“He did what ?!” Taemin shouted from the living room.

Minho smiled when he heard his boyfriend’s panicked voice.

“He hasn’t done it yet, but he’s thinking about it.”

Taemin sat down at the bar separating the kitchen from the living room while Minho was making dinner. He always took care of the food. Taemin didn’t know how to cook and the only thought of him being in the kitchen, turning the stove on or holding knives, was enough to send shivers down Minho’s spine. He needed to avoid that at all cost. Taemin was a scatterbrained young man, and he had already left for work while leaving the stove on. His apartment had even nearly been destroyed several times.

“But he can’t do that ! I already introduced Mina to Jinki !”

“Yes, and we know how that ended…”

“She just told me he barely spoke to her. You know as well as me that Jinki isn’t much of a talker. Who knows ? It might be a good sign.”

“Taemin, Jinki isn’t interested in blind dates.”

“And what is Jonghyun planning on doing exactly ? Because it sure seems like one to me !”

“It’s different…”

“You’re saying that because you agree with him !”

“What ? No !”

Taemin raised an eyebrow at him and Minho sighed.

“Well… I admit that I thought about it too.”

“Why is everybody against me ?” Taemin said, leaning on the bar and looking a bit like a kicked puppy.

Minho smiled and started setting the table.

“Look, Jonghyun and I have known Jinki for years. Your plan won’t work.”

“Hey ! My ideas are great, okay ?”

“Your previous idea was great.”

“Yeah, I can see that…” He said with a snort. “It was so great you guys want to do it again. But it won’t work, these kind of plans only work once !”

“We can’t be sure until we’ve tried it.”

Taemin sighed and looked up at his boyfriend, suddenly looking very serious.

“We’ve talked about that before, and you know as much as me that it won’t end well.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“You’re too optimistic… You should at least ask Jinki, see what he thinks.”

“Are you kidding ? We can’t ask him that !”

“But it has to come from him !”

“It will never come from him. Jinki is never going to do something like that himself, he needs to be presented with the situation once it’s done. Which is why your first idea was genius !”

“Maybe, but… The stakes are way too high. What you’re planning to do, it’s… If you’re right and it goes wrong, Jinki will be hurt again.”

Minho heaved a sigh. This idea was indeed risky, but Jonghyun and himself both firmly believed it would work. He was tired of seeing his best friend unhappy and lonely, and he knew that this idea - if it worked - could change everything. Jinki deserved to be happy after everything he’s been through, and they were determined to make it happen if they had to.

……………………..

Jinki smiled when he saw Taemin and Mina come in and went to them.

“Jinki ! How are you doing ?”

“Fine, what about you ?”

Taemin looked a bit surprised when he heard his answer. Jinki was not one to beat around the bush. He would usually ask him why he was here with a tired expression… so seeing him answer like that was new.

“We were going to have a drink again, want to join us ?”

“Why not ?” Jinki said with a small smile.

A huge smile appeared on Taemin’s face. He had trouble fighting the urge to do a happy dance. Jinki had accepted to go with them without a complaint ! It was so rare these days. I knew my plan would work ! He thought. Take that, Jonghyun and Minho !

“Let’s go !” He said, smiling.

To Taemin’s surprise, Jinki actively took part in the conversation this time, and he even seemed eager to talk ! He asked questions to Mina and Taemin couldn’t help but smile. After a while, he said he had a date with Minho as an excuse to leave the two of them alone, and Jinki bid him goodbye with a smile.

Mina texted him about an hour later, saying that she had had a great time with Jinki and that he was very sweet. Taemin got up from the couch and rushed to Minho in the bathroom.

“Taemin… I’m taking a shower right now…”

He was used to Taemin’s serious boundary issues, but it didn’t stop him from hoping his boyfriend would some day understand the notion of personal space. He sighed when his boyfriend held up his phone proudly.

“But look ! She told me she had fun ! And Jinki was a real gentleman ! He was different today, Minho… He seemed happy.”

Minho got out of the shower and grabbed a towel, tying it around his waist.

“So ?”

“So what ?” Taemin asked. “My plan worked !”

“Oh come on, he was out for what ? Two hours ? I want to see what happens in the long run.”

“My plan worked, I’m telling you ! It worked !”

“Sorry Taemin, but Jonghyun and I won’t change our minds.”

Taemin pouted and left the bathroom, whispering a ‘just because you’re on his side…’ and Minho smiled. He was happy to hear Taemin’s plan had worked, but he couldn’t help but doubt Jinki’s honesty. It wouldn’t have been the first time he lied to get rid of them, after all.

………………………..

Jinki heaved a sigh when he got home. What wasn’t he ready to do to get Taemin to leave him alone… He hoped Taemin didn’t ask him to go for a drink with his colleague again. He was obviously trying to get them to date each other, and Jinki didn’t like it one bit. He didn’t want to meet anyone, he had been very clear on that point. And so when Taemin had introduced his friend to him and had lied saying that Minho had forgotten his keys to leave them alone together, Jinki had been very upset. He had thought of calling Taemin to lecture him but he had changed his mind. Taemin was as stubborn as himself, and he probably wouldn’t give up until he had what he wanted.

Jinki had naively thought Taemin would leave him alone if he looked more interested in Mina. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Taemin had immediately texted him saying he had given his phone number to Mina, and that she would probably text him soon. Jinki felt like hitting his head against a wall.

His phone buzzed an hour later, signaling he had a text.

Hi, Jinki… It’s Mina :)

Taemin gave me your number, I hope you’re okay with it !

I had a lovely evening and I thought maybe we could do it again some time ?

See you xoxo ;)

Jinki wanted to kill Taemin. He didn’t answer the text and put his phone back in his pocket. While doing so, his hand brushed a small paper card and he took it out.

It was Key’s card.

He stared at it for a while before grabbing his phone out of his pocket. He stopped himself just before dialing the number and shook his head, putting his phone away.

He couldn’t.

He put the small card back in his pocket.

………………………..

Minho was searching through his boyfriend’s stuff when the latter came back home after work.

“What are you doing ?” Taemin asked, frowning.

“Nothing… Nothing at all...”

Taemin raised an eyebrow at him and crossed his arms. Minho looked away. It was obvious that he was looking for something but he didn’t want to tell Taemin. He knew the other wouldn’t give him the thing he was looking for if he asked directly.

“I had a busy day and I’m exhausted, so stop beating around the bush and tell me what you’re looking for.”

Minho sighed. Well, now he didn’t have a choice anymore. Why did Taemin had to come home so early ? He usually came back home late because he liked to talk to his colleagues. He must have wanted to go home because he was tired.

“Jonghyun asked me to look for Key’s number...” Taemin’s eyes widened. “You’re the one who called him last time, you’re the only who has his number.”

Taemin sighed.

“I know you’re against the idea but your plan failed… Mina sent Jinki a text and he never replied. Jonghyun saw Jinki yesterday and nothing has changed !”

Without a word, Taemin went to his bedroom and came back a few seconds later, holding a small card. Minho held out his hand to grab it but Taemin retracted his hand.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“I know, but it’s the only idea we have. Jinki won’t change his mind on his own.”

Taemin reluctantly gave Minho the card, and the latter thanked him.

…………………….

Jinki was sitting at his desk when the maid knocked on the door.

“Yes ?” He said without looking up.

Mrs Park opened the door slightly and walked in.

“Mr Lee, a young man is here to see you, should I let him in ?”

He looked up, frowning.

“A young man ?”

“The young man from the other day.”

Jinki’s eyes widened and he immediately moved from behind his desk and to the door.

“Let him in.”

Mrs Park bowed and opened the door to let Key come in. She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Jinki felt a warm feeling in his stomach at the sight of Key. He was wearing a simple pair of black pants, a small jumper with blue and yellow stripes, and thin round glasses.

“What… What are you doing here ?”

Key smiled.

“I was hired to spend the weekend with you… again.”

“Hired ? By who ?”

“It’s a secret.”

Jinki couldn’t help but smile.

“They’re afraid of me shouting at them, aren’t they ?”

“I think so.”

A peaceful silence fell on them, both of them not knowing what to say.

“You’re not upset, are you ? I know you hate it when people take decisions for you.” Key asked, breaking the silence.

“Oh ! No, not at all.”

Key giggled and Jinki couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m sorry, did I say something funny ?”

“No, it’s just… The person who hired me said you were too chicken to call me yourself. His words, not mine.”

Jonghyun. It had to be Jonghyun. Minho wasn’t one to say things like that to someone he didn’t know and seeing how much effort Taemin put in trying to get Jinki to date his colleague Mina, he very much doubted it was him.

“I’m going to have to talk to this person.”

“Oh… You know who hired me ?”

“Now I do.”

Key bit his lower lip nervously and Jinki smiled.

“Don’t worry, it’s not your fault I guessed who it was. And Jonghyun isn’t one to hold a grudge.”

“I don’t want him to get in trouble…”

“Would you rather have me keep it a secret ?”

Key nodded.  

“Very well.”

He would have to keep himself from scolding Jonghyun. It would be rather difficult but for some reason, he couldn’t find it in himself to say no to Key.

He escorted him to the guest room and left him to settle down. Jinki got back to his office and met Sohye while she was putting away documents in a folder.

“The young man from last time came back ?”

“You already know ?” Jinki asked, surprised. “He just arrived.”

“I saw him in the hallway not long ago.”

Jinki put his glasses on, staring down at the mail on his desk, when Sohye spoke again.

“He is beautiful, Jinki.”

Jinki froze.

“What are you saying, exactly ?”

“Nothing, I’m just stating a fact.”

Jinki doubted it was all she meant. She obviously hadn’t said that for no reason and her words clearly meant something. He could still feel her eyes on him and he knew she was thinking about something.

“There’s no need to stare at me like that, Sohye. Spit it out.”

“It’s just that… No, nothing.”

“Just say it.”

“You’ve been so lonely these past few days… Everyone is starting to worry, everyone is trying to lift up your mood. Your employees, me, your friends… But none of us knows how to make you smile like that boy does. He makes you feel better.”

Jinki didn’t know what to respond to that. He had to admit he felt better when Key was there. These past few weeks had been the less tolerable he had spent for a long time. And even if he hated Jonghyun for taking a decision like that without his consent, a small part of him couldn’t help but feel thankful for doing what he wasn’t capable of doing.

He stayed silent and Sohye decided to talk about something else.

“Oh, just to remind you, Mr Bang took his afternoon and his evening off.”

Jinki sighed. He had forgotten the cook had taken his afternoon off. It was obviously impossible for him to cook, since the kitchen was not adapted to his condition.

“I completely forgot.”

“I can still cook you something. Except if your friend knows how to cook.”

Jinki frowned. Did Key know how to cook ? He would have to ask him later.

“I’ll ask him.”

“Alright.”

The afternoon went by in a blur. He had hurried to finish to deal with the bills he had received. He always had a lot of medical bills to pay, as well his employees’ wages to pay as well. Jinki had always thought dealing with papers took too much time in his life, maybe he should have hired a secretary.

He headed for the guest room to see Key. He had to ask him if he knew how to cook to know if he had to tell Sohye to cook something before leaving. She usually could take one to two nights off per week and this time, she had chosen to take her friday night off. He needed an answer quickly.

Jinki entered the corridor and frowned when he heard music coming from one of the guest rooms. He knocked on the door but no one answered. The music was probably too loud for Key to hear him knocking. He grabbed the door handle and slowly opened the door.

He completely froze at the scene before him. The radio was and playing a happy song. Key was standing in front of the radio, his back facing Jinki. He was wearing his usual silk burgundy robe and was dancing to the song. He had a hairbrush in his right hand and seemed to be using it as a microphone.

“y on high heels !” Key sang.

Jinki couldn’t help but smile at the scene happening before him. His eyes fell on Key’s body moving along to the music and he couldn’t take his eyes off him. The robe had slipped off one of his shoulders, revealing his smooth milky white skin.

“High, high, high heels ~”

Key turned around and froze, one arm up and a hairbrush in his other hand. The song was still playing and Jinki was staring at Key with an amused smirk. He was struggling to hold back a laugh. Key looked absolutely horrified to have been caught like that and he couldn’t move. His face suddenly became as red as his robe and he rushed to the radio to turn it off.

“I’m sorry to bother you...”

Key still had that embarrassed look on his face and Jinki couldn’t fight it anymore. He burst out laughing.

“Yah ! You don’t look sorry at all, you liar !”

Jinki calmed down and raised an eyebrow at him. It was the first time Key talked to him that way. The younger slapped his hand against his mouth, his eyes wide. He had just shouted in an unrespectful manner at his client and he bowed to apologize.

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be, it’s nothing. You don’t have to be so formal with me. I thought we could stop being so formal with each other anyway.”

“Really ?”

“We’re almost the same age and I’m not really your boss, since I didn’t hire you myself… Or would you rather us staying formal with each other ?”

“No !”

Key smiled shyly and Jinki thought then that the weekend got off to a rather good start.

 

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Hey everyone ! :D

So what did you think of this chapter ? Yeeey ! Key is back !
Just to let you know, the song Key is listening to is 'High heels' by Brave Girls.
Key dancing to girl group songs is one of my weaknesses...

Talking about songs, have you seen SHINee's new MV ? I swear, it looks like SM just wanted to do a 2min fanfic trailer ! :')

 

Thanks to all the new subscribers, by the way ! ♥ I hope you liked the chapter ! :D
Don't hesitate to comment ! :D It motivates me a lot !