14 DANGER

“Kai, no! Please stop! No! Stop it! Kim Jongin! Stop!”

“Taemin! Hey! Wake up, Taeminah!” Jonghyun grabs the boy by his shoulders and shakes him as hard as he could.

Taemin continues to protest in his sleep for a few more seconds before he finally wakes up. Seeing Jonghyun’s face, he realizes he had only been dreaming and breathes out a sigh of relief.

“Damn, Taemin. You were hysterical. What was Kai doing to you in your dream?”

“Not to me, to Key. But I don’t want to talk about it. It was a nightmare.”

“Let me guess... in your dream, Kai was banging Key.”

Taemin didn’t reply but he crashed his face on a pillow and screamed into it. The sound is muffled but his frustration is apparent.

“I’m screwed, Jjong-hyung. I like Key. Too much. But Kai likes him too.”

“Taemin, who wouldn’t like Key? If I weren’t in love with Jinki, I’d be all over Key like a koala bear.”

“That was helpful, hyung. Thanks.” Taemin rolls his eyes.

“Hey. When did you ever get sarcastic on me?” Jonghyun throws a pillow at Taemin. “Anyway, let’s talk about this later. We’re checking out at noon. Our flight to Dubai is at 2pm.”

“Hyung, why did you sleep here last night? Was it Key who asked you to? Doesn’t he want to be in the same room as me anymore? Is it because I seduced him during the concert? Or is it because of Kai? They’re probably texting each other a lot now.”

“Woah, Taemin… easy on the assumptions. I told Key I have some urgent work-related matters to discuss with you first thing in the morning, so I asked to trade beds with him.”

“Oh. What is it, hyung? Is it so important that I have to wake up seeing your face instead of Key’s?” Taemin’s grin vanishes when Jonghyun smacks his head.

“You should be thanking me, idiot. Hell, you were drunk-texting Key but ended up sending those messages to me. That was a close call, you lucky bastard. It’s a good thing my name in your contact list, I presume, is right before Key’s. Anyway, I made an excuse to Key since I was afraid you’d do or say inappropriate things to him when you get back here. I saved you. Just how much did you and Kai drink? Seriously, Taemin, never get smashed while on tour.”

Taemin fumbles around the bed for his phone until he sees his discarded jeans on the floor and grabs it. He finds his phone inside the pocket and quickly checks his message outbox.

‘Key plsdont be angrhhy but i klike u soo muuuch u r sogorgeus’

‘Key! ddid u liker my DAnger prfornance awhhile aggo? ?itwas all for u..’

‘Kai wants u key. wat am i gonnma do huh’

‘Keyu if i kiz u wil yu lyk it’

‘Keydo u ljke kai.,, if yes i willk respct u two i stay awayy but cry’

‘Keybabe i wnt to feeel ur body and drink U.,..’

‘When we rap tgegther the prettty boy song i want to put myslf in ur mouthh’

‘I thnkn im in loove key but i cant be’

Taemin’s eyes widen as he goes over every text message he sent. And he sent quite a number.

“That’s right. You go to church and give thanks that those messages were sent to the wrong Kim. My god, Taemin. What the hell’s happening to you? It isn’t just pure talent that made you successful as a solo artist. You’re responsible and level-headed. You’re never careless.”

“I’m sorry, Jjong-hyung. It won’t happen again.“

“But what is it, Taeminah? You know you can tell me anything. I’m not just your manager; I’m your friend. Do you have needs that are getting to you? We can arrange for something casual. We’ve talked about this with the execs, remember? You deserve to have your fun too as long as we’re careful and it’s managed well and we’re sure it’s with someone who’ll keep the bedroom encounter confidential.”

“No, hyung. It’s not an itch that I want scratched. Key is special.”

“Seriously? You were going to tell him I want to drink you... put myself in your mouth…”

“Hyung, I was drunk okay? But it’s true that I want Key. Although I don’t just want .”

Jonghyun sits beside Taemin on his bed and puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Taeminah, you know you can’t start anything of that sort with somebody you work with. Management will sack Key, you know that. Do you want him to lose his job? It pays well and he has a mother to provide for who’s in an institution.”

“I know that, hyung. But you’re looking too far ahead. We don’t even know how Key feels about me. I know he likes me, but I’m not sure if it’s in a romantic or at least ual way. Besides, Kai’s pursuing him and he’s a great dude.”

“Am I really looking too far ahead? Isn’t it better to avoid danger than escape it? Why wait until you’re in trouble? And I want to keep Key in your life. The three of us make a great team since he’s efficient but also cares about you. Talent and skills aside, he’s a wonderful person.”

Taemin nods in agreement but his face displays a sadness that tugs at Jonghyun’s heart.

“Know what, I didn’t realize you’re interested in men.” Jonghyun flashes Taemin a sympathetic smile.

“I didn’t know that myself until Key came along.”

Jonghyun gives in to his worries and hugs Taemin.

“Ev