AN: This kind of sounds angsty, but I promise it’s not!

Taemin often felt at times…out of place. Sometimes he felt like his place in SHINee was one he didn’t deserve. Sometimes he felt like his place in the world was just a bit off and unneeded.

He had felt the criticism seep into his skin, had listened over and over to the rejections and predictions that he would fail. Whenever he felt like he would crack, there was always one thing stopping him.

Jinki. 

Jinki was the ball of sunshine that always seemed to lift him up when he needed just a bit of reassurance. The leader who probably had his own burdens always seemed to help him shoulder his as well.

Jinki just so happened to be his best friend…his everything…his other half. The leader was someone he couldn’t live without in his life. The clumsiness and goofy aura Jinki always let out made his grey cloud lift from his head.

Even as they stood next to each other at their photo shoot, Taemin couldn’t help but reach for the leaders hand. Connected to Jinki, he had a place, a place he could be himself and cry when he needed to.

The happiness of feeling Jinki lace their hands together for a brief moment made him smile, contentment balling up in his stomach. They leaned into each other and out of the corner of his eye he saw Jinki wink at him, knowing exactly what was running through his mind.

He may think that he had no place in the world, but he did…in Jinki’s heart.