SHINee ships || one shot collection

Taekey - Powdered sugar | part 1/2

Dedicated to my excited little friend Sandy. Love you to pieces.

In which illustrator Kibum moves in across from the local baker and their son, Taemin, spends a lot of time looking out the window.

Wordcount: 4,7K

It has been a week now since Kibum moved into his new flat in a small town just outside of Seoul. His flat is simple and each room is messy in such a way that anyone coming in will be able to guess his occupation instantly; a sketch artist.

Kibum looks up from his current sketch to grab his trusty coffee mug. He looks out of the window to find two innocently unfamiliar eyes stare right back at him. Taemin's heart skips a beat. He has been caught. He cannot get himself to move, not even his gaze shifts from the artist's across the road. The eye contact is a little too intense for Taemin's liking and yet he can't look away. He smiles nervously at the boy across the road before finally being able to break away from the eyes staring back at him. He spins 180 degrees on his heel and leaves his room, the embarrassment becoming too much to handle.

He walks down to his parents' bakery, regretting it instantly as a basket is put in his hand, sending the smell of freshly baked bread up his nostrils. The card on top reads: "From the neighbours". Taemin already knows what this means.

"Could you deliver this to the young man across the road. We want to welcome him to the neighbourhood." Taemin sends his father a desperate look and gets a stern one in return. He gives up the already lost battle and walks out of the shop with fearful steps. It takes him just about two minutes to press in on the button that his finger dwelled on and he's starting to freeze, standing still in the cold weather. A few silent moments go by.

"Who's this?"

"The baker's son," Taemin sighs with a pained expression. He finds this to be more than embarrassing. He is buzzed in and walks up the stairs to the second floor. The young sketch artist stands in the door with a puzzled look on his face. He raises his eyebrows, gesturing for Taemin to explain his visit. He hands the basket over, their hands brushing against each other as Kibum grabs it. Kibum feels a spark run through his fingers at this moment. He looks down at the letter, understanding the situation.

"Oh, thank you," Kibum smiles shortly at the boy from across the road, who stands completely still in front of Kibum.

"I just delivered it, but I'll make sure to thank my parents," the boy speaks up nervously. Kibum finds it quite amusing to watch, knowing that he is flustered from the staring contest just minutes ago.

"What's your name, baker's son?" Kibum's curiosity seems to have a funny effect on the boy. He looks up into Kibum's eyes and opens his mouth just slightly before pausing nervously and then speaking up.

"I'm Lee Taemin."

"I'm Kim Kibum. Nice to be formally introduced," Kibum's chuckle makes Taemin's face red as a cherry. He looks down at his feet before shyly agreeing.

"I'll get back home. Enjoy the bread." Kibum hums and waves goodbye to Taemin, who turns to get back down the stairs. He jogs down and across the road. He passes on the thank you from Kibum and gets a caring pat on the head and a loving smile from his father.

Back in his room, Taemin glances over at Kibum every now and again. He likes the concentration visible on Kibum's face as he absorbs himself in drawing.

He spends the next day doing the same thing. One time he glances across the road and finds Kibum gone from his place at the working desk. Thinking it is probably a visit to the toilet or for making coffee, he brushes it off. This is until his mother comes into his room to tell him that the boy across the road has come to see him. Taemin walks down to the shop, feeling an explosion brewing inside of his nervous self.