This Thing We Call Love

Description

Kibum is still reeling after the end of a relationship, and the complexities that come with wanting to remain friends afterwards. Minho is yearning for the love of a man who's so focused on his ex that he can see no one else. Taemin is torn between confessing his love to his childhood friend and the fear of knowing all the things that can go wrong if he does. Jonghyun is trying so hard to chase after past memories that he nearly misses the opportunities in his current and his future. Jinki...? Well, no one really knows what's going on with him- but they're determined to find out.

Foreword

This is a multi-chaptered fic. I'm not entirely sure how long it'll be yet, but it'll be a doozy. Will also be very heavy on the angst, because that's my specialty.

ships :

  • JongKey (broken)
  • MinKey
  • TaeKai
  • JongYu

legend :

  • Kibum - Design major - third year
  • Minho - Theater Arts major - third year
  • Taemin - Performance Arts, dance concentration - second year
  • Jonghyun - Performance Arts, composition concentration - fourth year
  • Jinki - Engineering major, software concentration - fourth year
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roxy_1210 #1
Missing your updates 👉👈 🥺
minkeyama #2
Chapter 10: Eeeeeeeee!!! MinKey date!! I love their nerves and both of them calling Jinki 😆 They were so sweet and I’m happy for them ❤️ I loved everything about this update, especially Taemin crashing the date and then the four of them having a karaoke session. And I *really* enjoyed Jinki standing up to Changsun finally. Awesome as always! Thank you for this chapter 🫶
minkeyama #3
Chapter 9: I. Love. This. Story!!!
I’ve completely given up trying to predict what will happen each chapter because you always surprise me in the best ways. I just really like the whole vibe of this fic because it’s like dramatic and sort of angsty, but in a fun, low-stakes way because you can see how all the threads are coming together to give the characters what they need. Like Minho being good at handling Kibum’s insecurities by being stubborn and steadfast with his feelings. Like how the two of them challenge and push each other in ways that make them compatible. I really loved their scene together in this chapter (as per usual for me, haha). This line: "Or are you just so used to being hurt and unhappy that you're scared about how well we would work together?" hit just perfectly for me. I cannot WAIT to find out what you have planned for their date~~
Also Taemin being totally shameless was awesome 😆 I appreciate your characterization of him, especially with him being sort of emotionally needy (bc that boy very much needs words of affirmation) and how nicely Jongin balances that out. And Jongyu got STEAMY!! 😮‍💨 Jonghyun’s passion and his need for physical intimacy is so real. It pairs beautifully with Jinki’s restraint, which is why I always like them together in fic. Still really enjoying them figuring themselves out. I can tell you’ve put a lot of consideration into their storyline and character motivations. Also Jinki going to the surgeon!! I hope it will work out for him, but it could also be interesting if it doesn’t 🫢
Thank you writing this chapter. I hope you get some good sleep this weekend to make up for last night 💖
minkeyama #4
Chapter 8: I cannot believe you updated this so quickly! You are the BEST!!! I have been reading and rereading this chapter all day because if 7 was the hurt, then 8 is most definitely the comfort and I am a such er for it 😆
I really enjoyed the parts on the bus where Kibum and Minho were comforting Jonghyun and Jinki because it was lovely to see their friendships, especially Kibum and Jonghyun. It was nice that Kibum got some catharsis and accepted that Jjong really did love him. I also loved the Minho/Jinki solidarity of loving someone from the moment they met them 🤝 And GOSH—the MinKey of it all just got me all up in my feels 🥰🥰 I love how you write them so much! Kibum not wanting to change anything that happened because it made him see Minho, really see him 🥲 And the piggyback! And the cuddling!! Ah, my heart 💗 And omg the ending parts with Jongyu!! I can’t believe they finally talked to each other! And KISSED!! Ahhh, I’m so happy for them.
(Also because you wanted to know: I personally am very okay with , but I also agree that the story doesn’t necessarily need it if you don’t feel like writing it. I say just go where the words take you…I will follow diligently 😂)
roxy_1210 #5
Chapter 8: Omg my minkey heart 😍 ayyieee jongyu finally ❤️
stardom5 #6
Chapter 8: Chapter 8: I'm screaming and bawling (?) and screaming and—
Dang you know how to play with people's feelings dont you 🤣🤧😭 what a rollercoaster of emotions. I think this might be my most favorite updates so far: minkey, jongyu, and even taekai have all resolved something in their relationship and have a new start.

I experienced a lot of feelings like happiness and joy because kibum has admitted he likes minho AND the entire "youre the most handsome man in the entire world" scene in chapter 7 was really asdfbfjfjaaaaaaaaaaaa i cant even describe it in proper words! I! Am! So! Happy! Theyre so cute 😭 also love how Minho felt jealous but realized he doesnt need to worry anymore and is aware that kibum starts to like him back. AND ALSO THE CUDDLE? THE PIGGYBACK?????? And i assume kibum probably actually awoke during the entire journey to their shared room? IM ASCENDING THEYRE SO CUTE 😭🤚

AND JONGYU. GOD. The angst was *chefs kiss*. Perfect!! When Jinki said "i said i love you but you laugh", my heart broke with him but then i understand jjong's perspective too so it broke like, twice :'] i am so GLAD they finally admitted their feelings and be honest to each other. I didnt expect it'd be resolved this quick but I AM happy it did 🤧 when they had fist fight, i felt so sad T T

and aww, minkey handling each hyung to give them comfort that they needed is such a cute thing ;-;

Thank you for 2 updates at the same time! I am so glad to have something to look forward to every week 😆 See you next weekend too!

(Ps: the garlic thing was so funny lmaooo typical minkey. It made me chuckle in the middle ngl lol)
minkeyama #7
Chapter 7: Beach episode!!! And misunderstandings everywhere, ahhhh 😱 MinKey’s progression continues to give me life. Kibum struggling with his thirst 😂 Hopefully his little confession gives Minho some confidence. I love how sweet Minho is to him. And Taemin unlocked the ~boyfriend~ achievement, go Taemin!! Jongyu has me biting my nails though. I’m so interested to see how you resolve their fight. They need some serious group therapy 😆 Thanks as always for the update! I always look forward to it.
nedy90 #8
Chapter 7: Ugh.. jongyu really made me frustated at this point. Just kilss already kkk

But minkey rrally give me butterflies. I realllllly love reading their part here.
roxy_1210 #9
Chapter 6: Omg omg..this chapter is so cute 😍
Thank you for updating 🤗💎
stardom5 #10
Chapter 6: Chapter 6: I dont usually read fanfics with kibum's otps other than minkey even when minkey is a main pairing, but im glad i decided to read this one. At first, because its well yeah, its minkey but also theres jongyu which is my 2nd favorite shinee otp :')

And then when i started to read, the plot's flow really me in and i found myself enjoying this.

Also let me scream at that scene in the kitchen when kibum hugged minho first and then minho told him he'll drop everything for kibum always 😭 its so cute. And then he clings onto minho after! It IS SO CUTE. And omg somehow jongyu is the most angsty here 😭 noooo our two yeonggams T T hope they get together soon. Loving this fic!
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