Taemin

Jonghyun pushed Taemin so hard in the chest that he fell backwards, hitting his head on the counter.

Jonghyun glanced apologetically at Taemin, but looked too shocked to move or say anything.  Taemin didn't expect him to say anything.

Taemin got up and looked at Jonghyun's mother.  She was standing in the doorway, gaping at her son.  One hand held a bag of groceries, the other tightly grasped the doorknob.

Slowly and robotically, she walked over to the counter and put her bag down.  She turned her head away from the boys and leaned her elbows on the counter, deep in thought.

They just sat there like that.  Waiting.

Jonghyun and Taemin continually shared nervous glances.  After several minutes, Jonghyun spoke up.

"Umma..."

She held her hand up, signalling for him to stop talking, still not looking at him.

They continued to stand there in silence.  The tension in the room as thick as fog.  After what felt like forever, Jonghyun's mother lifted her head and looked at them, her eyes puffy and red.

Jonghyun spoke up quickly before she had time to stop him.  "Umma...What you saw...I swear I'm not gay...It meant nothing..."

She tried to look convinced.  A fake smile spread across her face.  "Good.  Let's...let's just not tell your appa about this, alright?"

Jonghyun nodded, staring at the floor.

"I think your...friend should go home now." 

Speak to me.  I'm not an animal.

"Come, Taemin." Jonghyun handed Taemin his bag and shoes and motioned for him to follow out the door.

As soon as they were outside, the two boys turned to each other.

"Look...I know you're upset..."

"So...you're not gay?" Taemin was upset, buy not about the fact that
 Jonghyun's umma walked in.

"Well...I do have a girlfriend..."

"So, you don't like me?"

"Taemin..."

"Why did you kiss me?" Taemin felt tears welling up in his eyes. "Was I just part of some...experiment?"

"No, Taemin..."

"Didn't you feel what I felt?"

"I..."

"I can't believe I actually thought that I had a chance with you."

"Taemin, hear me out, please!" He could hear Jonghyn choking up. "I-I like you, I really do...but I'm not gay..."

"I'm a boy, Jonghyun."

"I know...it's difficult to explain..."

"If you like me, that means you're gay"

"It's complicated..."

"Well, talk to me when you figure things out." Taemin turned and ran home, ignoring Jonghyun's pleas for him to come back.  His heart tried to pull him back, but he kept running.

Don't look back.



Taemin examined himself in the mirror that night.  Did he look like a girl?  Was that why Jonghyun liked him?  

He sighed.  It was probably the hair.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in."

His little sister came in, grinning.  "Taeminnie, there's a boy here for you! He's so cute!"

Sighing, Taemin followed his sister to the front door.  Just as he expected, Jonghyun stood there, smiling sheepishly.  "Hey."

"What now?"

"You wanted me to talk to you when I figured things out. I've been thinking..." He paused, looking at Yuri, who still stood in the doorway, grinning. "Can we talk...privately?"

Taemin stepped outside and closed the door behind him, ignoring Yuri's cries of protest.

"Look, Taemin...What I said earlier, about not being gay...you took offence to that, but it wasn't intended.  What I meant when I said that was...I know that you're a guy, but I've never felt like this about another guy before.  I've never wanted to be close to another guy...or kiss another guy...but I do want to with you."

He paused, waiting to see if Taemin would say something.  When he didn't, Jonghyun continued.

"I do want to be with you Taemin...but not publicly.  I wouldn't be able to handle the stares and questions.  And if my dad found out...who knows if I would still be alive enough to be with you."

"Jonghyun, is this some weird way of asking me out?"

Jonghyun sighed.  "In a way, it is. But I still have to take care of...things." He held out his hand towards Taemin. "Are you prepared to bear with me on this?"

Taemin took his hand.  "I can already tell that this is going to be hard." He smiled. "But I really like you, so, yes."

Taemin leaned in to kiss him, but Jonghyun pulled away.

"Not yet.  I still have a girlfriend...it wouldn't feel right."

Taemin nodded and kissed Jonghyun's forehead.

Jonghyun smiled.  "I'll see you tomorrow."

Taemin didn't want to say goodbye, but allowed Jonghyun to walk away anyway.

Taemin ran inside and leaned against the closed door.  He grinned like crazy and his cheeks were hurting, but he couldn't stop.  His head felt like it was going to explode.  He felt like he could run a marathon with all of the energy he suddenly possessed.
 

Finally.

Jonghyun was really up & down in this chapter (Machi rollercoaster ride XD) but that's just the way it's gotta be :)

Thanks for reading so far.  Comment belowww!  ↓↓↓
 
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