Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XI

Nine

When you're born pretty good looking, with the advantage of height, even with just a simple shirt and casual pants, your model liked quality, couldn't be ignored. But, that's just my personal opinion looking at the person who walked towards me, unhurried.

When I woke up this morning; feeling warm but not cramped; I realized, the warmth was not from a breathing body, but a thick blanket, and also the bed was all mine. At first, I did think that he had left, but when my groggy mind a bit clear, I remembered that I hadn't given him anything yet. As I sat up on the bed, I saw the said person lying sideways on the floor, crouching in cold.

I didn't know how to be around him yet, whether we're already at ease, or should I still put my guard on. Somehow, he could read me well, touched some deeper core that was hidden so well from other's eyes. Could I just be carefree this time? I closed my eyes for a brief moment, took a few deep breaths, and decided, to be open. Even if this might make me more vulnerable to be hurt, at least, I know, that whatever happened, it is a decision made solely from my own want; not from order; not because I am supposed to; not based on judgment of the pro, or cons.

Carefully, I pulled the heavy blanket from the bed and covered him up, let him sleep comfortably. He must had slept late after the commotion, whereas I, who was too tired throughout yesterday's ordeal, fell asleep unconsciously, lulled by the steady pressure of his hands that were massaging my back. I had already pulled out a few bills from my wallet to be left on the dresser; but, a sudden impulse, made me wrote that note and immediately went out, to not think of why I did so.

"Are you alright, Joong? The floor must be hard on your back...sorry, I didn't realise that I fell asleep. Next time, just pushed me to the side... ", I said with an apologetic smile.

"Next time? Really, Nine?", he asked with a cheeky smile. Immediately, my face felt a little hot, and so I changed the topic, "You must be hungry, come and sit here, I bought fried rice from that stall", I tapped the place on my side. Joong sat down, and started eating.

"So, what is my task for the day? You said I have works to do...", he asked while munching a mouthful. I shook my head and gave him water, "Eat first, you'll choke, liked this...". He smiled and said, "You're so used to take care of people, aren't you? It is almost a second nature to you. You don't have to do that with me, Nine. Just relax and talk, alright?". I blinked, rubbed my nape awkwardly, and nodded a little, "The team is shorthanded, one of the crew was called back home last night, his son was hospitalised. I didn't tell you, since you're supposed to go back today...", and I hesitated to continue.

"But...?", he asked, understood that my words were yet to finish.

Be open, Nine, you had decided this morning, wasn't it?, "Joong, called me weird or wacky, but I feel liked, this is the only time that I have, to get to know you, before we...become coworkers. But, I...won't push you to stay", I sighed, and wiped my face, "Maybe, just forget this. The note that I left, consider that as a whim. You could still go after finishing this breakfast, it's alright...".

"Nine..."

"Yes?"

"What do you want?", he looked at me, without wavering.

"It's not I who...", but my words was halted, when Joong gently hold my hand and asked again. "Tell me, what do you want me to do...don't think about me. Just you...".

My eyes were darting, heartbeats jumping. I looked at our connected hands, and looked back at Joong.

"Stay".

Joong

That one word was the only confirmation that I needed. Throughout the day, I helped the crew moved the equipments around, continuing from where the delay happened yesterday. Kim had a proper breakfast this time, and the crews made sure to take a little break every hour, for rest and to cool down from the heat. From time to time, Nine moved around, taking care of the models, and also the crews.

He gave away cool drinks, wet towels and also snacks and food to keep the energy stable. No more leaving it to the mercy of the weather to be kind. The sun was scalding hot, but today shoot was more aligned and well managed. When he reached to the spot where I sat, I grabbed his arm and pulled him to sit under the shade of the tree too, wiping his sweating face and neck and opening the cool drink for him. "Rest, it's a break", I said to him and thus, he forgot his earlier intention to stand up and leave.

"Here, P'Kai asked to give this to you. Pay for the day's work. This evening a substitute crew will arrive, so tomorrow's team is settled. They felt a little guilty asking you for help, actually...", Nine was handing me a wad of bills.

I looked at him amusingly and shook my head, "I guessed, I'll be banished from your room if I accepted this, so, no. Keep that, Nine. Consider it as the deposit for the lodging and food. I'll pay in full later, at work", I said and took a gulp of the cold beverage.

"Do you...find me as an exciting challenge, Joong? Is that why you wanted to keep close liked this? Don't worry, even if you're insufferable, I would never bad mouth you to anyone", he said and took a gulp too. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"Not at all. I just want to be close to my key", I said as a matter of fact, forgetting for a second that this was not Another Earth.

"Excuse me? Key? As in what? The cheesy line 'you're the key to my heart'? Please, Joong, that is quite outdated", he said and laughed.

"Hmm, but, I realized, you don't seem to reject it, just saying it is outdated. So, are you... opening up to the possibility, Nine?". There it was again, that rapid blinks, must be, I was saying something outrageous. Damn. They should have taught me subtlety, since this earth seemed to be full of them; signs, hints and unspoken body language that were harder to decipher, unless I resorted to use the connection.

"Kidding!", I said and tapped his back. Gosh! I now had to resort to this, which is so not me, who always said what I said, but seeing the uneasiness from his lovely face in front of me, I think my boldness needed to take a little step back. I could see that Nine briefly close his eyes, and shook his head, maybe to clear the confusing moment. He gave me a little smile that wasn't quite there, his lips that were quivering was immediately covered by taking continuous gulps of his drinks.

Nine is...dissapointed? Is that what the darting eyes which look at elsewhere except me right now meant? I wanted to connect, just out of curiosity, but before I could start, he crushed the empty can that he was holding and threw them into the waste bag. He then took my hand, handed the wad of money, and without another word, left me there.

I was stunted. So, is this an unspoken word to leave him alone?. At this point, rather than solving the test, I care more of how to find a middle ground, before we become distant with so much misunderstanding in a short time. It seemed, my words keep causing his heart, to be hurt.

I buried my face on my bended knees, and grabbed my hair, feeling a little clumsy, a little unsettled and out of place; being on this earth.