Friendships Desires and Secrets

A Taste of Home

Namjoon answered the door to his parents flat when Alex rang the bell. He looked her up and down, smiling at her choice of outfit and pulled her to him, kissing her cheek. His mom rushed over to them and took the bag from Alex's hands. She was sparkling with happiness. She kissed Alex on both cheeks and pulled her from Namjoon's side.

"So, tell me about yourself, are you a student."

"I am a teacher, which means I'm always a student." Alex smiled brightly.

She nodded. "How wise of you! To recognize the need for constant learning."

Namjoon came into the room with glasses and soju and poured for both of the women.

"It's a little early for soju son."

Namjoon shot her a side eye and snorted, leaving the bottle. She reached for the gift bag that she had set down by her leg. She lovingly set the bottle and melon on the table. "This is lovely. I can't wait to have this with breakfast."

"I'm delighted that Korea has a simplified gift giving custom. It makes choosing a gift so easy."

"How do you choose a gift in America?"

Alex thought a moment. "Well, we try to think about who the person is and what they like and find something that they don't have. We also have to make sure that the gift is not too expensive or cheap. It's a balance game."

Mrs. Kim nodded almost gravely. "Sounds over complicated."

"It can be. Is that wine ok?" Alex gestured towards the bottle.

"No worries about that now. We will have it with dinner and see. Now tell me how you met." She seemed so excited for her son.

Alex found out that she was the first person Namjoon had ever brought to meet them. This stirred something inside her, a warmth that enveloped her in a sort of security.

As the 2 women had talked, Namjoon had ordered dinner and shortly the bell sounded letting the flat know that food had arrived. Joon opened the door and carried his prize to the table, a goofy grin on his face.

Alex smiled fondly at the man who had her heart. She couldn't help but watch him as he set the table for them and tried to make it perfect. He knocked the same glass over twice and she cringed. It was miraculously in one piece. Her whole being filled with warmth. That full chest sensation that felt like it consumed from within. Heat rushed into her cheeks.

Of course, it could have been the soju, but she would bet a million won it wasn't.

Dinner was perfect. They talked about Joon's new album, Antithesis, about how his father was enjoying retirement and what he was doing with all his free time. They talked about Namjoon's interview with PSick and the mini concerts that followed Indigo. They spoke some about his newest album and the stories behind the lyrics. Joon's phone went off twice and he checked it quickly before plopping it back on the table. There was a long conversation about Alex's work and school, that rounded out somehow on her apartment.

"I can find you a great apartment!" Joon's mom chirped. "That's my job. Are you wanting to buy a place or find another rental?"

"Eomma." Joon stopped her. "I'm trying to get her to move in."

"And you don't want to move in with him. Such a good girl. She wants to wait till you are married Namjoonah!"

"I really want to focus on work and my place is close to the university."

Dinner wrapped up. Everyone was quite tipsy and Joon went into the back room to call a taxi where it was quiet enough to hear. The Kim's hugged Alex and begged her to come back often. She exchanged numbers with his mom so they could talk about apartments.

Joon returned and they bid the Kim's goodnight. In the elevator as soon as the doors closed, Joon pushed Alex against the wall and kissed her deeply. The heat she had in her chest all night, suddenly rushed into her belly. She wound her arms around his waist and pulled him into her, loving the feel of his weight against her.

He slid his hands up her sides and cupped her cheeks, her face fit perfectly in his large palms. His fingers locked in her hair, and she moaned into his mouth. The ding of the elevator brought them both back to reality. The doors slid back just in time for them both to right themselves and exit the box.

The taxi pulled up to the curb as the pair walked out. They rode in silence back to her place. They each looked out their own windows, watching the scenery pass. Their hands, however, were twined in one another, teasing and stroking. Their frustration visible for anyone who would notice.

Finally, inside the warmth of her studio, Joon quickly divested her of her clothes.  He stripped off his own and pushed her back onto the tiny bed.

"I hope my mom finds you a place soon."

Alex giggled. "I don't! I don't own any furniture here. I would have to buy a bed and a desk."

He leaned down and kissed her to silence her. "I will buy us a bed baby."

She pushed up onto her elbows. "No Joonah. I have to do this on my own."

"But I want to help."

"I know you do baby, but I don't want you to ever have a reason to think I just want you for money."

"I wouldn't, but I get it."

"But other people might." She squeezed her eyes closed and shook her head. "I don't want anyone to think it. Ever."

"You can't control what people think Alex. We can try to control what they say but even that isn't possible all of the time."

"No. But we can control ourselves. Not adding fuel on the fire as they say."

Namjoon nodded. "How would anyone know. Really Alex." He kissed her again slowly, trying to muddle her resolve. "No one would know if I bought you a bed." His lips moved down to her neck. "A nice soft mattress," He kissed her collarbone and she shuddered. "a warm comforter." He moved lower, nuzzling and lightly kissing the swell of her breasts.

"If I do all that." She said in panting breaths. "then I may as well let you buy my apartment Joon. I can't."

She felt his member pressing her closed thighs and opened her body to his. He entered her with mind-numbing slowness. "I won't promise anything." He groaned out, his voice strained as her walls closed around him. "One day," He moved out and back in. "all your stuff," out and in, "will just suddenly," out and in "be at my house."

"Such dirty words you say." She said playfully. Her body arched off the bed as he entered her once again. She felt his entire length slide home and shivered. "Please Joonah. I need you."

He gave into her pleas, and when they were both spent, he rolled under her, pulling her up over his body. His frame filled the tiny bed. She lay her head on his chest and listened to his heart slowing back into a normal rhythm.

"This bed reminds me of the dorms. I wasn't this big then, but the beds were just as small. Not enough room to turn over."

"I suppose." She said, kissing his chest. "That a little help would be okay. Only under one condition though."

"Hmm?"

"You let me pay you back." Alex shifted so she could see his reaction. "I'm serious Joonah."

He sighed heavily. "But then I can't just get you whatever I want to." He pouted. "What if I find something I really like and want to get it."

"That's exactly why. I know you, Kim Namjoon. You would have all this expensive furniture and paintings at my place, and I would be overwhelmed."

He nodded that he understood and kissed the top of her head. "Fine. Compromise."

She lay down, spent, and he felt her smiling against his chest.