[fic] Minho/Key – SHINee – Resurgence – Chapter 8/8

[rabenhorst]

Title: Resurgence
Author: fonulyn
Rating: NC17
Warnings: infidelity
Pairing: Minho/Key
Characters: Minho, Key, OCs
Disclaimer: I own no one, only my dirty imagination.
Summary: Some mistakes can’t be avoided, even when they keep repeating over and over again. The thing is, Minho doesn’t even really want to avoid falling into the same old trap. That is what makes it Minho’s biggest mistake. What makes him Minho’s biggest mistake.
Comments: The last chapter! I hope you enjoyed the journey here as much as I did :3



Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII

The next time they meet is when Minho’s boss dies. The old man has long since given Minho instructions in case of his departure and he knows exactly how to handle the funeral, as well as everything else in the company. The funeral is grand, but most of the guests are probably rather glad to see the old man gone, instead of mourning the loss.

It’s startling to notice how Kibum hasn’t changed at all, except for the fact that his hair is now dyed a honey blond, so soft Minho can barely restrain himself from touching it. During the ceremony he keeps stealing long glances into Kibum’s direction and almost every time, the other man looks right back.

Only after all the guests are gone Minho gains the moment he’s been waiting for – and dreading – the whole day. Kibum is waiting for him at the parking lot, standing next to the only two cars parked there. He’s impeccably dressed in his tailored suit, looking every bit as respectable as the occasion calls. Still as Minho approaches him from afar he keeps admiring the way sun glints in the blond strands of hair, the way the slight breeze keeps pushing them over Kibum’s face for him to brush off, irritated.

Minho is two steps away when Kibum looks up, his expression softening from annoyance to something that is much harder to decipher. “I already thought you were avoiding me,” he admits, honest and slightly admonishing.

The tone hits something inside of Minho but he smiles, gently placing his hand on Kibum’s elbow as he leans in and kisses him softly, chastely. He doesn’t know if it’s appropriate or not but they’re alone, there’s no one else in this peaceful moment and it might just be the last time they ever see one another. “How have you been, Kibum?” He asks instead of replying.

“I’m moving back home,” Kibum answers. He searches for Minho’s eyes with his own, as if waiting for a reaction that never comes.

Minho takes a step back, to a respectable distance. “How long are you still staying?”

“I’m not.” Kibum shakes his head. “The furniture is already gone. I’m just going to get into my car and leave.”

Somehow that sounds a lot more final than Minho has been prepared for but he doesn’t say anything. He only nods, slowly. “Jungwoo still asks about you, sometimes,” he admits. “If you… if you’re ever around here, drop by?” He knows it’s an empty offer as it will never be accepted, but he feels like he has to. It’s like his last desperate attempt to reach for the happiness he let go.

Kibum smiles. Minho thinks it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. “I will.” He hesitates for a moment, but then looks up at Minho again. “Be happy, Minho. Please.”

There’s no way that Minho can answer to that, not when his throat is laced up and he needs to focus to keep himself together. He only nods.

There’s nothing left to say. Nothing left to do.





As much as Minho wants to say he’s over Kibum he knows it’s not true. He isn’t. He will never be.





Two years later, another period of Minho’s life ends. He’s sitting in the living room, enjoying the first calm moment he has all day as he flips through yesterdays’ newspaper. Jungwoo is asleep by now, leaving the whole house to a careful silence not to wake him up. Minho isn’t ready for bed yet, though, and he keeps sipping on his coffee as he scans the pictures from news he’s not really even interested in.

It takes him by surprise when there’s a hand on his shoulder, his wife’s gentle voice following right after. “Could we talk?” She sits down next to him and he turns to better face her, sensing that this is more serious than just figuring out who picks up their son from school the next day, or what they will have for dinner. She doesn’t expect a verbal acknowledgement before going on. “Minho, there is something I need to say.”

She takes his hand, the most intimate contact they’ve had between them in months, and for a moment there’s something of the easy friendship of their first meeting in the air. It passes by, though, and she gives his hand a small squeeze. “You know, all I ever wanted was to be a mother. I wanted to have a home and children to look after. You gave me that, Minho, and for that I thank you.”

Minho doesn’t know what to say so he keeps silent, but it doesn’t seem to bother her in the slightest. She smiles, a determined shine in her eyes as she goes on. “You are a good man. But us? We are not good, not anymore. I’m not sure if we ever were.”

It hurts. Minho has known it for years, it’s the truth, and he hasn’t deluded himself into thinking there is any genuine love between the two of them. Still she is the person he’s spent a good part of his life with, grown a child with, and the finality of the moment isn’t easy to take.

“I’m not going to try steal Jungwoo from you,” she promises, soothing Minho’s biggest fear. The biggest reason he hasn’t suggested divorce long ago, as he’s never been sure if it’d mean letting go of his son forever as well. “You will be his father as much as you’ve always been.”

It’s the most sensible thing to do. They both know it. By the time they go to bed in the early morning hours they’ve arranged nearly everything, agreeing to make it final as soon as possible.

That is how Minho’s marriage ends. He moves away three days later into an apartment less than two minutes away, and to Jungwoo the transition seems to be more natural than anyone even dared to hope for.

There is one part of Minho that thinks this might be the best thing that’s happened to him in years.















“Come on, Jungwoo!” Minho doesn’t care about the way people turn to look at him as he raises his voice to call back his ten-year-old son, who just so happens to be running a bit too far for his liking. “You wanted to get something to eat, well here. This is the cafeteria come back here.” He can’t help but to grin as the boy turns around and quickly jogs back to his father. Jungwoo is wearing his brand new bright green soccer jersey, bought especially for the camp that’s starting the following day. He begged and begged for his father to come into the small town early, to look around a bit before the activities begin.

That is how Minho ends up in a town he has never even heard of, searching for a place to eat something light. Once Jungwoo reaches him again Minho places a hand on his shoulder and guides him into the building, holding the door open for him. The cafeteria is bustling with life, laughter and chatter, and it instantly lifts Minho’s mood considerably. They stand in line and Minho has already picked what he wants – a bagel and a cup of strong coffee – but Jungwoo seems to have troubles deciding so he lets his eyes wander.

Until his heart stops, dropping into the pit of his stomach.

Right there, next to the window, a couple sits talking animatedly to one another. The girl is laughing freely, while the man gestures wildly while explaining one thing or another.

The man is no other than Kibum.

He has some fine lines around his eyes, his features graced by age, but otherwise he looks so much like he did fifteen years ago. He must be around his forties now, but Minho feels like he’s looking at his high school crush again, reverted back in time. Kibum’s hair is even lighter shade of blond now, but only partially as the parts over his ears are cut short and remain his natural black. He’s wearing only a casual shirt and jeans, although Minho is certain the clothes cost a lot more than they seem to. He is –

“…sir? Sir?” A voice calls him and only Jungwoo’s sharp elbow manages to make Minho land back to reality. Quickly he rattles off his order, not even realizing he picks the wrong bagel in the end, and once their tray is fixed he quickly grabs it and heads straight into that window table. Jungwoo seems to be asking something but Minho ignores it, knowing the boy is following half a step behind him.

“Hello,” Minho says as he stops next to the table. Kibum looks up and his eyes widen, the smile on his face freezing in surprise. He doesn’t get a word in though, before Minho goes on. “Could we sit here?”

“O-of course,” Kibum stutters and when the woman gives him a weird look he makes a vague gesture at Minho and Jungwoo. “This is …a friend of mine. From the city. And his son.” He smiles at Jungwoo, who doesn’t seem to have any recollection of him. Then again, it’s been six years, more than half of Jungwoo’s lifetime.

Kibum introduces the woman as his sister, Hyein, and she instantly brightens up at the mention of Minho being a friend from those years spent away in the big city. She’s a babbly woman, incredibly likable and Minho inwardly thanks her for being there as an ice breaker. She has everyone laughing in no time, feeling completely comfortable, as she’s unaware of all the emotional baggage between two of her companions.

Soon enough, Hyein is enthusiastically explaining about Kibum, much to his dismay. “He’s just finishing up his degree! We never thought he’d finish school when he suddenly quit it and got a job! I guess the call of the big city just got too much,” she finishes with a merry chuckle.

At the mention of ‘a job’ Kibum gives Minho a warning glance, but Minho doesn’t have any intentions in spilling his secret. He only smiles charmingly, and Hyein seems to take that as her cue to go on. “It’s so nice to see you, Minho. I was beginning to think he spent all those years completely alone, I’ve never seen any friends he had there. I hope you’re staying! I’d love to invite you – both of you – over for dinner one day.”

That’s how the discussion goes on for long, Hyein taking care of the talking while others just interject something in the pauses. It isn’t like Kibum to be this silent but he seems to enjoy the moment as well, judging by how relaxed he is after the first awkward moments. By the time Hyein and Jungwoo get up to go back in line for some ice cream, it almost feels like they’ve been doing this for years.

It leaves Minho and Kibum together at the table and after only a second of silence Kibum speaks up, finally looking straight at Minho although he’s been stealing glances at him the whole time. “What are you here for, Minho? What do you want from me?” It’s not a hostile question, it stems from genuine curiosity, from the honest need to know.

Minho smiles. “I want you.” He knows it’s cliché, he knows it sounds like a line from a horrible movie, but if that’s how he feels right now then he’s going to say it, stupid or not. The lack of communication is what got them on the wrong tracks to begin with, and he isn’t about to repeat the same mistake again. “I want all of you. No shady deals, no possessive bosses, just you and me.”

The initial response is an exasperated sigh, and Kibum sets down the cup he’s been toying with for the best part of the last half an hour. “You don’t even–”

Minho cuts in with the speed of light. “Yes, Kibum. I don’t even know you.” He glances at the large ceramic cup, before raising his gaze again to look back at Kibum instead. “I don’t even know how you take your coffee, but the thing is, I would really want to.” He tries to pour all of his honesty into the words, hoping it comes across. “I know we screwed things up, in so many ways. But everything has changed. Give me a chance.” He doesn’t know where all those words keep coming from, he’s not usually a man of many words. Maybe it’s the sense of urgency in the moment, he has no idea.

The speedy words make Kibum smile, an honest smile that reaches all the way up to his eyes, and he silences Minho with a single word, spoken with a genuine laugh. “Tea.”

Minho stops. “What?”

“I don’t drink coffee,” Kibum explains, raising his cup. “Tea.”

As their eyes meet, their lips stuck in mirroring smiles, Minho has a feeling of butterflies in his stomach he hasn’t experienced in decades.





Minho knows that nothing is guaranteed, that they might end up hurting each other beyond repair. They already might have. But he also knows that life is nothing without taking a few chances.

Maybe what he had with Kibum was a mistake. Now, it’s time for him to make it right again.

---
(2232 words)


LJ


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just to clarify: my intentions aren’t to glorify cheating in any way with this piece. it’s never alright to do that to another human being, and it’s not right to sneak behind anyone’s back. seriously, not cool.

it can’t be denied though, sometimes bad things eventually lead to good ones, that is life. and ultimately, here, no one’s life was messed beyond repair lmao what am I rambling this sounds like one of those “no animals were hurt while filming this!!1” things

anyway what am I saying.

THIS IS THE END GUYS. THE END. what shall I write next?? as if I don’t have 9083781 WIPs that beg my attention lmao