SHINee Shorts 2014: hyeongsoap
Title: Yes or No
Author: hyeongsoap
Pairing: Junghee/Minho
Rating: PG-13
Word Count:3600
A/N: Sister fic to quagmireisadora’s entry He or She
December
Minho groans as he flicks through the TV channels. He rolls around and checks the phone. No new messages. He unlocks the phone just to watch it getting locked again. It is the middle of the busiest month of the year and Minho is drowning in boredom.
He flicks through the list of people he messaged the last and when his eyes stop on Taemin he hums. He doesn’t need to check the clock to know it is morning where Taemin lives--he knows it by default. It is 8am and Taemin is probably on his way to classes (or running to catch the train if he overslept again). Minho’s lips tug at the corners while his fingers are busy typing a good morning message.
That being done, Minho’s eyes linger on the background picture of Taemin’s smiling face. The picture was taken almost five months ago, one day after when Minho had asked Taemin to be his boyfriend.
Minho is lost in daydreaming when phone vibrates. It falls on his forehead in the process and when he finally turns around his heart beats faster. One new message. Sender: Junghee. He fails to suppress the tiniest sigh of disappointment. Even though he knows Taemin is too busy to reply in the morning he still hopes. Minho always hopes.
He opens Junghee’s message. It reads: I’m bored. Minho scoffs in disbelief and grabs for the blanket. How can Junghee be bored when she is the one who is out with friends, having fun in a posh club in the middle of a week? Before Minho can respond (blanket took two minutes of his time) phone vibrates again. I am b o r e d. Entertain me. Minho smiles. A part of him is selfishly happy seeing Junghee being bored. She ditched their movie marathon in the last moment, for the sake of high school reunion she didn’t even want to go in the first place.
Just when Minho is coming up with a joke Junghee beats him once again. Oh wait a second. The table next to ours has fun to offer. Some businessmen celebrating moving their company to Strasbourg? Where is that anyway? Germany? Minho groans as he corrects her. Close enough, but it is in France.
In the next ten minutes Minho manages to boil water, drink half of blueberry tea and use the toilet. He is in the middle of washing the dish--nevermind today was supposed to be Junghee’s turn--when phone clings again. Maybe going to reunion wasn’t such a bad idea after all :)
Minho scoffs at seeing a smiley. He assumes what Junghee is up to but asks anyway. You getting lucky?
For a while his phone stays silent and Minho is thinking of going to his own bed (or sleep on the couch). Just when he is about to stand up another message comes. WHY must men be so??? And here I thought this was my lucky night. For a moment Minho gets so worried he almost calls Junghee.
Another message. What name is Key anyway? A pseudonym? He’s probably married.
Minho scoffs. Now that he knows she’s safe (and pissed off) he snuggles under the blanket and types one last reply Has suspecting ever stopped you before?
Minho is already fast asleep when Junghee replies: Yeah, twice actually.
January
Junghee stares at the two loud pink lines that start appearing. She is counting to ten and when she is at eight she curses and wraps arms around her knees. When she looks up she finds a certain fascination in analyzing her and Minho’s toothbrush next to the sink; it is high time for her to buy a new one. Next to Minho’s it looks simply pathetic.
Pathetic.
Just the right emotion to describe her miserable existence right now. She is sitting on the floor, wearing nothing but underwear and oversized shirt she permamently borrowed from Minho’s closet. She tries not to throw the tiny device into the wall. Thousand thoughts are running through her mind and all of them end with this is not happening and I’m only dreaming.
She is not though, and deep down realisation is slowly taking its place, spreading through her veins; slowly but unstoppably. She fucked up for good this time.
Minho’s impatient knocking brings her back and suddenly she doesn’t want to think, see or talk. She simply needs a hug. She stumbles when she finally stands up and reaches for the knob. When the door open and she looks up, warm and worried (and too loud) eyes stare down at her. She rolls her eyes as she takes another step forward and clutches at Minho’s cardigan. She weakly punches him but Minho lets her, he lets her hit his chest with her head and he holds her protectively as first tears come. More just follow, along with loud sobbing and several curses.
Half an hour later Junghee is snuggled up on the sofa, holding a warm cup of strawberry tea. She hiccups before she finally speaks:
“I’ve no idea what to do.”
“Well what do you want?” Minho asks. Junghee appreciates him being here for her but with his prodding tone she’d rather have him doing nothing but holding her.
“I don’t know. It’s not what I want it’s more about what I’m supposed to do. I--this is not what I planned. I don’t know how I managed to fu--”
“You didn’t fuck up and you know that.”
Junghee looks at him. First hopeful and then irritated.
Minho stares back, elaborating: “It is not your fault.”
“Yes but it isn’t what I planned for 24 years old me either!” Junghee snaps.
She’s growing tired and she really wants to sleep, maybe sleeping will make it go away, maybe sleeping will take the horrible thoughts away. She’s scared. “I’m scared, Minho.”
“I know you are.”
“No you don’t.”
“I--”
“No you do not and I appreciate you having here right now but in the end it will be me who will have to get an abortion and live with this choice.” Junghee grits through her teeth.
She wants to stand up but Minho catches her halfway to ask (his surprised tone is betraying him):
“You want to get an abortion?”
“I don’t know what I want okay, I just don’t know.”
Junghee makes sure to slam door on her way to her bedroom and when she is finally hidden under two blankets she lets herself cry.
Later, when she finally falls asleep, Minho tiptoes in and puts a thermal mug with mint tea and honey on the bedside table.
February
The rain is persistent and the days still too cold to leave the house without wearing at least ten sweaters and two mufflers--in other words, everything is strange and Minho’s nerves are more strained than ever.
The job is slowly but surely getting under his skin. It’s not that he has any intention to sit behind computers for his whole life but he really doesn’t want to get fired just yet. Minho tells himself he is frustrated because of Taemin. Hardworking as Taemin is, he is completely (with his mind and body) in the exam period and that makes him even busier--if that’s possible. They don’t get past good morning wishes of have a nice day and don’t forget the breakfast and good night wishes study well and get enough of sleep.
Truth be told, Minho feels a little guilty for not feeling that worried about Taemin. This is not how he imagined them being together but then again he never imagined his roommate--Junghee--being pregnant either. Right now, Minho feels he needs to be there for her. The problem is that Junghee doesn’t want him to. Or maybe she just needs space. The fact is that she is avoiding Minho and she is doing a rather effective job with escaping him.
Minho genuinely wants to give her space and anything else she needs. Hell, he would even go with her to yoga course for pregnant ladies if that meant she’d stop running away. He really hates the awkward air surrounding them. In order to get away from it he even calls a few friends (and acquaintances) to get together and drink.
Naturally it doesn’t end the way he expects it. It ends at two am with Junghee finding him crying in the hall outside their apartment. She wordlessly picks him up and somehow drags him into the apartment. She listens to his tenth apology in a row and continuous babbling:
“I know this is completely your choice Junghee. I just want you to decide so that you won’t regret it later. I know that and I support you so can you just please talk to me again. I know I let my selfishness get the worst out of me; I just feel like you’re the lucky one, you’re the one having a womb and carrying a child. I can’t do that. I will never be able to have my own child. But no matter what I support you Junghee.”
Junghee scrunches her nose and shakes her head, “You are ridiculous.”
“I just want you to talk to me again, please.” Minho pleads.
“Will you go to the first checkup with me?”
Some moments later Junghee is crying too but this memory slips out of Minho’s memory. A heavy headache reminds him in the morning why he’s never been a drinker. He spends the rest of the day rolling around (and grinning like an idiot because Junghee is here and on top of that he catches Taemin and talks to him for thirty minutes).
March
Junghee didn’t expect that to happen but here she is, sitting in a taxi, driving to a cafe she’s never been to. To meet Key. Well basically, the man’s real name is Kim Kibum and somehow he found out about her pregnancy and contacted her.
Admittedly, never in her wildest dreams she expected that to happen but then again she never expected to get pregnant before her 25th birthday either.
The cafe is one of those fancy, posh little places that are selling you a completely ordinary coffee for a ridiculously high price. Kibum is already there when she arrives and when he smiles and waves at her she feels like running away. What was she thinking? What was she thinking three months ago when she hooked up with him? She feels bare and vulnerable and suddenly she wants Minho to be by her side. But that’s impossible because Minho is at work and he has no idea where she is or who she is with.
She closes her eyes, clutches her satchel and opens her eyes, determined to take a step forward. When she sees Kibum starting walking to her though her body flinches backwards. She mutters curses under her breath, turns around and runs.
Junghee runs and doesn’t stop until she reaches the near park. It is still early afternoon, so there are only a few people; mostly nannies with little children and a pair of students who are probably skipping classes. She slumps on the closest bench and starts laughing through tears.
“You look like you could use some coffee. It is decaffeinated, no worries.”
The woman doesn’t really wait for Junghee to reply; she pushes cup of coffee in her hands and sits down next to her. Her smile is infectious and her eyes warm. She introduces herself (I’m Eonsook, I’m Kibum’s fiancee.) and somewhere in the middle of Eonsook’s introduction Junghee realises she won’t be able to run with a cup of coffee. Then again, Eonsook seems to have a talent of making people feel better with simply existing and Junghee lets her talk.
“I’m sorry for earlier. That fool, Kibum, surely has no idea how to approach someone in a non-scary way.”
Junghee simply nods. In all honesty, it was not Kibum who was intimidating; it was the reality that finally crashed down on her. The fact that she was (or was supposed to) meet her child’s father and talk things out properly.
“He whined how he wanted to talk to you by himself but maybe he could join us later, don’t you think?”
“Uhh, okay.” Junghee stares at Eonsook in awe. With each passing minute she likes her more and more, it is like Junghee is talking to a goddess. Or fairy.
“See, the problem is that Kibum is moving with his company to Europe next month. I will join him a few months after, but no matter what, if it is fine with you, he would like to know his child. He’ll come back for holidays, to visit his parents and he--and I too--would really appreciate if he could meet with the child. Of course, we’d like to help you financially too. But don’t feel obliged to answer right away. When you have your answer, call me, I’ll be around. And if you want to feel more secure, we can also write everything down? ”
Junghee nervously fiddles with her cold hands. Her nose is a little red from the cold but all that she feels is the warmth of relief. “I’d like my child knew their father too.”
April
April is the happiest and the saddest month for Minho.
The happiest because Junghee finally allows him to accompany her to doctor’s appointment. The happiest because he can’t stop grinning when Junghee smacks him for (quite literally) squealing too loud when they listen to her baby’s heartbeat. The happiest because Junghee is grumbling about him being a happy fairy and at the same time leaning on him securely.
In the middle of April though, Minho feels like his world is falling apart and he has no idea how to keep it together.
He’s just in the middle of washing the dish when he gets a skype call. He puts everything aside and he’s still struggling to take off protection gloves when Taemin’s face appears on screen. His face is tired though and Minho’s chest tightens. He feels guilty because he hadn’t texted Taemin for days--as if his messages were making Taemin to take care of himself (they didn’t, not really).
“I’m moving.” Taemin says.
“Really? How are you though?” Minho knows that what Taemin meant to say was I have something to talk about and it is big. --Taemin’s eyes tell him everything. But Minho wants to postpone this, wants to ignore the aching feeling, rising in his chest.
“Uh, I’m fine, fine. I’m sorry I’m telling you like this though. I wish I could tell you in person.”
Minho’s smile is confused. “In person? Why? You’re just moving to another apartment, aren’t you?”
“Yeah that too. But what I meant is that I’m moving permanently to Japan. I won’t return to Korea.”
“Oh,” is what Minho says. What he means is What about us?
“We’ve both been busy for a while Minho. I never wanted to break up via skype.” Taemin looks down.
The connection lags a little but still not enough for Minho to overhear break up. The fact is that this was coming for months. Taemin is right, they are both busy and they will both get even busier but Minho’s heart won’t have it just yet.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Take care okay?”
“You too. And Minho?”
“Mm?”
“We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
Minho smiles through tears that threaten to escape. “Of course we are. Go catch your dream, warrior.”
May
“Did you know your baby’s hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are filling in as we speak?”
Minho’s head is leaned on Junghee’s quite obvious tummy. Junghee tries not to roll her eyes at him. He’s eagerly trying to catch the baby’s sounds. But then again, this is what Minho’s doing for the past few days. He’s everywhere, he wants to make sure Junghee doesn’t feel dizzy--Junghee actually caught him standing in front of the bathroom twice. He even volunteers to cook--not that Junghee minds that part--but she’s quite grateful when he’s off to work.
Junghee is happy that she can work half of the week at home and another half at the studio. Sometimes, Eonsook would stop by and bring her coffee and groceries. Junghee appreciates her help and sometimes she needs to remind herself that Eonsook will join Kibum in Strasbourg in a few weeks.
Before Kibum left, he actually came to dinner to Junghee and Minho’s place. It was a little awkward and embarrassing at first; special thanks goes to Minho who made sure to put on his most intimidating look (note: it failed). Luckily, as soon as Eonsook showed up, Minho got tangled up in pregnancy chat with her and Junghee could breathe again.
Kibum, as Junghee realised, was actually a genuine man. It was not too difficult to see why they made such a lovely pair with Eonsook. They were both a little eccentric but good natured spirits. The first characteristic contributed to their open-relationship status before the engagement and the second one was the reason why Junghee wanted them in her child’s life.
June
Minho is in the middle of dragging a pack of bottled water up the stairs when Junghee quickly walks past him. He calls after her but all that he gets is see you later.
Of course, later is exactly three minutes and thirty seconds later, right after the water is safely stored in the refrigerator and Minho grabs his phone and texts her. Don’t forget your check up at four. Do you want me to go with you?
If you must. is Junghee’s reply. Minho grins because he knows Junghee is grumpy only because when they’re together Minho looks more excited than she is and that results in doctors and nurses smiling at them and cooing what a lovely couple they are.
Once, Junghee barked back, telling a poor doctor off with For god’s sake we’re not a couple,. She never finished the sentence with we both like it up our asses.--luckily Minho covered her mouth before the whole situation would’ve become too awkward.
Now, they silently agree to smile (that’s what Minho does) and stay quiet (that’s what Junghee tries).
July
The rain is mercilessly pouring down for five consecutive days in a row. It leaves Junghee with no choice but to stay at home and choose between watching TV, reading books Minho hoarded god-knows-somewhere or playing games on the phone.
She is glad Minho is a full-time employee and yet a part of her wants human company quite badly; at one point she actually creates a twitter ID and starts following some random people, few pregnancy tips accounts and several dog accounts.
Junghee also talks to Eonsook and together with Kibum they decide Eonsook will stay in the country until the baby is born.
Sometimes Minho catches her smiling at nothing in particular or talking to her belly. Usually he returns home in the late afternoon. He finds Junghee asleep on the couch and by the time she’s awake Minho has enough time to make dinner. He volunteered to this and Junghee is the one in charge of breakfast. And waking Minho up for the office.
Weekends are mostly calm and relaxing--except the part where Minho is nagging Junghee to take a walk and instead of hard rock listening to soothing meditative music. She is having none of it, and purposely turns the volume up. She’s grinning so hard it hurts and lives for Minho’s resigned sighs and please can you just lower the volume then. Their bickering moments end with Eonsook’s arrival--she keeps them company on free weekends--and together they spend (a far calmer) evening.
August
It all happens unexpectedly. One moment Junghee helps Minho piecing together a crib and then she doubles over and clutches at Minho’s arm. She curses when her knees gives up. She looks for assurance in Minho’s eyes, but there is a minute panic and she whispers:
“We need to go.”
Minho snaps out of it and nods. He lets go of the hammer and calls the ambulance.
“Can you lean on me?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.” Junghee panics.
She’s scared. This isn’t supposed to be happening yet; it is too early and everything is spinning around and she is not ready yet.
“Junghee, stop panicking, they’ll be here in a minute.”
Junghee glares at him and weakly smacks his arm.
“How am I supposed to stop panicking when the baby decided to come this early? Hm? Minho, hey. No, no, no, wait. No, don’t cover your face, you can’t start panicking too. Listen, everything is going to be fine please don’t--”
“I am not crying!” Minho hiccups, “I am just worried and happy but mostly worried and--”
The doorbell rings and Minho jumps up to open the door. Junghee smiles in relief and closes her eyes. This is it. she thinks. And Just let everything go smoothly please. She clutches at Minho’s hand when they sit her on a wheelchair and when they reach the van she demands his presence by her side. Right where he belongs.
Author: hyeongsoap
Pairing: Junghee/Minho
Rating: PG-13
Word Count:3600
A/N: Sister fic to quagmireisadora’s entry He or She
December
Minho groans as he flicks through the TV channels. He rolls around and checks the phone. No new messages. He unlocks the phone just to watch it getting locked again. It is the middle of the busiest month of the year and Minho is drowning in boredom.
He flicks through the list of people he messaged the last and when his eyes stop on Taemin he hums. He doesn’t need to check the clock to know it is morning where Taemin lives--he knows it by default. It is 8am and Taemin is probably on his way to classes (or running to catch the train if he overslept again). Minho’s lips tug at the corners while his fingers are busy typing a good morning message.
That being done, Minho’s eyes linger on the background picture of Taemin’s smiling face. The picture was taken almost five months ago, one day after when Minho had asked Taemin to be his boyfriend.
Minho is lost in daydreaming when phone vibrates. It falls on his forehead in the process and when he finally turns around his heart beats faster. One new message. Sender: Junghee. He fails to suppress the tiniest sigh of disappointment. Even though he knows Taemin is too busy to reply in the morning he still hopes. Minho always hopes.
He opens Junghee’s message. It reads: I’m bored. Minho scoffs in disbelief and grabs for the blanket. How can Junghee be bored when she is the one who is out with friends, having fun in a posh club in the middle of a week? Before Minho can respond (blanket took two minutes of his time) phone vibrates again. I am b o r e d. Entertain me. Minho smiles. A part of him is selfishly happy seeing Junghee being bored. She ditched their movie marathon in the last moment, for the sake of high school reunion she didn’t even want to go in the first place.
Just when Minho is coming up with a joke Junghee beats him once again. Oh wait a second. The table next to ours has fun to offer. Some businessmen celebrating moving their company to Strasbourg? Where is that anyway? Germany? Minho groans as he corrects her. Close enough, but it is in France.
In the next ten minutes Minho manages to boil water, drink half of blueberry tea and use the toilet. He is in the middle of washing the dish--nevermind today was supposed to be Junghee’s turn--when phone clings again. Maybe going to reunion wasn’t such a bad idea after all :)
Minho scoffs at seeing a smiley. He assumes what Junghee is up to but asks anyway. You getting lucky?
For a while his phone stays silent and Minho is thinking of going to his own bed (or sleep on the couch). Just when he is about to stand up another message comes. WHY must men be so??? And here I thought this was my lucky night. For a moment Minho gets so worried he almost calls Junghee.
Another message. What name is Key anyway? A pseudonym? He’s probably married.
Minho scoffs. Now that he knows she’s safe (and pissed off) he snuggles under the blanket and types one last reply Has suspecting ever stopped you before?
Minho is already fast asleep when Junghee replies: Yeah, twice actually.
January
Junghee stares at the two loud pink lines that start appearing. She is counting to ten and when she is at eight she curses and wraps arms around her knees. When she looks up she finds a certain fascination in analyzing her and Minho’s toothbrush next to the sink; it is high time for her to buy a new one. Next to Minho’s it looks simply pathetic.
Pathetic.
Just the right emotion to describe her miserable existence right now. She is sitting on the floor, wearing nothing but underwear and oversized shirt she permamently borrowed from Minho’s closet. She tries not to throw the tiny device into the wall. Thousand thoughts are running through her mind and all of them end with this is not happening and I’m only dreaming.
She is not though, and deep down realisation is slowly taking its place, spreading through her veins; slowly but unstoppably. She fucked up for good this time.
Minho’s impatient knocking brings her back and suddenly she doesn’t want to think, see or talk. She simply needs a hug. She stumbles when she finally stands up and reaches for the knob. When the door open and she looks up, warm and worried (and too loud) eyes stare down at her. She rolls her eyes as she takes another step forward and clutches at Minho’s cardigan. She weakly punches him but Minho lets her, he lets her hit his chest with her head and he holds her protectively as first tears come. More just follow, along with loud sobbing and several curses.
Half an hour later Junghee is snuggled up on the sofa, holding a warm cup of strawberry tea. She hiccups before she finally speaks:
“I’ve no idea what to do.”
“Well what do you want?” Minho asks. Junghee appreciates him being here for her but with his prodding tone she’d rather have him doing nothing but holding her.
“I don’t know. It’s not what I want it’s more about what I’m supposed to do. I--this is not what I planned. I don’t know how I managed to fu--”
“You didn’t fuck up and you know that.”
Junghee looks at him. First hopeful and then irritated.
Minho stares back, elaborating: “It is not your fault.”
“Yes but it isn’t what I planned for 24 years old me either!” Junghee snaps.
She’s growing tired and she really wants to sleep, maybe sleeping will make it go away, maybe sleeping will take the horrible thoughts away. She’s scared. “I’m scared, Minho.”
“I know you are.”
“No you don’t.”
“I--”
“No you do not and I appreciate you having here right now but in the end it will be me who will have to get an abortion and live with this choice.” Junghee grits through her teeth.
She wants to stand up but Minho catches her halfway to ask (his surprised tone is betraying him):
“You want to get an abortion?”
“I don’t know what I want okay, I just don’t know.”
Junghee makes sure to slam door on her way to her bedroom and when she is finally hidden under two blankets she lets herself cry.
Later, when she finally falls asleep, Minho tiptoes in and puts a thermal mug with mint tea and honey on the bedside table.
February
The rain is persistent and the days still too cold to leave the house without wearing at least ten sweaters and two mufflers--in other words, everything is strange and Minho’s nerves are more strained than ever.
The job is slowly but surely getting under his skin. It’s not that he has any intention to sit behind computers for his whole life but he really doesn’t want to get fired just yet. Minho tells himself he is frustrated because of Taemin. Hardworking as Taemin is, he is completely (with his mind and body) in the exam period and that makes him even busier--if that’s possible. They don’t get past good morning wishes of have a nice day and don’t forget the breakfast and good night wishes study well and get enough of sleep.
Truth be told, Minho feels a little guilty for not feeling that worried about Taemin. This is not how he imagined them being together but then again he never imagined his roommate--Junghee--being pregnant either. Right now, Minho feels he needs to be there for her. The problem is that Junghee doesn’t want him to. Or maybe she just needs space. The fact is that she is avoiding Minho and she is doing a rather effective job with escaping him.
Minho genuinely wants to give her space and anything else she needs. Hell, he would even go with her to yoga course for pregnant ladies if that meant she’d stop running away. He really hates the awkward air surrounding them. In order to get away from it he even calls a few friends (and acquaintances) to get together and drink.
Naturally it doesn’t end the way he expects it. It ends at two am with Junghee finding him crying in the hall outside their apartment. She wordlessly picks him up and somehow drags him into the apartment. She listens to his tenth apology in a row and continuous babbling:
“I know this is completely your choice Junghee. I just want you to decide so that you won’t regret it later. I know that and I support you so can you just please talk to me again. I know I let my selfishness get the worst out of me; I just feel like you’re the lucky one, you’re the one having a womb and carrying a child. I can’t do that. I will never be able to have my own child. But no matter what I support you Junghee.”
Junghee scrunches her nose and shakes her head, “You are ridiculous.”
“I just want you to talk to me again, please.” Minho pleads.
“Will you go to the first checkup with me?”
Some moments later Junghee is crying too but this memory slips out of Minho’s memory. A heavy headache reminds him in the morning why he’s never been a drinker. He spends the rest of the day rolling around (and grinning like an idiot because Junghee is here and on top of that he catches Taemin and talks to him for thirty minutes).
March
Junghee didn’t expect that to happen but here she is, sitting in a taxi, driving to a cafe she’s never been to. To meet Key. Well basically, the man’s real name is Kim Kibum and somehow he found out about her pregnancy and contacted her.
Admittedly, never in her wildest dreams she expected that to happen but then again she never expected to get pregnant before her 25th birthday either.
The cafe is one of those fancy, posh little places that are selling you a completely ordinary coffee for a ridiculously high price. Kibum is already there when she arrives and when he smiles and waves at her she feels like running away. What was she thinking? What was she thinking three months ago when she hooked up with him? She feels bare and vulnerable and suddenly she wants Minho to be by her side. But that’s impossible because Minho is at work and he has no idea where she is or who she is with.
She closes her eyes, clutches her satchel and opens her eyes, determined to take a step forward. When she sees Kibum starting walking to her though her body flinches backwards. She mutters curses under her breath, turns around and runs.
Junghee runs and doesn’t stop until she reaches the near park. It is still early afternoon, so there are only a few people; mostly nannies with little children and a pair of students who are probably skipping classes. She slumps on the closest bench and starts laughing through tears.
“You look like you could use some coffee. It is decaffeinated, no worries.”
The woman doesn’t really wait for Junghee to reply; she pushes cup of coffee in her hands and sits down next to her. Her smile is infectious and her eyes warm. She introduces herself (I’m Eonsook, I’m Kibum’s fiancee.) and somewhere in the middle of Eonsook’s introduction Junghee realises she won’t be able to run with a cup of coffee. Then again, Eonsook seems to have a talent of making people feel better with simply existing and Junghee lets her talk.
“I’m sorry for earlier. That fool, Kibum, surely has no idea how to approach someone in a non-scary way.”
Junghee simply nods. In all honesty, it was not Kibum who was intimidating; it was the reality that finally crashed down on her. The fact that she was (or was supposed to) meet her child’s father and talk things out properly.
“He whined how he wanted to talk to you by himself but maybe he could join us later, don’t you think?”
“Uhh, okay.” Junghee stares at Eonsook in awe. With each passing minute she likes her more and more, it is like Junghee is talking to a goddess. Or fairy.
“See, the problem is that Kibum is moving with his company to Europe next month. I will join him a few months after, but no matter what, if it is fine with you, he would like to know his child. He’ll come back for holidays, to visit his parents and he--and I too--would really appreciate if he could meet with the child. Of course, we’d like to help you financially too. But don’t feel obliged to answer right away. When you have your answer, call me, I’ll be around. And if you want to feel more secure, we can also write everything down? ”
Junghee nervously fiddles with her cold hands. Her nose is a little red from the cold but all that she feels is the warmth of relief. “I’d like my child knew their father too.”
April
April is the happiest and the saddest month for Minho.
The happiest because Junghee finally allows him to accompany her to doctor’s appointment. The happiest because he can’t stop grinning when Junghee smacks him for (quite literally) squealing too loud when they listen to her baby’s heartbeat. The happiest because Junghee is grumbling about him being a happy fairy and at the same time leaning on him securely.
In the middle of April though, Minho feels like his world is falling apart and he has no idea how to keep it together.
He’s just in the middle of washing the dish when he gets a skype call. He puts everything aside and he’s still struggling to take off protection gloves when Taemin’s face appears on screen. His face is tired though and Minho’s chest tightens. He feels guilty because he hadn’t texted Taemin for days--as if his messages were making Taemin to take care of himself (they didn’t, not really).
“I’m moving.” Taemin says.
“Really? How are you though?” Minho knows that what Taemin meant to say was I have something to talk about and it is big. --Taemin’s eyes tell him everything. But Minho wants to postpone this, wants to ignore the aching feeling, rising in his chest.
“Uh, I’m fine, fine. I’m sorry I’m telling you like this though. I wish I could tell you in person.”
Minho’s smile is confused. “In person? Why? You’re just moving to another apartment, aren’t you?”
“Yeah that too. But what I meant is that I’m moving permanently to Japan. I won’t return to Korea.”
“Oh,” is what Minho says. What he means is What about us?
“We’ve both been busy for a while Minho. I never wanted to break up via skype.” Taemin looks down.
The connection lags a little but still not enough for Minho to overhear break up. The fact is that this was coming for months. Taemin is right, they are both busy and they will both get even busier but Minho’s heart won’t have it just yet.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Take care okay?”
“You too. And Minho?”
“Mm?”
“We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
Minho smiles through tears that threaten to escape. “Of course we are. Go catch your dream, warrior.”
May
“Did you know your baby’s hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are filling in as we speak?”
Minho’s head is leaned on Junghee’s quite obvious tummy. Junghee tries not to roll her eyes at him. He’s eagerly trying to catch the baby’s sounds. But then again, this is what Minho’s doing for the past few days. He’s everywhere, he wants to make sure Junghee doesn’t feel dizzy--Junghee actually caught him standing in front of the bathroom twice. He even volunteers to cook--not that Junghee minds that part--but she’s quite grateful when he’s off to work.
Junghee is happy that she can work half of the week at home and another half at the studio. Sometimes, Eonsook would stop by and bring her coffee and groceries. Junghee appreciates her help and sometimes she needs to remind herself that Eonsook will join Kibum in Strasbourg in a few weeks.
Before Kibum left, he actually came to dinner to Junghee and Minho’s place. It was a little awkward and embarrassing at first; special thanks goes to Minho who made sure to put on his most intimidating look (note: it failed). Luckily, as soon as Eonsook showed up, Minho got tangled up in pregnancy chat with her and Junghee could breathe again.
Kibum, as Junghee realised, was actually a genuine man. It was not too difficult to see why they made such a lovely pair with Eonsook. They were both a little eccentric but good natured spirits. The first characteristic contributed to their open-relationship status before the engagement and the second one was the reason why Junghee wanted them in her child’s life.
June
Minho is in the middle of dragging a pack of bottled water up the stairs when Junghee quickly walks past him. He calls after her but all that he gets is see you later.
Of course, later is exactly three minutes and thirty seconds later, right after the water is safely stored in the refrigerator and Minho grabs his phone and texts her. Don’t forget your check up at four. Do you want me to go with you?
If you must. is Junghee’s reply. Minho grins because he knows Junghee is grumpy only because when they’re together Minho looks more excited than she is and that results in doctors and nurses smiling at them and cooing what a lovely couple they are.
Once, Junghee barked back, telling a poor doctor off with For god’s sake we’re not a couple,. She never finished the sentence with we both like it up our asses.--luckily Minho covered her mouth before the whole situation would’ve become too awkward.
Now, they silently agree to smile (that’s what Minho does) and stay quiet (that’s what Junghee tries).
July
The rain is mercilessly pouring down for five consecutive days in a row. It leaves Junghee with no choice but to stay at home and choose between watching TV, reading books Minho hoarded god-knows-somewhere or playing games on the phone.
She is glad Minho is a full-time employee and yet a part of her wants human company quite badly; at one point she actually creates a twitter ID and starts following some random people, few pregnancy tips accounts and several dog accounts.
Junghee also talks to Eonsook and together with Kibum they decide Eonsook will stay in the country until the baby is born.
Sometimes Minho catches her smiling at nothing in particular or talking to her belly. Usually he returns home in the late afternoon. He finds Junghee asleep on the couch and by the time she’s awake Minho has enough time to make dinner. He volunteered to this and Junghee is the one in charge of breakfast. And waking Minho up for the office.
Weekends are mostly calm and relaxing--except the part where Minho is nagging Junghee to take a walk and instead of hard rock listening to soothing meditative music. She is having none of it, and purposely turns the volume up. She’s grinning so hard it hurts and lives for Minho’s resigned sighs and please can you just lower the volume then. Their bickering moments end with Eonsook’s arrival--she keeps them company on free weekends--and together they spend (a far calmer) evening.
August
It all happens unexpectedly. One moment Junghee helps Minho piecing together a crib and then she doubles over and clutches at Minho’s arm. She curses when her knees gives up. She looks for assurance in Minho’s eyes, but there is a minute panic and she whispers:
“We need to go.”
Minho snaps out of it and nods. He lets go of the hammer and calls the ambulance.
“Can you lean on me?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.” Junghee panics.
She’s scared. This isn’t supposed to be happening yet; it is too early and everything is spinning around and she is not ready yet.
“Junghee, stop panicking, they’ll be here in a minute.”
Junghee glares at him and weakly smacks his arm.
“How am I supposed to stop panicking when the baby decided to come this early? Hm? Minho, hey. No, no, no, wait. No, don’t cover your face, you can’t start panicking too. Listen, everything is going to be fine please don’t--”
“I am not crying!” Minho hiccups, “I am just worried and happy but mostly worried and--”
The doorbell rings and Minho jumps up to open the door. Junghee smiles in relief and closes her eyes. This is it. she thinks. And Just let everything go smoothly please. She clutches at Minho’s hand when they sit her on a wheelchair and when they reach the van she demands his presence by her side. Right where he belongs.