Work Text:
“Mr. Kim?!” The knocking sounded even greater after some seconds. “Mr. Kim, open up!”
The door opened but just a split. A chain and Junmyeon’s face was the only thing the landlord could see.
“Hey, Mr. Choi, What’s up?” Junmyeon talked through the crack, he sounded nervous thanks to his voice cracking up.
“Can you open up?”
“Right now? I don’t know, I'm kind of naked.”
The landlord looked down the crack, Junmyeon hid his body before he could see he was lying.
“It’s been two weeks since you told me you would pay me this month’s rent.”
“I’ve been… working on it.”
“Not been working enough!”
“I just need one more week. I swear. Just one.”
Mr. Choi looked thoughtful. He sighed.
“You have until the end of this week. After that expect an eviction notice.”
“Thanks! Thank you so much! You won’t regret it!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The landlord went his own way. Junmyeon shutted the door. In a hurry, he ran towards the counter of his kitchen and looked at his phone to check the date. It was friday.
“HE GAVE ME ONLY TWO DAY THAT SON OF A-” Junmyeon stopped rumbling to exchange it for a calm breathing. “It’s my fault. I decided to buy those evangelions figurines. I can make the money in two days.”
He ran towards the bathroom to shower.
Junmyeon has been an artist ever since he was a child. He took painting classes secretly, since his parents weren’t in favor of those types of “fantasy jobs”. On the other hand, Jongin, his brother, has been a genius his entire life. Exceeding in grades as well as good looks and charisma. Kim Jongin was the whole package. Junmyeon was… a package. Or he saw himself as such. After he became 20 he left his parents house with money he made selling his paintings on fairs, through the internet, close friends and galleries. He made good money. Junmyeon had a dream and he was living on it. He’s paying two studios: The one he’s living on and the one he works at. After some months trying to live in both his work and sleeping zone he realized that maybe the paintings were making him way more dizzy than he liked, so he got his work studio. Now his new battle was to fight between his whims and paying rent.
He got out of the shower and dressed with the first thing he saw. He ran towards the kitchen to grab his phone until he saw the unexpected 12 missed calls from his younger brother. He called back.
“Jongi-”
“Are you occupied right now?” Jongin sounded in a hurry.
“Yeah, I’ve got to work.”
“Can you work a little later today?”
“No, there’s no chance.”
“Is that the door I’m hearing?” Jongin asked through the line. Junmyeon was, indeed, exiting his place.
“What? Why?”
“Go back there.”
“Jongin, I have to work or I won't have a place to live in two days.”
“I’ll pay it for you if you listen to what I have to say.”
Junmyeon stopped his steps towards the elevator.
“I’m listening.”
“Okay. This is a long story so you better listen good. Do you remember Do Kyungsoo?”
“Yeah, the love of your life. Of Course.” Junmyeon started to walk back.
Junmyeon was glad that even if his parents saw him as a failure, Jongin was still close and dear to him.
“I… yeah, that one. You know how he started working at my same hospital. And I’ve been crushing on him for a long, long time.”
Junmyeon got back to his place, he laid down on his couch.
“Did you confess?”
“Not quite. We’ve been talking more and more and he knows that I go on dates every now and then but this time was different.”
“Can you drop it already?!”
“The thing is that I told him that I have another blind date and suddenly confessed to me that he’s been in love ever since college!”
“Atta, boy! So that’ll be 300 thousand won.”
“No, wait, that’s not what I’m paying you for.”
“Then for what?”
“I need you to go to the blind date and tell him that is not happening”
“Why don’t you text him?”
“Because the friend that set us up is not answering my texts. So, can you please go tell him?”
“For 300 thousand won? I can be batman.”
“Thank you, Junmyeon!”
“Tell Kyungsoo that he owes me 50 thousand won, too.”
“Wha- Why?”
“We bet who would confess first. I bet on him, he bet for you. He lost, of course.”
“YOU KNEW?!”
“Send me the directions via text. Bye. Love you.” He kissed the phone. Junmyeon ended the call. He looked at his dirty clothes. “I’m not ending a date looking like I'm a hobo.” He stood up and walked towards his room.
Jongin sent him to a coffee house an hour away from where he was staying. At least it was near his work studio. He entered the place and remembered what Jongin said: He says that he’ll be dressed with a white shirt and a purple bracelet . His name is Oh Sehun. Junmyeon started to look at every wrist in the place without trying to be unnoticed. He saw wrist, after wrist, people were looking at him weirdly. I don’t care, Junmyeon thought, I just want to get out of here with my money.
“Jongin?” Junmyeon heard someone. He looked up from the wrist he was analyzing and what he saw made him lose the grip of his chin. “You’re Jongin, right? Am I getting it wrong?”
The guy showed his wrist with the purple bracelet and pointed at his white shirt. But Junmyeon wasn’t paying attention. Sehun looked like a dream: short black hair, dark long eyebrows, eyes deep and intense but looking at him with kindness, big straight nose, plump lips. Junmyeon felt undressed, even though Sehun was only wearing jeans and a white shirt while Junmyeon was using a brown sweater vest with a button up shirt under it, black pants and shoes matching the color of the vest.
“I’m wrong, right? I’m so sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Oh.” Sehun looked weirded out. Junmyeon dressed his hair a little better and walked towards him.
“Sorry, I don’t know what I was expecting. You’re gorgeous.”
Where did I get the confidence? , Junmyeon thought.
Sehun laughed, Junmyeon felt his stomach tickle.
“You’re really good looking too. I really like how you’re dressed.”
“Thank you! I spend most of my time going through Pinterest looking for outfits!”
Both of them sat on a table, in front of each other.
“Yeah? Do doctors have the time?”’
Junmyeon felt a blush creeped up. Right , Junmyeon thought, I’m Jongin . Does that mean I can do whatever I want under the pretense that I’m not me, right?
“You know… weekends. Uh… What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”
“That’s cute. Did you always want to be a teacher?”
“I tried being a highschool teacher but those kids are rough.” Sehun smiled sadly.
“I would have loved to have a teacher like you when I was in highschool.”
Again, WHERE did I get the confidence , Junmyeon thought, Oh, wait. I’m Jongin right now.
Sehun laughed a bit and looked at him curiously.
“You barely even know me, though.”
“I… yeah. Anyways, why kindergarten and no middle school or primary?”
“They may not pay very well but it’s fun. I just think that highschoolers scarred me. What about you? What kind of doctor are you?”
Junmyeon was silent for a moment. He doesn’t remember what Jongin's job was.
“Are you okay?” Sehun asked.
“Yeah, yeah. I just… don’t know if you know this kind, that's all.”
“Try me.”
“Uh… I’m a… psychiatrist.”
“Oh. I’m sorry if I sound ignorant right now, but what do psychiatrists do?”
He’s adorable, Junmyeon thought, he’s worried about getting something wrong when I probably know less than him!
“They- I… in my field,” I have to try, at least, to sound like Jongin . “ To put it in a sippy cup, we treat and diagnose psychological disorders.” I think, he thought.
“You must have studied really hard, then.”
“Yeah… I sure did.” Junmyeon felt his mouth drying out. “I’ll go ask for coffee. Do you want something?”
“I’d like a lemonade.” Sehun took his wallet and gave him 5 thousand won.
“Wow, this place must be expensive,” Junmyeon said. Sehun lifted an eyebrow,
“I thought you set us here.”
“I- yeah! I just… forgot. I’ll be right back.”
Junmyeon ran towards the cashier and asked for the coffee and lemonade. He took his phone out and called Jongin.
“Hey, big bro. Did you do it?” He heard on the other line.
“No. I did not.”
“What?!”
“He’s too damn cute to tell him no! Why didn’t you tell me that you got a date with fucking Adonis?!”
“You don’t know what a blind date means, right?”
“Anyway. What kind of doctor are you?”
“I’m an orthopedic surgeon, why?”
“What do they do?”
“In your words: bones.”
“Damn it! I know of bones! Why did I say Psychiatrist?!”
“Why did you lie about your job?!”
“Because he thinks I’m you!”
“Why- why? Junmyeon. Just why?” Jongin sounded disappointed.
“One thing led to another and my IQ of 60 went down to -3. He’s handsome, Jongin!”
“You’re an idiot. Good luck.”
“Wait-”
Jongin ended the call.
“What do psychiatrists do? Jongin? Hello?”
“Your order,” the employee called for Junmyeon. He looked like he was waiting for a while for Junmyeon to respond.
He took the beverages and walked towards Sehun. Sitting down. Junmyeon gave him his change.
“Hi, sorry. I was talking to my brother.”
“You got a brother? Younger or older?” Sehun sat a little straighter, taking his lemonade.
“He’s… uh… older.” If you keep muttering he won’t be less suspicious of you , Junmyeon thought.
“How’s he called?”
“Junmyeon.”
“What does he do for a living? Do you get along with him?” Sehun sipped from his lemonade.
“Yeah, I do get along with him. He’s a painter, artist.”
“Oh, cool? Can I see his works?”
“Sure.” Junmyeon got his phone out and opened the gallerie. He showed him the photos of his own work. “You may not know him, he’s more underground. He’s got an instagram but no more than 2k followers.”
“Oh, no way!” Sehun took his phone out. “I’m pretty sure I follow him. Yeah.” Sehun let Junmyeon see his phone screen, following his account. “I think I saw him during a gallery exhibition around here. I really like his work!”
“Him?”
“I mean his work. I’ve never seen him. But I imagine he must look like you.”
Junmyeon blushed. If you only knew.
“I’m better looking.”
Sehun laughed and nodded.
“I don’t have any siblings. I would love to, though.”
“Why?”
“Just to have a friend I know would always be there for me. Do you always get along with Junmyeon?”
“I… When we were younger not much but ever since he left the house it’s been a lot better.”
“That’s nice. I’ve heard of a lot of siblings who don’t get along.”
“No but me and Jo… Junmyeon are really close. We love each other.”
Sehun sipped from his cup and looked at Junmyeon without saying a word. Junmyeon didn’t know where to put his hands. He decided his lap was good.
“So… why blind date?” Junmyeon asked.
“I wasn’t thinking of dating to be honest. Baekhyun insisted that he knew someone I would like and that I should do it to… get out of my comfort zone or whatever.”
“So… you are not interested in dating?”
Sehun shook his head.
“But I thought why not. Also he insisted way too much.” He laughed.
“I don’t date much either.” Junmyeon bit his lip at the realization that he was talking as himself and not as Jongin. His brother went on dates every weekend. Luckily, he won’t do it anymore.
“Really?”
“I just don’t have the time… or confidence to put myself out there, you know?”
“You look like you date, though.” Sehun looked at him up and down.
“W-why?”
“Your clothes. You have a style so it looks like you go out a lot.”
“Oh, not at all! I just like to buy nice and pretty clothes. But I barely have friends. You on the other hand look like you would not be single.”
“Why not?”
“Should I repeat myself?” Junmyeon asked, sipping on his coffee. Sehun smiled.
“I have been single for about six years, maybe?”
“How old are you?”
“27,” Sehun said. Junmyeon opened his mouth in amazement. “What?” Sehun asked.
“You’re younger than me.”
“Really?” Sehun asked, also impressed.
“I’m 30.”
“No way! You look younger!”
“You look older!”
“Everyone tells me I look younger,” Sehun said, “I don’t know why.”
“I mean, physically you look young but you just give like… a maturity vibe. I’m guessing since the way I’m dressed I look younger.”
“I think you just have a baby face.”
“Well, I’m no baby, I can tell you that much.” Another sip from his coffee. Sehun laughed, amused.
“I can’t believe you’ve never done this.”
Junmyeon shrugged. They kept chatting for an hour or so. Junmyeon was glad that he never brought up his so and so job. But he sang victory too soon.
Their drinks were done and they’ve been occupying the seats for way longer than they should.
“Do you want to go out and have a walk through the boulevard?” Junmyeon asked, getting up.
“Yeah, I like the idea.” Sehun followed him.
Both of them walked around side by side, looking at the big trees that were around the avenue. They found an ice cream truck and bought some for them, Junmyeon a chocolate one and Sehun strawberry. They sat on a bench near there.
“So, what's it like working in a hospital? It must be stress inducing,” Sehun asked, licking his ice cream.
“Uh… yeah. Very.” Junmyeon tried to remember how it was when he’s visiting Jongin but Sehun’s tongue was too enticing. “People running around… uh… weird smells…”
“Weird smells? Aren’t you a psychiatrists?”
“Um… I work really near to the… medical technologists…?”
That was the only other occupation I know of , Junmyeon thought.
“Aren’t those the ones who do the x-rays?”
“I mean the … old people … who go there.”
There was silence. Junmyeon turned around to look at Sehun who looked… Junmyeon didn’t know what kind of expression was on Sehun’s face. He looked like he wanted to laugh at the same time that he knew he shouldn’t.
“Don’t tell them I think of them like that,” Junmyeon said. Sehun finally laughed.
“I don’t think kids are wonderful either, so don’t worry.”
“I can only imagine… Sehun?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to have kids someday? Aren’t you like… tired of them?” Junmyeon thought a bit more about what he just said. “I sound like an asshole. I’m sorry.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’m not, though. I’d love to have a family one day.”
“Still, you don’t date.”
“I think that love will come when it wants to. No hurry.”
Junmyeon bit his lip. He’s really liking Sehun.
“How's working with kids?”
“It’s really nice, loud, but nice nonetheless.” Sehun's eyes looked like they sparkled.
“You must teach them about the most irrelevant things.”
“They do ask a lot of useless questions. But I like it because I answer with the same useless information and don’t judge me. They just accept it.”
“Really? When my baby cousins ask me something and I answer, they immediately judge me. It’s scary.”
“You don’t work with kids?” Sehun asked. Junmyeon asked himself the same.
“I.. uhmm… I do. But like, the parents are the ones to judge me.”
“It must be difficult to diagnose a child with a mental disorder.”
“I don’t think so,” Junmyeon crossed his arms. “It’s like having an answer for being such a problem kid. When I was diagnosed with ADHD I thought of it as a weight lifted from my body.”
“Oh. You must relate to those kids then.”
“Let’s say I do. Do you relate to the kids at your work?” Junmyeon looked at Sehun. He got more comfortable on the bench, getting his arm behind Junmyeon.
“I think I do but for one of those kids the most.”
“How so?”
“This kid is really into anime and no other kid seems interested. They watch anime but not the one’s this kid watches.”
“What does he watch?”
“He’s into Hunter x Hunter, Yu Yu Hakusho, Inuyasha-
“Inuyasha?!” Junmyeon interrupted. “That kid was born with a good taste! Does he even understand what he’s watching?”
“I’m sure not! But I remember my mother telling me that I did the same. I grew up watching anime and now take care of a kid who watches the same anime I did. It seems unreal.” Another lick to his ice cream, he had a nostalgic expression, his eyes were shining.
“That’s adorable.” Junmyeon smiled and looked at his lap. “I just think of you recommending him new anime or teaching him how to draw in an anime style and he starts showing you his drawing and maybe giving you some and putting it on your fridge.” Junmyeon looked at Sehun. “I’m so sorry I’m saying ‘and’ too much.” Junmyeon got nostalgic since he was the one who did that as a child.
Sehun got closer to Junmyeon, his arm still on the bench.
“I like the idea too.” Junmyeon felt shivers down his spine while watching Sehun smile so close to his own face.
“I… I don’t know what you think but I’m really liking this date.” Junmyeon said, a bit embarrassed.
“I really like it too.”
Junmyeon wanted to turn his eyes the other way but he kept looking at Sehun. He wanted to stay still to not do anything wrong. But he moved a little. Sehun did the same. Junmyeon stood still again, but Sehun didn’t stop. He got closer and closer to Junmyeon’s face. I can’t believe this is actually happening , He thought. Junmyeon closed his eyes little by little, Sehun did the same as he kissed him on the lips. Junmyeon retrieved himself a little, surprised.
“S-sorry,” Junmyeon said.
“It’s all right,” Sehun whispered. He went back to kiss him again, and Junmyeon let him.
He felt Sehun’s lips moving and his arm getting around his body. Junmyeon moved his hands towards Sehun’s shoulder to have something to grab since he felt like he could fall at any given moment. Sehun deepened the kiss and held Junmyeon’s waist, taking him closer to himself. They let themselves be for some seconds before Junmyeon broke the kiss. He looked at Sehun and pressed his own lips and widened his eyes. Sehun looked scared for a second.
“W-what? Did I do something wrong?” Sehun asked.
“N-no. Not at all, don’t worry.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”’
“I… uhm…”
Junmyeon got himself away from Sehun and licked his lips.
“Maybe I was too quick. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No! It’s not that. Really.”
“What is it then?”
That I've been lying to you most of the date, Junmyeon thought. He looked at Sehun who seemed worried. Junmyeon sighed. He wasn’t going to be able to get a man like that either way.
“I really like you, Sehun.” Junmyeon started.
“Me too.” Sehun answered, but still worried.
“I don’t think you really do.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve been…” Junmyeon breathed in and out. “Lying to you.” He pressed his eyes, cringing at himself.
“Wha-What do you mean?” Sehun slid away from Junmyeon.
“I am… not Jongin.”
Sehun kept looking at him, no words.
“I am his brother, though. The painter.”
“Why… Why did you lie?”
“It’s just that I was supposed to cancel the date because your friend wouldn’t answer Jongin texts. My brother sent me to tell you but you’re incredible looking so my brain stopped working and I started to pretend like I was my brother but then I really liked you as a person…” Junmyeon said in one breath. When he looked at Sehun he looked confused.
“Then you lied about your name and I’m guessing your job too.”
“Yep.”
“About something else too?”
“Not that I remember.”
“Well, it makes sense why you sounded like you forgot about your job so many times.”
“I even called him when I asked for our drinks. I already forgot the weird name he works in.”
“Why psychiatrist, though?”
“Because I didn’t know ‘general doctor’ was an actual doctor.” Junmyeon slapped his face. “I searched for it when we asked for the ice cream. I feel silly.”
Sehun laughed, Junmyeon followed, feeling a little more confident.
“I’m sorry I lied to you. I never thought we would end up in this circumstance.” Junmyeon said.
“It’s… fine. You shouldn’t have done it, though.”
“Yeah… I’m so sorry again.” Junmyeon got up from the bench. “Then I think I better go now. I can pay for your drink, though. For the waste of time.”
“Wait, what?” Sehun stood up too.
“It’s unfair I made you use your money for this.”
“You’re just going to leave?”
“Well… yeah… I lied, I shouldn't be hanging around for long, expecting you to forgive me.”
“Makes sense…” Sehun didn’t sound sure. Sehun nodded slowly.
Junmyeon looked around and bowed his body.
“I’m going then. Take care.”
Sehun bowed back. Junmyeon turned around and walked a few steps.
“Wait!” Sehun called, Junmyeon turned around. Sehun got closer to him. “What you said makes sense. BUT I kind of… don’t want this to end.”
Junmyeon looked at him, expectantly.
“Then what?”
“I dunno,” Sehun said. He cleaned the palm of his hands on his jeans. “Maybe present yourself again.”
Junmyeon laughed, Sehun looked serious.
“Oh, you meant that. Uh… I’m Kim Junmyeon, 30 years old, I’m an artist, I paint, I have a little brother called Jongin who paid me 300 thousand won to tell you he doesn’t want to come to this date.”
“300 thousand? That much he didn’t want to see me?”
“I would give 300 thousand to Lucifer himself to have this date.”
Sehun laughed, Junmyeon thought of how beautiful his smile was.
“I’m Oh Sehun, 27… You already know.”
Junmyeon grinned with him.
“I want to know more, though,” Junmyeon followed.
“Then, if you want, maybe we could keep this date going.” Sehun slipped his hands down his pockets. “The two of us.”
“I have my studio around here if you’re interested in seeing my art.”
“I would very much love to see it.”
“If you want to see me as a work of art that too could happen.” Junmyeon started to walk, Sehun laughed once again.
“Oh my god, you’re unstoppable.” Sehun started to walk by his side.
“Yeah, I’m very much tireless. We can prove that too.”
Sehun pushed him a little, both walking towards Junmyeon’s studio.