Minho stretched, rejuvenated at his workout with Jonghyun. Exercise always made him feel bright and alert, and he loved the feeling of getting his heart pumping and everything just becoming clearer. It also gave him a chance to think. He decided that his reaction to what Taemin had done was irrational, especially since he had not been in the right state of mind. He felt regretful about what he said to Taemin in the van. He hoped he hadn’t hurt Taemin’s feelings. He resolved to be more loving and take care of Taemin more.  He sincerely wished it would help Taemin recover.

He looked inside the mailbox for their apartment and grabbed the package that their manager had dropped off.

“We’re back,” he said as he opened the door as intense shuffling could be heard. “What have you guys been doing?” he asked curiously, noting Taemin’s messy hair and Key fixing his shirt.

“Just resting,” said Key breezily. “I’ll go get dinner ready.”

Minho nodded and sat next to Taemin on the couch as Key went to the kitchen and Jonghyun headed to the shower.

“What?” said Taemin, noticing his unnerving stare and flushing.

He took a breath. “I’m sorry Taemin-ah,” he said apologetically. “I didn’t mean to be rude last night. I was just scared and couldn’t believe that it was happening.”

“It’s okay, hyung,” Taemin said quietly. “I’m sorry that I did what I did. Can we just forget that it happened? I never want to be reminded about last night again.”

“It’s forgotten,” Minho smiled, throwing his arm around Taemin’s shoulder. “Oh, and here are your replacement pills.”

Minho watched as Taemin silently accepted the package and shoved it in his pocket.

“Thanks,” he said quickly.

Minho tried to give Taemin one last squeeze but Taemin abruptly stood up.

“I’ll just go put these in my room,” he told Minho.

Taemin felt he was walking underwater as he neared the bedroom. He felt fine now. He was all better. He didn’t want to take pills. But he didn’t want a scenario like last night to happen again. Just thinking about it made him want to smash his head against the wall.

He sat down on his bed in their empty bedroom, pill bottle in his hands. He had to take these pills. Resigned, he shook two into his palm and swallowed.

“Dinner!’ he heard Key shout through the dorm.

He sighed and got up to head to the table.

Minho had tried to sit next to Taemin during dinner, but Key and Onew had managed to take up either side of Taemin. Taemin had cracked up non stop because of Onew’s gags and had choked on his food and Key had to pat him on the back.  Aish! How was he supposed to show Taemin how sorry he was?

He past the bathroom and noticed that whoever was in there hadn’t closed the door properly and a sliver of light lit up the dark hallway. He was about to burst in and scare whoever was in there but he stopped when he saw who was in there.

Taemin stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at himself.  Every time he felt happy, afterwards he would feel like he wanted to crawl under the covers and hide. It was as if being depressed was his safety zone. He didn’t want to be happy and carefree. He just wanted to lie there and close his eyes forever.

When he had been fooling around with Key a little voice in his head kept nagging him.  Key’s only using you for your body, it had snarled. He doesn’t understand you and doesn’t want to.

“I love him,” he said out loud.  “I don’t care if he’s only using me for my body. As long as I get to be with him,” he concluded.

He dug through the drawers for some face cleanser and stopped when he grabbed a packet of razors. He took one out. He needed a new one, not that he used a razor very often. It was a new brand that he hadn’t seen before. He decided to test it out on his arm hairs and jerked up his sleeve, rubbing his arm and wrist in preparation.

“DON’T!” roared a voice from the door. Taemin jumped in fright as Minho barged in through the door and slapped the razor away from his hands.

“Don’t you dare!” He yelled at Taemin, pushing him roughly. “What were you thinking?”

“I don’t-what-“ Taemin stuttered frightened as Minho shook him.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I saw!” he shouted.

Key, Onew and Jonghyun rushed to the scene.

“Yah! What are you doing to my Taemin?” yelled Key angrily as he pushed Minho away from a cowering Taemin who moved to Onew’s side.

“I saw him here holding a razor to his wrist!” he cried, pointing at Taemin who was gaping.

“No I wasn’t! Well I was, but not because of what you think!”  Taemin stammered. “I wanted to try out the razor on my arm hairs!”

There was a silence as the boys digested this. Onew tried to stifle his laughter.

“Don’t laugh at me!” Minho said hotly.

“I wasn’t!” protested Onew.

‘Taemin-“ Minho said, trying to lunge at Taemin who backed away fearfully.

“Stop it!” Key shoved Minho.

“You stop pushing me first,” Minho said menacingly, shoving Key in the chest back.

“Well then you stop it,” Key growled, pushing him back stronger.

“Guys, cool it-“ Jonghyun tried to say but was interrupted by Minho taking a full swing.

“Stop!” Taemin said, breaking in between them at the wrong time. Minho gasped in shock as his fist met a very soft cheek.

Taemin fell onto the floor and held his cheek as Onew gasped and tried to help the maknae.

Key saw red.

“MINHO I WILL SMASH YOUR FACE IN!” he roared as he tried to punch Minho but was stopped by Jonghyun holding him back.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry Taemin!” cried Minho, all anger gone. “I’m sorry, it was an accident, I didn’t mean to hit you!”

“Calm down, calm down,” Jonghyun said to Key who was struggling to free himself from Jonghyun.

Minho watched helplessly as Onew gently lifted Taemin to his feet and walk him out of the bathroom.

“I’m sorry!” He called after them.

“Just go to your room,” Jonghyun said, still holding the arms of a now still Key.