julyfix
Summary: Jonghyun thought Taemin was a girl. Then Taemin cut his hair. And Jonghyun still asked him out, anyway. Key gets mad that he can't dress Taemin for their first date. But it doesn't matter when you're too busy running from angry fangirls.
-----
The rain pounded in sheets, pouring down from the heavens with such force it knocked newspapers off of stands and took people's umbrellas right from their grasp. Most people were prepared for such weather – the people that watched the news, anyway. Taemin wasn't a morning person, therefore he missed the early weather broadcast, and here he was, standing on the curb with only a light jacket to shield him, arms flailing desperately tying to flag down a taxi. There were plenty of the yellow vehicles on the streets, some were even kind enough for splash Taemin and soak him through as they happily whizzed by.
Just as he was about to give up (why bother? He was soaked anyway), a taxi stopped. Silently thanking the higher powers Taemin rushed forward, flinging the door open and flopping inside. His long hair was sticking to his face and neck, bangs flattened to his forehead.
The cab was warm, though, and in the backseat... he had company.
"Woops," all Taemin could see was a smile in the shadowy night. "Sorry miss, I can catch the next one."
'Miss'?
... 'Miss'?
Taemin shook his head, "No, it's fine." It was pouring cats and dogs out there, he wouldn't make this guy wait for another cab.
"Really?" the man waved for the cab driver to go, as if he wasn't going to let Taemin convince him otherwise. "Thanks. Where you headed?"
Taemin settled in his seat. "The U-District."
When the man shifted as the street lamps flew by, giving Taemin a good look at him, the drowned college student nearly opened the door and jumped out into moving traffic.
He was sharing a cab with Kim Jonghyun.
Sitting back to keep his face in the shadows, Taemin latched his seatbelt to keep his body from doing what it wanted to do: bail.
"Well, to the U-District."
Jonghyun was even more handsome in person, versus the magazines or tv ads. Taemin tried not to stare, and instead fiddled with his fingers in his lap.
"So, boyfriend stand you up?"
... Handsome, but stupid.
"Why do you say that?" Taemin glanced over.
"Why else would a pretty girl be standing in the rain alone?"
Taemin blinked. Once. Twice. He then laughed outright, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "Ah... no. I'm coming home from work."
Jonghyun's grin was sheepish. "Oh, yeah, makes sense."
Did Jonghyun really think Taemin was a girl? Well it wouldn't be the first time someone made that assumption, and as annoying as it was... Jonghyun was hitting on him.
The Kim Jonghyun.
Playboy millionaire, heir to Kim Co., one of the leading industries in the production and distribution of grand pianoes.
Taemin fiddled with his thumbs a bit more. Jonghyun must have noticed because his hands rested on Taemin's to still them.
"Cold?" Jonghyun asked. "You're not wearing much." He shrugged his shoulders, taking his coat off and draping it over Taemin's shoulders. "There we go."
Right. So Jonghyun didn't know Taemin was a boy, but no move had been made to say Taemin knew Jonghyun's identity. The guy didn't even introduce himself. This could end potentially without disaster.
"Thank you," Taemin said. Jonghyun's trench coat smelled like fresh rain and musky, expensive old cologne.
"No problem."
Avoiding Jonghyun's trillion-dollar smile, Taemin looked up when the taxi pulled up to his apartments. He made to take the coat off, but Jonghyun raised a hand in protest.
"Nah, I've got plenty of coats. Besides," he handed the driver money for Taemin's fare, "maybe someday you can return it."
Oh God. Get out.
Taemin, blushing like a schoolgirl, squeaked out his thanks and rushed out of the cab. As he flew up the stairs to his apartment, he held the coat tighter around him and smiled a bit.
Even if he was mistaken for a girl... Kim Jonghyun had flirted with him.
And wanted to see him again.
Problem was, in fact, Taemin's gender. Pushing that thought aside, he entered his apartment and hung up the coat.
Kim Jonghyun had hit on him.
Score~
–
Over the next few weeks, Taemin went about his business per usual. One change: wearing Jonghyun's coat. If he ran into him on the street he'd at least be able to give it back. However... the odds of that happening were slim. Especially since Taemin had chopped his long tresses off (the day after he met Jonghyun about four more men hit on him, in broad daylight, and really, it was getting insulting to his masculinity). But still, he kept his hopes up. Maybe he'd get lucky and be able to slip by without Jonghyun noticing his gender (the man was an idiot).
He honestly didn't think his wish would be granted, but as he hailed a cab and returned to his apartment one night after work, there was the man of every girl's (and some men's) dreams, leaning against the gate casually, an ankle crossed over his foot and his arms folded over his chest. He was obviously waiting for Taemin, and for a second Taemin didn't get out of the cab. What the hell was he going to do? The cab driver made an impatient noise and fine, Christ, take your money, and Taemin got out of the cab, Jonghyun's jacket over his shoulders plain as day.
Jonghyun's face lit up at the arrival of someone, but when his eyes fell on Taemin, his excitement obviously dimmed, and instead his brows furrowed together as he scanned Taemin up and down.
This obviously wasn't the person he'd given his jacket to. The student could see the thought blinking in neon above the man's head.
Taemin awkwardly rocked on the sides of his shoes, before taking off the jacket as the cab drove away, holding the garment out to Jonghyun.
"Um," the student licked his lips. "Thanks. It kept me dry."
Jonghyun didn't take it. He was still making that facial expression that made him look like a caveman rather than the object of thousands of people's affections, and Taemin rolled his eyes a bit, shaking the jacket in impatience. He wouldn't be offended if Jonghyun just took it and left. Honestly, that's what he thought would happen.
The older man stepped forward and took the jacket with a slow hand, his eyes squinting a bit as he examined Taemin's face.
"Yeah..."
Either he didn't know how much of an idiot he looked, or – no, Taemin was pretty sure this guy didn't know how stupid he was.
"See you around," Taemin ducked his head and punched in his password on the keypad, letting himself into his apartment complex.
Jonghyun continued to stand on the sidewalk by the gate, and a glance over his shoulder showed Taemin that Jonghyun was staring at his jacket like he'd never seen clothes before in his life and didn't know their function.
Snorting under his breath, Taemin decided that his delusion, as short-lived as it was, had been nice.
–
The next night when Taemin came home from grocery shopping, at a time much earlier than he'd arrive from work, Jonghyun was leaning against the wall yet again.
Taemin stared at him with an armful of food (the grocery store was around the block, so no cab today), and then wondered if he would get away with just ignoring the man and going into his apartment.
"Yah."
Nope.
"You are the person I shared a cab with the other night, right?"
Taemin glanced around, wondering if there were paparazzi hiding in the bushes. After all, Jonghyun was a celebrity. After finding none, he warily eyed the man, before nodding slowly.
Surprisingly, Jonghyun broke out into a smile, stepping forward. "Well. I think I owe you a date."
Taemin stared more. Jonghyun must be mentally handicapped in some way or another.
"Uh... no, it's fine," Taemin brushed him off, adjusting the groceries in his arms so he could reach out and key in the pin to open the gate.
He wasn't looking at Jonghyun, but there was suddenly a meta-physical stabbing at his back, and when he turned around he was faced with the world's biggest pout alongside the world's biggest noise of discontent. The guy looked like a dog that just got hit by a car. Sounded like one too.
"You thought I was a woman," Taemin said bluntly, finally getting the gate open as he started walking through it. And really, that was all the explanation he gave to Jonghyun as he disappeared up into his apartment, leaving Jonghyun down on the sidewalk once again.
–
The next morning before school, Taemin jumped and clutched his heart and nearly died of terror as Jonghyun bounded around the corner and greeted him.
"Good morning!"
Taemin's fingers tightened their grip on his school bag, and he edged away and tried to get around Jonghyun. "Please... leave me alone."
Jonghyun frowned and uninvitingly slung an arm around Taemin's shoulders. "I owe you a date, and I don't back out on promises."
"That's great," Taemin said weakly. "But I have school. And you thought I was a girl."
"I did," Jonghyun amended with surprising... normalcy. "But you're still cute, even if you're a guy. So tonight I'll pick you up at nine?"
Taemin shrugged out of Jonghyun's embrace and gave a shaky smile. "I'm not cute."
"You are!" Jonghyun reached out and pinched Taemin's cheek.
Taemin hated being touched by people he didn't know. Kim Jonghyun be damned. "I'm a man. Men aren't cute."
"I get called cute all the time," Jonghyun said cheekily.
"I don't like it." Taemin said flatly, continuing to walk down the sidewalk. People passing by were starting to notice that Kim Jonghyun was walking down the sidewalk, and Taemin huffed a bit in frustration.
"Hey." Jonghyun was suddenly in front of Taemin, keeping him from walking any further. His eyes were big and earnest and this must be what everyone fell for. "I mean it. I want to take you out."
Taemin clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. This guy was obnoxious. Taemin dealt with all personality types, and Jonghyun's was... well, he couldn't classify it just yet.
"Fine." Taemin finally said. "On one condition."
"Name it." Jonghyun's smile was pretty stunning, which made Taemin's tough voice soften a bit.
"Just... don't call me cute."
"Right." Jonghyun's face might split in half from his huge smile. "Mr. Manly."
"Don't call me that, either." Taemin rolled his eyes and pushed past Jonghyun, finally heading to school uninhibited. A bit of a smile creeped onto his features, though, as he thought about going out on a date with the Kim Jonghyun. And yeah... the guy was growing on him.
–
Taemin had gotten off work at eight, and that gave him an hour before Jonghyun was coming to pick him up. It took him a while to figure out what to wear (and he had to physically restrain himself from breaking down and calling his friend Kibum, who was studying fashion design and probably the best dressed non-celebrity in the world), but he settled on something masculine but not too overboard. The last thing he wanted was for Jonghyun to call him 'cute' tonight, even if the man said he wouldn't dare. His jeans were fitted in the right places, a dark wash, and topped with a powder blue striped button down shirt. He tried for accessories but let's be honest, he didn't know what to do so there was just a simple bracelet on his wrist. And God his hair... maybe he should have called Kibum. He could step out of there looking like a million bucks and worthy to be on Jonghyun's arm.
Not that he'd be hanging on Jonghyun's arm or anything.
Nine p.m. rolled around and the intercom buzzed, alerting Taemin of Jonghyun's arrival. Deciding fuck it and shoving his wallet into his back pocket, he skipped gracefully down the stairs and out the door into the fresh night, heading out the gate and greeting Jonghyun.
Who looked stunning as usual in faded denim jeans and a casual, yet trendy shirt. Taemin almost felt over-dressed, but he hadn't dressed up in particular, so... Whatever.
Jonghyun's smile was immediate when Taemin bowed his head lightly in greeting. "Hey. Ready?"
Taemin nodded, and Jonghyun motioned towards the awaiting taxi. They both got in, and Jonghyun didn't hold the door open for Taemin or anything but he hadn't been expecting that. In fact he was thankful. It meant they were equals, as men. Not some stupid buff guy and a scrawny guy that looked like a chick.
"So," Jonghyun sat down, letting out a breath and the word at the same time. "I never got your name."
"Taemin," Taemin replied, sitting back in the seat and resting his hands on his thighs.
Jonghyun's reply was a small smirk and a request for the cab driver to take them to an address Taemin had never heard of. All the better; he liked surprises. Surprisingly, the silence between them was comfortable as they went to the destination, although Jonghyun wasn't being so subtle in his shifting towards Taemin inch by inch until their thighs pressed together. Taemin didn't flinch away, like he really wanted to, because what kind of message would that send? He's going on a date with Jonghyun, obviously he's somewhat interested, and he didn't want the man to think he hated him, because as obnoxious as he was, there was something about him that Taemin found endearing.
Kind of like picking up a lost puppy and becoming it's new owner.
They reached their destination and Jonghyun threw money at the cab driver before he even heard the total, and ushered Taemin out of the car by pushing at his shoulder and thigh, squishing him into the door until Taemin opened it and flung himself out, the both of them laughing. Once outside, Taemin straightened to see they were in front of a restaurant, and as Taemin took in the neon signs and lack of vip service, he wondered where the Great Kim Jonghyun had taken him.
"This, my friend," Jonghyun said, putting his arm around Taemin's shoulder amiably. "Is the jackpot of good food."
"It looks greasy and like people have died on the door step," Taemin said with a laugh.
"Yeah... basically." Jonghyun didn't deny as he lead Taemin through the jingling doors.
They were greeted by the shop owners and they greeted them in return, finding a table and sitting down. Taemin picked up the menu and the items were exactly what he thought they'd be; a mixture of deep-fried and greasy. Oh, he was ready.
Jonghyun may or may not be perfect, after all.
They ended up ordering way more than they could eat, knowing that they'll have leftovers to bring home. Conversation was light at first, but after formalities, they were laughing and joking and having a grand time.
"So," Jonghyun said while he slurped up his chow mein, manners out the window. It was a humbling sight, to see this guy that was so picture-perfect in the tabloids, just let loose and act his age. "Why did you cut your hair?"
"Because weird men kept hitting on me," Taemin quipped with a grin, while chewing a fried pot sticker.
Jonghyun laughed and covered his mouth to spare Taemin the sight of food in his mouth. "Ah... well yeah, you're attractive, the hair made it kind of hard to resist."
Taemin dipped his next pot sticker in some sweet n' sour sauce, "Don't you think I'm hard to resist like this?" He asked with a grin, biting into his pot sticker.
"If you weren't, I wouldn't have pursued you." Jonghyun winked, and that single action made butterflies flutter in Taemin's filling stomach.
At least Jonghyun and he shared the same voracious appetite.
"Why aren't you going after some famous girl?" Taemin asked, finishing the pot sticker and reaching for some of Jonghyun's chow mein. "Someone pretty with a lot of money."
"I got someone pretty right here," Jonghyun said, chewing on one of his chopsticks thoughtfully. "I have enough money for us plus five." He shrugged and swatted Taemin's chopsticks out of his noodles.
The 'pretty' compliment would have normally made Taemin irritable, but instead he just shook his head and took a drink of their shared soda. Really, tonight's meal went against his dancer's diet completely, if his instructor found out she'd murder him; but it was so worth it, everything was more than delicious. It had been a while since Taemin just... let loose like this. Forgot about his studies for the night, forgot about work, forgot about stress. Jonghyun was a good distraction.
They finished their food and paid, tipping gratuitously, and split the leftovers before boxing and bagging them. They left the restaurant and headed out, Jonghyun suggesting loudly that they needed to take a stroll to work off some of what they'd just eaten, you know, lest they die on the door step.
The pair took off towards a nearby green lung, their bags rustling with their movements as Taemin patted his belly and rubbed it a bit.
"Man, I don't think I'll be able to eat for another week," he said, letting out a breath.
Jonghyun laughed, "You're a growing boy, you'll eat those leftovers before bed tonight."
Taemin smiled, and didn't deny it. In the park the lamps were lit on the paths, fountains still running in the cool evening and creating a lovely ambiance. He almost wanted to hold Jonghyun's hand, but one was occupied with leftovers, and well... doing the shuffle so the right hands were free to hold hands just seemed like a great obstacle that Taemin didn't want to embarrass himself with. So instead he walked close to Jonghyun, smelling his cologne through the enticing smell of their still-hot food.
"So, where's all the paparazzi?" Taemin asked, glancing around idly along with his question.
"I'm sure they have better things to do," Jonghyun shrugged. "They get bored after a while, I'm pretty sure they think I'm holed up in the office like my father has been for the past week."
Taemin hummed his understanding, and laughed when Jonghyun suddenly sprinted forward and plopped down on a bench in front of a fountain, patting the space next to him.
They set their food off to the side and sat gazing at the fountain, and Taemin glanced over to ask Jonghyun about what his work was like, but was cut off when instead Jonghyun's lips met his. Jonghyun got more of his upper lip than anything, but that was ok because the kiss tasted like fried noodles and vegetables, and the gum that Jonghyun had split between them at the end of their meal. Taemin's head tilted into the kiss and their mouths adjusted to align properly, and Taemin thought about all the mouths Jonghyun had kissed before, but it didn't matter because this was once in a life time. Average people didn't kiss celebrities on a park bench in the middle of the night.
Jonghyun pulled away a fraction, his breath hot against Taemin's chin, "So... this is the part where you agree to go out on a second date with me."
"Presumptous," Taemin smiled, his eyes glittering.
But they both knew the answer as their lips came together again, the sound of the trickling fountain the soundtrack to the end of their date.
–
Jonghyun had dropped Taemin off after that and promised to come over the next night at around the same time so they could hang out again. Taemin had slept like a rock, brought the leftovers to work and ate them happily, and by the time he was waiting for his after-work taxi, he was humming lightly to himself and rocking on his feet.
"Hey- hey!"
Taemin glanced over to the news stand to see a few girls holding a magazine and pointing at Taemin. He gave them a weird look before deciding to ignore them, taking a tentative step to the left, away from them.
"It's the guy that was out with Jonghyun oppa last night!" The girls were shrieking, and finally Taemin glanced over, wondering how the hell they knew that.
Clutched in their hot little fangirl hands were crumpled magazines spread open to a whole two-page centerfold article that contained pictures of Jonghyun and Taemin's date the previous night. Taemin felt a weight drop in his stomach and his cheeks heated up, as he cleared his throat and pretended he didn't hear what they were saying.
"Oppa! Oppa!" the girls' voices were coming closer, and soon enough, he had a group of about half a dozen girls swarming around him, holding the magazine up in his face; some were angrily asking how he managed a date with Jonghyun, others were dreamily asking Taemin if he was single, and finally a taxi passed by slowly, Taemin's arm flailing out to flag it down. It stopped, and Taemin gently (quickly) pushed past the girls and flung himself into the cab, shouting his address at the driver, the driver apparently understanding his urgency as he put the pedal to the metal and got away from the girls.
Leaning back in his seat and letting out a breath, Taemin ran a hand through his hair. Jonghyun had said there were no paparazzi last night, and as far as Taemin knew, he hadn't seen any either.
"Excuse me," he leaned forward, talking to the driver. "Do you have a copy of the tabloids?"
The man held up the bane of Taemin's existence and Taemin took it, flipping to the page where he was pretty sure his life ended.
The big picture on the left page was of Jonghyun and Taemin leaning in for a kiss on the bench in the park, the low lighting having been enhanced in photoshop. The other pictures littering the article were of their dinner date – fighting over food, sharing a soda, tipping the server – and all Taemin could think was good about the article was at least he was photogenic. And actually, he looked pretty good next to Jonghyun...
He shook his head and tossed the tabloid back into the passenger seat, letting out a tired breath. Paparazzi really were talented at their job.
"I'm sure it'll die down," the taxi driver said sympathetically.
"Yeah... maybe if I didn't go on a date with a celebrity."
The driver didn't offer any more advice or sympathy.
"Oh God," Taemin pressed his face against the window as they approached his apartment. There were paparazzi and screaming girls hanging around outside of his gaze, and Taemin almost told the driver to keep going, but the man stopped and Taemin didn't have enough money to go any further, anyway. He paid the man and was thankful for the apologetic look he received, and then braced himself as he stepped out of the taxi.
Immediately microphones were shoved in his face, cameras flashing.
"What's your name!"
"What's your relationship with Kim Jonghyun!"
"Are you best friends?"
"No, they're lovers!"
"YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE WITH OPPA!"
Taemin didn't say anything to anyone, ducking his head and covering his face, and when he reached his gate, he realized he couldn't possibly key in the code. What if one of these crazy people saw the code and broke into his apartment? He was just contemplating climbing over the gate, when a voice boomed over the crowd.
"What was it like kissing Kim Jonghyun?"
Everyone whipped around at the sound of said man's voice, the man looking smug as fuck with his hands in his pockets and a cocky grin on his face. The Jonghyun that the tabloids always published.
While everyone was distracted and shouting questions at the celebrity, Taemin keyed in his code and slipped in the gate, running up to his apartment. Once inside (and after he locked every bolt he could on the door), he peeked out the window and saw Jonghyun successfully shooing everyone away. When everyone was gone he looked up at Taemin's window, giving what was surely supposed to be a 'puppy is sorry, please let him in' look. Sighing, and unable to resist because really, if Jonghyun stood outside his apartment all night, it was sure to be in the tabloids tomorrow as well. He buzzed Jonghyun up and the man was at his door, Taemin fumbling with all the locks before letting Jonghyun in and slamming the door, locking it up again.
"Well, that was fun." Jonghyun slipped off his shoes, while Taemin passed him and let out a sigh, moving into the kitchen. Jonghyun followed, sitting at the table while Taemin opened his fridge and examined the contents. "I'm sorry about that. I really didn't think that would happen."
Taemin sighed, pulling out a banana milk and angrily stabbing the straw through the hole. "It's not your fault. I mean – I knew what I was getting into, sort of."
"It's still not fair to you," Jonghyun said, resting his chin on his hand.
Why was Jonghyun being so fair and understanding? Taemin should be angry at him – his privacy had been invaded, he had girls wishing his death, and most of all, his mom reads the tabloids. He sat down at the table heavily and couldn't find the strength in him to be mad at Jonghyun. The guy was obnoxious and a lot more trouble than he was worth, but the way he was sitting so casually opposite Taemin, looking genuinely concerned about how the younger man felt... well, yeah. It was impossible to be mad at him.
And it was probably better that way, too.
"Besides, it was bound to happen." Jonghyun gave a cheeky smile, making Taemin arch a brow as he sipped on his banana milk. "I mean, they would have been on us at least by the fifth or sixth date."
"Fifth or sixth?" Taemin's other brow arched. "You... want to take me on that many dates?"
"And more," Jonghyun shrugged, like he was talking about the weather. Taemin's heart fluttered despite everything. "You're a great date. In fact, last night was the most fun I've ever had on a first date. Isn't that a sign that I should pursue you?"
Taemin's banana milk was empty now, but he kept sucking, staring at Jonghyun as the 'skhrrrrrrrrrhhhrr' noise resonated throughout his apartment. After a moment he set the empty carton down, staring at it, not wanting to meet Jonghyun's eyes because he was pretty sure he was blushing.
"I... I had a lot of fun, too."
"Good!" Jonghyun clapped. "So that means more in the future."
"Even though I'm going to start being hounded by the paparazzi," Taemin said with a fake exasperated sigh.
"And the fangirls," Jonghyun said, making wiggly creepy fingers in the air.
Taemin laughed, standing and throwing his banana milk away. "Well... I guess we can see where this will go."
Jonghyun stood up, no hesitation in his motions as he moved to Taemin and stood in front of him, his hands resting on the younger man's waist. Taemin laughed a bit at the slight height difference, but didn't say anything, as Jonghyun pulled him closer, his nose nuzzling into the taller man's neck lightly.
"I can suggest a location," Jonghyun breathed into Taemin's neck. "It's right here in this apartment. Probably has a bed and everything."
Snorting, Taemin pulled Jonghyun closer. "Sounds like it'll take about ten dates to get there."
He could feel the pout against his neck. "Aww, Taeminnie, you're hurting your hyung's ego~"
The phone rang and Taemin ignored it, letting the answering machine pick up as he kissed Jonghyun, their tongues sliding against each other, hands starting to explore each other's body slowly, purposefully.
"LEE TAEMIN!" Kibum's voice shrieked throughout the apartment, clear as day and shrill as a bitching granny. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE DATING KOREA'S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR?" Taemin broke the kiss and sighed, resting his forehead on Jonghyun's shoulder. "WHY DIDN'T YOU LET ME DRESS YOU? YOU LOOKED LIKE SHIT! YOUR HAIR WAS AWFUL! YOU NEED TO BE READY FOR THE PAPARAZZI!" Jonghyun started laughing. "AND YOU LOOK LIKE YOU KISS LIKE A FUCKING GIRL!"
Well, it seemed that fangirls and his mother weren't the only people he needed to worry about reading the tabloids.
