Title: After Life
Pairing: Jongkey, Onew
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Ghost!Jongkey
Summary: Jinki looks to the living room as he hears that same high-pitched giggling. He swears its like music, but he looks down with soft eyes. He looks sad, but he isn't. He wishes he could see the two. He wishes he could see why that person is giggling, but he can't. Hell, if this all was in his head, wouldn't he be able to at least see them? He looses his appetite and cleans his area, after all, this isn't his house, it's their house.
A/N: I wrote this at five in the morning after I randomly woke up crying. I'm serious... it was weird. I never can sleep until around five in the morning (which sucks, because right now I have break-but usually for school I have to get up at six in the morning) but last night I fell asleep at one in the morning. For some reason, at four am, I woke up, and I sat up straight. I rubbed my eyes to try to get the adjusted to the dark, but for some reason I started crying. I couldn't stop until five in the morning... and then I grabbed my ipod and started typing and came up with this. It was really odd.
"I'm not kidding!" "I told you a thousand times, you're lonely on you own, and you are just imaging it." "Fine... whatever you say." Minho smiled and triumph and pat his friends head. Jinki just sighed.
~~
Jinki snapped his head back when he heard high-pitched-yet you could tell it was a guy-giggling coming from the kitchen. In this tiny apartment, the living room wasn't very big, and it was basically connected with the kitchen, with only a small island separating them. He had been sitting on the couch watching some variety show. His couch's back faces the kitchen, so when he heard the giggling it was hard for him to turn his neck to look straight behind him.
He heard the clanking of what seems like pots, and he grunted in annoyance. He got up from his spot on the couch and walked into the kitchen to find a pot on the stove and the stove was on. He looked to the side, where the fridge was and he saw next to the fridge was kimchi. He heard his stomach growl and smiled. Kimchi does sound good, doesn't it? He looked around and decided to not interrupt who ever was doing whatever.
He left the kitchen and could of swore he heard a whine closely related to "so annoying." He could only snap his head back to look in disbelief but chuckled to himself as nothing was there. Maybe I am lonely. He heard the faucet and realized, it can't just be his sanity slipping away, could it?
He pushed it aside and decided to leave whoever it was alone. He heard more giggling and he sighed an lied on the couch. He would sleep-but he needs to make sure the house doesn't burn down. There was more clanking and he drowned the annoying sounds out and let his eyes drift back to the television and realized he had no idea what show he was watching. He stared at the figures, but didn't listen to the words. He was too busy listening to footsteps and the sounds of chairs scraping against the floor.
He decided to wait a while before he went back into the kitchen. He found full bowls of kimchi soup sitting on his table, and when he put his hand over it to see if it was still warm, it wasn't. He looked around for any signs of someone, but no one. He decided to pour the bowls into the pot and he reheated it, getting some for himself. He smiled in appreciation though, as he realized he had to turn the stove on to heat it up. Whatever it was... whoever it was, was smart enough to turn off the stove.
He got a bowl for himself and started eating it, and couldn't help but sigh contently. The taste is amazing. "Sorry if I'm intruding on... both of your dinner," Jinki said and looked around. He wanted to laugh at himself, because from anybody's point of view, he would look crazy.
Jinki didn't have any other troubles that night.
~~
Jinki came home and found two indents on his couch. He wonders momentarily, if he takes a picture, would something come out? He decides it doesn't matter. He knows what he knows. Even when he told Minho about last night and Minho said maybe Jinki needs to see help. He knows Minho doesn't understand, so he just shook his head and left, going home. He looks to the television and sees a romance on, and he smiles. Last night they had dinner together and now they are watching a movie together.
He remembers when he first moved in here, the owner said the reason the price is so low is because there was a murder here. Two people were killed. He looks at the couch with sympathy. Were these two people the ones who were killed? He looks at the way the back of the couch is pressed in, and it's hard to figure out their position, but he understands it now. One is sitting straight up, their legs is most likely down and they're probably having their feet touch the ground. Then the other one has his legs one the couch, and he is leaning into the one sitting straight up. The one sitting straight has his arm around the other.
Jinki sighs. He wishes he had a lover to hold. "Hey... sorry if I'm interrupting your time together." Jinki bows ninety degrees and he straightens himself up and goes into the kitchen. He can swear he heard a voice say "no problem" but he brushes it off and looks around the area. There is instant ramen in a pot on the stove and there is two full dishes sitting out. He looks at the food and back to the living room. "Eat it, I don't care," comes a voice from the living room and he realizes it's a man... but the voice is different from the earlier one. He gulps and realization sets in. The high-pitched giggle.
He blinks and keeps his eyes closed for a while and he sighs. He dumps the two bowls back into the pot and heats it up. He wonders if maybe he is going crazy, because this is beyond strange, and definitely out of this world. He gets a bowl for himself and sits alone at the table and eats. Around this time, he would look around the apartment and let the lonely setting sink in, but he only smiles because he feels safe and at home.
Jinki looks to the living room as he hears that same high-pitched giggling. He swears its like music, but he looks down with soft eyes. He looks sad, but he isn't. He wishes he could see the two. He wishes he could see why that person is giggling, but he can't. Hell, if this all was in his head, wouldn't he be able to at least see them? He looses his appetite and cleans his area, after all, this isn't his house. It's their house.
Jinki goes to the living room and sees the indents on the couch isn't there any more, and he hears footsteps in the living room, and he contemplates the idea of sitting down, but he doesn't want to move. He hears giggling and what sounds like a faint "stop it, I mean it" but the words seems happy. A deeper voice chuckles and Jinki can't help but smile despite the fact he can't see anything.
The footsteps stop and he realized they were really close to him. He feels this coldness surround him, and despite the actual temperature, he feels warm. He wants to see them. He wants to talk and not feel crazy, but he knows it's a lost cause. He sighs and looks down at his feet, and he doesn't notice but he opened his mouth and spoke. "How did you pass?" There seems to be a thick air before there is a grunt and something close to the sound of sobs.
"People discrimination." He is surprised when he hears a clear answer coming from a soft voice. He nods and decides not to question it further. He feels awkward so he bows. "Thanks for not being too upset with me living here," he mutters and then stands straight-backing up, giving one more, half, awkward bow and walking away. He goes into the bedroom and lies on the bed. People discrimination. They were murdered because someone didn't like their sexuality, most likely. Jinki feels a pang in his heart. How could someone be so cruel, as to kill people who have such an aura around them?
~~
Jinki looked at the house earlier and crinkled his nose at the cobwebs everywhere. "I should clean, shouldn't I," he asked what seemed to be air, but the word "definitely" could be heard coming from no where. Thats how he ended up cleaning every crevice he could find. Finally he was in the bedroom and he was looking at the huge hole in the wall. It was hidden by the dresser that was left in the house by the... previous owners. He had moved the dresser to clean behind it and found this. He got up and searched for a flashlight and when he found one he aimed it in the hole. He was surprised when there wasn't any spider webs or dead bugs.
He squinted his eyes as he saw what looked like a journal and a box in the hole. A gasp sounded through out the house and a faint, almost sickly sounded "don't" came from no where, and Jinki almost put the journal back. "Please... I need to know about you if I'm living here." He knows the thought "move then" was probably crossing the more feminine of the... resident's mind. "Wouldn't you rather me living here... then someone who can't afford anything better, so they move in here? What if they do drugs, or throw loud parties? What if they stop you in the middle of you watching movies, or you dinners?
There was a silence and Jinki momentarily doubted himself again... maybe he is just talking to himself. The journal's cover flipped open and he smiled. He isn't so crazy, is he? He read the front page. Property Of: Kim Kibum. "That's your name, huh?" The page flipped and Jinki laughed at the lack of patience. If you're reading this, put it down. Jinki laughed. He turned the page. There was a bunch of writing about school, and Jinki figured out this was started when Kibum was sixteen. He went through it, watching as the boy's handwriting progressed. Jinki stopped himself from flipping the page when he saw: he told me I'm cute... I don't know if I should listen to his words. Just the other day he was making fun of me for being... well, gay, and then today when no one is around, he whispers to me "Kibummie, I'm sorry for making fun of you. I like you. You're cute." I think he might be trying to play me.
Jinki couldn't help but to be interested. However, it's getting late, and he doesn't have all night, tomorrow he has a job interview. So Jinki flipped a couple pages ahead and stopped randomly. He kissed me today. We met up by accident. I was in the mall with Taemin. He's so young, but it's ridiculous how much taller he is than me. Taemin was complaining about how tired of holding my bags he was, and how hungry he was. We decided to go to the food court. There he was. He was with some friends. I didn't really bother to look at them. I just remember I kept glancing up to see him staring at me. I would look away and start talking to Taemin... about... anything really. Just to forget about the other looking at me. But then someone tapped me on the shoulder when I was talking to Taemin about how well his long hair suits him. I looked over and lips were on my own. "Call me sometime." A napkin was slipped to me and I glared at him. He looked back and just to irritate him, I tore the napkin to shreds... I made sure the number was safe though. Taemin was just smiling. "You kept the number, hyung." I stuck my tongue out to him.
Jinki smiled with amusement imagining such a scene. He flipped forward a couple of pages. I can't believe tonight I had a date with him. We went back to my place and my mother and father was out... so I expected him to try something. But he didn't. He just pecked my cheek, that's about all. Except for when he went to leave. He grabbed my face and kissed me hard. It was... great. I think I like him too much.
Jinki sighed contently as he read about the young teenager falling in love. "Kibum... is it? You were adorable when writing," Jinki giggles and he knows if he could see the ghost, he would be blushing. If ghost could blush. He returned his attention to the book and flipped a lot of pages ahead. I can't believe Jonghyun and I made it through high school. Jinki made a mental note: Jonghyun and Kibum. I love him, so much.I can't believe I graduated and I still haven't turned eighteen. Better yet, I can't believe him and I are moving in together. When he first started advancing towards me... I never expected this.
Jinki smiled. They were high school sweethearts, he thinks to himself before turning another bunch of pages. It's Jjong's birthday today. He's officially turning twenty. I can't wait until I turn twenty. I'm so excited. I am throwing him a party. Taemin is coming over, so is Hongki. I got Leeteuk to come over too... and a lot others. I can't wait. Afterwards, I have a little... something something for him.
Jinki laughed loudly at that but flipped a few pages. He noticed a lot were still blank so he stopped on the last filled page. I don't know why but lately some crowd of people has been following Jonghyun and me. They keep yelling at us, telling us we need to break up. Jonghyun is taking it hard. He's never had it this tough. I just keep telling him they're jealous. We both know it's not true, but it comforts his mind a little. It's really scaring me lately. The way they have been following him and me home. We might move. I don't want to, really... this apartment is the first apartment him and me got together. I don't want to move because of something like discrimination. Isn't the world these days supposed to be more accepting? We might move in a month or so, but we are staying here for my birthday though. It's coming up in seven days. September 23rd! I'm going to finally turn twenty!
Jinki looked up to where he believed the boy was standing. "Did you die... before your birthday?" There was no answer and Jinki suddenly got a lonely feeling, like the other wasn't there.
~~
The next day after his interview-which he is awaiting a response for-Jinki goes to the owner of the building and asked when the people in the house was murdered. A year ago, September 23rd. The exact day. Jinki looked down in sadness at the news, but there's not much he could do about it.
~~
Jinki went in his house and back to the hole. He picked up the box and looked around. "Can I open this," he says to the air. No response, but he opens it regardless. He looks in and sees two rings. Promise rings. Why didn't they wear them? He looks through it and sees cards. Most from birthdays over the years. All were to Kibum from Jonghyun. Didn't he have any other friends? Jinki looked through the cards until a piece of paper caught his attention. He opened the folded paper and read it. Kibum, I love you. I didn't have money for a card, or a present. I hope this is enough to hold you over until I get money for your present. As of today, you are eighteen! We are moving in together soon! It will be great, won't it? I can't wait. We could be together, forever. Right? I'm not really good with these things... but Kibum, I love you. Let's be together from now to forever, life and after life.
Jinki looked around him. After life. He can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe this Jonghyun knew they would be. Jinki looks through the box and comes upon a mini book. He looks through it and finds himself breathless. These boys were so... so... gorgeous. There was a picture of a boy with blonde hair;different shades of blonde. There was one boy who was very feminine looking. He had black hair, with purple streaks in it. They were smiling at the camera, and the blonde one was making an awkward peace sign. The more feminine one-Jinki could tell-is Kibum. He was well dressed, and he had a huge smile on his face. It seemed like it was something rare to those features.
Jinki looked through the rest and smiled as he saw a young boy, with long hair. His hair was a light brown and it went to his shoulders. He was in between Jonghyun and Key in this picture, and Jonghyun was kissing the younger-looking boy's cheek. Kibum was laughing and the young-looking boy was smiling widely. Jinki smiled and then it dawned on him. Is this Taemin?
~~
Jinki doesn't know how he did it, but he prides himself in his accomplishment. He looks at the young man who is blinking at him. "Kibum was my best friend," he had spoke earlier. "I was... I am still very heartbroken. I can't say I am in love with him. Or I was. I wasn't. I just looked up to him. He wasn't like a brother... or even a cousin. Every one thinks I'm crazy when I say this, but I looked at Kibum as if he was my mother." Jinki chuckled a little when he heard that.
"So. How did they interact with one another?" Taemin looked at the table and a small smile crosses his lips. "Kibum had a fake smile, and it was rare to see him have a real smile. His smiles made him gorgeous. I think. Jonghyun... he was," Taemin trails off and his lip twitches as if in annoyance. Though, a smile breaks out on his face and he giggles a little. "Jonghyun was Jonghyun. He was like a puppy. He followed Kibum around. He was always confused. He annoyed people a lot. Kibum couldn't find it any cuter though."
Jinki nodded. "Did Jonghyun ever show his affection openly?" Taemin nodded quickly. "Yes! All of the time! He would constantly try to hold Kibum's hand! He would kiss Kibum openly. He would kiss his neck. They made sexual jokes all of the time... they were really inappropriate," Taemin chuckles as he thinks back to what seems to be a memory. "Jinki hyung, whatever you may be experiencing... I have no doubt in my mind it may be them. Kibum was very lively and wouldn't go down without a fight, and no matter what Kibum did, Jonghyun would be there right after him."
Taemin smiled at nothing in particular. "I would do anything to see his smiling face again. Kibum and Jonghyun. I never really like Jonghyun all that much, but I guess I'm just being a protective son." Taemin laughed slightly and Jinki could hear the pain behind it. The pain and the bitterness he heard was almost unbearable coming from this young boy.
"Maybe... maybe they will show themselves if you came to the apartment." Taemin looked at Jinki like he was crazy but nodded. "Now?" Jinki smiled.
~~
Taemin walked into the apartment with a slightly hesitant step. He hung his coat on the rack he was so used to and took his shoes off. This was so familiar. "Kibum! I'm here! You too Jonghyun!" He looked around the house as a scent he was used to wafted around him. "It smells good right now, doesn't it," Taemin says as he looks back at Jinki. The older man nods. "That's Kibum's cologne." Jinki inhales the scent. Taemin looks next to him and starts laughing as if he was sharing some sort of secret with someone. "Hyung, stop," he whines. Jinki looks at Taemin as if he's crazy.
"He said something... stupid," Taemin says as he blushes. "He talked?" Taemin nods. "Wh-what did he say?" Taemin blushed. He ignores Jinki and looks around the room. "Kibum umma... is Jonghyun with you?" Taemin rolls his eyes. "Of course he is.... hey! Don't hit me!"
Jinki looks stunned but sighs. "What's happening?" Taemin smiled. "He said of course his Jonghyun is with him, and he always will be." "And you're talking to him... can you see him?" Taemin shakes his head sadly. "I should stay with you for a while! Umma could cook for us! Jonghyun would be the appa! I would be the son and you would be..." Taemin blushes and Jinki wonders if maybe this house is making him crazy, or maybe this house could be the best thing ever.
~~
That night he wakes up to a warm feeling and he smiles down at the young boy. This house is something new. He doesn't feel as lonely, and hell, Minho is getting a piece of his mind tomorrow, but he forgets about it as "...of course Jonghyun is with him, and he always will be." Jinki thinks back to the letter, and yeah, he thinks. Life and after life.
A/N: What is this? Fail ending! (: Ah... like stated in the earlier note... how I wrote this was really weird. I hope you enjoyed it. Oh, and for the my own advertising... please read my OnTae story. It's only three paragraphs longs. And it's rated R.