Their Juliette comeback was delayed. And who's fault was it? That's right, Jinki's.

They had all sat on the living room of their dorm that day, an unusual silence settiling in the air between them. Their manager-hyung had just left minutes ago, and being a man who is known not being able to mask his expressions well, he is obviously displeased with this turn of events. The action that was to be done was clear, SHINee had to stay undercover for a while until Jinki was fully recovered and prepared to face the public once again. After a weary sigh and typical 'get-well-soon' wishes, (plus a muttered "and learn to stick your hands in front of you for god's sake" that didn't go unnoticed by Jinki) he was off.

Four pair of eyes turned to the  member in question, who had his head down the entire time and left palm pressed aganist his mouth (the frantic trip to the doctors' had helped matters somewhat but hey, that didn't mean it still doesn't hurt.) And they watched as he tried to say something.

Nothing came out except for a couple of sounds that sounded like a cross between a strangled cat and a croaking toad.

Jinki struggled and then decided to give up. and decided the best thing to do is to just close his eyes and imagine the damage he had caused. To give in. Jinki wasn't dumb. He knew exactly what he had caused. He knew he had caused total disaster.

He imagined Taemin, who worked so hard on the choreography, perfecting every sway, every curve, every move was as sharp as the others. He imagined Minho and Key, who put in just as equal effort in rapping (Minho made sure he knew exactly where to emphasize in his rap) dancing and making sure their pitch was just right. Jinki imagined Jonghyun.

Jonghyun. Jinki felt a suffocating feeling in his chest and squeezed his eyes tighter together, so tight he could see little fireworks exploding in the back of his eyes. Jonghyun who had stayed up late on numerous nights to write the lyrics to their song, sacrificing his sleep. Jonghyun who had crushed papers multiple times claiming that 'it wasn't good enough'. Jonghyun who had to surpress his desire to stand on stage and perfom his own song because of. Well, because of him.

What kind of a leader does that?

"It's okay, hyung.", Key was the first to break the deafening silence.

It's okay. Jinki pressed his palm harder against his mouth.

"Yeah, Onew-hyung, now we'll be able to get a few days off!" That was Taemin's cheerful voice, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. He added a wry laugh as an afterthought, just in case.

It was Jonghyun's turn now, trademark goofy grin in place and clapping Jinki on the back, saying things like how they will work even harder given the extended time and "we'll get to show them an even better, manlier, image!"

"Jjong, our outifts are pastel-coloured aprons with bugs on them."

"...... Well, at least I didn't request mine to be pink!"

Then started the usual JongKey bickering, with Minho watching amusedly on the other end, warm hand on Jinki's back, and Taemin possibly cheering them on even more. ("Wait hyungs, don't any of you say a word, let me get the popcorn!")

Jinki still had his head down the entire time.

So if Jinki did smile that day, no one would know.

A/N: Second's chapter is up! Uhm. I decided to end this one on a more cheerful note since I've been torturing Onew all this while. OTL. tell me what you think! ^^ Comments as well as criticisms are loooved. <3 (: