2:20PM

 

"Damn!" he cursed looking at his watch. His train would arrive in 5 minutes. He didn't have time to wait another half an hour for the next one. He swiftly changed his pace to running but suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

"What's this smell? So alluring..." he murmured as if in trance and turned around to see who it came from. However, he only could see a group of people scattered around. While trying to search more, he realized he had to catch the train.

With regretful heart he shook his head to get rid of any unnecessary thoughts and once again picked up his pace and started sprinting.

He arrived just in time for his train. The moment he hurriedly got on, the train started to drive away. He took a big breath before looking for a seat. As he sat down, he once again remembered that nice and alluring scent he passed by, regretfully. He couldn't help but sigh a little and with reluctant heart put the happening behind himself, hoping to forget so it wouldn't weight on him.

 

~~~

 

"Ya, Taemin!" Kibum called his once again spacing friend. He has been doing it occasionally, remembering that scent that has put him under the spell, which almost made him forget he had had a train to catch. He still felt regretful he let that someone slip away this easily but it's not like he had any other choice. Had it been any other day, he would gladly miss his train and try to find them. Regretfully, on that certain day he had very important matter to attend. It was the funeral of his friend's grandmother, who has taken care of Kibum since he had been very little. The other was very affected by her passing and mourned a few days. It was already a week since then and the other was almost to his old self again.

Taemin was also very fond of the other's grandmother, but it didn't affect him as much. She has had always been such a good sport and joked with them with no reserve, she was also in the know of her grandson's uality and supported him without any prejudice when he came out, she's also been the one to convince Kibum's parents to not forsake him and love him regardless. Taemin greatly admired her and aspired to become someone like she, always forgiving, understanding and loving without conditions.

"Taemin! You deaf!?" Kibum bellowed again very close to the other's ear, making him snap out of his reverie.

"Yeah? What do you want?" Taemin asked as he grimaced and held his ear, as if trying to get the other's yell out of it. Kibum changed his stance before he spoke again, this time softer.

"Are you gonna come with me to the karaoke?" Kibum asked with a glint in his eyes, Taemin didn't notice however. He considered a little and then asked when it was. Kibum wanted to smack him across the head but held himself and ever so "kindly" repeated himself.

"Tonight, you blockhead!" Ignoring his insult, Taemin considered if he had something planned tonight, and coming to conclusion that he had nothing important, he answered.

"Ok, I'll come." Kibum smiled gleefully, he hit the other's back softly in happiness. Taemin wanted to cheer the other up so any plans he had could wait, not like it was anything of importance anyway. What he failed to notice however was Kibum's a little too happy reaction, his glinting eyes and his smirk that he so professionally hid.

 

~~~

 

Taemin and Kibum finally arrived to the karaoke the latter supposedly reserved. The former had no suspicions whatsoever when Kibum insisted on this one, way far from their houses. He wasn't the brightest when it came to the other's "evil" plans.

"Choi Minho." Kibum answered when the receptionist asked under whose name was the reservation. Taemin blinked his eyes hearing such a foreign name. He then looked at the other sceptically, Kibum just flashed him toothy smile and quickly dragged him to the room, not giving him any chance to pry.

"Sorry we're a little late!" Kibum immediately apologized when they entered. There were two other guys, not one Taemin knew. He wasn't good with strangers and didn't really like meeting other people so out of the blue. He gave Kibum a quick death stare and hid behind him as much as he could.

"No worries, we also just came." The taller of the two replied with a smile almost blinding, his hair were silver and his clothes very model like, black ripped skinny jeans and white oversized shirt. His face small and features handsome, his body slim but obviously toned. Taemin knew he was Kibum's style right away.

"Hi," the taller one smiled, "I'm Choi Minho."

His eyes then fell on the guy with a sweet smile next to the one with godlike body. His hair were golden brown, his eyes like a crescent moons when smiling and he wore plain but suitable clothes. He had on simple black shirt and blue jeans that hug his thighs, making Taemin notice his muscles. He wasn't as slim as the taller male, though his body was toned, too. Taemin found him pretty attractive, just as the other one, but he wasn't one to fight with Kibum over guys.

He swung both ways, not caring about the other's gender, if he liked them, he would go after them. He didn't care but whenever Kibum dragged him with him somewhere, there would be only guys most of the time. Not like he minded, but he couldn't help then to scoff at the other's obvious strategy. He had two to choose from so if he didn't like one, he could always try for the other, that was obviously if Taemin didn't call dibs on him. Kibum was the same as he, once he knew the other had interest in someone, never would he go and try to flirt with that one. They had tacit understanding and kept it.

"This is Lee Jinki." Minho introduced the other.

"Hello~" he said and smiled even more widely, if that was even possible. Kibum then took it upon himself and introduced themselves.

"Hi, I'm Kim Kibum," he spoke sweetly looking at the Minho guy, "and this is my friend Lee Taemin." Taemin only curtly nodded his head in response, his self-defence activating. Kibum mercilessly dragged him close when Minho indicated for them to sit. Kibum didn't hesitate to let go of the other and sit right next to Minho. Taemin having no other choice than to sit next to Jinki, not like he minded particularly, though.

When he sat however and breathed in, his nose was met by the alluring smell that made him blank out the whole week. He turned around in shock, his eyes meeting that of the shorter male. He quickly retracted his eyes and blushed deep scarlet. Well, that was awkward, he face-palmed inside, wanting to dig up hole in the ground and disappear in it. He didn't dare to lift his head in embarrassment but couldn't help than to breathe in that sweet smell, though he would never admit to it.

Awkward silence followed between them, while he noticed that Kibum and the taller male hit it off rather quickly, smiling and touching each other occasionally. His head was still slightly lowered when the guy with the alluring smell asked him.

"So," Jinki drew out trying to catch his attention, "did you also get dragged here?" Taemin was still hot in his face, trying to be as calm as he could in the presence of that scent that put him into spell. He didn't lift his face and instead just nodded his head reluctantly. He was awkward and shy person but he also knew he had to do something to impress the other so they could become something more than just acquaintances. He calmed his nerves before looking up and into the other's eyes.

"You, too?" He asked, so softly he was almost afraid the other didn't hear him. Jinki smiled and nodded in response. Taemin breathed a sigh of relief but almost became stone with the other's next words.

"But I'm glad I came." Jinki smiled so blindingly Taemin wanted to retort something along the lines, 'Is it okay for you to kill me with your scent, words and smile and not get arrested for it??!!' Yes, his heart was ready to give out. He blushed and in hurry tried to look down so he doesn't get found out. He once again tried to calm down his beating wildly heart, well, he WAS stimulated in his senses of hearing, sight and most of all smell. With his face burning hot, he murmured almost inaudibly.

"Me, too…" He didn't know if the other heard him or not since he refused to look at him but he assumed he did when a soft laugh entered his ears. He wanted to let the ground shallow him, his face almost burning him.

"Hey, you two, what are you gonna sing?" Kibum interrupted, to Taemin's great relief. Kibum looked at the two of them and couldn't help his smirk. It seems like his friend was about to cook himself. He and Minho were also getting along amazingly, he was such a nice, warm and good person with a great sense of humour. His overall appearance was also just his style, like he thought, his grandma really knew him like the back of her hand. She was the one to arrange this match-making and when he found out two weeks ago, he didn't really want to go. What if she was disappointed in the outcome or it made them awkward? However, since she passed away the week after, he decided to go and give it a try, regardless of the outcome. He took it as her last wish and wanted to keep it.

He didn't expect that both, he and Taemin, would find someone they were interested in. She was really such an all-knowing old lady, he smiled at the thought. His eyes becoming a little moist remembering his grandmother that was like mother to him. He quickly composed himself and shook his head in attempt to get rid of the thoughts about her. He once again focused on Minho, and his friend with his date.

Jinki took the book and swiftly reserved the song he wanted to sing, passing it to the male next to him. Taemin took it but almost dropped it when his hand brushed the other's one. His legs giving away, for once feeling happy that they were sitting and not standing. He also reserved a song in a swift manner and put the book on the table after closing it. He breathed a sigh in to calm down his nerves. He didn't really want to sing but Kibum was persistent and wouldn't let him off. He felt like crying, even considering running away but then he didn't know when or if he would ever meet the male with that alluring smell.

"Excuse me." He said and stood up, with hurried steps going to the bathroom. He needed to get away from that scent, otherwise it would suffocate him, in a good kinda way. Kibum noticed his friend and with a 'Sorry, I'll go with him.' to Minho, he followed after him. Minho only smiling in response, making Kibum give a smile, too.

 

~~~

 

"You like him?" Jinki asked the taller. Minho smiled sweetly in response, making the other smile, too. Minho remembered the day his landlady saw him and without reserve started asking him about this and that, he was greatly embarrassed by her blunt questions but he just couldn't bring himself to lie. He recalled the day with a smile, but sad heart, he knew she passed away but he couldn't attend her funeral at the time. He still regretted it but it's not like he could just cancel all his plans and go there, she wasn't even his family.

 

That day was when he came from work early for the first time since he moved here. It was already more than ten days but he had yet to meet his landlady. She was an older woman, almost 80 years old and he only heard good things about her when choosing which apartment to rent. He didn't consider all that much when everyone he asked told him nice things, even the most grumbling people, once asked had ever so slight smile on their face.

He was planning to formally introduce himself today, but he didn't expect to run into her in the hallway. She sized him up and while he gulped with nervousness, she smiled with a glint in her eyes. He wanted to run, what did she plan to do to him? His anxiety only grew with her first question.

"Are you into guys?" At first, he was dumbfounded, next he questioned if he heard her right. And finally, he broke into sweat, she wouldn't kick him out, right? He stayed silent for a few moments, the older lady did also not speak anymore and only watched him inquiringly. He gulped, considered laying but threw that out the window. For some reason, her aura made him want to be truthful and he also didn't want to upset her.

"Um," he hesitated but finally answered, "yes, I am." She almost started glowing, which startled him. He almost could SEE the glow around her. Wow, this is… amazing, he thought in awe. What he didn't expect were the questions that followed.

"Do you have a boyfriend currently?" He again hesitated but this time only for a very short while before he shook his head. She laughed in glee, startling him out of his wits. Why… did she laugh? Was she happy that he was single? Why? His thoughts got interrupted when she again spoke, only this time she was giving him something, too.

"What do you say about my grandson?" His mind was lost, she wanted to introduce him to her grandson? Wait a minute, so… she is trying to pair me up with her grandson? His mind was short-circuiting. But he did look at the photo of that guy, he indeed was attractive but how old was he anyway? She didn't even know my age, did she forget or didn't she mind?

"By the way, how old are you?" She wasn't one to care but still, she wanted to at least know how wide the was, not like any could stop her, she smiled.

"I'm twenty six." He replied, she did care after all. She must have forgotten or she would start with this question first. She dug into her mind and realized.

"Oh, that is great. Kibum is twenty three." She smiled sweetly. Minho couldn't help but be awed, was this older photo or something because the other seemed way younger than that. She frowned a little, making Minho wonder why but he didn't have to for long.

"Do you have any friend that is single, guy or girl?" Minho immediately thought about his best friend, Jinki. Seeing his quick nod, she smiled.

"Yes, guy." She seemed to think a little. Minho was still overwhelmed and didn't have time to think properly. She just went at her own pace without care in the world.

"Do you have his photo or something?" Minho tried to remember if he did and yes, he did have one recent. It was from birthday of their friend and he looked amazing so Minho snapped picture of him so he can show it when he tries to introduce him to someone. He took his phone out and swiftly found Jinki's photo. She examined it and after a good while finally smiled satisfied.

"Is he like you, too?" She has almost forgotten about this fact. Minho contemplated, he never asked really but it seemed like he didn't really care about the gender, so he thought it would be okay.

"I guess so…" He said with uncertainty but she didn't seem to mind. She heartily laughed, like she just landed into a goldmine that had yet to be discovered. Minho shuddered a little, it seemed like everybody was just in the palm of her hands and she could do whatever she wanted and never go wrong.

"This is perfect, perfect," she repeated herself seeming satisfied with her skills, "take him with you." Minho mindlessly nodded. It sounded like an order, not a plea, to his ears.

"When is it good with you?" Minho almost forgot what exactly did she mean but he quickly came to his senses and looked at his schedule. He had some free time two weeks from now on and he remembered Jinki telling him something about having time around the same time.

"In two weeks, I think." She nodded and wanted to exchange phone numbers so he could give her the exact place and time, Minho naturally complied. He asked what place she recommended since he didn't know the two very well, and she replied karaoke with a smile. She indeed had a great intuition, she immediately could tell he was a good man. She had to praise herself, her grandson would be so thrilled to meet him, she just knew it.

"You'll love him, and your friend will, too." She said with a smile, with such a certainty, Minho couldn't even doubt her words and wholeheartedly agreed. She just had this magic that made you do and feel things you couldn't with anyone else. She was a very mysterious lady, indeed. They bid goodbye to each other and Minho's mind was full with question marks when he arrived home. Really, what spell did she cast over him that he told truth, and agreed to the arranged date, even dragging his friend into it.

 

Minho smiled as he lost himself in his memory, and then focused at Jinki who came with a great resistance. He was curious if she really had some magical powers because he indeed did like Kibum, and the other seemed to like him, too.

"I do like him." Minho replied the other's question before he followed with another, "What about you? Do you like him, too?" Minho couldn't hide his curiosity. If he did, then he was ready to worship her, sadly she wasn't here anymore to witness it, Minho was trying not to laugh at his absurdity.

"Yeah, I do…" Minho's eyes almost came out of his sockets. Was she really some witch? Now he was curious about the other, did he also like Jinki? However, he didn't have to ponder too much.

"I think he also likes me." Jinki said with a smile. Minho did an 'All hail to you!' mentally, almost doing the bow with his hands raised. Thankfully, he still had his reason. How could she know this? He really couldn't help but be awed by her superior skills of arranging dates. She should have been match-maker, not a landlady. That's how greatly amazed he was.

"I admire her." He finally said. Jinki had question mark above his head, not knowing who he was talking about. Minho noticed the other's questioning gaze and retold him the whole happening on that day. He never told him, only dragging him here without explanation, just saying it was a date someone arranged. But now he had to tell him it wholly or he couldn't sleep with excitement at just how right she was. He needed to share it or he would explode. Jinki listened attentively and his expressions changed from wtf, awed to questioning and amazed.

"Wow, that is amazing." Jinki finally spit out four words, not knowing how else to react. Minho also didn't forget to mention she had passed a week ago and that he couldn't attend her funeral, regrettably.

"That's unfortunate, I would've liked to meet her." Jinki said with voice full of compassion and regret. After that they just talked about meaningless things while waiting for their dates, who were "prettying" themselves in the bathroom.

 

~~~

 

When Taemin finally came into the bathroom, the first thing he did was splash some cold water on his face. His hair becoming slightly damp around his forehead. He stared into the mirror as water drippled from his face, it was still red but it wasn't as bad now. When he heard the door opening, he panicked a little but hearing Kibum's 'Taemin' he calmed down. He then looked at his best friend with gaze he had something to tell him or he wouldn't be able to function properly.

"Kibum~" he whined and ran into the other's embrace, "his smell is going to be my death~!" He complained with a voice on the verge of crying. Before Kibum even open his mouth, Taemin withdraw from the hug a little and looked the slightly taller male into the eyes.

"How can it be so alluring…?" Kibum was lost a little. So it wasn't that he smelled bad, it was the exact opposite of that. Kibum's lips couldn't help but curve into slight smile, his friend looked so cute with his cheeks red like a tomatoes and pouty lips. Kibum lifted his hand and patted him on his head, and ruffled his hair.

"Is it that good?" Taemin's pout only deepened and he nodded with fervent.

"You know how I was spacing out recently?" Taemin asked, and Kibum nodded questioningly, "When I was hurrying to catch the train that day, I smelled his scent by chance but I couldn't make out who it came from…"

Kibum now realized, so the reason he daydreamed recently was because of falling in love with a scent of some random passer-by… And now he even met him. No wonder he was so quickly embarrassed, it normally would take him a while to break the ice, even if he was interested from the start. Now, Kibum couldn't help but admire his grandmother even more, did she have some superpowers?

"Wow, you should thank my grandmother then." Kibum said and smiled. Taemin looked at him questioningly, and Kibum finally explained everything to him. Taemin hardly could believe his ears but he also didn't doubt that she was indeed capable of this sorcery.

"Wow, she's really amazing…" Now he became sad thinking he could never properly thank her anymore nor share this story with her. But he hoped she was watching them from heaven with her sweet smile and loving eyes.

After a moment of Kibum "consoling" and calming Taemin, he broke the hug with the other's resistance. Taemin didn't want to go back yet and begged while pouting, Kibum just laughed at his ridiculous friend before smacking him on the head. Taemin held it with tears in his eyes, Kibum wasn't one to be merciful. He knew he was doomed and had no way of prolonging the time in the bathroom.

"We should go back. It has been a while already." Kibum said and without as much as glancing at the other, he took his hand and dragged him after himself.

 

~~~

 

Meanwhile in Heaven…

 

Watching four handsome men as they once again were on a double-date, there was a young and beautiful woman. It was in that same karaoke where they sang the same songs they have sung when they met for the very first time, singing them countless times again and again. Even after ten long years, they have gone there at least once a year, not a single time forgetting, but they loved the place too much so they went there more frequently when they had the time.

The lady smiled while one lone tear escaped from her eyes, as she saw her lovely grandsons so happy and content, she felt very gleeful. She ever so dramatically wiped the tear from her gorgeous face before she broke into her infamous smirk.

"Yup, I'm soo~ amazing!" She said as she mentally patted herself with closed eyes and a grin on her lips.

 

---

END

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The grandma wasn't planned, tbh. :D It just came to me when I started writting, lol.

Wrote it in one sitting, this hapens very rarely ^_^ but I wanted to write some more before the In Haven part... Just didn't know what and just realized it's pretty decent the way it is, soo~ hehe

Btw, does anyone watch The Unit and Masterkey?