Preoccupied (for liuyaxo)
Title: Preoccupied
Recipient: liuyaxo
Rating: G
Word Count: 2K
Warning(s): none
Summary: Jaebum and Jinyoung meet at a wedding. Both are lost in thought over each other. And one really wants to dance.
A/N: Dear recipient, I hope you like it! This is the first fic I’ve ever written in my life so please be gentle :) Also, a big thank you to D, G and H.
He’s sitting right in front of me and he’s so hot
As soon as he catches my heart, I’m like oh my god
‘Do it!’ Im Jaebum mentally pushes himself but physically, he is motionless.
Piercing eyes question his across the round table. The very same eyes that have tormented him for the past hour at this wedding. This damned wedding that he hadn’t even want to come to. But out of loyalty to his childhood friend, here he is, fidgeting and lamenting the decision.
Maybe he doesn’t really regret it. Regret is a weird thing. He could have climbed Everest and beat himself up for not bringing a handkerchief along. One never remembers what was on one’s mind when making choices or taking action. So to Jaebum, regretting something is... funny. At this very moment though, he could practically feel the makings of the regret of a lifetime if he didn’t make the first move. Now, if only the body heeds the will.
He groans inwardly, wondering why he is incapable of such a simple task when he is capable of dealing with just about any other problem.
Yes, he concludes, the subject of his affection has turned into a problem. Jaebum is as smitten now as he was when he first laid eyes on him walking up to the entrance.
His stride was confident but there was a hint of shyness to him - looking so prim and proper that Jaebum developed this urge right then and there to ruffle him, scuff his shoes or loosen his tie. Something.
The temptation was all new to him. His current predicament is all new to him too because normal Jaebum would have asked for his name upfront instead of listening in to conversations for information.
Well, at least he had a name now, albeit sneakily attained.
Oh only he is so pretty, his charms overflow
He burns up my heart because he takes me higher
“Jinyoung,” Jaebum murmurs the name inaudibly to himself.
Perhaps Jaebum thinks that saying the name out loud, testing the name on his lips, might drum up the courage to approach him. But he also feels the need to tread cautiously as it could be one-sided on his part and Jinyoung might not want the attention. Or maybe it’s his cowardice talking.
Jaebum lets out a sigh. Mr. Cool is making a fool of himself. Recalling the ridiculousness of his behaviour tonight found him cringing in embarrassment.
* * *
Jaebum followed after him to the dinner party as soon as he saw him in an effort to find out if he is an acquaintance of the bride or the groom. Then he could form a method of operation to have an actual conversation with him.
The crowd had dispersed as the guests mingled, family and friends reconnected. He remained in his line of vision as Jaebum stood outside the circle, looking in.
As he observed him, Jaebum fell even more deeply into his charm. He moved just so, languidly and effortlessly, yet each motion is purposeful. Almost like a dancer. What is it about this guy, Jaebum wondered. He went stag to the dinner party, seemingly shy except he didn’t need fodder to work the crowd skilfully.
He was talking to someone when he suddenly laughed. Lo and behold, he has eye whiskers. That did it. Jaebum was beyond enamoured. This is only one quirk. What if he discovered more? He might not live.
An exaggeration but somehow, it doesn’t seem like it if it’s him.
Name. Name. I need a name. Those bright eyes were taunting him to introduce himself. And so Jaebum entered the crowd, getting himself closer to his mark. He lingered around him, hoping for a stroke of luck.
What’s in a name anyway?
Nothing.
And everything.
It felt like his happiness hinges on his name.
“Jinyoung!”
He turned. He actually responded. Jaebum finally got his name. He almost whooped in joy but held it in. Everything was on the right track. Next step, commence eavesdropping.
Trying not to raise suspicion from onlookers, Jaebum discreetly inched closer as the friend joined Jinyoung and the other acquaintance. They continued talking in hushed voices, much to Jaebum’s frustration. It was probably all in his head but he must have looked like a prized idiot, skulking around just to catch a snippet of a conversation that did not concern him at all.
He couldn’t make heads or tails of the conversation nor did he make any headway in his pursuit of Jinyoung. Resigned, he made his way to his assigned table... alongside Jinyoung. Jaebum fell into step behind him to see where he would be seated. They reached their table at the same time when Jinyoung abruptly turned to the side and gestured after Jaebum to go first. Caught off-guard, Jaebum shook his head.
In a blur after their first so-called interaction, Jaebum picked the seat across from him. He was reluctant to seat himself next to Jinyoung. Making small talk was already daunting to him, even more so when the person fascinates him.
A booming voice echoed, announcing the bride and groom. The guests applauded the happy couple and proceeded to dinner. As he watched everyone wine and dine, Jaebum declared that tonight is a night of absurdity and bad decisions. He could have been talking with Jinyoung by now if they were seated next to each other. Belatedly, he realised that he doesn’t have to be the instigator to break the ice. Jaebum looked on miserably as Jinyoung chatted happily with his neighbours.
Throughout dinner, he and Jinyoung exchanged eye contact several times. Brief enough to be considered polite yet those glances together with his small smiles sustained him, spurred him on to approach Jinyoung.
Apparently, knowing his name was the easiest part. He still didn’t know anything else about him. Whose acquaintance he was, who he really is, his hobbies, his favourite food, beach or mountain - important questions that Jaebum needed answers to before the night is over.
Tonight is also a night of dazed confusion.
Jaebum didn’t even pay attention to what he consumed. He was just going through the motions; only fully aware of Jinyoung, barely of anything else. The clatter of servers clearing away dishes snapped him from his reverie and he looked around to see the guests filling up the dance floor.
Unlike him, Jinyoung absorbed the mood of the room and was really in high spirits; clapping and cheering for the dancers even as he remained sitting in his seat. The paradox intrigued Jaebum. Why wasn’t he joining in?
Maybe he’s waiting for the right song.
Maybe he’s waiting for the right partner.
Maybe Jaebum should ask him for a dance.
* * *
Maybe Jaebum should quit stalling and start taking action.
‘Do it!’
Talking obviously didn’t work for him so dancing it is.
‘DO IT!’
He’s an arsonist that fires up my heart
My heart is beating restlessly bum bum bum
‘Talk to him!’
While he’s looking all intensely constipated? Jinyoung doubts the timing. Frown lines mar his glorious forehead. For such a joyous occasion, he sure isn’t enjoying it.
Jinyoung, on the other hand, is enjoying him. Or rather, his myriad of facial expressions. Within the span of one hour, Jinyoung has seen him brooding, glowering, grimacing, smirking and even blushing at one point. The whole party pales in comparison to this captivating man.
His face is a canvas; his chiselled features art in itself, like brush strokes boldly painted. The colourful expressions gave character to his face. His curled lip, raised eyebrow and scrunched nose; every facial movement tells a story so vividly that Jinyoung yearns to delve deeper into his head and pick it apart.
Jinyoung grins.
He certainly did not expect that a delightful enigma would be in store for the night when he sent in his RSVP. He was momentarily distracted from banal chatter with his colleague when he heard someone called his name. Turning around to greet his friend, that was the moment when he saw him.
A lone, impressive figure in a cluster of people yet sharing no part of it, he shone the brightest to Jinyoung. Taking him in, Jinyoung could feel the silent tension emanating from him.
As the friends around him prattled on, Jinyoung realised that he didn’t have anything substantial to add to the already trite talk so he excused himself to get to his table. At the corner of his eye, he noticed that he was also heading to the same table as him. Jinyoung stepped to the side and motioned for him to take his seat first.
Poor soul looked taken aback by the gesture and jerkily shook his head. Jinyoung shrugged, took a seat, ready for whatever the night will bring.
His interest has been... sparked, to put it mildly.
* * *
The festivity grows merrier as the night goes on. The dance floor beckons but Jinyoung is too content to stay where he is. His source of amusement is shaping up to be all the entertainment he needs for the night.
Ironically, it’s because he hardly cracked a smile the entire night.
Jinyoung’s eyes keep drifting over to the person sitting across from him even as he engages himself in conversation with the guests flanked on either side of him. After the standard introduction, they talk about the newlywed couple and the wedding. Frankly, those are the last two things Jinyoung wants to talk about because they would lead up to the very last thing that he really does not want to talk about; his own marriage.
No, he’s not married. He has always been single but somehow, the ‘single’ status makes people think that it’s okay to enquire about his impending, non-existent wedding. The idea of holy matrimony alone is laughable to him. If they are disappointed with the lack of confirmation, they move on to the next enquiry - his love life.
What would be an ideal topic at a wedding anyway, other than the usual set of questions within the same realm. Annoying clichés and polite responses are starting to drain him. Jinyoung smirks to himself. Just for once, he wants to buck the trend and answer succinctly, effectively shutting people up and stopping the barrage of silly questions thrown his way.
How’s your love life? Elusive.
What about dating? A hassle.
Romance? A genre.
Fortunately for him, his seat neighbours did not probe him further than he is willing to indulge. Not that he would reveal anything, considering they were strangers prior to the wedding. He didn’t have it in him to be courteous sometimes.
He longs to meet someone who will throw caution to the wind and be damned with propriety. Mr. Deep Thinker over there doesn’t seem to be of the careless sort.
He scoffs. Speak for yourself. He, Park Jinyoung himself, is too mindful of the kind of image he projects so how dare he dream of someone who is a total opposite, much less mocking someone else’s character.
Jinyoung is itching to ask him, ‘Why so serious?’ and set him off balance. He just wants to get a reaction out of him but he averts his gaze whenever Jinyoung is about to say something to him.
A part of him wants to leave him be but he also loves a challenge.
Getting a smile from him is probably a triumph in itself so Jinyoung takes it upon himself to achieve that.
He scoffs again. He talks the big talk but he doesn’t really walk the walk unless it’s necessary. For all his whining and complaining, he hasn’t done anything much to shake the boat per se. Why would tonight be any different?
Maybe he’s had enough of things falling into neat categories.
Jinyoung stops his train of thought.
Maybe he doesn’t have to wait for someone reckless. Maybe he can be reckless himself. He only needs the right incentive. And he knows just the person.
* * *
Who is he kidding? Jaebum is too bogged down by his own rigidity to make any actual progress, even for progress’s sake.
Is he too overwhelmed by his attraction towards Jinyoung that he is anxiously dreading his answer to the point where he doesn’t want to follow through with his plan at all?
Jaebum is so deep in contemplation that he’s startled when someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns around in his seat, only to be greeted by a remarkably unexpected sight.
I will go now, I will go to you
I will not hesitate if it’s you
Hands in pocket, eyes resolute, Jinyoung utters the six most beautiful words.
“Boy, you better dance with me.”
Recipient: liuyaxo
Rating: G
Word Count: 2K
Warning(s): none
Summary: Jaebum and Jinyoung meet at a wedding. Both are lost in thought over each other. And one really wants to dance.
A/N: Dear recipient, I hope you like it! This is the first fic I’ve ever written in my life so please be gentle :) Also, a big thank you to D, G and H.
He’s sitting right in front of me and he’s so hot
As soon as he catches my heart, I’m like oh my god
‘Do it!’ Im Jaebum mentally pushes himself but physically, he is motionless.
Piercing eyes question his across the round table. The very same eyes that have tormented him for the past hour at this wedding. This damned wedding that he hadn’t even want to come to. But out of loyalty to his childhood friend, here he is, fidgeting and lamenting the decision.
Maybe he doesn’t really regret it. Regret is a weird thing. He could have climbed Everest and beat himself up for not bringing a handkerchief along. One never remembers what was on one’s mind when making choices or taking action. So to Jaebum, regretting something is... funny. At this very moment though, he could practically feel the makings of the regret of a lifetime if he didn’t make the first move. Now, if only the body heeds the will.
He groans inwardly, wondering why he is incapable of such a simple task when he is capable of dealing with just about any other problem.
Yes, he concludes, the subject of his affection has turned into a problem. Jaebum is as smitten now as he was when he first laid eyes on him walking up to the entrance.
His stride was confident but there was a hint of shyness to him - looking so prim and proper that Jaebum developed this urge right then and there to ruffle him, scuff his shoes or loosen his tie. Something.
The temptation was all new to him. His current predicament is all new to him too because normal Jaebum would have asked for his name upfront instead of listening in to conversations for information.
Well, at least he had a name now, albeit sneakily attained.
Oh only he is so pretty, his charms overflow
He burns up my heart because he takes me higher
“Jinyoung,” Jaebum murmurs the name inaudibly to himself.
Perhaps Jaebum thinks that saying the name out loud, testing the name on his lips, might drum up the courage to approach him. But he also feels the need to tread cautiously as it could be one-sided on his part and Jinyoung might not want the attention. Or maybe it’s his cowardice talking.
Jaebum lets out a sigh. Mr. Cool is making a fool of himself. Recalling the ridiculousness of his behaviour tonight found him cringing in embarrassment.
* * *
Jaebum followed after him to the dinner party as soon as he saw him in an effort to find out if he is an acquaintance of the bride or the groom. Then he could form a method of operation to have an actual conversation with him.
The crowd had dispersed as the guests mingled, family and friends reconnected. He remained in his line of vision as Jaebum stood outside the circle, looking in.
As he observed him, Jaebum fell even more deeply into his charm. He moved just so, languidly and effortlessly, yet each motion is purposeful. Almost like a dancer. What is it about this guy, Jaebum wondered. He went stag to the dinner party, seemingly shy except he didn’t need fodder to work the crowd skilfully.
He was talking to someone when he suddenly laughed. Lo and behold, he has eye whiskers. That did it. Jaebum was beyond enamoured. This is only one quirk. What if he discovered more? He might not live.
An exaggeration but somehow, it doesn’t seem like it if it’s him.
Name. Name. I need a name. Those bright eyes were taunting him to introduce himself. And so Jaebum entered the crowd, getting himself closer to his mark. He lingered around him, hoping for a stroke of luck.
What’s in a name anyway?
Nothing.
And everything.
It felt like his happiness hinges on his name.
“Jinyoung!”
He turned. He actually responded. Jaebum finally got his name. He almost whooped in joy but held it in. Everything was on the right track. Next step, commence eavesdropping.
Trying not to raise suspicion from onlookers, Jaebum discreetly inched closer as the friend joined Jinyoung and the other acquaintance. They continued talking in hushed voices, much to Jaebum’s frustration. It was probably all in his head but he must have looked like a prized idiot, skulking around just to catch a snippet of a conversation that did not concern him at all.
He couldn’t make heads or tails of the conversation nor did he make any headway in his pursuit of Jinyoung. Resigned, he made his way to his assigned table... alongside Jinyoung. Jaebum fell into step behind him to see where he would be seated. They reached their table at the same time when Jinyoung abruptly turned to the side and gestured after Jaebum to go first. Caught off-guard, Jaebum shook his head.
In a blur after their first so-called interaction, Jaebum picked the seat across from him. He was reluctant to seat himself next to Jinyoung. Making small talk was already daunting to him, even more so when the person fascinates him.
A booming voice echoed, announcing the bride and groom. The guests applauded the happy couple and proceeded to dinner. As he watched everyone wine and dine, Jaebum declared that tonight is a night of absurdity and bad decisions. He could have been talking with Jinyoung by now if they were seated next to each other. Belatedly, he realised that he doesn’t have to be the instigator to break the ice. Jaebum looked on miserably as Jinyoung chatted happily with his neighbours.
Throughout dinner, he and Jinyoung exchanged eye contact several times. Brief enough to be considered polite yet those glances together with his small smiles sustained him, spurred him on to approach Jinyoung.
Apparently, knowing his name was the easiest part. He still didn’t know anything else about him. Whose acquaintance he was, who he really is, his hobbies, his favourite food, beach or mountain - important questions that Jaebum needed answers to before the night is over.
Tonight is also a night of dazed confusion.
Jaebum didn’t even pay attention to what he consumed. He was just going through the motions; only fully aware of Jinyoung, barely of anything else. The clatter of servers clearing away dishes snapped him from his reverie and he looked around to see the guests filling up the dance floor.
Unlike him, Jinyoung absorbed the mood of the room and was really in high spirits; clapping and cheering for the dancers even as he remained sitting in his seat. The paradox intrigued Jaebum. Why wasn’t he joining in?
Maybe he’s waiting for the right song.
Maybe he’s waiting for the right partner.
Maybe Jaebum should ask him for a dance.
* * *
Maybe Jaebum should quit stalling and start taking action.
‘Do it!’
Talking obviously didn’t work for him so dancing it is.
‘DO IT!’
He’s an arsonist that fires up my heart
My heart is beating restlessly bum bum bum
‘Talk to him!’
While he’s looking all intensely constipated? Jinyoung doubts the timing. Frown lines mar his glorious forehead. For such a joyous occasion, he sure isn’t enjoying it.
Jinyoung, on the other hand, is enjoying him. Or rather, his myriad of facial expressions. Within the span of one hour, Jinyoung has seen him brooding, glowering, grimacing, smirking and even blushing at one point. The whole party pales in comparison to this captivating man.
His face is a canvas; his chiselled features art in itself, like brush strokes boldly painted. The colourful expressions gave character to his face. His curled lip, raised eyebrow and scrunched nose; every facial movement tells a story so vividly that Jinyoung yearns to delve deeper into his head and pick it apart.
Jinyoung grins.
He certainly did not expect that a delightful enigma would be in store for the night when he sent in his RSVP. He was momentarily distracted from banal chatter with his colleague when he heard someone called his name. Turning around to greet his friend, that was the moment when he saw him.
A lone, impressive figure in a cluster of people yet sharing no part of it, he shone the brightest to Jinyoung. Taking him in, Jinyoung could feel the silent tension emanating from him.
As the friends around him prattled on, Jinyoung realised that he didn’t have anything substantial to add to the already trite talk so he excused himself to get to his table. At the corner of his eye, he noticed that he was also heading to the same table as him. Jinyoung stepped to the side and motioned for him to take his seat first.
Poor soul looked taken aback by the gesture and jerkily shook his head. Jinyoung shrugged, took a seat, ready for whatever the night will bring.
His interest has been... sparked, to put it mildly.
* * *
The festivity grows merrier as the night goes on. The dance floor beckons but Jinyoung is too content to stay where he is. His source of amusement is shaping up to be all the entertainment he needs for the night.
Ironically, it’s because he hardly cracked a smile the entire night.
Jinyoung’s eyes keep drifting over to the person sitting across from him even as he engages himself in conversation with the guests flanked on either side of him. After the standard introduction, they talk about the newlywed couple and the wedding. Frankly, those are the last two things Jinyoung wants to talk about because they would lead up to the very last thing that he really does not want to talk about; his own marriage.
No, he’s not married. He has always been single but somehow, the ‘single’ status makes people think that it’s okay to enquire about his impending, non-existent wedding. The idea of holy matrimony alone is laughable to him. If they are disappointed with the lack of confirmation, they move on to the next enquiry - his love life.
What would be an ideal topic at a wedding anyway, other than the usual set of questions within the same realm. Annoying clichés and polite responses are starting to drain him. Jinyoung smirks to himself. Just for once, he wants to buck the trend and answer succinctly, effectively shutting people up and stopping the barrage of silly questions thrown his way.
How’s your love life? Elusive.
What about dating? A hassle.
Romance? A genre.
Fortunately for him, his seat neighbours did not probe him further than he is willing to indulge. Not that he would reveal anything, considering they were strangers prior to the wedding. He didn’t have it in him to be courteous sometimes.
He longs to meet someone who will throw caution to the wind and be damned with propriety. Mr. Deep Thinker over there doesn’t seem to be of the careless sort.
He scoffs. Speak for yourself. He, Park Jinyoung himself, is too mindful of the kind of image he projects so how dare he dream of someone who is a total opposite, much less mocking someone else’s character.
Jinyoung is itching to ask him, ‘Why so serious?’ and set him off balance. He just wants to get a reaction out of him but he averts his gaze whenever Jinyoung is about to say something to him.
A part of him wants to leave him be but he also loves a challenge.
Getting a smile from him is probably a triumph in itself so Jinyoung takes it upon himself to achieve that.
He scoffs again. He talks the big talk but he doesn’t really walk the walk unless it’s necessary. For all his whining and complaining, he hasn’t done anything much to shake the boat per se. Why would tonight be any different?
Maybe he’s had enough of things falling into neat categories.
Jinyoung stops his train of thought.
Maybe he doesn’t have to wait for someone reckless. Maybe he can be reckless himself. He only needs the right incentive. And he knows just the person.
* * *
Who is he kidding? Jaebum is too bogged down by his own rigidity to make any actual progress, even for progress’s sake.
Is he too overwhelmed by his attraction towards Jinyoung that he is anxiously dreading his answer to the point where he doesn’t want to follow through with his plan at all?
Jaebum is so deep in contemplation that he’s startled when someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns around in his seat, only to be greeted by a remarkably unexpected sight.
I will go now, I will go to you
I will not hesitate if it’s you
Hands in pocket, eyes resolute, Jinyoung utters the six most beautiful words.
“Boy, you better dance with me.”