‘Taemin? I thought we agreed today was my family day? I have things planned-‘

‘Look, I know what we agreed, but right now I need your help…’

‘What on Earth with?’

‘I need you to do something for me…’

‘What.’

‘Look Jongin, I have a serious problem here and I would appreciate your co-operation for once in our useless friendship.’

‘…Fine.’

‘Good! Now listen closely. There is a certain…designer…I need you to go and check out…He has some designs I’m interested in…’

***

Jongin put the phone down, the plastic clacking back into its holder on the coffee table as he buried his hands in his hair.

‘Jongin, who was that?’ called a voice from the kitchen as Jongin stood and reached for his jacket that was draped over the sofa back.

‘Just Taemin…’ Jongin called back, grabbing his keys from the table and checking his mobile was in his pocket.

‘What does he want now?’ The voice spoke much closer this time and Jongin turned round to face the wide eyed boy in the doorway.

‘It’s something quick Kyungsoo, I promise! I’ll be back in an hour and if I’m not I give you permission to release the hounds on me.’ Jongin said playfully as he pulled Kyungsoo closer.

Kyungsoo continued to stare up at him, brow furrowed and pouting.

‘But today is our day!’ Kyungsoo protested weakly, turning his face away and refusing to reciprocate Jongin’s touch.

‘And it still will be, I just have to do something really quickly! I’ll be back in one hour, one hour, I promise…’ Jongin murmured sadly when Kyungsoo still wouldn’t look at him. ‘I know you don’t like Taemin, but he’s been my best friend since the dawn of time-‘

There it goes. The guilt trip.

‘Fine! Just be quick…’ Kyungsoo relents, arms crossed across his chest. Jongin smiled and pecked Kyungsoo on the cheek quickly.

‘I’ll be back soon Soo! Love you!’ Jongin called as he rushed to the front door, slipping his shoes off and dashing out, keys jangling in his hand.

Kyungsoo just sighed and shook his head.

‘Love you too, you big idiot.’

***

‘Ah! Mr Kim, what brings you here today? If you’re looking for Taemin this is really the wrong place to be-‘ Started the receptionist as Jongin made his way through the front doors of the prestigious ‘Kim Key Clothing, offices and studios’.

Jongin just smiled sweetly at the receptionist as she sat at her pristine desk typing away at a white keyboard.

‘Ah, no, I’m not looking for Taemin. In fact I’ve been sent to pick something up for him? Mr Kim Kibum left him a folder in one of the studios last time he was here, I’ve come to pick it up.’ Jongin bluffed with a charming smile.

‘Oh? That’s odd… Well I suppose Mr Kim works in mysterious ways hmm?’ The receptionist joked as she typed on her computer before reaching for a plastic visitors pass and handing it to Jongin.

‘Go straight up then, Taemin was in studio 3 last time he was here. Maybe the folder has been left there for you to get.’ She finished helpfully as Jongin bowed and thanked her, taking off in the directions of the elevators.

Jongin read along the numbers on the elevator. Studio 3 – Floor 10. But instead of reaching for the tenth button, he skimmed over it and pressed Floor 15.

Kibum's private studio.

He hit the button and pushed away to lean against the far wall of the elevator, head resting on the cool metal. He sighed sadly as he thought of his task. Taemin had asked him to go and find Kibum’s designs for the show and take photographs of them. Jongin had accepted because Taemin was his friend. His best friend. But he didn’t understand why Taemin need photos of his arch nemesis’s designs. Jongin wished he could assume it was for a good cause, but deep down he knew that Taemin was up to something and he couldn’t help but feel sick to his stomach that he had to get involved in potentially ruining Kibum's career.

Jongin had never met the infamous Kim Kibum but he knew enough about his and Taemin’s past to see how deep the hatred ran between the two. Of course, as Taemin’s friend, Jongin should take his side always, but after hearing of what conspired all those years ago, he couldn’t help but pity Key, and hate his own best friend just that little bit more.

Ding!

The elevator came to a grinding halt and Jongin was shuffling out into the empty corridor ahead.

Well, here goes nothing.

I’m really sorry Kibum.

***

It was a week before the show.

Everything was chaotic.

Jonghyun and Kibum decided they would keep their relationship low-key for the time being, not even telling Yuna about the recent developments and explaining that Jonghyun just crashed at Kibum's that night out of pure exhaustion. After all, at this point they really didn’t need more drama happening particularly not if (god forbid) the media were to find out. Instead they settled with being together in secret, and for now they were content with that, it was a big deal to both of them, they didn’t want to rush things.

As for Taemin, he had been quite quiet recently, much to Kibum's delight. Key had been enjoying the absence of the deceitful designer at the rehearsals, and had been able to relax and feel content with the knowledge that he himself was well prepared for the upcoming event. That all sounds great right?

Wrong.

‘Ok people!’ Yoongi called as he stood at the front of the stage. He held his trusty clipboard, headset in place as lights flickers and moved behind him. The sea of designers sat in the stalls, personal assistants seated next to them and coffee cups held by everyone. ‘Today marks a week until the show! What does that mean?’ Yoongi asked rhetorically ‘It’s time to bring out the collections!’ A murmur passed over the small crowd and Yoongi clapped for quiet.

‘I have news from everyone that collections are all finished and, to my knowledge, were shipped here two days ago. He continued flicking through the pages in front of him. ‘You should all now have with you the finally running order that I would like to run today complete with outfits and musical acts. Up first I would like Baekhyun, Leo and Taemin to have their models all set up as you guys will be opening up the first part. Thank you everybody, let’s get to it!’

Kibum stood from his seat, tugging at the chunky sweater he wore and running a hand through his perfect hair. He scanned the other designers, smiling at Baekhyun as he excitedly bounced away backstage, freakishly tall PA running after him in a flurry of paper and dyed hair.

‘Kibum!’ Purred a voice to his side and Key spun round quickly.

‘Ah Taemin, hi, how are you?’ He asked through clenched teeth.

‘Oh I’m quite fabulous, how about you my dear? You look tired.’ He pouted in a fake display of sympathy ‘How’s Jonghyun?’ Taemin added and Kibum froze.

‘He’s fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine’ Kibum smiled sweetly.

‘Hmm’ Taemin cooed ‘Good luck today Key. I mean it. You’ll need it…’ Taemin finished before walking off backstage leaving Key stood in confusion in the empty stalls.

What did he mean ‘You’ll need it’? What was going on with him? Key just shrugged slightly, straightening his back and lifting his head higher. Taemin will not ruin his mood, not today and not ever, he’s Kim Kibum for heaven’s sake, World known designer with a gorgeous boyfriend. Petty children like Lee Taemin cannot shoot him down. After he finished his mini mental pep talk he left the stalls, heading backstage for a good viewing spot and to find Yuna and Jonghyun.

His collection was perfect and he was gonna flaunt it for what it was worth.

A/N Hey guys!! This was orignally gonna be a longer and better update but for some reaosn AFF is playing up and it's taking me forever to edit things so this will have to do for now, sorry!!

Also, thank you so much for over 2000 views!! Thats totally aweosme and i squealed like a smol child... This fic will probs start concluding soon (dont worry, lots more Jongkey before the finale) But don't worry cos i've already started a BTS/Yoonmin version of mean boys (it's total crack, i apologise for my mind)

Hope y'all have a lovely day/night!

Cherry x