SSS 2010: FOR XXQOD (Part 2/2)
Part 1
“Come on!! It’s not gonna eat you! Just step in and buckle up! How hard can THAT be.” I snapped my teeth, forgetting for a moment that I had one foot inside the innocent looking car and the other plastered firmly on the arid ground. “Sure, easy for you to say as you have no fucking trauma about your sister dying in a car accident beside you!”
“Oh grow up! My mom killed herself in front of me when I was seven! Did that made me have some stupid trauma related to knives? Hell no! Now stop being such a pussy and just step in!” It was about a week ago that I started having murderous thoughts towards a certain boy named Taemin. They all involved my hands gripping a pillow while smothering him to death.
“Stop having murderous thoughts about me and get your ass on that car.” See what I mean?. Don’t get me wrong though, I was still pretty much biased with the redhead, drooling from time to time, but sometimes I just wanted to strangle him with a rope. A week has passed since that faithful day at the café. After accepting Onew’s offers of becoming one of his racers for the meantime, it had been all hectic practices and strategic meetings.
Taemin did fill me in that night what truly was going on with this whole racing thing. Kibum was not Minho’s biological brother, but they’ve been raised together since they were five. They came from a very wealthy family, a family involved with the mafia - I knew this issue had to do with the mafia, I knew it! - and having their family murdered at the tender age of twelve, they decided to escape that dangerous environment. Obviously, they inheritated they family’s real state, money becoming the last of their troubles. Slowly, Minho started getting fascinated with clandestine racing. He started off with watching other racers exposing his lives at the race track, not once fazed by the possibility of endangering his life even by watching. In no time he was behind the steering wheel, completely maniac with the idea of winning.
Key started seeing the change in his brother’s personality, not liking one bit the sudden shift of being a total goof ball with a good heart to a son a bitch with a stone on his chest. He kept quite for a while, not wanting to interfere with Minho’s thoughts of winning the Moonson. He formed a society of racers a few years later, recruiting every single racer that was good enough to his standards. He eventually asked Onew to join, boiling in anger as the older one refused his proposal at once. In Minho’s mind, Onew only wanted to get all the good racers as Onew too formed some kind of association with good racers. Eventually Kibum met the legendary racer, both falling in love right away. Minho felt that taking his brother away from him had been Onew’s plan all along, so he put all the money and power into destroying their relationship.
Eventually, they settled into an agreement. Minho and Onew’s racers would battle at the Mooson grand prix, being the prize money and the final acceptance of Minho. I understood Key’s resentment towards this whole ordeal, even thinking it would be best to just run away, but at the same time it was quite obvious that Onew’s decision would be to battle, all or nothing.
Even though Jinki’s association was filled with really talented racers, none of them were a good enough match for Minho’s, and surprinsingly that’s where I came along. He heard about my skills years ago, when my name was mentioned in every race and every battle. After my sister’s death and the judge sentence for unintentional murder, I became almost none existant, falling into the distant memories of my former partners. Jinki never forgot though, claiming that I was the first one to pop in his mind for the task. He searched high and low for my whereabouts, having to be extremely meticulous as to hide my existence from Minho. It was because of that that he had to disguise himself the other day, paying some of his racing associates to play as bullies just to get my attention.
I have to give him props for that too, since it had been probably the only way I’d seen him and actually step up to his aid. I was bullied in middle school, having to tough up in order to pull myself together and out of that dangerous crowd, so I kinda had a soft side for bullied people. How Jinki managed to know that little secret, who knows.
Because of all this crazy drama I was stuck in this mess. I quitted my job without no apparent reason, just signing my release while my incredulous boss kept gaping like a gold fish. It’s nothing personal I assured my working partners, stepping out of the workshop just to be once again hoisted by one of Jinki’s man in black bodyguards and shoved into a black Mercedes. Taemin offered to pull me out of my phobia, claiming he was gonna be nice and supportive. Supportive my ass I thought gloomily as the younger one kept bickering about me being a pussy.
Onew came to our practice sessions now and then, patting my back in support as he talked to Taemin about some issues concerning the race. In order for Minho to truly accept the relationship between his brother and his sworn enemy was that Onew must be forbidden to race. At first the older one opposed, claiming it was obvious he was gonna win like that, but Minho too was gonna step out of the race, sending one of his best racers on his behalf. I still couldn’t comprehend why Jinki chose me over all those awesome racers under his wing. There was Yuhno, Jaejoon, Siwon, G.O, Junsu… they all didn’t have a stupid phobia to begin with.
“Okay, you think you can do it this time?” After the 15 minute break, it was time to go back into business. The grand prix was supposed to be in two months, but due to some unknown reasons, it got pushed forward and it was gonna take place on the old run down racing track at the outskirts of town in two weeks. Everyone back at the association was sweating bullets, as one of the conditions Onew and Minho settled with was that if by any chance Minho’s racer happened to win, all of Onew’s associates would be passed on to Minho. That was surely something to be scared off, but they were all accepting it since their leader was going through all of this trouble for love. Love was enough excuse I guess.
“I guess… let’s get this over with.” Gripping the handle with shaky hands, I slowly pushed the door open, receiving a clap in response. It was very cute seeing Taemin all existed about my pointless attempts to overcome my fears. It almost felt like he actually cared about my behalf.
My foot was already inside the car, stepping over the old carpet while the other one was still planted firmly on ground. Taemin’s eyes stared at me in silence, waiting what my next move would be. I started leaning then, inclining my body towards the interior waiting to surround me. Cold sweat broke over me, making me face frown in concentration. My body froze after a few minutes of movement, making my jaw lock in fear. I simply couldn’t do it.
“I can’t. I’m sorry, I can’t.” He was all over my face in seconds, his breath warm against my lips as his eyes glared dagger on my soul. He was surely an angel in disguise, the devil in person as he always managed to unsettle me in the most tempting ways.
“Do you wanna be a fucking nobody for the rest of your life? Even Minho has more balls than you… I thought you were man enough to overcome your fears and step on them, but I guess I was wrong.” I lowered my head, feeling actually ashamed of myself for being such a coward. I wouldn’t admit it though, but the Minho comment really pulled something inside me. I heard Taemin talking to Onew a few days ago, and to my surprise I found out that Minho actually dated Taemin without knowing who his brother was. I saw a couple of pictures that Key brought with him last weekend, finally taking a look of what Minho was like. He was good looking alright, just gorgeous like his brother, and a pang of jealousy boiled raw inside as I imagined him actually dating Taemin. They both looked perfect for each other - good looking and rich. I was everything but that.
He leaned backwards, sighing in the air as he puffed his cheeks in irritation. I took my foot from out of the car, not wanting to be in his presence any longer. Maybe my sister’s death had damaged me too deep, to the point that I could no longer be cured. I guess I could accept the fact that I would never be able to race again… maybe….
“This is such a waste of time… Minho fucked me countless of times inside a car and you can’t even make yourself enter one… how pathetic.” It was just like the moment I got my first car as a birthday present. At first it was there was surprise, even mild amusement, and I could only blink for a few seconds to process the words that were just spoken moments ago. He said it like a whisper, perhaps only meant for him to listen, but I heard them clear, just above my ear in that tainting fashion that made my nostrils flare in pure anger. He surely pushed the line with that comment he should’ve kept his pretty mouth shut. I roughly grabbed his hand, making him squeak in surprise as I pushed myself inside the car’s interior, squishing into the tiny driver’s seat as Taemins’s body was crushed between my chest and the steering wheel. Onew gave us a small car to practice, a car that could barely fit two bodies, and in those moments I realized that car was really not good to be moving around in.
My hands were gripping Taemin’s sharp hipbones strongly, obviously bruising them in the process, but since he liked being fucked inside a car, he was most likely to love being man handled. “J-jonghyun you made it. Oh God! You made it.” I was not once fazed by his happiness, keeping a stoic expression as his arms wrapped around my neck to hug me close to this body. I kept a firm hold of his hips, not wanting to give away any sort of answer. He quickly caught on to my mood, softy pulling apart as he stared worriedly into my blank face.
“Hey, what’s wron -“
“Did you really let Minho have his way with you in a car?” The question caught him off guard, making him almost gasp in response. I remained silence, wanting to know just how stupid I was to even think I had a chance with him. I’m not attractive, not even close to be considerate the wealthy kind, and surely I was no match against Minho, but… I just thought…
“I wouldn’t even let him kiss me. Why? Jealous?” I blinked - one, two, three times - not believing the words spoken. He giggled then, making me snort and blush in embarrassment. “O-of course not! I just find the idea of you actually being intimate with…” He started leaning, a small smile playing on his lips, “..that Minho guy simply…” Hot breath tickled my lips, making me gasp in response, “..hideous.” He was so close I could almost taste his cherry flavored mouth.
“Yeah, hideous is the bruise you’re gonna have if you keep molesting my brother like that.” I flinched, turning around just in time to catch Onew coolly leaning over the window, passively staring at the vast dessert in front of us. I felt like cursing for the interruption, but Taemin found it quite hilarious deciding to just laugh the embarrassment off.
After my progress in the car, everything just fell into place. It was easy from then on, remembering what it was like to feel adrenaline rush through your veins. Sure, hardships always showed up in the form of my sister’s face telling me she trusted me, but Taemin was there all the time to push those thoughts away. He stood with me through thick and thin, his patience - or the lack of it - always urging me to try harder. I came to realized over the course of two weeks that there was more about Lee Taemin that met the eye. He always wanted to come off as arrogant, mighty and cold, but I somehow was able to see through all of that, finding the childish and naïve boy buried deep.
I wasn’t gonna lie, I had fallen in love with him like a fool. It was just everything about him - the way his eyes crinkled while smiling, those little snorts that escaped his lips whenever he laughed too hard, how his hand would seek mine while Onew explained to me how dangerous this race was - all in all, I was just deeply in love with the boy, wanting nothing more but to snatch him away from all of this.
He confessed to me once that this really wasn’t the life he had chosen for himself. One night, we found ourselves stretched out in the café’s rooftop, too tired to even think about doing something else. We talked about everything that night, about my life and his. Jinki had been just like any other teenager, getting good grades, helping his father’s with their meat store while struggling to keep up with Taemin’s tutoring lessons. Taemin confessed that when he was 13 their store’s income was very poor, barely managing to sustain their family. Onew decided to look for a job, assuring their parents it would not interfere with his Junior year. He didn’t know how his brother got a job as an amateur racer, never having bothered to ask, but suddenly things starting coming along almost too well.
Onew brought money almost everyday, surprising his parents greatly. When asked, he always said his job was a good one, that no harm was laid upon himself, but one night they found him injured in their doorstep, making his parents worry for his health. Jinki confessed all about his job then, angering his parents to no end. Feeling betrayed, their parents kicked Jinki out of the house, assuring him they would take him back once he quitted his job as a racer.
Onew never gave up though, barely managing to pay for school, and once graduated, he decided to take racing a full career path. My parents disowned him right away, claiming that Jinki was surely dead for them. Taemin proudly stated he never so much as doubted Onew’s ability as a racer, deciding against his parents will to follow his brother.
Even though they went through many rough hardships, Taemin confessed he wouldn’t have had it any other way. I felt light-headed after that talk, instantly feeling some new profound respect towards the brothers. They were fighters, fighters indeed, and my love for Taemin simply sky rocketed to the moon from that night on. It was hard to tell if the younger one even had feelings that bounced off the friendly zone towards him. Sure, Taemin loved to tease, to make me shudder and fall weak into his trap, but love was more than that. I wanted to know if he felt butterflies too whenever I walked by, or if he found himself dreaming about me almost every night. He was almost like an unreachable dream, a dream from which I didn’t wanna wake up from.
“I know you like Taemin.” Onew’s voice was deep and secretive in the crowded workshop. Everyone was busying themselves with the last touches of the car that would be racing tomorrow. Onew had been supervising the work strictly, wanting not to miss any details. His question had me gasping in surprise, making sure no one was paying attention to us before answering his statement.
“I d-don’t.” He laughed, patting my back as Key stared at us with curiosity all the way from the other side of the room. Taemin was with him, but was clearly busy with helping some of the racers place the last touches to the car. “You don’t even believe on yourself do you?” Blinking, I stared at the way Onew’s eyes followed Key’s every movement with sheer adoration. It was obvious he was foolishly in love, just like me, with the slight difference that he had nothing to loose with his looks and his status, while I didn’t even have something to loose.
“I met Key at a party you know? Minho invited me to this huge even at his mansion, in some lame attempt to lure me into his association. I didn’t have money at the time, since I invested everything I had into my already growing society. Feeling awkward and out of place, I decided to roam around the mansion, not really caring to get to know anyone in particular. And just as I was about to turn around and leave, I walked in on Key taking a bath.” I laughed, making him smile as well as he tilted his head in my direction. I could just picture Jinki’s shocked expression and Key’s murderous glares.
“I guess it was love at first sight. He hated me though, simply loathed every inch of my being. I was a low life in his eyes - he was the most perfect human being in mine. Even through his hate, I won his heart. Even though I was a low life with no bright future ahead of me, he fell head over heels for the simple Lee Jinki. I never gave up for such stupid things as money or social status.”. I sigh, watching the way Taemin fussed over some undone cables by the car’s radiator. It was easy for Jinki to say it, he was a legend back then as he is right now, people dying to have an ounce of his skills. I was just a poor boy that had gotten over his racing phobia a few weeks ago. Where was the hope in that?
“You shouldn’t give up either. I approve of you not giving up.” I stared in awe at the way Jinki’s eyes pierced mine with a deep sense of security. I guess that was his way of saying he approved me loving his brother. I was touched to say the least, and suddenly hope started building in my chest.
Taemin’s gaze was suddenly on me, and I could only smile at him from afar, marveling over the way his cheeks flushed red before smiling back and continuing with his work. Maybe I had a chance… just maybe.
---------------------
The day we’ve all been waiting for finally came. It was a racer’s dream to participate in such anticipated event, let alone, win the big Moonson. I had to focus on winning for an entire set of new reasons.
“Okay, this is it. Nervous?” I nodded nervously, sighing as a couple of small hands started working on the knots at my back. Taemin had a strange way of dissipating my fears, which I really wasn’t complaining to. I found myself standing in the same racetrack I lost my sister to. It was nerve racking - terrifying to be facing my fears so up close. At the very last minute there was a sudden change of plan, and the track I was supposed to race in was replaced by this.
Everyone was shocked with the news of Minho and Onew stepping out of this year’s tournament to give room to their racers. I was somehow of a hot topic too, as people started wondering who I was and what I was doing in such place. Surprisingly, a few people recognized me, and the word about Kim Jonghyun coming back from the death started spreading all over the crowd. Sweat clung to my chest, the wife beater becoming a second skin. I was beyond nervous, feeling like a total fool for even thanking I could do this. There was a heavy weight over my shoulders, having to carry with the burden that it was losing and destroying Onew, Key and Taemin’s lives.
“Hey, breathe. No matter what the outcome, we’re all very proud of you… I’m proud of you.” His beautiful lips stretched into that lop-sided smile I learnt to love over the last few weeks. Maybe he’ll never know that I’ve been the only one taking advantage of this ordeal, as I didn’t really have anything to lose unlike Jinki, but despite the pain that may come from never seeing him again, I was glad for all the times we spent together. “Thank you. I truly wouldn’t have been able to go through this without you.” I couldn’t help but chuckle over the way his cheeks tinted in a lovely pinkish hue. I would miss him, all of him.
“Okay, here’s the deal. I’m gonna be racing too, but I’m not gonna win. I wanna make sure no shitty stuff goes on once we’re on the track. Taemin your gonna be riding with Jonghyun as secondary driver.” I wanted to protest, no enjoying the idea of exposing Taemin to such a dangerous environment.
“What!? No Onew, you can’t do that. I will be riding alone, as in Taemin staying on safe ground. You know this stuff gets pretty dangerous! My sister died remember?” I could tell Onew was considering all those facts, his eyes flickering back and ford with uncertainity. A sudden punch landed on my bicep, making me flinch and yelp in surprise.
“Oh grow a pair already! I’m old enough to know what I’m doing! You! -” He stabbed his delicate finger in my chest, pushing me backwards against the car “Shut up and start getting ready! And you!” He turned his eyes on Onew, the older one simply chuckling at our weird relationship.
“Yeah yeah, I should be taking care of the last details. Seriously, you two are hilarious.” Snorting, I squeezed myself out of Taemin’s body, deciding to take his advice and start getting ready. My hands were trembling, slick with sweat as I adjusted the straps of my outfit. The helmet in my hands felt heavy, like it weighted a hundred tons when in fact it barely surpassed 5 pounds. Even in my nervousness I still found myself smiling at the sight of Taemin all dressed up in a pink gear. I could tell he was clearly displeased, grumbling to himself about looking like a girl, or as he putted A fucking pussy
“You look beautiful.” His head snapped in my direction, complete shock all over his face as I quietly strolled to his side. As delicate as ever, my hands cradled his face with the upmost care, watching his eyes widen at the touch. I leaned slowly, my lips hovering over his parted ones as his cool breathe tickled the flesh.
“I’m not racing for Onew or Key. I’m not racing to save their relationship from Minho’s claws.” My lips moved against his, making his cheeks puff in nervousness. “I’m winning this for you. I’m willing to risk it all for you.” The kiss was rough, with pent-up emotions just bouncing off the walls. His hands fisted my hair, pulling me closer to the heat emanating through his veins. This was surely a memory I wanted to treasure once everything was done. He would be gone and I would be going back to my dull life working at a workshop. I bit the tender flesh between my teeth, making him groan and mewl. I could finally taste him, the sweetness of his essence. His was danger and mischief, all wrapped up in perfection and I knew that I was already addicted, arms wrapping possessively over the smaller frame.
“W-we should probably start heading back to the track. Oo-onew must be waiting.” His hot lips mouthed the words against mine, and I nodded, attempting to leaned back just as his lips crashed against mine once again. I was love drunk, hands mapping his arms, his back, just everywhere. Our actions were obviously innapropiate, meant to be done in the intimacy of a room, but this might be the last time we were gonna be able to have each other, so I settled with this, with his little noises and his hands all over me.
After letting our control slip so brusquely, we headed back to the track. Taemin had been right, Onew was already waiting for us. He had his black racing gear already on, cradling his helmet on one hand as his other arm was already resting over Key’s waist. Racers were already lining up, putting their helmets on while adjusting their clothes. I quickly made my way through the crowd, coming face to face with the man I had learnt to hate.
“Look what we have here. Kim Jonghyun, the one and only.” Choi Minho was just like the pictures portrayed him - cold and malicious. That smile on his lips was obviously fake, and I could tell he was the least pleased to find out I was competing in behalf of Onew. His eyes suddenly fell downwards, landing on the entwined hands between Taemin and I. “This day has been surely filled with surprises.” I could even taste the venom in the air. Taemin stiffened, gripping my hand tightly as Minho stared blankly at us.
“If you’ll excuse us, we have a grand prix to win.” The elegant mask wore off, instantly replaced with a sneer. Now I could finally see Minho’s true colors - they were ugly.
“Dream on.” He stalked off then, his suit flowing with the wind as he once again got lost in the crowd. Taemin cursed under his breath, pulling me towards our car as we caught a glimpse of Onew sandwiching Key over his vehicle as they started displaying some NC-17 scenes to the crowd.
A few minutes later we were on our positions. My hands were visually trembling, sweating through the gloves as fingers gripped the steering wheel with tensed force. Taemin was already buckled up beside me, helmet in place as he was talking to Onew over the window. The older one was riding alone, not wanting to endanger any of the other racers. He just knew Minho might try and push him out of the track, death a very high possibility, so he tried to lessen the burden by driving alone. If Minho was gonna try and kill someone it would surely be me, as I was the one actually racing for Onew and the fact that I had been making out with his ex was just a bunch of bonus points.
“Onew is gonna be behind us all the time, so just try and keep the car steady. We’re gonna have a few minutes of advantage as Minho’s racers are not that good in curves. Start the engine.”
This is it I thought with remorse. In those minutes when the first whistle was blown, the lights shifting slowly to the inevitable green, I reminisced over how fast my life had changed in such short notice. Everything moved in slow motion, the blurry green finally shaping up the sign by the end of the road. Time stopped, movements becoming sluggish and distorted. The race started in seconds, car zooming before us as we weaved between the racers. It was weird to be back in the business, a feeling like I never really left sinking in my system. Taemin had been very thorough in the process of me overcoming my trauma. After I managed to get myself inside my car, he tried every method available to get me to actually turn the engine on and run. Soon he realized I was especially weak to things that he was involved with. Two days later I found myself flying through the desserted streets at three in the morning, rushing in fear to the nearest hospital as the young one faked to vomit blood while losing consciousness.
At first I wanted to rip his throat out, not believing he had actually fooled me into driving. I couldn’t stay mad at him for long, forgiving him after many whines and pouts from his part. Just like that, I managed to fully overcome my phobia. But this time it was different, this time it was no game, no training session, as our lives were clearly in danger.
We passed several cars, finally racing in the first five. Taemin kept rushing things at me, sometimes encouraging me to keep going and others just simply snapping at me to step on the gas. In the rearview mirror I saw Onew speeding behind us, avoiding getting hit by Minho’s racers. He had been dead right about Minho trying to pull him out of the race, and I couldn’t help but fear for Jinki’s life as two cars on each side of him started pushing his engine towards the side.
“Onew is the best, he knows how to deal with those sleazeballs. Focus on the race ahead.”
Fifteen minutes when by like air. I was sweating bullets, a headache on its way as I slowly started driving towards the third place. I knew what was coming next, but I tried to push that thought out of my mind as I tried to focus on actually doing what I was supposed to do - winning.
“Jonghyun stop pressing on the accelerator too much, the curb is coming.” The moment seemed too familiar, a dreading feeling dropping from my stomach. I could see it far ahead in the distant, like a flashback of my tragedy. It was daytime this time, so maybe it wouldn’t be like that night, with the sickening darkness hiding everything. Taemin kept talking non-stop about how I should start slowing the speed in order to take the curve smoothly. Over the deafening sound of the engine, I was able to catch a few words coming out of him, but my mind was far too gone to even pay some real attention.
We were staring directly into the curve in no time. It was hideously narrow, with little space to turn around without swerving the wheels. Panic started rushing through me, making my hands tremble and shake. Taemin’s voice started to panic as well, sensing my fear almost instantly. I tried to convince myself I could do it this time, I had to do it this time, cause I did have something to lose. I was gonna lose my happiness, twice.
“It’s okay Jonghyun, just slow go slow on the speed an-“
“Taemin just let me think okay? I - I know what I’m supposed to do. Just trust me.” The words felt like déjàvu - acid and wrong. I fell quiet after that, but I could feel his eyes on me. We were seconds from hitting the curve, and in time I turned my head to the side, wanting to see his gorgeous brown orbs one last time. In a timeless moment, I wasn’t staring at Taemin, but my sister’s beautiful face - eternally sixteen. She was staring at me with that same expression, trust and love mixed together. Her hand quietly feel on mine, stopping the shakes all together. Just like that her image was gone, replaced instantly by Taemin’s frame. His hand remained on top of mine, making my heart flutter with something unknown. Probably hope.
“I don’t trust you.” His words cut deep into my chest, crumpling everything inside me. “I love you.” It was clear then, as crystal and water. I didn’t have time to speed down, already losing control of the car as the curve started descending in its dangerous pattern. Taemin closed his eyes, knowing we were surely gonna die, but in those moments when my eyes had been locked with my sister’s, I suddenly knew what I had to do. What I was supposed to do that very night she was taken away from me.
My feet jammed roughly over the breaks, making the car screech nosily as I pulled the handbrake. Taemin’s scream pierced my ears, but I ignored it as I took a hold of the steering wheel, spinning it just in time to make the car ski down the curve. Soon it was over, and not losing any time I quickly pumped my hand over the stick by the clutch. I have to give props to Onew for getting his hands on some liquid nitrogen. Seconds before the car roared with life, I pulled the handbrake down, changing the gear into its corresponding position while jamming my foot over the gas pedal.
The pull was extraordinarily, almost exhilarating as the liquid nitrogen ran through the car’s engine, making us fly through the track as we easily surpassed the two remaining cars, claiming the first spot. I was laughing then, so hard I could feel tears prickle in my eyes. Taemin was still screaming beside me, yelling about how stupid I was and how I could’ve gotten ourselves killed. I felt liberated, free at least from the burden I’ve been carrying on. I knew my sister was the one that put the thought into my brain, still taking care of me even though death.
We reached the end then, people waiting with cheers and smiles. Halting the car once we passed the finishing mark, I found myself jumping out of the car, running to Taemin so I could yank him from out of the seat and hug him.
“God!! You’re such a freaking suicide maniac!! I can’t believe I-“ Taking his helmet off, I shut his complains with my lips. He struggled a little, eventually giving in to the joy of things finally settling into a happy ending.
“By the way, I love you too.” His embarrassed face was the most gorgeous thing ever, and I could be certain that I would be seeing more of that face from now on. From the corner of my eyes, between the mob of people surrounding us and celebrating the success, I caught a glimpse of Onew’s back. He was spinning Key around, kissing his tears away while gluing their foreheads together, whispering probably love words. They can finally have the life they’ve been denied from day one.
Minho was standing by the bleachers, his face void of any expression. Even though he truly was a son of a bitch, he was a man of his word, of that I’m certain, so it was no surprise when he reluctantly nodded in Jinki’s direction, turning on his heels later on to leave the celebration.
The trophy came to view then, all golden and sparkling in the sun. Joy was gonna exploit inside me any second, but I kinda hold it as a toned arm wrapped around my shoulders minutes later. Jinki’s smile greeted me at the side, making me smile as well while feeling proud and accomplished.
“Thank you. You kinda saved my life.” I shook my head, trying to talk through the mob of people surrounding us while popping bottles of champagne.
“You saved mine even before I agreed to save yours. We’re even.” He saved my life as he somehow led me to Taemin. Taemin was the real savior here, and I pulled him to my chest as I kissed his full lips, earning whistles of approval in response.
I won two trophies that day. One that could be easily broke, robbed or destroyed, and another one that lasted forever. I joined Onew’s association later on, for obvious reasons of course. I stepped out of the racing life, not wanting to endanger my life as I had something precious to look up to. Onew as well decided to take his leave, much to Key’s pleasure, and even though he still brought assistance to his associates, he decided to just watch from the side.
I loved waking up in the mornings to the soft breathe caressing my face. Calloused fingers trailed the pristine of the younger one as his eyes fluttered and opened. For once, things weren’t going fast-paced and out of control. Love couldn’t be raced, it had to be slow and enjoyable. I could savor life now, and all its finest - slowly, as forever can’t be rushed.