Hold My Breath, Bite My Lips ; 2MIN ; PG-13 [ONESHOT]
Title: Hold My Breath, Bite My Lips
Author:twenty3eleven
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Medieval Age
Pairings: 2min
Word count: 2,912
Summary: The forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, but it also blocks the pathway for the two young souls to be together.
A/N: Written for meridianslair for the 2011 SHINee Secret Santa fic exchange. Hope you like it, bb! :) ♥
A quiet sigh was released from Taemin’s full lips as eyes fluttered opened, revealing a pair of dark chocolate irises. Subtle irritation seeped onto his face, upon hearing loud but gentle footsteps stopping at a distance away from him. He knew whose footwear those steps belong to. He did not need to acknowledge the presence of the intruder.
Taemin hid himself in his chamber, located at one far end of the huge manor owned by his family. He wanted to be alone for a while. It was already enough that his parents, particularly his mother had been busy with that day’s festivities - a grand wedding. The house was in chaos as last minute preparations were underway while as for himself, he took it slow and easy and wished to exclude from the ruckus of it all.
Apart from running away from responsibilities for a moment, he wanted to think, to keep in touch with himself. To Taemin, he found that thinking (or self-reflection as what he would call it sometimes) in a quiet environment surfaced his innermost thoughts with such clarity that it scared him a little.
It was as if his conscience was having its little argument with himself - the battle between head and heart. How his head refused to adhere to the crying demands of his heart, resulting in numerous undesirable decisions that led to nothing more than just hurt and despair.
The mind is, but a foolish mind, Taemin would always remind himself.
With his bottom perched at the edge of the table, legs bent, hung freely and dangling off the floor, he leaned against the pillar of cold grey stone. He took a quick view outside through the tall arched windows, drinking in the sight of lush greeneries of virgin forests and meandering streams.
A faint smile crept up his lips as his eyes drifted far into the horizon, where the greenery seemingly sank further into the background, into the horizontal unknown. He had always wondered about venturing far out of this manor, and out into the open.
One day, he reassured himself, with the hopes that he kept to that promise, even though it won’t happen that soon yet.
“My Lord, I regret to inform you that you have to get ready for the wedding.”
His interweaving thoughts interrupted; Taemin heard his loyal servant’s words, but he remained silent, without giving any form of acknowledgement. His chocolate eyes were still distant; the early morning rays of sunlight kissed his pale skin into familiar warmth. Tearing away from the window and turning backwards in his position towards his loyal servant, he replied with a gentle smile, “I will do, Ma’am”.
~:~
“My Lord, are you excited for the wedding?” Taemin heard his loyal servant asked from behind him, while she helped the blonde teenager with his dress shirt and pants. He knew he was fully capable of wearing them himself, but it was customary for servants to do the job, so he gave in.
His dress shirt was of a gorgeous velvet maroon, coupled with gold trimmings lining down his torso and along the sleeves. His pants however, were black as it clung onto his lanky legs. It fitted his slender figure very well, showing his somewhat petite frame for a seventeen year old teenager.
Upon hearing the question, Taemin’s hands froze and lingered on the velvet material; head lowered, and eyes shifted downwards on the cold tiled floor. The answer was obvious and lingering on the tip of his tongue but somehow, he could not say it out. The restrained coils in the inside of his chest tightened while at the same time, gamut of emotions glazed his eyes with tears.
“I’m glad that Jung Ah is finally getting married. It’s about time she settles down and start her own family,” his loyal servant continued on in that gentle tone of hers, while her wrinkly bony fingers worked on Taemin’s ropes at the back. Taemin could have heard her smile as she ended and patted his back, signalling that it was done.
Jung Ah was Taemin’s older sister, whom he was really close with ever since he was born. To Taemin, she was exquisitely beautiful, with rounded cheeks and full rosy lips; a radiant smile adorned her face accompanied with such a buoyant personality that brightened up the atmosphere in the manor. Considering the number of suitors who wished to ask for her hand in marriage, Taemin knew that now was the right time for her to settle down and vow to someone worthy of her charms and beauty.
However, ever since the announcement was made publicly about his sister’s arranged marriage a month ago, Taemin could literally feel his heart crashed onto the floor into smithereens. How shock and rage constricted his throat and threw his own soul into nothingness, because a part of his life had been taken away, just like that.
~;~
[12 weeks ago]
“He’s a fine, dashing young man,” Jung Ah gushed to Taemin as she pulled him by the arm to hide behind a thick pillar. Taemin wore a quizzical look on his face, eyebrows scrunched inwards at his sister’s surprising statement. He was a little taken aback at this side of her, because she would only fawn over knights or in general, the opposite sex if she really, really took a strong liking towards the other party.
Taemin studied his sister’s face as she peeped from behind the weathered stone pillar, eyes fixated on the entrance across the hallway. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with excitement and cheeks searing red; a perfect depiction of a budding infatuation, as what he had heard from Jung Ah in the past. Glancing at the object of attraction that caused Jung Ah to melt at her knees and giggled in delight, his lips pursed; a frown followed afterwards.
That dashing young man was none other than Minho, the handsome son of the Duke and Duchess of the county. Taemin knew who this person was, because they shared something more than what friends do. As cliché as it sounded, he was the one who swept Taemin off his feet and captured his heart whole.
Their little relationship was not known to the rest of the world, fearing it would spark an outrage over both families and the community in general, putting their close relations in jeopardy. However, that did not stop them from pursuing after one another.
But then again, no matter how hurt he was when someone else’s heart was secretly inflamed by Minho, he could not hide the creeping smile at the sight of Minho standing proud and tall beside his parents. He donned a velvet vest with tiny encrusted jewels adorning the front where his broad chest was. The billowy cotton blouse he wore underneath that vest was loose and it fitted him so well, as the material clung onto his defined muscled arms, giving it a little way to one’s active imagination. His black dress pants wrapped around his mile long legs further added an attractive factor to Taemin’s eyes, and he secretly grinned to himself on how lucky he was to have him as that special someone.
While his parents were being escorted towards the Great Hall to meet with the hosts of the manor, Minho stole an accidental glance at Taemin, catching the blonde (and Jung Ah too) off guard. The corners of his lips rose, along with that tiny glint in his eyes as a form of nonverbal greeting, which Taemin was all too familiar with.
Taemin reciprocated back with a friendly yet loving smile, acknowledging Minho’s greeting. Obediently following behind his parents’ footsteps, Taemin did not miss that subtle wink Minho gave the second before he disappeared round the corner.
He swore his heart swelled immensely in the confines of his small ribcage.
“Oh my, did you see that?” Jung Ah leaned her back against the pillar as she nudged her younger brother by the elbow. “He smiled at me!”
Taemin chuckled inwardly, with a faint blush behind the back of his hand.
~;~
To a servant’s or an outsider’s eye, Taemin and Minho seemed to be the best of friends who shared similar interests. To Jung Ah, Taemin was just helping her with a favour of ‘introducing his older sister’ to Minho by slipping a word or two to the older man. But hidden deep in the eyes of both men, they harboured a dark secret that was considered especially blasphemous in that era.
It was still fresh in Taemin’s mind; the first time he accidentally bumped into Minho while he was in a frantic rush to locate his parents. It was also Minho’s first visit to the manor, as a request by his parents. Being the filial son that he was, he followed suit.
The first time, when Minho set his eyes on the younger blonde teenager, sent his heart ablaze and mind into a complete disarray as he stared at his pure angelic face. He seemed so fragile, vulnerable, when Taemin accidentally crashed into him, causing Minho to involuntarily wrap his arm around him to keep him from falling. Minho had not known this male yet but in one way or another, the younger’s body contours seemed to piece well with his, and it felt strangely right.
From shy glances to subtle grazes and lastly, stolen kisses from secluded corners in the hidden depths of the manor, they went on with this secrecy for a while. Dodging the watchful eyes of the servants, parents and Jung Ah, weekly meetings turn into full blown rendezvous in that one desolate corner of the turret. The thrilling side in the possibility of getting caught set their nerves on fire, as they succumbed to the white desires, with names lingering on lips and hands mapping each other’s skins.
~;~
Cruel Fate tested Taemin’s faith and patience, when his parents decided to betroth Jung Ah to Minho - a decision that shocked the lovers. Amidst the persistent squeals and overzealous behaviour from his sister upon receiving the news, Taemin was shrouded into terrible sadness as his own heart was ripped open by his own sibling’s increasing blithe.
Taemin could never forget the sorrowful eyes of his lover as he exited the manor alongside his parents; hurt and confusion drained his face of colour and how helpless he was upon noticing Taemin from across the hallway. Minho wished he could change things around - grab his lover’s hands and off they run towards another village elsewhere, but that would worsen things than they were now. Without bidding goodbye, or even a tiny gesture, Minho willed himself to tear his eyes away from Taemin, leaving the latter distraught in his own tears.
The following days were painful to live, for the only matter that brought the house alive was the wedding itself. Taemin did not know which was worse: to see a stream of wedding gifts pouring into the manor from Minho’s wealthy family (and realising they were not for him) or the fact that Jung Ah was constantly on his heels who became talkative ever since the announcement. Weak smiles were the only masks to cover the depth of the numbing pain in his soul, to help him get through the day.
When night came, Taemin curled up into a corner of his chamber like a solitary insect, which led to a massive discharge of the heart, as Taemin refused to consign to the fact that Minho would no longer be his.
Their hidden relationship was just mere crumbs left on love’s tables.
~;~
Taemin hopped onto the horse carriage and it did not take long before he was on his way to the church where the ceremony would take place. Somehow his heart palpitated fast, as if it was in a race. He was not the one getting married, why should he be anxious about it?
As soon as he reached the church, its grandeur painted through its intricate carvings on stone and high arches, he crossed glances with the bridegroom himself, standing not far from the main entrance.
Minho looked composed as he locked eyes with Taemin. He was not seen with an ounce of anxiety on his wedding day. Taking in Minho’s handsome form in his doublet - rich velvet maroon with white and golden lace up front and matching pants, Taemin was reminded of a prince, but it still hurt that he belonged to someone else now.
The stoic face of his once handsome lover told him a lot, which brought Taemin back to the night before the wedding day itself.
It took him a while to comprehend the speed of things. It was going too fast, now that Minho was pushing him quite roughly into the wall at such a nondescript hour, trapping him with both hands plastered on both sides of head.
Taemin gasped loudly at the sudden movement that caught him off guard, suddenly fearing for his life. His own eyes met with a pair of familiar brown ones, and right away he knew whom they belong to.
“Minho?” Taemin breathed out confusedly. “What are you-“
Even before he could finish, a palm clasped over the blonde’s mouth, shutting him up immediately.
“Be calm, my dear Taemin. I’m here to see you.” Minho explained, with that gentle yet deep voice of his that Taemin longed oh so much. So velvety and smooth, the tone itself sent shivers down his spine. Minho wore a wide smile, as if this entire situation was invisible to him and no iota of guilt was apparent in his features. All Taemin could see was how glad the elder was to finally meet him.
Taemin shrugged off the palm, trying to make sense of things. “Minho, you can’t be here this is wrong!” Taemin whispered with his voice raised a little to emphasise his point.
Minho stayed silent as he looked at Taemin; his face was crestfallen. He deviated down onto the floor, avoiding Taemin’s eyes. “And I thought you’d be happy to see me.” The words came out as a murmur, but it sounded clear to Taemin.
A sudden wave of guilt swept Taemin off, realising the hardship the man before him had to face in order to see him. Moreover, it was the pain he had to go through to see his lover before saying his vows to someone else the next morning.
“Minho,” Taemin whispered his name, and it did not take a second before the other raised his head. The proximity of their faces enabled Taemin to examine his sharp features, as his fingers traced and memorised the contours of the jawline, and swept his hand through those thick chestnut locks - all the while maintaining his gaze at Minho.
Inching forward, their lips met which then escalated into a passionate one. Teeth grazed and tugged on the bottom lip, and tongue slipped in to catch his lover by surprise, Minho held Taemin tightly in his arms, not letting go. The intensity of the kisses was evident on how long they had been apart from each other, and the longing they craved. They pulled apart, needing a gasp of air but their lips still lingered.
“Promise me, Taemin.” Taemin nodded, staring up into the eyes of his lover.
“Nothing is going to change between us. I promise you, I’ll take you away from here. We’ll lead our new life,” he brought Taemin’s hand towards his lips and kissed it lightly. “Together. Just give me some time, love.”
Taemin’s heart melted at the sweet promise, and sealing those words with another kiss - this time meshing with high passion as both of them sank deeper into the darkness; hands danced and fumbled over strings and buckles, relishing in each other’s warmth.
The pain in Minho’s eyes still remained, just as how Taemin had seen the previous night. Taemin just wanted to rush over, without giving any damn about the people around him, to kiss and tell Minho that a handsome young man like him should not frown on his wedding day. But then again, that would hurt a lot more than it should. He could not take more weight from this issue any longer.
~;~
As the priest and the distinguished guests watched Minho and Jung Ah recited the vows to each other, Taemin stood near the altar, eyes averted towards a pointless fixation somewhere in the hall, trying to block out everything that was happening around him.
When cheers and the roaring sounds of trumpets followed afterwards, his body and mind felt numb. Soon, the stark realities in the atmosphere inside and outside the church had awoken him to how lonely he was at the end.
And for now he waited, hanging on to the sliver of hope that Minho did not forget his promise. Even if it would take months for him to return again.
Not until months later, when Taemin was walking down the halls one night, he felt a hand gripped his wrist hard as that intruder pushed him into a desolate corner near the spiral staircase. Screams choked on the back of his throat when he glanced up into the face of this intrusive stranger and immediately, his expression softened.
“I’ve come to take you”, Minho whispered into Taemin’s ear, as his hair brushed against the side of his face and followed by a quick kiss on his plump lips afterwards.
The only witnesses to their escape as the two lovebirds fled on a gallant horse into the vast virgin forests were the stars - golden and cruel in its beauty.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Haha, hope I didn't deviate away too much from the request! Love ya~ :3
Love, Eleanor
Author:twenty3eleven
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Medieval Age
Pairings: 2min
Word count: 2,912
Summary: The forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, but it also blocks the pathway for the two young souls to be together.
A/N: Written for meridianslair for the 2011 SHINee Secret Santa fic exchange. Hope you like it, bb! :) ♥
A quiet sigh was released from Taemin’s full lips as eyes fluttered opened, revealing a pair of dark chocolate irises. Subtle irritation seeped onto his face, upon hearing loud but gentle footsteps stopping at a distance away from him. He knew whose footwear those steps belong to. He did not need to acknowledge the presence of the intruder.
Taemin hid himself in his chamber, located at one far end of the huge manor owned by his family. He wanted to be alone for a while. It was already enough that his parents, particularly his mother had been busy with that day’s festivities - a grand wedding. The house was in chaos as last minute preparations were underway while as for himself, he took it slow and easy and wished to exclude from the ruckus of it all.
Apart from running away from responsibilities for a moment, he wanted to think, to keep in touch with himself. To Taemin, he found that thinking (or self-reflection as what he would call it sometimes) in a quiet environment surfaced his innermost thoughts with such clarity that it scared him a little.
It was as if his conscience was having its little argument with himself - the battle between head and heart. How his head refused to adhere to the crying demands of his heart, resulting in numerous undesirable decisions that led to nothing more than just hurt and despair.
The mind is, but a foolish mind, Taemin would always remind himself.
With his bottom perched at the edge of the table, legs bent, hung freely and dangling off the floor, he leaned against the pillar of cold grey stone. He took a quick view outside through the tall arched windows, drinking in the sight of lush greeneries of virgin forests and meandering streams.
A faint smile crept up his lips as his eyes drifted far into the horizon, where the greenery seemingly sank further into the background, into the horizontal unknown. He had always wondered about venturing far out of this manor, and out into the open.
One day, he reassured himself, with the hopes that he kept to that promise, even though it won’t happen that soon yet.
“My Lord, I regret to inform you that you have to get ready for the wedding.”
His interweaving thoughts interrupted; Taemin heard his loyal servant’s words, but he remained silent, without giving any form of acknowledgement. His chocolate eyes were still distant; the early morning rays of sunlight kissed his pale skin into familiar warmth. Tearing away from the window and turning backwards in his position towards his loyal servant, he replied with a gentle smile, “I will do, Ma’am”.
~:~
“My Lord, are you excited for the wedding?” Taemin heard his loyal servant asked from behind him, while she helped the blonde teenager with his dress shirt and pants. He knew he was fully capable of wearing them himself, but it was customary for servants to do the job, so he gave in.
His dress shirt was of a gorgeous velvet maroon, coupled with gold trimmings lining down his torso and along the sleeves. His pants however, were black as it clung onto his lanky legs. It fitted his slender figure very well, showing his somewhat petite frame for a seventeen year old teenager.
Upon hearing the question, Taemin’s hands froze and lingered on the velvet material; head lowered, and eyes shifted downwards on the cold tiled floor. The answer was obvious and lingering on the tip of his tongue but somehow, he could not say it out. The restrained coils in the inside of his chest tightened while at the same time, gamut of emotions glazed his eyes with tears.
“I’m glad that Jung Ah is finally getting married. It’s about time she settles down and start her own family,” his loyal servant continued on in that gentle tone of hers, while her wrinkly bony fingers worked on Taemin’s ropes at the back. Taemin could have heard her smile as she ended and patted his back, signalling that it was done.
Jung Ah was Taemin’s older sister, whom he was really close with ever since he was born. To Taemin, she was exquisitely beautiful, with rounded cheeks and full rosy lips; a radiant smile adorned her face accompanied with such a buoyant personality that brightened up the atmosphere in the manor. Considering the number of suitors who wished to ask for her hand in marriage, Taemin knew that now was the right time for her to settle down and vow to someone worthy of her charms and beauty.
However, ever since the announcement was made publicly about his sister’s arranged marriage a month ago, Taemin could literally feel his heart crashed onto the floor into smithereens. How shock and rage constricted his throat and threw his own soul into nothingness, because a part of his life had been taken away, just like that.
~;~
[12 weeks ago]
“He’s a fine, dashing young man,” Jung Ah gushed to Taemin as she pulled him by the arm to hide behind a thick pillar. Taemin wore a quizzical look on his face, eyebrows scrunched inwards at his sister’s surprising statement. He was a little taken aback at this side of her, because she would only fawn over knights or in general, the opposite sex if she really, really took a strong liking towards the other party.
Taemin studied his sister’s face as she peeped from behind the weathered stone pillar, eyes fixated on the entrance across the hallway. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with excitement and cheeks searing red; a perfect depiction of a budding infatuation, as what he had heard from Jung Ah in the past. Glancing at the object of attraction that caused Jung Ah to melt at her knees and giggled in delight, his lips pursed; a frown followed afterwards.
That dashing young man was none other than Minho, the handsome son of the Duke and Duchess of the county. Taemin knew who this person was, because they shared something more than what friends do. As cliché as it sounded, he was the one who swept Taemin off his feet and captured his heart whole.
Their little relationship was not known to the rest of the world, fearing it would spark an outrage over both families and the community in general, putting their close relations in jeopardy. However, that did not stop them from pursuing after one another.
But then again, no matter how hurt he was when someone else’s heart was secretly inflamed by Minho, he could not hide the creeping smile at the sight of Minho standing proud and tall beside his parents. He donned a velvet vest with tiny encrusted jewels adorning the front where his broad chest was. The billowy cotton blouse he wore underneath that vest was loose and it fitted him so well, as the material clung onto his defined muscled arms, giving it a little way to one’s active imagination. His black dress pants wrapped around his mile long legs further added an attractive factor to Taemin’s eyes, and he secretly grinned to himself on how lucky he was to have him as that special someone.
While his parents were being escorted towards the Great Hall to meet with the hosts of the manor, Minho stole an accidental glance at Taemin, catching the blonde (and Jung Ah too) off guard. The corners of his lips rose, along with that tiny glint in his eyes as a form of nonverbal greeting, which Taemin was all too familiar with.
Taemin reciprocated back with a friendly yet loving smile, acknowledging Minho’s greeting. Obediently following behind his parents’ footsteps, Taemin did not miss that subtle wink Minho gave the second before he disappeared round the corner.
He swore his heart swelled immensely in the confines of his small ribcage.
“Oh my, did you see that?” Jung Ah leaned her back against the pillar as she nudged her younger brother by the elbow. “He smiled at me!”
Taemin chuckled inwardly, with a faint blush behind the back of his hand.
~;~
To a servant’s or an outsider’s eye, Taemin and Minho seemed to be the best of friends who shared similar interests. To Jung Ah, Taemin was just helping her with a favour of ‘introducing his older sister’ to Minho by slipping a word or two to the older man. But hidden deep in the eyes of both men, they harboured a dark secret that was considered especially blasphemous in that era.
It was still fresh in Taemin’s mind; the first time he accidentally bumped into Minho while he was in a frantic rush to locate his parents. It was also Minho’s first visit to the manor, as a request by his parents. Being the filial son that he was, he followed suit.
The first time, when Minho set his eyes on the younger blonde teenager, sent his heart ablaze and mind into a complete disarray as he stared at his pure angelic face. He seemed so fragile, vulnerable, when Taemin accidentally crashed into him, causing Minho to involuntarily wrap his arm around him to keep him from falling. Minho had not known this male yet but in one way or another, the younger’s body contours seemed to piece well with his, and it felt strangely right.
From shy glances to subtle grazes and lastly, stolen kisses from secluded corners in the hidden depths of the manor, they went on with this secrecy for a while. Dodging the watchful eyes of the servants, parents and Jung Ah, weekly meetings turn into full blown rendezvous in that one desolate corner of the turret. The thrilling side in the possibility of getting caught set their nerves on fire, as they succumbed to the white desires, with names lingering on lips and hands mapping each other’s skins.
~;~
Cruel Fate tested Taemin’s faith and patience, when his parents decided to betroth Jung Ah to Minho - a decision that shocked the lovers. Amidst the persistent squeals and overzealous behaviour from his sister upon receiving the news, Taemin was shrouded into terrible sadness as his own heart was ripped open by his own sibling’s increasing blithe.
Taemin could never forget the sorrowful eyes of his lover as he exited the manor alongside his parents; hurt and confusion drained his face of colour and how helpless he was upon noticing Taemin from across the hallway. Minho wished he could change things around - grab his lover’s hands and off they run towards another village elsewhere, but that would worsen things than they were now. Without bidding goodbye, or even a tiny gesture, Minho willed himself to tear his eyes away from Taemin, leaving the latter distraught in his own tears.
The following days were painful to live, for the only matter that brought the house alive was the wedding itself. Taemin did not know which was worse: to see a stream of wedding gifts pouring into the manor from Minho’s wealthy family (and realising they were not for him) or the fact that Jung Ah was constantly on his heels who became talkative ever since the announcement. Weak smiles were the only masks to cover the depth of the numbing pain in his soul, to help him get through the day.
When night came, Taemin curled up into a corner of his chamber like a solitary insect, which led to a massive discharge of the heart, as Taemin refused to consign to the fact that Minho would no longer be his.
Their hidden relationship was just mere crumbs left on love’s tables.
~;~
Taemin hopped onto the horse carriage and it did not take long before he was on his way to the church where the ceremony would take place. Somehow his heart palpitated fast, as if it was in a race. He was not the one getting married, why should he be anxious about it?
As soon as he reached the church, its grandeur painted through its intricate carvings on stone and high arches, he crossed glances with the bridegroom himself, standing not far from the main entrance.
Minho looked composed as he locked eyes with Taemin. He was not seen with an ounce of anxiety on his wedding day. Taking in Minho’s handsome form in his doublet - rich velvet maroon with white and golden lace up front and matching pants, Taemin was reminded of a prince, but it still hurt that he belonged to someone else now.
The stoic face of his once handsome lover told him a lot, which brought Taemin back to the night before the wedding day itself.
It took him a while to comprehend the speed of things. It was going too fast, now that Minho was pushing him quite roughly into the wall at such a nondescript hour, trapping him with both hands plastered on both sides of head.
Taemin gasped loudly at the sudden movement that caught him off guard, suddenly fearing for his life. His own eyes met with a pair of familiar brown ones, and right away he knew whom they belong to.
“Minho?” Taemin breathed out confusedly. “What are you-“
Even before he could finish, a palm clasped over the blonde’s mouth, shutting him up immediately.
“Be calm, my dear Taemin. I’m here to see you.” Minho explained, with that gentle yet deep voice of his that Taemin longed oh so much. So velvety and smooth, the tone itself sent shivers down his spine. Minho wore a wide smile, as if this entire situation was invisible to him and no iota of guilt was apparent in his features. All Taemin could see was how glad the elder was to finally meet him.
Taemin shrugged off the palm, trying to make sense of things. “Minho, you can’t be here this is wrong!” Taemin whispered with his voice raised a little to emphasise his point.
Minho stayed silent as he looked at Taemin; his face was crestfallen. He deviated down onto the floor, avoiding Taemin’s eyes. “And I thought you’d be happy to see me.” The words came out as a murmur, but it sounded clear to Taemin.
A sudden wave of guilt swept Taemin off, realising the hardship the man before him had to face in order to see him. Moreover, it was the pain he had to go through to see his lover before saying his vows to someone else the next morning.
“Minho,” Taemin whispered his name, and it did not take a second before the other raised his head. The proximity of their faces enabled Taemin to examine his sharp features, as his fingers traced and memorised the contours of the jawline, and swept his hand through those thick chestnut locks - all the while maintaining his gaze at Minho.
Inching forward, their lips met which then escalated into a passionate one. Teeth grazed and tugged on the bottom lip, and tongue slipped in to catch his lover by surprise, Minho held Taemin tightly in his arms, not letting go. The intensity of the kisses was evident on how long they had been apart from each other, and the longing they craved. They pulled apart, needing a gasp of air but their lips still lingered.
“Promise me, Taemin.” Taemin nodded, staring up into the eyes of his lover.
“Nothing is going to change between us. I promise you, I’ll take you away from here. We’ll lead our new life,” he brought Taemin’s hand towards his lips and kissed it lightly. “Together. Just give me some time, love.”
Taemin’s heart melted at the sweet promise, and sealing those words with another kiss - this time meshing with high passion as both of them sank deeper into the darkness; hands danced and fumbled over strings and buckles, relishing in each other’s warmth.
The pain in Minho’s eyes still remained, just as how Taemin had seen the previous night. Taemin just wanted to rush over, without giving any damn about the people around him, to kiss and tell Minho that a handsome young man like him should not frown on his wedding day. But then again, that would hurt a lot more than it should. He could not take more weight from this issue any longer.
~;~
As the priest and the distinguished guests watched Minho and Jung Ah recited the vows to each other, Taemin stood near the altar, eyes averted towards a pointless fixation somewhere in the hall, trying to block out everything that was happening around him.
When cheers and the roaring sounds of trumpets followed afterwards, his body and mind felt numb. Soon, the stark realities in the atmosphere inside and outside the church had awoken him to how lonely he was at the end.
And for now he waited, hanging on to the sliver of hope that Minho did not forget his promise. Even if it would take months for him to return again.
Not until months later, when Taemin was walking down the halls one night, he felt a hand gripped his wrist hard as that intruder pushed him into a desolate corner near the spiral staircase. Screams choked on the back of his throat when he glanced up into the face of this intrusive stranger and immediately, his expression softened.
“I’ve come to take you”, Minho whispered into Taemin’s ear, as his hair brushed against the side of his face and followed by a quick kiss on his plump lips afterwards.
The only witnesses to their escape as the two lovebirds fled on a gallant horse into the vast virgin forests were the stars - golden and cruel in its beauty.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Haha, hope I didn't deviate away too much from the request! Love ya~ :3
Love, Eleanor