Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: We Never "Fired" That Bodyguard ... He Was Only a Temp

Kanye West has no issue with bodyguards talking to Kim Kardashian, and absolutely did NOT fire one for doing so.

Sources close to the Wests tell TMZ ... Steve Stanulis was hired by the guy in charge of their security to help out before the Met Gala. We're told it was very clear Stanulis would only be used for the day leading up to the event. That's it, just a temp deal ... we're told.

There were reports 'Ye axed Stanulis for talking to Kim, but we're told Yeezy never had a confrontation with him, and in fact ... everything "went very smoothly".

Our Kimye sources say Stanulis has worked with them before, but since people in their camp believe he perpetuated the firing story for some publicity ... he won't get that chance again