SBB 2016 Entry #24: Fugue and Variation (3/4)
Title: Fugue and Variation
Pairing: Jonghyun/Key, Jonghyun/Taemin, Jonghyun/Onew, Minho/Key
Rating: G
Genre: Friendship
Warnings: N/A
Final Word Count: 30,251
Chapter 2: Variation One (Part Two)
From Jjong: where did you go?
To Jjong: tae talked to me in your room nd then I left
To Jjong: sorry
From Jjong: dw…
To Jjong: I'll video chat you as soon as I land ok?
From Jjong: I'll miss you
To Jjong: me too
Woohyun drops Kibum off at the airport just after 4am, after Woohyun leaves, Kibum is led straight to the first terminal and ushered into a plane that's completely empty. Kibum picks a seat by the window and pulls out their phone to turn it off.
Kibum: leaving now, I'll video chat when I land
Kibum: if any of you have snapchat ill put stuff there too
Taemin: @acetaemin
Jjong: @byul_r00
Kibum: why arent you alseep
Taemin: were in bed
Kibum: gross
Taemin: u asked
Jjong: tae is at his own dorm nd im writing songs
“Who's Jjong?”
Kibum jumps in their seat and turns to see a girl leaning over their shoulder from the row behind them. “My friend, who are you?”
“You don't recognize me?”
Kibum looks at her and then realizes, “Yagi Arisa.”
“Yep! And you're the intern, right?”
“Kim Kibum.”
“Well, Kim Kibum, it's nice to meet you. Oh, your eyeliner is so nice!”
“Thank you,” Kibum waits for Arisa to sit next to them, “makeup comes surprisingly easy for me.”
“Not me...the only thing I can really do is contour. And that doesn't even suit my face.” Arisa sticks out her lower lip in a pout and Kibum laughs.
“I'll teach you, how about that? When we have free time.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“I like you, I want you to do my makeup.”
“I don't think I can just...you know?”
“I'll tell Taeyeon then, she's in charge of hair and makeup and clothes. She'll have to let you be my assistant. She loves me.”
“You don't even know me!”
“I will by the time we get to New York. We've got 14 hours.”
“You're kidding!”
“Not at all, I've done this before. And I napped from Japan to here so I'm good.”
“Isn't that only an hour?”
“Two, but-”
“Come on, back to sleep.” Kibum pats their shoulder, “we can get to know each other later.”
Without protest, Arisa lays her head on Kibum's shoulder. Her hair smells like flowers and it reminds Kibum of home, and they close their eyes to try and forget.
When Kibum wakes, Arisa is reading a book, she closes it when she realizes Kibum is awake. “You slept for...thirteen hours.”
“Sorry, I didn't sleep last night. I was painting.”
“You paint? Can you draw me?”
“When we land, yeah.”
“Speaking of landing, we're going to be there soon.”
“But you just said we have an hour left!”
Arisa shrugs and points to the screen on the back of the chair in front of her. “I just looked and we'll land in five.”
“Do you need help with your stuff?”
“There's people for that. You excited? It's your first time out of Korea, right?”
“No, I've been to Japan and to London. I was only in Japan for a week - visiting family - and London for two weeks. That's nothing compared to this.”
“Well, I think you'll like it. I have to show you all the good places to eat, maybe Minho will treat us. You know Minho right? Choi Minho? He's so sweet, you'll love him.”
“He looks really…”
“Charismatic? Yeah, we called him flaming charisma when he first joined SM, but he's really not. I think it was Tiffany that started it, but now his nickname is Tenderheart.”
“Very interesting,” Kibum tries not to laugh, pairing the charismatic gaze of Choi Minho to the name Tenderheart, “which does he like better?”
Arisa shrugs again and grins at Kibum, “Even if he told us, we wouldn't just not call him the one he doesn't like? We're like family.”
“I get it, yeah. It sounds nice.”
“You'll fit in, I can feel it.”
“I hope you're right.”
They land and Arisa drags them straight to a taxi and Kibum raises a brow. “What, no fancy limo?”
“Nope! I mean, technically, but I didn't feel like getting in one. There's the crowd and all that. Taxis are just easier. Oh, sorry, to Central Park, thanks.”
Arisa settles back in her seat and Kibum looks out the window. “So many tall buildings,” they say, “and people.”
“It's always like this,” Arisa shrugs and leans on Kibum's shoulder, “this is the city that never sleeps. We should take you out tonight. To celebrate.”
Kibum nods and turns their phone back on, “That sounds fine, I don't have anything better to do.” They see there's close to 30 unread messages and put their phone back on their pocket.
From Jjong: did u land?
From Taeminnie: text jjong or smtg he refuses to sleep until he hears from you
From Taeminnie: kibum!!!
From Jinki: r u ok
From Namu: hey ur probably busy but im just checking to make sure youre ok
From Jjong: bummie pl e se etell me you r e ok ay
From Taeminnie: u messed up
They get to the park and Arisa pays while Kibum stretches, then realizes- “Where's our luggage?”
“The people that brought the limo have it. Don't worry, I do this all the time. Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just look for a bunch of guys running around and cameras following them.”
“You mean like there?”
There's a pond ahead and two guys are swinging a third in their arms while the others egg them on. “They're going to throw him in.”
“Hey! Park Chanyeol, Byun Baekhyun! Put Sehun down right now!” Arisa rushes over and the boys immediately drop Sehun and crowd around her, cheering. One of them spots Kibum and points and then they run over to Kibum, all of them grinning or laughing and nudging each other.
“
You're the intern? I'm Suho. This is Chanyeol, Xiumin, Kyungsoo, Jongin, Baekhyun, Sehun, Chen and Yixing. They call us EXO.”
“They?”
“There's groups in SM, some do makeup and some are models, but they always travel in groups, so we get names as if we were in SM’s idol circuit.”
“You'll meet our makeup noonas later, they're SNSD.”
“What about you, Arisa?”
“I'm not in SM,” she shrugs, “but I work with them often.”
“And Choi Minho?”
“Another soloist.”
One of the guys loops his arm around Kibum's shoulder, “Hey, don't be nervous, we're like family here. Even Jongin just joined and he's comfortable with us guys.”
“Well, I'm not a guy, so.”
“Sorry, what pronouns?”
“They, them.” Kibum blinks, surprised at how understanding he was.
Suho must notice their surprise because he says, “Oh, don't worry. There's a lot you'll find out if you look in the right places. Models, idols, actors...we're a lot more interesting than you may think.”
“Kibum, let me take you to see Taeyeon so she can show you where you'll be working.” Arisa’s hand fits in Kibum's and Kibum lets her take them to a group of girls in a loose circle.
“Taeyeon! Brought your intern!”
All of the girls - Kibum counts eight or nine - look up at them and they bow politely. “I'm Kim Kibum.”
Surprised looks and Arisa steps forward. “Funny, right?”
“What is?”
“Where are they?”
“Finishing up over there.”
Arisa takes Kibum where one of the girls has pointed and there's Choi Minho, stretched out beneath a tree, dark hair mussed to perfection and bedroom eyes on full blast. He has a book in his hands and he's wearing a leather jacket over a hoodie and dark jeans and it shouldn't work but it does. Leaning on his shoulder is a girl that Kibum immediately recognizes as Dana, and next to her is...Kibum themself. Except not really, the model's face is more squared and angular than Kibum's, but other than that, they look almost exactly alike.
“Who is that?”
Arisa puts a finger to her lips, but as soon as the cameras stop flashing and the models are told they're done, Arisa runs up to the model, Kibum in tow.
“Kibum, meet Kibum!”
Both Kibums stare at each other in astonishment before breaking out in laughter. “Don't tell me your surname is Kim,” the model says, laughs when Kibum nods.
“Kim Kibum!” both Kibums whirl around and it's Taeyeon, she rolls her eyes with a small smile on her lips, “we need a nickname for one of you.”
“How about Ki-" the model Kibum breaks off and sneezes, but Arisa nods.
“Key!” she points at Kibum, “you're Key, and he's Kibum.”
“Key...I like it.”
“Key?” it's a deep voice, and when Key turns, Choi Minho is right there.
“You're Choi Minho.”
“Yes,” that dazzling smile, “and you're Key?”
“I was Kim Kibum, but I think you know what a disaster that is, so now I'm Key.”
“Nice to meet you.” Minho holds out his hand to shake and Key shakes. Minho's hand is cool and almost clammy, but Key doesn't mind.
“Wait, weren't you...do you know a Kim Jonghyun? His dog pooped on you.”
“You know him?”
“He's my - yeah I know him. Did his dog really poop on you?”
“On my favorite jeans. How do you know him?”
“I was having a panic attack so I needed to draw something and he was skipping class so I drew him.”
“You have anxiety?” Minho's voice is soft, caring, “If you ever need help or wanna talk, you can come to me, there's a lot of us with mental illnesses, so we help each other out, even if it means just giving each other space.”
“Thank you.” Key realizes only then that they're still shaking hands - no, just holding hands. It makes their cheeks heat up and they pull their hand away.
“Key, you'll be in charge of Kibum, Minho and Arisa then. All of us will be able to help you out if you need it though.”
“Thank you.”
“EXO is about to have their shoot, you should come see. You three come too.” Key follows Taeyeon to a bridge, where they can see Kyungsoo and Chen talking, already dressed. Three more - Xiumin, Yixing and Jongin - join them and Taeyeon brings them to a tent, where the rest of the models are in chairs getting their makeup done or getting dressed. Taeyeon points out several things and lets Key get close enough to watch careful eyeliner get put on Chanyeol, the wrinkles smoothed out of Sehun’s shirt and Suho’s hair combed and styled. It's very professional and rushed, but everything goes back in its place and the models seem bored, sleepy. Like they have no idea what magic is being done on them.
“Baekhyun, you need to take care of your face better, and sleep more,” one of the makeup noonas is dabbing concealer beneath Baekhyun’s eyes.
“Why would I do that if I have you to do it for me, Tiffany?”
Tiffany huffs. “Byun Baekhyun, you're incorrigible.”
Taeyeon taps Key’s arm, “You can go back out and watch the shoot, I've got to check over everything here.”
Key nods and turns to go back outside, but is promptly beckoned over by Jongin. “Can you help me? I smudged my eyeliner while - actually, Kyungsoo did it, but I don't want to tell and Arisa says you're good at makeup and you aren't scary and please-"
“Alright, go hide. They'll notice you're gone when the shoot is about to start and I'll look for you and find you in the tent.”
Jongin gives Key a bright grin and nods, then steals away and Key goes to stand by Arisa, Kibum and Minho. “One of you ask where Jongin went,” they murmur.
“On it,” Arisa whispers back, goes closer to the bridge and makes a show of looking around, then goes to Taeyeon, “where's Jongin?”
“Jongin! Kim-”
“I'll look for him,” Key says, “maybe he just went to the bathroom.”
Taeyeon nods quickly, “If you can't find him, hurry back.”
Key nods and speeds away, checking behind trees and behind the tent before ducking inside. Jongin is already sitting and Key quickly goes up to him. “Hold still.” they quickly wipe off Jongin's eyeliner and grab the nearest pencil and draw a delicate line around his upper lid and then fill it in at the edge of his eye so it fades into his eyeliner, then they do the same for Jongin's other eye.
“Jesus, you did that quickly, and it looks so good!” Jongin grins at Key through the mirror, “time to find me?”
“Yeah.” Key steps out the tent with Jongin close behind and calls out, “found him!”
Jongin is quickly berated by Taeyeon, and he runs up to the bridge with the others, and the shoot proceeds smoothly.
After, Key is dragged away by Arisa, Minho and Kibum, who hail a taxi and point out sites in the city before stopping at a Starbucks. Key orders their usual and observes fashion in the city. Because they forgot their journal in their suitcase and their phone has low battery, they write different things on their wrist, until the list covers their whole forearm. Minho comes back from the bathroom and pulls up Key’s sleeve, humming when he finishes reading. He looks thoughtful, and even barefaced, he looks beautiful.
“I'm going to video some friends in Korea, is that okay?”
“Yeah, we can stay for a little.”
“Wanna scare them?” Kibum is grinning wickedly, “I'll answer the call, they'll realise it isn't you, and then they'll see Minho and Arisa and freak out.”
“Nah, maybe Nicole though. But I'll introduce you.” Key calls Jonghyun and when he picks up, Key grins.
“Hey, Jjong-"
“I thought you'd died.”
“What, no! I just forgot to call when I landed, I'm sorry, I've just been busy. Look, meet Arisa, Minho, and my twin Kim Kibum.” Key lets all of them wave and Jonghyun smiles at them, but it's obviously fake.
“Jjong, I'm really sorry, please, forgive me? I'll make it up to you when I get back, I promise.”
Jonghyun smiles a little, then his eyes widen, “Is that Minho, like Choi Minho?”
“Your dog pooped on me, yeah.” Minho sounds amused and Jonghyun inhaled a quick breath.
“I'm so sorry!”
“It's okay, really. They're just pants.”
“Guys, we have to go. Meeting at the hotel.”
Key bites their lip and looks at Jonghyun's tiny face in the screen. “Jjong…”
“Just go, Kibum.”
Key hangs up.
The first month passes in a blur of learning the ropes; and when Taeyeon finds out how Key saved Jongin, she lets them graduate from an assistant to a full on makeup artist. They're still only in charge of Minho, Kibum and Arisa, but all the other artists go to them when something happens and they don't want to be yelled at. Key becomes popular for that reason, for how friendly they are and how willing they are to teach their makeup skills with anyone willing to ask. They're doing a shoot for athletic wear and Minho has a light sheen of (fake) sweat on his tanned arms and is dressed in track pants that are going to be super popular next season and a tank top to expose his arms, and he jogs over to Key after his hair is dampened and styled.
“They told you to cover my marks. Please don't freak out.”
“Why would I-" Key sees the too familiar handwriting on Minho's arm and the words (call Jonghyun tonight) and swallows all their shock and panic so they can mechanically cover the dark marks with concealer. Minho's gaze is on them the whole time and he looks worried, but Key dismisses him without a word and Minho obediently goes.
Key keeps up their calm facade until the shoot is done, then immediately collapses in the nearest seat. They shrug off Kibum's hand and ignore Arisa and all but flinch away when Minho speaks.
“Key, I'm sorry. I know you don't like soulmates, but we are and-”
“And what? We don't have to do anything, I don't want to be with you-”
“I never said that, Kibum.”
Key looks up when they hear their name for the first time in nearly a month, “I don't...I don't want this. I need to go.”
Minho lets them.
They go on for another two weeks like that, only talking when Key has to do Minho's hair, makeup and wardrobe, but even then, it's just Key giving quiet directions and Minho following. Kibum pretends not to notice how much it takes to hide the dark circles under Minho's eyes now, pretends not to notice how fake his smile is.
Key is blindly watching Taemin and Jonghyun on YouTube, a song that Jonghyun had written for Taemin. Taemin is singing and Jonghyun is playing piano, and even they look...tired. Happy, but tired. And then a hand covers their phone screen and it's Kibum.
“We need to talk. It's about Minho.”
Key lets Kibum sit only because it's Kibum, listens to him without really hearing. “I know you don't like soulmates, and I know why, but Minho isn't like that. At least just give him a chance, go out with him for dinner and I promise you'll change your mind. And if you don't, at least you tried, and you can both move on with your lives when you go back to Korea.”
“It's not that simple, Kibum. You know it isn't.”
“Actually, I don't. I don't get marks.”
“Lucky.”
Kibum shrugs, “Some would say so, some say the opposite. I don't have to be tied to anyone, but I won't be happy with that perfect person. But I mean, someone else doesn't decide my happiness, I do. So it's fine to me.”
“Kibum,” Key leans against Kibum and sighs, “I'll go on a date with him.”
“Good, he'll come to your room in an hour. He said to wear something comfortable. Nothing too fancy.”
“An hour? Kibum!” Key shoves Kibum, but they're both laughing, “help me with an outfit?”
“No can do, I'm going to take a quick nap. I have a night shoot.”
“I hate you, just so you know.”
“Tell me all about your date in the morning, babe.” (Key still flushes at the nickname, even though they'd been calling each other ‘babe' for almost a month.)
“Rude.”
“Bye!”
It takes Key half an hour to choose an outfit (what does ‘something comfortable’ even mean?) and then another fifteen to curl their hair and put on makeup (just eyeliner, but they don't know whether to go with something bold or subtle; they go with subtle) and then another five minutes to fret over whether this was a good outfit or not. Just when they sit down, there's a knock on the door, and Key can't help smiling when they see Minho.
“Hey,” they feel shy, hopefully Minho doesn't notice.
“Hi, I got you flowers. I didn't know if you liked them, but I think they look good with you, but then, anything would because you're gorgeous-" Minho stops himself, clearly flustered, and Key laughs.
“You can keep going.”
“Do you really want me to go into detail about how beautiful you are? You should be a model, not me.”
Key shakes their head, eyes wide. “I could never, I'm not...I don't have a double eyelid and I'm not tall and I'm not masculine-"
“But you're you, and that's more than enough - it’s beautiful really.” Minho's hand on Key's cheek is what shocks them to silence.
“Where...are we going?”
“Out to eat. You'll like it, promise.”
“Really now? I'm very picky when I eat, Minho.”
“I heard, but don't worry. I picked the perfect place.”
They fall into step, walking briskly down the streets, laughing and talking. They stop in front of a little shop and Key looks up at the sign and almost chokes.
“Choi Minho, you are not taking me on a date to Burger King.”
Minho just holds open the door, “It's this or McDonald's.”
Key walks through the door.
It actually is a nice date; they each get a whopper and split the fries, and Minho pretends not to notice Key sipping from his milkshake. They walk around after that for a while and on a whim, Key buys a bag of fresh honey roasted peanuts and they share that too, and Key does not flush red when their fingers touch.
Minho walks Key to their room and on a whim, Key invites him in and they collapse on Key's bed, Minho's arm pillowing Key's head. “I had a lot of fun, did you?”
“Yeah, we should do this again. I think...I would be fine if we started slow. I don't want to do this just because we're soulmates, I want you to like me for me.”
“That's why I didn't tell you right away, I wanted to get to know you. I'd have gone to someone else if I wanted my marks covered, but I wanted you to know.”
“I'm so sorry-”
“It-”
“It was worth the wait. You're worth the wait.”
“Speaking of, we're shooting in Aruba, we leave tomorrow,” Key remembers, “I'll take you out while we're there.”
“Sounds great. Kibum, can I kiss you?”
Key feels their heart skip a beat and they swallow, “Minho, I - not yet. I'm sorry.”
“Don't be, I wanted to make sure. When you're ready, I'll be there,” Minho gives Key that thousand watt smile when he sits up, “I'm gonna go, busy day tomorrow. Sit next to me on the plane?”
“Yes.”
Minho and Key do sit next to each other on the plane, but they don't talk, just nap in odd intervals with their heads leaning against each other. At one point, Key wakes up to Minho reading and laces their fingers together before falling asleep. When they wake, their hands are still entangled.
Minho starts awake when they land, and Key smiles down at him when he blinks bleary eyes up at Key.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”
“Here?”
“Yeah.”
Minho stumbles after Key and doesn't really wake up until Key buys coffee and presses it into Minho's hand in the van. It feels empty; Kibum is still in New York, busy on other projects, and Arisa is back in Japan.
The hotel they're in is right by the beach; Minho and Key room together and they can go right out the back door and be on the sand, the sea not twenty feet away. That's the first thing they do, walk along the beach. Minho starts a splashing fight when he accidentally hits Key with water, and by the time they climb out of the waves, they're both drenched. They decide to lay out in the sand until they dry off and Minho builds a sandcastle that Key crushes; they're quickly buried in sand as punishment.
Then it's back to the hotel to shower and eat - neither of them are hungry, so they just get smoothies, then they sit by the pool, half asleep. They go back out on the beach until it starts to get darker, then they watch the sunset from just outside their room; Key paints Minho lounging on the bed while Minho talks to them in that low voice, about whatever comes to mind. They go to bed after Minho finishes admiring Key's drawing, but they don't sleep yet, just talk quietly about anything and everything and nothing all at once. It continues until Minho falls asleep in the middle of his sentence, and Key quietly turns off the lamp and settles in to sleep too.
The smell of coffee is what wakes Key up, and there's Minho, sitting on the edge of his bed, hair and clothes rumpled, bleary eyes and still more than half asleep.
“Morning,” Key mumbles, sitting up halfway. It's bright with natural light in their room and all Key wants to do is paint pictures of Minho like this, no makeup, fresh out of bed. So natural and real.
There's another cup of coffee by the coffeemaker and its full, Key dumps in what is probably too much sugar and milk. When they turn, Minho is frowning at them a little, but he just looks confused. “That's so much sugar, it's unhealthy.” his voice is rough from sleep, and he stretches, a strip of tanned skin peeking out from his shirt.
“I'm not the one that lives on coffee, and don't think I haven't noticed your little habit.”
Minho's yawn breaks halfway through into a laugh. “Fine, fine. You win. But only because I'm too tired to think. Was your bed that comfortable?”
“Not really. I slept well though.”
“Maybe we should share,” Minho mumbles. Key stares at him until Minho realizes what he'd just said, and he quickly backpedals, “I didn't mean it like that, just that I wanted you to sleep as well as I did and I'm not flirting with you or anything, I swear-”
Key hides their grin with their mug and turns away from Minho so they don't have to look at the shocked-guilty-flustered expression on Minho's face. It's entirely too cute for this early in the morning.
“I've known you for almost two months, Minho. I know.”
“It really has been that long, huh?” Minho's gone quiet, voice fond, and Key flushes red.
“I certainly hope all the junk you've been eating hasn't ruined your abs, you're doing a swimwear shoot today.”
“You're cute when you're flustered.”
“I'm not flustered-"
“You always change the topic when you're flustered, and you're usually blushing too. Turn around.”
Key doesn't move, and then Minho's voice comes from right behind them, “Turn around, Kibum.”
Key obeys - only because Minho had used their real name - and Minho is right there, and Key is trapped between Minho and the counter, and they don't quite mind. Neither of them move, not even when Key says in a breathy voice, “We should get ready to go.”
It's like Minho's gaze is trapping Key in place and Key knows Minho wants to kiss them, it's obvious by the way his eyes are most definitely not on Key’s, the way he's leaning down just enough to be too much (and not enough) in Key's personal space.
“Kibum…”
Their name is what shocks Key into reality again. “Minho, no. Please.”
Almost immediately, Minho nods and withdraws, giving Key that familiar grin and speaking like that had never happened. “I'll go shower.”
Key has to bite their lip to keep from calling Minho back. When they hear the shower start up, they decide to instead pick their clothes for the day - Minho's don't really matter, because he'll be changing at the shooting site, but he still has to look good, Key decides. A green tank top stolen from Woohyun and light jeans for Minho, a basketball tank top over a loose white t-shirt (Minho’s) and jeans for themself.
But when Minho comes out of the shower, toweling his black hair dry, Key makes a split second decision.
“We’re dyeing your hair.”
“What?”
“You heard me, hurry up and get my wallet for me.” Key is already searching for a shop with hair dye - “and colored contacts.”
“I hate contacts,” Minho says, but he's getting dressed in what Key’s laid out for him, “what, are you my mother now?”
Minho's tone is teasing, so Key doesn't look up, replies without thinking. “It felt natural to do it.”
“Natural, huh?”
“Shut up and get the car, your shoot starts in an hour and a half.”
“That's plenty of time-"
“The dye takes about 45 minutes to set, and the store is fifteen minutes away. There and back is half an hour, which leaves fifteen minutes for you to dry your hair and get there. So hurry up.”
“Fine, fine.”
Minho drives while Key directs him with the directions from their phone, grabs a few boxes of dye while Key looks for colored contacts. Key quickly picks from the boxes Minho chose and finds hazel contacts to match. And then they're in the car again and Minho is speeding back to the hotel. Key roots through their suitcase for their tinting bowl and brush and tosses the dye and developer to Minho.
“Mix that for me. I'm going to put your contacts in and part your hair.” Key likes telling the models what they're going to do, even if they don't understand it.
Minho does as he's told and holds still while Key slides the contacts in, then moves around to brush and part Minho's hair. Then Key starts to brush the dye in, silent as they work as fast as they dare.
“Why don't you like soulmates?”
“I don't feel comfortable talking about that.” Key moves to the second section.
“Then how'd you get interested in all this?”
“I used to dance, and I learned how to do makeup for competitions from - she was a senior when I was a freshman in high school, I think you know her as BoA?”
“Why not dance then?”
“I wanted to be an idol, originally. I tried out for SM, they didn't take me, said I wasn't a strong enough singer. There isn't much else you can do with dance other than teach, but I liked doing makeup more, so. Here I am,” Key starts on the third section, “any more questions?”
“Who's Jonghyun?”
“He's - my friend. I think. He's soulmates with my best friend, but I think I like him and I think he likes me too, and he must've talked about it with Taemin, because Taemin confronted me and he's fine with it, us dating, I mean, but now you're here too and...I don't know. It's complicated.”
“But you do like-”
“Leave that in for 45 minutes.” Key interrupts, “I'm going to shower.”
Minho knocks on the bathroom door just when Key is about to get out the shower, saying that the time is up and Key dries off quickly and directs Minho to the bathroom sink before getting their gloves and thoroughly rinsing Minho's hair. It's a little lighter than what Key had been thinking of, but the light brown highlights Minho's strong jaw and the curve of his lips and the arch of his brow.
“Put this in,” Key says, pointing to the little bottle of conditioner, “I'll rinse it after I get dressed, and then we have to go.”
Minho nods and uncaps the bottle and Key rushes to their clothes, hurriedly putting on their favorite lotion (the one that smells like vanilla, the one Jonghyun likes) and then their clothes. Key parts their hair down the middle and decides that they want to dye their own hair, some crazy color - maybe blue, or green.
“Kibum, I'm ready!” Minho calls from the bathroom and Key hurries in to give his hair a quick once over, then rinses. Key dries Minho's hair and then brushes it to a style they like (his hair is brushed up and away from his forehead; the color of his now light brown hair shows off the tan of Minho's skin and the hazel of the contacts) and suddenly Minho's look pulls together and Key allows themself a self satisfied smile.
“I know I'm handsome, Kibum, but shouldn't we be going?”
Key almost snorts because yes, Minho is handsome, you'd have to be blind not to notice. Choi Minho is easily the most well known model in all of South Korea - handsome? Choi Minho is the epitome of handsome. But Key can't (won't) say that, so they just shrug.
“Handsome, you? Come on.” Key leaves the hotel room without another word, ignoring the way Minho's lips curl up in a grin at their words.
“Coming.”
The car ride is quiet only because they don't honestly know where the shoot is. Minho had requested that they not be given a limo or a driver and so they're just given an average car and not much else - Key is beginning to regret Minho's decision because they're ten minutes late, and in this industry, every minute wasted is like an hour gone.
So they're freaking out, just a little.
“Can't you go faster?”
“I'm going at the speed limit,” Minho replies, patient. They've had this conversation more than Key can remember in the span of fifteen minutes.
“Next time, we're getting a driver. Or at least a car with a gps.”
“We should've gotten a convertible, today is perfect for the roof to be down.”
“No, it would ruin your hair.”
“You'll redo it at the site, you always do. We could go from our room to the lobby and you'd redo my hair because it's messy.”
“It would ruin my hair. And I don't get paid to make myself look good.”
“You don't get paid to make me look good either, Kibum.” Minho sounds highly amused.
“If you weren't driving, I'd punch you.”
“You've punched me before, it doesn't hurt a bit. I think Yoogeun has hurt me more than you have.”
“Isn't he like two?”
“Four. He acts like he's two sometimes, though. He reminds me of you.”
“Choi Minho-”
“I was actually going to say because you're both cute and I love you both, but you can take it like that if you want.”
“Don't you think it's a little too soon to say that?”
Minho shrugs, looks at Key out of the corner of his eye. “I say what I mean, Kibum.”
“You know I'm not - I'm not in love with you. Not yet.”
“I'm fine with that. I'll wait for you, you're worth it.”
Key feels little prickles of embarrassment and they look away, biting their lip. “Can we talk about this at the hotel? I'm not saying no, I just need - I need to think.”
“Of course.”
The shoot goes even better than Key could have hoped: Minho's hair and eyes are beautifully offset by the white sand and clear water, and he looks almost too handsome with a surfboard in hand, in knee deep water with an arm around the female model. They end up finishing early and Minho and the female model splash out the water, laughing at something they'd been talking about earlier.
“This is Kibum, my stylist. Kibum, meet Choi Jinri.”
Jinri gives Key a wide smile and pushes a lock of hair behind her ear before offering her hand, “Call me Sulli. I really like Minho's hair, he said you did that this morning? It looks really good, you should do mine.”
“I was actually pretty surprised it turned out so well, it was on a whim. And I could dye your hair - you'd look good with red hair. And shorter, to here,” Key touches her shoulder thoughtfully, “it would be really cute.”
“You're right, he is charming.” Sulli says to Minho.
“They, not him-”
Sulli looks alarmed, “I'm so sorry, I should've asked.”
“No, it's fine. You didn't know better. Really.”
Sulli gives Key an uncertain look, “Are you sure?” and even Key nods, a smile, “you're really cute. We should meet up if there's any spare time-”
“I don't think there will be,” Minho interrupts, but Sulli just laughs.
“I'm not trying to steal your partner, Minho, you know that. You know I'm aro anyway-” and to Key, “talk to him, he's pouting, what a baby. It's a shame, he's so handsome.”
“I think it's cute,” Key can't help smiling too as they join in on Sulli’s teasing, “like a puppy.”
“Better make sure he doesn't slobber, if you know what I mean.”
Key turns to Minho, thoughtful. “He's already tried to mark his territory.”
“Mine,” Minho cuts in, “you said you're my territory. That-"
“I think...we should go back to the hotel,” Key turns to Sulli, “Minho and I have some things to talk about, do you think we could meet up for dinner or something?”
“Not tonight, I think I have another shoot? Give me your number, I'll text you,” Sulli plucks Key's phone out of their hand anyway and gives it back after a long moment, then she smiles up at them, “have a good talk, you two. And Kibum, don't think I'll forget you said you'd dye my hair.”
“Don't worry, I won't forget either. Just text me when you're free, okay?”
“Will do! I have to go, it was good seeing you again, Minho, and nice to meet you, Kibum!” Sulli hurries over to the van waiting for her and Minho almost immediately tugs Key back to their car.
“Minho, what are you doing?”
“You want to talk about this, me and you-”
“When did I say that-”
Minho cuts them off with a gaze that Key can only describe as smouldering, “Am I wrong?”
“You're right.” Key mumbles it after averting their gaze.
“Good. I'm going to shower, and then we're going to talk.” Minho turns away from Key and starts the car.
The ride is completely silent except for the radio; Key can barely hear it over the pounding of their heart. They keep glancing over at Minho to see his gaze on the road, brows furrowed.
“Hey. Don't frown, you'll get wrinkles.”
Minho glances over at Key and gives them a tiny grin, “Don't worry, Kibum. I'll still be handsome with wrinkles, right?”
“Of course. Arrogant much?”
“You said I'm handsome, Kibummie. That's a huge compliment coming from you. You're gorgeous.”
Key shrugs, “I'm no model, Minho.”
“You wouldn't stand it. Too much standing around, too robotic. You'd be better suited to being a makeup artist like you are now. Not even Taeyeon would've tried to dye my hair an hour before a shoot. You're a natural.”
“Minho…”
“We passed an ice cream place, want some? It's on me.”
Key immediately thinks of ice cream dripping down Minho's wrist and the (unintentional) smouldering gaze he'd give - “No thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” Minho orders a mango smoothie and they end up sharing it. Key takes most of it and tries to ignore Minho's laughter when they end up spilling.
The hotel room is blessedly cool and Key flops down on their bed, sighing. “I'm never going outside again. Look at my hair, it's so limp. It's ridiculous.”
“You're ridiculous,” Minho retorts. He takes that moment to pull his shirt over his head and toss it at Key’s face. Key lets it fall to the floor and then they glare up at Minho - or they try to. They end up giggling and Minho gives them a fond, gentle smile and Key realizes that yeah, they're definitely in love.
“Minho, shower so we can talk.”
“Of course, princess.” There's a teasing look in Minho's eye and he has the audacity to wink at Key before going to the bathroom.
If Key had the energy, they would've hit Minho with his own shirt.
Minho comes out a half an hour later, wearing a loose tank top and shorts. His hair is still wet and he has a towel around his shoulders; he looks at Key and grins, “Let's talk.”
“I want to know more about you,” Key blurts out, “like we're not soulmates. We just met.”
“Like twenty questions, okay. What's your favorite kind of movie?”
“Horror, except. Like - I love watching horror movies, but I get scared easily, so it's kind of...you know? Taemin used to pop out of nowhere when I watched horror movies at home. Um, what about you?”
“Action movies, or romantic comedies. Who's Taemin?”
“The dance prodigy two grades below me. We were the two best dancers so we were paired together a lot, and I grew fond of him. He was a cute kid, bowl haircut, and shy. He blinked a lot too. But now, here-" Key digs out their phone and shows Minho a picture of Jonghyun and Taemin, “I cut and dyed his hair. I think I'm going to try a lavender middle part bob next. What's your favorite food?”
“Ramen,” Minho answers immediately, “any kind. Pets?”
“No, but I want a dog. A toy poodle. Hobbies?”
“Soccer. I wanted to be a famous soccer player when I was a kid, but here we are now.”
“Would you trade modelling for soccer?”
“My question, Kibum. Family?”
“My grandma. I love her to death. She raised me when I was young, so. Why do they call you a hyung whore?”
“Oh, that. I'm close with Kyuhyun and Changmin, and Ryewook. Kyuhyun named us the Kyuline, we just hang out a lot.”
“I get that, Taemin used to call me his umma because I was so protective of him. And I nagged a lot. But it was all for him.”
“
You must love him.”
“He's like my brother. I love him to death. How did you get into modelling?”
“Kyuhyun. He saw me in the street and grabbed my arm and handed me a business card for SM, and I thought it was fake so I didn't call, but then my brother saw it and called for me. So here I am.”
Key's heart is pounding in their chest now and they lick their lips. “Minho, I have a question for you.”
“Yeah?”
“If I told you I'm falling in love with you, what would you do?”
Minho stays still and silent for a long minute, then stands and moves to sit next to Key. His hand is warm when he cups Key’s cheek and he leans in close enough so Key can smell the vanilla of Minho’s shampoo, and then finally, finally they're kissing.
Return to Part Two
Part Four
Pairing: Jonghyun/Key, Jonghyun/Taemin, Jonghyun/Onew, Minho/Key
Rating: G
Genre: Friendship
Warnings: N/A
Final Word Count: 30,251
Chapter 2: Variation One (Part Two)
From Jjong: where did you go?
To Jjong: tae talked to me in your room nd then I left
To Jjong: sorry
From Jjong: dw…
To Jjong: I'll video chat you as soon as I land ok?
From Jjong: I'll miss you
To Jjong: me too
Woohyun drops Kibum off at the airport just after 4am, after Woohyun leaves, Kibum is led straight to the first terminal and ushered into a plane that's completely empty. Kibum picks a seat by the window and pulls out their phone to turn it off.
Kibum: leaving now, I'll video chat when I land
Kibum: if any of you have snapchat ill put stuff there too
Taemin: @acetaemin
Jjong: @byul_r00
Kibum: why arent you alseep
Taemin: were in bed
Kibum: gross
Taemin: u asked
Jjong: tae is at his own dorm nd im writing songs
“Who's Jjong?”
Kibum jumps in their seat and turns to see a girl leaning over their shoulder from the row behind them. “My friend, who are you?”
“You don't recognize me?”
Kibum looks at her and then realizes, “Yagi Arisa.”
“Yep! And you're the intern, right?”
“Kim Kibum.”
“Well, Kim Kibum, it's nice to meet you. Oh, your eyeliner is so nice!”
“Thank you,” Kibum waits for Arisa to sit next to them, “makeup comes surprisingly easy for me.”
“Not me...the only thing I can really do is contour. And that doesn't even suit my face.” Arisa sticks out her lower lip in a pout and Kibum laughs.
“I'll teach you, how about that? When we have free time.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“I like you, I want you to do my makeup.”
“I don't think I can just...you know?”
“I'll tell Taeyeon then, she's in charge of hair and makeup and clothes. She'll have to let you be my assistant. She loves me.”
“You don't even know me!”
“I will by the time we get to New York. We've got 14 hours.”
“You're kidding!”
“Not at all, I've done this before. And I napped from Japan to here so I'm good.”
“Isn't that only an hour?”
“Two, but-”
“Come on, back to sleep.” Kibum pats their shoulder, “we can get to know each other later.”
Without protest, Arisa lays her head on Kibum's shoulder. Her hair smells like flowers and it reminds Kibum of home, and they close their eyes to try and forget.
When Kibum wakes, Arisa is reading a book, she closes it when she realizes Kibum is awake. “You slept for...thirteen hours.”
“Sorry, I didn't sleep last night. I was painting.”
“You paint? Can you draw me?”
“When we land, yeah.”
“Speaking of landing, we're going to be there soon.”
“But you just said we have an hour left!”
Arisa shrugs and points to the screen on the back of the chair in front of her. “I just looked and we'll land in five.”
“Do you need help with your stuff?”
“There's people for that. You excited? It's your first time out of Korea, right?”
“No, I've been to Japan and to London. I was only in Japan for a week - visiting family - and London for two weeks. That's nothing compared to this.”
“Well, I think you'll like it. I have to show you all the good places to eat, maybe Minho will treat us. You know Minho right? Choi Minho? He's so sweet, you'll love him.”
“He looks really…”
“Charismatic? Yeah, we called him flaming charisma when he first joined SM, but he's really not. I think it was Tiffany that started it, but now his nickname is Tenderheart.”
“Very interesting,” Kibum tries not to laugh, pairing the charismatic gaze of Choi Minho to the name Tenderheart, “which does he like better?”
Arisa shrugs again and grins at Kibum, “Even if he told us, we wouldn't just not call him the one he doesn't like? We're like family.”
“I get it, yeah. It sounds nice.”
“You'll fit in, I can feel it.”
“I hope you're right.”
They land and Arisa drags them straight to a taxi and Kibum raises a brow. “What, no fancy limo?”
“Nope! I mean, technically, but I didn't feel like getting in one. There's the crowd and all that. Taxis are just easier. Oh, sorry, to Central Park, thanks.”
Arisa settles back in her seat and Kibum looks out the window. “So many tall buildings,” they say, “and people.”
“It's always like this,” Arisa shrugs and leans on Kibum's shoulder, “this is the city that never sleeps. We should take you out tonight. To celebrate.”
Kibum nods and turns their phone back on, “That sounds fine, I don't have anything better to do.” They see there's close to 30 unread messages and put their phone back on their pocket.
From Jjong: did u land?
From Taeminnie: text jjong or smtg he refuses to sleep until he hears from you
From Taeminnie: kibum!!!
From Jinki: r u ok
From Namu: hey ur probably busy but im just checking to make sure youre ok
From Jjong: bummie pl e se etell me you r e ok ay
From Taeminnie: u messed up
They get to the park and Arisa pays while Kibum stretches, then realizes- “Where's our luggage?”
“The people that brought the limo have it. Don't worry, I do this all the time. Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just look for a bunch of guys running around and cameras following them.”
“You mean like there?”
There's a pond ahead and two guys are swinging a third in their arms while the others egg them on. “They're going to throw him in.”
“Hey! Park Chanyeol, Byun Baekhyun! Put Sehun down right now!” Arisa rushes over and the boys immediately drop Sehun and crowd around her, cheering. One of them spots Kibum and points and then they run over to Kibum, all of them grinning or laughing and nudging each other.
“
You're the intern? I'm Suho. This is Chanyeol, Xiumin, Kyungsoo, Jongin, Baekhyun, Sehun, Chen and Yixing. They call us EXO.”
“They?”
“There's groups in SM, some do makeup and some are models, but they always travel in groups, so we get names as if we were in SM’s idol circuit.”
“You'll meet our makeup noonas later, they're SNSD.”
“What about you, Arisa?”
“I'm not in SM,” she shrugs, “but I work with them often.”
“And Choi Minho?”
“Another soloist.”
One of the guys loops his arm around Kibum's shoulder, “Hey, don't be nervous, we're like family here. Even Jongin just joined and he's comfortable with us guys.”
“Well, I'm not a guy, so.”
“Sorry, what pronouns?”
“They, them.” Kibum blinks, surprised at how understanding he was.
Suho must notice their surprise because he says, “Oh, don't worry. There's a lot you'll find out if you look in the right places. Models, idols, actors...we're a lot more interesting than you may think.”
“Kibum, let me take you to see Taeyeon so she can show you where you'll be working.” Arisa’s hand fits in Kibum's and Kibum lets her take them to a group of girls in a loose circle.
“Taeyeon! Brought your intern!”
All of the girls - Kibum counts eight or nine - look up at them and they bow politely. “I'm Kim Kibum.”
Surprised looks and Arisa steps forward. “Funny, right?”
“What is?”
“Where are they?”
“Finishing up over there.”
Arisa takes Kibum where one of the girls has pointed and there's Choi Minho, stretched out beneath a tree, dark hair mussed to perfection and bedroom eyes on full blast. He has a book in his hands and he's wearing a leather jacket over a hoodie and dark jeans and it shouldn't work but it does. Leaning on his shoulder is a girl that Kibum immediately recognizes as Dana, and next to her is...Kibum themself. Except not really, the model's face is more squared and angular than Kibum's, but other than that, they look almost exactly alike.
“Who is that?”
Arisa puts a finger to her lips, but as soon as the cameras stop flashing and the models are told they're done, Arisa runs up to the model, Kibum in tow.
“Kibum, meet Kibum!”
Both Kibums stare at each other in astonishment before breaking out in laughter. “Don't tell me your surname is Kim,” the model says, laughs when Kibum nods.
“Kim Kibum!” both Kibums whirl around and it's Taeyeon, she rolls her eyes with a small smile on her lips, “we need a nickname for one of you.”
“How about Ki-" the model Kibum breaks off and sneezes, but Arisa nods.
“Key!” she points at Kibum, “you're Key, and he's Kibum.”
“Key...I like it.”
“Key?” it's a deep voice, and when Key turns, Choi Minho is right there.
“You're Choi Minho.”
“Yes,” that dazzling smile, “and you're Key?”
“I was Kim Kibum, but I think you know what a disaster that is, so now I'm Key.”
“Nice to meet you.” Minho holds out his hand to shake and Key shakes. Minho's hand is cool and almost clammy, but Key doesn't mind.
“Wait, weren't you...do you know a Kim Jonghyun? His dog pooped on you.”
“You know him?”
“He's my - yeah I know him. Did his dog really poop on you?”
“On my favorite jeans. How do you know him?”
“I was having a panic attack so I needed to draw something and he was skipping class so I drew him.”
“You have anxiety?” Minho's voice is soft, caring, “If you ever need help or wanna talk, you can come to me, there's a lot of us with mental illnesses, so we help each other out, even if it means just giving each other space.”
“Thank you.” Key realizes only then that they're still shaking hands - no, just holding hands. It makes their cheeks heat up and they pull their hand away.
“Key, you'll be in charge of Kibum, Minho and Arisa then. All of us will be able to help you out if you need it though.”
“Thank you.”
“EXO is about to have their shoot, you should come see. You three come too.” Key follows Taeyeon to a bridge, where they can see Kyungsoo and Chen talking, already dressed. Three more - Xiumin, Yixing and Jongin - join them and Taeyeon brings them to a tent, where the rest of the models are in chairs getting their makeup done or getting dressed. Taeyeon points out several things and lets Key get close enough to watch careful eyeliner get put on Chanyeol, the wrinkles smoothed out of Sehun’s shirt and Suho’s hair combed and styled. It's very professional and rushed, but everything goes back in its place and the models seem bored, sleepy. Like they have no idea what magic is being done on them.
“Baekhyun, you need to take care of your face better, and sleep more,” one of the makeup noonas is dabbing concealer beneath Baekhyun’s eyes.
“Why would I do that if I have you to do it for me, Tiffany?”
Tiffany huffs. “Byun Baekhyun, you're incorrigible.”
Taeyeon taps Key’s arm, “You can go back out and watch the shoot, I've got to check over everything here.”
Key nods and turns to go back outside, but is promptly beckoned over by Jongin. “Can you help me? I smudged my eyeliner while - actually, Kyungsoo did it, but I don't want to tell and Arisa says you're good at makeup and you aren't scary and please-"
“Alright, go hide. They'll notice you're gone when the shoot is about to start and I'll look for you and find you in the tent.”
Jongin gives Key a bright grin and nods, then steals away and Key goes to stand by Arisa, Kibum and Minho. “One of you ask where Jongin went,” they murmur.
“On it,” Arisa whispers back, goes closer to the bridge and makes a show of looking around, then goes to Taeyeon, “where's Jongin?”
“Jongin! Kim-”
“I'll look for him,” Key says, “maybe he just went to the bathroom.”
Taeyeon nods quickly, “If you can't find him, hurry back.”
Key nods and speeds away, checking behind trees and behind the tent before ducking inside. Jongin is already sitting and Key quickly goes up to him. “Hold still.” they quickly wipe off Jongin's eyeliner and grab the nearest pencil and draw a delicate line around his upper lid and then fill it in at the edge of his eye so it fades into his eyeliner, then they do the same for Jongin's other eye.
“Jesus, you did that quickly, and it looks so good!” Jongin grins at Key through the mirror, “time to find me?”
“Yeah.” Key steps out the tent with Jongin close behind and calls out, “found him!”
Jongin is quickly berated by Taeyeon, and he runs up to the bridge with the others, and the shoot proceeds smoothly.
After, Key is dragged away by Arisa, Minho and Kibum, who hail a taxi and point out sites in the city before stopping at a Starbucks. Key orders their usual and observes fashion in the city. Because they forgot their journal in their suitcase and their phone has low battery, they write different things on their wrist, until the list covers their whole forearm. Minho comes back from the bathroom and pulls up Key’s sleeve, humming when he finishes reading. He looks thoughtful, and even barefaced, he looks beautiful.
“I'm going to video some friends in Korea, is that okay?”
“Yeah, we can stay for a little.”
“Wanna scare them?” Kibum is grinning wickedly, “I'll answer the call, they'll realise it isn't you, and then they'll see Minho and Arisa and freak out.”
“Nah, maybe Nicole though. But I'll introduce you.” Key calls Jonghyun and when he picks up, Key grins.
“Hey, Jjong-"
“I thought you'd died.”
“What, no! I just forgot to call when I landed, I'm sorry, I've just been busy. Look, meet Arisa, Minho, and my twin Kim Kibum.” Key lets all of them wave and Jonghyun smiles at them, but it's obviously fake.
“Jjong, I'm really sorry, please, forgive me? I'll make it up to you when I get back, I promise.”
Jonghyun smiles a little, then his eyes widen, “Is that Minho, like Choi Minho?”
“Your dog pooped on me, yeah.” Minho sounds amused and Jonghyun inhaled a quick breath.
“I'm so sorry!”
“It's okay, really. They're just pants.”
“Guys, we have to go. Meeting at the hotel.”
Key bites their lip and looks at Jonghyun's tiny face in the screen. “Jjong…”
“Just go, Kibum.”
Key hangs up.
The first month passes in a blur of learning the ropes; and when Taeyeon finds out how Key saved Jongin, she lets them graduate from an assistant to a full on makeup artist. They're still only in charge of Minho, Kibum and Arisa, but all the other artists go to them when something happens and they don't want to be yelled at. Key becomes popular for that reason, for how friendly they are and how willing they are to teach their makeup skills with anyone willing to ask. They're doing a shoot for athletic wear and Minho has a light sheen of (fake) sweat on his tanned arms and is dressed in track pants that are going to be super popular next season and a tank top to expose his arms, and he jogs over to Key after his hair is dampened and styled.
“They told you to cover my marks. Please don't freak out.”
“Why would I-" Key sees the too familiar handwriting on Minho's arm and the words (call Jonghyun tonight) and swallows all their shock and panic so they can mechanically cover the dark marks with concealer. Minho's gaze is on them the whole time and he looks worried, but Key dismisses him without a word and Minho obediently goes.
Key keeps up their calm facade until the shoot is done, then immediately collapses in the nearest seat. They shrug off Kibum's hand and ignore Arisa and all but flinch away when Minho speaks.
“Key, I'm sorry. I know you don't like soulmates, but we are and-”
“And what? We don't have to do anything, I don't want to be with you-”
“I never said that, Kibum.”
Key looks up when they hear their name for the first time in nearly a month, “I don't...I don't want this. I need to go.”
Minho lets them.
They go on for another two weeks like that, only talking when Key has to do Minho's hair, makeup and wardrobe, but even then, it's just Key giving quiet directions and Minho following. Kibum pretends not to notice how much it takes to hide the dark circles under Minho's eyes now, pretends not to notice how fake his smile is.
Key is blindly watching Taemin and Jonghyun on YouTube, a song that Jonghyun had written for Taemin. Taemin is singing and Jonghyun is playing piano, and even they look...tired. Happy, but tired. And then a hand covers their phone screen and it's Kibum.
“We need to talk. It's about Minho.”
Key lets Kibum sit only because it's Kibum, listens to him without really hearing. “I know you don't like soulmates, and I know why, but Minho isn't like that. At least just give him a chance, go out with him for dinner and I promise you'll change your mind. And if you don't, at least you tried, and you can both move on with your lives when you go back to Korea.”
“It's not that simple, Kibum. You know it isn't.”
“Actually, I don't. I don't get marks.”
“Lucky.”
Kibum shrugs, “Some would say so, some say the opposite. I don't have to be tied to anyone, but I won't be happy with that perfect person. But I mean, someone else doesn't decide my happiness, I do. So it's fine to me.”
“Kibum,” Key leans against Kibum and sighs, “I'll go on a date with him.”
“Good, he'll come to your room in an hour. He said to wear something comfortable. Nothing too fancy.”
“An hour? Kibum!” Key shoves Kibum, but they're both laughing, “help me with an outfit?”
“No can do, I'm going to take a quick nap. I have a night shoot.”
“I hate you, just so you know.”
“Tell me all about your date in the morning, babe.” (Key still flushes at the nickname, even though they'd been calling each other ‘babe' for almost a month.)
“Rude.”
“Bye!”
It takes Key half an hour to choose an outfit (what does ‘something comfortable’ even mean?) and then another fifteen to curl their hair and put on makeup (just eyeliner, but they don't know whether to go with something bold or subtle; they go with subtle) and then another five minutes to fret over whether this was a good outfit or not. Just when they sit down, there's a knock on the door, and Key can't help smiling when they see Minho.
“Hey,” they feel shy, hopefully Minho doesn't notice.
“Hi, I got you flowers. I didn't know if you liked them, but I think they look good with you, but then, anything would because you're gorgeous-" Minho stops himself, clearly flustered, and Key laughs.
“You can keep going.”
“Do you really want me to go into detail about how beautiful you are? You should be a model, not me.”
Key shakes their head, eyes wide. “I could never, I'm not...I don't have a double eyelid and I'm not tall and I'm not masculine-"
“But you're you, and that's more than enough - it’s beautiful really.” Minho's hand on Key's cheek is what shocks them to silence.
“Where...are we going?”
“Out to eat. You'll like it, promise.”
“Really now? I'm very picky when I eat, Minho.”
“I heard, but don't worry. I picked the perfect place.”
They fall into step, walking briskly down the streets, laughing and talking. They stop in front of a little shop and Key looks up at the sign and almost chokes.
“Choi Minho, you are not taking me on a date to Burger King.”
Minho just holds open the door, “It's this or McDonald's.”
Key walks through the door.
It actually is a nice date; they each get a whopper and split the fries, and Minho pretends not to notice Key sipping from his milkshake. They walk around after that for a while and on a whim, Key buys a bag of fresh honey roasted peanuts and they share that too, and Key does not flush red when their fingers touch.
Minho walks Key to their room and on a whim, Key invites him in and they collapse on Key's bed, Minho's arm pillowing Key's head. “I had a lot of fun, did you?”
“Yeah, we should do this again. I think...I would be fine if we started slow. I don't want to do this just because we're soulmates, I want you to like me for me.”
“That's why I didn't tell you right away, I wanted to get to know you. I'd have gone to someone else if I wanted my marks covered, but I wanted you to know.”
“I'm so sorry-”
“It-”
“It was worth the wait. You're worth the wait.”
“Speaking of, we're shooting in Aruba, we leave tomorrow,” Key remembers, “I'll take you out while we're there.”
“Sounds great. Kibum, can I kiss you?”
Key feels their heart skip a beat and they swallow, “Minho, I - not yet. I'm sorry.”
“Don't be, I wanted to make sure. When you're ready, I'll be there,” Minho gives Key that thousand watt smile when he sits up, “I'm gonna go, busy day tomorrow. Sit next to me on the plane?”
“Yes.”
Minho and Key do sit next to each other on the plane, but they don't talk, just nap in odd intervals with their heads leaning against each other. At one point, Key wakes up to Minho reading and laces their fingers together before falling asleep. When they wake, their hands are still entangled.
Minho starts awake when they land, and Key smiles down at him when he blinks bleary eyes up at Key.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”
“Here?”
“Yeah.”
Minho stumbles after Key and doesn't really wake up until Key buys coffee and presses it into Minho's hand in the van. It feels empty; Kibum is still in New York, busy on other projects, and Arisa is back in Japan.
The hotel they're in is right by the beach; Minho and Key room together and they can go right out the back door and be on the sand, the sea not twenty feet away. That's the first thing they do, walk along the beach. Minho starts a splashing fight when he accidentally hits Key with water, and by the time they climb out of the waves, they're both drenched. They decide to lay out in the sand until they dry off and Minho builds a sandcastle that Key crushes; they're quickly buried in sand as punishment.
Then it's back to the hotel to shower and eat - neither of them are hungry, so they just get smoothies, then they sit by the pool, half asleep. They go back out on the beach until it starts to get darker, then they watch the sunset from just outside their room; Key paints Minho lounging on the bed while Minho talks to them in that low voice, about whatever comes to mind. They go to bed after Minho finishes admiring Key's drawing, but they don't sleep yet, just talk quietly about anything and everything and nothing all at once. It continues until Minho falls asleep in the middle of his sentence, and Key quietly turns off the lamp and settles in to sleep too.
The smell of coffee is what wakes Key up, and there's Minho, sitting on the edge of his bed, hair and clothes rumpled, bleary eyes and still more than half asleep.
“Morning,” Key mumbles, sitting up halfway. It's bright with natural light in their room and all Key wants to do is paint pictures of Minho like this, no makeup, fresh out of bed. So natural and real.
There's another cup of coffee by the coffeemaker and its full, Key dumps in what is probably too much sugar and milk. When they turn, Minho is frowning at them a little, but he just looks confused. “That's so much sugar, it's unhealthy.” his voice is rough from sleep, and he stretches, a strip of tanned skin peeking out from his shirt.
“I'm not the one that lives on coffee, and don't think I haven't noticed your little habit.”
Minho's yawn breaks halfway through into a laugh. “Fine, fine. You win. But only because I'm too tired to think. Was your bed that comfortable?”
“Not really. I slept well though.”
“Maybe we should share,” Minho mumbles. Key stares at him until Minho realizes what he'd just said, and he quickly backpedals, “I didn't mean it like that, just that I wanted you to sleep as well as I did and I'm not flirting with you or anything, I swear-”
Key hides their grin with their mug and turns away from Minho so they don't have to look at the shocked-guilty-flustered expression on Minho's face. It's entirely too cute for this early in the morning.
“I've known you for almost two months, Minho. I know.”
“It really has been that long, huh?” Minho's gone quiet, voice fond, and Key flushes red.
“I certainly hope all the junk you've been eating hasn't ruined your abs, you're doing a swimwear shoot today.”
“You're cute when you're flustered.”
“I'm not flustered-"
“You always change the topic when you're flustered, and you're usually blushing too. Turn around.”
Key doesn't move, and then Minho's voice comes from right behind them, “Turn around, Kibum.”
Key obeys - only because Minho had used their real name - and Minho is right there, and Key is trapped between Minho and the counter, and they don't quite mind. Neither of them move, not even when Key says in a breathy voice, “We should get ready to go.”
It's like Minho's gaze is trapping Key in place and Key knows Minho wants to kiss them, it's obvious by the way his eyes are most definitely not on Key’s, the way he's leaning down just enough to be too much (and not enough) in Key's personal space.
“Kibum…”
Their name is what shocks Key into reality again. “Minho, no. Please.”
Almost immediately, Minho nods and withdraws, giving Key that familiar grin and speaking like that had never happened. “I'll go shower.”
Key has to bite their lip to keep from calling Minho back. When they hear the shower start up, they decide to instead pick their clothes for the day - Minho's don't really matter, because he'll be changing at the shooting site, but he still has to look good, Key decides. A green tank top stolen from Woohyun and light jeans for Minho, a basketball tank top over a loose white t-shirt (Minho’s) and jeans for themself.
But when Minho comes out of the shower, toweling his black hair dry, Key makes a split second decision.
“We’re dyeing your hair.”
“What?”
“You heard me, hurry up and get my wallet for me.” Key is already searching for a shop with hair dye - “and colored contacts.”
“I hate contacts,” Minho says, but he's getting dressed in what Key’s laid out for him, “what, are you my mother now?”
Minho's tone is teasing, so Key doesn't look up, replies without thinking. “It felt natural to do it.”
“Natural, huh?”
“Shut up and get the car, your shoot starts in an hour and a half.”
“That's plenty of time-"
“The dye takes about 45 minutes to set, and the store is fifteen minutes away. There and back is half an hour, which leaves fifteen minutes for you to dry your hair and get there. So hurry up.”
“Fine, fine.”
Minho drives while Key directs him with the directions from their phone, grabs a few boxes of dye while Key looks for colored contacts. Key quickly picks from the boxes Minho chose and finds hazel contacts to match. And then they're in the car again and Minho is speeding back to the hotel. Key roots through their suitcase for their tinting bowl and brush and tosses the dye and developer to Minho.
“Mix that for me. I'm going to put your contacts in and part your hair.” Key likes telling the models what they're going to do, even if they don't understand it.
Minho does as he's told and holds still while Key slides the contacts in, then moves around to brush and part Minho's hair. Then Key starts to brush the dye in, silent as they work as fast as they dare.
“Why don't you like soulmates?”
“I don't feel comfortable talking about that.” Key moves to the second section.
“Then how'd you get interested in all this?”
“I used to dance, and I learned how to do makeup for competitions from - she was a senior when I was a freshman in high school, I think you know her as BoA?”
“Why not dance then?”
“I wanted to be an idol, originally. I tried out for SM, they didn't take me, said I wasn't a strong enough singer. There isn't much else you can do with dance other than teach, but I liked doing makeup more, so. Here I am,” Key starts on the third section, “any more questions?”
“Who's Jonghyun?”
“He's - my friend. I think. He's soulmates with my best friend, but I think I like him and I think he likes me too, and he must've talked about it with Taemin, because Taemin confronted me and he's fine with it, us dating, I mean, but now you're here too and...I don't know. It's complicated.”
“But you do like-”
“Leave that in for 45 minutes.” Key interrupts, “I'm going to shower.”
Minho knocks on the bathroom door just when Key is about to get out the shower, saying that the time is up and Key dries off quickly and directs Minho to the bathroom sink before getting their gloves and thoroughly rinsing Minho's hair. It's a little lighter than what Key had been thinking of, but the light brown highlights Minho's strong jaw and the curve of his lips and the arch of his brow.
“Put this in,” Key says, pointing to the little bottle of conditioner, “I'll rinse it after I get dressed, and then we have to go.”
Minho nods and uncaps the bottle and Key rushes to their clothes, hurriedly putting on their favorite lotion (the one that smells like vanilla, the one Jonghyun likes) and then their clothes. Key parts their hair down the middle and decides that they want to dye their own hair, some crazy color - maybe blue, or green.
“Kibum, I'm ready!” Minho calls from the bathroom and Key hurries in to give his hair a quick once over, then rinses. Key dries Minho's hair and then brushes it to a style they like (his hair is brushed up and away from his forehead; the color of his now light brown hair shows off the tan of Minho's skin and the hazel of the contacts) and suddenly Minho's look pulls together and Key allows themself a self satisfied smile.
“I know I'm handsome, Kibum, but shouldn't we be going?”
Key almost snorts because yes, Minho is handsome, you'd have to be blind not to notice. Choi Minho is easily the most well known model in all of South Korea - handsome? Choi Minho is the epitome of handsome. But Key can't (won't) say that, so they just shrug.
“Handsome, you? Come on.” Key leaves the hotel room without another word, ignoring the way Minho's lips curl up in a grin at their words.
“Coming.”
The car ride is quiet only because they don't honestly know where the shoot is. Minho had requested that they not be given a limo or a driver and so they're just given an average car and not much else - Key is beginning to regret Minho's decision because they're ten minutes late, and in this industry, every minute wasted is like an hour gone.
So they're freaking out, just a little.
“Can't you go faster?”
“I'm going at the speed limit,” Minho replies, patient. They've had this conversation more than Key can remember in the span of fifteen minutes.
“Next time, we're getting a driver. Or at least a car with a gps.”
“We should've gotten a convertible, today is perfect for the roof to be down.”
“No, it would ruin your hair.”
“You'll redo it at the site, you always do. We could go from our room to the lobby and you'd redo my hair because it's messy.”
“It would ruin my hair. And I don't get paid to make myself look good.”
“You don't get paid to make me look good either, Kibum.” Minho sounds highly amused.
“If you weren't driving, I'd punch you.”
“You've punched me before, it doesn't hurt a bit. I think Yoogeun has hurt me more than you have.”
“Isn't he like two?”
“Four. He acts like he's two sometimes, though. He reminds me of you.”
“Choi Minho-”
“I was actually going to say because you're both cute and I love you both, but you can take it like that if you want.”
“Don't you think it's a little too soon to say that?”
Minho shrugs, looks at Key out of the corner of his eye. “I say what I mean, Kibum.”
“You know I'm not - I'm not in love with you. Not yet.”
“I'm fine with that. I'll wait for you, you're worth it.”
Key feels little prickles of embarrassment and they look away, biting their lip. “Can we talk about this at the hotel? I'm not saying no, I just need - I need to think.”
“Of course.”
The shoot goes even better than Key could have hoped: Minho's hair and eyes are beautifully offset by the white sand and clear water, and he looks almost too handsome with a surfboard in hand, in knee deep water with an arm around the female model. They end up finishing early and Minho and the female model splash out the water, laughing at something they'd been talking about earlier.
“This is Kibum, my stylist. Kibum, meet Choi Jinri.”
Jinri gives Key a wide smile and pushes a lock of hair behind her ear before offering her hand, “Call me Sulli. I really like Minho's hair, he said you did that this morning? It looks really good, you should do mine.”
“I was actually pretty surprised it turned out so well, it was on a whim. And I could dye your hair - you'd look good with red hair. And shorter, to here,” Key touches her shoulder thoughtfully, “it would be really cute.”
“You're right, he is charming.” Sulli says to Minho.
“They, not him-”
Sulli looks alarmed, “I'm so sorry, I should've asked.”
“No, it's fine. You didn't know better. Really.”
Sulli gives Key an uncertain look, “Are you sure?” and even Key nods, a smile, “you're really cute. We should meet up if there's any spare time-”
“I don't think there will be,” Minho interrupts, but Sulli just laughs.
“I'm not trying to steal your partner, Minho, you know that. You know I'm aro anyway-” and to Key, “talk to him, he's pouting, what a baby. It's a shame, he's so handsome.”
“I think it's cute,” Key can't help smiling too as they join in on Sulli’s teasing, “like a puppy.”
“Better make sure he doesn't slobber, if you know what I mean.”
Key turns to Minho, thoughtful. “He's already tried to mark his territory.”
“Mine,” Minho cuts in, “you said you're my territory. That-"
“I think...we should go back to the hotel,” Key turns to Sulli, “Minho and I have some things to talk about, do you think we could meet up for dinner or something?”
“Not tonight, I think I have another shoot? Give me your number, I'll text you,” Sulli plucks Key's phone out of their hand anyway and gives it back after a long moment, then she smiles up at them, “have a good talk, you two. And Kibum, don't think I'll forget you said you'd dye my hair.”
“Don't worry, I won't forget either. Just text me when you're free, okay?”
“Will do! I have to go, it was good seeing you again, Minho, and nice to meet you, Kibum!” Sulli hurries over to the van waiting for her and Minho almost immediately tugs Key back to their car.
“Minho, what are you doing?”
“You want to talk about this, me and you-”
“When did I say that-”
Minho cuts them off with a gaze that Key can only describe as smouldering, “Am I wrong?”
“You're right.” Key mumbles it after averting their gaze.
“Good. I'm going to shower, and then we're going to talk.” Minho turns away from Key and starts the car.
The ride is completely silent except for the radio; Key can barely hear it over the pounding of their heart. They keep glancing over at Minho to see his gaze on the road, brows furrowed.
“Hey. Don't frown, you'll get wrinkles.”
Minho glances over at Key and gives them a tiny grin, “Don't worry, Kibum. I'll still be handsome with wrinkles, right?”
“Of course. Arrogant much?”
“You said I'm handsome, Kibummie. That's a huge compliment coming from you. You're gorgeous.”
Key shrugs, “I'm no model, Minho.”
“You wouldn't stand it. Too much standing around, too robotic. You'd be better suited to being a makeup artist like you are now. Not even Taeyeon would've tried to dye my hair an hour before a shoot. You're a natural.”
“Minho…”
“We passed an ice cream place, want some? It's on me.”
Key immediately thinks of ice cream dripping down Minho's wrist and the (unintentional) smouldering gaze he'd give - “No thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” Minho orders a mango smoothie and they end up sharing it. Key takes most of it and tries to ignore Minho's laughter when they end up spilling.
The hotel room is blessedly cool and Key flops down on their bed, sighing. “I'm never going outside again. Look at my hair, it's so limp. It's ridiculous.”
“You're ridiculous,” Minho retorts. He takes that moment to pull his shirt over his head and toss it at Key’s face. Key lets it fall to the floor and then they glare up at Minho - or they try to. They end up giggling and Minho gives them a fond, gentle smile and Key realizes that yeah, they're definitely in love.
“Minho, shower so we can talk.”
“Of course, princess.” There's a teasing look in Minho's eye and he has the audacity to wink at Key before going to the bathroom.
If Key had the energy, they would've hit Minho with his own shirt.
Minho comes out a half an hour later, wearing a loose tank top and shorts. His hair is still wet and he has a towel around his shoulders; he looks at Key and grins, “Let's talk.”
“I want to know more about you,” Key blurts out, “like we're not soulmates. We just met.”
“Like twenty questions, okay. What's your favorite kind of movie?”
“Horror, except. Like - I love watching horror movies, but I get scared easily, so it's kind of...you know? Taemin used to pop out of nowhere when I watched horror movies at home. Um, what about you?”
“Action movies, or romantic comedies. Who's Taemin?”
“The dance prodigy two grades below me. We were the two best dancers so we were paired together a lot, and I grew fond of him. He was a cute kid, bowl haircut, and shy. He blinked a lot too. But now, here-" Key digs out their phone and shows Minho a picture of Jonghyun and Taemin, “I cut and dyed his hair. I think I'm going to try a lavender middle part bob next. What's your favorite food?”
“Ramen,” Minho answers immediately, “any kind. Pets?”
“No, but I want a dog. A toy poodle. Hobbies?”
“Soccer. I wanted to be a famous soccer player when I was a kid, but here we are now.”
“Would you trade modelling for soccer?”
“My question, Kibum. Family?”
“My grandma. I love her to death. She raised me when I was young, so. Why do they call you a hyung whore?”
“Oh, that. I'm close with Kyuhyun and Changmin, and Ryewook. Kyuhyun named us the Kyuline, we just hang out a lot.”
“I get that, Taemin used to call me his umma because I was so protective of him. And I nagged a lot. But it was all for him.”
“
You must love him.”
“He's like my brother. I love him to death. How did you get into modelling?”
“Kyuhyun. He saw me in the street and grabbed my arm and handed me a business card for SM, and I thought it was fake so I didn't call, but then my brother saw it and called for me. So here I am.”
Key's heart is pounding in their chest now and they lick their lips. “Minho, I have a question for you.”
“Yeah?”
“If I told you I'm falling in love with you, what would you do?”
Minho stays still and silent for a long minute, then stands and moves to sit next to Key. His hand is warm when he cups Key’s cheek and he leans in close enough so Key can smell the vanilla of Minho’s shampoo, and then finally, finally they're kissing.
Return to Part Two
Part Four