With an eventful and much needed break past him, his bag flew over his shoulder as Taemin ran to his locker. He didn’t mind school as much as he used to. Before he hated it with a passion, and frankly, he still does, but now he had things to look forward to afterwards, people to be with. He saw Seunghyun giving him a glare from across the hallway, smiling at the thought of knowing that can’t control his daily life and emotions anymore. Seunghyun groaned at the sight of his happiness, only containing himself at the sight of an authority figure. His extras in his locker and textbooks in his hand, classes had begun. Sometimes he envied the groups of gossiping girls occupying the corners of the classrooms, their whispers just audible enough for others to hear the important details. If only he had someone like that to share his day with at school. Someone to fill the time between the night he saw Minho until the afternoon he met him again.

                He always told Minho about his day, if Minho asked of course. When Taemin- if Taemin, ever mentioned a good grade he had recently gotten, Minho would praise him. Taemin felt like he melted on the inside each time. They were such simple words like ‘Good job’ or ‘I’m proud’ and Taemin never felt better. Eventually, he would pay attention in class, trying to understand the new concept presented each day. Sometimes he understood it, sometimes he didn’t, and if he was very lucky, the lesson piggybacked off of what he learnt, and understood, the previous day. He jotted down some vague notes in his nearly blank notebook along with some scribbles and doodles explaining what stuck in his head. Later he’d try to make sense of it all, if later ever came. Looking over the unskillfully and messily decorated margins of his book, he contemplated drawing Minho something. It would be good, but it’s the thought that counts, right? He’d definitely draw something for his boyfriend. Maybe he’d pick up some paints on the way home and colour it in. It would have greens and blues, some purples and yellows. He’d go over to Minho’s house and hang it up on his wall. He thought about each detail in class and when lunch came, he had found a secluded table in the corner of the cafeteria where he pulled out a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and began to draw. He actually found himself to be enjoying it a lot, putting effort into eat line. He was caught off guard when someone walked up beside him. “That’s really nice.” A soft voice commented. He noticed that it was the girl whom he had gifted for secret Santa before Christmas. “Thanks.” He looked her up and down before going back to his work. “You don’t have to be nice to me or anything.” She looked somewhat awkward, such a cute girl in such a stiff pose. “I know… I still think it’s really good.” She said, still standing at his side. “It’s for a friend.” Taemin clarified. “Oh, alright.” She murmured before bowing and walking away. Once certain that she had gone, Taemin looked up and watch her walk over to her friends. He looked at the instant ramen to the left of his arm, chopsticks still resting in the steamy cup, continuing his lunch.

                He had gotten so caught up in his piece that he worked on it through all of his classed. Every time he got a new idea, whenever one idea stemmed from another, he would add it in. He was focused now, determined to make it his top priority for the day. His mood kept improving with his masterpiece, his uncommon happiness catching many people’s attention. He kept spotting the group of five whose main goal was the make him sad, it was as if they were trailing him, but Taemin shrugged them off. He was a bit suspicious that they hadn’t made any attempt in harassing him yet. Grabbing his hair, he guided it back until only his bangs and shorter hair framed his face. He trapped the hair in face with an elastic band, completing his ponytail. He stared outside the window, yawning with tears forming in his eyes, his eyes zigzagging from the clock, to the door, to the window, and back again. His sight fell to his hand as he had a ‘14’ written on it. Fourteen… He thought. Ruki had invited him and Minho out to a small gig he had managed to secure at the hotel he was staying at because ‘Buta-Ojisan was worried I was wasting away in my room.’ Ruki explained. He had told them they could come for free and even promised to reserve a table and catering for them all for free. Taemin couldn’t refuse, not to mention he had wanted hear Ruki sing before, only hearing him once before. Minho had agreed because Taemin was the one who asked. It was on Thursday, Taemin had recalled. Minho would come over to Taemin’s house, where they would get picked up by a limo, another luxury Ruki had bestowed upon them. Taemin was forced to vow on wearing clothes Ruki had gotten him on his visit back to Japan, modelling them for him so that he could memorise all of Taemin’s sizes. Being torn away from his thoughts by the teacher yelling at another student for not paying attention, he fell back into routine, staring at the window as his eyes followed a man in a suit, possible riding his bicycle to work, and then a woman running towards a departing bus. He couldn’t imagine himself in the outside world. He couldn’t imagine himself done with school, maintaining a job while spending his free time with his lover. It was a nice scenario, just not one he could picture himself as the main role in, or any role for that matter. Growing up was beyond him. I must sound so childish, he thought, laughing to himself. He finished his drawing and began retracing the lines.

                With the final bell releasing students from class, Taemin walked over to his locker for his belongings. He took out his wallet and counted the money, totalling to almost twenty seven dollar. “Surely that’s enough for paints…” He mumbled to himself. He shoved his wallet back into his coat, taking the fasted way out. He began to feel slightly worried now, seeing Seunghyun assemble his crew of five when he noticed him. He began walking faster, speeding up, which led them to do the same. He was outside now, going at a near jog, glancing behind him occasionally. He can’t get hurt right now. If Minho or Ruki saw, they’d definitely ask why he’s hurt. He had managed not to get too hurt since he met them and when he did, it wasn’t bad enough that makeup couldn’t cover it up. When his eyes met those of the following boy’s, one of them began with an intimidating “Hey Taemin,” but seemed to stop in the tracks around the same time that Taemin bumped into someone, not focusing on what was going on in front of him. “Taemin?” Another voice asked, clearly coming from in front of him. He turned around, an apology on the tip of his tongue, before recognizing the person. “Hyung!” Taemin exclaimed, happy but worried at the same time. Minho seemed flushed, which worried Taemin. He lifted his hand to the taller boy’s cheek, caressing it softly. “Hyung, do you have a fever?” Minho shook it head, taking Taemin’s hand into his with something being passed in between. Before Taemin had a chance to look at it, Minho had leaned in for a kiss. Embarrassed by the amount of strangers and classmates around him, he pulled away, cutting the kiss short. He looked down at a pair of socks in his hand. Someone Taemin quickly identified stepped in front of him. “Don’t let him fool you! He’s a guy, you know?! He’s a disgusting guy! He keeps his hair long and looks all feminine just to lure people in! He’s evil!” The three others, besides a surprisingly quiet Jiyong, nodded in agreement “I know exactly who he is and he is nothing close to evil. Are you trying to pick a fight?” Minho said in an intimidating tone as he stepped up, pulling his shoulders back and his chest inflated, an offensive pose. “Why are you defending him? He’s the one in the wrong here. He’s just using you!” Seunghyun tried defending, backing off in the name of winning Minho over. “He’s not using me for anything.” Minho corrected, clearing his throat as his eyes narrowed into a glare. “That’s what he wants you to think-” Daesung added from further back, shutting himself up when Minho shoved Seunghyun with purpose, moving the human barrier from between him and Taemin. “What’s your guys’ problem?” Minho asked, a hint of anger in his voice. Taemin wrapped his arms around Minho’s torso which felt slightly more rigid than usual. “Hyung, please ignore them. Really, it doesn’t matter.” Minho shook his head but slightly softened under Taemin’s soft hug. “Not with these guys talking all this crap.” Minho argued. “Please…” Taemin begged once again. Minho huffed, placing his hands on Taemin’s shoulders before kissing the top of Taemin’s plush head. “Fine.” He took Taemin by the hand and began leading him towards the street. He looked back once, catching the five’s gazes. “If I ever hear you guys spreading junk like this again, our next meeting won’t be so harmless.” He warned. Taemin was grateful but felt very embarrassed at the same time. Once out of sight, Minho had sighed and let his shoulders slump as he slung his arm around Taemin’s small frame. “Geez, what was up with those guys? Are they causing you trouble?” Taemin looked down, shaking his head back and forth. “No…” Minho looked over, squeezing the boy’s shoulder. “Are you sure?” Taemin nodded. Minho kept his eyes on the boy before stopping their walk to a halt, garnering the boy’s attention before planting a longed for kiss on his lips. Taemin smacked Minho’s chest several times, although it wasn’t much of an attempt. “Minho… not in public…” Taemin whined, giving into all of his elder’s whims. Minho looked back and forth before pushing Taemin back against the nearest wall, away from intercepting pedestrians, before pulling his hood up, using it to hide their faces, earning a giggle from Taemin. “Hyung, I’m cold. Let’s go somewhere.” He whined, biting his lip, releasing it only for Minho’s teeth to replace him. “Deal. Let’s go for a walk. Walking will make you warm.” He released Taemin only to tug him in the direction of a nearby park. “Hyung! There’s so much snow.” Regardless, Minho led him to the park. They walked up paths, following premade paths to the point where they ended and they made their own. When seeing a specifically circular lump of snow in the ground Taemin began to pull Minho. “Hyung, let’s make a snowman. It can have a bowtie and buttons.” He crouched down, patting the snow. “It’d be cooler if it had a scarf and mittens.” Minho commented, following suit. “Well then I’ll make my own and it’ll be better than yours.” Taemin taunted. “You wanna bet?” Minho added on as his competitive side got the better of him. “Ne. I can’t expect an old man like you to know what fun is.” Minho quickly began gathering snow, shaping it. “Geez, calling me an old man? How disrespectful. Let’s see what you have to say when I make the best snowman in the world and you watch in awe.” Taemin already had a sphere he mentally labeled as the head made, placing it to the side. “That’s some pretty big talk. Can you back yourself up?” He teased. “Don’t you worry. Although I may have some tough competition, I think I can manage.” He leaned over, pecking Taemin’s lips. "Hyung, you'll make my lips chapped." Minho kissed them again.  "They're chapped with love." They got down to work, feeling more competitive than ever as their snowmen grew taller and taller. Taemin had used his finger to outline a bowtie at the top of the second sphere and the shape of the tuxedo while using small rocks he found lying around for the button. Minho had used the snow to his advantage, piling on until it resembled a scarf. He stabbed through the side with two branches, creating arms. Half an hour later, they sat down, admiring their work from afar. "Mine's definitely better. By a lot." Minho added. "Yours ." Taemin said, wiggling in the tall boy's hold. "Well its better than yours." Minho leaned over, biting Taemin's cheek from behind. "They can be are snow children. I'll be the Appa and you can be the Umma." Minho began. "Hold on a second, why do I have to be the Umma?" Taemin argued, his tone questioning. "Because I'm not pretty enough." At this, Taemin blushed, leaning back into Minho's plush jacket. "Taemin, kiss me." Minho ordered in whisper. "What's this now? Why?" Taemin said turning around slightly to face Minho. "I want you to kiss me. Whenever I kiss you, you say there are too many people around, but I always want to kiss you. So kiss me whenever you think its okay, ne? Like right now." Taemin thought about it, turning himself around to face Minho, sitting on his lap. "You have to close your eyes." Taemin bargained. Minho obeyed and Taemin's heart skipped a beat as he watched him his lips. Minho waited and waited but he hadn't felt anything. Now peeking through his eyes curiously, his eyes met Taemin's, which were only millimeters away. He shut the again tightly when receiving a punch to the shoulder from the younger boy. "Hyung, you said you wouldn't look!" Taemin yelled. "You were taking too long!" He watched as Taemin's lips formed a pout, the boy huffing in a childish manner. The boy had grabbed Minho's cheeks, pulling him in for a kiss that ended up much more passionate than intended and Taemin regretted it, but too late now. He had to prove he wouldn’t back down. After a while of Taemin mentally urging himself not to back off, Minho broke the kiss with a chuckle. “Wow, I should really challenge you more. You look so innocent, but you can do such dirty things, Taemin-ah.” Minho teased. “No, it’s your fault, Hyung! You make me do this weird stuff!” Minho chuckled. “You look so flustered.” He laid down, taking out his camera. “Say cheese, you ert.” Minho laughed. “Cheese, you ert.” Taemin repeated, with a slight glare adding to his pout. “Touché.” Taemin pinched Minho’s nose. “Hyung, when did you have your first kiss?” Minho took Taemin’s hand off his nose, holding it in his as he played with the younger boy’s fingers. “I think it was when I was in grade 9. Well I was technically supposed to be in grade 7, but because of the skipping grades and all, I was in her class.” Taemin nodded. “Did you like her a lot?” He received a shrug as a reply. “I guess. I mean, it’s like those crushes you just have. It was a relationship that I was pretty sure wasn’t going to happen, but I did it anyways.” Minho bent his legs, pulling them up, and Taemin used them as a backrest. “How long did you go out for?” Taemin wondered if he would have gone through this if he hadn’t been bullied for so long. “We went out for a few weeks and then she broke up with me because she said I was too young and she needed someone her age so she started dating a friend of mine a couple of days later.” Taemin listened. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Minho shook his head, sitting up. “It was one of those things you knew wouldn’t work out but did anyways.”  Taemin thought about that sentence. ‘Things you knew wouldn’t work out but did anyways’. Did people do stuff like that? Had he ever done something like that? Possibly, maybe. He looked at Minho, the concept still fresh in his head. “Are we that kind of thing?” Taemin asked. Minho responded with a ‘hmm’, making Taemin repeat himself. “Are we the kind of thing you know won’t work out but do anyways?” He reworded. Minho wrapped his arms around Taemin’s waist, looking at him. “Do you want us to work out?” Taemin nodded instantly. “I want us to work out too, so I’d have to say it’s not.” By this, Taemin felt reassured. All of a sudden, he had an urge. “Hyung, let’s make snow angels!” He rolled off of the older boy’s lap, sprawling out on the white sheet of undisturbed snow only to brand it with his body. Minho chuckled before joining him, making a snow angel of his own. “I haven’t played in the snow for such a long time.” Minho admitted sadly. “Me neither. Not since I was still playing with Kai when we were little.” They lie in the snow for a little before Taemin starts laughing to himself once more. “What is it?” Minho asked. “My clothes are all wet.” Taemin admitted. “Omo, Taemin-ah. Why weren’t you looking out for yourself? You’re like a little kid.” Taemin began laughing even harder now, his hand on Minho’s lower back. “Hyung, you’re just as soaked.” The older boy put on a stern face before giving in to his failure. “You’re right. I guess we’re both like little kids. Let’s go change, ne?”

                They were near Taemin’s small, cozy house. They walked to the door and Minho gestured Taemin inside. He lifted Taemin, carrying him in. “Tae-chan? Is that you?” A voice asked. They both turned their heads towards the living room where Ruki came into view. “Oh, hi Minho.” The Japanese boy added. Taemin hopped out of Minho’s arms, walking into Ruki’s open arms. “How did you get in here?” Minho asked, despite it not being his house. “Tae-chan gave me the key a while back.” Ruki explained, pulling it out of his pocket as if showing it off. “Why does he have the key?” Minho whined, staring at Taemin as he plucked the key from Ruki’s hand, placing it into his own pocket. “Minho!” Ruki yelled, “Give it back!” Minho shook his head, pushing the boy who was now in his face away. “No way! I’m dating him, not you. Are you trying to steal my man?” Minho argued. “Don’t hate me because he loves me so much more that he’d give me the key to his house!” Ruki was still reaching for the key. “Don’t hate me because I love him enough to steal it!” As they yelled back and forth without Taemin getting any time to have his say. “Guys, my butts wet, I want to go change… Guys…” He caught Minho’s attention, which he soon decided wasn’t a good thing. “Why don’t I have a key?” Taemin shrugged, honestly having no answer. “You didn’t ask for one… Plus, Ruki always stops by without calling beforehand so at least if I’m not here, he can wait inside…” Taemin tried. “I didn’t ask? Well he probably didn’t either! Taemin-ah, give me a key! And take away his.” Minho handed Taemin the key which Taemin responded to by putting into his pants pocket. At this point, it was hard to hold back his laughter when seeing Minho talk so seriously about such a silly topic. “And you, get out of here! I can’t even spend quality time with my boyfriend because of you!” Ruki chuckled, raising an eyebrow but nevertheless obeying. “Alright then, fine. But you better know this isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of me.” He walked past Minho to Taemin where he kissed the boy’s cheek, taking the opportunity to squeeze his bottom. Taemin flinched out of shock, surprised at the action while it only caused Minho to shoo Ruki out fast, flicking the boy on the head. “Get out of here!” Ruki stuck his tongue out as the door closed. “Don’t hit me, I’m older than you! Where’s your respect? Besides, I was only taking what was mine~ See you on the 14^th, hai?” Minho grumbled, his attention now fully on Taemin. “I hate that guy.” Taemin laughed. “You know you don’t.” Minho disagreed. “I really, really do. Anyways, give me the key.” Taemin searched his back pocket, but couldn’t find it. “Strange, I swear I put it here…” Minho reached his hand out towards Taemin. “Let me see. Where did you put it?” Taemin looked over his shoulder. “My back pocket.” After a moment of silence, Minho his tongue. “Aish! That bastard! He must have stolen it back when he- Urgh! Unbelievable.” It clicked with Taemin as well, who finally understood the reason behind Ruki’s spontaneous action. “Oh! Ha, he’s clever.” Minho lifted Taemin with a frown on his face, carrying him over to the couch where he dropped him. “He gets on my nerves. Taemin-ah, can you make me some hot chocolate?” Minho requested, all the while, fully occupying Taemin with his lips. “Not while you’re… kissing me.” Taemin tried to reason. “Alright then, forget the chocolate.” He decided, leaving the rest of the afternoon to him, Taemin, and their physical communication.

So much for buying paints, Taemin thought.

I'll do it another day.

A/N: SORRY FOR THIS FILLER CHAPTER OTL I've been SO busy this weekend and I wasn't even actually supposed to update today but I pride myself on sticking to a schedule so I tried. I should have been asleep an hour ago, but here I am, writing fanfics. Anyways, I hope you understand! The banned will probably be up tomorrow since I haven't even started it yet )absolutely no time since I had an art assignment that's due tomorrow to finish.) I promise next chapter will be better! Once again, sorry SO MUCH