Minho had a way of pretending, Taemin noticed. He pretends he wasn't the one who left the cup on the dresser; pretends he didn't leave the tap running; pretends he didn't just eat the whole loaf of bread in one sitting. He's also good at pretending nothing's happened, when it's only obvious something has.

In other words, he pretends he's fine when he's not.

"Hyung… you okay?" Taemin couldn't help but ask; the morning after he finds Minho in that situation.

He remembers how Minho looked at him, eyes widened with surprise (and a bit of amusement).

Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.

"I always am." Minho laughed, and Taemin had to swallow to stop himself from retorting in response. Minho turned away towards the shower then, but stopped after a few steps.

"There's a recording today. Are you coming?"

Taemin couldn't help but stare, his mind whirling. (Minho had a way, also, of switching topics.)

Dream Team. He's talking about Dream Team…

"Y-yes," Taemin mumbled, because it seemed like the most casual thing to say. Minho raised his eyebrows, his heart skipping a beat; Taemin - or rather, SHINee in general - hardly had time to watch the recording sessions. He'd merely asked the question as a habit, not expecting a positive reply in return. But of course, he'd always hoped that Taemin would come down and watch him some day… He grinned.

"Really, Taemin-ah?"

With that, Taemin laughed, frowning slightly.

"What, is this a hint that I don't support you enough? It's not such a big deal," (But even as he said this, he was mentally re-arranging his schedule for day: no more two-hour dance practice alone; no more haircut; no more chicken lunch with Jinki hyung…) Just like many other shows, Dream team recordings tested the patience of the audience and Taemin would never be willing to endure it if not for Minho. The things he would do for Minho… And if he couldn't get Minho to know that he cared through words, maybe his actions would get through to the older boy…? (It had to, it just had to.)

What's a little inconvenience, if I get to see you smile?

Minho chuckled just then, startling Taemin out of his thoughts.

"You're adorable, you know?" He walked forwards – two steps; three - and ruffled Taemin's bed-hair. "See you on the set, okay? Remember to come over and say hi to the hyungs..."

With that, he turned around again, this time not looking back. The bathroom door shut with a soft click.

Taemin sighed.

Why won’t you tell me what’s troubling you, hyung?

***

Taemin reached the set in time to see Minho emerging from the changing room. All decked out in track pants and a long, tight-fitting t-shirt, he looked right the part of Dream Team’s ‘ace’ (and good enough to eat too, in Taemin’s opinion).

Taemin gulped.

Minho was now squinting up at the spectator stands, his right hand shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun. He seemed to be scan