Love; Sometimes Unrequited and Other Times Not
Title: Love; Sometimes Unrequited and Other Times Not
Groups/Fandoms: SHINee, U-Kiss, mentions of 2AM
Pairing(s): Taemin/Dongho, onesided!Jonghyun/Taemin, mentions of Key/Jinwoon
Rating: G
Genre: romance, fluff, angst
Summary: After the events of “Three Revelations” Taemin is confused as to what exactly his relationship with Dongho is.
A/N: sequel to “Three Revelations”!! Finally I've typed it XD hope those who requested it love it ^^ dedicated to bopeep_achu (and those who requested it of course)! comments are very very appreciated!!!
It's been three weeks since their "thing" started. That's what Taemin called it in his mind, because he had no idea what name could really be used for their relationship.
In their spare time between activities - most of which; he had learned that the boy was quite busy with shows, performances, and the like - they would go out together, at least, as much as idols could. During those times they would eat, go to arcades, and sometimes just walk around. They mostly communicated through their phones though, texting being a quick and easy way to talk about anything.
They found that they had some things int common, and understand each other's way of living and thinking. Both had a hyung that was loud and prone to singing randomly, both had a hyung they looked up to for being manly and mature - though Eli could be very immature thanks to his pigeon antics - and so on, and in general they were similar in the fact that Taemin and Dongho were young male teenagers.
Taemin enjoyed having him as a friend, as someone he could talk to, but whenever he caught himself thinking of the U-Kiss maknae he couldn't overlook the fluttering of his heart, or that his thoughts would lead back to the event of a few weeks ago when a kiss had been stolen from him. Nothing even close to that had ever happened again though, and so Taemin began wondering, dispiritedly, if maybe it had just been a spur of the moment thing.
He sighed, kicking off his shoes when he walked into the apartment. Exhausted from dancing, he waved half-heartedly at Minho who lay stretched out on the couch before heading towards the bedroom. Taemin pushed open the door with his foot and looked up quickly enough to catch Jonghyun holding a cell phone that was definitely not his own.
“Hyung..? What are you doing?”
The singer started in surprise, bringing his hands guiltily behind his back. “O-Oh, hey Taemin-ah!” He grinned, but the other knew something was up. “I was just, d-doing something on my phone...”
Taemin tilted his head curiously. “But your phone's on the table in the living room...”
Jonghyun let out a shaky laugh. “Ah, so that's where I left it!” He dropped what was in his hands behind him onto Onew's bed and then went to leave the room. “I better go get it.” But he wouldn't be allowed to leave so soon.
“Hyung, what were you doing with my phone?”
There was no use in denying it; Taemin knew very well that it was his phone due to the fact that it's colour was unique to the SHINee cell phones, and he had remembered when he had arrived at the studio that he forgot it when he had gotten the whim to text Dongho.
The elder turned back to him, fidgeting. “W-Well, I was just checking to see if maybe you had a girlfriend or something,” Taemin's mouth popped open in disbelief as he explained; “Because you've been going out a lot lately, and I found it hard to believe that it really was Dongho-ah that you were seeing. But I guess I was wrong, and you two really have gotten close,” Then Jonghyun murmured almost under his breath, “Now I know about you, but what about Kibum..?”
Taemin blinked and then let out a small laugh. “You sound just like an umma right now, or wait, make that a protective appa.”
“Well someone has to look out for you when Kibum's not around,” He reached over and ruffled his hair with a smile. “So there's nothing going on? You could tell me if there was.”
“Really, I've only being seeing Dongho-ah and he...” He swallowed, his heart oddly feeling like it was being squeezed. “He's just a friend.” Taemin said it firmly, but wished that what he had said wasn't the truth.
- -
“How about this place? I heard that food's not too bad.”
He nodded, and then followed Dongho into the small restaurant. Having had the afternoon off from shooting Hello Baby and U-Kiss Vampire respectively, they decided to go out for lunch. Taemin tried not showing how happy he was - though back at the apartment he had been getting weird looks from Key before said rapper had left to go on his own “date” with Jinwoon - but it was hard since they hadn't been able to meet up for over a week.
However, though their meetings together had become regular, this time was different. Maybe not for the other, but for the nervous Taemin it was. Because after hours of debating with himself, he had finally built up the courage to find out exactly what their relationship was. It bothered him to no end no knowing if they really were just friends, or if they were something more. The question was; how was he going to find out in a way that didn't outrightly need him to plainly ask? That idea sort of scared him.
They ordered their food poilitely, and Taemin smiled and waved at one of the waitresses when he realized that she recognized him. That resulted in the girl blushing, to which Dongho frowned. The elder reassured him that the couple a few tables away knew who he was - he could tell by the way the older woman looked adoringly at him - so there was no need for him to be worried about not being known. Taemin didn't even think to consider that the other's displeasure could have been because of something else.
When their lunch arrived they lapsed into a comfortable silence. Taemin had found out early on that his friend didn't talk while eating, and he had grown to understand and respect it. But Dongho was usually considerate that day, as he started a conversation for the talkative boy's sake.
“Have you guys been working on your next album?” He asked, before taking a bite of some of the meat on his plate, scrunching his nose every so often in the cute way he did while chewing.
Taemin attempted to hide the smile that lifted his lips. “Mhm. We're all excited about it; we've enjoyed the break but we really miss performing, Jonghyun especially,” He laughed. “He walks around the apartment singing to himself and us any chance he gets.”
Dongho let out his own laugh, his nose scrunching again. Taemin found it so adorable, and felt himself blushing. He really did like him, he mused, even though maybe he shouldn't. But he couldn't deny the way he felt when the other was around.
“You know, I'm really glad I met you, Taemin,” He blinked in surprise. They had dropped the honorifics while together, but that wasn't what was sending his heart into a frenzy. However in the next instant it almost felt like it stopped and grew cold, all because of the following words; “You're easy to talk to, and it's nice being with someone close to my age. I'm actually really happy I made such a good friend.”
Friend. That's what Dongho though of him as. A friend.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he tried to remain his composure. But he could tell it was slipping when the other's wide smile disappeared and concern set on his features.
“T-Taemin? Did I do something wr--”
“I have to go, I'm sorry.”
Taemin stood swiftly, and then left the restaurant and a rather confused Dongho behind. His heart hurt, his head hurt, everything hurt. And he felt so betrayed by his feelings. Why did he have to fall for someone unobtainable?
It wasn't until he reached to rub his itching eyes impatiently that he noticed he was crying.
- -
He wasn't young or immature. That's what Taemin continuously told him even when his hyung deul pounded on the door. He had arrived back at the apartment, his face a mess, hoping that everyone would be occupied and wouldn't notice him. Unluckily for him, it was like they had nothing better to do then to sit on the couch and watch T.V. So when he walked in the door, four sets of eyes had stared up at him, and he did the only thing he could think of; bolted to the bedroom and locked the door behind him. But that didn't mean he was childish.
“Taemin-ah, what's wrong?! YAH! Open this door right now!”
His only reply was to sniff quietly from his place on Jonghyun's bunk. He didn't want to worry his umma, or the others, but he didn't know how he was supposed to explain what happened.
An hour passed and the knocking and yelling had stopped. Taemin sighed and shuffled around the room, guessing that his groupmates had finally gone back to what they were doing. He was wrong though, because a voice came from the door.
“Are you ready to talk yet?” It was Jonghyun. “I'll stay here as long as it takes for you to open the door and tell me what happened.” He froze. Had he really been sitting there the whole time? Taemin crept towards the door and then reached out and turned the lock, going back up to the top bunk to lie down.
“It's open...”
A few seconds passed before Jonghyun actually opened the door and walked in. He scanned the room and then made his way up to his bed where he lay down next to the other. It was a tight fit, because the beds were only meant for one person, but they'd survive.
Minutes went by in silence except for their breathing and sounds of the television coming from the other room until Jonghyun asked him the question.
How was he supposed to respond though? A lot of things were wrong; his heart, his feelings, the whole situation. Where would he start? Well, he figured the easiest way would be to begin at the most important part. It scared him to reveal it, but he trusted his hyung, and almost like he was telepathic, Jonghyun chose that moment to entwine their fingers comfortingly.
A deep breath, and he said it, “Hyung, I like boys.”
It took so long for the other to reply that Taemin had to fight the urge to ask if he had heard. But then he said one word that just seemed to open his heart to letting him know it all:
“Okay.”
And so he told him everything; about what happened at the filming of Idol Maknae Rebellion, about the times they went out together, about his feelings, and finally what Dongho had said that day. At the end of it he was crying again, gripping onto Jonghyun's hand, and was grateful after that he had spilled everything.
He heard a sigh and turned his head to see the singer covering his face with his free hand. Jonghyun didn't say anything at first, but then whispered softly, “I wish I had known earlier... I could've... could've protected you and...” He trailed off and Taemin wasn't able to know the rest of what he had been saying. He smiled gently anyway, and told him that he was very thankful.
Jonghyun sat up and shook his head, removing his hand to reveal a lopsided smile. “No problem, Taeminnie,” He gaze his hand a little squeeze before letting go and moving to climb down the bunk bed's ladder. “Sleep here tonight, I'll use your bed, okay? And don't worry about this, things will get better. When they do, I... I'll be here...”
The dancer just smiled and nodded, not understanding the meaning behind his words but being appreciative all the same. He watched the other leave before he settled under the covers and drifted off.
- -
He was awoken by a buzzing in his side. Half-asleep he sifted, not bothering to fin out what it had been. But two minutes later and the buzzing occurred again. Then again. This time Taemin sat up groggily and searched around through the blankets with a hand. It came back with his cell phone - it having been in his pocket since he hadn't bothered to change into pajamas. The screen was painful to look at, but he knew that he had to read the text messages that were there if he wanted to get back to sleep. Once he started reading, however, sleep was far from his thoughts.
3 text messages and 1 missed call from Shin Dongho
'Heyy ^-^
Uhm, I don't what I did to make you mad but I'm sorry okay? ♥'
'Hey it's me again
You're not still mad are you? I'll stop texting you if you want...
I'm really sorry ♥'
'Could you just reply? You could tell me to stop talking to you I don't care, I mean I do but I just
need you to stop ignoring me >_<'
Taemin blinked, his heart hurting again. He felt bad for leaving like he had, but it had been the only thing he could've though to have done. Why was Dongho being so concerned? He didn't deserve it, especially when he was in love with him and his love was one-sided. He clutched his cell phone to his chest and then jerked when it buzzed.
'Come outside right now. Just do it'
What was that supposed to mean? Taemin looked around and saw that all of his hyung deul were sleeping peacefully, and it was pretty late. But Dongho's text was consuming his mind, and, not letting himself have the chance to reconsider, he hurriedly put on his shoes and coat to run outside.
He glanced around at his surroundings, looking for a familiar face, and then froze when he caught sight of him. Dongho was standing under a streetlight, the glow turning his hair - which wasn't spiked up like it had been earlier - to a bright red. He wore a banana yellow sweater with his usual fluffy pink earmuffs around his neck. Taemin's heart ached painfully at the sheer amount of longing he felt towards the boy.
“Dongho!” At the sound of his name the other looked over at him and then walked to his side. He seemed unusually serious. “What are you doing here so late?”
“My hyung deal and manager think I'm visiting family tonight, which I will be, just not yet.”
“You shouldn't lie to them, it's not good!” But Taemin was kind of glad that he had, and also not at the same time. His heart was conflicted.
Dongho shrugged and joked; “They didn't put me on Idol Maknae Rebellion for nothing,” He paused and stared up into the other's eyes. “Besides, this is important.”
Taemin opened his mouth but no sound came out. Do he just waited for him to explain what he meant, his heartbeat quickening.
“First off I want to say I'm sorry for whatever I said to make you upset. I didn't mean it, really,” He fidgeted a bit, shuffling his feet awkwardly. One of his hands reached up to comb through his red locks, and Taemin could see the nervousness on his face - and were his cheeks turning pink? “I just don't know what to do, okay? I-I've never liked someone like this before, and I don't know how to act.”
“W-What..?”
He didn't know what to say. Had he imagined it, or had Dongho really said that? His eyes began to sting, but he refused to cry again, instead focusing on getting the words he needed to say out.
“I'm sorry. You don't need to apologize, I was the one being stupid. I though that...” Taemin's tone grew quieter. “I was upset because I though you didn't like me like that...”
The fifteen-year-old blinked and then laughed. “You're serious?” He stepped closer to him, reaching over to clasp their hands together. “I really like you, Taemin. More than I've ever liked someone. Isn't it obvious?”
The leaned towards each other, relieved that it was dark and they didn't have to worry about anyone seeing them, and kissed gently. It was only for a few moments, nothing more, but it was enough to cause Taemin to smile and giggle. He felt warm all over, and the feeling of his hand in Dongho's felt right. It all felt right.
“I like you, too,” He said, and knew then - and would never forget - that his love was reciprocated.
Groups/Fandoms: SHINee, U-Kiss, mentions of 2AM
Pairing(s): Taemin/Dongho, onesided!Jonghyun/Taemin, mentions of Key/Jinwoon
Rating: G
Genre: romance, fluff, angst
Summary: After the events of “Three Revelations” Taemin is confused as to what exactly his relationship with Dongho is.
A/N: sequel to “Three Revelations”!! Finally I've typed it XD hope those who requested it love it ^^ dedicated to bopeep_achu (and those who requested it of course)! comments are very very appreciated!!!
It's been three weeks since their "thing" started. That's what Taemin called it in his mind, because he had no idea what name could really be used for their relationship.
In their spare time between activities - most of which; he had learned that the boy was quite busy with shows, performances, and the like - they would go out together, at least, as much as idols could. During those times they would eat, go to arcades, and sometimes just walk around. They mostly communicated through their phones though, texting being a quick and easy way to talk about anything.
They found that they had some things int common, and understand each other's way of living and thinking. Both had a hyung that was loud and prone to singing randomly, both had a hyung they looked up to for being manly and mature - though Eli could be very immature thanks to his pigeon antics - and so on, and in general they were similar in the fact that Taemin and Dongho were young male teenagers.
Taemin enjoyed having him as a friend, as someone he could talk to, but whenever he caught himself thinking of the U-Kiss maknae he couldn't overlook the fluttering of his heart, or that his thoughts would lead back to the event of a few weeks ago when a kiss had been stolen from him. Nothing even close to that had ever happened again though, and so Taemin began wondering, dispiritedly, if maybe it had just been a spur of the moment thing.
He sighed, kicking off his shoes when he walked into the apartment. Exhausted from dancing, he waved half-heartedly at Minho who lay stretched out on the couch before heading towards the bedroom. Taemin pushed open the door with his foot and looked up quickly enough to catch Jonghyun holding a cell phone that was definitely not his own.
“Hyung..? What are you doing?”
The singer started in surprise, bringing his hands guiltily behind his back. “O-Oh, hey Taemin-ah!” He grinned, but the other knew something was up. “I was just, d-doing something on my phone...”
Taemin tilted his head curiously. “But your phone's on the table in the living room...”
Jonghyun let out a shaky laugh. “Ah, so that's where I left it!” He dropped what was in his hands behind him onto Onew's bed and then went to leave the room. “I better go get it.” But he wouldn't be allowed to leave so soon.
“Hyung, what were you doing with my phone?”
There was no use in denying it; Taemin knew very well that it was his phone due to the fact that it's colour was unique to the SHINee cell phones, and he had remembered when he had arrived at the studio that he forgot it when he had gotten the whim to text Dongho.
The elder turned back to him, fidgeting. “W-Well, I was just checking to see if maybe you had a girlfriend or something,” Taemin's mouth popped open in disbelief as he explained; “Because you've been going out a lot lately, and I found it hard to believe that it really was Dongho-ah that you were seeing. But I guess I was wrong, and you two really have gotten close,” Then Jonghyun murmured almost under his breath, “Now I know about you, but what about Kibum..?”
Taemin blinked and then let out a small laugh. “You sound just like an umma right now, or wait, make that a protective appa.”
“Well someone has to look out for you when Kibum's not around,” He reached over and ruffled his hair with a smile. “So there's nothing going on? You could tell me if there was.”
“Really, I've only being seeing Dongho-ah and he...” He swallowed, his heart oddly feeling like it was being squeezed. “He's just a friend.” Taemin said it firmly, but wished that what he had said wasn't the truth.
- -
“How about this place? I heard that food's not too bad.”
He nodded, and then followed Dongho into the small restaurant. Having had the afternoon off from shooting Hello Baby and U-Kiss Vampire respectively, they decided to go out for lunch. Taemin tried not showing how happy he was - though back at the apartment he had been getting weird looks from Key before said rapper had left to go on his own “date” with Jinwoon - but it was hard since they hadn't been able to meet up for over a week.
However, though their meetings together had become regular, this time was different. Maybe not for the other, but for the nervous Taemin it was. Because after hours of debating with himself, he had finally built up the courage to find out exactly what their relationship was. It bothered him to no end no knowing if they really were just friends, or if they were something more. The question was; how was he going to find out in a way that didn't outrightly need him to plainly ask? That idea sort of scared him.
They ordered their food poilitely, and Taemin smiled and waved at one of the waitresses when he realized that she recognized him. That resulted in the girl blushing, to which Dongho frowned. The elder reassured him that the couple a few tables away knew who he was - he could tell by the way the older woman looked adoringly at him - so there was no need for him to be worried about not being known. Taemin didn't even think to consider that the other's displeasure could have been because of something else.
When their lunch arrived they lapsed into a comfortable silence. Taemin had found out early on that his friend didn't talk while eating, and he had grown to understand and respect it. But Dongho was usually considerate that day, as he started a conversation for the talkative boy's sake.
“Have you guys been working on your next album?” He asked, before taking a bite of some of the meat on his plate, scrunching his nose every so often in the cute way he did while chewing.
Taemin attempted to hide the smile that lifted his lips. “Mhm. We're all excited about it; we've enjoyed the break but we really miss performing, Jonghyun especially,” He laughed. “He walks around the apartment singing to himself and us any chance he gets.”
Dongho let out his own laugh, his nose scrunching again. Taemin found it so adorable, and felt himself blushing. He really did like him, he mused, even though maybe he shouldn't. But he couldn't deny the way he felt when the other was around.
“You know, I'm really glad I met you, Taemin,” He blinked in surprise. They had dropped the honorifics while together, but that wasn't what was sending his heart into a frenzy. However in the next instant it almost felt like it stopped and grew cold, all because of the following words; “You're easy to talk to, and it's nice being with someone close to my age. I'm actually really happy I made such a good friend.”
Friend. That's what Dongho though of him as. A friend.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he tried to remain his composure. But he could tell it was slipping when the other's wide smile disappeared and concern set on his features.
“T-Taemin? Did I do something wr--”
“I have to go, I'm sorry.”
Taemin stood swiftly, and then left the restaurant and a rather confused Dongho behind. His heart hurt, his head hurt, everything hurt. And he felt so betrayed by his feelings. Why did he have to fall for someone unobtainable?
It wasn't until he reached to rub his itching eyes impatiently that he noticed he was crying.
- -
He wasn't young or immature. That's what Taemin continuously told him even when his hyung deul pounded on the door. He had arrived back at the apartment, his face a mess, hoping that everyone would be occupied and wouldn't notice him. Unluckily for him, it was like they had nothing better to do then to sit on the couch and watch T.V. So when he walked in the door, four sets of eyes had stared up at him, and he did the only thing he could think of; bolted to the bedroom and locked the door behind him. But that didn't mean he was childish.
“Taemin-ah, what's wrong?! YAH! Open this door right now!”
His only reply was to sniff quietly from his place on Jonghyun's bunk. He didn't want to worry his umma, or the others, but he didn't know how he was supposed to explain what happened.
An hour passed and the knocking and yelling had stopped. Taemin sighed and shuffled around the room, guessing that his groupmates had finally gone back to what they were doing. He was wrong though, because a voice came from the door.
“Are you ready to talk yet?” It was Jonghyun. “I'll stay here as long as it takes for you to open the door and tell me what happened.” He froze. Had he really been sitting there the whole time? Taemin crept towards the door and then reached out and turned the lock, going back up to the top bunk to lie down.
“It's open...”
A few seconds passed before Jonghyun actually opened the door and walked in. He scanned the room and then made his way up to his bed where he lay down next to the other. It was a tight fit, because the beds were only meant for one person, but they'd survive.
Minutes went by in silence except for their breathing and sounds of the television coming from the other room until Jonghyun asked him the question.
How was he supposed to respond though? A lot of things were wrong; his heart, his feelings, the whole situation. Where would he start? Well, he figured the easiest way would be to begin at the most important part. It scared him to reveal it, but he trusted his hyung, and almost like he was telepathic, Jonghyun chose that moment to entwine their fingers comfortingly.
A deep breath, and he said it, “Hyung, I like boys.”
It took so long for the other to reply that Taemin had to fight the urge to ask if he had heard. But then he said one word that just seemed to open his heart to letting him know it all:
“Okay.”
And so he told him everything; about what happened at the filming of Idol Maknae Rebellion, about the times they went out together, about his feelings, and finally what Dongho had said that day. At the end of it he was crying again, gripping onto Jonghyun's hand, and was grateful after that he had spilled everything.
He heard a sigh and turned his head to see the singer covering his face with his free hand. Jonghyun didn't say anything at first, but then whispered softly, “I wish I had known earlier... I could've... could've protected you and...” He trailed off and Taemin wasn't able to know the rest of what he had been saying. He smiled gently anyway, and told him that he was very thankful.
Jonghyun sat up and shook his head, removing his hand to reveal a lopsided smile. “No problem, Taeminnie,” He gaze his hand a little squeeze before letting go and moving to climb down the bunk bed's ladder. “Sleep here tonight, I'll use your bed, okay? And don't worry about this, things will get better. When they do, I... I'll be here...”
The dancer just smiled and nodded, not understanding the meaning behind his words but being appreciative all the same. He watched the other leave before he settled under the covers and drifted off.
- -
He was awoken by a buzzing in his side. Half-asleep he sifted, not bothering to fin out what it had been. But two minutes later and the buzzing occurred again. Then again. This time Taemin sat up groggily and searched around through the blankets with a hand. It came back with his cell phone - it having been in his pocket since he hadn't bothered to change into pajamas. The screen was painful to look at, but he knew that he had to read the text messages that were there if he wanted to get back to sleep. Once he started reading, however, sleep was far from his thoughts.
3 text messages and 1 missed call from Shin Dongho
'Heyy ^-^
Uhm, I don't what I did to make you mad but I'm sorry okay? ♥'
'Hey it's me again
You're not still mad are you? I'll stop texting you if you want...
I'm really sorry ♥'
'Could you just reply? You could tell me to stop talking to you I don't care, I mean I do but I just
need you to stop ignoring me >_<'
Taemin blinked, his heart hurting again. He felt bad for leaving like he had, but it had been the only thing he could've though to have done. Why was Dongho being so concerned? He didn't deserve it, especially when he was in love with him and his love was one-sided. He clutched his cell phone to his chest and then jerked when it buzzed.
'Come outside right now. Just do it'
What was that supposed to mean? Taemin looked around and saw that all of his hyung deul were sleeping peacefully, and it was pretty late. But Dongho's text was consuming his mind, and, not letting himself have the chance to reconsider, he hurriedly put on his shoes and coat to run outside.
He glanced around at his surroundings, looking for a familiar face, and then froze when he caught sight of him. Dongho was standing under a streetlight, the glow turning his hair - which wasn't spiked up like it had been earlier - to a bright red. He wore a banana yellow sweater with his usual fluffy pink earmuffs around his neck. Taemin's heart ached painfully at the sheer amount of longing he felt towards the boy.
“Dongho!” At the sound of his name the other looked over at him and then walked to his side. He seemed unusually serious. “What are you doing here so late?”
“My hyung deal and manager think I'm visiting family tonight, which I will be, just not yet.”
“You shouldn't lie to them, it's not good!” But Taemin was kind of glad that he had, and also not at the same time. His heart was conflicted.
Dongho shrugged and joked; “They didn't put me on Idol Maknae Rebellion for nothing,” He paused and stared up into the other's eyes. “Besides, this is important.”
Taemin opened his mouth but no sound came out. Do he just waited for him to explain what he meant, his heartbeat quickening.
“First off I want to say I'm sorry for whatever I said to make you upset. I didn't mean it, really,” He fidgeted a bit, shuffling his feet awkwardly. One of his hands reached up to comb through his red locks, and Taemin could see the nervousness on his face - and were his cheeks turning pink? “I just don't know what to do, okay? I-I've never liked someone like this before, and I don't know how to act.”
“W-What..?”
He didn't know what to say. Had he imagined it, or had Dongho really said that? His eyes began to sting, but he refused to cry again, instead focusing on getting the words he needed to say out.
“I'm sorry. You don't need to apologize, I was the one being stupid. I though that...” Taemin's tone grew quieter. “I was upset because I though you didn't like me like that...”
The fifteen-year-old blinked and then laughed. “You're serious?” He stepped closer to him, reaching over to clasp their hands together. “I really like you, Taemin. More than I've ever liked someone. Isn't it obvious?”
The leaned towards each other, relieved that it was dark and they didn't have to worry about anyone seeing them, and kissed gently. It was only for a few moments, nothing more, but it was enough to cause Taemin to smile and giggle. He felt warm all over, and the feeling of his hand in Dongho's felt right. It all felt right.
“I like you, too,” He said, and knew then - and would never forget - that his love was reciprocated.