You could say they were fated. Found together first atop the roof of the trainee building, wind pulling at their clothes and tangling their hair. Both too shy to say a word at first, they shared a glance that spoke more than words ever could. There was something there, an understanding of each other, so raw and natural that it was as if they bared their souls the moment their eyes made contact. It only took a second for the two to realize they were one and the same.

It was Jinki who broke the silence first, with a small "hello." The stranger, who seemed anything but a stranger, blinked nervously, worrying his lip against his teeth. Jinki coughed and bowed politely.

"I'm Jinki. What's your name?" Jinki tried, trying to avoid the awkward atmosphere.

"What are you doing on the rooftop?"

Jinki was taken aback by the blunt question, a confused laugh escaping his lips in response.

He smiled, the simple gesture so soothing the younger couldn't help but to relax a bit, and said "I could ask you the same thing."

The other blushed and looked away.

"Sorry. It's just... I'm Taemin."

Jinki smiled even wider, feeling as if, just by knowing his name, he had become close to the boy. There was a pull in his heart, a need to know more about him, and Jinki beckoned him forward.

"You don't have to stand there awkwardly, you know. I don't bite."

For the first time, Taemin smiled, the expression nervous but bright.

With small steps, he moved closer to Jinki. Jinki held out a hand and Taemin took it, despite still being unsure. Feelings flared through Jinki at the contact, and in that moment, he swore he would stay by this kid’s side and protect him, no matter where their paths led.

It was like love at first sight. If love at first sight can be completely platonic.  From the moment their paths crossed, they knew they were meant to be friends, destined to stick by each other's sides for life. There was a deep connection, an immediate bond, that nothing could break. It both terrified and excited Jinki, who was known as a loner, and was close to no one but his parents.

Sitting together on the rooftop, eyes to the sky, Taemin once again spoke.

“So, you never told me. Why are you up here?”

“It’s nice. More open than that stuffy trainee gym. I feel like up here, when I sing, I’m sending my voice to the stars.” Mouth quirking up into a smile, Jinki turned the question on Taemin. “What about you?”

“Oh I...I followed you.” Taemin blushed lightly, embarrassed by his confession. “I wondered why a person was coming up here, and came as well.”

Jinki laughed. “Ah, so that’s why.” Recalling earlier, he realized something. “Does that mean you heard me then?”

Taemin nodded. “You sing really good hyung. You’ll debut soon, I’m sure.”

“Ah.. I don’t know about that. What about you? What’s your specialty?”

“Me? I’m a dancer.” Taemin said proudly.

“Really? That’s awesome! Think you could show me some moves?”

“Only if you give me vocal lessons.”

Jinki shook his head eagerly. “Sure! It’s a deal.”

Jinki is aware that this boy is similar to him in a way other trainees are not. Where most will slave away for hours in the basement gyms, learn a million songs and dance routines just to impress the higher ups, Jinki is content with bettering himself alone. He doesn’t feel the need to show off to the other trainees how far along he’s come, instead opting for open skies as his audience. Maybe this is why he feels so close to the younger, feels a deep attachment despite only knowing this boy for a few months.

Through their lessons, the two become close, learning everything there is to know about each other. All their fears, their quirks, their entire life stories. By the end of their fourth month together, Jinki was sure he knew the younger better than he knows himself.

He watches the boy grow throughout the year, both physically and vocally. When Taemin first said he wasn’t allowed to have any vocal lessons, Jinki had been shocked until he heard the boy’s voice and realized the teachers must have found him to be a lost cause. But through Jinki’s tutelage, Taemin’s voice had grown from a cracky, off-key mess, to a decent, if still slightly rough, mellow sound. He was far from the best, but Jinki saw the potential, and knew a few more years of training would find the boy to be great, maybe even rivalling Jinki’s own voice.

When Jinki was told that he was going to be debuting in a new boy group, the news was bittersweet. His dream was finally coming true, but at the hars cost of leaving behind Taemin. They had both known it was only a matter of time; Taemin was still far too young to debut, and Jinki was one of the top trainees in SM.

The night after the announcement found Taemin and Jinki on the roof again, sitting on the grounds with their backs against the wall surrounding the ledge. Taemin drew pictures on the ground with his finger, while Jinki worried the bottom of his lip. Neither knew what to say, afraid if the word goodbye escaped either of their lips, they would depart and never see each other’s face again. The both knew that was untrue, idols often interact with trainees, but that didn’t stop them from feeling down.

Jinki didn’t know what to think. On the one hand, he was leaving behind his best friend and number one supporter for the past two years. On the other, he was finally about to debut, and with a group of great people no less.

Jonghyun was a vocalist as well, his range wider than Jinki ever hoped his to be. They were only a few months apart, and had gotten along well after Jonghyun had mistaken Jinki to be younger than him, much to Jinki’s amusement.

Kim Kibum, or “Key” as his stage name had recently been decided, was their lead dancer, though Jinki couldn’t help but compare him to Taemin in his mind. He had a quick temper and picky tastes, but he was also so social that one couldn’t help but befriend him.

Minho was quiet and reserved, but Jinki was sure it was simply because he was shy of the others still, and had a feeling that he would be wilder than everyone else once he came out of his shell. He had been given the role of rapper, a position that suited his deep voice, but wasn’t really him at all.

Still, despite all this, there was a certain feeling of sorrow he couldn’t shake. It felt wrong being here without Taemin, preparing for a debut he was unable to share with his best friend. There was talks of a fifth member joining, and though he knew it was impossible, one could hope.

When Taemin walked into the practice room one day, Jinki tripped over himself in surprise and ran to greet the other.

“What are you doing here?” Taemin responded by looking back at a short man who had recently been appointed as the boys’ manager.

“Alright boys, I have some exciting news for you. This is Taemin, he’s going to be the fifth and final member of your group.”

Jinki felt his heart stop. He was sure he was dreaming, sure this couldn’t be real. No one was this lucky, right? No way was he being given the opportunity to not only debut, but to debut with his best friend.

He felt thin arms wrap around him and hug him tightly. “Can you believe it hyung? We’re going to debut. Together.”

“Yeah.” Jinki mumbled, smile taking form on his face as the reality sunk in. “Together.”

From the first day, everyone was aware of their bond, and no one tried to break it. Save for Minho, that was. Upon Taemin’s arrival, he was no longer the youngest, a burden he was happy to be relieved of. Since he “had shared the same experience” as Taemin however, he made it his duty to get close to the younger and help him out, as a “fellow maknae”. Between rehearsals and after schedules were finished, he would try to pull Taemin away from everyone else. It never worked, Taemin glued firmly to Jinki’s side. Minho gave up actually trying quickly, and instead stuck with goofing off and pretending they were close, lovers even, just as Jonghyun did with Key.

He did what he could to be as obvious as possible, the over exaggerated actions eventually leading their PR to decide that the two should be designated fanservice couple, along with Jongkey. This didn’t sit well with Jinki, or Taemin for that matter, but neither could deny that fans ate that kind of stuff up, and hence 2min was born. It was a joke among the members, one even Minho, the creator of the outrageous ship, laughed at. Jinki and Taemin never minded, in fact, having their relationship over shadowed by Minho and Taemin’s just made them happier. It was like their close friendship was their own little secret no one else knew or was a part of.

It was the day of their debut stage. All five were anxiously waiting backstage to go on and show the world who they were. It was time to live up to their title as the 'Shining SHINee'.

Each member seemed to be dealing with it in a different way.

Jonghyun seemed the calmest, simply singing the lyrics quietly under his breath. This wasn't surprising, after all, he'd been in a band prior to becoming a trainee at SM, so performing was nothing new.

Key was talking with Minho, or more like talking to Minho. His voice had raised to a higher pitch, and it was actually quite amusing to listen to. Minho on the other hand was looking stoic as usual, not making a sound, but if one looked closely, you could see the tightness of his hands, the nervous glances he kept making towards the direction of the stage.

Jinki was singing as well, while fiddling with something in his hands, and despite trying, Taemin couldn't tell what it was. Normally he would go and ask the leader what he was doing right away, but at the moment he had more important things on his mind.

Taemin was definitely in the worst shape. He kept pacing the room, much to Key's annoyance (he'd already been yelled at twice) as well as wringing the hem of his shirt mercilessly. Worries ran through his mind: what if he misses a step? Or his voice cracked? It was common knowledge he couldn't sing well yet. Or worse, he go so nervous he passed out?

The fear was eating him up inside, a fact Jinki quickly picked up on. The next time Taemin passed by Jinki in his pacing, a small hand shot out and grabbed the younger's thin wrist. Taemin looked at Jinki in surprise, but the leader merely shushed the boy and motioned for Taemin to follow him.

The two exited the room, heading down the hall to where it was completely empty.

"What's going on hyung?" Taemin asked, confused.

"Are you okay? Are you nervous?" Jinki avoided the question.

"I'm fine hyung, just a little nervous is all."

Jinki stayed quiet after, confusing the younger even more. Was that really all Jinki wanted? Taemin turned to go back to the waiting room, when once again a hand was around his wrist, holding him back.

Jinki looked nervous, one hand clutched tightly into a fist.

"What is it hyung?" Taemin asked again. This time, Jinki answered.

"Here." Jinki held out his once-closed hand, revealing to Taemin a simple bracelet. Though plain,  it  was quite familiar, and Taemin quickly recognized that it was one of the two bracelets Jinki wore nearly every day.

"Hyung, why-"

"It's my good luck charm. You looked nervous, so I thought I'd give it to you for luck. I wore it while auditioning, and I mean, look at me now. I thought you could use the comfort of a little luck." Jinki grabbed Taemin's hand and placed the thin chain on his wrist.

"There. Now you have my good luck! You'll be perfect now."

Taemin stared at it in awe. "But hyung, what about you? Don't you need it?"

"I'll be fine without. You wear it Minnie."

"If you're sure hyung. Thanks for letting me wear it for our debut, it means a lot."

"No."

"No?" Taemin's eyes pulled together to form a look of confusion.

"It's yours now. From now on, my lucky charm is yours, so just think of me being your lucky charm." Jinki smiled lightly, and Taemin replied with a large grin of his own..

"Arasso hyung."

The following performance was the best Taemin had ever had, his dancing was spot on, and for the first time ever, his voice didn't even falter. Jinki's charm really did seem to be lucky.

From that day on, it becomes his most worn accessory, his prized possession, and the only thing he's never lost.

They were aware of how the other members looked at them, but it didn’t matter. They weren’t going to change how the interacted with each other, just to appease the others. Skinship was as natural as breathing. Besides, it wasn’t like Jonghyun and Key were any different,     the former always fawning over the latter like a puppy.    

Jinki recounts the suspicious looks from the others in the beginning, laughing at the memory of the time the other three confronted him and Taemin and demanded to know if they were together.

“Not that we’re against it.” They’d said. “We just need to know, so if there’s a chance of us walking in on you or something, we’re prepared.”

Jinki laughed, cutting them off, while Taemin flushed pink. “It’s not like. We’re like brothers, that’s all.” And from that day on, the others had forgotten about for the most part, only bringing it up when teasing the two.

In interviews, Jinki desperately defended his seat next to Taemin, unable to part with him by even a few feet. There's just something about being beside one another, of feeling his best friend's warmth against his side, that is so calming Jinki refuses to give it up.

More often than not, Jinki and Taemin find their legs pressed against each other, some physical contact required just to remind each other they are there. Occasionally, a hand will make it's way to the other's thigh, patting out an off beat rhythm, or a gentle squeeze, just for the extra acknowledgment. In calm moments, arms will snake their way around the other's waist, pulling them into a loose back hug. When they walk together, their hands are interlocked, determined to not be separated for even a moment.

Light touches of reassurance, warm hugs that take away any pain. Their hands find each other blindly and often go unnoticed by the two until pointed out teasingly by someone else. Their bodies gravitate towards each other, sticking side-by-side in even the most crowded places. They are each other’s shadows, always following. In the beginning, it had caused weird or confused glances from other fellow label-mates (save for Super Junior, who expressed their “love” for each other even more openly than Jinki and Taemin), but over the years, people grow used to it. By the time they become a highly established group in the industry, their relationship seems as natural as breathing to the others.

Four years after debut, and three dorms in, the group are finally able to settle in a place with more than one room. As the eldest and the leader, Jinki was gifted with his own room, saved from sharing with any other members. However, it was only a few nights in before Jinki awoke to a lithe form sneaking it's way beneath his blankets. At first, Jinki opened his mouth to object, but when familiar skinny arms made their way around his waist, he relaxed in their hold an drifted back to sleep.

From then on, Taemin's night time visits happened daily, to the point where the maknae's own bed was never used for actual sleep, and only as a place to store electronics and dirty socks. Jinki had thought he would mind having his few moments of peace and solitude destroyed, but found that he longed for the warmth of Taemin's body pressed against his even more.

Jonghyun complained once in awhile, often suggested that the two just share a room instead, but neither side ever followed through. There were too many schedules, too little rest to really care who shared. So Jonghyun just picked up after Taemin’s mess while the younger holed himself  up in Jinki’s room, and no one paid any mind.

Solo activities, while thought to strain their bond, only prove to strengthen it. The opening night of Rock of Ages found Taemin at the door of Jinki's dressing room, smiling widely with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. It wasn’t a grand gesture in front of everyone, as Joon’s later was, but that only made it more meaningful to Jinki.

“I thought you had recording for Hello Baby now.” Jinki had said, upon Taemin’s arrival. Taemin shook his head and placed the flowers on the make-up table.

“Yoogeun caught cold, and they called off filming for today. So I  decided to pay my favorite hyung a visit.” Taemin moved closer and ran a hand down Jinki’s leather clad arm. “Hmm. Leather looks good on you hyung.” He complimented, his lips quirking up in a teasing smile.

“Thanks Tae-ah.” When Taemin looked up again, his face had turned serious, sincerity shining in his eyes.

“Do well hyung. Break a leg.” As if he could only be serious for so long, he added a joking, “But not really. Let’s not have anymore Onew Condition now.”

“Aish this kid.” Jinki replied, moving to whack Taemin, but the younger simply danced out of the way.

“You’ll be great hyung!” He yelled, before running away.

Jinki doesn’t know what to think when Taemin slams the door behind him harshly and flops onto the couch beside him, face angry. The younger had just gotten back from his trip to Jeju to film for We Got Married for the first time, and Jinki can’t understand what could have possibly gone so wrong that he could have gone from being annoyingly enthusiastic about the show to pissed at the world in a mere three days.

“So... how’d it go?” Jinki tries, not sure if he’s prepared for the storm that’s sure to come from the question.

“How’d it go? Damn awful, that’s how!” Taemin seethes. “The girl I’m paired with- Na eun- is such a stuck up priss. I know I’m not the best at being social but she didn’t even try! She was like ‘Oh, I’m an innocent flower who’s never been within a hundred feet of a man before. Treat me like I’m the best thing in the world while I play hard to get because I’m the most perfect girl ever and you’d be lucky to have me.’ ” Taemin mimicked in a shrill voice. “UGH I HATE HER!” He raged, shoulders rising and falling with his heavy breaths.

Jinki placed his hands on Taemin’s shoulders, the effect immediate. Taemin’s breathing slowed and the anger slowly drained from his face. “Okay, it’s bad, I get that. So, don’t think of it as a reality show. Think of it as a drama. You’ve always wanted to be an actor like Minho, neh? This is your chance. Prove to me how great you are at acting. Make me believe you really like her.”

Taemin gets a determined set to his face, and he nods once. “Neh hyung. I’ll do that.”

A few weeks later finds Jinki walking past SHINee’s waiting room to see Taemin holding three different phones as he attempted to watch A-Pink’s comeback stage. He just shakes his head and walks on by, snickering.

“You really should stick to being an idol, Tae. You’re acting is terrible. I’m not convinced at all.” He says to himself, shaking his head.

“I still can’t believe you said you like boys Taemin. Right in front of her. And like twenty cameras.” Jinki laughed, nearly falling off the bed. The two were in Jinki’s room, computer sat in front of them as they re-watched the first episode of Taemin on WGM.

Taemin frowned. “It wasn’t that funny. And it was only two cameras.”

“Sure, sure, not funny at all. The look on her face, oh my god.”

Taemin bit his lip, eyes on the frozen screen before him. “What if...” Taemin began quietly, voice trailing off without finishing. Jinki calms down a bit, still chuckling lightly, and turned to him.

“What if what?” He asked, confused.

“What if... what if it was true?”

That shuts Jinki up, and the elder stare at his best friend with a shocked expression.

“Do you..” Jinki began, voice unsure. “Do you like guys?”

Taemin turned away, face red. “Ye-yeah. I do.” He replied, voice shaky.

Jinki thought back to when their group was on yunhanam, how awkward Taemin had been around girls. It had been understandable though, he was only 15. He remembered all of Taemin’s interactions with their female label mates, how stiff he is around them, and if he ever becomes close, it’s only ever as completely platonic friends. His eyes flicked to the computer beside him, screen paused on Taemin’s flustered face as he tries to explain himself. He realized that Taemin has always been the way he is, and that really, it was just another fact to add to the list of things he knows about Lee Taemin.

“Oh. Okay then.” Jinki shrugs.

It was Taemin’s turn to be confused, features twisting. “That’s it? You are- you aren’t upset? Disgusted even? You don’t hate me?”

Jinki whipped his head around and stared at Taemin with an unreadable expression. “Taemin.” He said sharply. “I would never hate you. Especially over something like this. So you like men, what? You’re still Taemin, still my best friend. This doesn’t change anything. So what if you like taking it up the ?”

“Hyung!” Taemin whined, embarrassed, but a smile pulled at the corner of his lips. He felt like a giant weight had been lifted off his chest admitting this. He should have known Jinki wouldn’t be anything but supportive.

He wrapped his arms around Jink’s waist and hugged him.

“Thank you hyung.” He whispered.

The day WGM filming officially ends, and Taemin no longer has to see Naeun’s face again, he runs into Jinki’s room, a smile stretching his features. “We’re going out!” He announced, not giving Jinki the chance to argue. He pulls the elder out of his room and to the front, barely giving him time to slip on shoes before the two are out the door and into the frisk air of a winter evening. Jinki shivered against the cold, but Taemin payed no mind, already pulling them into the company van and directing the driver to the nearest club. That night, the two partied like no tomorrow, and in the morning, when Jinki woke to Taemin snuggled warm against his side for the first time since that show started,  it felt like everything was right with world again.

When Jinki went to the doctor with complaints of a sore throat, and got news that he would require surgery or else risk never singing again, it felt like the world was falling apart. He came home from hospital with eyes bloodshot and nose red from crying. He locked himself in his room, before curling into a ball and attempting to block out the universe. He almost didn’t hear the timid knock on his door, but even of he missed that, the sound of the door opening and someone stepping inside did not go unnoticed, because what the hell he locked that door.

It was Taemin, of course, face sympathetic. He knew.

“Manager hyung told me.” Jinki opened his mouth but Taemin raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t get mad at him, I forced him to tell me. You know no one can resist me.” He smiled a greasy smile that sent shivers down Jinki’s spine before turning serious again. He shut the door gently behind him and moved to sit beside the elder. Wrapping one skinny arm around Jinki’s strong shoulders, he looked into Jinki’s eyes and said with strong determination, “You’ll be okay.”

“But what if-”

“Don’t. You’re going to be perfectly fine. You’ll get the surgery, you’ll rest, and then you’ll be back and better than ever before.” He sounded so sure, resolve so absolute, Jinki could hardly argue. And yet...

“And if I can’t sing anymore, and have to quit?”

“Then I’ll visit you every single day and give you vocal lessons until you can sing again. You were able to fix my voice, so I should be able to fix your, right?” The idea of Taemin trying to teach anyone is so outrageous it reduces to the two to tears in seconds, their laughter bouncing off the walls. When they finally calm down, Taemin hugs Jinki tightly.

“See? You’re going to be be fine hyung. I know it.”

The day of Taemin's solo debut stage, Jinki is waiting on the sidelines, cheering him on louder than all the girls in the crowd. He is the only one there today, the others held up by schedules they couldn’t talk their way out of. For the first time since his surgery, he was glad he couldn’t have any schedules, allowing him to be here today.

Jinki can’t remember ever being prouder of someone than he is in that moment, watching Taemin sing and dance, life flowing through every move. He remembers the late nights alone in Jinki’s room, rubbing soothing circles on Taemin’s back while he cries in fear of never being good enough. He thinks of half-awake confessions, of Taemin’s determination to stand where he is today. He sees the hours of practice paying off better than he had ever imagined.

A brilliant smile crosses Taemin’s face when he runs offstage and catches sight of Jinki. Jinki opens his arms and Taemin throws himself into them.

“You came.” He chokes out happily.

“Of course.”

Taemin looks up then, eyes filled with nervous hope. “Did I do well hyung?”

Jinki answers honestly. “You were brilliant.”

The night before Taemin's first interview, Jinki hands him his other bracelet, his own wrist now bare. When Taemin glances at him confusedly, he simply answers, "So I'm with you even if can't be beside you."

Taemin is a man, and he doesn’t cry- in public. But behind closed doors with Jinki, the elder smiling that soul lifting smile of his, Taemin lets his emotions run free, and a single tear slips down his cheek.

“Thank you hyung.”

Six years since they first stood onstage and sang for the world. Looking back, Jinki realizes he wouldn't be the same if he hadn't met Taemin. He wouldn't be himself. If Taemin hadn't climbed those stairs, if Soo Man hadn't placed them together in the same group... Jinki can't imagine a world without Taemin. If they were in separate groups, how would life have gone? How would Jinki have made it through the rehearsals, the interviews, the endless hours of work, without the goofy maknae by his side? It didn't seem possible, and Jinki didn't like to think about it too hard. He's spent less than half his life being friends with the boy, but he can't remember a time without. Taemin isn't a friend, he's a part of Jinki, the elder realizes. Without Taemin, he was a different person altogether. Taemin is his other half, his soul mate. The two fit together perfectly, working together in absolute harmony. Jinki could not live without Taemin, and Taemin could not live without Jinki. Jinki spares a glance to his side, to see a beaming Taemin soaking in the cheers of the crowd with his head held high.

Whatever happens in the future Jinki thinks, may our group continue or fall, nothing can ever take Taemin from me. Until the end, stay by my side, Lee Taemin.

Jinki closes the photo book and places it on the table, wrinkled hand shaky. He turns to Taemin, smiling.

“Well that was fun, looking through those old memories again.”

Taemin chuckles. “I’d forgotten how baby faced you looked hyung. You’ve certainly aged well.”

Jinki rolled his eyes. “Says the kid with hardly a single wrinkle. I’m starting to think Jonghyun was right, you are a vampire.”

The two sit on Jinki’s faded couch, old bodies sunk deep in the cushions. Along the walls hang numerous pictures- pictures of Jinki in a tuxedo and a woman in a white dress, pictures of a small kid with a face like Jinki’s, followed by pictures of the same kid all grown up and graduating high school. In almost every photo, Taemin can be found, standing beside Jinki and the woman in a similar suit, pictures of him with the Jinki look-a-like, kid smiling happily in the background. In the kitchen, there is a clattering of pans as Jinki’s wife cooks up dinner.

40 years have passed since they first stood onstage. 42 years since they first on that rooftop, 42 long years of friendship. Looking back, Jinki doesn’t regret a moment of it. He spent the best years of his life performing alongside his best friend, and when his idol days were over, he kept that best friend and made a life for himself with Taemin by his side. Forever and always, just as they had planned.

40 years, and so much has happened. Jinki got married, with Taemin as his best man, and had had a kid,  a baby boy the spitting image of Jinki, who had grown up and is currently working in Japan. Taemin had married as well, with Jinki as his best man. He always carried guilt in his heart for not being able to love her fully, though she had never seemed to mind, content with the love he gave her. They were happy, at least, which is more than some couples could claim. His wife had died just a year prior, and without any kids, he was glad he still had Jinki by his side to make the pain bearable.

Jinki stared at the aged face of his friend, warmth filling his heart. He had fulfilled his promise to himself. Despite the many years that had passed, they still remained close, always remained by each others side. Their bond had stood the test of time, and here they were, old and grey, their friendship still as unbreakable as it had been 40 years ago.

They were stuck together, bound by a supernatural force. They weren’t just friends, weren’t just close. They were more than that. They fit together like matching puzzle pieces, two half forming a whole. They were soul mates. One and the same. Kindred souls.