SHINee Duets 2015: keychubum & pikasquad
Title: Paranoid
Authors: keychubum & pikasquad (Team Name - Trash Queens)
Pairing: Minho/Taemin
Rating: PG13
Warnings: None.
Authors’ Notes: This was so difficult to iron out, but in the end I think it turn out pretty good. Enjoy my lame attempts at humor - Shino
Taemin’s head jerked upwards from the stack of fluorescent orange ‘on sale’ stickers he was organizing when he noticed a customer standing right in front of his counter.
“Is there anything I can help you with sir?” Taemin spoke up, hands toying with the plastic edge of the adhesive. The man turned and looked at him, blinking for a moment before nodding.
“Uh, yeah actually, do you guys have a sports section or something here?” Taemin nodded at him, pointing to the left back corner of the store.
“It’s there at the back,” he said with a smile, returning his attention to the sticker piles.
Taemin only got through a couple more stickers until he began to feel like he was being watched. He looked up again to see that the man was still staring at him, making no indication of going to the back of the store. Taemin was jarred slightly when he met the man’s gaze - it refused to falter, even after Taemin had caught him looking,
“Uh, sir? Is there something else I could do for you?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
“Oh sorry,” the man said, snapping out of his trance, he bowed slightly, “You just look familiar-do I know you from somewhere?”
Taemin’s gave the guy a once over. He was tall, with legs that seemed to go on for days, and bright, large eyes that were the color of hot chocolate. His hair was styled with intentional messiness, dyed an obvious shade of brown, a few strands glistened like gold under the lights. He was hot yes, but Taemin was positive he’s never seen him before.
“No, sorry I don’t think so.” he said slowly, shaking his head.
“Oh. Well, sorry,” the man paused, squinting his eyes. “Taemin,” he finished, smiling at him, “thanks for the help.”
“Yeah, sure thing.” Taemin responded absent mindedly as he watched the man walk away until he lost him behind the towering book shelves. With a small sigh, Taemin shook his head and return to work.
---
Taemin’s lithe fingers tapped incessantly on the hard wood counter as he waited for his coffee. He hummed a little song underneath his breath; mentally going through dance steps in his head as the line slowly trudged on. After another moment or too, the barista finally flashed him a smile, along with his caramel macchiato. Taemin mumbled a quick thank you before attempting to squeeze through the crowd of anxious workers who were rushing to get their drink before running over to the subway station nearby.
This particular shop was always packed in the mornings, and honestly, Taemin was beginning to question himself as to why he kept coming back. He pushed through two more people waiting behind him, only to nearly slam into another person. He nearly tripped backwards as he tried to keep himself from spilling his coffee everywhere, but luckily someone caught him by the arm.
“Oh my god I’m sorry, are you okay?” Taemin looked up in disbelief at the familiar voice, eyes widening slightly.
“Oh no, I’m sorry, I’m fine,” he replied automatically, the man with warm chocolate eyes made sure he was standing before letting him go. Before turning away completely, a look of realization flickered across his face.
“Oh hey, it’s Taemin right? I’m the guy from the book store yesterday,” Taemin nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to say, “I’m Minho by the way,” Taemin only nodded again, cursing himself for being so awkward in social situations.
“Venti white mocha, no whip!” Minho looked over Taemin’s shoulder and raised his arm.
“Here!” he looked down at Taemin and smiled, “Well that’s me, maybe I’ll see you around?” Taemin didn’t get the chance to respond before Minho squeezed around him to reach the counter.
With a slight huff, Taemin turned on his heel, pushing the double glass doors of the shop wide open. Taemin didn’t look back as he exited the shop.
---
“Yeah, it was weird Jonghyun, I’ve work at that book store for years and never has a customer recognized me outside of work before-especially not the day after visiting,” Taemin said into his phone.
“Was he hot?” Jonghyun’s static voice asked from the other end. Taemin rolled his eyes as he side stepped, narrowly avoiding a pole while dodging the busy people heading the opposite way.
“That isn’t the point,” he said dryly, “It was-weird.”
“Tae, it isn’t completely unheard of to run into people you know from time to time, besides you both live in the same city.”
“But I don’t know him Jonghyun, he was just a customer-and it’s the first time he’d come in the shop anyway,” Taemin stopped at the edge of the side walk before looking both ways and darting across the road, praying for the light to stay green. “I’m around the corner, are you at the restaurant?”
“Yeah I’m out front waiting for you-but hold on, you’re telling me that you remembered him, and remember not seeing him before, but you can’t wrap your head around the fact that he remembers you?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying,” Taemin said, waving his hand to get Jonghyun’s attention form down the street, Jonghyun saw him and waved back, “don’t judge my logic,” he finished before hanging up.
“I’m not judging you; I’m calling you a hypocrite.” Jonghyun said as he walked up, “Come on, I already got a table.” With another eye roll, Taemin followed Jonghyun into the restaurant.
“What do I like from this place again?” Jonghyun asked as they sat down, picking up a menu. Taemin was about to answer him, mouth parted slightly, only to freeze, dropping his menu on the table. At the front of the restaurant was Minho, talking leisurely to a hostess. They exchanged a few words and she led him to a table a few feet away from theirs, “uh, Taemin? Are you okay?”
“Oh my god. Jonghyun he’s following me.” Taemin said is a harsh whisper, picking up his menu again and hiding behind it. Jonghyun lowered his menu slowly, eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his cowering friend.
“Who’s following you?”
“The guy from the book the store,” he hissed back, raising the menu higher to cover his face, “He’s sitting behind you-don’t look! Oh my god, don’t be so obvious, maybe he won’t see us-”
“I thought he followed you, now you don’t want him to notice you?” Jonghyun questioned, pulling the menu down from Taemin’s hands, “Would you chill out? It’s probably a coincidence.”
“Coincidence my ass, he’s totally following me places. First the coffee shop, and now this?” Jonghyun stared at him incredulously.
“Taemin, shut up. I’m getting galbitang, what are you getting?”
---
Taemin peered out from behind the curtain that separated the back room from the front of the store. He watched as Minho browsed the ‘employee’s choice’ shelf before putting the curtain back and slumping against the wall next to it. He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly.
This was the third time in a week the guy had come into the store. Not to mention the five other times he’d just happened to have seen him around town-there was no way their city was that small. And, there was absolutely no way everything was one huge coincidence, no matter how many times Jonghyun told him so. If Taemin was honest with himself, he was starting to get a little paranoid. It felt like every time he turned around Minho was right there behind him. He was sure the guy was stalking him at this point.
“Hey,” Taemin nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to glare at his co-worker, “the stalker-guy out there or something?” Taemin sighed and nodded, running a hand through his hair, Kibum simply sipped his coffee.
“Yeah, do you mind if I take my lunch or something? I don’t want to go out there right now.”
“Sure my break is almost over anyway, I’ll go stand out front and see if I can get him to leave,” Kibum said, moving around him to exit.
“Thanks,” Taemin mumbled as he made his way out. He leaned back against the wall and slid down to sit. He pulled his phone out to text Jonghyun, but decided against it, not really wanting to be told he was crazy again.
If Taemin was being honest, he was thinking about confronting Minho, but at the same time he was scared. So far, Minho hadn’t actually tried to interfere with his life, he more or less just followed him around - but who know what this guy was capable of? With another sigh, Taemin stood up and made his way out the back door of the store to go and buy his lunch, unsure if he could even stomach it.
---
Taemin huffed impatiently as the elevator doors dinged open. He tapped his foot to a nonsensical rhythm, shifting the garbage bags in his hands slightly has he made his way out. After chucking the garbage into their designated bins, he turned around to grab his recycling. He paused a moment to realize he forgot them next to his counter. He groaned and shoved his hands into his pockets, jogging slightly back around to the front of this apartment building, through the front doors and back to the elevator.
After returning to the ground floor, recycling in hand, Taemin took his time walking out to the side of the building. Just as he was about to round the corner he heard what sounded like someone shifting through the garbage. Rolling his eyes, thinking it was another racoon he’d have to scare away, he turn the corner.
Taemin froze, the blood draining from his face. There, in front of him, was Minho, who was currently shifting through the garbage and recycling bins. Taemin sucked in a sharp breath, trying not to make much noise as he quietly retreated back around the corner. He breathed in and out quickly, trying to calm himself as he leaned his head back around the corner. Minho seemed to not know he was there, and he decided it would be better to leave than confront him right now. He dropped his recycling by the corner, before turning on his heel and quickly retreated hack into the building.
As soon as he walked through the door he broke into a sprint, heading straight the elevators. Smashing the button a few times, he got impatient waiting for the elevator to respond and bolted for the stairs. He ran up the five flights to his floor as fast as he could. As soon as he got through his front door his hands flew to his pocket where he kept his phone. Whipping it out, he dialed Jonghyun’s number, demanding a personal bodyguard.
---
“Taemin you must be joking,” Jonghyun said, standing in his doorway. He watched as Taemin shifted from foot to foot nervously, shifting his duffle bag higher on his shoulder.
“Please Jjong, just a few days,” Jonghyun sighed tiredly, but stepped aside to let him in anyway, “thanks man,” Taemin said as he passed through the threshold. He walked into the living room and threw his bag by the couch before walking into the kitchen.
“There’s beer at the back of the fridge,” Jonghyun called out to him, closing the door and shuffling into the living room, plopping himself down onto his couch. He heard the fridge door open and close; Taemin walked into the room and threw him a beer before returning back to the kitchen. He stared after him in confusing until he heard the microwave start going. Taemin re-emerged shortly after, leaning against the archway.
“I threw in a bag of popcorn, hope you don’t mind,” Taemin said, Jonghyun shook his head.
“So are you going to explain why you all of a sudden need to stay over? Like, don’t get me wrong, I don’t care, but there has to be a reason,” Taemin looked away, “does this have to do with the hot stalker?” Taemin looked back at him and narrowed his eyes.
“Jonghyun can you for five seconds stop thinking with our dick and use your actual head for once? This isn’t a fucking joke.”
“Taemin, chill out, jesus,” Taemin groaned and went back into the kitchen. A few seconds passed before Jonghyun heard the microwave beep. Taemin came back into the room with the bag in one hand and a large bowl in the other.
“Jonghyun, seriously, this guy is freaking me out,” he said as he sat down. He ripped open the bag of popcorn and dumped it into the bowl, shoving the bowl onto Jonghyun’s lap before tearing the bag in half and ripping one half into smaller pieces.
“What happened, Taemin?” Jonghyun asked, watching has Taemin licked at the butter on a piece of the bag.
“He was at my apartment Jjong,” he mumbled around the paper, “I saw him going through my trash.” Jonghyun stared at him, mouth open slightly.
“You’re joking.”
“No! I’m not! Jonghyun I’m really scared here,” Taemin yelled, grabbing another piece of the popcorn bag and shoving it in his mouth, sucking on it.
“Taemin, dude, I’m really sorry. This is more serious than I thought,” Jonghyun breathed out, taking a sip of his beer. Taemin nodded absentmindedly, “sucks though, the guy is hot - would’ve been nice if he wasn’t crazy.”
“Can you take your dick out of your ass please?” Taemin said incredulously. Jonghyun eyed him and Taemin dropped his shoulders, “yeah okay, he’s good looking. Like, really good looking. Honestly, if he was interested in me in a not creepy as fuck way, I probably wouldn’t mind. But he’s stalking me Jonghyun.”
“Maybe this is all some weird-”
“Don’t you dare call it a coincidence again, there’s no way,” Jonghyun rolled his eyes.
“Tell me again why you just don’t talk to him? Have you ever actually thought that maybe you could just scare him off by confronting him?” Taemin deadpanned.
“Yes, let’s go towards the person who wants to kill me.” Jonghyun shoved another hand full of popcorn into his mouth before he spoke again.
“I think it’s a little rash to just assume the guy wants to murder you. Remember this all started because you jumped to the conclusion that because you saw someone more than twice in one week, that it meant they were stalking you.” Taemin shook his head, finally reaching to grab some actual popcorn, “has he tried to approach you yet?” Taemin shook his head again.
“No, not yet. I really hope it doesn’t come to that though.”
“Maybe he doesn’t even want to.”
---
Taemin didn’t feel like going to work the next day - he figured it was the most likely place he’d run into Minho. Kibum had laughed at him when he called to ask if he could cover his shift. Taemin tried to explain that the situation was really serious, but Kibum only replied with a ‘that’s what you think’ and hung up. Taemin had no idea what that was supposed to mean. He wanted to stay in for the rest of the day, but Jonghyun convinced him that he should head back to his apartment to grab some more clothes.
“Sure you don’t feel like coming with me?” Taemin asked as shoved on his shoes.
“Taemin it’s around the corner, you’ll be fine,” Jonghyun called from the living room.
“Fine but if he murders me, I’m coming back to haunt you,” Taemin called back, walking over to the door.
“I’ll be waiting for you, my love,” Jonghyun yelled back as Taemin left, slamming the door behind him.
Taemin flipped up his hood, shoving his hands into his pockets. He made his way down the street, not really paying attention to what was around him until he rounded the corner. He looked up once he reached his street and almost turned around again.
Walking from the other end on the street was Minho, heading straight towards Taemin without hesitation. Taemin nearly stopped walking, but something within him snapped, and before he knew it he was marching towards him.
“Oh my god,” he said once he got closer, Minho stopped and looked up as Taemin walked up to him.
“Oh, Taemin! I feel like I’ve been seeing you every-”
“Stop following me!” Taemin cut him off. Minho took a step back, eyes widening slightly. Taemin squared his shoulders before continuing, “I’m not stupid, I know you’re stalking me and I’m this close to calling the cops on you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen you everywhere, don’t act dumb - and, I saw you going through my trash the other day,” Taemin continued, pointing over to his apartment building a little farther down the road.
“What the hell? I wasn’t going through your trash. I was looking to see what went where,” Minho said, raising his voice to match Taemin’s. Taemin scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Right, I’m so sure. Why would you need to know where my trash goes?”
“I don’t. I needed to know where mine should go.” Minho said with a smirk, crossing his arms, “I live there too.” Taemin immediately deflated, slumping his shoulders.
“What?”
“I live there. I just moved in two weeks ago. Taemin, I’m pretty sure I live on your floor.”
“What? And you never said anything?” Taemin said, raising his voice again.
“No? I thought you knew,” Taemin was about to retort, but realized he didn’t really have one. He should’ve realized something so obvious. He groaned and combed his fingers through his hair.
“Oh my god, Minho I’m so sorry. I’ve been freaking out since I fucking met you, calling you a stalker and - oh my god you spoke to Kibum didn’t you. At my work?” Minho nodded, smiling a little wider now.
“Yeah, he told me about your big conspiracy theory a few days ago.” Taemin groaned again, wanting to curl into a ball and roll himself back to Jonghyun’s. Minho chuckled.
“Taemin, don’t worry. Its fine,” Taemin raised his eyebrows, “mind you, this is the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me.” Taemin sighed and nodded.
“Yeah, being accused as a stalker probably isn’t an everyday occurrence.”
“No, not really,” Silence fell over them for a few moments as Taemin tried to think of something to say.
“Want to go grab a coffee or something?” he blurted, “I mean, like, I feel like I should actually get to know you and replace the impression I have of you - not that the impression is your fault really, I mean, I was stupid-”
“Taemin, calm down,” Minho said, talking over him, “sure, coffee sounds great. Do you want to go now? We can go to the cafe down the street.” he smiled warmly; Taemin tried his best to return it without seeming like a loser.
“Sure, yeah, that would be good.”
Authors: keychubum & pikasquad (Team Name - Trash Queens)
Pairing: Minho/Taemin
Rating: PG13
Warnings: None.
Authors’ Notes: This was so difficult to iron out, but in the end I think it turn out pretty good. Enjoy my lame attempts at humor - Shino
Taemin’s head jerked upwards from the stack of fluorescent orange ‘on sale’ stickers he was organizing when he noticed a customer standing right in front of his counter.
“Is there anything I can help you with sir?” Taemin spoke up, hands toying with the plastic edge of the adhesive. The man turned and looked at him, blinking for a moment before nodding.
“Uh, yeah actually, do you guys have a sports section or something here?” Taemin nodded at him, pointing to the left back corner of the store.
“It’s there at the back,” he said with a smile, returning his attention to the sticker piles.
Taemin only got through a couple more stickers until he began to feel like he was being watched. He looked up again to see that the man was still staring at him, making no indication of going to the back of the store. Taemin was jarred slightly when he met the man’s gaze - it refused to falter, even after Taemin had caught him looking,
“Uh, sir? Is there something else I could do for you?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
“Oh sorry,” the man said, snapping out of his trance, he bowed slightly, “You just look familiar-do I know you from somewhere?”
Taemin’s gave the guy a once over. He was tall, with legs that seemed to go on for days, and bright, large eyes that were the color of hot chocolate. His hair was styled with intentional messiness, dyed an obvious shade of brown, a few strands glistened like gold under the lights. He was hot yes, but Taemin was positive he’s never seen him before.
“No, sorry I don’t think so.” he said slowly, shaking his head.
“Oh. Well, sorry,” the man paused, squinting his eyes. “Taemin,” he finished, smiling at him, “thanks for the help.”
“Yeah, sure thing.” Taemin responded absent mindedly as he watched the man walk away until he lost him behind the towering book shelves. With a small sigh, Taemin shook his head and return to work.
---
Taemin’s lithe fingers tapped incessantly on the hard wood counter as he waited for his coffee. He hummed a little song underneath his breath; mentally going through dance steps in his head as the line slowly trudged on. After another moment or too, the barista finally flashed him a smile, along with his caramel macchiato. Taemin mumbled a quick thank you before attempting to squeeze through the crowd of anxious workers who were rushing to get their drink before running over to the subway station nearby.
This particular shop was always packed in the mornings, and honestly, Taemin was beginning to question himself as to why he kept coming back. He pushed through two more people waiting behind him, only to nearly slam into another person. He nearly tripped backwards as he tried to keep himself from spilling his coffee everywhere, but luckily someone caught him by the arm.
“Oh my god I’m sorry, are you okay?” Taemin looked up in disbelief at the familiar voice, eyes widening slightly.
“Oh no, I’m sorry, I’m fine,” he replied automatically, the man with warm chocolate eyes made sure he was standing before letting him go. Before turning away completely, a look of realization flickered across his face.
“Oh hey, it’s Taemin right? I’m the guy from the book store yesterday,” Taemin nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to say, “I’m Minho by the way,” Taemin only nodded again, cursing himself for being so awkward in social situations.
“Venti white mocha, no whip!” Minho looked over Taemin’s shoulder and raised his arm.
“Here!” he looked down at Taemin and smiled, “Well that’s me, maybe I’ll see you around?” Taemin didn’t get the chance to respond before Minho squeezed around him to reach the counter.
With a slight huff, Taemin turned on his heel, pushing the double glass doors of the shop wide open. Taemin didn’t look back as he exited the shop.
---
“Yeah, it was weird Jonghyun, I’ve work at that book store for years and never has a customer recognized me outside of work before-especially not the day after visiting,” Taemin said into his phone.
“Was he hot?” Jonghyun’s static voice asked from the other end. Taemin rolled his eyes as he side stepped, narrowly avoiding a pole while dodging the busy people heading the opposite way.
“That isn’t the point,” he said dryly, “It was-weird.”
“Tae, it isn’t completely unheard of to run into people you know from time to time, besides you both live in the same city.”
“But I don’t know him Jonghyun, he was just a customer-and it’s the first time he’d come in the shop anyway,” Taemin stopped at the edge of the side walk before looking both ways and darting across the road, praying for the light to stay green. “I’m around the corner, are you at the restaurant?”
“Yeah I’m out front waiting for you-but hold on, you’re telling me that you remembered him, and remember not seeing him before, but you can’t wrap your head around the fact that he remembers you?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying,” Taemin said, waving his hand to get Jonghyun’s attention form down the street, Jonghyun saw him and waved back, “don’t judge my logic,” he finished before hanging up.
“I’m not judging you; I’m calling you a hypocrite.” Jonghyun said as he walked up, “Come on, I already got a table.” With another eye roll, Taemin followed Jonghyun into the restaurant.
“What do I like from this place again?” Jonghyun asked as they sat down, picking up a menu. Taemin was about to answer him, mouth parted slightly, only to freeze, dropping his menu on the table. At the front of the restaurant was Minho, talking leisurely to a hostess. They exchanged a few words and she led him to a table a few feet away from theirs, “uh, Taemin? Are you okay?”
“Oh my god. Jonghyun he’s following me.” Taemin said is a harsh whisper, picking up his menu again and hiding behind it. Jonghyun lowered his menu slowly, eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his cowering friend.
“Who’s following you?”
“The guy from the book the store,” he hissed back, raising the menu higher to cover his face, “He’s sitting behind you-don’t look! Oh my god, don’t be so obvious, maybe he won’t see us-”
“I thought he followed you, now you don’t want him to notice you?” Jonghyun questioned, pulling the menu down from Taemin’s hands, “Would you chill out? It’s probably a coincidence.”
“Coincidence my ass, he’s totally following me places. First the coffee shop, and now this?” Jonghyun stared at him incredulously.
“Taemin, shut up. I’m getting galbitang, what are you getting?”
---
Taemin peered out from behind the curtain that separated the back room from the front of the store. He watched as Minho browsed the ‘employee’s choice’ shelf before putting the curtain back and slumping against the wall next to it. He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly.
This was the third time in a week the guy had come into the store. Not to mention the five other times he’d just happened to have seen him around town-there was no way their city was that small. And, there was absolutely no way everything was one huge coincidence, no matter how many times Jonghyun told him so. If Taemin was honest with himself, he was starting to get a little paranoid. It felt like every time he turned around Minho was right there behind him. He was sure the guy was stalking him at this point.
“Hey,” Taemin nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to glare at his co-worker, “the stalker-guy out there or something?” Taemin sighed and nodded, running a hand through his hair, Kibum simply sipped his coffee.
“Yeah, do you mind if I take my lunch or something? I don’t want to go out there right now.”
“Sure my break is almost over anyway, I’ll go stand out front and see if I can get him to leave,” Kibum said, moving around him to exit.
“Thanks,” Taemin mumbled as he made his way out. He leaned back against the wall and slid down to sit. He pulled his phone out to text Jonghyun, but decided against it, not really wanting to be told he was crazy again.
If Taemin was being honest, he was thinking about confronting Minho, but at the same time he was scared. So far, Minho hadn’t actually tried to interfere with his life, he more or less just followed him around - but who know what this guy was capable of? With another sigh, Taemin stood up and made his way out the back door of the store to go and buy his lunch, unsure if he could even stomach it.
---
Taemin huffed impatiently as the elevator doors dinged open. He tapped his foot to a nonsensical rhythm, shifting the garbage bags in his hands slightly has he made his way out. After chucking the garbage into their designated bins, he turned around to grab his recycling. He paused a moment to realize he forgot them next to his counter. He groaned and shoved his hands into his pockets, jogging slightly back around to the front of this apartment building, through the front doors and back to the elevator.
After returning to the ground floor, recycling in hand, Taemin took his time walking out to the side of the building. Just as he was about to round the corner he heard what sounded like someone shifting through the garbage. Rolling his eyes, thinking it was another racoon he’d have to scare away, he turn the corner.
Taemin froze, the blood draining from his face. There, in front of him, was Minho, who was currently shifting through the garbage and recycling bins. Taemin sucked in a sharp breath, trying not to make much noise as he quietly retreated back around the corner. He breathed in and out quickly, trying to calm himself as he leaned his head back around the corner. Minho seemed to not know he was there, and he decided it would be better to leave than confront him right now. He dropped his recycling by the corner, before turning on his heel and quickly retreated hack into the building.
As soon as he walked through the door he broke into a sprint, heading straight the elevators. Smashing the button a few times, he got impatient waiting for the elevator to respond and bolted for the stairs. He ran up the five flights to his floor as fast as he could. As soon as he got through his front door his hands flew to his pocket where he kept his phone. Whipping it out, he dialed Jonghyun’s number, demanding a personal bodyguard.
---
“Taemin you must be joking,” Jonghyun said, standing in his doorway. He watched as Taemin shifted from foot to foot nervously, shifting his duffle bag higher on his shoulder.
“Please Jjong, just a few days,” Jonghyun sighed tiredly, but stepped aside to let him in anyway, “thanks man,” Taemin said as he passed through the threshold. He walked into the living room and threw his bag by the couch before walking into the kitchen.
“There’s beer at the back of the fridge,” Jonghyun called out to him, closing the door and shuffling into the living room, plopping himself down onto his couch. He heard the fridge door open and close; Taemin walked into the room and threw him a beer before returning back to the kitchen. He stared after him in confusing until he heard the microwave start going. Taemin re-emerged shortly after, leaning against the archway.
“I threw in a bag of popcorn, hope you don’t mind,” Taemin said, Jonghyun shook his head.
“So are you going to explain why you all of a sudden need to stay over? Like, don’t get me wrong, I don’t care, but there has to be a reason,” Taemin looked away, “does this have to do with the hot stalker?” Taemin looked back at him and narrowed his eyes.
“Jonghyun can you for five seconds stop thinking with our dick and use your actual head for once? This isn’t a fucking joke.”
“Taemin, chill out, jesus,” Taemin groaned and went back into the kitchen. A few seconds passed before Jonghyun heard the microwave beep. Taemin came back into the room with the bag in one hand and a large bowl in the other.
“Jonghyun, seriously, this guy is freaking me out,” he said as he sat down. He ripped open the bag of popcorn and dumped it into the bowl, shoving the bowl onto Jonghyun’s lap before tearing the bag in half and ripping one half into smaller pieces.
“What happened, Taemin?” Jonghyun asked, watching has Taemin licked at the butter on a piece of the bag.
“He was at my apartment Jjong,” he mumbled around the paper, “I saw him going through my trash.” Jonghyun stared at him, mouth open slightly.
“You’re joking.”
“No! I’m not! Jonghyun I’m really scared here,” Taemin yelled, grabbing another piece of the popcorn bag and shoving it in his mouth, sucking on it.
“Taemin, dude, I’m really sorry. This is more serious than I thought,” Jonghyun breathed out, taking a sip of his beer. Taemin nodded absentmindedly, “sucks though, the guy is hot - would’ve been nice if he wasn’t crazy.”
“Can you take your dick out of your ass please?” Taemin said incredulously. Jonghyun eyed him and Taemin dropped his shoulders, “yeah okay, he’s good looking. Like, really good looking. Honestly, if he was interested in me in a not creepy as fuck way, I probably wouldn’t mind. But he’s stalking me Jonghyun.”
“Maybe this is all some weird-”
“Don’t you dare call it a coincidence again, there’s no way,” Jonghyun rolled his eyes.
“Tell me again why you just don’t talk to him? Have you ever actually thought that maybe you could just scare him off by confronting him?” Taemin deadpanned.
“Yes, let’s go towards the person who wants to kill me.” Jonghyun shoved another hand full of popcorn into his mouth before he spoke again.
“I think it’s a little rash to just assume the guy wants to murder you. Remember this all started because you jumped to the conclusion that because you saw someone more than twice in one week, that it meant they were stalking you.” Taemin shook his head, finally reaching to grab some actual popcorn, “has he tried to approach you yet?” Taemin shook his head again.
“No, not yet. I really hope it doesn’t come to that though.”
“Maybe he doesn’t even want to.”
---
Taemin didn’t feel like going to work the next day - he figured it was the most likely place he’d run into Minho. Kibum had laughed at him when he called to ask if he could cover his shift. Taemin tried to explain that the situation was really serious, but Kibum only replied with a ‘that’s what you think’ and hung up. Taemin had no idea what that was supposed to mean. He wanted to stay in for the rest of the day, but Jonghyun convinced him that he should head back to his apartment to grab some more clothes.
“Sure you don’t feel like coming with me?” Taemin asked as shoved on his shoes.
“Taemin it’s around the corner, you’ll be fine,” Jonghyun called from the living room.
“Fine but if he murders me, I’m coming back to haunt you,” Taemin called back, walking over to the door.
“I’ll be waiting for you, my love,” Jonghyun yelled back as Taemin left, slamming the door behind him.
Taemin flipped up his hood, shoving his hands into his pockets. He made his way down the street, not really paying attention to what was around him until he rounded the corner. He looked up once he reached his street and almost turned around again.
Walking from the other end on the street was Minho, heading straight towards Taemin without hesitation. Taemin nearly stopped walking, but something within him snapped, and before he knew it he was marching towards him.
“Oh my god,” he said once he got closer, Minho stopped and looked up as Taemin walked up to him.
“Oh, Taemin! I feel like I’ve been seeing you every-”
“Stop following me!” Taemin cut him off. Minho took a step back, eyes widening slightly. Taemin squared his shoulders before continuing, “I’m not stupid, I know you’re stalking me and I’m this close to calling the cops on you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen you everywhere, don’t act dumb - and, I saw you going through my trash the other day,” Taemin continued, pointing over to his apartment building a little farther down the road.
“What the hell? I wasn’t going through your trash. I was looking to see what went where,” Minho said, raising his voice to match Taemin’s. Taemin scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Right, I’m so sure. Why would you need to know where my trash goes?”
“I don’t. I needed to know where mine should go.” Minho said with a smirk, crossing his arms, “I live there too.” Taemin immediately deflated, slumping his shoulders.
“What?”
“I live there. I just moved in two weeks ago. Taemin, I’m pretty sure I live on your floor.”
“What? And you never said anything?” Taemin said, raising his voice again.
“No? I thought you knew,” Taemin was about to retort, but realized he didn’t really have one. He should’ve realized something so obvious. He groaned and combed his fingers through his hair.
“Oh my god, Minho I’m so sorry. I’ve been freaking out since I fucking met you, calling you a stalker and - oh my god you spoke to Kibum didn’t you. At my work?” Minho nodded, smiling a little wider now.
“Yeah, he told me about your big conspiracy theory a few days ago.” Taemin groaned again, wanting to curl into a ball and roll himself back to Jonghyun’s. Minho chuckled.
“Taemin, don’t worry. Its fine,” Taemin raised his eyebrows, “mind you, this is the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me.” Taemin sighed and nodded.
“Yeah, being accused as a stalker probably isn’t an everyday occurrence.”
“No, not really,” Silence fell over them for a few moments as Taemin tried to think of something to say.
“Want to go grab a coffee or something?” he blurted, “I mean, like, I feel like I should actually get to know you and replace the impression I have of you - not that the impression is your fault really, I mean, I was stupid-”
“Taemin, calm down,” Minho said, talking over him, “sure, coffee sounds great. Do you want to go now? We can go to the cafe down the street.” he smiled warmly; Taemin tried his best to return it without seeming like a loser.
“Sure, yeah, that would be good.”