Title: hot summer
Author: pinkgossamer
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/Focus: Minho/Taemin
Genre: au, fluff, romance, cliche, fail humor
Summary: taemin thinks summer is too hot. krystal thinks minho is hotter and taemin secretly agrees. high school cliche ensues.
Taemin likes the library. It’s quiet, carries tons of books and Taemin loves books, but most importantly, there’s no Krystal. He loves his best friend but can do without her for an hour, she requires a lot of energy to be around. So that’s why during lunch Taemin likes to read instead of sitting in the cafeteria. This way, Krystal eats with Jessica, her sister, and other friends and Taemin gets his quiet time.
Today, he’s looking for a book on Kantian philosophy. it’s not like he likes Kant, because really, he doesn't but his teacher argues that Hume was more logical and Taemin disagrees. He has his reasons why. except he’s not sure and that’s why he’s here; to be sure.
He’s skimming through books when he hears someone cough from behind. He turns around and almost screams when he sees Choi Minho looking down at him.
"Hi.” Minho’s smile is friendly and gorgeous and Taemin feels his heart begin to race.
“Hey,” Taemin manages to respond, “What are you doing here?”
Minho laughs softly, “What, I can’t be here?”
Taemin feels his face flush, “No! That’s not what I meant! You’re definitely allowed to be here, it’s not my library, it’s the schools,” Taemin blinks, “not that I wouldn't let you in my library if it were mine, I totally would,” Taemin is rambling again and he knows it but he can’t stop, “and you can feel free to be here whenever cause books are for everyone and--”
“Taemin,” Taemin freezes, he can feel his face heating and he doesn't need a mirror to know that he’s probably beet red, “calm down, I was joking.”
Taemin takes a breath and then laughs, “Sorry, I just--sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, please.” Minho smiles, “I’m actually here cause I wanted to ask you something.”
Taemin nods, heart pounding, “Yeah?”
Minho doesn't bother to beat around the bush, “Does Krystal like me or something?”
Taemin’s eyes widen, “Excuse me?”
“She’s been flirting with me a lot lately and,” Minho scratches the back of his head, smiling sheepishly, “I hope she doesn't like me cause I’m not really into her, you know?”
Taemin nods slowly, unable to speak.
“So what I’m trying to say is,” Minho continues stepping closer to Taemin, “if she does like me, can you hint to her that I don’t feel the same way?”
Taemin doesn't respond immediately cause his senses are on overdrive. Choi Minho is not even a foot away and suddenly he’s hyper aware of the cologne he’s wearing and the way his muscles strain against his school jacket.
“Taemin?” Minho leans down and Taemin blinks.
“Yeah,” he breathes out, “I can do that.”
Minho doesn't move, “Good. Thanks.” he smiles softly again and Taemin hopes he can’t hear the sound of his heart hammering in his chest.
“Is that all?” Taemin asks softly, eyes falling to Minho’s lips and looking up to see Minho staring back at him.
Minho steps back and Taemin feels cold but he also feels like he can breathe again, “Yeah,” Minho’s eyes are dark, “I’ll see you around, Taemin.”
Minho leaves Taemin rooted in the same spot for a while, his mind racing.
There is less than a month of school left but Taemin is sure of one thing: he’ll be spending most of it learning to calm his heart.
“So basically,” Krystal stares at Taemin, “he doesn't like me?”
Taemin nods slowly, “Yeah...”
It’s silent after that. It’s the weekend and they just came back from shopping when Taemin tells her an edited version of what had happened in the library. Krystal is seated on his bed, opposite of him with a frown marring her pretty face. He doesn't know what to say. It’s the first time Krystal wants a guy who doesn't like her back. He can only imagine what’s going through her mind. Taemin is thinking about getting up and bringing her a bar of chocolate, it usually fixes things for her. Or at least makes it hurt less.
“I should have known!” she suddenly exclaims and Taemin is kind of taken aback.
“What?”
Krystal turns to him, eyes twinkling, “He likes someone else.”
Taemin is rendered speechless for a moment, “Huh?”
“Minho likes someone else!” She laughs loudly, “I really should have seen it coming, the signs were there!”
“Krystal,” Taemin begins slowly, “what are you talking about?”
Krystal is grinning, “He’s totally got the hots for someone.”
“You don’t seem that disappointed.” Taemin blinks and Krystal grins even wider,
“That’s because I know who he likes.”
If Taemin was confused before, he’s completely lost now. At the same time, he feels disappointment creep up. The thought of Minho liking someone doesn't suit well with him--it’s fine with Krystal cause she’s his best friend but the thought of someone else makes him want to kind of cry.
“Don’t you want to know who?” Krystal asks enthusiastically and Taemin sighs heavily,
“Actually, no.” He surprises himself with his answer but is glad he hasn't secretly turned into a masochist by saying yes.
Krystal raises a brow, “No?”
“No.” Taemin confirms and closes his eyes, “I just want to sleep.”
Krystal doesn't question him, in fact, she shuts up and lets Taemin lay back in peace. He doesn't say thank you but the next day he goes over to her house with cupcakes and thinks it’s good enough.
The next week on Thursday, Taemin decides to have lunch with Krystal. He doesn't want to go to the library because every time he does he’s reminded of Minho and how good his cologne smells. That and the fact that Minho likes someone else.
Taemin isn't stupid. He knows what this means. It means that he likes a boy that doesn't like him back. He’s in no mood to deny that he, Lee Taemin, was crushing hard on Choi Minho. It didn't help that Minho was so nice to him. While Taemin has been trying to avoid him, he can’t completely do so, they go to the same school after all and even share a class. When he does catch sight of him, Minho doesn't ever fail to smile and wave at him. And then there’s Minho holding doors open for him and just yesterday he complimented Taemin’s hair.
What was Taemin to do when Minho was just so perfect and kind?
“Taemin, you’re totally spacing out.” Taemin blinks away his thoughts and turns to see Krystal frowning at him, “Are you okay?”
Taemin nods, “Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking.”
“About?” Krystal asks tentatively.
“About,” Taemin sighs, “useless thoughts.”
Krystal rolls her eyes, “Stop being dramatic if you’re not going to tell me what you’re sulking over.”
Taemin laughs, “Believe me, you’re better off not knowing.”
Krystal gives him a long stare before shrugging, “Whatever. Whenever you’re ready, I’m all ears.”
Taemin smiles gratefully at Krystal and shoots a glance towards Minho who’s laughing along with his friends. They catch each others gaze and Taemin flushes when Minho smiles widely at him.
He was so fucked.
“I thought you didn't like him anymore.” Taemin whines, shielding his face from the sun that was beating down on him.
There’s a week left of school and it’s the hottest it’s been all year. All Taemin wants to do is bathe himself in ice cold water and air conditioning, preferably both.
“I don’t.” Krystal agrees, “but that doesn't mean I don’t think he’s hot.”
Taemin groans. He’s been trying to get Minho and his perfect face out of his head but Krystal is making it really impossible.
“I hate summer!” Taemin complains and the situation feels all too familiar.
A whistle is heard and Taemin can see all the players rounding up to hear final words from their coach.
“It’s over, can we go now?” he begs and Krystal shakes her head.
“Wait here.” she states before stepping down the bleachers and jogging over to where the players were all getting ready to leave.
Taemin is confused when he sees Krystal walking past a couple of boys and almost chokes on his spit when he sees her stop at Minho.
He watches both of them talk for a while and then sees her turn and point in his direction. Taemin feels his heart race and face redden when Minho looks his way. Taemin doesn't know what to do when he sees Krystal smile, standing in place as Minho begins walking towards Taemin’s direction.
Taemin reverts his gaze towards his feet, not able to watch. He desperately wants to know what Krystal told Minho and at the same time, he wants the earth to open up and swallow him whole.
When he looks back up, Minho is making his way up on the bleachers to where he’s seated, “Hey,” he smiles genuinely and Taemin can’t help but smile back.
“Hi,” he breathes out, “what--”
“Krystal said you wanted to say something?” Minho asks, eyes searching and Taemin swears if he stares too long he’ll drown.
Taemin manages an unintelligent “what?”
Minho steps closer, until he’s on the same row as Taemin and sits down next to him. Taemin feels his face color,
“I didn't--I don’t--” Taemin begins, unsure of what to say but Minho smiles and all thoughts are erased from his head.
“You’re not going to start rambling are you?” Minho teases and Taemin can’t help but laugh nervously, “I sure hope not.”
“Not that I mind,” Minho amends quickly, “I think it’s really cute.”
“Cute?” Taemin asks, his voice sounding more high pitched than usual.
Minho chuckles, his gaze traveling down to the field, “Yeah. Really cute.”
Taemin doesn't know what to make of this but he’s really happy right now. He could honestly die and he wouldn't regret a thing. Except for maybe not being able to kiss Minho but Taemin isn't too picky.
Taemin takes a breath, watching Minho’s side profile, he should just tell him. There’s no point in not doing so, because summer break is going to start soon, so rejection will be easier to digest.
“Actually I,” Taemin begins at the same time Minho confesses, “I like you.”
Taemin is staring at Minho with wide eyes, unsure of what he has just heard. Minho is staring back, eyes large and vulnerable,
“I've liked you for a while, actually.” Minho explains, “I know we don’t know each other that well, but I'm really infatuated with you.” Minho laughs softly, eyes never leaving Taemin's, “It’s crazy.”
Taemin feels his heart swell and he can’t bite back the smile that’s threatening to paint his face, “I like you too,” Taemin rushes out, “like a lot. And you make me not think straight and my heart doesn't stop racing every time you look my way and at first it was really annoying and I didn't get why but,” Taemin is rambling again, “I figured out not too long ago that it’s cause I like you and then Krystal said you liked someone and it made me really, really sad cause I thought--”
Taemin stops abruptly when Minho leans in really close with a smile on his face, “I’m going to kiss you now, is that okay?”
Taemin feels his heart stutter but he doesn't let it stop him from nodding in approval. Minho leans closer and Taemin’s eyes flutter close as Minho’s lips capture his own. Taemin moves to deepen the kiss, heart soaring when Minho brings a hand up to cradle his face.
This is perfect, Taemin thinks as they both break apart for air. Minho rests his forehead against Taemin's, smiling, “I’m going to change and then we’ll go for ice cream.” He says it with such finality, it has Taemin grinning.
“Okay.” Taemin nods and Minho gives him a quick peck on the cheek before getting up to go to the locker room.
“I love summer.” Taemin tells Krystal as she walks up the bleachers once Minho’s out of sight and he doesn't even mind it when she sprays him relentlessly with bottled water screaming, "You owe me a boyfriend, Lee!"
a/n: it's okay, you can join me in the vomit fest too. idek honestly, idek. unbeta'd. written in an hour on my phone. don't judge. kthanks.