Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XII

Nine

What's wrong with me? Obviously, Joong was joking, so, why did it affect my mood so. Without realising it, I was quiet for some time, and when Kim asked, I just gave tiredness as an excuse. Luckily, the shoot went on without any mishap, and finished by late evening, they wanted to capture the beautiful colours of the sky as the sun was setting. As I helped the crews to pack up too, it gave me time to not think about my sour feeling for a while.

The team leader, P'Kai, treated us all to a dinner, afterwards, as an apology of yesterday's hassle and also for a better outcome that it brought to today's shoot. That's how it worked, to give and take, to learn from mistakes. Joong went back to the room first as I brought Kim to see P'Kai to personally apologize, as part of the cause was him skipping eating. Kim was young, so I didn't want anyone other than the leader to know the reason, as people might talk or be judgemental. P'Kai was kind enough to accept the apology and didn't blame Kim, and also encouraged him to be more opinionated if something was bothering him during the shoot.

The talk with P'Kai went on for more than an hour, as he explained about tomorrow's shoot, which hopefully could finish early, so everyone could go back to the city as soon.

I was hesitating to open the door. I didn't know whether Joong was still there or not. After taking a calming breath, and tried to school my expression from looking pressured, I opened the door, and saw that he was sleeping on the bed, not even taking a bath, as he still wore the same shirt. I released a relief sigh. I tried not to disturb him, and moved around carefully to take a shower.

When I was out, he already sat at the edge of the bed, not looking disoriented, meaning he woke up as I was showering. We looked at each other, assessing, and at the same time waiting for the other to start.

"Did I disturb you? Sorry, but my sweat making me itched all over, so I took a shower immediately. I thought you're already in deep sleep...".

"No, it's alright. I was waiting for you, but somehow fell asleep...".

"Waiting for me?"

"Ehm...well...since you've given me the money, I wanted to know, what's that supposed to mean?. Should I go back?...or...", his words were faltering, and left hanging. I sat at his side on the bed and he turned to look at me.

"Joong, I had said what I wanted, and that remain unchanged".

"To stay?", he said, and I nodded. Joong was so confused and continued, "Then, the money...".

"That's your pay. I didn't want to take the joy out of you who received them...", I smiled, and continued, "But, I am actually, torn between asking you to stay or to go back. If you stay, then it would be uncomfortable... to sleep as last night".

"It's alright, I could sleep on the floor, really...".

"That is out of the choice. I could ask P'Kai to lend me some money first, we could get another room for you". Joong shook his head, "That would ruin your professional image with the client, please don't, it is not worth for you to lose face because of my own carelessness".

"Then, what should we do, hmm, Joong?", I smiled, but also, exasperated with his logic too.

"Cuddle", he said candidly, and I laughed.

"That's what I'm afraid of...", I said.

"Because, I pushed you down? Ah, I'm so sorry...I forgot to ask about that, is it still painful?". I shook my head. The pain was brief, and now all that I felt was a little soreness that was bearable.

"No, I am not afraid of that. Err, actually, I debated whether to tell you, or just to take it, that you're dreaming...".

"Did I...do something, I meant, before you woke me up?", he asked with questions in his eyes.

I rubbed my neck, a little agitated, "You...ah...were kissing...my neck and face. So, at first I was alarmed, almost mistaken it as sexual advances...and about to kick your...err, balls...". Joong looked horrified and guilt was marring his face, "But, not long after, your hold became too tight that I felt suffocated. So, that's when, I called for you to wake you up...".

Joong rubbed his face a few times, and took a heavy breath. He looked conflicted and frustrated at the same time. I grabbed his hand and caressed it to soothe him,"It's alright, I am not blaming you. But, I wonder, what's your dream was about too".

"Maybe, I should just drive back right now. I can't give you assurance that it won't happen again. It's...beyond my control, Nine".

"No. Driving while feeling tired liked this, is too risky, Joong. Besides, tomorrow is the last day for the photoshoot. If it goes without a hitch, then everything will settle by early evening. You could even go back first, you know. The crew had arrived while I was in discussion with P'Kai just now. He was stuck in traffic and couldn't arrive earlier. So, stay for tonight, alright?".

"If I...err, happen to touch you excessively again, then, how? ".

"Oh, don't worry, this time, I would really kick your balls to wake you up. You'll be scarred for life", I teased him to ease the tension in his voice. Joong smiled worriedly, and was still hesitating.

But, in the end, he nodded, "Yes, okay, do that...".

After Joong had taken a shower, and I responded to several work emails on my tab, we shut off the light and  awkwardly cuddling till we find a comfortable fit. But, fortunately, we were both too tired to stay awake for long.

The night progress peacefully and nothing was amiss. I woke up first, arranged the blanket around him and took a shower because I needed to send Kim to the photoshoot location. Only while heating up the car, I realised, my phone was left charging on the dresser. I asked Kim to wait for a bit and ran back to the room.

I came back in. Joong had waken up and in the shower. I took my phone and saw there's a miss call from Joong. Oh, he must had wanted to tell me that he would leave soon. So, I knocked on the bathroom door, and shouted for him to drive carefully. As soon as I stepped out again, there's a call coming in from Joong again. I shook my head, smiled and picked up,

"Did you run out from the shower?".

"Sorry?".

"It's alright, I'm just a few steps out of the door, but Kim is waiting for me in the car. I just wanted to tell you to drive back home carefully, that's what I shouted through that door".

"Wait...Nine. I'm a bit lost here...Mr.Ta said you're supposed to be in the office today when I saw him two days ago...so, I called first, to ask whether we could talk on the contract, if you're free for today?".

"Are you messing with me right now, Joong? You know that the shoot was delayed and I did tell you that I didn't bring the contract here", my voice was strained, and the confusing conversation started again.

"Delayed? So, you're still out there?", he asked back.

"You know what, Joong, this is bullshit. Wait there, I'll come back into the room", I had enough of this and directly curse.

"Nine, wait... Wha..". I didn't wait for him to finish and put off the call. I was at the point of frustration, when this was only the start of the day.

I ran back in, but Joong was not anywhere in the room. The call from Joong came in... again.

My hand that held the phone was shaking, my feet almost gave out. I looked at the closed door. The sound of water, had not ended.

Now, who is this stranger that'd shared the bed...with me?