Personal Rehab (Chapter 12)
Title: Personal Rehab
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: 2Min
Summary: Minho seeks Key's help, despite their rocky relationship, so they can locate where Taemin is being held.
Taemin woke from an already restless sleep to the obnoxiously loud argument between Joon and Seunghyun, possibly a few other people. He recognized the argument was about him−−the kid−−and what they were planning on doing with it. Yes, it. He’d become an object. Just as well, he sobbed to himself. He felt just as useless, anyway.
Why hadn’t Minho come yet? Did he know where they were hiding him? He really was starting to lose hope. Another few weeks and people would start forgetting about him for sure...
“If you’re not getting the money from your guy, then just fucking sell the kid.” Taemin heard loud and clear. He barely had the strength, mentally or physically, to react. He just continued laying on his side, facing the wall in the dark bedroom he’d been confined to for the past week. He didn’t even realize he had started crying until a tear slid into the corner of his mouth and he tasted the salty liquid.
“If you don’t get that twenty-thousand won to us by next week, then we’re just going to take it.” Another unfamiliar voice threatened.
“Fair enough.” Seunghyun agreed. He’d rather have Taemin off of his hands anyway.
“Wait.” The deeper of strange voices spoke. “Let me see the kid.”
Taemin cringed. No. He began to shiver from fright and thought to hide in the small closet, but they’d find him. And when they did, he’d be punished.
The door opened and light flooded the dark room, illuminating Teamin’s huddled shadow on the wall. “Yah!” Seunghyun shouted, inducing a slight twitch along Taemin’s body.
Taemin felt the floor shift and creak to accommodate the heavy weight of the stranger-man walking towards him. He only had to turn his head a bit to find the man hovering over him with a perverse smile. The breath he took was louder than he meant it to be.
“Oh, yeah. He’d be more than enough to pay off your debts.” He stroked Taemin’s chin, cooing at him softly. “I almost hope I get to take this lovely instead.” His hands shamelessly slid between Taemin’s legs and molested him roughly. The redhead flinched, but could do nothing but shut his eyes tight and will the sensation away.
“Just take him now, then.” Seunghyun leaned against the doorframe and groaned.
“Nope, that’s not how this works Choi.” The man’s hands left Taemin and he walked back across the room. “You’re still responsible for your payment. You don’t get to wave it off so easily like that.”
Seunghyun snarled at Taemin before slamming the door closed again and locking it. Their muffled voices disappeared down the hall, leaving the younger alone in the dark yet again. He cried himself to sleep while holding his body in a protective ball. Never knowing whether it was day or night meant sleeping whenever was best, and right now, sleeping was the only thing he wanted to do.
~*~
Minho smacked himself for not realizing it earlier: Taemin’s disappearance was obviously his cousin’s doing. He owed the bastard money. He just never thought the guy would resort to kidnapping. What kind of maniac does that for a few thousand won!?
It’d been a week since Taemin made that strange call to him, and a week that he hadn’t had a narcotic in his system. But this time, it felt good. Clarifying, in a way. He could actually think in a logical process without being bogged down by the heavy fog a high gave.
Regardless of how well he could think, he still didn’t know where Seunghyun was or where he kept Taemin. He made himself sick worrying about the red head. He especially didn’t want to think about the possibility of him being raped by Seunghyun or any of his big, gross friends...
He was ready to give up anything to make sure Taemin was safe. His life, even. There was absolutely no reason to involve the sweet, innocent boy in the fucked up life he’d foolishly chosen for himself. Seunghyun wanted money? Fine. He’d give him his life savings if the idiot would just contact him. Of course, no matter when Minho tried calling any of their cells, they were powered off or deactivated. Probably didn’t pay the bill, he imagined.
It was time to think of another plan. He felt utterly alone in this because he couldn’t lean to friends for help; all of his ‘friends’ were the ones keeping Taemin captive. Some friends. But what about Taemin’s friends? Surely someone else had noticed his sudden disappearance. And what about his family? No, there’s no sense in worrying his poor parents if they didn’t know already. That would just complicate things. What would he even say? ‘Oh hi I’m an ex-drug lord and your son has been kidnapped by my supplier’? Yeah, that sounded great.
Then a brilliantly horrible idea came to mind: find Key. Surely he would help, right? Well, he would react one of three ways after hearing Taemin disappeared: one; blow up and kill Minho for not watching over him better. Two; blow up and refuse, blaming Minho for his own mistake. Or three; blow up and agree to help, but all the while criticize Minho for his negligence. However it went down, it was bad news for Minho but, if it saved Taemin, it would be worth it.
Time to track down a bad-tempered little kitty.
~*~
Taemin had a few things lying around his apartment that gave away the location of Key’s place of work. Minho didn’t hesitate to make his way down there in the middle of the afternoon.
“Oh hell no!” Key shouted across the cafe before Minho even saw him. “You! Get out! You are not welcome here!” The rest of the patrons in the cafe stared at the angry diva with wide eyes.
“Kibum!” An ahjumma scolded him and yanked him by the arm, presumably the manager Minho guessed. Under her breath, she spoke with the angry barista as he shot daggers at Minho with his slitted eyes. After a scoff and exaggerated sigh, he stomped away and the ahjumma approached Minho.
“My apologies.” She said half-heartedly. She knew Key’s background dealt with some asshole ex-boyfriends and pitied him. She only assumed Minho was one of them.
“It’s fine,” He didn’t bother sitting, he just stood at the counter off to the side. “But I really need to talk with him about something.”
The cafe ahjumma pursed her lips and looked toward the back room, unsure. “I... don’t think that’s such a good idea right now.” She gave Minho the once-over with judgmental eyes. “How long ago were you seeing each other? I think feelings are still raw.”
Minho stammered for words. “Feelings!?” He held his head to combat the oncoming headache. “No, you’ve got it wrong! I’m dating his best friend.”
She gasped. “That’s a no-fly zone, young man!”
He grumbled, agitated. “I appreciate your infinite wisdom on relationships, but would you kindly shut up and tell him I have to talk to him about Taemin? Got that? Taemin.” He looked down at her plump, aged face.
“What about Taemin!?” Minho heard a shrill voice from the back room and its owner appeared right after. “What did you do to him now!?” Key’s hands on his hips reminded Minho of an angry mother ready to smack you upside the head with a rolling pin. Minho snickered at the comical image in his mind.
“Come over here and talk to me. You’re making a scene.” He said, unafraid.
“I AM NOT MAKING A SCENE!” Key shouted again, and finally some customers got up to leave. Minho noted their departure with a gesture and Key finally gave in, approaching the taller with limited patience.
“You done having a fit now?” Minho dared to ask with a coy smile.
“Don’t push me, Choi Minho! If you have something to say, then say it before I decide to take back my generosity!” Key’s eyes were wildly flaring; Minho could just see the flames ready to shoot from them.
Minho sighed, preparing himself mentally for the backlash he knew he was going to get. “Taemin’s missing.”
Key stopped breathing for a few long seconds and then exhaled slowly. “Missing?”
So far so good, Minho thanked whatever god was watching over him and sparing his life for the moment. “Yes.”
Key’s mouth slowly formed into a truly evil, terrifying smile. Faster than Minho could even see, the diva’s hand launched at Minho’s throat and clawed into the fragile flesh. “So should I kill you for not watching over him better!?”
Option one, Minho coughed and gripped Key’s wrist. “That won’t save Taemin...” He managed to breathe.
Key snarled and retracted his hand. “So what!? This is your mistake! I’m not helping you dig you out of your own hole!”
Option two then? Minho sighed. “I know who he’s with but I don’t know where they are. I’m coming to you because I don’t know or have anyone else.” He was honest; lying would get him nowhere with this timebomb.
Key’s eyes wavered; the news was finally seeping into his thick skull and he began to worry. “How long has he been missing? Haven’t you called the police?”
“I can’t... that’ll get him killed.” Minho answered. “And it’s been a week. Seunghyun and Joon have him. I’m sure of it.”
At the mention of their names, the hair on Key’s arms stood on end. With his open hand, he slapped Minho with a limp wrist. “Fine. I’ll help you. But you’re an idiot, Minho!”
“Yeah, I am. I’m a huge idiot.” At least they could agree on something.
“And very negligent!” Key scolded again. “If he’s dead, then so are you! Got it?”
Minho was just happy to have some help now. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So what can I do...?” Key’s temper was calming gradually.
“...You have to try contacting Joon.” Minho sat at a high stool now, leaning his elbows on the cafe counter.
Key nodded slowly, chewing on his bottom lip. “I was afraid you would say that.”
“Well it’s the only way I can think of. I know they’re not going to talk to me.”
“Why would they even take Taeminnie?” That was the first time since their big fight that Key had referred to Taemin in any sort of affectionate way.
“Because I owe them money...”
Key opened his mouth to say something, but was just lost in anger. “...Stupid.”
Minho toyed with a straw on the counter. “I love him, Kibum... I wouldn’t let this happen to him.”
Key crossed his arms and sighed. “I’ll come over tonight when I’m done with my shift, and we can figure something out then...”
“Thank you.” Minho nodded before stepping out. “See you tonight.”
~*~
Minho answered the door after the first knock with a shy smirk on his face. “You don’t have to knock, you know...”
“Well what if I was an intruder!?” Key barked.
“You’re not.” Minho rolled his eyes and sat at the table. “Plus, I could take you down easily.”
“Hmph.” Key sat across from him and placed his phone between them. “Well, I saved Joon’s number so I know not to answer it if he calls.
“Smart.” Minho nodded. “So you think you’ll be able to talk to him?”
“If it’s for Taemin, then yes.” Key dialed his number, leaving it on speakerphone. Once he heard the other end answer, he spoke. “Joonie~” He feigned interest. Minho laughed at the gagging gesture that he exaggerated.
“Ooh, what a nice surprise. Did you finally come around, my little Kiki?” Joon sounded all too proud of himself.
Key loathed that sugary, ridiculous nickname. “I suppose so...” He forced a happy tone and smiled begrudgingly, gripping the phone in his hand so tightly his palm was sweating.
Minho pat his shoulder encouragingly and smirked. They may have been enemies in the past, but they’ve come together for a common purpose. Minho was thinking he might even like Kibum, just a little bit...
Key nodded and returned the friendly smirk, appreciating the support. “Let’s meet soon, Joonie-ah.” He still made a sickened face. “Where are you staying? I’ll come to you.”
“Hmm? I don’t even have to work? Wow, you’ve made this too easy for me. I hope you still play hard to get in bed~”
Key cringed, no longer able to hide his disgust. “Of course, whatever you want...”
Joon’s smile was audible. “Then come tomorrow night. I’ll text you my address. You don’t mind that Seunghyun is hanging around, do you?”
Minho nodded, happy they were hearing what they needed.
“Of course I don’t mind.” Key watched Minho’s response and formulated his own plan to get more information. “No one else is there, right?”
“Mm, well...” Joon hesitated. “We’ve got a kid staying with us for a while.”
Both of their eyes widened. “A kid?” Key asked.
“Well not a kid, he’s like 19 or something.” Joon didn’t consider the sensitive information he was obliviously giving away.
“I see.” Key’s heart was racing. “It doesn’t matter, as long as he stays out of our way.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that, Seunghyun doesn’t let him out of his room. Ha! I’m surprised he even feeds the kid...” Joon laughed confidently.
“Good.” Key answered resentfully. “So I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“You got it babe. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Text me your address soon okay?” Key had remind the idiot to make sure he’d do it.
“I’ll do it as soon as we hang up.” Joon promised.
Key ended the call and hung his head. “Should we go now?” He was shaking. “He said they weren’t feeding him...”
Minho sighed. “He didn’t say that...”
“Well he hinted at it!” He sobbed angrily. “I’m sorry Minho. I’m sorry that I was so against you two.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?” Minho rubbed his back and smirked. “I know we’ve had our differences, but what happened has happened and it’s over now. What matters now is getting Taemin back.”
“I was just being stubborn. I guess you’re not such a terrible guy after all.”
Minho shrugged. “He’s the only person who’s ever given a fuck about me. I’d be stupid to mess that up... I had to learn the hard way, but I learned.”
“Let’s get him back...”
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: 2Min
Summary: Minho seeks Key's help, despite their rocky relationship, so they can locate where Taemin is being held.
Taemin woke from an already restless sleep to the obnoxiously loud argument between Joon and Seunghyun, possibly a few other people. He recognized the argument was about him−−the kid−−and what they were planning on doing with it. Yes, it. He’d become an object. Just as well, he sobbed to himself. He felt just as useless, anyway.
Why hadn’t Minho come yet? Did he know where they were hiding him? He really was starting to lose hope. Another few weeks and people would start forgetting about him for sure...
“If you’re not getting the money from your guy, then just fucking sell the kid.” Taemin heard loud and clear. He barely had the strength, mentally or physically, to react. He just continued laying on his side, facing the wall in the dark bedroom he’d been confined to for the past week. He didn’t even realize he had started crying until a tear slid into the corner of his mouth and he tasted the salty liquid.
“If you don’t get that twenty-thousand won to us by next week, then we’re just going to take it.” Another unfamiliar voice threatened.
“Fair enough.” Seunghyun agreed. He’d rather have Taemin off of his hands anyway.
“Wait.” The deeper of strange voices spoke. “Let me see the kid.”
Taemin cringed. No. He began to shiver from fright and thought to hide in the small closet, but they’d find him. And when they did, he’d be punished.
The door opened and light flooded the dark room, illuminating Teamin’s huddled shadow on the wall. “Yah!” Seunghyun shouted, inducing a slight twitch along Taemin’s body.
Taemin felt the floor shift and creak to accommodate the heavy weight of the stranger-man walking towards him. He only had to turn his head a bit to find the man hovering over him with a perverse smile. The breath he took was louder than he meant it to be.
“Oh, yeah. He’d be more than enough to pay off your debts.” He stroked Taemin’s chin, cooing at him softly. “I almost hope I get to take this lovely instead.” His hands shamelessly slid between Taemin’s legs and molested him roughly. The redhead flinched, but could do nothing but shut his eyes tight and will the sensation away.
“Just take him now, then.” Seunghyun leaned against the doorframe and groaned.
“Nope, that’s not how this works Choi.” The man’s hands left Taemin and he walked back across the room. “You’re still responsible for your payment. You don’t get to wave it off so easily like that.”
Seunghyun snarled at Taemin before slamming the door closed again and locking it. Their muffled voices disappeared down the hall, leaving the younger alone in the dark yet again. He cried himself to sleep while holding his body in a protective ball. Never knowing whether it was day or night meant sleeping whenever was best, and right now, sleeping was the only thing he wanted to do.
~*~
Minho smacked himself for not realizing it earlier: Taemin’s disappearance was obviously his cousin’s doing. He owed the bastard money. He just never thought the guy would resort to kidnapping. What kind of maniac does that for a few thousand won!?
It’d been a week since Taemin made that strange call to him, and a week that he hadn’t had a narcotic in his system. But this time, it felt good. Clarifying, in a way. He could actually think in a logical process without being bogged down by the heavy fog a high gave.
Regardless of how well he could think, he still didn’t know where Seunghyun was or where he kept Taemin. He made himself sick worrying about the red head. He especially didn’t want to think about the possibility of him being raped by Seunghyun or any of his big, gross friends...
He was ready to give up anything to make sure Taemin was safe. His life, even. There was absolutely no reason to involve the sweet, innocent boy in the fucked up life he’d foolishly chosen for himself. Seunghyun wanted money? Fine. He’d give him his life savings if the idiot would just contact him. Of course, no matter when Minho tried calling any of their cells, they were powered off or deactivated. Probably didn’t pay the bill, he imagined.
It was time to think of another plan. He felt utterly alone in this because he couldn’t lean to friends for help; all of his ‘friends’ were the ones keeping Taemin captive. Some friends. But what about Taemin’s friends? Surely someone else had noticed his sudden disappearance. And what about his family? No, there’s no sense in worrying his poor parents if they didn’t know already. That would just complicate things. What would he even say? ‘Oh hi I’m an ex-drug lord and your son has been kidnapped by my supplier’? Yeah, that sounded great.
Then a brilliantly horrible idea came to mind: find Key. Surely he would help, right? Well, he would react one of three ways after hearing Taemin disappeared: one; blow up and kill Minho for not watching over him better. Two; blow up and refuse, blaming Minho for his own mistake. Or three; blow up and agree to help, but all the while criticize Minho for his negligence. However it went down, it was bad news for Minho but, if it saved Taemin, it would be worth it.
Time to track down a bad-tempered little kitty.
~*~
Taemin had a few things lying around his apartment that gave away the location of Key’s place of work. Minho didn’t hesitate to make his way down there in the middle of the afternoon.
“Oh hell no!” Key shouted across the cafe before Minho even saw him. “You! Get out! You are not welcome here!” The rest of the patrons in the cafe stared at the angry diva with wide eyes.
“Kibum!” An ahjumma scolded him and yanked him by the arm, presumably the manager Minho guessed. Under her breath, she spoke with the angry barista as he shot daggers at Minho with his slitted eyes. After a scoff and exaggerated sigh, he stomped away and the ahjumma approached Minho.
“My apologies.” She said half-heartedly. She knew Key’s background dealt with some asshole ex-boyfriends and pitied him. She only assumed Minho was one of them.
“It’s fine,” He didn’t bother sitting, he just stood at the counter off to the side. “But I really need to talk with him about something.”
The cafe ahjumma pursed her lips and looked toward the back room, unsure. “I... don’t think that’s such a good idea right now.” She gave Minho the once-over with judgmental eyes. “How long ago were you seeing each other? I think feelings are still raw.”
Minho stammered for words. “Feelings!?” He held his head to combat the oncoming headache. “No, you’ve got it wrong! I’m dating his best friend.”
She gasped. “That’s a no-fly zone, young man!”
He grumbled, agitated. “I appreciate your infinite wisdom on relationships, but would you kindly shut up and tell him I have to talk to him about Taemin? Got that? Taemin.” He looked down at her plump, aged face.
“What about Taemin!?” Minho heard a shrill voice from the back room and its owner appeared right after. “What did you do to him now!?” Key’s hands on his hips reminded Minho of an angry mother ready to smack you upside the head with a rolling pin. Minho snickered at the comical image in his mind.
“Come over here and talk to me. You’re making a scene.” He said, unafraid.
“I AM NOT MAKING A SCENE!” Key shouted again, and finally some customers got up to leave. Minho noted their departure with a gesture and Key finally gave in, approaching the taller with limited patience.
“You done having a fit now?” Minho dared to ask with a coy smile.
“Don’t push me, Choi Minho! If you have something to say, then say it before I decide to take back my generosity!” Key’s eyes were wildly flaring; Minho could just see the flames ready to shoot from them.
Minho sighed, preparing himself mentally for the backlash he knew he was going to get. “Taemin’s missing.”
Key stopped breathing for a few long seconds and then exhaled slowly. “Missing?”
So far so good, Minho thanked whatever god was watching over him and sparing his life for the moment. “Yes.”
Key’s mouth slowly formed into a truly evil, terrifying smile. Faster than Minho could even see, the diva’s hand launched at Minho’s throat and clawed into the fragile flesh. “So should I kill you for not watching over him better!?”
Option one, Minho coughed and gripped Key’s wrist. “That won’t save Taemin...” He managed to breathe.
Key snarled and retracted his hand. “So what!? This is your mistake! I’m not helping you dig you out of your own hole!”
Option two then? Minho sighed. “I know who he’s with but I don’t know where they are. I’m coming to you because I don’t know or have anyone else.” He was honest; lying would get him nowhere with this timebomb.
Key’s eyes wavered; the news was finally seeping into his thick skull and he began to worry. “How long has he been missing? Haven’t you called the police?”
“I can’t... that’ll get him killed.” Minho answered. “And it’s been a week. Seunghyun and Joon have him. I’m sure of it.”
At the mention of their names, the hair on Key’s arms stood on end. With his open hand, he slapped Minho with a limp wrist. “Fine. I’ll help you. But you’re an idiot, Minho!”
“Yeah, I am. I’m a huge idiot.” At least they could agree on something.
“And very negligent!” Key scolded again. “If he’s dead, then so are you! Got it?”
Minho was just happy to have some help now. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So what can I do...?” Key’s temper was calming gradually.
“...You have to try contacting Joon.” Minho sat at a high stool now, leaning his elbows on the cafe counter.
Key nodded slowly, chewing on his bottom lip. “I was afraid you would say that.”
“Well it’s the only way I can think of. I know they’re not going to talk to me.”
“Why would they even take Taeminnie?” That was the first time since their big fight that Key had referred to Taemin in any sort of affectionate way.
“Because I owe them money...”
Key opened his mouth to say something, but was just lost in anger. “...Stupid.”
Minho toyed with a straw on the counter. “I love him, Kibum... I wouldn’t let this happen to him.”
Key crossed his arms and sighed. “I’ll come over tonight when I’m done with my shift, and we can figure something out then...”
“Thank you.” Minho nodded before stepping out. “See you tonight.”
~*~
Minho answered the door after the first knock with a shy smirk on his face. “You don’t have to knock, you know...”
“Well what if I was an intruder!?” Key barked.
“You’re not.” Minho rolled his eyes and sat at the table. “Plus, I could take you down easily.”
“Hmph.” Key sat across from him and placed his phone between them. “Well, I saved Joon’s number so I know not to answer it if he calls.
“Smart.” Minho nodded. “So you think you’ll be able to talk to him?”
“If it’s for Taemin, then yes.” Key dialed his number, leaving it on speakerphone. Once he heard the other end answer, he spoke. “Joonie~” He feigned interest. Minho laughed at the gagging gesture that he exaggerated.
“Ooh, what a nice surprise. Did you finally come around, my little Kiki?” Joon sounded all too proud of himself.
Key loathed that sugary, ridiculous nickname. “I suppose so...” He forced a happy tone and smiled begrudgingly, gripping the phone in his hand so tightly his palm was sweating.
Minho pat his shoulder encouragingly and smirked. They may have been enemies in the past, but they’ve come together for a common purpose. Minho was thinking he might even like Kibum, just a little bit...
Key nodded and returned the friendly smirk, appreciating the support. “Let’s meet soon, Joonie-ah.” He still made a sickened face. “Where are you staying? I’ll come to you.”
“Hmm? I don’t even have to work? Wow, you’ve made this too easy for me. I hope you still play hard to get in bed~”
Key cringed, no longer able to hide his disgust. “Of course, whatever you want...”
Joon’s smile was audible. “Then come tomorrow night. I’ll text you my address. You don’t mind that Seunghyun is hanging around, do you?”
Minho nodded, happy they were hearing what they needed.
“Of course I don’t mind.” Key watched Minho’s response and formulated his own plan to get more information. “No one else is there, right?”
“Mm, well...” Joon hesitated. “We’ve got a kid staying with us for a while.”
Both of their eyes widened. “A kid?” Key asked.
“Well not a kid, he’s like 19 or something.” Joon didn’t consider the sensitive information he was obliviously giving away.
“I see.” Key’s heart was racing. “It doesn’t matter, as long as he stays out of our way.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that, Seunghyun doesn’t let him out of his room. Ha! I’m surprised he even feeds the kid...” Joon laughed confidently.
“Good.” Key answered resentfully. “So I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“You got it babe. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Text me your address soon okay?” Key had remind the idiot to make sure he’d do it.
“I’ll do it as soon as we hang up.” Joon promised.
Key ended the call and hung his head. “Should we go now?” He was shaking. “He said they weren’t feeding him...”
Minho sighed. “He didn’t say that...”
“Well he hinted at it!” He sobbed angrily. “I’m sorry Minho. I’m sorry that I was so against you two.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?” Minho rubbed his back and smirked. “I know we’ve had our differences, but what happened has happened and it’s over now. What matters now is getting Taemin back.”
“I was just being stubborn. I guess you’re not such a terrible guy after all.”
Minho shrugged. “He’s the only person who’s ever given a fuck about me. I’d be stupid to mess that up... I had to learn the hard way, but I learned.”
“Let’s get him back...”