YOU- II-
That night, almost every member of SHINee was sleeping peacefully, Taemin was the only one still awake.
He wasn't sad anymore now, thanks to Key, but something strange still remained hurting his stomach. It wasn't a bad feeling or so, but he couldn't help but to think that those sensations were related to what his friend had told him.
He was aware of the fact that Kibum meant something special to him, since their first times as a band they had been really close, but now he thought that there was something different.
The way Kibum acted that night made him feel safe, and that aching feeling from before had faded away step by step, replaced by a warmness that didn't have anything to do with the tea Key had given him.
"And until then.. I'll be there"
Kibum's words still flowed in Taemin's mind. The young boy couldn't suppress both the happiness and bitterness that those words caused him.
Will they really remain closer even after a long time? He didn't know. But he knew that if time has to pass, he'd be happy to spend that time near Kibum.
He turned over for the umpteenth time, looking up at the lithe figure sleeping a few meters apart from him. He smiled in the dark, and after an indefinite time, he fell asleep.
The bitter smell of coffee tickled his nose, and after rolling over a few times, Kim Kibum woke up and stroked his sleepy cat-like eyes.
He got up from his bunk bed, minding not to wake up Minho, who was sleeping on the bed under his, or his other friends, then he walked silently out of their bedroom.
Going into the kitchen, he found Taemin dealing with some mugs and biscuits.
-Is the world going to fall?-
-AH!- Taemin jumped at the sound of Key's voice and turned around. In the rush of the moment he dropped the sugar onto the kitchen table. –Ah.. what a mess! I didn't hear you coming..- he turned over once again, trying to clean the table.
-Sorry. How come you're making the breakfast?- said the other, approaching the younger and trying to help him out. He took a cloth from a drawer, collecting the sugar that Taemin was trying to gather with his hands.-Here, let me help you..-
-Hum, I just woke up early and I didn't know what to do, so..- Taemin looked around, not knowing what to say and Key seemed a bit surprised from the boy's embarrassed behavior.
He finished cleaning the sugar, and turned to the other boy.
-Oh well, since the coffee's still hot, we should drink it..- he said, with a little smile on his lips.
-Yeah..- Taemin took two steaming mugs, while Key grabbed the milk from the fridge and a bowl full of biscuits.
They sat in front of each other, eating biscuits and tasting their hot drinks.
-Hey, is everything ok? Still troubled?- Key asked, burying his face behind his mug.
-Oh.. no, I'm fine- Taemin smiled sincerely.-But I'll remember your promise-
-Of course! I don't tell lies.- Key smiled back with his winning cat-like smile.
-Ah! Too hot..- exclaimed the youngest waving at his open mouth, and then grabbed the milk, pouring it into his coffee -What do we have in our schedule today?- he then asked to the other.
-Hum.. oh, right! We have to adjust some cuts from the Lucifer video, but fortunately today we have no practice..- said Key, snatching a heart-shaped biscuit from the bowl.
-Uhh.. what a fortune! I really have to do some homework.. and I also have to practice in English.. and Japanese- Taemin's smile faded away as soon as he remembered the amount of outstanding homework he had to do. He crushed on the table, hiding his head in his crossed arms.
Kibum laughed at the young boy's reaction. It was amazing how his behavior was goofy and cute at the same time.
-Don't worry baby, I'll give you a hand.. as long as I can- he said, ruffling Taemin's hair.
Key knew it was kind of embarrassing, but he had to admit that he really loved petting the other's hair.
It was just too soft and silky, even after all that hair dyes, and he would always took a chance to brush them.
-Thanks..- the youngest muffled, thinking that it was almost the same scene at the night before, with Key always helping him whenever he could.
They could hear some noises coming from the other room, so they got up and prepared breakfast for the other members; Taemin heated the coffee, while Key washed their mugs.
Onew and Jonghyun came in at almost the same time, and they sat down at the table, happy to find the breakfast ready.
The only absent was now Minho, so Key, knowing his friend's habitude of oversleeping, headed towards the bedroom to wake him up.
He found the taller boy still sleeping, wrapped up in his covers. Key sighed and then quickly removed the covers, causing Minho to get up and scream a pissed "COLD!".
Key laughed at his reaction, and then he started to make their beds, while the rapper stretched out his arms. Then Minho glared at him, remembering the scene of last night, and asked straightforwardly –Is everything ok with Taemin?-
Key didn't seem too much surprised at the question, he knew that Minho had noticed their behaviors the night before, and he wasn't the type to let it go. But Minho was just a really kind boy: if he asked something he was sincerely worried about it.
-Mh.. I don't know. I mean, it seems that now he's okay, but maybe it's a strange period so.. just let it be. He's strong.. and he has us all, doesn't he?- Key smiled at the boy, while smoothing the bedspread.
-Yeah, you're right.- Minho smiled back at him, and then he headed towards the bathroom.
Key sat down on the bed and sighed. That morning he was really relieved to see that Taemin was his usual cheerful self, but he knew the boy, and so he knew that other problems may come.
He was a teen-ager himself, and he knew what their life meant to be. From the outside their world is bright and beautiful, but on the inside it can be really thought, especially if you're just a boy.
It was for that that he tried to behave like a mum for everyone, but especially for Taemin, simply because he couldn't avoid it.
In his eyes, Taemin wasn't only their maknae, he was the one that, despite their different characters, he felt more close to: since before their debut as SHINee, they were the one that grew closer one to another. Of course Key and the other members were like a family and they all were good friends, but with Taemin he had a different relationship, made of simple things, but deeper than others.
It wasn't like they talked so much, because they could understand each other even without any word. Maybe it could seem strange from the outside, but that was it.
Key knew that their relationship was closer than two friends' , but still, Taemin was something different than a 'best friend'.
So what is he… for me? What do I want to be for him? A friend? A brother? A ..
Key shook his head. What the hell was he thinking?
He got up from the bed at the sound of Jinki's laughs coming from the kitchen, and finished to make their beds, while trying not to think of that world.
But obviously, that world was fixed in his head like branded. Lover.
The day flew past between one thing and another, the Lucifer video was almost complete, only the cutting was left.
The group of five boys was now returning to their dorm, all happy that they could have the next day off and also a free evening for relax themselves.
-So, do you have anything in mind for tomorrow?- asked Jonghyun from his front sit on the van.
Onew stretched out his arms -Mmm, I just want to sleep and sleep, and then get up, eating some fried chicken and then going back to bed-
-I agree with you- said Minho -at least on the sleeping part-
A slight laugh flew through the van.
-Oh well, if you don't have anything particular in mind then I thought that I could go out and..-
-Jong, we all know that you'll be busy with her- said Key with a smirk.
They couldn't see Jonghyun blushing because of the dashboards lights, but he hadn't been touched and replied at once -Oh, don't worry Kibum! You'll always be my only love!- he said with a honeyed voice.
-Oh, sweetheart!- purred Key like a drama actress.
They all laughed again, while Key and Jonghyun were going on with their usual loving farce.
Taemin was smiling too, but his smile froze on his face when he saw that the faces of the two boys were just a few inches apart, their nose almost touching.
At that moment Key pushed away Jonghyun's face and laughed, while wildly ruffling the boy's hair.
The air flew back into Taemin's lungs, he didn't even noticed that he was holding his breath.
He turned his face, looking outside and placing his forehead against the window. The cold surface cooled down his hot cheeks.
What on earth had just happened? It's the same joke as ever, so why am I so flustered?
Something seemed to prickle in his mind but he didn't want to search for an answer right now, so he turned again toward Onew and broke off a talk about their favorite types of chocolate.
Back at their dorm the scene was the same as whenever they had a lighter schedule: they were all happier and they could have some time to relax themselves.
Jonghyun and Minho were playing with their PS3, Onew was reading a book, seated at the kitchen table near Taemin, who was trying to do his English essay. The only one left alone was Key, locked up inside the bathroom, finally enjoying his long hot bath.
Whenever he could, he would always take a bath to relax himself; nothing was better than let yourself be cuddled by the hot water and the perfume of the bubble bath.
After almost an hour he decided that now he should live the bathroom free, so he washed himself and put one his loose-fitting clothes, and then he unlocked the door, to let the others know that they could interact with him again. He took a dryer from a drawer and quickly dried off his hair.
Then he quietly opened the door, without knowing that on the other side someone was about to knock. So he found Taemin with his fist at mid-air and a surprised expression on his face.
They couldn't help but laughing together.
-Here you go, it's free- said Key taking a little bow as a porter.
-Oh no, I just need you- the other said looking him in the eyes. That sentence made something move inside Key, and probably also Taemin had noticed the ambiguity because he looked away and quickly added –I mean, I can't find my mobile, do you know were..?-
-I'm surprised that you haven't lost your own underwear yet- chuckled Key, grabbing Taemin's shoulder and pushing him toward their bedroom.
-Here- he went to the night table and then he turned around and placed the mobile in his hands -I've found it at the entrance, so you probably dropped it before, and I put it here so you could find it before going to bed- while saying this he was rummaging in his drawer, trying to find a long sleeved shirt.
-Oh- Taemin sat on Onew's bed, looking at his mobile –Thanks.. I was sure that I had it inside my pocket..-
Key took off his t-shirt and replaced it with the one with long sleeves. During that short lapse of time, Taemin didn't take his eyes off him, looking at his slender body and his fair skin.
He wasn't thinking of anything in particular, his eyes just followed the elegant movements that only Key had within them five. Even if probably Taemin was the best at dancing, he couldn't compete with the other's cat-like motions. It was as if Key exuded a sort of natural charm, and everybody was attracted to him.
-What do you want for dinner?- the said person asked, awakening the younger boy.
-Oh, I don't know.. Why don't we just order some pizza?- He said –So you can just relax..-
-Aw, you know how to make me happy- smiled Key, gently pinching Taemin's chubby cheeks.
The night was spent quietly in SHINee's dorm, they all were having fun together watching a TV show. Jonghyun, Key and Minho were sitting on the sofa, while Taemin and Onew were on the floor, seated on two giant pillows.
The atmosphere was comfortable and they were ready to face another long and tough period, which included the release of their new Japanese single.
Everything was the same as ever, but they didn't know that their lives were destined to change.