Fonder Still (Absence)
Fonder Still (Absence)
D.O./Kai, Slice-of-life, fluff, AU, G, ~1500w
Trans-Pacific pining. Alternatively: How Jongin and Kyungsoo deal with being (temporary) long-distance boyfriends.
rated g for gross. approximately two brain cells were used in the writing of this fic. it will probably take the combined effort of one and a half brain cells to read this. trust me. i do research in cognitive neuroscience.
i.
“What did I tell you?”Jongin smiles happily as he sets his laptop down onto the desk. “The lab hooked me up with a great hotel room this time.”
“I can tell,” Kyungsoo grins. Truthfully, Kyungsoo didn’t get a good look at the room, since Jongin’s face took up the majority of the screen as he excitedly rambled on about the opaque shower curtains and the fluffy white towels in the bathroom. At least he kind of got to see the avant-garde painting hanging above the king-sized bed.
The glare from the morning sun on his laptop is starting to become a problem, so Kyungsoo shifts to a sitting position on the bed. “Thanks for giving me the grand tour. I love living vicariously through you.”
“Is that sarcasm I detect?” Jongin raises an eyebrow as he struggles to undo his tie. Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and wishes he could reach his hand through the monitor to undo it for him. He occupies himself with drumming his fingers on the keyboard instead. The steady rhythm calms him.
Jongin finally unwinds the tie from his neck and throws it haphazardly behind him onto the bed. “Don’t be jealous because no one is bringing fried chicken right to your door,” He sniffs, reaching over to hold up a plate of chicken up to the webcam. “Room service is the best. They even brought me sauce packets.” He waves a few packets of ketchup and honey mustard in front of the camera.
“I can just order take-out,” Kyungsoo laughs. “And don’t just order whatever you want. You’ve got to tip.”
“Wait. For real?” Jongin freezes.
“Everything costs money. I’m sure those bottled waters in the mini-fridge cost at least six dollars.” Kyungsoo smiles amusedly as Jongin disappears from view for a moment to inspect the contents of the refrigerator.
“Seven dollars,” Jongin says flatly as he returns with a bottle of water. He twists the tag attached to the bottle to show Kyungsoo the price. “I could buy seven McDonald’s cheeseburgers with seven dollars.”
“I like how you measure the worth of things by the number of cheeseburgers you can purchase,” Kyungsoo deadpans.
“Don’t worry, hyung. I would choose you over a cheeseburger.”
“I’m so happy.”
Jongin sticks his tongue out at him and attempts to look threatening. This lasts for about two seconds before he loses composure and starts giggling instead.
Kyungsoo smiles fondly. “I have to get ready for work. Good night, Jongin.”
“Have a great day, hyung,” Jongin blows Kyungsoo a kiss before signing off.
ii.
“Jongin, please do your work,” Kyungsoo says flatly, balancing the phone between his ear and right shoulder as he attempts to choose a shirt for a work. He is still getting used to the extra closet space. (Jongin is a paranoid packer and insisted on taking the majority of his wardrobe for a week-long trip.)
“But I don’t want to,” Jongin whines pitifully and Kyungsoo can almost imagine the look on Jongin’s face, eyes wide and lips pursed into an adorable pout.
“You’re in Chicago to give a talk, remember?” Kyungsoo responds. He grabs a light blue dress shirt off its hanger. “And your talk is tomorrow. You really should be rehearsing.”
“I’ve been rehearsing all day!” Jongin protests. Kyungsoo can hear him pacing around the room. “Anyways, I think the other researchers at the conference can find the strength to go on even if I don’t give my talk on cross-modal learning.”
“Then you should get some rest,” Kyungsoo suggests.
“I can’t go to bed this early!”
Kyungsoo sighs and counts to ten slowly in his head. Jongin doesn’t whine often, but when he does, it comes in full force. Kind of like that one time they went to beach and Jongin insisted on pouring the majority of the sunscreen onto Kyungsoo. Unsurprisingly, he ended up getting burnt himself and complained non-stop about the stinging all the way home. (It was a very trying time.)
“Well, why don’t you watch some TV?”
“...”
“Do you need help turning on the TV?” Kyungsoo asks.
“Ooh, hyung’s got jokes,” Jongin snorts. Kyungsoo hears a bit of shuffling before the sounds from the TV become perceptible. “I’ll watch TV. Just because you don’t love me enough to stay on the phone with me in my time of need.”
Though he knows Jongin can’t see him, Kyungsoo rolls his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too!” Jongin responds. When he starts making obnoxious smooching noises into the phone, Kyungsoo promptly hangs up.
iii.
Kim Jongin (kimjongin94@gmail.com)
to me
Hey!!! You’re probably asleep right now so I won’t try Skyping you, but please wish me luck on my presentation! I’m so nervous.
Do Kyungsoo (do.kyungsoo@gmail.com)
to Jongin
Good luck!
If you get nervous, just remember to look slightly above everyone’s heads so people will think you’re making eye contact with the person behind them when you actually aren’t making eye contact at all. Take deep breaths and don’t do that thing where you try to be funny when you’re nervous because you’re going to end up offending someone again. And don’t sweat all over your notecards like you did that one time. I’m still convinced that Dr. Kim knew I was whispering cue words to you from the audience.
Oh yeah, and try not to fall asleep during other people’s presentations. You snore. Really loudly.
I can’t wait until you come home. Because today I cooked too much food for dinner and as a result, I will be eating the same thing for at least two more days. I don’t think I even remember how to cook for one anymore TT___TT
iv.
“I got you a postcard,” Jongin says, holding up a card with an image of the Wrigley Building printed on the front.
“Why?” Kyungsoo laughs, adjusting his monitor so he can see Jongin better. From what he can see, there’s a small collection of souvenirs scattered all over Jongin’s desk. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Well, I went exploring this afternoon after the morning talks were over and ended up buying random souvenirs on the street.”
“Whatever makes you happy,” Kyungsoo shrugs.
“I must admit. This ‘I Heart Chicago’ shirt is making me really happy,” Jongin says with a straight face, holding up the t-shirt so Kyungsoo can appreciate its tacky glory.
“I hope you have room in your bag to fit all of that junk.”
“How dare you,” Jongin mock gasps and dramatically covers the ears of some hideous stuffed animal with a Chicago Cubs t-shirt on.
“That thing is gross,” Kyungsoo says. “I don’t think they’ll let you bring that back to Korea.”
“You are just unable to appreciate great craftsmanship. ”
Kyungsoo throws his arms up in defeat.
v.
Jongin is sleepy today.
“I’m all packed,” He mumbles, resting his head in his arms. “I’m coming home tomorrow.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t have the heart to tease Jongin for his inattentiveness, so he just lets Jongin rest. On Jongin’s end, the only light in the room is the glow from his laptop, contrasting with the morning sun streaming in through the window from Kyungsoo’s end.
“I can’t wait to see you,” Jongin yawns.
“You’re seeing me right now.” Kyungsoo replies.
“In person,” Jongin lifts his head briefly off his arms to smile sleepily at Kyungsoo.
“Yeah,” Kyungsoo bites his lip. A peaceful fondness fills his heart. “I can’t wait to see you too.”
vi.
Seeing Jongin in person after a week of absence is worth the hassle of the airport. (Though Kyungsoo has a few choice words for the squabbling sisters sitting near him who can’t seem to figure out how to take turns playing Candy Crush on their mother’s iPhone). So when Kyungsoo sees Jongin, happy and handsome albeit tired from the trip, he can’t help but stretch out his arms for a hug.
Jongin grins and hangs his duffle bag on Kyungsoo’s outstretched arms. “Aw, thanks for offering to carry my bags for me.”
Kyungsoo frowns and starts walking briskly in the opposite direction, arms still outstretched.
“Come back!” Jongin jogs after Kyungsoo, suitcase hitting the back of his legs in his haste. “I take it back! I’ll hold my own bag. Please don’t leave me here by myself while you go run off with the attractive barista that’s serving up coffee over at Starbucks-”
“You think the barista is attractive?” Kyungsoo spins around, raising an eyebrow.
“What? No! I was just providing a purely hypothetical situation-”
“Jongin. I’m just kidding,” Kyungsoo says, slinging the bag properly over his shoulder. “But really. You could have asked.”
Jongin just smiles in relief and pulls Kyungsoo into a hug. Kyungsoo wants to complain because the smell of the airplane lingers on Jongin’s shirt, but as Jongin holds him tighter, he smells less like a ten-plus hour plane ride and more like home so he lets it slide just this once.
Er yeah. So someone asked me to do the Kaisoo thing and I had to go do some research on their dynamic. I think this is pretty accurate.
D.O./Kai, Slice-of-life, fluff, AU, G, ~1500w
Trans-Pacific pining. Alternatively: How Jongin and Kyungsoo deal with being (temporary) long-distance boyfriends.
rated g for gross. approximately two brain cells were used in the writing of this fic. it will probably take the combined effort of one and a half brain cells to read this. trust me. i do research in cognitive neuroscience.
i.
“What did I tell you?”Jongin smiles happily as he sets his laptop down onto the desk. “The lab hooked me up with a great hotel room this time.”
“I can tell,” Kyungsoo grins. Truthfully, Kyungsoo didn’t get a good look at the room, since Jongin’s face took up the majority of the screen as he excitedly rambled on about the opaque shower curtains and the fluffy white towels in the bathroom. At least he kind of got to see the avant-garde painting hanging above the king-sized bed.
The glare from the morning sun on his laptop is starting to become a problem, so Kyungsoo shifts to a sitting position on the bed. “Thanks for giving me the grand tour. I love living vicariously through you.”
“Is that sarcasm I detect?” Jongin raises an eyebrow as he struggles to undo his tie. Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and wishes he could reach his hand through the monitor to undo it for him. He occupies himself with drumming his fingers on the keyboard instead. The steady rhythm calms him.
Jongin finally unwinds the tie from his neck and throws it haphazardly behind him onto the bed. “Don’t be jealous because no one is bringing fried chicken right to your door,” He sniffs, reaching over to hold up a plate of chicken up to the webcam. “Room service is the best. They even brought me sauce packets.” He waves a few packets of ketchup and honey mustard in front of the camera.
“I can just order take-out,” Kyungsoo laughs. “And don’t just order whatever you want. You’ve got to tip.”
“Wait. For real?” Jongin freezes.
“Everything costs money. I’m sure those bottled waters in the mini-fridge cost at least six dollars.” Kyungsoo smiles amusedly as Jongin disappears from view for a moment to inspect the contents of the refrigerator.
“Seven dollars,” Jongin says flatly as he returns with a bottle of water. He twists the tag attached to the bottle to show Kyungsoo the price. “I could buy seven McDonald’s cheeseburgers with seven dollars.”
“I like how you measure the worth of things by the number of cheeseburgers you can purchase,” Kyungsoo deadpans.
“Don’t worry, hyung. I would choose you over a cheeseburger.”
“I’m so happy.”
Jongin sticks his tongue out at him and attempts to look threatening. This lasts for about two seconds before he loses composure and starts giggling instead.
Kyungsoo smiles fondly. “I have to get ready for work. Good night, Jongin.”
“Have a great day, hyung,” Jongin blows Kyungsoo a kiss before signing off.
ii.
“Jongin, please do your work,” Kyungsoo says flatly, balancing the phone between his ear and right shoulder as he attempts to choose a shirt for a work. He is still getting used to the extra closet space. (Jongin is a paranoid packer and insisted on taking the majority of his wardrobe for a week-long trip.)
“But I don’t want to,” Jongin whines pitifully and Kyungsoo can almost imagine the look on Jongin’s face, eyes wide and lips pursed into an adorable pout.
“You’re in Chicago to give a talk, remember?” Kyungsoo responds. He grabs a light blue dress shirt off its hanger. “And your talk is tomorrow. You really should be rehearsing.”
“I’ve been rehearsing all day!” Jongin protests. Kyungsoo can hear him pacing around the room. “Anyways, I think the other researchers at the conference can find the strength to go on even if I don’t give my talk on cross-modal learning.”
“Then you should get some rest,” Kyungsoo suggests.
“I can’t go to bed this early!”
Kyungsoo sighs and counts to ten slowly in his head. Jongin doesn’t whine often, but when he does, it comes in full force. Kind of like that one time they went to beach and Jongin insisted on pouring the majority of the sunscreen onto Kyungsoo. Unsurprisingly, he ended up getting burnt himself and complained non-stop about the stinging all the way home. (It was a very trying time.)
“Well, why don’t you watch some TV?”
“...”
“Do you need help turning on the TV?” Kyungsoo asks.
“Ooh, hyung’s got jokes,” Jongin snorts. Kyungsoo hears a bit of shuffling before the sounds from the TV become perceptible. “I’ll watch TV. Just because you don’t love me enough to stay on the phone with me in my time of need.”
Though he knows Jongin can’t see him, Kyungsoo rolls his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too!” Jongin responds. When he starts making obnoxious smooching noises into the phone, Kyungsoo promptly hangs up.
iii.
Kim Jongin (kimjongin94@gmail.com)
to me
Hey!!! You’re probably asleep right now so I won’t try Skyping you, but please wish me luck on my presentation! I’m so nervous.
Do Kyungsoo (do.kyungsoo@gmail.com)
to Jongin
Good luck!
If you get nervous, just remember to look slightly above everyone’s heads so people will think you’re making eye contact with the person behind them when you actually aren’t making eye contact at all. Take deep breaths and don’t do that thing where you try to be funny when you’re nervous because you’re going to end up offending someone again. And don’t sweat all over your notecards like you did that one time. I’m still convinced that Dr. Kim knew I was whispering cue words to you from the audience.
Oh yeah, and try not to fall asleep during other people’s presentations. You snore. Really loudly.
I can’t wait until you come home. Because today I cooked too much food for dinner and as a result, I will be eating the same thing for at least two more days. I don’t think I even remember how to cook for one anymore TT___TT
iv.
“I got you a postcard,” Jongin says, holding up a card with an image of the Wrigley Building printed on the front.
“Why?” Kyungsoo laughs, adjusting his monitor so he can see Jongin better. From what he can see, there’s a small collection of souvenirs scattered all over Jongin’s desk. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Well, I went exploring this afternoon after the morning talks were over and ended up buying random souvenirs on the street.”
“Whatever makes you happy,” Kyungsoo shrugs.
“I must admit. This ‘I Heart Chicago’ shirt is making me really happy,” Jongin says with a straight face, holding up the t-shirt so Kyungsoo can appreciate its tacky glory.
“I hope you have room in your bag to fit all of that junk.”
“How dare you,” Jongin mock gasps and dramatically covers the ears of some hideous stuffed animal with a Chicago Cubs t-shirt on.
“That thing is gross,” Kyungsoo says. “I don’t think they’ll let you bring that back to Korea.”
“You are just unable to appreciate great craftsmanship. ”
Kyungsoo throws his arms up in defeat.
v.
Jongin is sleepy today.
“I’m all packed,” He mumbles, resting his head in his arms. “I’m coming home tomorrow.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t have the heart to tease Jongin for his inattentiveness, so he just lets Jongin rest. On Jongin’s end, the only light in the room is the glow from his laptop, contrasting with the morning sun streaming in through the window from Kyungsoo’s end.
“I can’t wait to see you,” Jongin yawns.
“You’re seeing me right now.” Kyungsoo replies.
“In person,” Jongin lifts his head briefly off his arms to smile sleepily at Kyungsoo.
“Yeah,” Kyungsoo bites his lip. A peaceful fondness fills his heart. “I can’t wait to see you too.”
vi.
Seeing Jongin in person after a week of absence is worth the hassle of the airport. (Though Kyungsoo has a few choice words for the squabbling sisters sitting near him who can’t seem to figure out how to take turns playing Candy Crush on their mother’s iPhone). So when Kyungsoo sees Jongin, happy and handsome albeit tired from the trip, he can’t help but stretch out his arms for a hug.
Jongin grins and hangs his duffle bag on Kyungsoo’s outstretched arms. “Aw, thanks for offering to carry my bags for me.”
Kyungsoo frowns and starts walking briskly in the opposite direction, arms still outstretched.
“Come back!” Jongin jogs after Kyungsoo, suitcase hitting the back of his legs in his haste. “I take it back! I’ll hold my own bag. Please don’t leave me here by myself while you go run off with the attractive barista that’s serving up coffee over at Starbucks-”
“You think the barista is attractive?” Kyungsoo spins around, raising an eyebrow.
“What? No! I was just providing a purely hypothetical situation-”
“Jongin. I’m just kidding,” Kyungsoo says, slinging the bag properly over his shoulder. “But really. You could have asked.”
Jongin just smiles in relief and pulls Kyungsoo into a hug. Kyungsoo wants to complain because the smell of the airplane lingers on Jongin’s shirt, but as Jongin holds him tighter, he smells less like a ten-plus hour plane ride and more like home so he lets it slide just this once.
Er yeah. So someone asked me to do the Kaisoo thing and I had to go do some research on their dynamic. I think this is pretty accurate.