TITLE: Start SUMMARY: The start of Teo and Kim Taehui’s love story. WORD COUNT: 3.5k GENRE: fluff! PAIRING: Teo x Kim Taehui WARNINGS: none! other than it being poorly edited. A/N: Please find Kim Taehui and the other Neostar Entertainment artists mentioned at @neostar-entertainment! Thank you David for proof reading + editing and making this collaboration so fun :(( !!
“Ugh, mine tastes weird.” Taehui made a face, recoiling himself at the taste of his coffee. He offered the straw to Teo, who sat next to him stiffly. Teo just gave a short shake of his head. He wasn’t sure if he could stomach anything right now.
Taehui gave the other man a questioning look. Teo rarely declined Taehui’s coffee offers. “Injung, what’s up?” Injung gave a little huff. If you told him a month ago that he’d be on a first-name basis with one of his favorite singers, Teo would have laughed in your face. Now he was sitting in Taehui’s home, watching as the artists of Neostar Entertainment conversed among themselves while they waited for Taehui to present his album.
Injung was used to having his work be put in the hot seat, but he didn’t know what kind of reactions the artists of Neostar would have. Would they be blunt about their opinions? Sugar coat their reactions? Sit with a poker face?
“I just... Don’t know what to expect. That’s all.” Injung said, rolling up the cuffs of his button down shirt anxiously. Taehui hummed in understanding. “Don’t worry too much. The kids are all softies.” The CEO grinned fondly. “And I think the album will be a pleasant surprise for them.”
Injung gave a short chuckle, remembering the day that Hak Bonghwa called him to his office for a 'pleasant surprise' that ended up changing his life.
Teo can still remember how hard his hands shook, causing his coffee to teeter over the lip of the cup as he sat across from his boss. Hak Bonghwa was reasonable for the most part, but Teo never really knew when it came to the older man. To Injung, a pleasant surprise would be getting an Edible Arrangement. To Bonghwa, a pleasant surprise could be military enlistment with a friend of his choosing.
"I have some exciting news." Hak Bonghwa had said, a proud smile on his face. "You've been requested."
Injung arched his eyebrow at the vague explanation.
"Requested for what? A birthday party? A wedding?" Teo wondered.
Hak Bonghwa chuckled. "Not quite." He crossed one of his legs over the other in a dignified way. "Kim Taehui from Neostar Entertainment is looking for new writers on his upcoming album... He requested you to be one of them."
Injung's brain melted. Kim Taehui, one of his favorite musical artists, wanted him to write for his album? Kim Taehui knew who he was? The concept was mind boggling. Teo placed his coffee cup down before he dropped it in shock.
"Wait, hold on... Let me get this straight." Injung licked his lower lip and stretched his hands out in front of him, ready to animate his thoughts. "Kim Taehui contacted you? Did you respond?"
"Oh, yes, right away." Hak Bonghwa nodded importantly. "I told him you'd be delighted. You're scheduled for a meeting tomorrow at one at Neostar Entertainment's building."
"You-" Injung thought he was going to pass out from all the information he was being given. "You said yes? Before asking me?"
Hak Bonghwa frowned, giving Injung a pointed look. "This is good for you, Injung. You need to start thinking of your future. You're too talented to not pursue lyric writing after you retire. Being credited for songs other than your own makes you look more professional."
Injung opened his mouth to argue that he wasn't sure if his abilities were good enough for Kim Taehui, but Hak Bonghwa cut him off.
"Just be ready for tomorrow. I'd bring sample writing if I was you, just to give an example of what you can do. And wear blue. Blue is your color." Hak Bonghwa smiled.
Teo drummed his fingers on the outside of the bag sitting on his lap. The Neostar Entertainment building was really nice and clean, with it’s sleek white walls and high ceilings. The receptionist at the front desk seemed pleased to meet him too. She even shook his hand. Injung wasn't sure if Seongja, the elderly woman who worked as HBH's receptionist, ever shook anyone's hand. This place was so different from HBH Entertainment, and maybe that’s why Teo was so nervous. He felt out of place already, like he wasn’t supposed to be in here, despite the visitors badge pinned to his blue sweater.
"Park Injung?" A smooth voice bounced off the sleek walls. Teo sat upright, his brain kicking into high gear as he realized who addressed him.
Standing tall in a crisp suit was Kim Taehui. A kind smile painted on the man's face as he extended his hand. Teo's brain was a few seconds behind, trying to comprehend his current reality.
Teo rose hastily to bow, accidentally knocking his bag over in the process. Hundreds of papers flew out from folders, scattering across the pristine lobby floor. Teo’s cheeks burned in mortification. So much for making a good impression.
"I'm sorry!" Injung apologized quickly, scurrying to pick up his work. He shook his head at the floor, forcing out a mirthless chuckle. "I brought samples of writing for you to look at..."
Teo looked up from his mess to see, in horror, that Taehui was reading one of his notes carefully. A small smile curled up on the CEO's lips as his eyes scanned further and further down the page.
Taehui held up the paper with a smile. "If this is just a sample, I might have to raise your pay." The CEO chuckled before angling his head towards the elevators. "Let's get started, shall we?"
Injung thought his hand was going to fall off. For the past four hours, he's been slaving over this one song for Taehui. He dropped his pen and took a wary glance at the clock on his desk. It was nearing four in the morning. Thank God Triptych was on hiatus, otherwise he'd have to get up in three hours for practice, and this piece wasn't even finished.
If it was a Triptych song, he would have gone to bed hours ago. If it wasn't completed, he knew he could rely on other members the next morning to help him work out the kinks. But for this song, he wanted it to be absolutely perfect.
At one in the morning, Teo had convinced himself that he was working this hard because it was for another person, and he wanted to create something that would satisfy them.
At three in the morning, Teo reasoned that it was because he was writing for Kim Taehui, and that's why it was justifiable to skip on a few hours of sleep.
Now, at four, Teo realized just why he was breaking his back over Taehui.
He wanted recognition. Kim Taehui was someone Teo looked up to, and after spending the day with him that afternoon, Injung only developed a deeper idolization of the CEO. Everything Taehui did was admirable. From the way he casually interacted with his artists to the way he put so much work into running a business that was true to his values. Taehui was caring, funny, and ambitious. Teo wasn't sure he'd ever met someone so lovely in his life. And that's why he wanted Taehui to approve of him. He wanted the seal of approval from someone lovely.
With the thought of Taehui in mind, Teo finished the song at around six in the morning. Once he placed the pen down for the last time, exhaustion fell over him. He was crawling into bed just as he heard Van's alarm go off from next door. Even with Van's clunking around, Teo had no problem drifting off into a deep sleep.
It felt like only moments had passed when Teo was being shaken awake. Teo blinked the sleep out of his eyes to see Van leaning over him.
"Injung, it's noon." Van said feverently.
"So?" Injung asked in a groggy groan, his brain still fuzzy from his sleep.
"You have a meeting at Neostar in thirty." Van reminded him.
Teo's body felt like it had been dunked in cold water. He sat up quickly, instantly reaching for his phone. Sure enough, it was 12:02 pm. He already should have left for Neostar Entertainment. He was going to be late.
Teo flung himself out of bed, pulling on a sweater over the clothes he wore and slept in the night before. He was moving so fast that Van only had time to stuff a granola bar in his back pocket before he flew out the door.
He arrived at Neostar at 12:40pm, ten minutes late. Teo was panting heavily when Taehui opened his office door. Taehui looked Teo up and down in concern.
"Everything okay, Injung?"
"Just..." Teo took a deep inhale, trying to steady out his own breathing. "Just got here... Sorry... Running... Running late."
Taehui nodded in understanding. He gestured with his hands for Teo to relax. "No worries," The CEO stepped aside. "Come in."
Injung sat at one of the couches in the office, placing his overstuffed folders and notes on the coffee table for Taehui to see. Now that he caught his breath, excitement for Taehui's reaction was setting in. He couldn't wait for the older man to read what he had come up with last night.
"I worked on this all night!" Injung exclaimed, opening one of the folders to show a finished lyric write up. He shook his head in amazement at himself as he organized his papers. “Injung,” Taehui furrowed his eyebrows at the statement. “Okay, maybe not all night. But I must have worked like, nearly eight hours on these." Injung shrugged, pulling out some of his lyrics excitedly. “I think you'll like them though.”
"Injung," Taehui said softly, sitting across from the idol. Teo looked up, a smile still on his face, anticipating any praise that might come out of Taehui’s mouth next.
"You can't do this anymore, okay?" Taehui said seriously. "I appreciate the hard work, but losing sleep over some songs..."
"Well, I don't mind." Injung shook his head, trying to change the course that this conversation had taken. He didn’t mean to raise any concern. "It only took so long because I was having trouble with the beats.”
"Yeah but... We have other lyricists on the team who could have filled in the blanks for you." Taehui reminded him gently. Teo's expression faltered, embarrassment falling over him. How could he forget that Taehui had a whole team of writers backing him? Teo got so caught up in the excitement of this project that he forgot that it wasn't just something exclusively for Taehui and him to work on.
"Oh. Right." Teo blushed. "Yeah, that's... that's what writers do, right?"
"Right." Taehui affirmed. He looked at all the papers in front of him, running his fingertips over the handwritten lyrics. "How about you leave these here and go back home? Get some sleep."
Injung's heart dropped like he'd been insulted. He had been looking forward to coming to Neostar since he left yesterday. He couldn't just turn around and leave now. Plus, Taehui’s presence was magnetic. He wanted to spend just a little bit more time with him.
"I want to stay." Injung said stubbornly.
"That's really not necessary." Taehui shook his head.
"After all I've done, I don't want to just be turned away." Injung stood his ground. "How do I know you won't just throw my papers out once I leave?"
Taehui furrowed his eyebrows at the younger idol, a crease forming between them. "I'd never do that."
Teo leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "These songs are my babies. At least let me stay to see you record the demos."
Taehui lost the argument. The two of them claimed a recording booth and got to work. Teo's energy only lasted through the demo recording. Once Taehui and he started working on the composition of the song, the vocalist finally hit the wall.
Injung's eyes started to involuntarily get heavier and heavier. He rubbed his eyes impatiently as a loud yawn forced itself from his chest. Injung tried to cover it up by angling his head downward towards the desk, pretending to focus on the notes he had written down during the recording.
"Hey," Taehui dipped his head to catch Injung's eyes. "Are you tired?"
"No."
"Don't lie to me," Taehui smirked. "Your eyes are bloodshot."
"Yeah, well..." Teo's argument faded as he rubbed at one of his eyes irritably.
"Go sleep on the couch." Taehui suggested, nodding his head towards the couch pressed against the wall behind them.
Injung arched his eyebrows at Taehui. "I don't need a nap."
"God, you're stubborn." Taehui shook his head, a small smile on his face. He turned his attention back to his production software. "Fine. I guess I'll just have to ask you to leave the building, then."
"You can't do that." Injung spluttered.
"Oh, yes I can." Taehui chortled. "I own this building. I can kick whoever I want out.”
"So, what? My options are take a nap on the couch that all your artists have sat on or be sent home?" Teo asked, his eyebrow arched in disbelief.
"The choice is yours." Taehui shrugged, his back still to Teo as he focused on clipping audio and layering his demo track.
Teo shook his head in amazement. He pushed his chair back and made his way to the couch, flopping down on the leather cushions.
"That's what I thought." Taehui teased, finally turning around in his seat to look at Teo. Something in Teo's chest bubbled, a smile forming on Injung's face.
"Shush." He responded, turning away from the CEO to face the back cushions. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in his chest whenever he heard Taehui hum along to the melody of their song.
Teo was brought back to the present when Taehui suddenly stood from his seat on the couch. He clapped his hands together, getting the attention of his artists. Silence fell over the group of idols, all attention on Taehui.
“I think it’s time we start the first listen of my newest album-” A polite applause broke out among the artists with a few wolf whistles. Teo laughed and clapped along, including himself in the praise for the CEO. Taehui smiled appreciatively before continuing.
“This album has been my most exciting project. I am so honored to have worked along side some of the best producers,” Taehui gestured to the group of older colleagues by the minibar, who raised their glasses in appreciation. “Composers,” Taehui continued, gesturing to another group of people towards the back of the room, who gave a polite wave. “And writers.” Taehui focused his attention on Teo. Injung felt his heart do flips as Taehui gave him the biggest smile before giving a subtle wink.
“Without them, this album wouldn’t be anything worth sharing with you all. Now, please enjoy.” Taehui gave a short and polite bow before pulling a sleek remote out of his pocket. Through the speakers situated around the room, the first chords of the title track sang out. The artists all gathered in clumps, enjoying their food and talking in low tones so they could give the album a close listen.
“Hey,” A voice whispered. Teo looked over his shoulder. Yeonjin of Empyrean Moon had his arms placed on the back of the sofa Teo was sitting on, a huge smile stretched across his face. A hand extended to Teo. “I’m Yeonjin. Nice to meet you.” Yeonjin said boldly, shaking the elder’s hand excitedly. “Big fan of your work.”
“Oh, thank you.” Teo accepted the compliment, a smile tugging at his lips. “I have a question for you.” Yeonjin asked, glancing quickly over his shoulder. Next to the fondue fountain was a group of boys, all looking over with a mixture of anxiety and amusement. Teo recognized them as the rest of Empyrean Moon. The singer could feel his nerves rising. What was Yeonjin about to ask him, exactly?
“What’s between you and our CEO? Are you guys like, a thing?” Yeonjin asked with a head tilt. The question sounded so innocent and genuine, but Teo couldn’t help but feel defensive. “What?” He asked. “No. The CEO and I are just good colleagues.”
“Hm.” Yeonjin seemed unimpressed by the response. The younger’s eyes flickered up. Teo followed his gaze to see Taehui, sipping on golden champagne while making small talk with a guest. Taehui’s eyes fluttered over to where Teo and Yeonjin were, a small smirk quirking on his lips before giving Teo a second wink. Then his gaze returned to the guest he was supposed to be talking to, but even Teo could tell that Taehui was feigning interest.
“Imagine getting two winks in one night.” Yeonjin said, almost wistfully. “Must feel nice being the center of Kim Taehui’s attention.” Teo furrowed his eyebrows at the younger boy, not understanding. “Don’t make things up. There’s nothing going on between me and Taehui. We’re strictly business partners.”
Yeonjin looked like he wanted to say more, but instead he shook his head. “Okay. Fine. Sorry for making you uncomfortable.” He looked over his shoulder at his friends, who were now dipping various snacks into the fondue machine with childlike interest.
“Do you think you’ll be doing more business with Neostar in the future?” Yeonjin asked, his expression looking almost pleading.
“Maybe. You’ll have to ask your CEO for that.” Injung said, bringing his cup to his lips.
“I will. You’re really gifted and cool. I don’t want Taehui hogging all your talent.” Yeonjin said sweetly. “Plus, I’ve gotten used to seeing you in the Neostar cafeteria. I’ll miss you if you’re gone for too long.”
Teo wasn’t sure how to respond to that sentimental confession, but thankfully he didn’t have to. Haeju, a member of Honey Moon, was waving her hands to get people’s attention over the music.
“I put the jello shots out, if anyone wants some!” She whisper-yelled. A swarm of Neostar artists flooded to the dining room, including the Empyrean members.
“Gotta go.” Yeonjin said hurriedly. “Nice talking to you, Mr. Teo. I’ll see you!”
Teo watched as he meshed in with the crowd, eventually disappearing from sight.
The party ended on a slightly rowdier note than Teo was expecting for a first listen party. After the last song played, Taehui gave one last speech to his now-drunken artists, thanking Teo once again. Then the artists started filtering out in groups. Before long, it was only Teo and Taehui left over.
Teo made himself useful and helped clean up the mess, despite Taehui insisting that he shouldn’t. The apartment turned into a party zone, every surface of the place littered with plastic cups of half-empty drinks. It didn’t feel right leaving Taehui to clean up the mess on the night of his own listening party.
The two worked in silence, picking up discarded trays and plates and bringing them to the kitchen. Teo wanted to say something, but his conversation with Yeonjin was still replaying in his head, hours later. What made Yeonjin, and the rest of Empyrean Moon, think that Teo was the center of Taehui’s attention? Was there something there that Teo hadn’t noticed? His reevaluation of everything Taehui has said to him over the past month fueled his silent cleaning, taking his confusion out on the dirty hors d'oeuvres plate with a sponge.
“I think this was a success,” Taehui said with a chuckle, entering the kitchen and sliding next to Teo by the sink. “Everyone seemed to like our album.” Teo gave Taehui a small smile. “I think you mean your album.” “Right.” Taehui let out a small laugh, reaching for his own sponge.
The two worked in silence for a moment. Teo bit his lip before sharing the moment that defined his night.
“Yeonjin said he wants me to do more business with Neostar.” Teo shared, giving Taehui a sideways glance. When Taehui’s eyes met his, he looked back down to his soapy hands in embarrassment. “He said he’d miss seeing me in the Neostar cafeteria.”
Taehui chuckled, turning the faucet on to clean off his plate. “That’s a very Yeonjin thing to say.” He said fondly. “But I’d miss you too.”
Teo looked back up at Taehui, this time not breaking eye contact. Taehui hesitated before continuing.
“I know that the album is finished now,” Taehui said. “And that means I’ll probably be seeing less and less of you from now on, but I want to keep in touch.”
Injung felt a smile tug at his lips, his stomach doing excited somersaults. “I do too.”
“Wanna get some coffee next week?” Taehui asked.
Teo narrowed his eyes playfully. “This sounds like a date.” “It can be, if you want it to?” Taehui said, sounding a little nervous.
Teo felt his heart stutter. It wasn’t until Taehui said it out loud that Teo finally realized exactly what he wanted from Taehui. It wasn’t recognition, it wasn’t approval. It was him. He just wanted Kim Taehui and all the loveliness he had.
“Yeah. I want it to be.” Injung confirmed.
“Great.” Taehui smiled more confidently, nodding his head. “A date it is.”