Dinner," he says. "There was extra after I made it for Taemin and I thought -- listen, just eat." Key is looking very intently at the basket and Jinki reaches in, taking out a triangle of kimbap. It's wrapped with a ribbon and Jinki unties it, keeping it in his fingers as he takes a bite.
"It's really good," Jinki says, taking another bite and reaching for a second. Key is still looking at the basket and Jinki nudges at Key's shoe with his own. Jinki grins at him when Key looks up and nods his enthusiasm. "Really, it's delicious. Thank you."
"I didn't even do it for you," Key mumbles, kicking Jinki's shoe back, but he smiles anyway.
It's a quarter past seven on Tuesday night. The waitress refills Jinki's coffee mug with a sympathetic smile and Jinki realizes he's pouting. He sits up and cups the mug in his hands, avoiding looking at the clock again. Key gets off at seven Tuesday nights, and they always get dinner after. Jinki isn't sure when it became habit. It was one of those things that just happened, like a lot of things with Key.
"He's off when Jonghyun gets here," the waitress says and Jinki looks up at her. He opens his mouth to say something and she just talks over him, waving her hand. Jinki thinks maybe she's been working with Key too much. "He's going to yell at Jonghyun so loud that people in Jeju will probably hear him."
"Oh, well," Jinki begins and cuts himself off. He scrunches up his nose and tries not to imagine Key's temper. "I should just go."
The waitress looks at Jinki with raised eyebrows and an expression Jinki can't quite place. He shifts in his seat and flexes his fingers around the mug and pushes down the feeling that he's missing something, that something is going over his head once again. Her lips turn into a smile and she shakes her head, puts the lid back on the coffee pot.
"Stick around. Kibum's always happy to see you," she says and walks away with a tilt of her head before Jinki can say anything.
Jinki turns at the sound of the door slamming and Jonghyun races by. Key comes out to meet him halfway, scowling, and he grabs Jonghyun's elbow. They start bickering, with Key adding a few punches and Jonghyun getting in his say by shoving. Jinki pretends to look disinterested but leans over slightly, trying to catch their conversation. His elbow slips off of the table and Jinki busies himself with the napkins, but the pair aren't paying attention to him.
"Could you be any later?" Key snaps, jabbing his fingers into Jonghyun's chest.
"God, relax, your boyfriend can wait a few minutes," Jonghyun replies, and Jinki diverts his eyes to his hands. He hadn't missed the glance Key shot his way or the slight reddening of Key's cheeks, and Jinki feels his own face heat up. He shifts in his seat and fiddles with a napkin. Key doesn't so much slide into the booth as flop. There are a few moments of silence and Jinki tries to block out the gossiping he hears coming from Jonghyun and the waitress.
"Slow night, isn't it," Jinki says, more to break the silence than anything. Key just mumbles out a sound of agreement, looking everywhere but Jinki, and it falls quiet. Jinki clears his throat. "Um. I don't mind. You know. That Jonghyun -- I don't mind." Key rearranges the salt and pepper shakers until Jinki reaches out and takes one of his hands. "Let's go," Jinki says and ignores the grin Jonghyun throws at them on their way out.
Jinki isn't sure where he's pulling Key, but Key doesn't seem to be resisting much. They usually stay at the restaurant, but it had felt stuffy and awkward with the waitress's smile and Jonghyun sticking his tongue out at Key. Key's fingers tighten around Jinki's and Jinki tugs them down one street and takes a turn on another. They're a block away from Jinki's apartment when he realizes it and he heads there like it was where he intended all along.
"I have bread," Jinki informs Key, letting them into the building. "And I make good sandwiches. And there's ice cream. So."
Halfway through the sandwiches, Key begins to relax and when he's almost finished with his ice cream, he's acting like himself again. Jinki tells himself that it was no big deal, nothing happened, and he drops onto the couch, sinking into the cushions. Key sits beside him and continues telling Jinki how irritating Jonghyun can be, always late and singing obnoxious songs when Key is trying to concentrate, and Jinki blinks down at him when he drops onto Jinki's lap.
"Play with my hair," Key whines, when Jinki doesn't immediately thread his fingers into Key's hair like he usually does. There is something different about it now, with the color Key’s face had flushed in the diner, and the waitress's words come back to Jinki and he thinks he gets it now. Or at least he gets why he waits every night, even when Jonghyun is late. Jinki's fingers are idly sifting through Key's hair and he's making the appropriate mmhmm and he didn't! every so often to placate Key, but he's not really paying attention.
"Are you listening to me?" Key demands, sitting up and elbowing Jinki in the ribs.
"I -- well -- you see --" Jinki stammers and Key huffs, pushing Jinki away from him and crossing his arms. He puffs out his cheeks and Jinki reaches for him, fisting Key's shirt in his hand. Key smacks at his hand and tells Jinki he's going to wrinkle the fabric, voice on the edge of whining instead of irritated. Jinki takes a breath and pushes forward, catching Key's lips while he's still speaking. Their teeth knock and Jinki pulls away, flushing slightly.
"Sorry," he mumbles. Key punches his shoulder, tells him to shut up and tugs him back in response. And kisses him again and again and again, until Jinki can't breathe and his senses are on overload. Key wraps his arms around Jinki, pressing up against him and filling him in spaces Jinki didn't know were empty. It's overwhelming and Jinki clutches at Key's shoulders and breathes him in. Key pulls away enough to mumble something that sound suspiciously like god, Jinki, you're such a moron and Jinki nods absently, replies please don't punch me again and kisses Key like it's the very air he's dependent upon.
Jinki wakes when someone slides into bed next to him and he tries to mumble out threats against the intruder, even as cold fingers are pressing against his lips. He tries to make sense of what's going on as he's shoved aside and it doesn't quite work. An elbow jabs into his ribs and Jinki gets it then, scoots over and surrenders some of the blanket. Key turns onto his stomach and takes up at least half of Jinki's bed in the process. Jinki sits up on his arm and tries to make out the shape of Key's figure in the darkness. Key resists and groans into the pillow when Jinki nudges him.
"Hey," Jinki says, pressing at Key's shoulder again. "What's wrong?" Key mumbles noncommittally and Jinki tries again. "Key, seriously, what's wrong?"
"Work," Key says after a long pause.
"You weren't on today," Jinki points out and his hand drops to the small of Key's back, rubbing circles absently and receiving only silence from Key in response. Key finally shakes his head and tugs the blanket over them with a small "forget it". Jinki lets it drop and flops back down, tucking his other arm under his head. "How did you even get in here?"
"You left the door unlocked again," Key says, almost before the question is finished, and it throws Jinki off for a moment. Jinki bites down on the inside of his lip and nods -- he's done that a couple of times, and it's happened each Key comes over unannounced. Jinki opens his mouth to speak, but Key burrows further into the blanket and Jinki gives up. He stays awake until Key's breathing evens out, and goes back to sleep still confused.
"I'm dating a criminal!" Jinki wails, voice muffled by the restaurant table his face is currently intimate with. He receives no answer and looks up and Minho is reading his newspaper, ignoring him. Jinki stares at Minho in determination, willing him to pay attention. It doesn't work. "Minho!"
Minho finishes the page and folds the paper up, placing it on the table next to his coffee. He looks at Jinki expectantly and Jinki sits up, drawing himself to his full height, which is still not as imposing as Minho's. There is a battle of wills, and Jinki comes out on top. He feels triumphant. Minho sighs.
"What did he do?"
Jinki ignores how the tone of Minho's voice clearly says he's just amusing Jinki and clears his throat for effect. Minho just stares at him.
"He stole my sandwich this morning!" Jinki says. Minho looks unimpressed. "It had the crusts cut off. I was going to eat it for lunch. And he was taking grapes at the supermarket and testing them, isn't that stealing?" Jinki slams his hand on the table. "I demand justice!" Minho ignores Jinki and goes back to skimming his paper.
"Justice for what?"
Jinki whirls around at the sound of Key's voice and points his finger in accusation. Taemin is standing next to Key, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, and Key is just smiling at Jinki. Jinki pauses and grins back, then remembers why he's jabbing at Key.
"You! Are you a criminal? Confirm or deny!"
Taemin's arms drop and his mouth falls open. He looks back and forth between Jinki and Minho before settling his eyes on Key, lips pursed and expression dark. Jinki feels pleased at Taemin's support. Nodding, Jinki lowers his arm and glances at Minho.
"I told you," he says, but all Minho does is turn the page in his newspaper and stir his coffee. Jinki turns back to Key, narrowing his eyes. Key is standing still, looking at Jinki, face blank. He's never looked at Jinki like he is now and Jinki shifts, the icy mood of the room hitting him. He offers Key a grin, trying to diffuse the situation. "You owe me a sandwich."
Taemin's arms drop and the anger fades from his face. Jinki ignores the rolling of Taemin's eyes and the words muttered, the way Key's shoulders sink as he relaxes and a smile spreads over his face again.
"Sure, Jinki, but I'm not cutting off the crusts," Key says and turns, heading towards the kitchen. Taemin follows after him and leans over Key's shoulder the entire way, whispering in rushed tones. Jinki sits back in his chair and looks at his hands before snatching the newspaper from Minho, laughing at Minho's sigh.
The door is ajar and Jinki bounds up to it, starting to push it open. He pauses at the sound of voices and after a small internal debate, listens in. He reasons with himself that the door is open anyway, and they may have been talking about something as harmless as ice cream. Jinki does need a new flavor anyway -- double mousse chocolate with marshmallows and sprinkles can only last him so long.
"What are you doing?" Jinki hears, and he frowns. It sounds like Taemin, and his voice is angry. The tone is unusual from Taemin, low and almost threatening. Jinki shrinks back a little.
"I don't know what you're talking about," and it's Key this time, airy and dismissive. Jinki frowns. Something is wrong, and he feels like he's intruding. He steps away, turning from the door, and stops short at Taemin's next words.
"He's a detective! What are you thinking?" There's a scoff, and Taemin ignores it. "This isn't a game. Is that why you're doing this, to see if you can get away with it?"
"No," Key snaps out, sounding angrier than Taemin. It unnerves Jinki slightly. The silence following Key's outburst is long and tense and when Taemin speaks, it's in disbelief.
"You can't be serious."
"He's not going to find out."
"How can he not find out you're his case, he's not that--"
Jinki doesn't wait to hear the rest and trips over himself in his rush to get away from the door.
Jinki freezes as he walks up to his door and he begins to back away. Key is standing at the door, pressing the bell repeatedly. He hits it in frustration and turns, spotting Jinki. They stand there for a few moments and Key smiles, a little awkwardly. Jinki takes a deep breath and steps forward, under the street lamp, and Key goes out to meet him. The silence is heavy, but Jinki doesn't break it, and then Key is speaking, words rushing out.
"You weren't there last night and I went by the office but Minho said you were out, and you weren't at that playground you like either, so I came here, and I just--" Key cuts himself off, exhaling sharply. "What happened?"
Jinki looks up and stares at Key, at the worry on his face, teeth catching on his lip, and momentarily loses all sense of who he is. He thinks maybe they could just run and hide, go to another city and damn everyone else. But that wouldn't change that Key is Key, the one he's been looking for. Key must have known that, Jinki realizes with a start, and looks down at the ground. He takes a steadying breath and Key reaches out to him. Jinki pulls away harder than he means to, so hard that Key jerks back in surprise.
"Key." Jinki can't look at Key. He can't even think and he closes his hand tightly around his house keys. "We need to talk."
"No, Jinki, just listen to me for a second," Key says and he sounds nervous. "You weren't there and I wanted to tell you -- look, Jinki, I love you." Key pauses and inhales like he's bracing himself to say more, and Jinki's heart soars and sinks in the same beat.
"I heard you," Jinki says, harsher than he intended. "With Taemin. I heard." Neither of them speak and Jinki doesn't look up. He rubs his fingers over his keys and finds himself torn between wanting to walk away or to press kisses to Key's cheeks, tell him it's okay. He does neither.
Key says Jinki's name and his voice is sad, cutting into Jinki. He reaches a hand out and Jinki falls into Key because he can't help it, can't help the way his breath catches when Key puts his hand on Jinki's cheek and kisses him. Jinki kisses back, briefly, before stopping himself and putting his hands on Key's shoulders. He looks at Key then and almost wants to take it all back, but he shakes his head.
"Key." Jinki has to force his voice to remain steady and he isn't quite sure it works. "I want to -- I want -- Key, I can't."
"Jinki, please." Key doesn't look away and his words are tight in his throat, breath skating across Jinki's face.
"Key, I can't. You're a thief, "Jinki says and the word is harsh. Key shrinks into himself and it's like Key gets so small, almost fragile, that Jinki's breath catches.
"Jinki." Key is barely speaking. "I don't do it anymore." Jinki makes himself step back, hands dropping from Key's shoulders. Key is looking at him, breathing shakily, face so sad it almost breaks Jinki's resolve. "I don't," Key mouths and bites down hard on his lip, moving past Jinki and it's all Jinki can do to stop himself from reaching out.
Jinki watches as Key walks away, his shoulders hitching underneath the coat that Jinki just now realizes is his. He looks away and tries to unlock the door, but only gets so far as turning the key before he drops down on the steps and presses his palms into his eyes. Jinki doesn't know if it hurts because he feels as if everything is a lie or if it's because he loves Key and is grasping at straws, trying to push down everything else just so he can press his face into Key's neck and thumb his cheeks when he laughs. He rubs his hands over his face and tells himself that his eyes don't sting, that he's not unsure of himself, but it's just another lie.
Jinki doesn't go to work the next day. He keeps the blinds closed and ignores the ring of the phone. The coffee table is cluttered with candy wrappers, a carton of ice cream and his container of fried chicken from the previous night. He is, for all intents and purposes, sulking. The notebook detailing Key's case is on the other side of the couch, open to a page somewhere in the middle. Jinki stares at the notebook and wonders how he didn't piece it together. Maybe he just ignored it. Everything had clicked into place: the late nights, Taemin's particularly venomous glares, Key letting himself into Jinki's apartment. Jinki sinks down into the couch and tugs a throw pillow to his chest, continuing to stare at his notebook. He kicks it off of the couch and buries his face in the pillow, resisting the urge to flail around. After approximately ten seconds, the urge gets the better of him and he kicks his feet much like a pre-schooler.
Going limp, Jinki tosses the pillow aside and directs his stare to the ceiling. He wonders if he's more disappointed in himself for being stupid enough not to see it, or if he's angry at Key for lying. He decides it's the former and pushes himself off of the couch, gets dressed, goes to work and pretends it doesn't hurt.
Jinki stuffs the file into its place with more force than necessary. Minho looks up and Jinki ignores him, continues shoving papers in the cabinet alphabetically. He finishes organizing the pomeranian ransom case and skips over the section marked with a 'K'. The filing cabinet slams shut with a satisfying and loud bang, and Jinki sits at his desk, leafing through his notebook. He flips through his old notes, folds the notebook open to a new page and begins a list of things to do. At the top of the list is to organize his pens by color, followed by rearranging his desk and re-alphabetizing Minho's books. Nodding to himself, Jinki puts a small check on the first task and begins to place them in piles of blue, red and the stray black and orange. Halfway through, Minho clears his throat and puts his newspaper to the side.
"Jinki. You should take the day off," Minho says and Jinki waves his hand, shaking his head. His organizational skills are being honed. It takes precedence. "That wasn't a suggestion."
Five minutes later, Minho all but shoves Jinki out of the office and locks the door behind him, ignoring Jinki's protests. Jinki stares at the door, feeling betrayed, and scuffs his shoe on the steps, unsure of what to do. Last week, he would have headed to the restaurant or the playground, but things are different now. He stands there for a few moments before heading to his apartment, purposely taking the long way around, avoiding any streets that lead up to the restaurant. Jinki closes the door behind him and turns to find Taemin sitting on his couch and all but shrieks, dropping his keys.
"You left the door unlocked," Taemin says flatly, even though Jinki didn't, and Taemin gives him a look that holds no room for argument. Jinki opens his mouth to speak and Taemin interrupts him with a glare, snapping out a "no". There's silence, more awkward on Jinki's part and kind of murderous on Taemin's, and Jinki tucks his hands into his pockets, keeping his mouth shut.
"You're an idiot," Taemin informs him, and it's more stating a fact than anything. "No, seriously, shut up and listen to me. Key is miserable, so he's taking it out on Jonghyun and Jonghyun is taking it out on me, and it's all your fault." Jinki attempts to take a few steps back and ends up stumbling. Taemin gives him a look of disgust and Jinki shrinks in on himself a little. "I don't know what he sees in you, but you better fix it."
Taemin pushes himself up from the couch and stops in front of Jinki, arms crossed. "The last one was three months ago and he returned everything. Stop being a moron." Taemin leaves, muttering I really liked that watch, and Jinki stands in the middle of his apartment.
"Um," Jinki says, and sits down.
It's late a few nights later, and Jinki finds himself walking to the restaurant. He's been thinking about Taemin's scolding and it makes his stomach twist into knots. Maybe Jinki is too gullible, or just hopes Key really has changed. He remembers Key saying he'd stopped, but Jinki wasn't sure if he believed him. Taemin's confirmation sends a small shock of hope through Jinki and he tries to push it down. There hasn't been anything in the papers about robberies in months either, and Jinki bites down on his lip before opening the door to the restaurant. He hovers in the doorway for a couple moments before taking his usual table and grabs a napkin, tearing it into pieces to calm his nerves. Jinki feels jittery and he looks around, folding his hands together.
Jonghyun is at the counter and he catches sight of Jinki, pauses, and looks at him with some sort of confused glare. Jinki shifts in his chair and offers a smile and it feels more like a grimace. Raising his eyebrows, Jonghyun shrugs and refills a customer's coffee when he looks over and tilts his head at Jinki's table. Jinki follows Jonghyun's line of sight and Key is staring back at him, surprise on his face. Jinki's heart jumps and lodges itself somewhere in his throat. Key looks sad and worn down, and Jinki momentarily feels overcome with guilt.
Key makes his way to the table and pulls out his pad and a pen, avoiding looking at Jinki. He shifts a little and asks for Jinki's order, looking about as awkward as Jinki feels.
"Key," Jinki begins, but Key interrupts him.
"I'll get your usual," Key mumbles and turns to go. He makes it a few steps before Jinki reaches out and grabs his wrist, holding on tight.
"Kibum."
They both fall silent and Jinki tries to ignore Jonghyun watching without even trying to hide it, the waitress's knowing smile.
"I get off at ten," Key says and Jinki lets go. He nods, sits back in his chair and waits.
Key is sitting across from him, shoulders slouched and face tired, and Jinki has to suppress wanting to tuck Key's hair behind his ear, like he always does. Key doesn't speak and Jinki clears his throat, thankful that the waitress had dragged Jonghyun into the kitchen and away from staring at them. He's not sure where to start, so he reaches for another napkin and twists it between his fingers, a small distraction in what is possibly the most awkward situation Jinki has yet experienced.
"Did you really stop?" Jinki asks, and Key looks up at him, exasperation on his face, a look Jinki is more than used to. Jinki resists smiling and tries not to get his hopes up.
"Taemin's right," Key says, staring at Jinki. "You really are a moron." Key continues talking through Jinki's protest and takes the napkin out of Jinki's grip, batting his hands away. "That night I went over. It was the last one."
Jinki blinks, does the math in his head. "That was months ago. And you -- everything's back?"
"Yes," Key says, sounding defensive. "Minho's known since January."
Jinki freezes and looks at Key in horror. "It was my case! How could he -- without telling me -- this is so --"
"Was?" Key asks, and Jinki doesn't miss the corners of Key's mouth curving up. Jinki tries to stutter out an explanation and Key reaches over, kisses Jinki across the table.
"I guess being a thief is okay," Jinki says, and Key gives him a look like he's grown two heads. Jinki grins at him. "You stole my heart."
"Oh my god, shut up," Key says, looking disgusted. Jinki kisses him and does.