Keep Calm and Find Key; Minho/Key
This is what happens when Minho returns back to the dorm after leaving Idol Star Athletics Championship injured.
12 minutes 23 seconds.
That was how long Kibum lasted before he finally lost his cool and began giving Minho a piece of his mind. Minho had to admit, he was indeed very impressed that the blonde managed to hold it all in for slightly over 12 minutes since he had expected to get an earful from his boyfriend once he had set foot in their dorm. However, Kibum had patiently waited until their manager had left and they were finally alone in the living room to begin his round of nagging (the other members were out busy with their individual schedules while Kibum was having his off day after performing for his musical the night before).
“You moron, what did I tell you last night?” Kibum started, glaring at Minho and standing with his hands on his hips in front of the rapper who was sitting all prim and proper like an obedient child on the sofa. “Weren’t you listening when I reminded you not to push yourself too hard? That you didn’t have to feel pressured to win? To hell with your competitive spirit! I even told you to be careful, to not hurt or injure yourself at the damn athletics championship, and you promised me, Choi Minho, you said I have nothing to worry about but nooo, obviously that was all bullshit because look at the sorry state you’re in now.”
Although he was on the receiving end of Kibum’s anger, Minho had to stop himself from laughing, or smiling for that matter. It wasn’t his fault that he honestly found Kibum too cute beyond words when his boyfriend was furious at him only because he had got him all worried. Because in all seriousness, have you seen an angry Kibum? He was lethal with his words and looked every bit of an angry mother but he was like a harmless kitty, and all Minho wanted to do was pull the blonde into his arms and squeeze his cheeks while hugging him tightly until he couldn’t breathe.
“Are you even listening to me, Choi Minho?!”
Minho instantly nodded and placed on the most angelic smile he could muster. “Of course I am, Kibummie.”
“You’re lucky I can’t resort to violence now because you injured your waist.” Kibum said after taking in a deep breath, his arms now crossed over his chest to stop himself from throwing punches, his eyes narrowed dangerously at his boyfriend.
“I only went for a checkup, Kibum, just to make sure it’s nothing serious… and it really is nothing serious. I feel fine but you know how paranoid management can get especially since our comeback is nearing…”
“If you were truly feeling fine, I know you would have insisted to participate in the high jump event.” Unconvinced, Kibum frowned, worry etched on the perfect features of his face. “Tell me the truth. How’re you feeling now?”
“My waist may be aching just a little but I’m good, Kibum.” Minho replied honestly. “And you know how I can’t go against manager hyung’s wishes…”
Kibum shook his head. “That’s not what I was asking.”
To others, Kibum wouldn’t seem to be making any sense but to Minho, the rapper of SHINee who has known the almighty Key for 6 years and counting, the 21 year old Choi Minho who could proudly say was Kim Kibum’s boyfriend and better half of three years and counting, it made perfect sense because one look from Kibum was all he needed to understand exactly what the blonde was truly asking.
Minho let out a huge breath, finally letting it all go and relaxing himself in front of Kibum, allowing his true emotions to show since he knew there was no need to put up a strong happy front anymore. “I’m disappointed with myself… sad and pissed off that I got my rhythm wrong and tripped on the hurdles. Plus it doesn’t help that I had to fall in public; do you know how embarrassing that was for me when I knew everyone had such high hopes? It honestly sucks, getting to the finish line knowing I didn’t win… but I had to complete the race, Kibum, I had to.”
By then, Minho had his head bowed down, shaking it regretfully, his hands covering his face because he was ashamed. He didn’t need Kibum to see him like this.
Kibum sighed, quickly stepping forward and reducing the distance between Minho and him so he could stand between the other’s legs and bring his hand behind his boyfriend’s neck to pull him gently forward into his warmth so Minho could lean his head onto his stomach.
“I’ve said this so many times to you before, Minho. You’re too hard on yourself…” Kibum said as his fingers travelled into Minho’s new short hair and softly massaged the back of his head. “You know we, both the fans and I, don’t care whether you win or lose, what we care about is you so could you please stop being so hard on yourself every time you don’t win?”
“Bummie, you know how I am… I can’t stand losing.” Minho grumbled.
“Well, here's a newsflash for you.” Kibum quipped as he lightly pushed Minho away so he could look into the rapper’s eyes. “I hate it when you lose too… in fact, if there’s one person who hates you losing more than you do, it has got to be me.”
A puzzled expression appeared on Minho’s face as he looked up at Kibum, waiting for his boyfriend to continue and clear his confusion.
“Err, hellooo?” Kibum singsonged as he pointed at himself, “I’m the one who has to deal with you after you come back home all grumpy and upset, I’m the one who has to listen to you complain and groan about why you didn’t win and what you could have done to win, not forgetting the fact that I have to put up with your tossing and turning at night … oh and now that you’ve stupidly injured yourself, I also have to take special care of you. Are these good enough reasons for me to hate it when you lose?”
“I’m… sorry?” Shell-shocked from Kibum’s confession, all Minho could do was apologize.
“Yeah, you should be sorry… after what you put me through; I deserve more than an apology.” Kibum stated, unforgiving of the fact that Minho had caused him to worry unnecessarily, “Don’t forget, you broke your promise as well.”
Minho instinctively tugged Kibum’s hand, swinging it to and fro, and pleaded with a pout, “Let me off on account that I’m injured?”
“Aww, poor baby…” Kibum cooed, stroking Minho’s face tenderly as his features softened for a split second before he squeezed Minho’s cheek relentlessly and glared at the rapper. “You just told me it was nothing serious, idiot. What do you think I am? A fool?!”
Minho hissed in pain as he caught hold of Kibum’s hand and tried to pry the blonde’s fingers off his cheek. “No Kibum… you’re not a fool to me, you’re the love of my life.”
Rolling his eyes, Kibum let go of Minho’s cheek and purposely sat down rather hard on Minho’s lap, forcing the rapper to bear his whole weight. “You should probably know by now that I’m immune to your sweet nothings.”
“Yeah…” Used to the weight of Kibum on him, Minho agreed, his arms circling the blonde’s waist while he swiftly leaned forward to steal a kiss from Kibum’s lips. “But I’m hoping my kisses still have an effect on you?”
“Nope, I’ve kissed you too many times that I’m getting rather sick of it…” Kibum remarked nonchalantly.
“Well, there is one thing I know will work… but I can’t do it now since both the doctor and management specifically ordered me to rest and not do anything that will aggravate the pain in my waist...” Minho said regretfully before he added as an afterthought, “Though I do believe I can still use my hands…”
“You’re a pig.” Kibum concluded as he shot Minho a disgusted look.
“What are you thinking about, Kibummie?” Minho asked with fake innocence, his eyes giving away his act as they sparkled with mischief, “I was talking about housework… you know, helping you out with the chores?”
“That’s it. I had enough.” Irritated, Kibum tried to get up from Minho’s lap, only to end up failing because the rapper, having seen it coming, already had his arms tightly secured around Kibum’s waist. “I’m not going to put up with you anymore. Let me go, Choi Minho!”
Satisfied that he had successfully tricked his boyfriend, Minho couldn’t resist a laugh from escaping his lips. “Kibum, the more you struggle, the tighter I’ll hold on to you…”
Like a magic spell, Kibum stopped all movement; Minho knew this would happen but what he never expected to see was a smug expression on his boyfriend’s face.
“I see you’re feeling much better now.” Kibum smirked, proud that he always had his way with Minho, that he was an expert at dealing with his moody boyfriend, “Isn’t it great to be back to your usual annoying self rather than moping around because you didn’t win?”
“Kibum…” Minho didn’t know what to say upon realizing that his boyfriend had been trying to cheer him up all this while. He could only look at Kibum with an expression mixed with love, gratefulness, amusement and even a hint of guilt and remorse, because he truly couldn’t express what he was feeling right now.
“Save it.” Kibum simply said with a sincere smile on his face as he squeezed Minho’s face between his hands. “You already owe me too much anyway.”
“What am I ever going to do without you?”
Kibum shrugged as he slid himself off Minho’s lap and settled next to his boyfriend on the sofa, all ready to waste the rest of the day away staying beside Minho as he got the rest he needed. “You probably wouldn’t even survive a day.”
“Probably.”
Both Minho and Kibum shared a laugh with each other, but that didn’t mean they didn’t recognize the truth behind those words. In fact, Minho knew Kibum was almost certainly the only solution to all his problems, unless of course, he was the problem itself. It was then Minho realized how screwed he was, that he had become this dependent on Kibum; and if that wasn’t bad enough, Kibum even knew he had such a control over him. Oh, Minho was screwed alright. Then again, what was there to say since he was happily screwed? Absolutely nothing. Minho, for sure, wasn’t complaining. Not now, not ever.
12 minutes 23 seconds.
That was how long Kibum lasted before he finally lost his cool and began giving Minho a piece of his mind. Minho had to admit, he was indeed very impressed that the blonde managed to hold it all in for slightly over 12 minutes since he had expected to get an earful from his boyfriend once he had set foot in their dorm. However, Kibum had patiently waited until their manager had left and they were finally alone in the living room to begin his round of nagging (the other members were out busy with their individual schedules while Kibum was having his off day after performing for his musical the night before).
“You moron, what did I tell you last night?” Kibum started, glaring at Minho and standing with his hands on his hips in front of the rapper who was sitting all prim and proper like an obedient child on the sofa. “Weren’t you listening when I reminded you not to push yourself too hard? That you didn’t have to feel pressured to win? To hell with your competitive spirit! I even told you to be careful, to not hurt or injure yourself at the damn athletics championship, and you promised me, Choi Minho, you said I have nothing to worry about but nooo, obviously that was all bullshit because look at the sorry state you’re in now.”
Although he was on the receiving end of Kibum’s anger, Minho had to stop himself from laughing, or smiling for that matter. It wasn’t his fault that he honestly found Kibum too cute beyond words when his boyfriend was furious at him only because he had got him all worried. Because in all seriousness, have you seen an angry Kibum? He was lethal with his words and looked every bit of an angry mother but he was like a harmless kitty, and all Minho wanted to do was pull the blonde into his arms and squeeze his cheeks while hugging him tightly until he couldn’t breathe.
“Are you even listening to me, Choi Minho?!”
Minho instantly nodded and placed on the most angelic smile he could muster. “Of course I am, Kibummie.”
“You’re lucky I can’t resort to violence now because you injured your waist.” Kibum said after taking in a deep breath, his arms now crossed over his chest to stop himself from throwing punches, his eyes narrowed dangerously at his boyfriend.
“I only went for a checkup, Kibum, just to make sure it’s nothing serious… and it really is nothing serious. I feel fine but you know how paranoid management can get especially since our comeback is nearing…”
“If you were truly feeling fine, I know you would have insisted to participate in the high jump event.” Unconvinced, Kibum frowned, worry etched on the perfect features of his face. “Tell me the truth. How’re you feeling now?”
“My waist may be aching just a little but I’m good, Kibum.” Minho replied honestly. “And you know how I can’t go against manager hyung’s wishes…”
Kibum shook his head. “That’s not what I was asking.”
To others, Kibum wouldn’t seem to be making any sense but to Minho, the rapper of SHINee who has known the almighty Key for 6 years and counting, the 21 year old Choi Minho who could proudly say was Kim Kibum’s boyfriend and better half of three years and counting, it made perfect sense because one look from Kibum was all he needed to understand exactly what the blonde was truly asking.
Minho let out a huge breath, finally letting it all go and relaxing himself in front of Kibum, allowing his true emotions to show since he knew there was no need to put up a strong happy front anymore. “I’m disappointed with myself… sad and pissed off that I got my rhythm wrong and tripped on the hurdles. Plus it doesn’t help that I had to fall in public; do you know how embarrassing that was for me when I knew everyone had such high hopes? It honestly sucks, getting to the finish line knowing I didn’t win… but I had to complete the race, Kibum, I had to.”
By then, Minho had his head bowed down, shaking it regretfully, his hands covering his face because he was ashamed. He didn’t need Kibum to see him like this.
Kibum sighed, quickly stepping forward and reducing the distance between Minho and him so he could stand between the other’s legs and bring his hand behind his boyfriend’s neck to pull him gently forward into his warmth so Minho could lean his head onto his stomach.
“I’ve said this so many times to you before, Minho. You’re too hard on yourself…” Kibum said as his fingers travelled into Minho’s new short hair and softly massaged the back of his head. “You know we, both the fans and I, don’t care whether you win or lose, what we care about is you so could you please stop being so hard on yourself every time you don’t win?”
“Bummie, you know how I am… I can’t stand losing.” Minho grumbled.
“Well, here's a newsflash for you.” Kibum quipped as he lightly pushed Minho away so he could look into the rapper’s eyes. “I hate it when you lose too… in fact, if there’s one person who hates you losing more than you do, it has got to be me.”
A puzzled expression appeared on Minho’s face as he looked up at Kibum, waiting for his boyfriend to continue and clear his confusion.
“Err, hellooo?” Kibum singsonged as he pointed at himself, “I’m the one who has to deal with you after you come back home all grumpy and upset, I’m the one who has to listen to you complain and groan about why you didn’t win and what you could have done to win, not forgetting the fact that I have to put up with your tossing and turning at night … oh and now that you’ve stupidly injured yourself, I also have to take special care of you. Are these good enough reasons for me to hate it when you lose?”
“I’m… sorry?” Shell-shocked from Kibum’s confession, all Minho could do was apologize.
“Yeah, you should be sorry… after what you put me through; I deserve more than an apology.” Kibum stated, unforgiving of the fact that Minho had caused him to worry unnecessarily, “Don’t forget, you broke your promise as well.”
Minho instinctively tugged Kibum’s hand, swinging it to and fro, and pleaded with a pout, “Let me off on account that I’m injured?”
“Aww, poor baby…” Kibum cooed, stroking Minho’s face tenderly as his features softened for a split second before he squeezed Minho’s cheek relentlessly and glared at the rapper. “You just told me it was nothing serious, idiot. What do you think I am? A fool?!”
Minho hissed in pain as he caught hold of Kibum’s hand and tried to pry the blonde’s fingers off his cheek. “No Kibum… you’re not a fool to me, you’re the love of my life.”
Rolling his eyes, Kibum let go of Minho’s cheek and purposely sat down rather hard on Minho’s lap, forcing the rapper to bear his whole weight. “You should probably know by now that I’m immune to your sweet nothings.”
“Yeah…” Used to the weight of Kibum on him, Minho agreed, his arms circling the blonde’s waist while he swiftly leaned forward to steal a kiss from Kibum’s lips. “But I’m hoping my kisses still have an effect on you?”
“Nope, I’ve kissed you too many times that I’m getting rather sick of it…” Kibum remarked nonchalantly.
“Well, there is one thing I know will work… but I can’t do it now since both the doctor and management specifically ordered me to rest and not do anything that will aggravate the pain in my waist...” Minho said regretfully before he added as an afterthought, “Though I do believe I can still use my hands…”
“You’re a pig.” Kibum concluded as he shot Minho a disgusted look.
“What are you thinking about, Kibummie?” Minho asked with fake innocence, his eyes giving away his act as they sparkled with mischief, “I was talking about housework… you know, helping you out with the chores?”
“That’s it. I had enough.” Irritated, Kibum tried to get up from Minho’s lap, only to end up failing because the rapper, having seen it coming, already had his arms tightly secured around Kibum’s waist. “I’m not going to put up with you anymore. Let me go, Choi Minho!”
Satisfied that he had successfully tricked his boyfriend, Minho couldn’t resist a laugh from escaping his lips. “Kibum, the more you struggle, the tighter I’ll hold on to you…”
Like a magic spell, Kibum stopped all movement; Minho knew this would happen but what he never expected to see was a smug expression on his boyfriend’s face.
“I see you’re feeling much better now.” Kibum smirked, proud that he always had his way with Minho, that he was an expert at dealing with his moody boyfriend, “Isn’t it great to be back to your usual annoying self rather than moping around because you didn’t win?”
“Kibum…” Minho didn’t know what to say upon realizing that his boyfriend had been trying to cheer him up all this while. He could only look at Kibum with an expression mixed with love, gratefulness, amusement and even a hint of guilt and remorse, because he truly couldn’t express what he was feeling right now.
“Save it.” Kibum simply said with a sincere smile on his face as he squeezed Minho’s face between his hands. “You already owe me too much anyway.”
“What am I ever going to do without you?”
Kibum shrugged as he slid himself off Minho’s lap and settled next to his boyfriend on the sofa, all ready to waste the rest of the day away staying beside Minho as he got the rest he needed. “You probably wouldn’t even survive a day.”
“Probably.”
Both Minho and Kibum shared a laugh with each other, but that didn’t mean they didn’t recognize the truth behind those words. In fact, Minho knew Kibum was almost certainly the only solution to all his problems, unless of course, he was the problem itself. It was then Minho realized how screwed he was, that he had become this dependent on Kibum; and if that wasn’t bad enough, Kibum even knew he had such a control over him. Oh, Minho was screwed alright. Then again, what was there to say since he was happily screwed? Absolutely nothing. Minho, for sure, wasn’t complaining. Not now, not ever.