The boys were all sitting on plastic chairs, dressed in the stage clothes attending a final interview. Nerve wrecked, the cameras and lights were pointed directly at them, and the small room making them feel a little claustrophobic. The woman that was interviewing them was a little older, caked with make-up and dressed in a smart suit. The boys sat in a random order, all fidgeting nervously. As the cameras blinked to record, she turned to them, a smile plastered on her face.

"Here we are backstage with the boys' of SHINee for their final concert." She clapped, gesturing to the boys.
"Hello, we are the shining SHINee." They said almost robotically. It was a habit to them now, forced smiles and raised fists.
"It's so great to meet you all, are you nervous?" She asked, although it was obvious. They all nodded their heads with different levels of enthusiasm.
"So, what are your plans after this?" She questioned, looking at the paper in her hand.
"We are all going our separate ways for now, finding ourselves and going back to our roots." Onew replied. They had known the questions before hand and had been warned not to talk in too much detail.
"Oh, ok. So I was wondering if I could ask you boys' a few questions."
"Sure." Jinki smiled although it seemed fake and forced.
"Key, we'll start with you. What was it like when you first auditioned for SM Town?" She questioned.
'Well actually, I met all of SHINee there. I'll tell you how it was that day, it's actually a funny story..." Key began.

*Flashback*

What is she wearing? That shirt does not go with those shoes, bleh. I shook my head in disbelief.

"Mr Kim Kibum, you are going to be contestant number 46. Please feel free to talk to the other auditioners, I'm sure they are as nervous as you." The man gave me a cheesy grin which I responded by rolling my eyes. As if I'm nervous. I wandered through the people who were doing final touch up's or perfecting their routine. All of these people, do they not own a mirror or do they get dressed in the dark? Turning suddenly, I bumped into someone of a small size, firmer build, square jawline and a mop of brown hair.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" He spat, looking me up and down. The nerve of this short boy.
"Calm down. I didn't do it on purpose, I just didn't see you." I responded, brushing my hair behind my ear.
"Is that a short joke?" He glared me down.
"I'm sorry?" I asked, wondering if I actually had heard him right.
"Are you making fun of my height?" He puffed his chest out like a bird and stood his ground firmly.

I couldn't help but laugh at the defensive man. Looking at him properly, he was kind of cute in a strange way. His head was a little big making him look a bit like a dinosaur, but he was definetly good looking.

"What are you laughing at? What's your name?" He demanded.
"Kim Kibum... yours?" I asked, smirking,.
"Kim Jonghyun. I feel sorry for the unlucky bastards that you debut with... if you make it that far pretty boy." He strutted away and I watched with utter amusement.

That's when I spotted the most beautiful boy I have ever met. (Little did I know at that time he would later turn out to be my friend, role model and leader.) He had a babyish face, a killer smile and black hair that sat just below his jawline. I began to walk towards him when a small teen cut infront of me, obviously trying to escape the horde of girls following him around.

"Minho-ah! You're so fit." One of the told him, eyes wide and dazed.
"Do you play sport?" Another questioned, holding onto his arm.
"Obviously, I mean, just look at him." A girl pushed infront of me.
"Thank you ladies but I really would just like to practice alone if you don't mind." He blushed, looking for some way to escape.
"That's so mean, Minho-oppa." One pouted.

I watched with interest as a small boy who obviously accidently got swept up in the crowd tried to get back out.

"Excuse me, I would like to get through. Thank you." The smaller boy said, his voice sweet and innocent.
"Don't touch me freak." A girl spat.
"Don't say that to him." The boy obviously named Minho pushed through and stood infront of him.
"Oh, sorry." The girl blushed and looked down. Minho turned and petted the small boy on the head and said;
"I'm sorry about that. My name is Minho by the way."
"L-lee Taemin." He bobbed his head and scurried away.
"Wait, come back." He followed him, the girls' close behind.

Smiling, I stepped around them and went to go look for the boy I admired. Almost giving up, I ducked out into what I thought to be a deserted hallway and I saw him. He was leaning against the wall, taking a nap, his head rested on the seat beside him. He looked so peaceful I couldn't help but take a spot beside him. Sensing my presence, he stirred awake and blinked at me.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked, a little embarrased at the close proximity.
"No, it's fine." He smiled at me.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Lee Jinki, yours?"
"Kim Kibum."
"Nice to meet you Kim Kibum." He held out his hand and I accepted.

*End Of Flashback*

"Wow, that is a funny story," She laughed making the boys want to cringe. She seemed uninterested Kibum as she rushed to the next member; "So Jinki, how was it when you were introduced as a group?"
"I was so nervous, I mean... what if they didn't accept me as their leader?" He began.

*Flashback*

"We want you boys to debut together, but we'll test you out together first. Yes?" A man stood in the centre if the room as myself and four teens stood awkwardly together, avoiding eye contact. The man sighed before walking away leaving them alone.
"I can't believe I ended up in the group with this diva." The short, muscular one rolled his eyes, folding his arms.
"You think I'm happy to be in the same group as you, you dinosaur." Kibum snapped back. I recognised him from the audition.
"What did you call me?" He strode up to his younger, getting all up in his face.
"Hey guys-" I began to walk towards them when I tripped over my own feet and landed face first onto the ground.

It was silent for a moment as everyone registered what just happened. I laughed awkwardly as I sat up, my face a beet red of embarrasment. Soon enough, everyone joined in with my laughter and the tall, athletic looking boy came up and held out his hand. I grabbed it will a silly smile as he pulled me off the ground. Only a second ago, we were all uncomfortable but because of my clumsiness, it was soon resolved and we felt ok around each other.

"I was told that I would be your leader if we debut. My name is Lee Jinki." I bowed to my dongseungs and smiled happily.
"It's nice to meet you Jinki." The youngest boy bowed back.
"Jinki doesn't sound like a stage name." Kibum stated.
"Huh?" I responded.
"Well... I think Onew would suit you much better." The diva blushed, looking away.
"Yes, you can be our Dubu leader." The short one exclaimed and we all began to laugh.

*End Of Flashback*

"...And that's also how I got my name Onew." Jinki smiled happily. He had never revealed that story before but he felt proud of s. They had given him so much trust and love.
"That's nice. Um, whose next? Taemin. I heard that you taught Jinki how to dance?" She seemed to be getting a little frustrated, like the boys' weren't going fast enough for her.
"Well yes, but he taught me how to sing."

Flashback*

"Step, step, turn." I explained, slowing the movement for my Hyung. He followed shakily, his eyebrows creased in concentration.
"Just relax Onew-hyung." I smiled as he tried again, a little more confident.
"Oh, I'm starting to get the hang of it." He exclaimed, speeding up a little, the movements becoming fluent.
"Very nice Hyung." I replied happily.
"Are we done for today Taemin-ah?" He questioned, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Yeah. Would you like a towel?" I asked.
"That would be great. Thank you." He walked off to grab his water bottle as I made my way to the neatly folded towels in the corner of the spacious room.  When I returned to the leader, he was humming away to a random tune.
"You have a wonderful voice Hyung." I exclaimed, passing him the towel.
"Thank you. I haven't heard you sing yet, may I hear your voice?" He questioned. It was an innocent request but it instantly made me feel embarrassed.
"I... uh... Can't sing very well Hyung." I stammered, looking down at the ground.
"Really? Well, because you're helping me learn to dance, I can teach you how to sing better." He stated. My spirits lifted and I felt touched by the gesture.
"It wouldn't be too much trouble would it?" I grabbed my water bottle, taking a quick sip.
"Of course not. You should never think like that Taemin, I'll always help my dongsuengs." He smiled encouragingly, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Thanks Hyung."

*End Of Flashback*

"At that time, I hadn't had many friends or anyone outside my family for that matter who had cared about me like that, someone who wanted-" Taemin was cut off rudely by the reporter.
"Touching story Taemin. Now onto the Charismatic Flame, Choi Minho. Now Minho, what was it like when all you boys' moved in together?" She looked intently at him like anything that came out of his mouth would be gold.
"Well, it was interesting to say the least..." He started through gritted teeth. He couldn't believe how she cut of his Taeminnie like that. What was wrong with her?

*Flashback*

"Whaa! It's so small." Kibum ran into the apartment, looking around.
"Quit your complaining diva." Jonghyun retorted, pulling his suitcase in behind him.
"Meh~" He shoved Jonghyun slightly, giving him a light smile.

Well, it took them a while, but at least they stopped attacking each other every chance they got. I wonder what changed...

"Minho-hyung! Come look at the view!" The maknae of the group Taemin exclaimed, pointing with a large smile brightening his face. 
"Ok, coming Taemin." Making his way over, sure enough Seoul city stretched on the horizon, the lights bright and cheerful.
"It's so pretty!" He exclaimed.
"It sure is Taemin." I returned his happy grin and turned to our leader who had made his way to the fridge.
"Uh... Hyung?" I asked, frowning my eyebrows as it looked like Onew's face was about to be split in two with a large smile.
"Wee~! They stocked our fridge with chicken!" He happily exclaimed.
"Oh, do we have banana milk?" Taemin ran from the window and peered into the fridge.
"No... But we can get some." Onew replied.
"Thanks Hyung." Taemin responded happily.
"Hey, who gets what bed?" Jonghyun called from the bedroom. We all gathered in and looked at the two bunks and the single bed all tightly fit into the room.
"As long as I have the Top bunk, I don't mind who I share with." Kibum exclaimed.
"I can't have the bottom, I sleep walk." Taemin blushed, looking at the floor.
"Ok, well I'll share with Taemin." Minho exclaimed.
"Then I would like the single bed, I'm not sharing with the diva." Jonghyun shook his head.
"Yah!" KIbum responded.
"I'm just kidding... I don't kind... much." He added slyly.
"Hyung... You get the single one to yourself, is that ok?" Taemin asked.
"Of Course." He replied happily.

*End Of Flashback*

"...That's what it was like when we first moved in." Minho shrugged, looking disinterested.
"Wow... that's amazing Minho-ah." She stared at him like a prize as Minho shifted uncomfortably. Jinki coughed, bringing her back to reality.
"Oh, uh... last question is for Jonghyun. Will you miss being a group?" She asked.
"Of course we will. We'll miss the fans, the company and each other but it's time for us to move on." Jonghyun smiled weakly at the other members.
"Well, thank you for your time and good luck at the concert." She bowed politely.
"Ok, that's a wrap people.' The camera man called and the crew began to pack up.
"Ok Shinee, you're on in two minutes, go to your places." The members jumped up and hurried through the corridors, making their way to behind the heavy velvet curtains which was the only barrier between them and their final stage. Reaching to each other, they held hands trying to settle their rising nerves.

None of the boys ever thought that they would get this far in their careers. There had been so many obstacles, things blocking them from succeeding. But here they stood as one, five years later. This may be their last show together on stage but as their hands remained tightly linked, so did their hearts. In these final moments before the curtains rose, words between them were no longer necessary. They had already expressed their love and sadness, now was just going to be their last memory together, happy and smiling. No matter what happened to them after this, whether they were separated by oceans and cities, they would still be Onew the leader, Minho the charismatic flame, the bling bling Jonghyun, the almighty diva key and the maknae Taemin. Even as their group was being wiped off the map by SM entertainment, they would forever be known as the shining SHINee and no-one could take that away from them.

-fin-

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A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to update but I hope you all enjoyed reading this story~! I am so sad it's ended and I hope you all liked the ending. I didn't like it very much but I hope you did -.-' Thank you to all my subscribers, silent readers and my commentors. You guys have kept me writing with all your encouragement so thank you so much~! I love you all xx Don't forget to check out the sequel that I will start writing soon, it's called, "Happy endings no longer exist."

http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/507084/happy-endings-no-longer-exist-angst-jongkey-romance-sad-shinee-shineefx

The foreword and a little sneak peek will be out tomorrow so check it out~! I hope to not dissapoint. :D

All my love, banana-milk-unni! (yes, there has been a name change. I was formerly Toshie_Marie <3)