[FIC] Keeping The Change .Six. ;PG-13
pairing : minkey
rating : pg-13 for now.
authors note : my new big project.
summary : when people have taken everything away from you , the only thing you can do , is try and take everything away from them.
1 2 3 4 5
Signs.
“ What now ? “ Key asks when they’re out the school gates.
“ I crossed the line and I shouldn’t have , apologies “
“ I’m suppose to accept it ? “ his reply bites like a snake , poisonous and all . Minho has never met someone so cynical and untrusting like Key. He wondered in his mind if the two were really brothers , because their personalities were miles apart. The boy next to him is sitting with his arms crosses the expression on his face unreadable.
“ Yes , you’re suppose to accept it because its sincere and I’m stupid for bringing it up “ He hopes that Key won’t bite again. Fingers crossed on the steering wheel he hopes.
“ Okay “ and Key smiles , laughing away about the fat man crossing the street.
He didn’t know what Key was playing at. His moods fluctuating as he pleased. Minho came to the conclusion that it was a good thing in a bad way , because it keep things more interesting. He knew how to make people smile when they were sad or make up to them when they were angry , but with Key he was always learning new things about the boy.
“ Where are we going ? “ Key asks as he pokes playfully at Minho’s arm.
“ I don’t know where do you want to go ? “
They decide on just grabbing coffee and getting to know each other. Key decides actually , he deices to go to Taemin’s favorite coffee house. Minho mentions that he’s been there before with Taemin , because its his favorite too and what a coincidence it was. Key simply smiles pretending he’s heard it for the first time.
Nothing in this world was coincidental.
It takes them awhile to get parking behind the coffee house but they eventually park. Key grabs his bag but Minho tells him not to. Saying he’ll send Key to work after coffee was over. There’s a loud clinking of bells when they push the door open. A warm welcome from the barrister's the line up to have their order taken. Key’s crossing his toes and fingers really hard hoping Taemin would be somewhere here. Sure enough a blonde mushroom hair boy waves to them from a corner.
He does small things , like lightly pressing himself against MInho’s side , or catching the boy’s hand in thanks when he offered to pay for coffee. His younger brother has the most confused look on his face , its almost laced with heartbreak. They walk over to say hi, but the seats weren’t enough so Key looks for another table. Its not too far off , neither is it too close for comfort. They sit , drink coffee , while the mastermind carries out his plans.
Simple actions like dabbing the tissue on Minho’s lips where the foam has stained. Key knows he has probably got Taemin at the edge of his seat , and his company rather confused at the sudden intimacy. If he plays his cards right , he might even steal a kiss or two , just to wrap it all up.
“ How do you like the coffee ? “ Minho asks because Key told him to order something random for the fun of it.
“ Yummy , wanna try it ? “ He holds out the straw to Minho’s lips beckoning him to take a sip. He smiles and takes the straw between his lips.
Taemin look at them from afar , slow veins of cracks appearing on the surface . He thought Minho, his Minho hyung had liked him back finally after so long. Then no one could not be interested in Key, for every person who hated him , another would be head over heels. Minho had become the one. They look in his eyes was on Taemin had never got the chance to experience. The way his eyes smiled at everything Key said.
He suddenly remembers that their father had passed him money to be given to Key. He searches in his bag for it and finds the familiar envelope of money. All the 300 he had said to give and another 300 more because he knew the mother and son needed it.
HIs friends tell him that they need to leave and he nods , getting up and clearing their tray they make start to make their way out the door. Taemin doesn’t forget to detour to the other table and say his goodbyes.
“ Key hyung , dad told me to hand this to you “ he takes Key’s hand and presses the envelope into it. Key opens the flap and hurriedly shoves it back it to Taemin’s hands.
“ Tell the old man to keep his money “ he replies emotionless starring at Minho who’s trying to calm the boy down at the same time.
“ You should give it back to dad yourself hyung , he’ll scold me and fight with mum I...... i don’t want that “ Key wants to snap at the boy but he knows better than to get onto Minho’s bad side. Taking the money he tells Taemin he’ll come by within these two days to return it and that he should inform them. Bidding them bye one last time he leave waving profusely at the two older boys, only Minho returns his wave with the same breath taking smile.
“ Do you need me to come along ? “ Minho asks.
“ No , I’ll be fine “
“ Will I see you crying and running out , then you crash into my bicycle and we come over to my place and.........” He teases, enjoying the way Key has the oddest blush on his cheeks.
“ You’re such an asshole , i forbid you to bring that up again okay ? “
“ If you say so “
“ Thank you “ he mutters and finishes up his coffee.
“ But i want to be there for you if you let me , soon when you’re ready “ its Minho’s first step in letting Key know his intentions , he thinks its the most appropriate because he knows that Key just needs someone to lean on right now.
The boy makes a small sound that sounds like approval, Minho has the biggest smile on his face.
---------- ;; ------------
The next few days Key makes it a point not to meet the tall lanky boy. He goes to school then work and comes home straight. Minho sends messages but he only replies a few. This would only work if he kept the boy interested for a longer period of time. Even when Minho attempts to visit the boy at work , he would only smile and tell him he’s busy and work was not a time for socializing.
“ Mum , i’m heading over to the house to return them the money cause we don’t need it anymore “ he shouts from the living room. Wearing a large oversized shirt and a pair of his usual skinnies he stuffs the envelope along with his wallet into his back pocket before leaving the house with a soft thud of the door. He doesn’t expect it to take very long he planned to simply leave the money on the table and walk away. There was no more energy for a confrontation after a long day at work last night.
The walk to the mansion is faster than usual , he doesn’t know why. Maybe because today was the day they’d actually be independent of the wretched family. The last day he’d ever need to meet any of them anymore.
Taemin greets Key by running down the stairs and enveloping the older boy in a hug.
“ Dad said he’ll see you in his study “ Taemin tells him before he rants about his days. Key is not even half bothered to listen so it floats in one ear and out the other. The knock on the door receives a low voice telling them that he’s in the middle on a phone call and to wait in Taemin’s room.
His eyes wondered around the house that had been so familiar once before. The stop by his old room that hadn’t change since he left. The same bed and sheets. The cupboard still placed in the awkward slanted manner but his dad had said it was for good luck.
“ You know he wishes you’d come back one day with your mum, he regrets , and he says you were the smartest son he could ever have “ Taemin mutters quitely not sure if Key would have wanted to hear it.
“ Its too late for regrets Taemin, the damage has been done. “ They walk away and into Taemin’s room across the hall. His phone beeps he tells Taemin to head in first and reads the message.
[ Taemin told me you’re going over , I’m coming over with our friend , wait for me ? ] Key smiles unknowingly and his younger brother notices it.
The room is much bigger than his , twice the size even , overly big for a boy like him. Theres a huge bed with inviting pillows and a warm quilt. The walls are decorated with all his pictures , polaroids, small frames and even awards that he had won.
His eye catches a certain someone in the picture. Its Taemin with another guy holding him tightly from behind. They have the most beautiful contented smiles on their faces. The one next to it , Taemin is holding onto the guy’s arm tightly when the photographer captures the moment. The guy is running his free hand through Taemin’s hair , Key knows the younger boy hates it when people mess his hair. Oddly he lets Minho do it.
Minho.
“ When was this ? “ he asks. Taemin is slightly taken aback because he had forgotten that the pictures were there.
“ I.... can’t remember hyung its nothing really “ Taemin tries to change the subject but Key doesn’t hear it. Because he notices the small date at the bottom of the picture.
Last Month.
He manages a smirk and Taemin keeps trying to explain himself.
“ You like Minho don’t you “
“ No.... i don’t “
“ Don’t lie Lee Tae Min , i might not have grown up with you but I know you well enough to tell that you like someone “
“ Hyung it doesn’t matter anymore “
“ I’m sure , you know what I don’t even care, here is the money give it to your father “
He throws the money on the table and walks out of the room , down the stairs. Almost makes it out the door when Minho comes right in.
“ Key ! I almost missed you , this is Jinki . I wanted to.....”
“ Get lost Minho , really your such a waste of my time “ he pushes past the boy but Minho reaches out and catches hold of his wrist.
“ Wait, what happened , I... wait Key tell me what happened “
“ Please just go enjoy your time with Taemin and stay the fuck out of my life. If you’re going to tell my you changed you mind from liking Taemin to me in one week , I fucking don’t believe you. “
He pulls himself out of Minho’s grasp and runs out the door.
Minho runs after him with a small smile, at least now he knows Key’s interested. That was a sign of pure jealousy.