Taemin POV

"Excuse me?" I made a face, "of course you do. I like you too hyung."

"T-Taemin it is not a hyung-dongsaeng relationship I am talking about." He frowned.. and I began laughing again.

"Hyung, are you kidding me?" I hit his shoulder, "it is not funny!"

He just stared at me with a blank expression, and I stopped, knowing he is serious.

"I am making a confession cant you see?" He frowned and I looked into his eyes.  A mixture of fear, anxiety. Fear of rejection.

"Jonghyun..." I touched his hand, "I..."

"Yes, I know," he shook his hand, "you don't like me. I know that. You're too young."

"It is not that I don't like you," I said, interwining our hands, "it is just that I am puzzled too. I don't know what to say or feel to the sudden confession. Now it all makes sense."

"What do you mean by that?" I stared down at his hands, not wanting to see those puppy eyes.

"How should I say it.. you're very concerned about what I do, say or even think. I noticed that lately you had been taking too much pictures of me or doing me favors that... well I thought it was part of your personality or job. You had been opening up too much, too." I looked up to meet those orbs that seems to be going moist any passing second.

"Just make it clear. Make it straight to the point." he said. "Give me time... days, to think. Then I will tell you my decision." was my response.

Since that, I noticed that Jonghyun had been spacing up lately. He keeps on going out of the house more often, going home late.. He just leaves cooked food for breakfast with a note of 'Eat plenty. Dont forget to brush your teeth. I already ironed your clothes. It is in the drawer. Dont be late at school. I cant pick you up, I am busy with some problems in the agency. Going home late, -Jjong'. Not even a smiley or a simple 'take care and I love you' is there at the little piece of paper.

I missed the feeling of us going out once in a while. Sharing drinks on one glass and eating with only one spoon for the two of us. The conversations while eating just before we go to bed. The smell of food being cooked by his skillful hands while I am backhugging him. The hugs I get while we are sleeping, while now we are lying on one bed with him turning to the other side away from me. He changed. He really changed.

Maybe this is his way of giving me some space.. or for himself. He needs space. And I need to think.

As I was walking down the street I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked back to see who it is.

"Key?" I frowned at the sight of his face, and I noticed that he looks very scared. Some bruises on his arms and face. And he is madly shaking.

"Hey, is anything wrong?" I asked, and he swallowed hard. "He... He is after me. Help."

"Who?" I wiped the tears from his feline eyes.

"I can't tell you his name... But he is my stepbrother." I really cant understand why he is asking me for help, as what he did to me the last time we met was oh so offending and had almost caused Jonghyun and I to split up, but well...

"What can I do for you?"

End of POV

Jonghyun POV

"Jjong-ah! Open the door!" I heard Taemin yelling loudly from outside, and I scampered from the couch and opened the damn door.

"What time is it?" I scolded, "do you know how late it is already?"

"Oh..." he looked at his watch, "10:23pm. I am sorry. But more importantly, we have a guess."

"Huh?" I looked to the outside, "there is no one with you."

"There is..." a familiar face went out from behind him.

"Hi, Jonghyun-ah."

"Taemin-ah, what do you think are you thinking!? Letting my ex live in our house?" I threw my pen at the floor in rage.

"Jonghyun, didn't you see the look in his eyes? He was beaten, ually abused, and have no safe place to stay?" the brat looked up to me with a sympathetic expression on.

"Didn't you remember the last time he got involved in our lives? We almost broke up. And thinking that his mad steppie is after him, don't you think our lives won't be in peril?"

"Our lives? Or your life?" he stood up in a defiant manner, "and thinking of my you are so angry at my choice, I think it is because of your past with him."

"Don't talk as if you know what I feel.