SHINee - "A Soothing Hand" [R]
Title: A Soothing Hand
Chapter: 2/2
Fandom: SHINee
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: R
Summary: Key finally realizes what Minho means to him.
Notes: This is the long overdue follow up to " Unspoken".
Key groaned as he tried to turn over so he could go get a glass of water. Every muscle he moved ached like it was being crushed. Giving up, his head fell back against the pillow. This is it, he thought. I'm going to die of dehydration.
Just then, the door creaked open and footsteps began approaching his bed. Key struggled to open his eyes and caught a quick glimpse of Minho before the sunlight forced them shut. A few seconds later, the brightness began to dim and Key peeked out from under his blanket to see Minho putting heavy drapes over the window. The burning in his eyes faded as the room was cloaked in darkness.
As soon as he was done, Minho walked over to his bed holding a tray with water and pills. Seeing Key struggle, Minho helped him sit up with a supportive arm against his back.
"Manager hyung dropped off the medicine on his way to the office."
Key swallowed the pills and quickly gulped down the glass of water.
"Where is everyone?"
"Onew hyung and Jonghyun hyung are doing a radio show and Taemin's at school."
"Wait...shouldn't you be at school too?"
"I'm not going."
"Choi Minho, get your butt-"
Minho clamped a hand over Key's mouth and lowered him back onto the mattress.
"I'm not going anywhere," he replied sternly. "Everyone else is busy and you need someone to take care of you."
Key wanted to argue but he was too exhausted and his eyelids were growing heavy as the medicine started to kicked in.
The next few days were a blur of hazy memories as he slipped in and out of consciousness. He remembered being moved into a spare bedroom so he wouldn't need to climb down the ladder anymore. He remembered the other members coming to see him and making sure he was okay. He remembered strange dreams of being abandoned and lost that would always fade as a sudden warmth overcame him.
Everything was a blur but he remembered one thing clearly. Minho.
The worried wrinkles on his face as he leaned over to take his temperature. The deep soothing voice telling him to eat one more bite. The gentle touch of his hands as he helped him to the bathroom. The blush in his cheeks when Key asked him to untie his pajamas. Even flashes of his sleeping figure as he sat in a chair by Key's bed during a particularly difficult night.
Then suddenly, he was gone.
Key's eyes flew open as soon as he heard footsteps approaching his room like every other morning. His wide smile quickly faded as their manager came in with the medicine.
"Where's Minho?"
"I made him go back to school. He's been missing too many days so I cleared some time to stay home with you."
Key nodded with understanding even as a dull pain spread through his chest. He didn't know what it was but he hated the way it made him feel.
Key stared at the clock, tapping his fingers on his temple as it ticked past 4pm. Throwing off his covers, he walked across the hall and poked his head into the bedroom.
"Did something happen? Minho's not back from school yet."
"He's staying after for tutoring. His college exams are coming up, remember?" Onew answered.
"Oh yeah," Key's shoulders sank and he turned back towards his room.
As the days passed, Key grew more and more anxious. He was getting better physically but part of him felt sicker with each passing moment. It was like there was a hole in his stomach that wouldn't stop growing. Even his nightmares had returned and he woke in a cold sweat every night.
Taemin always came to see him after coming home from school but Key's eyes were fixed on the empty spot behind him. An empty spot he had never noticed before.
Minho came in so late at night that everyone was already asleep and he went off to school again before Key woke up. Worried about how he was doing, Key got Minho's schedule from the manager and planned his day around the few minutes he could finally catch a glimpse of him. When his alarm went off at 2am, he instantly got out of bed and wandered into the kitchen. The moment Minho came through the door, he was pouring himself a glass of water and looked up in mock surprise.
"You're home."
Minho nodded weakly and set his backpack on the floor. Key's heart ached when he saw his haggard face and sunken eyes. He walked over and handed him the glass in his hand.
"Do you want something to eat? I could make-"
"No. No. I'm fine. I just need to sleep," he said after finishing the water. "You should get to bed too. You need your rest."
The next day, Key declared he was healthy enough to return to his schedule and pushed past Onew and Jonghyun into the kitchen. Despite their protests, he cooked a full breakfast for all of them. He smiled as Minho came out of the bedroom and held out the plate in his hand.
"I made egg rolls."
Minho smiled so widely that Key couldn't help but grin back. Seeing him gulp down the food made the sweat rolling down his back all the more worth while.
Key paced in front of the door, checking his watch every few seconds. He smiled when the doorknob finally jingled but that smile fell when he saw their manager walk in alone.
"Where's Minho?"
"Oh Changmin took him out for a celebratory dinner for finishing his exam."
Key looked wordlessly at the food he had been preparing all day. But the wasted time didn't hurt nearly as much as the thought of Changmin treating Minho to a meal Key probably couldn't afford for himself. Leaving the dishes on the table, he shuffled towards the bedroom. He was about to climb up to his bunk when he noticed how soft and inviting the one below looked. Without thinking, he lifted the covers and crawled into Minho's bed.
As he lay there staring at the wall, Minho's scent swirled around him. Suddenly his mind flashed back to that warm feeling that always pulled him out of his nightmares. Did Minho have something to do with that?
Anxious to test his theory, Key stayed up until Minho returned home. When he heard him coming towards the bedroom, he started softly moaning and shifting in his sleep. Less than five seconds later, there was a warm hand on his shoulder and another one stroking his hair gently. Reeling from the shock of discovering the truth, he stopped moving and the hands began to pull away. Key grabbed one before it got too far and sat up straight in bed.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked. "Why are you always taking care of me?"
"We're members of SHINee and-"
"Those cheesy lines don't work on me. The truth. Now."
Minho's eyes darted back and forth as he sank into panic. He wasn't ready for this. He couldn't have this conversation right now. How could he explain all the feelings he had built up inside using something as cold and concrete as words?
He lowered his head and snuck a peek at Key who was staring at him intently, waiting for an answer. Minho yanked his hand out of Key's grasp and ran out of the room. Key jumped off the bed and ran after him, grabbing the back of his shirt just before he made it into the bathroom.
"What's going on?" Onew mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he stumbled into the hallway.
"Nothing," Key waved. "Minho and I just have some talking to do."
Before Onew could ask any more questions, Key shoved Minho into the spare bedroom and locked the door behind them. Minho stood awkwardly in the center, playing with his fingers while Key looked him up and down, wondering how he could make him talk. Key took a step towards him and Minho backed away. Key took another step and Minho moved even further. They continued this until the back of Minho's legs hit the bed and he stumbled backwards onto the mattress. Key smirked and approached him with a predatory gaze that sent a shiver down Minho's spine.
Key bent over him with his palms pressed into the mattress above Minho's shoulders.
"Talk."
Minho swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut to keep from staring at Key's perfectly shaped lips, which were now just inches above him.
As Key waited, his eyes wandered over Minho's chiseled features. His flawless skin was glowing in the moonlight but it was his wet lips, red from nervous biting, that drew all of Key's attention. He watched breathlessly as Minho's teeth scrapped across the plump flesh before pulling it into his mouth. Key licked his lips which were suddenly too dry. Minho opened his eyes just then and his breath hitched in his throat as he caught Key's tongue working over his lips.
Key's tongue froze when he realized something hard was pressing against his thigh. He looked down between them and Minho followed his gaze, his heart beating faster as he prayed his body had betrayed him. Unfortunately, the bulge in his pants was already standing proudly. Minho's head fell back against the mattress and he wished he could crawl into a hole right now.
Meanwhile, Key's brain was spinning as everything fell into place. The secret looks, the kindness, the comforting. It all made sense now. He stared open mouthed at Minho as forgotten moments from the past year flashed behind his eyes and his heart ached at the thought of how long Minho had been hiding his feelings.
Minho squeezed his eyes harder as painful silence filled the room. He didn't dare open them in fear of the disgust and disappointment that was sure to be written on Key's face. He clenched his hands into fists and prayed this moment would end. Prayed this night never happened and he could go back to loving Key from afar.
"Minho," Key said softly. "Minho look at me."
The gentleness is Key's voice shocked him and his eyes opened on their own. Key's heart melted as big brown eyes looked up at him with a vulnerability he had never seen before. Without a second thought, he bent down and kissed him.
Minho's eyes bulged in shook and his hands gripped the bed sheet as his brain tried to figure out what was happening, what he should do and if the world really had just come to an end.
Key bent his elbows and lowered himself down until he was lying on top of Minho. He worked a hand into Minho's hair and kissed him harder. Minho lay frozen and silent until Key began moving his hips against him. A moan erupted from his lips and Key smiled before pressing harder.
"K..Key...Wh.."
Minho's voice stopped working as Key's hands reached for his waist and started unhooking his belt. He was still in shock that this was actually happening and followed Key's instructions to move up higher on the bed without a word. Key slid out of his own pajamas and eased loose Minho's tie before working on his shirt buttons. As soon as he saw his naked chest, Key abandoned the undressing and leaned down to kiss his glistening skin. Minho grunted and struggled to get out of his shirt as Key's tongue played with his nipple. He finally got an arm out and quickly threw the shirt across the room. Minho flipped Key over and attacked his neck, the shock finally gone as all his bent up emotions came flooding out at once. Key slid his hands down Minho's back and caressed his butt before pushing it down just as he thrust up. Minho moaned against his neck and Key angled his hips so their cocks slid against each other. Their moans got louder and Key clung to Minho's back as his orgasm neared. They only lasted a few more seconds before they came together with a cry.
Key turned in his sleep and was surprised by a strange weight on his waist. He blinked open his eyes and looked down at the arm possessively wrapped around him. He glanced up at Minho's sleeping face and had to resist the urge to kiss his pouty parted lips. Instead he moved closer and wrapped an arm around his chest. Minho stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes to see Key staring at him. He jumped back in surprise and then everything from last night came flooding back and he realized he was still completely naked. Pulling up the blanket shyly, he slid towards the wall but Key pulled him closer.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I...last night...if..if you want to forget it happened and..."
Key smacked Minho's head and glared at him.
"Don't you dare say that."
"But...I...you...I know.."
Minho stammered and stared at everything in the room but the boy lying next to him. Key finally realized that Minho was protecting himself. He was putting up a wall to keep from getting hurt in case things went back to how they were before. It broke Key's heart to see what he had done to him. He wanted to whisper sorry over and over again until it rang in Minho's ears forever. Key reached up and caressed his cheek, hoping his eyes told him everything he didn't know how to express. Minho's face softened but he still looked hesitant so Key pulled him into a hug.
"I'm not going anywhere."
------------------------------
Sorry this took so long but I spent a lot of time making sure every detail was just right and that Key's feelings progressed naturally. It's still far from perfect but hopefully the time put into it was worth it.
Chapter: 2/2
Fandom: SHINee
Pairing: Minho/Key
Rating: R
Summary: Key finally realizes what Minho means to him.
Notes: This is the long overdue follow up to " Unspoken".
Key groaned as he tried to turn over so he could go get a glass of water. Every muscle he moved ached like it was being crushed. Giving up, his head fell back against the pillow. This is it, he thought. I'm going to die of dehydration.
Just then, the door creaked open and footsteps began approaching his bed. Key struggled to open his eyes and caught a quick glimpse of Minho before the sunlight forced them shut. A few seconds later, the brightness began to dim and Key peeked out from under his blanket to see Minho putting heavy drapes over the window. The burning in his eyes faded as the room was cloaked in darkness.
As soon as he was done, Minho walked over to his bed holding a tray with water and pills. Seeing Key struggle, Minho helped him sit up with a supportive arm against his back.
"Manager hyung dropped off the medicine on his way to the office."
Key swallowed the pills and quickly gulped down the glass of water.
"Where is everyone?"
"Onew hyung and Jonghyun hyung are doing a radio show and Taemin's at school."
"Wait...shouldn't you be at school too?"
"I'm not going."
"Choi Minho, get your butt-"
Minho clamped a hand over Key's mouth and lowered him back onto the mattress.
"I'm not going anywhere," he replied sternly. "Everyone else is busy and you need someone to take care of you."
Key wanted to argue but he was too exhausted and his eyelids were growing heavy as the medicine started to kicked in.
The next few days were a blur of hazy memories as he slipped in and out of consciousness. He remembered being moved into a spare bedroom so he wouldn't need to climb down the ladder anymore. He remembered the other members coming to see him and making sure he was okay. He remembered strange dreams of being abandoned and lost that would always fade as a sudden warmth overcame him.
Everything was a blur but he remembered one thing clearly. Minho.
The worried wrinkles on his face as he leaned over to take his temperature. The deep soothing voice telling him to eat one more bite. The gentle touch of his hands as he helped him to the bathroom. The blush in his cheeks when Key asked him to untie his pajamas. Even flashes of his sleeping figure as he sat in a chair by Key's bed during a particularly difficult night.
Then suddenly, he was gone.
Key's eyes flew open as soon as he heard footsteps approaching his room like every other morning. His wide smile quickly faded as their manager came in with the medicine.
"Where's Minho?"
"I made him go back to school. He's been missing too many days so I cleared some time to stay home with you."
Key nodded with understanding even as a dull pain spread through his chest. He didn't know what it was but he hated the way it made him feel.
Key stared at the clock, tapping his fingers on his temple as it ticked past 4pm. Throwing off his covers, he walked across the hall and poked his head into the bedroom.
"Did something happen? Minho's not back from school yet."
"He's staying after for tutoring. His college exams are coming up, remember?" Onew answered.
"Oh yeah," Key's shoulders sank and he turned back towards his room.
As the days passed, Key grew more and more anxious. He was getting better physically but part of him felt sicker with each passing moment. It was like there was a hole in his stomach that wouldn't stop growing. Even his nightmares had returned and he woke in a cold sweat every night.
Taemin always came to see him after coming home from school but Key's eyes were fixed on the empty spot behind him. An empty spot he had never noticed before.
Minho came in so late at night that everyone was already asleep and he went off to school again before Key woke up. Worried about how he was doing, Key got Minho's schedule from the manager and planned his day around the few minutes he could finally catch a glimpse of him. When his alarm went off at 2am, he instantly got out of bed and wandered into the kitchen. The moment Minho came through the door, he was pouring himself a glass of water and looked up in mock surprise.
"You're home."
Minho nodded weakly and set his backpack on the floor. Key's heart ached when he saw his haggard face and sunken eyes. He walked over and handed him the glass in his hand.
"Do you want something to eat? I could make-"
"No. No. I'm fine. I just need to sleep," he said after finishing the water. "You should get to bed too. You need your rest."
The next day, Key declared he was healthy enough to return to his schedule and pushed past Onew and Jonghyun into the kitchen. Despite their protests, he cooked a full breakfast for all of them. He smiled as Minho came out of the bedroom and held out the plate in his hand.
"I made egg rolls."
Minho smiled so widely that Key couldn't help but grin back. Seeing him gulp down the food made the sweat rolling down his back all the more worth while.
Key paced in front of the door, checking his watch every few seconds. He smiled when the doorknob finally jingled but that smile fell when he saw their manager walk in alone.
"Where's Minho?"
"Oh Changmin took him out for a celebratory dinner for finishing his exam."
Key looked wordlessly at the food he had been preparing all day. But the wasted time didn't hurt nearly as much as the thought of Changmin treating Minho to a meal Key probably couldn't afford for himself. Leaving the dishes on the table, he shuffled towards the bedroom. He was about to climb up to his bunk when he noticed how soft and inviting the one below looked. Without thinking, he lifted the covers and crawled into Minho's bed.
As he lay there staring at the wall, Minho's scent swirled around him. Suddenly his mind flashed back to that warm feeling that always pulled him out of his nightmares. Did Minho have something to do with that?
Anxious to test his theory, Key stayed up until Minho returned home. When he heard him coming towards the bedroom, he started softly moaning and shifting in his sleep. Less than five seconds later, there was a warm hand on his shoulder and another one stroking his hair gently. Reeling from the shock of discovering the truth, he stopped moving and the hands began to pull away. Key grabbed one before it got too far and sat up straight in bed.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked. "Why are you always taking care of me?"
"We're members of SHINee and-"
"Those cheesy lines don't work on me. The truth. Now."
Minho's eyes darted back and forth as he sank into panic. He wasn't ready for this. He couldn't have this conversation right now. How could he explain all the feelings he had built up inside using something as cold and concrete as words?
He lowered his head and snuck a peek at Key who was staring at him intently, waiting for an answer. Minho yanked his hand out of Key's grasp and ran out of the room. Key jumped off the bed and ran after him, grabbing the back of his shirt just before he made it into the bathroom.
"What's going on?" Onew mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he stumbled into the hallway.
"Nothing," Key waved. "Minho and I just have some talking to do."
Before Onew could ask any more questions, Key shoved Minho into the spare bedroom and locked the door behind them. Minho stood awkwardly in the center, playing with his fingers while Key looked him up and down, wondering how he could make him talk. Key took a step towards him and Minho backed away. Key took another step and Minho moved even further. They continued this until the back of Minho's legs hit the bed and he stumbled backwards onto the mattress. Key smirked and approached him with a predatory gaze that sent a shiver down Minho's spine.
Key bent over him with his palms pressed into the mattress above Minho's shoulders.
"Talk."
Minho swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut to keep from staring at Key's perfectly shaped lips, which were now just inches above him.
As Key waited, his eyes wandered over Minho's chiseled features. His flawless skin was glowing in the moonlight but it was his wet lips, red from nervous biting, that drew all of Key's attention. He watched breathlessly as Minho's teeth scrapped across the plump flesh before pulling it into his mouth. Key licked his lips which were suddenly too dry. Minho opened his eyes just then and his breath hitched in his throat as he caught Key's tongue working over his lips.
Key's tongue froze when he realized something hard was pressing against his thigh. He looked down between them and Minho followed his gaze, his heart beating faster as he prayed his body had betrayed him. Unfortunately, the bulge in his pants was already standing proudly. Minho's head fell back against the mattress and he wished he could crawl into a hole right now.
Meanwhile, Key's brain was spinning as everything fell into place. The secret looks, the kindness, the comforting. It all made sense now. He stared open mouthed at Minho as forgotten moments from the past year flashed behind his eyes and his heart ached at the thought of how long Minho had been hiding his feelings.
Minho squeezed his eyes harder as painful silence filled the room. He didn't dare open them in fear of the disgust and disappointment that was sure to be written on Key's face. He clenched his hands into fists and prayed this moment would end. Prayed this night never happened and he could go back to loving Key from afar.
"Minho," Key said softly. "Minho look at me."
The gentleness is Key's voice shocked him and his eyes opened on their own. Key's heart melted as big brown eyes looked up at him with a vulnerability he had never seen before. Without a second thought, he bent down and kissed him.
Minho's eyes bulged in shook and his hands gripped the bed sheet as his brain tried to figure out what was happening, what he should do and if the world really had just come to an end.
Key bent his elbows and lowered himself down until he was lying on top of Minho. He worked a hand into Minho's hair and kissed him harder. Minho lay frozen and silent until Key began moving his hips against him. A moan erupted from his lips and Key smiled before pressing harder.
"K..Key...Wh.."
Minho's voice stopped working as Key's hands reached for his waist and started unhooking his belt. He was still in shock that this was actually happening and followed Key's instructions to move up higher on the bed without a word. Key slid out of his own pajamas and eased loose Minho's tie before working on his shirt buttons. As soon as he saw his naked chest, Key abandoned the undressing and leaned down to kiss his glistening skin. Minho grunted and struggled to get out of his shirt as Key's tongue played with his nipple. He finally got an arm out and quickly threw the shirt across the room. Minho flipped Key over and attacked his neck, the shock finally gone as all his bent up emotions came flooding out at once. Key slid his hands down Minho's back and caressed his butt before pushing it down just as he thrust up. Minho moaned against his neck and Key angled his hips so their cocks slid against each other. Their moans got louder and Key clung to Minho's back as his orgasm neared. They only lasted a few more seconds before they came together with a cry.
Key turned in his sleep and was surprised by a strange weight on his waist. He blinked open his eyes and looked down at the arm possessively wrapped around him. He glanced up at Minho's sleeping face and had to resist the urge to kiss his pouty parted lips. Instead he moved closer and wrapped an arm around his chest. Minho stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes to see Key staring at him. He jumped back in surprise and then everything from last night came flooding back and he realized he was still completely naked. Pulling up the blanket shyly, he slid towards the wall but Key pulled him closer.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I...last night...if..if you want to forget it happened and..."
Key smacked Minho's head and glared at him.
"Don't you dare say that."
"But...I...you...I know.."
Minho stammered and stared at everything in the room but the boy lying next to him. Key finally realized that Minho was protecting himself. He was putting up a wall to keep from getting hurt in case things went back to how they were before. It broke Key's heart to see what he had done to him. He wanted to whisper sorry over and over again until it rang in Minho's ears forever. Key reached up and caressed his cheek, hoping his eyes told him everything he didn't know how to express. Minho's face softened but he still looked hesitant so Key pulled him into a hug.
"I'm not going anywhere."
------------------------------
Sorry this took so long but I spent a lot of time making sure every detail was just right and that Key's feelings progressed naturally. It's still far from perfect but hopefully the time put into it was worth it.