"Jealousy is bred in doubts.

When those doubts change into certainties,

then the passion either ceases or turns into absolute madness"

Taemin doesn’t need to remind himself when Jongin is annoyed. When there is other time Jongin would just turn his back and talk like usual, Taemin would thank him for his trustful escape. The harsh reality seems so easy to handle. But there is the other side of Jongin would ignore his presence fully, occupied himself with the dance practice without actually cared about him. And Taemin questioned, each and every little step that Jongin took of making sure the older guy didn’t approached him any further.  The night or day before didn’t make Taemin any less worried; the sudden change and the timid little gesture broke his heart. Varnish all the feeling that he felt for him. The terrible arching comes down on him whenever Jongin spoke carelessly, shrugged him off wholly and Taemin felt nothing less than the thug of pain threatened to choke him alive.

So, when they got into the idea. The fan service with his hyung and him, agreeing to be play role in the upcoming concert, Taemin didn’t bother to tell Jongin about the plan.

“You better be there tomorrow.”

“I will, but I doubt you will see me. I might be just watching you from a far.” Jongin laughs, breathes along the line.

“Good. I won’t complain even if I can’t see you, as long as I feel your presence.” He stood up, landing his back on the soft bed as he did so. Jonghyun is not yet home and the other members already fall asleep.

“Still butthurt I didn’t attend your party yesterday?”

“Maybe…” Taemin mumbles, squinted his disappointment and he heard Jongin voice him a low sorry.

“I will make up to you later.” As he spoke, Taemin smile. Portion of his heart had forgave him long ago.

“Nevermind, you’re busy anyway. “ He pout, which he knows Jongin won’t ever see because damn, the phone won’t allowed him to do anything.

The awkward silence encountered, he brave himself to speak again. The heavy burden filled his entire being.

“Jongin-ah. Jonghyun hyung suggested having a duet with me and there will be some skinship.”

“Are you okay with that?” He asked, Taemin feel like his ruptures of hope come crashing him, Jongin still didn’t have a clear picture of the scene. He thought.

“I should be the one asking you about this. I want your assurance. I won’t do it if you insisted me of doing.” Taemin was clenching his teeth and founding hard to explain.

“Don’t be stupid. It’s your job. I won’t get mad even if you’re asked to kiss him.”

Taemin decides to believe in him, seeking for his understatement. Yet, it cures him nothing as the word ‘kiss’ let out from the other’s mouth.

“Kumawo, Jongin-ah. I just want you to know, no matter what happen it didn’t affect me at all.”

“I know.”

   ----------------------------

                     Taemin would not want to think of it in this certain way, but as seconds, minutes, hours tick by, they work together in an almost collaborative heat. The grinds and the almost kiss accident did fussed everyone. He heard the scream and the hatred glance that they throw. It was beyond control. As he merged backstage, the wild response surges him to reply nothing less than throwing a subtle smile. Taemin figures it is much easier to just scratch off rather than spread nonsense and he sees it was not a problem when Jonghyun himself acted quirk, fast reply with saying that it is just for fun.

“Taemin-ah!”

When he entered their changing room, Suho yelled his name and approaching fast, throwing him a friendly hug and patting his back in the process. He replies with a quick respond. Taemin settles down a bit when he sees the other EXO members also in the room, sitting casually, talking with . His eyes pry away at the figure that standing quietly, walk out from the rest. And Taemin stunned, Jongin is found looking somewhere else after their eyes met. He know something is definitely wrong.

“Yah, what’s going on with both of you?” Suho asked, Taemin understood it all but he didn’t need to be reminded about it.

“Nothing, hyung!” He said, with less afford while inside stirred with a mixed emotions. Jongin still refused his existence by playing with Sehun now.

“That’s what we call fanservice, Joonmyun-ah. You should learn from us.” Jonghyun cut off, laughing along his remarks.

“I can’t see the difference. Enjoying yourself too much, did you?”

His ears had closed down from the sound of them talking; rather his mind too preoccupied with Jongin that seemly ignored him all along.

“Maybe, Taemin like it a bit more. He turns twenty already and he is legal.”Jonghyun answered, flung his arm on Taemin’s shoulder making him halted in his move. Taemin turn his mind into the conversation once again.

“You’re ruining his image and stop ing him, you sick monster.” Suho jokes. Taemin is not amused.

“He didn’t reject me! I’m not the one at fault. Besides, he agreed to this, right Taemin-ah?”

He hesitantly nodded. Skin lift up when Jonghyun nudge him and Taemin literally squished to the tight embrace. He turn his head to Jongin’s direction, feeling the piercing stare were on him. Judging and whining. Not until the younger guy resolved by stepping to the hallway with Tao, Taemin bristle and fought to follow. That’s when he decides to excuse himself from them, partly because he can’t stand of being too distant from Jongin, his other half.

“Guys, wait!”

Taemin run faster, when Tao turned back, waiting for him to catch up on them patiently.

“Where are you going?”  Taemin ask, breathing for air.

Tao glared, this time letting it go over Jongin, before connecting it with him. “We were just walking around.” Jongin shut up and lowered his eyes on the ground; the uneasiness crept upon his heart.

“I also want to join you guys. Can I?”

“Let’s go Tao.” The sudden call shock both of them, Taemin could sense he is not welcomed by the other guy. His stubbornness got the best of him. Taemin doesn’t quite comprehend with Jongin behaviour. Instead of retreating back to the room, he grabs the hand that hangin