Taemin didn't want to be apart from Kibum or Minho, not for a moment. Of course, this was an irrational want and he would never be able to do a thing to change it, but that knowledge didn't change a thing. It didn't stop the pain of loneliness from clenching his heart, it didn't stop his perpetual want to find his hyungs and stay close to them like their shadows, it didn't stop his need for their very existence to be melded with his own.

“Taemin, are you alright? You're crying,” Kibum said softly as he held the boy tighter. Taemin hadn't noticed, he was so caught up in his thoughts. He gripped Kibum's shirt tighter.

“You, you guys won't leave me, right?” Taemin sniffled, he didn't care if he sounded desperate, pitiful even, because he wanted to know, needed the reassurance of a lie. He felt Minho stir next to him and tighten his embrace around him and Kibum. The tall male chuckled.

“Don't be silly Taemin, where could we go without you?” Taemin looked at Minho, the smile on the elder's face was genuine, and Taemin felt his lips curl as well.