Attraction (2/?)

[theyaoiwildcard]

Title: Attraction
Rating: PG
Pairing: Jonghyun/Jinki
Genre: AU, Fluff, Humor, Romance
Disclaimer: If I owned them - //perverted laugh :D
Summary: Oh, how Jonghyun wished he knew what all of this was going to amount to.

◎♡◎♡◎

December 14th

Jonghyun rolled onto his side while on his bed and groaned when he heard an annoying, incessant beeping sound that just wouldn't stop, no matter how much Jonghyun prayed it would in that moment. He sat up as best as he could - being on his side and all - and sleepily scowled at the evil alarm clock. He thought of bashing it against the all the walls, smashing it with a hammer that he did not own, heck anything to just make it stop. He settled for solidly banging his fist down onto the snooze button while growling. It was 6:30 in the morning, why should he have to get up? Oh, right he almost forgot, he just had to be a singer. Right, his suffering was his own fault.

He eventually decided to roll out of bed and start his day, so he could finish it faster and get reacquainted with his bed later on. Brushing teeth, showering, all of this and breakfast, Jonghyun just rushed it today because he had to get out of his comfy little apartment at 8:00, and he wanted to at least do some sort of optional activity before he was swamped with work, because he knows it will happen. Well, Jonghyun settled for exercising, he figured he could use it.

He flexed his fingers around the bar of the weights he was holding in each hand, making sure he had a good grip. He was going to try something new today - something one would usually see guys doing only in television shows and dramas - he was going to, well, repeatedly throw his arms towards the ceiling while holding the weights. He was sure that would make him like, ten times stronger before he was done. With some sort of resolve, Jonghyun began pumping his fists into the air in quick succession, doing his best to remain on his feet and set a tempo to make things easier.

Yeah things are going great, Jonghyun has been doing this for thirty seconds so far and he has not died yet, he takes this as a good sign and decides to thank every entity out in the vast galaxy for having mercy on his tired soul. Jonghyun looked out his window, a slight smirk on his lips, and spotted a person staring right at him. Jonghyun felt his heart jump into his throat as he dropped the weights and ducked behind the wall closest to him. Jonghyun swore he saw his life flash before his eyes as he contemplated why someone would be spying on him. Theft? No, Jonghyun did not have much of anything that was valuable. A grudge? Jonghyun tried to be as nice as he could be to whoever he interacted with. Murder? ...No- just no.

Jonghyun leaned out to his right, whoever that person was they were gone now. He wondered if he had scared them off then, he began wondering if he was scary looking. Jonghyun didn't think he was scary looking, some people even called him cute, but Jonghyun considered himself sexy if anything. Yeah, he wasn't scary he was-

Looking at someone peek at him through a misty window from behind a wall. Now Jonghyun has experienced weird things before, but this was by far the most similar to a movie than anything else... and Jonghyun thought it was pretty adorable. Well, when the person noticed Jonghyun was staring back at them, they almost fell over. Snickering to himself, Jonghyun took the opportunity to run over to his - very messy with no hope of being cleaned - desk and grabbed a couple of papers and a marker and run back to the window. Whoever this person was, Jonghyun decided he would make friends with them, hopefully this person was not a drug dealer or something because if they were... Jonghyun laughed at the thought.

'May as well find out who you are then,' Jonghyun thought as he scribbled his simple question onto a piece of paper before pressing it to his window. The person leaned as close to the window as possible to read Jonghyun's sign and so Jonghyun confirmed this person's gender. He started running around and seemed to find something before disappearing from Jonghyun's sight. It was childish and Jonghyun liked it. Jonghyun caught himself smiling as he wrote another sign, he was pretty sure by now that this person was harmless.

Jonghyun pressed his sign against the window as he leaned out from behind the wall smiling. In response, the guy smiled toothily - a strangely infectious smile that had Jonghyun grinning and wanting to see it again - at him and wrote a response.

'Hi,' a simple response, but the gesture went a long way as the male lowered the sign and showed he was smiling. Jonghyun grinned and read the little word signalling that his offer to communicate had been accepted. Jonghyun already felt comfortable with the other and asked the guy his name while revealing his own. And he assumed from what he has witnessed thus far, that this guy was really clumsy.

And it was cracking Jonghyun up. He felt like a kid as he moved his arms in semicircular gestures as he tried to tell the other to flip the sign towards him because Jonghyun couldn't see through the paper or read backwards, so it became necessary. The other was laughing too and he flipped the sign around for Jonghyun to read.

Jinki.

Jonghyun decided that he liked Jinki. Yeah, he was definitely going to try to get to know Jinki better. Jonghyun had only sort of met this guy fifteen minutes ago and already, Jonghyun knew he may never meet someone like Jinki again. He could see that. He could also see two arms suddenly wrap themselves around Jinki's waist. Jonghyun suddenly felt irritated, just a little though. He was trying to have a conversation here, who is this person suddenly draping themselves over Jinki, huh? Maybe Jonghyun was not entitled to knowing who he was, but that would not change the fact that he wanted to know.

'Who is he?' Jonghyun thought while getting ready to write just that. Then he looked up and he saw another one glaring at whoever was hugging Jinki and he mentally corrected his question as he wrote, a little too much pressure on the marker. Ah, confusion and irritation should not be felt so early in the morning, this was Jonghyun's thought as he pressed his sign to he window and he could feel his frown as if it were beginning to engrave itself permanently into his visage.

'Who are they?'

Being an idol, Jonghyun probably shouldn't risk his face becoming unpleasant but, right now he simply didn't care for that he was upset and he wanted to show it, he wasn't that famous anyway. Jonghyun noticed that the man that was glaring before was reading his sign and speaking with Jinki and Jonghyun wanted to tell him that this sign was for Jinki to read and only Jinki.

'Some friends.'

Jinki seemed to be focusing on Jonghyun though and this quelled his anger quite a bit. Jinki was smiling again and Jonghyun felt his frown break into a grin and really, Jonghyun had mixed feelings right then because he wanted to frown, but Jinki made that a very hard thing to do.

'Damn, what is this?' Jonghyun thought feeling his face twist into an expression that had him thinking of a puppy and really at this moment Jonghyun could empathize with the animal. Of course they were Jinki's friends and Jonghyun felt a pang of something - jealousy? - sting him. Yeah it's weird, Jonghyun's weird, but even so, he wanted to be Jinki's friend. Like, right now.

'I want to be your friend too!'

There, he wrote it, and good thing too. If he had to go through the entire day with that thought eating at him, the thought of not being straightforward with Jinki, he was sure he would have suffered some sort of pain. A simple little thing but either way, it had an outcome and that would affect everything as a whole and Jonghyun wanted everything to be good and comfortable so good choices are the only way. Jonghyun caught himself nodding and he stopped, feeling foolish. He saw Jinki pressing his reply to the window, cutesy and- what was Jonghyun suddenly thinking.

'You are already my friend!'

Damn. Just damn. Jonghyun was feeling some sort of wonderful because really, today, whatever God was out there, he was totally on Jonghyun's side today and what a wonderful day indeed. Jonghyun started grinning and Jinki grinned back. Jonghyun decided to ask a common question - well, what Jonghyun thought was common - and Jinki was answered. Or, well, he was going to answer until his friends started acting all weird and suddenly, something very questionable was taking place in front of Jonghyun's eyes.

The guy that was glaring was shaking the clingy guy back and forth and the clingy guy was still holding Jinki and Jinki was being shook back and forth as well. The scene looked a little like- Jonghyun stopped himself and he willed the heat creeping up his neck to go away because he just doesn't need to think things like that about someone he just met, especially not if that person is Jinki. Jonghyun felt... mortified to say the least.

'Nope.' The response was a bit messy but legible nevertheless.

“Uhh...” Jonghyun uttered he felt his countenance betray him yet again as he knew it screamed 'I feel awkward' to all who cared to look. On two sheets of paper, Jonghyun wrote his questions and held them to the glass. 'Would he even be able to read it?'

'Oh, do you work there or something? Can I visit anytime soon?'

Jonghyun saw the violent man reading his signs and then he turned to Jinki and began yelling things. Jonghyun decided that man was a little more than crazy... and dangerous. Jinki didn't seem to mind though, he just wrote is reply and smiled while showing it to Jonghyun.

'Yeah I work here, sort of. You can if you want to.'

Jonghyun felt himself begin to grin like a madman as he read those words. Oh how wonderful it would be to be able to actually speak with Jinki, face to face. He could feel excitement bubble up within him suddenly. Jonghyun was cruelly brought back to reality as his brain decided to tell him to look at his clock. When he saw the time he realized that if he didn't get going soon, he would be in serious trouble. Jonghyun turned back to Jinki with a frown and he scribbled onto sheets of paper, quickly pressing them to his window.

'I have to go now. Will you still be here later?'

'Yeah, I will,' the quick reply, Jonghyun knew Jinki understood that he had something important to attend to, had Jonghyun feeling relieved and happy especially when Jinki started smiling too. Jonghyun ran to his bed, threw on the T-shirt and jacket he had laying there, ran back to the window, made sure to give Jinki a nice long wave while mouthing 'bye-bye, see you later'
and then running out his apartment.

Maybe today was going to be something else, after all, Jonghyun's morning was already going pretty awesome.

◎♡◎♡◎

And maybe the high he was feeling earlier was going to be as awesome as this day would get because right now Jonghyun just wanted to lay down and die. Suddenly, as soon as Jonghyun had entered the SM Entertainment building he was bombarded with everything his schedule could have possibly contained. From practice to whatever promotions he would have to do, Jonghyun seriously felt confused at this point and he could only be thankful that he gets some sort of 'lunch break' because at this point he didn't know up from down.

“Hey.” a deep voice, Jonghyun knew that voice.

“Hey, Minho.” Jonghyun's response was sighed out and he could feel Minho chuckling at him. Jonghyun fixed him a glare. “What, are you on break, did you come here just to bug me or what?”

“No, can't I just drop by as a friend?” Minho looked at him with this, this so-obviously-fake innocent look and, if Jonghyun had the energy to, he would have punched him in his pretty face.

“Not if it's only to laugh at me.” Minho shrugged. “Why aren't you tired anyway? Isn't modelling all tough and stuff?” Another shrug.

“I just have a lot of stamina.” Minho got a 'good for you, just so you know I work out too, now go away' stare. So Minho decided to take a seat next to Jonghyun. “Before this happened,” Minho gestured to Jonghyun who scoffed in reply, “you kind of bounced in here- yeah, I saw you.” Jonghyun's face shifted from tired to surprised to annoyed in that one sentence. Oh how he hated Minho at times.

“Minho, I know you're a smart guy, so what are you getting at?” Jonghyun didn't have to ask. They both knew he didn't have to ask, but he did it anyway, out of lack for anything to say. Minho chuckled.

“So, who's the lucky girl? It's a girl right? Or maybe, you swing the other way, hyung? I've seen that reaction before with other hyungs and currently they're all in happy relationships.” Jonghyun's jaw dropped, his face turned red and if Minho was the type, he would be guffawing by now but Minho had already spoken a lot more in those two minutes than he usually would in a day - as far as Jonghyun was concerned - so he was chuckling again.

“Tch, I don't know what you're talking about.” Jonghyun replied, peeved.

“You would be a really good liar hyung, if you weren't so painfully obvious to me,” Jonghyun was going to say something but Minho cut him off, “Anyone who spends enough time with you will be able to tell when you're lying.” Jonghyun shut his mouth. At this point, Jonghyun decided he wouldn't try anything else, and Minho was a good guy - charming and all - so maybe he could help Jonghyun out.

Jonghyun sighed. “Fine, you got me.” He saw Minho's smirk from his peripheral and if he wasn't about to ask him some sort of favour Jonghyun would have pushed him out of his seat. “Look, I just met this person.”

“Oh, it's love at first sight then.” Minho nodded to himself ignoring Jonghyun's exclamations and denials.

“We're just friends, okay?” Jonghyun placed his elbows on his knees and leaned forward a little. “Besides does love at first sight even exist?”

“Oh good- hyung, don't tell me you're some kind of closed minded, logical person.”

“I'm not! It's just, well, that's...only in movies?”

“Movies are based off of real life, hyung.”

“Well.” Jonghyun glared at Minho who was smiling in an attempt to keep his laughter in his mouth, and this caused his cheeks to slowly puff out and he eventually looked like a blowfish. Jonghyun and Minho tried really hard not to, but in the end they ended up laughing. They tried to calm down when their ribs, faces and the rest of their bodies started to hurt, but it really was a challenge for them.

“Well, at least,” a long gasp for air, then some laughter, “You've become, less socially awkward..?”

“Same to you, hyung.”

“I was never socially awkward. And the camera adores me.”

“So, I distinctly remember that I'm the model here.”

“You wanna fight about it?”

“Bring it on.” Minho said while standing up. Jonghyun stood up as well.

“Wait I changed my mind!” Jonghyun sat down quickly while laughing causing Minho to laugh. Jonghyun knew Minho was a sore loser, so Jonghyun's safest option was to back out. If he won, Minho would declare rematches until Jonghyun admitted defeat, besides, Jonghyun was just kidding. He had no intention of fighting Minho.

“Nice to know that you're not stupid hyung.”

“You should have more respect for your hyung.” Minho laughed at that, nodding in mock obedience. “But really, I think I'm gonna need help.”

Minho looked at Jonghyun thoughtfully, Jonghyun was never really serious about relationships, Minho just figured it was because he just wasn't interested and being an idol - he just didn't have the time. Minho sighed. Everyone always asked him these kinds of questions. What made them think he could help them, Minho would never know. But, that doesn't mean he wouldn't try to help them.

“Well, these kinds of things always depend on the people...”

“He's really friendly.”

“What?”

“The other person,” Jonghyun looked at Minho, “He's really friendly. In fact, he made friends with a complete stranger and he didn't even question why I was talking to him.”

Minho's face had a look of both shock and amusement. “Sounds similar to someone I know.” Minho smiled at the statement.

“Oh? You know people other than me and your hyungs here in this building?” Jonghyun said in mock surprise. Minho gave him a look and Jonghyun knew if he said anything else Minho would whack him and leave him to ruin whatever chance he currently had at... whatever this was.

“Sorry! I'm sorry! Just... help me out, okay? You know me - I bet I'm good at messing up things like this.” Jonghyun seemed honestly and wholly at a loss and Minho - being the good person and friend that he was - took pity on his poor soul. Minho began giving Jonghyun a long lecture about 'relationships' and 'how one must be considerate' and other stuff that Jonghyun seemed to be trying his best to digest. Just as Jonghyun thought he would explode from all the information being chucked at him, Minho's cellphone rang. Minho stopped, gave Jonghyun a look, and he pulled out his phone not even looking at the caller - apparently he knew who it was, at least, Jonghyun hoped he did and that Minho was not the kind to randomly talk to strangers on the phone.

“Hello? Oh, it's been a while hasn't it? Yeah. Yeah, I'm free... yeah. That sounds like a good idea. No, I did not forget. Yes, I'm sure... Okay... 'kay, see you later then... bye.” Minho flipped his phone shut as he seemed to be trying to memorize something. Jonghyun was going to ask Minho if he was fine after a minute had passed but then that wonderfully annoying bell that Jonghyun hated rang, signalling that their brake was over and that they should hurry and get back to killing themselves, also known as, doing their jobs. Jonghyun made a face and he knew Minho had guessed what he was thinking from the chuckle that left the taller male's mouth. Minho offered a 'good luck, I'll help you later' and then hurried to wherever-the-hell he had to be, leaving Jonghyun to trudge back to what he considered torture, at least presently.

Surely, there was something good waiting for him at the end of all of this..?

◎♡◎♡◎

As soon as he was allowed to, Jonghyun ran out of that huge building and headed home. Well, there was the fact that he was not going home, he was going to meet Jinki again. At least, he hoped he was going to meet Jinki again. It was quarter past six at this point in time and Jonghyun had no idea if Jinki was still at the cafe or if he had left and maybe he thought that Jonghyun had just forgotten about him. That thought caused Jonghyun to run even faster, he would make sure he got to cafe at some decent hour so that he could see Jinki - after all he had to endure during the day he deserved at least that.

Numb legs and God alone knows how long later - why didn't Jonghyun call a taxi or something? - Jonghyun saw the cafe and he prayed that he wasn't some horrible degree of late. Jonghyun slowed to a stop a few buildings away from the cafe, attempting to catch his breath. He could always just go to his apartment and sleep, and it was an excruciatingly tempting thought, but the thought of a disappointed Jinki shot him and he felt guilty for even thinking of running away to go to sleep. Jonghyun walked to the cafe, unconsciously praying for whatever reason he had, he was sure he was overreacting.

As he neared the entrance of the quaint shop, he heard someone calling out to him.

“Hey, Jonghyun! Hey! Up here!!” Whoever it was, they definitely had a loud mouth and their own sense of fashion - not that Jonghyun cared, it's just that, that guy definitely stood out. Jonghyun looked up and he saw one of the guys that was with Jinki earlier, the violent one. And apparently, the guy was going to throw one of his bracelets at Jonghyun until he realized that he had the man's attention. He swiftly put it back on while he yelled at Jonghyun.

“Yah!! I think it's obvious that you don't know this, but today's Jinki's birthday! Now, don't say anything, don't do anything, just play along, okay? You can do that right? Considering who you are and all, up-and-coming Kim Jonghyun!” And Jonghyun was pretty sure his jaw had dropped, because he figured if Jinki didn't know or recognize him then neither would his friends. And this guy seemed to pick up on his thoughts, maybe Jonghyun was thinking very loudly today. “I'm not as slow as Jinki is, just make sure you play along okay? If you mess this up, I don't care who you are, I will murder you!” And with that the guy closed the window and disappeared.

Well, that was a pleasant encounter, wasn't it? Jonghyun found himself grinning though, so today was Jinki's birthday? Ah, Jonghyun would make sure to smile and be nice and everything that Minho had told him that he should - no, had to, do. And he would gladly do it for Jinki because... Jinki was special. Jonghyun stood in front of the café’s door and didn't think twice about opening it. He was met with seeing Jinki spin around - a full two hundred and seventy degrees - and look at him all dizzy and shocked.

Jonghyun just smiled one of his crooked smiles that apparently charmed the living daylights out of people, and he would just love if it did that to Jinki at this point, yeah that would be great.

“Hello, Jinki.”

Jonghyun slowly walked closer to Jinki, now if the door opened he wouldn't get hit by it. If only, oh if only Jinki wasn't so honest, then maybe Jonghyun wouldn't find him one of the most interesting people he has ever come across in his entire life. The surprise written all over Jinki's face was really some sort of congratulations to Jonghyun, and Jonghyun would be damned if he knew why at this moment.

“J-Jonghyun! Hu-hello...” a meek little wave and a smile was offered to Jonghyun and he felt really... special in that moment. The little meeting and feeling was crushed though as someone came running right into Jinki at a speed that Jonghyun didn't think was even possible. Jinki was stopped from crashing into Jonghyun by a pair of arms around his waist yet again, Jinki's hands on Jonghyun's shoulders and an air cushion of five centimetres. Jinki immediately looked at Jonghyun, face red as he stuttered.

“I-I'm so-sorry!” And Jonghyun could swear he felt his face heat up and his heart climb into his throat when he registered what had just happened. And Jonghyun found himself wishing that Jinki had just fallen on him for the love of all things right in the world as he dumbly nodded and replied that it was alright.

“Oh, Onyu I'm sorry I ran into you, I couldn't slow down.” It was the clingy one. The one whose arms kept wrapping around Jinki's waist, the one whose arms were currently tightening their grip on Jinki's waist. The one who Jonghyun suddenly wanted to punch into a wall and- wait, did he just call Jinki...

“Onyu?” Jonghyun found himself repeating, more like questioning.

“Yeah, he has this horrible habit of calling everyone by some sort of nickname when he feels like it.” It was the unique man. He seemed annoyed again. “Oh, we didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Kibum and this... hugging monster currently attached to Jinki's waist is Changsun-”

“Call me Joon, 'kay? And you can call Mr. Meanie over there Key, if you wanna.” Changsun interrupted, earning a steady glare and a punch upside the head from Kibum. Jonghyun nodded a little worriedly, chuckling a little. He then caught Kibum glaring at him with a 'you had better remember every single word I told you and obey them or I will eat you' look and Jonghyun gulped. Kibum punctuated the glare with a 'and I'll do it too' look.

“Oh! I wonder if Jonghyun is thirsty?” Jinki looked at Jonghyun and he temporarily forgot that his life was endanger as he looked to at Jinki to answer. But Kibum answered for him.

“I bet he is! Quick Jinki, go get him something to drink and we'll get to know him better!” Kibum said while ripping Jinki away from a complaining Changsun and pushing him to the employee area, where all the drinks, mixes and desserts were stored. Jinki could barely reply with an 'okay' before he was shoved into the room. Kibum turned around with a solemn look attached to his features as he walked back to where Changsun and Jonghyun stood.

“So, you remember what I told you right, Jonghyun?” Kibum seemed to loom over Jonghyun as he spoke, and really, he was quite terrifying. Jonghyun nodded, not sure if he should say anything as he may cause the man to snap and attempt to kill him or something.

“Then you can just play along, right? Yeah, that should be easy, anyone could do it, even a baby.” Changsun said nodding. Jonghyun could feel he was trying to be nice, but Kibum aura of swift death made it a little hard to feel comfortable, especially since his pacifier Jinki wasn't currently in the same room. “Right now we're just waiting for two people to pop up.” Changsun said rocking back on his heels. Almost as if on cue, the bell at the door rang high and sweet as two tall people walked into the cafe. One, Jonghyun recognised.

“Mi-Minho?” Jonghyun exclaimed. Minho had a surprised look on his face as well. Next to Minho was a thin, blond boy who was almost as tall as Minho, and as far as Jonghyun was concerned reaching anywhere near Minho's height was a feat worthy to be recorded in the book of world records. So this blond boy was going to be a famous boy. Minho was going to say something when Kibum rushed up to him and the other boy, but not before casting a glance from Jonghyun to Minho.

“Minho ah! Taemin ah! You guys got the chicken and the cake and stuff, right?” Kibum asked the boys while gesturing wildly.

“Yep! We got it right here!” the blond boy happily exclaimed raising his hand which was holding the plastic bag. Kibum let out a squeal followed by a sigh of relief as he took the bag from Taemin.

“By the way umma,” Taemin sang, “I couldn't help but notice that you're no longer half bald.” Taemin was swiftly rewarded with a clout on the head as he laughed with slight traces of tears in his eyes as Kibum inspected the 'goods' that he had just acquired. Jonghyun stood next to Changsun, trying to piece together the events taking place. Changsun seemed to realise Jonghyun's confusion and he was kind enough to try to help him.

“Yeah... Key's kinda bi-polar isn't he? Don't worry he's a nice guy at heart. Well, nice enough anyway.” Changsun chuckled. Jonghyun looked at him and cracked a smile. What could he say to that, really?

“Okay, I got him a drink and-” Jinki walked out of the room and looked up from the drink to see the two new people standing in the cafe. A smile suddenly grew on his face as he ran up to them, Kibum taking the drink from him as soon as he was within arms range. Knowing Jinki, if he was allowed to hold that drink two seconds longer all it's contents would have spilled on him.

“Minho ah! Taemin ah! It's been a while, hasn't it?” Jinki was bouncing on his feet in front of them. Taemin grinned at him while Minho offered a smile.
“You... guys have grown taller too! Just when I thought I was catching up to you guys, now even Kibum ah is taller than me!”

Taemin giggled. “Jinki hyung! You're so short now! I can see the top of your head!” Taemin ruffled Jinki's hair. Taemin sang, “Hyung, you have to get a hair cut, it's gotten so long.”

“No!” Kibum interjected, whining. “Look at how pretty he looks! Let's just leave it like this for a while, okay?” Wild gestures were made by the brunet as he tried to get Taemin 'to stop suggesting bad ideas'.

“But, how come you guys suddenly visited?” Jinki questioned. Ah, they were all waiting for that question or some variation of it. Jonghyun could feel it. He saw them all exchanging glances - Kibum and Minho even shot him a glance or two - while Jinki remained clueless, trying to figure out what was going on. Kibum threw his arm into the air and counted down.

“Three!”

Everyone shifted a bit. Changsun nudged Jonghyun.

“Two!”

Changsun told him what to do, and Jonghyun would admit, he liked the idea.

“One..!”

Everyone ran to Jinki and hugged him tightly. They all sang him the birthday song while Jinki stood there, amazed.

“Happy birthday, Jinki!” They finished, squeezing him even tighter. Jinki's face went from shocked to immensely happy somewhere between when they hugged him to when they started singing. Jinki tried to hug them all back at the same time which lead to a lot of entangled limbs and laughter.

Now, even though Jonghyun was pretty new here, he felt as though he fit right in.

“Jinki,” Kibum sang, “Do you want chicken?”

“You have chicken?” came Jinki's quick response as his head whipped to Kibum's direction.

“Yeah, we sure do hyung.” came Taemin's reply. Everyone separated and went to a table close to the middle of the cafe, Kibum then dropped the plastic bag onto the table as he told Changsun to go and get some plates.

“I wonder if we should eat the chicken now...” Kibum wondered.

“We have cake too, we should probably eat that first.” Minho offered. Kibum looked over to Minho, seemingly acknowledging the idea. Kibum glanced at Jinki and he nodded that it was fine, they could eat the cake first. Taemin jumped, cheered and danced at that.

“Yah, Taemin ah! This isn't your birthday party!” scolded Kibum.

“Yeah, but it might as well be! Perfect cake, perfect food, perfect location and the Kim Jonghyun is here! How did you guys get him to come?” The little fan boy in Taemin was coming out as he gestured to Jonghyun before running up to Jonghyun and grinning. Jonghyun couldn't help but smile back, the boy was adorable.

“Well...,” Kibum started, “He just came here of his own free will, so you should ask him.” Kibum said this while taking out the cake from that plastic bag.

“Ooh, vanilla.” Jinki crooned. He sat down in a chair at the table and observed the cake, a bit like Kibum and Minho expected.

“Well, Jonghyun hyung? How come you're here?” Taemin asked enthusiastically while pointing at the floor.

Oh if only Jonghyun could find the words to tell Taemin why he was here. What should he say? I think I'm in love with your friend but I don't know but I couldn't stop thinking about him so regardless of it all, I came? No, that's too long anyway, so Jonghyun settled for something simple.

“Well, Jinki and I became friends a while ago and I thought I'd visit him. It just so happens that today is his birthday! So, I guessed I kind of got lucky to since I came here now, huh?”

“Yeah, definitely!” Taemin replied. Taemin then walked up to Jinki, pulled the lower hem of his own sweater out - and at that Jonghyun wondered what the hell was going on - and he pulled out a party hat which he promptly placed on Jinki's head, smiling the entire time.

“Taemin, what the hell?” Kibum whined. Ah thank God someone else thought that was a little... strange because no one else in the room seemed to, not even Minho.

“What? I was just giving hyung his party hat! You know, cause we're having a kind of eleventh hour party?” Kibum was going to ask Taemin how he knew that phrase but then Changsun rushed in with a bunch of plates.

“Uh, how many of us are there? Six? Oh who cares...” He murmured the last part as he placed six plates on the table, arranged them and then he ran back into the employee room to put back the extras. Kibum was going to say something but then Changsun ran back out, successfully cutting him off, again.

“So who's gonna cut the cake with Onyu, huh? It should be me right? Since I-” Changsun was cut off by a clout to the head by Kibum.

“Stop interrupting me!” Kibum glared at him while he complained that Kibum would give him brain damage one day and he'd regret it. His reply was a scoff.

“Anyway,” Kibum sighed. “How are we going to do this?” He gestured to the cake and then to Jinki.

“Why don't we all just cut it with him?”

“That would be great, but how are six people supposed to hold a little knife like this?” Kibum held up the paring knife, shaking it around a little.

“OH GOD KIBUM PLEASE DON'T WAVE THAT AROUND YOU'LL KILL ME!” Changsun screamed while running behind Jinki and hiding underneath his chair. And no one could help it, they all ended up laughing.

“I have an idea,” Minho spoke. Kibum looked relieved saying,

“Thank God someone decent!”

“Why don't we let Jonghyun cut the cake with Jinki? Since he seems to be feeling awkward.”

“So much for decency, I have lost all respect for you Minho.” Kibum said fixing Minho a nice, long stare. Minho just smiled at him.

“Oh yeah, that would be nice! It'd be great for Jonghyun and Jinki to be able to get closer to each other!” Taemin agreed. If Taemin and Jinki could only understand the full implications of that sentence, then maybe they wouldn't be so eagerly agreeing to it. Taemin ran up to Jonghyun, grabbed his wrist and pulled him over to Jinki while everyone else just stood there trying to process everything. He felt kind of excited but...

Jonghyun's heart was not ready for this.

Taemin had positioned him and Jinki in such a way that he stood behind Jinki, one hand on the other man's shoulder while the Jonghyun's other hand was cautiously wrapped around the birthday boy's hand - which was strangely soft, not that Jonghyun cared. He could feel death threats being silently sent to him again in glares, one of which he was sure was coming from Kibum.

Jinki was simply smiling as they carefully cut the cake, a piece for everyone, six pieces in total. That meant they cut the circular treat at least twelve times. That meant Jonghyun had reflexively squeezed Jinki's hand twelve times, and Jinki didn't notice, but Kibum did, as did Changsun and Minho. And Jonghyun saw the stares coming from Changsun and Kibum and the look of realization that had finally and fully crawled onto Minho's face.

Oh, how Jonghyun wished he knew what all of this was going to amount to.

Jonghyun then let go of Jinki when he thought they were done cutting up the cake and Jinki proceeded to put the pieces of cake onto plates so everyone could start eating. They all picked up their forks and were about to stick it into their pieces when they were suddenly stopped.

“Wait!” Oh, they were waiting, it was obvious now that everyone was hungry and if Taemin didn't make this quick, soon he would be waiting - to be admitted to a hospital.

“Let's do that thing! Where we feed the birthday boy a piece of our cake and he feeds us a piece of his!” A simple, innocent suggestion. What reason had anyone to deny? Besides, the blond boy obviously had no intentions of waiting for objections as he exclaimed that he would go first, running over to Jinki. The others fell into a chaotic line behind the boy, sneakily fighting for who would go next and why. In the end, they settled on standing in some weird order of height, really there was no order, with Minho behind Taemin and Jonghyun at the end of the line because 'he's so short'. Jonghyun let them know that he did not appreciate that comment, at all.

“Say 'ah' hyung!” Taemin sang. He completely ignored the commotion behind him as he fed his hyung a piece of his cake, all smiles. Jinki imitated the 'ah' sound and opened his mouth to receive the cake. The cake was warm, moist and it tasted nice, that was all it took for Jinki to beam at Taemin once he swallowed the vanilla sweetness. Taemin opened his mouth while attempting to say “Give me some now hyung,” with a smile.

“Yah, hurry it up!” Changsun yelled from behind Kibum. Kibum wasted no time in elbowing Changsun in the stomach while growling at him to not rush his children. Jinki took a piece of his cake and held it out to Taemin who leaned forward and chomped it. He then grinned at Jinki giving a thumbs up before running off to sit at the table they were at before while Minho took his place in front of Jinki. Minho stuck his fork into the cake and broke off a piece while grinning with Jinki.

“Hyung, say 'ah'...” Minho offered the cake to Jinki's waiting mouth. Jinki had barely chewed the cake before he grinned back at Minho who laughed in response and patted his hyung's shoulder. Kibum then reprimanded them for playing with their food while Jinki showed everyone his cake mouth causing much laughter, even from Kibum. Jinki fed Minho a piece of his cake and then Minho shuffled off to sit next to Taemin.

“Oh, my dearest child!” Kibum skipped up to Jinki. “You must make sure to eat all of this and present yourself properly! Also, make sure you do not accept gifts from strangers! Don't go home with them either! Now, say 'ah'!” Kibum said all of this as he readied a piece of cake for Jinki while looking the older male in the eyes. Jinki was amazed at this display of 'Kibum-ness' and he dumbly nodded, saying 'ah' and eating the cake that was almost shoved into his mouth. Jinki started laughing as Kibum gave him a slightly worried look. Kibum then grabbed the fork from Jinki's hand, took a piece of Jinki's cake and then fed Jinki again before he took a chunk and ate it.

“Since I fed you twice, I should get twice as big a piece, don't you agree?” Kibum grinned then waltzed off, joining Minho and Taemin at the table. Next, Changsun took a big step up to Jinki, causing Jinki to reflexively lean back and almost fall over in the process. Changsun could feel two steady gazes penetrating the back of his head, one of which he was sure was Kibum. Maybe the other was Jonghyun? Changsun grinned at Jinki.

“I'm surprised you haven't dropped your cake yet.” Changsun sang.

Jinki beamed at him, “Don't jinx me Joonie hyung!” Changsun grinned at the nickname and told Jinki to eat the cake without biting his tongue. Jinki masticated the cake and then stuck out his tongue at Changsun, drawing a faux look of disgust from Changsun while playful 'ews' and scoldings were directed at them. Jinki swallowed the vanilla mush and then stabbed his fork into the cake, broke off a piece and then shoved it into Changsun's mouth. Changsun tried not to laugh as he ate the cake while Jinki grinned at him and pushed him to go and sit with Kibum and the others.

“You are so gross Changsun.” Kibum said fixing him a stare of disapproval. Changsun swallowed the cake and his jaw dropped as he protested that he did nothing. Kibum simply ignored him and continued his conversation with Minho while Taemin gave Changsun a sympathetic look as he leaned across the table and patted Changsun's head. Changsun just pouted.

Jonghyun then walked up to Jinki. Finally, he's been waiting and watching for so long! Everyone else has had their moment with Jinki and his cake and Jonghyun was starting to wonder if he would ever get a chance. Jonghyun started grinning at Jinki who grinned back - with the cutest eye smile Jonghyun has ever witnessed. Ever. Jonghyun grinned back, ah, what else could he do? And what should he say now?

“Pretty amazing huh? We just met and now I'm already at your birthday party!” Jonghyun chuckled out. He stuck his fork into the cake.

“Yep! Maybe we were friends in a past life! Or something like that..?” Jinki laughed.

“Huh, maybe.” Jonghyun moved the forkful of cake to Jinki's mouth. 'That would have been nice,' a simple thought and Jonghyun repressed the urge to ponder on it any longer.

“Are you guys gonna feed each other cake or keep making moony-eyes at each other?” Changsun yelled earning him a clout from Kibum while Jinki and Jonghyun had shocked looks on their faces. Moony-eyes? Jonghyun did no such thing and even if he did, well then he could do it all he wanted! But it's not like he did. Jonghyun mimicked Changsun as he fed Jinki which had the birthday boy trying to hold in his laughter as he ate and really, it was adorable but Jonghyun decided he would take the slightest of pity on the boy so he smiled a little as Jinki struggled to swallow the cake without spitting it onto Jonghyun.

“What's going on there? What perverted things are you guys talking about?” Changsun really wouldn't stop bothering them. And Kibum wouldn't stop abusing Changsun and Jonghyun was beginning to understand why.

“Really Changsun! There's no way that's going on!” Kibum repeatedly hit Changsun's shoulder then he added, quietly, “If that was really going on Jinki's face would be red.” Then he snickered, a sound akin to 'hee hee hee', drawing out laughter from Changsun, Minho and Taemin, and then he turned in his seat to completely face a mortified Jonghyun who had a hand covering his mouth, oh he was trying so hard not to laugh, and an equally mortified Jinki who was covering his face but left a space between his fingers so he could peek through at Kibum.

“So there is no way something like that is going on, right?” Kibum said loudly.

“No...” came the child-like responses of Jonghyun and Jinki as Jonghyun turned back to like at the birthday boy and the both started laughing as quietly as they possibly could, which wasn't very quietly at all. Jinki then tried to feed Jonghyun but every time his fork neared Jonghyun's mouth, they both broke into fits of laughter. What was so funny, they really didn't know. Eventually, Jonghyun grabbed Jinki's hand and directed it to his mouth. He chomped the piece of cake, chewing it up and quickly swallowing it, grinning like mad at Jinki afterwards. Jinki was shocked, Jonghyun knew it, Jinki's face showed it even though he was smiling. Regardless, Jonghyun never felt so brave before in his life, especially not so suddenly. He had done it before his brain even registered what he was doing.

Jonghyun and Jinki then joined the others at the table, glancing at each other and smiling whenever they realized the other was looking at them. The six of them spent the rest of the night chatting, eating and playing around making fools of themselves and each other as best as they could. It was one of the longest days of Jonghyun's life and he was sure he would regret staying up so late and eating so much junk but...

It was one of the best days he has ever had, and Jonghyun knew it wouldn't be the last one he would experience with these unique people whom he happened upon and it wouldn't be the last with Jinki.

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Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

A/N: TT-TT I am so sorry... but the insanely long chapter makes up for the extremely (unjustified) long wait, right? I am so sorry. In my defense it was because I have exams, so I expect all of you to enjoy this story and stuff! Just kidding (but it would be nice if you could enjoy it. :D)