Borderline [Chapter 2]
Title: Borderline
Summary: There's a borderline to everything. To what is wrong and to what is right, but for the two of them, this wrong was a right.
Rating: PG-15/NC-17 (to be safe)
Genre: Angst/Romance
Pairing(s): OnKey (Mentioned! 2min)
Note: Has not been proof-read yet. ^^
Chapter 2: Magnets
I don’t think we get a choice in who we fall for,” Ian whispers. “I think we just do.
--Jodi Picoult, Keeping Faith
---
Freshman year was the year that everyone either looking forward to, or maybe even dreading.
For Kim Kibum, nicknamed as Key. Freshman year was another year before in preparation for something big called University, and really, there wasn't a thing he should be afraid of. The way Key carried himself was full of confidence something that some normal teens could never do, due to their low self-esteem. But for Key, self-esteem was nothing. He lived by his own motto. Be yourself and never let people discourage you, because at the end of the day, you are still you and imitation can only be the cause of your death.
He met up with his boyfriend for a year, Kim Jonghyun, at the lockers near the science laboratory. When he reached Jonghyun's locker, the slightly older male getting his things ready for his next class, he surprises him with a peck on the cheek.
Jonhyun's eyes widened like saucers comprehending what had just happened. He sighed when it was only his boyfriend, "Kibum, you've got to stop doing that. It scares the bejeesus out of me."
Key chuckles, "You're such a dork Jjong, no one ever says 'bejeesus'. What year are you living on again?"
Jonghyun fakes a laugh, "Har, har, har, very funny Kibum," He then pulls on his sleeve leading him to the next room for their next period which they both shared, "Let's go before you and I get marked as late."
"Buzz kill." Key murmurs.
"What was that?"
Key smiles and sings, "Nothing~,"
---
"Transpose 18 to the other side, which becomes negative 18, devide x and the constant by 3 and you get negative 6," Key stared at the board, bored out of his witts. Math class was the only class that he disliked. Not that Key was ever so studious but he did well enough and he really didn'y see the logic between doing algebra to just learning the basic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It wasn't like he was ever going to transpose numbers in the grocery stores, but these teachers would never have anything not their way-
"Class," The teacher called out and cut Key's thoughts. He snorted, "We have a new student coming in today. He just moved from Japan, please make him welcome."
The teacher gestured to towards the door, Key's head supported by his hand, with a bored face his eyes traveled to where the teacher was pointing at.
"Class," The door opened revealing a teen, just about his height, his almond eyes and long brown hair and a bright smile that seemed to make everything so much better.. It was hard to believe that this person was the same age as he was. He looked so young, "This is Lee Jinki."
The said new student bows towards his classmates, "Hello, My name is Lee Jinki. It's nice to meet everyone." Oh God, that voice. Key didn't know how to describe his voice. It was soft like what you would hear in musicals but at the same time there was this musculinity to it, that made him sound superior and manly.
"Jinki!" Everyone in the class looked beside the seat Key was sitting at. Key was also surprised to see his boyfriend standing up with a million watt smile plastered on his face, "Dude! You're back!"
Jinki, the new student, smiled even brighter at the sight of Jonghyun, "Jjong! I haven't seen you in agaes."
Whispers filled the room, what an unexpected surprise. Never had Key thought that this person--Jinki, would be friends with his current boyfriend. A small world indeed.
"That's because you haven't called me since forever, prick," Jonghyun insulted.
Jinki then laughs. His laughs sends shivers down Key's spine. Just beautiful, "That's not true, I called you two weeks ago."
"And forgot to mention you were coming back to Korea. Low blow Jinki. Is that how you treat your best friend since we were in diapers?"
"You're exagerating. If anything, I didn't meet you until my fourth birthday when you were crying because you didn't get that dinosaur freebie." Jinki commented and earns the big laughs of everyone in class.
"Technically you and I were still in diapers then." Jonghyun countered.
The teacher then coughs to get everyone's attention, "You two can reminice later, for the mean time we need to get back to work. Jinki you sit right there at the empty seat in front of Kibum."
Jinki hunts for the said person and that's when Key snaps out of the initial shock and raises his hand. Jinki then sends a smile towards him. He feels the heat rise up to his face, does he have to do that?
Jinki sits down infront of him, and when he is settled, he looks back and greets Key, "Hi, my name is Lee Jinki."
Key sends smile, "Kim Kibum."
---
In a few months, three to be exact, Jinki manages to break Key's barrier and they become closer than ever. Jinki is there when Key needs to spill everything. His problems, may it be related to school or relationship problems, Jinki is always there for him. Giving him advice. Key was really greatful for that.
They're walking down the hallway to their English class, one of the classes that Key enjoyed. Since Jinki was going to his World Exposition class, he opted to walk with Key who was going the same way as he.
Key smiled as he walked down the hall with his friend, "I don't know how he could keep messing up at the same part! It's hilarious and cute at the same time."
Jinki nodded and laughed along-side Key, "That's Taemin for you."
Key giggled, "That reminds me," Key announced.
"Hmm?" Jinki hummed.
"Onew."
"Huh?"
Key halted and Jinki looks back at him, "That's your new nickname, Onew. But that's only for us to use. No one else okay?"
Jinki nodded but then furrows his eyebrows, "But why Onew?" Jinki asked him.
And at that moment, Jinki thinks that he's looking at an angel, "Because you're fresh and there's a good aura around you." Kibum reasoned.
He goes ahead walking forward and leaves Jinki.
Jinki can't wipe his smile of his face and he knows that he wants Kibum to more that friends with him. It's just too bad that he's with his best friend. He can't do that to him. He can't betray Jonghyun like that. He's satisfied with just watching Kibum's back. Watching Kibum smile is more than enough for him.
- --
"Key, tell me the truth, do you like Jinki?"
The couple of two years were at the movies, on their weekly dates, when Jonghyun suddenly decided to ask him such a question.
Key was sipping on his mango-orange smoothie, because soda was bad for his stomach, almost chocking when his boyfriend asked him that wierd question, "Of course I do! Everyone likes him."
Jonghyun nods but fails to see that pained expression on his boyfriend's face, You like him.
---
"Key..." Jonghyun started. They're at Jonhyun's favorite restaurant and Jonghyun would've lied to himself if he didn't see this one coming. He just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
"I know what you're thinking," Key claimed, blinking away the tears. Frustration and confusion was evident in his eyes, "I-I'm just so sorry Jonghyun. I could've been a better partner."
Jonghyun smiles despite the heartbreak but it was only the result of pain. He's going to get over it eventually. Better end this now before everything just becomes worse. He's going to get better because he did this to make two people happy. To make the one that he loved and cared for the most the happiest man, "Go," Jonghyun said, "Go to Jinki. You deserve to be happy."
Key gasps, "W-what?"
Jonghyun smirked, "Can't have you tied down to me when you don't love me."
Key shook his head, "That's not true! I love you-"
"Just not the way I do, let's not be one of those awkward ex-couples," Jonhyun states, "I want you to come to me whenever you have problems. I'm your friend first before your ex."
Key wipes away his tears and hugs Jonghyun, "Thank you." He gives him one last farewell kiss before they parted ways from each other.
Key stands up from the booth and before he starts to walk away, he reluctantly looks back to Jonghyun. Jonghyun sends his a pained smile and waves him off.
Goodbye.
The tri-blonded haired teen then whips out his phone, dialing a familiar number, "Jinki? Yeah it's me Jonghyun..."
"...Listen, I want you to make him happy, okay? He loves you. Don't break his heart, if you do I'll break your face."
He hung up the phone, despite the other teen's protests, and looks out the window and smiles. I did something right for once.
It's raining outside, he doesn't care. Jonghyun sat down at one of the benches at the bus stop. Drenched in water, he looks down at the bracelet Key gave him for his birthday. It hurts, his heart hurts but he's happy at the same time. He's just wondering when he'll meet that special person in his life.
"Oh gosh, you're all wet!" A feminine voice exclaims.
Jonghyun looks up, "It's alright."
She then pouts, "You're going to catch a cold. Here." She then wipes Jonghyun's face.
"Thanks."
She smiles, "No problem. I'm Sekyung."
"Jonghyun."
---
"Ahhhh!" Key screamed at the top of his lungs. Onew smiles and held his hand.
"You have to be careful Key. It's slippery."
"That's why I absolutely hate the wilderness. And I can't believe Jonghyun bailed at us. For all I know he could be with Sekyung right now and having fun, while we're stuck here in this stupid nature trip."
Onew laughs softly but still hold Key's hand, "Don't say that. It's kind of fun. It'll be worth it in the end." He tried to persuade.
"I guess you're right," Key agreed, "How did you get so persuasive?"
"I've always been persuasive!" Onew contorts.
"Whatever."
There was a pregnant pause. It wasn't awkward but it wasn't comforting either, "Can I persuade you to do something for me?"
Key hums as he tried to balance his weight while crossing the river, "It depends."
"Can I persuade you to be my boyfriend?"
Key stops. After his break up with Jonghyun it seemed that he couldn't even look at Onew because he was the reason why their relationship hadn't been the same again. But he can't blame an innocent person for his failed relationship.
Key didn't know why exactly he had fallen for Onew. Was it because he was clumsy? But Key usually didn't like clumsy people. Was it because he was nice? Key knew a lot of nice people. Was it because he was willing to listen to Key? A lot of people were willing to listen to what he said.
He turned to look at Jinki who was smiling at him, "It's okay if you say no. I'll understand."
Key knows for a fact that it's not because of his personality, if he was clumsy or nice. He knows that he likes Onew because of his smile. That smile that says so little but expresses so much. He loves that smile on Onew and it makes his heart skyrocket. He loves how Onew never gets mad at him and listens to him thoroughly before advicing him to choose whatever he felt was right. He loves the warm feeling that Onew radiates off. Most of all he loves that sweet, soothing that makes his heart and legs turn to goo whenever he talks.
He's never fallen this hard, not even for Jonghyun. He wants this. This is why Jonghyun chose to break up with him and he didn't want Jonghyun's heartache and sacrifice be a waste. He wants this. He truly wants this.
"Yes. I can do that for you."
And they catch up to their classmates, hands clasped tightly together as Onew smiled bashfully and apologized to the teacher why they had been so late. Key looks at the side completely embarassed but at the same time happy, that finally, he and Onew were together.
---
"Father, mother," Onew bowed towards his parents. Six weeks left until graduation and he was excited. He and Key had picked out the college they wanted, suiting both their interests. But before that he thought that it was high time that he introduce his boyfriend of one year and seven months to his parents, "Are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
His father sets the traditional tea cup on the wooden table, "Yes, and why do you ask Jinki?"
"Is it alright if I invite my friend over?"
His father, ever the aristocrat, nods curtly, "You may."
He bows once more, "Thank you."
"I can't wait to meet your friend Jinki-yah." His mother radiated towards him. In these times he wished he only had a mother.
---
"Where are we going?" Key laughs as they drove of to the secluded area of the town.
Jinki held his boyfriend's hand tightly, "We're going to meet my parents today."
Key remained silent and stares at Onew.
"What?" He asks.
"We're meeting your parents?"
Jinki nods.
"Now."
"Yes, Kibum now."
"Stop the car!" He shrieks.
"W-what?"
"Are you out of your mind? I can't meet your parents looking like this!" He gestured at his attire, "Oh god, they're going to think I'm not worthy of you. They're going to think I'm dirty and I- and my hair, oh god my hair-"
"Kibum..."
"-They're going to think that I can't afford clothes and-"
"Kibum..."
"-How can you just throw that at me? Onew! I can't believe you!-"
"Key!"
"What?"
"We're here." He states as a-matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean we're-" Key then oggles at the size of the house, "This is your house?"
Onew laughs at Key's cuteness amd replied, "Let's go inside."
---
"You must be Jinki's friend," Onew's mother Key presumed hugged him as soon as he came inside, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Lee Yuukimi amd this my husband, Lee Sunghun. What's your name sweety?"
"Kim Kibum, ma'am." He answered politely and bowed to Onew's parents.
It sort of hurt when Jinki introduced him as his friend. When really he was more than that. But he put his trust in Onew.
Onew was everything to him.
Dinner was quiet, Key noticed how powerful Onew's father seemed to be.
"So what are you aiming for in college, son?" Onew's father asked him.
Key wiped his mouth with the white napkin he placed on his lap a few moments ago, "I'm persuing fashion designing."
Onew's father raises his eyebrows. It makes Kibum shiver, "Is that wise? It's not an in demand job. Ypu're going to have a hard time finding a job. It's more logical to persue business."
Onew's mother smiles warmly at Kibum, "Oh don't listen to him. I think it's wonderful that you're persuing the career you want. Isn't that right Jinki?"
Onew nods.
"Are you two close?" Onew's mother question with innocence, he sees where Onew got his.
"Actually," Onew scratches the back of his head, "Kibum and I are in a relationship."
His father looks up and stops chewing on the steak he took a piece off. While his mother seemed not bothered by the idea of Kibum being his boyfriend.
"Come again?" Key gulped, the deep authoritarian voice resonated inside the dinning hall.
"Key and I are in a relationship," He admits and Key fidgets with his fingers.
The rest of the dinner was spent in tense silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the clattering of plates and the ocassional things that Jinki's mom.
---
"Get rid of him, Jinki," His father ordered once he came back from dropping of Key from his house.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't want him near you. He's just influencing you to do wrong." The CEO claimed, his posture perfect, while looking at his only son with disgust.
"Sunghun! You're going to far! From what I saw Kibum is a nice man," His mother exclaimed.
His father sighs, "Yukimi stay out of this," he starts, "If you expect me to pass down the company to a son that will tarnish the name, I'd rather die. Do you hear me, Jinki?" His father asked with authority that made Onew's stomach churn.
"If you do not get rid of him, you will not get my inheritance."
Onew scoffs, "I don't want your freaking inheritance." He then ventures off to the door not until his father says something to him that might very well kill him.
"Don't test me Jinki. You know very well what I can do," Onew could practically see the sinister smirk behind his father's voice, "I can make lives and I can ruin them too. What would Kibum say to you when he finds out that Lee Jinki, the son of a top notch CEO, already has a fiance?"
Onew turned back to look at his father, "What?"
"You are to wed Park Romi's daughter, Park Sunyoung. The decision is final," At that moment Onew never thought that he could hate his father as much as he hated him now, "By the time you graduate, I want this disgusting relationship over, do you understand?"
Onew's voice was stuck. He wanted to protest, to say 'no', but nothing came, nothing but quick breaths came. His voice didn't function and neither did his brain.
He was going to loose Key.
He has to let Key go.
"I hope I make myself clear Jinki, if you continue this sinful act, I will make Kim Kibum's life miserable and that he wished he was dead instead. I could make it that he can't graduate. Can't have a job. So if you claim to love him like you say you do, get rid of him."
Key wasn't a toy. Key wasn't a thing that he could easily dispose off.
The naive eighteen-year-old nodded, fighting back the pang inside his heart.
"You may leave."
Lee Jinki wanted nothing more than to run away from the monster he dared called his father.
---
Memories were inevitable. The present made the past, the future made the present. Goals were made. Dreams were pursued. Love was found.
The moonlight reflected on the white tiles of Key's bedroom. Where Onew lay awake, naked, while Key's body laid on top of him, using his body as a pillow. He held the smaller close. While Key played with Onew's stomach, tracing lines up and down. Their legs were tangeled. Hickeys and dark bruises littered all across their bodies the sign of the night they both shared.
Onew gently gets up and hols his head with his hands, thinking.
"This is a mistake," Onew voices out.
Key knew. He knew that it was, but that didn't stop the two of them. Instead he gets closer to his past lover and holds his arm. And just hope.
"I'm married."
Key doesn't know how to respond. That he didn't count on. Going against his morals that he was taught, he replied, "Do you love her?"
Silence.
"Do you love her?" Key repeats again. This time Onew looks at his eyes and just stares at them.
"You don't." Key answered for the brown haired man.
"She's waiting for me."
"I waited for you, I waited five years, Onew."
Onew doesn't know which was right or which was wrong anymore. He truly doesn't. He's confused and tired. All he wants to do was to close his eyes and just dream. Dream of the perfect life.
"Do you love me?" The lone question was made in the silent night. Onew stares at Key's determined eyes.
"Yes."
And lips locked once more. A message made between the two of them.
Then that's all that matters.
---
Love sucks. Sometimes it feels good. Sometimes it’s just another way to bleed.
--Laurell K. Hamilton, Blue Moon
-------------------------------------------
A/N: I know that the virtues of having an affair does not suit well to everyone but I promise I'll get better. It seemed real you know? Ahh school, why are you such a pain. T.T I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D
<3 Cim
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