Jongkey ;; Limerence (1/?)
Limerence: (n) the state of being infatuated with another person.
Kim Kibum is always at these things, the parties in penthouses and houses big enough to be mansions. Jonghyun thinks they're more of a casual runway than a party. Designers fitting models in their latest fashion under the guise of a cocktail party. Perhaps Jonghyun was bitter. After all, none of these models would give him the time of day (let alone give him an hour of their time for a photo shoot). Yet he was still at every event he could get into, buttering up the senior designers and models for a chance to prove his worth. He isn't always unlucky.
Even when he's busy planting thick flattery onto every person that will give him a second glance, he notices Kim Kibum.
Everyone knows Kibum. He's the most unconventionally handsome model in the industry, barely able to look most six foot and taller models in the eyes. He isn't rippling muscle and thin legs. He's slim, toned. And he can wear anything you put him into.
They'd played a prank on him, once. Jonghyun heard about it. Everyone did. Kibum showed up for a spread and the coordinators gave him a terrible outfit. A sweater with comically long sleeves, a wig from a party store, and makeup that should have clued him into the joke. But Kim Kibum worked the outfit like it was Versace. It's become a running joke amongst the designer about who could craft something even Kibum couldn't wear. Jonghyun hopes that Kibum can also make any photographer good, too. Not that Jonghyun was bad, but he was indie, and that might as well be the same thing to most of these people.
But at these parties, Kibum doesn't mingle. He's wearing a different designer each time Jonghyun sees him, but he never chats with anyone. Jonghyun can't tell if Kibum is completely untouchable or introverted.
Tonight, he's by the massive window in the far corner of the room, watching the twinkling lights of Seoul as he swirls champagne in a glass. He hasn't spoken to anyone since he arrived, save for the person who took his jacket at the door.
Jonghyun decides to be the first.
Before he can flake out (as he always does), he marches over to Kibum. A few designers glance at him but make no comment.
He's heard the whispers, too. Everyone wants to know Kim Kibum. His inner circle is large, from what Jonghyun knows, but Kibum doesn't seen to be friendly with anyone at the parties.
"You're always at these things, and you never talk to anyone. Not a party person?" Jonghyun tries to be casual.
Kibum doesn't turn or respond. Jonghyun fights the embarrassment bubbling in his chest. Maybe Kibum really was unapproachable.
Just as Jonghyun is about to turn away in shame, Kibum spots Jonghyun in the reflection of the window. He spins, catching Jonghyun's wrist, surprising him.
"Were you talking to me?" Kibum asks.
Jonghyun has to fight the shiver about to run up his spine. Kibum is staring at his lips.
"Um. Yeah. I was, uh, wondering why you never talk to anyone. You seem lonely."
Kibum blinks, eyebrows raising beneath his bangs. "It's loud in here. If you want to talk to me, let's go on the balcony."
"Oh. Sure, cool. The balcony."
No one was on the balcony. It was perfect for Kibum, but it made Jonghyun nervous.
Kibum takes the seat closest to the banister. "It's so much nicer out here."
Jonghyun timidly sits across from Kibum. He hadn't planned this far ahead. What is he supposed to say now?
"I really hate these things, but my manager insists I come," Kibum continues when Jonghyun doesn't say anything. "The music, the chatter--"
"It gets pretty overwhelming," Jonghyun agrees softly. If he could, he'd hide in a corner. "You seem like a people person though."
There he is. Staring at Jonghyun's lips again.
"I am a people person," Kibum responds sharply. "Just not... so many people, all at once. Anyway," he peers at the door when someone opens it but closes it again. "You're Kim Jonghyun, aren't you? KJH Photography."
Jonghyun widens his eyes. "I, um. Yeah. That's me!"
"I follow you on Instagram," Kibum tells him, but Jonghyun already knows. He nearly had a heart attack when he saw Kibum follow him. "You know your way around a camera."
Jonghyun smiles sheepishly. "Thanks. I mean, I'm sure you've worked with way better people. I'm just kinda-- here. These people don't always take me seriously because I don't take a lot of pictures of, well, people," Jonghyun doesn't realize that he's beginning to speak quickly.
"Slow down," Kibum commands, gently. "Let me give you my card."
Kibum lets out a deep chuckle as he opens his wallet for a business card. "Do you have a pen?"
Jonghyun always keeps a pen on him at events like these. He hands it over to Kibum, watching intently as Kibum writes a phone number on the card.
"The number on the front is for my company, but you should call me directly. Well, actually, I would appreciate texting more."
Jonghyun takes Kibum's card. It's more plain than he expected.
"Yeah, sure. Let me give you mine."
When Jonghyun reaches into his pocket with shaking fingers, all of his cards flutter to the ground. He leans over, continuing to talk to Kibum as he struggles to pick them up, "I'm usually pretty open. I-- I mean, I get work, but I make my own schedule, so--"
"Can you please look at me when you talk to me?"
Jonghyun shoots up, bending his cards in his hands. "S-sorry."
Kibum reaches over to steal a business card from Jonghyun. "I need to get going. I have to be up at five for a shoot. I look forward to hearing from you."
Jonghyun is dumbfounded when Kibum gets up and slips back into the penthouse. He stares at the business card in his hands.
