Little Butterflies
Title: Little Butterflies
Pairing: 2min, random OnKey
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff
Summary: He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily. Vulnerable, but not easily crushed.
Minho had never liked soft, cute things.
He stopped liking them after he received a fluffy little puppy for his sixth birthday. He had been so happy, playing with the tiny animal every opportunity he had. He had shared a bond with the canine, a bond as strong as brothers.
Then the little puppy escaped from the house one day, and got run over by a car. Minho wasn't the same ever since.
He didn't like the fragileness of soft things, the way they could easily break if one didn't handle them properly. He hated the way they were so weak, hated the way they always reminded him of that little puppy he had that he couldn't save.
So Minho learned to stay away from soft things, hardening himself against their appeal. He was sure he was already immune to them.
That was, until he met Taemin.
------------------------------------------------------
Taemin was the epitome of soft and cute. He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily, free from the cruelty of the world yet at the same time so vulnerable, so very easily crushed.
The first time Minho met Taemin, the younger boy had stumbled into his arms as he barely made it in time for the train. The train was fully packed, with a hundred faceless people pushing and shoving against each other, and Minho could do nothing but open his arms to the slim boy who was more or less pushed against him.
"O-Oh, I'm so sorry..." The boy was obviously embarrassed, looking up at him with an apologetic smile as they were pushed even more against each other. Minho couldn't help but notice how pretty the boy was, and if it weren't for the obvious male school uniform he was wearing he would easily pass off as a female.
The long (and uncomfortably awkward) train journey seemed to take forever, and Minho started to notice other things, like how small the boy's frame was, how slim, how soft the skin brushing against his arm was...
Minho did not like where his thoughts were leading, and immediately ordered his brain to stop. The train lurched unsteadily and the boy's hair brushed against his nose, so he could smell the sweet strawberry scent of his shampoo.
They finally reached the next stop, and the boy prepared to leave, but not before giving him a small smile with a slight bow. Minho watched him go, that soft brown hair carelessly being teased by the wind. And wondered what the boy's name was.
------------------------------------------------------
The days that followed were much the same as that morning's; they would both get on the same train, at the same carriage, at the same time, and would somehow end up squished against each other for the whole journey. The first few times it happened, it was awkward smiles and embarrassed fidgeting; the days that followed, exasperated smiles and comfortable leaning.
It was only about three weeks of constantly being squished together like sardines that the boy had actually initiated a conversation.
"Packed as usual, huh?"
Minho was blank for about three beats before his brain registered that the boy was actually talking to him; he looked down, a bit dazed, before blurting out an intelligent, "Huh?"
His embarrassment must have shown in his face because the boy suddenly laughed. It was sweet and musical, and those small lips stretched into a lovely smile.
"I said, it's packed as usual. I think this is the millionth time we've been squished together in this train."
Not really knowing what to say, he simply nodded. The boy didn't seem bothered by his lack of response.
"What's your name, hyung?"
"Minho. Yours?"
"The next stop is now approaching, please take care in descending the train."
"Oh, that's my stop." He turned to leave, and Minho just realized that he still didn't know the boy's name when the boy turned to him again. "I'm Taemin. Nice to meet you, Minho-hyung." He skipped off the train, and just as the train doors closed Minho saw him look back and give him a small wave.
Taemin. It was a nice name.
------------------------------------------------------
Their relationship progressed pretty quickly, the twenty minutes they spent together every day in that packed train filled with conversation as they started to get to know each other. Minho found out that Taemin was two years younger and studied in a local high school, liked to dance as a hobby, was fond of chocolate ice cream, and had gay parents.
"Your parents are gay...? So they're like, both guys?" Taemin nodded, laughing a little.
"Does that bother you? People usually think it's weird." Normally it would make him feel a little uncomfortable, but Minho found himself shaking his head.
"No, it's not weird at all." The sweet smile that blossomed on the younger boy's lips told him it was the right answer.
It did make him wonder if Taemin was, well, gay too. Since it seemed inappropriate to ask, he simply stayed silent, but found Taemin solemnly observing him.
Suddenly, Taemin chuckled, but it sounded a little sad. "Are you wondering if I'm gay too, since my parents are?"
He kept his face blank, but Taemin could read his thoughts perfectly.
"I'm not, really. But I don't think there's anything wrong with gay people. My parents are amazing and it's just, it's just unfair when people judge them too quickly. Just...unfair." His voice had grown softer as the statement progressed, and Minho could see the visible droop of his shoulders and the painful expression in his face.
Taemin had obviously had his own fair share of suffering. Minho tried to remind himself that this was why he didn't like the fragileness of soft things, the way they could easily break if one didn't handle them properly. He wanted to distance himself while it was early, before he could get attached any further.
Instead, he quietly asks, "What do your dads do for a living then?"
Taemin's expression gradually progressed from sad to happy, and those pink lips stretched into such a beautiful smile, it was like staring at the sun.
He wanted to distance himself, but knew it wasn't possible, not at this point.
Because he was already, irrevocably, attached.
------------------------------------------------------
The first time he met Taemin's parents, he changed his opinion pretty quickly.
Taemin might be a vulnerable little butterfly, but his parents certainly were not. His 'mother' was something like a cross between a rottweiler and a t-rex, and was clearly not someone anyone should mess with.
"Umma! I brought a friend home!"
"Male or female?"
Taemin gave him an embarrassed laugh. "Male, umma--"
Quick as a flash, the infamous mother was in front of them and staring at Minho so intently Minho was suprised he didn't have holes through him. Minho stared back bravely, and Taemin flailed his arms in embarrassment.
"State your name and your business with my son." What was this, some kind of military camp, Minho would have said if he hadn't been scared shitless. Taemin groaned loudly and tugged at his umma's arm.
"Ummaaaa--" But he was ignored, as his umma kept his full attention at Minho, who was practically sweating under his scrutiny. Another man entered the scenario, and Minho briefly wondered if this was Taemin's appa when Taemin let out a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Jjong! Help me quickly, umma is abusing my friend--"
Uncle Jjong wasn't interested, however, quickly siding with Taemin's umma and glaring at Minho. Minho stared down at him - indeed, he was a good few inches taller than this uncle - while the uncle wagged a finger at him.
"Who is this tall, weird-looking alien, Kibum?" Minho guessed he was the umma's brother.
"Apparently Taeminnie's friend, he doesn't look trustworthy--"
Clearly, Taemin had had enough of his family's intimidation and roared out, "Appa!" Everyone jumped, and within a few seconds another man strolled into the room.
That day, Minho established nicknames for Taemin's family; Almighty T-Rex a.k.a. scary umma, Tiny Terror a.k.a. uncle Jjong, and lastly, Gentle Jinki, a.k.a. nice appa.
"Taeminnie, what's wrong--oh? You brought a friend over?" Minho remembered Taemin mentioning that his family was a bit scary but his appa was nice, and Minho would have to agree. Taemin immediately clung to his appa, pointing an accusing figure at his umma and uncle.
"Appa, they're bullying my friends again..." Gentle, but certainly not whipped, Minho thought blandly as the gentle appa immediately transformed and gave the brothers a smile. Not a sweet one, but a you're-in-trouble smile. Uncle Jjong was clearly not an idiot, and quickly abandoned his post beside his brother and left the room. Umma, however, was a lot more stubborn.
"Jinki, I don't trust this boy--" Appa grabbed umma and roughly pressed their lips together. As Taemin squealed happily, Minho was sure he could hear his jaw hit the floor as his brain was effectively fried.
The kiss lasted six seconds - six traumatizing seconds - before appa lets go. "Kibum, darling, we'll talk about your bad manners later. I think your soup's burning." With a light push towards the kitchen's direction, appa turns back to Minho and umma stumbles off in a daze.
"Now, I don't believe we've been acquainted. Who's your friend, Taeminnie?" Taemin happily made the introductions, and Minho felt a slight sense of dread at what he was getting himself into.
------------------------------------------------------
The day they first met was nearly two years ago, and the day they finally got together was nearly a year ago.
Minho was once again reminded of his lost puppy when he and Taemin spotted a little boy, much like Minho's age at that time, playing with a small puppy. The two were rolling around happily in the grass, the little boy's laughs sweet and innocent. Taemin had pointed with a smile, wistfully saying it would be nice to have a puppy too.
"I had a puppy, once."
Taemin smiled up at him. "Really? Where is it?"
"It died." He turned away from the sight, quickly walking away. His heart was beginning to ache at the memory of what he lost, and he tried to remind himself of how easily vulnerable things could break.
------------------------------------------------------
"Taemin is a very special child." Jinki smiled softly. "It's not easy for anyone to accept having parents of the same gender. Taemin's been hurt on a few occasions by people who judge us." Jinki pat Minho's hand gently. "But Taemin isn't weak. He's a lot stronger than you think he is."
Minho briefly pondered those words by Taemin's appa as Taemin shuffled nervously towards him, holding something behind his back. The incident in the park was a few days ago, and ever since, Taemin had been a little quiet, and Minho wondered if the younger boy was upset with him.
Now might be a good time to apologize, he thought to himself, clearing his throat. "Taemin-ah, about what happened--"
"I got you this!" He blinked as a box was shoved in front of him, and for a few seconds just stared at it blankly. Taemin gave an embarrassed laugh, quickly sitting next to him on the floor.
"Close your eyes." He obeyed, and he felt something cold press against his neck. "Okay, done."
He opened them, and stared at the simple silver necklace around Taemin's neck. The pendant on the necklace was a small lock; he looked down at his own necklace, and saw that it was a small key.
"I hope you didn't mind me asking around, but I asked your umma about what happened and she told me your puppy...died in an accident." He trailed off, lightly fingering the tiny lock. "My appa and umma have the same pendants; umma holds the key to appa's lock. They said it meant they were bound together forever. And--"
He didn't get to finish the sentence as Minho grabbed his cheeks and pressed their lips together.
Indeed, Minho wasn't very fond of soft things. They were vulnerable and broke easily; if he held on too lightly, they would fly off, but if he held on too tightly, they would break.
Taemin was soft, but beneath the gentle surface lay a will of steel. He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily. Vulnerable, but not easily crushed.
And that little butterfly had managed to find its place in Minho's heart.
------------------------------------------------------
FLUFFY. NUFF SAID. XD
Don't ask how I managed to fit that OnKey in there, it just happened, I swear. >_____>;
Comments are loved <333
Pairing: 2min, random OnKey
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff
Summary: He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily. Vulnerable, but not easily crushed.
Minho had never liked soft, cute things.
He stopped liking them after he received a fluffy little puppy for his sixth birthday. He had been so happy, playing with the tiny animal every opportunity he had. He had shared a bond with the canine, a bond as strong as brothers.
Then the little puppy escaped from the house one day, and got run over by a car. Minho wasn't the same ever since.
He didn't like the fragileness of soft things, the way they could easily break if one didn't handle them properly. He hated the way they were so weak, hated the way they always reminded him of that little puppy he had that he couldn't save.
So Minho learned to stay away from soft things, hardening himself against their appeal. He was sure he was already immune to them.
That was, until he met Taemin.
------------------------------------------------------
Taemin was the epitome of soft and cute. He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily, free from the cruelty of the world yet at the same time so vulnerable, so very easily crushed.
The first time Minho met Taemin, the younger boy had stumbled into his arms as he barely made it in time for the train. The train was fully packed, with a hundred faceless people pushing and shoving against each other, and Minho could do nothing but open his arms to the slim boy who was more or less pushed against him.
"O-Oh, I'm so sorry..." The boy was obviously embarrassed, looking up at him with an apologetic smile as they were pushed even more against each other. Minho couldn't help but notice how pretty the boy was, and if it weren't for the obvious male school uniform he was wearing he would easily pass off as a female.
The long (and uncomfortably awkward) train journey seemed to take forever, and Minho started to notice other things, like how small the boy's frame was, how slim, how soft the skin brushing against his arm was...
Minho did not like where his thoughts were leading, and immediately ordered his brain to stop. The train lurched unsteadily and the boy's hair brushed against his nose, so he could smell the sweet strawberry scent of his shampoo.
They finally reached the next stop, and the boy prepared to leave, but not before giving him a small smile with a slight bow. Minho watched him go, that soft brown hair carelessly being teased by the wind. And wondered what the boy's name was.
------------------------------------------------------
The days that followed were much the same as that morning's; they would both get on the same train, at the same carriage, at the same time, and would somehow end up squished against each other for the whole journey. The first few times it happened, it was awkward smiles and embarrassed fidgeting; the days that followed, exasperated smiles and comfortable leaning.
It was only about three weeks of constantly being squished together like sardines that the boy had actually initiated a conversation.
"Packed as usual, huh?"
Minho was blank for about three beats before his brain registered that the boy was actually talking to him; he looked down, a bit dazed, before blurting out an intelligent, "Huh?"
His embarrassment must have shown in his face because the boy suddenly laughed. It was sweet and musical, and those small lips stretched into a lovely smile.
"I said, it's packed as usual. I think this is the millionth time we've been squished together in this train."
Not really knowing what to say, he simply nodded. The boy didn't seem bothered by his lack of response.
"What's your name, hyung?"
"Minho. Yours?"
"The next stop is now approaching, please take care in descending the train."
"Oh, that's my stop." He turned to leave, and Minho just realized that he still didn't know the boy's name when the boy turned to him again. "I'm Taemin. Nice to meet you, Minho-hyung." He skipped off the train, and just as the train doors closed Minho saw him look back and give him a small wave.
Taemin. It was a nice name.
------------------------------------------------------
Their relationship progressed pretty quickly, the twenty minutes they spent together every day in that packed train filled with conversation as they started to get to know each other. Minho found out that Taemin was two years younger and studied in a local high school, liked to dance as a hobby, was fond of chocolate ice cream, and had gay parents.
"Your parents are gay...? So they're like, both guys?" Taemin nodded, laughing a little.
"Does that bother you? People usually think it's weird." Normally it would make him feel a little uncomfortable, but Minho found himself shaking his head.
"No, it's not weird at all." The sweet smile that blossomed on the younger boy's lips told him it was the right answer.
It did make him wonder if Taemin was, well, gay too. Since it seemed inappropriate to ask, he simply stayed silent, but found Taemin solemnly observing him.
Suddenly, Taemin chuckled, but it sounded a little sad. "Are you wondering if I'm gay too, since my parents are?"
He kept his face blank, but Taemin could read his thoughts perfectly.
"I'm not, really. But I don't think there's anything wrong with gay people. My parents are amazing and it's just, it's just unfair when people judge them too quickly. Just...unfair." His voice had grown softer as the statement progressed, and Minho could see the visible droop of his shoulders and the painful expression in his face.
Taemin had obviously had his own fair share of suffering. Minho tried to remind himself that this was why he didn't like the fragileness of soft things, the way they could easily break if one didn't handle them properly. He wanted to distance himself while it was early, before he could get attached any further.
Instead, he quietly asks, "What do your dads do for a living then?"
Taemin's expression gradually progressed from sad to happy, and those pink lips stretched into such a beautiful smile, it was like staring at the sun.
He wanted to distance himself, but knew it wasn't possible, not at this point.
Because he was already, irrevocably, attached.
------------------------------------------------------
The first time he met Taemin's parents, he changed his opinion pretty quickly.
Taemin might be a vulnerable little butterfly, but his parents certainly were not. His 'mother' was something like a cross between a rottweiler and a t-rex, and was clearly not someone anyone should mess with.
"Umma! I brought a friend home!"
"Male or female?"
Taemin gave him an embarrassed laugh. "Male, umma--"
Quick as a flash, the infamous mother was in front of them and staring at Minho so intently Minho was suprised he didn't have holes through him. Minho stared back bravely, and Taemin flailed his arms in embarrassment.
"State your name and your business with my son." What was this, some kind of military camp, Minho would have said if he hadn't been scared shitless. Taemin groaned loudly and tugged at his umma's arm.
"Ummaaaa--" But he was ignored, as his umma kept his full attention at Minho, who was practically sweating under his scrutiny. Another man entered the scenario, and Minho briefly wondered if this was Taemin's appa when Taemin let out a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Jjong! Help me quickly, umma is abusing my friend--"
Uncle Jjong wasn't interested, however, quickly siding with Taemin's umma and glaring at Minho. Minho stared down at him - indeed, he was a good few inches taller than this uncle - while the uncle wagged a finger at him.
"Who is this tall, weird-looking alien, Kibum?" Minho guessed he was the umma's brother.
"Apparently Taeminnie's friend, he doesn't look trustworthy--"
Clearly, Taemin had had enough of his family's intimidation and roared out, "Appa!" Everyone jumped, and within a few seconds another man strolled into the room.
That day, Minho established nicknames for Taemin's family; Almighty T-Rex a.k.a. scary umma, Tiny Terror a.k.a. uncle Jjong, and lastly, Gentle Jinki, a.k.a. nice appa.
"Taeminnie, what's wrong--oh? You brought a friend over?" Minho remembered Taemin mentioning that his family was a bit scary but his appa was nice, and Minho would have to agree. Taemin immediately clung to his appa, pointing an accusing figure at his umma and uncle.
"Appa, they're bullying my friends again..." Gentle, but certainly not whipped, Minho thought blandly as the gentle appa immediately transformed and gave the brothers a smile. Not a sweet one, but a you're-in-trouble smile. Uncle Jjong was clearly not an idiot, and quickly abandoned his post beside his brother and left the room. Umma, however, was a lot more stubborn.
"Jinki, I don't trust this boy--" Appa grabbed umma and roughly pressed their lips together. As Taemin squealed happily, Minho was sure he could hear his jaw hit the floor as his brain was effectively fried.
The kiss lasted six seconds - six traumatizing seconds - before appa lets go. "Kibum, darling, we'll talk about your bad manners later. I think your soup's burning." With a light push towards the kitchen's direction, appa turns back to Minho and umma stumbles off in a daze.
"Now, I don't believe we've been acquainted. Who's your friend, Taeminnie?" Taemin happily made the introductions, and Minho felt a slight sense of dread at what he was getting himself into.
------------------------------------------------------
The day they first met was nearly two years ago, and the day they finally got together was nearly a year ago.
Minho was once again reminded of his lost puppy when he and Taemin spotted a little boy, much like Minho's age at that time, playing with a small puppy. The two were rolling around happily in the grass, the little boy's laughs sweet and innocent. Taemin had pointed with a smile, wistfully saying it would be nice to have a puppy too.
"I had a puppy, once."
Taemin smiled up at him. "Really? Where is it?"
"It died." He turned away from the sight, quickly walking away. His heart was beginning to ache at the memory of what he lost, and he tried to remind himself of how easily vulnerable things could break.
------------------------------------------------------
"Taemin is a very special child." Jinki smiled softly. "It's not easy for anyone to accept having parents of the same gender. Taemin's been hurt on a few occasions by people who judge us." Jinki pat Minho's hand gently. "But Taemin isn't weak. He's a lot stronger than you think he is."
Minho briefly pondered those words by Taemin's appa as Taemin shuffled nervously towards him, holding something behind his back. The incident in the park was a few days ago, and ever since, Taemin had been a little quiet, and Minho wondered if the younger boy was upset with him.
Now might be a good time to apologize, he thought to himself, clearing his throat. "Taemin-ah, about what happened--"
"I got you this!" He blinked as a box was shoved in front of him, and for a few seconds just stared at it blankly. Taemin gave an embarrassed laugh, quickly sitting next to him on the floor.
"Close your eyes." He obeyed, and he felt something cold press against his neck. "Okay, done."
He opened them, and stared at the simple silver necklace around Taemin's neck. The pendant on the necklace was a small lock; he looked down at his own necklace, and saw that it was a small key.
"I hope you didn't mind me asking around, but I asked your umma about what happened and she told me your puppy...died in an accident." He trailed off, lightly fingering the tiny lock. "My appa and umma have the same pendants; umma holds the key to appa's lock. They said it meant they were bound together forever. And--"
He didn't get to finish the sentence as Minho grabbed his cheeks and pressed their lips together.
Indeed, Minho wasn't very fond of soft things. They were vulnerable and broke easily; if he held on too lightly, they would fly off, but if he held on too tightly, they would break.
Taemin was soft, but beneath the gentle surface lay a will of steel. He was like a little butterfly, flapping its wings happily. Vulnerable, but not easily crushed.
And that little butterfly had managed to find its place in Minho's heart.
------------------------------------------------------
FLUFFY. NUFF SAID. XD
Don't ask how I managed to fit that OnKey in there, it just happened, I swear. >_____>;
Comments are loved <333