Taemin pouted, feeling something tickling his nose. Opening his eyes, all he could see was Minho’s cheek pressed up against his face.

“What are you doing?” He asked, giggling.

“I’m waking my little Kitten up.” Minho claimed, nibbling on the younger boy’s chin. “He has to go to school soon.”

“So do you.”

“I’m already awake, though.”

“Fine, fine. What do you want for breakfast?”

“You.” The elder smirked, biting Taemin in his most sensitive areas, earning laughs.

“S-stop! That tickles! Really… what do you want?”

“I honestly want you. But food wise, I want… lobster.”

“Hyung!” Taemin whined, rolling on top of the boy. “Stop being so annoying…”

“Oh you say that but you love it when I’m difficult.” Minho cooed, sitting up with Taemin in his lap and throwing his legs over the side of the bed, his feet finding his slippers.

With one arm under Taemin’s knee and the other around his back, he lifted the blonde, carrying him as they left the bedroom.

“I’m not a princess…” He argued as his head rested against the curve of Minho’s neck.

“You’re my princess.”

They cross paths with Jongin who was stepping out of the bathroom.

“Good morning.” He mustered, rubbing his eyes.

“Good morning.” Taemin chirped, sending a smile his way.

“Minho gives you such special treatment, doesn’t he, Hyung?” Jongin commented in a friendlier way than he did in his head.

“Can’t have Minnie spraining his ankle on the stairs now, can we?”

“Hyung, you’re so outspoken this morning.” Taemin said, smacking Minho’s chest.

“I guess I’m happy.”

Looking over the older boy’s shoulder and meeting eyes with Jongin who walked behind him, he reached over and poked his stomach.

Jongin simply smiled, stealing Taemin’s hand and nipping at his finger.

“Ouch!” The blonde squeaked, retrieving his hand.

After a filling breakfast, everyone washed up and got dressed.

The two younger boys said goodbye to Minho at the station where they separated ways, the eldest getting off to bus.

Staring out the window, Jongin’s fingers tiptoed towards Taemin’s having them interlock. They remained that way for the rest of the ride and all the way to their lockers where they collected their books.

“Hyung, why do you sometimes go to Minho’s room at night?” He asked. Although he already knew the answer, he wanted to see what kind of excuse he’d be given.

“Minho likes to have something to cuddle with at night.” Taemin explained, which was the truth.

“He can always get one of those body pillows. I mean, we slept together before we moved in with him so I don’t understand why he needs you when you weren’t there before.”

“Well before you came, we had frequent sleep overs at my house or his, so if anything, you stole me from him.” The elder laughed.

“If we’re going that far back, then I slept with you when we were kids, so I just took back what was mine in the first place.” Jongin prodded, sending Taemin a look.

“Why does it matter anyways? I’m not an object and I don’t belong to anyone. I can sleep in the trash can if I want to.”

“Okay, I get it. Don’t sleep in the trash can though.”

They both laughed, holding hands as Jongin walked the blonde off to his first period class.

“Hyung, I don’t want to go learn things today.” The younger boy complained, sitting on Taemin’s desk while the boy occupied the seat.

“Learn all of the things and then you can tell me about them on our way home.”

                “I’d rather spend the time alone with you. Let’s skip class.”

                They were both torn from each other’s deep gaze when they heard a laugh.

                Taking a seat next to them, Wanhyuk, the new student who was not so new anymore, rolled his eyes. “You two love birds are at it again?”

                “We’re not lover birds!” Taemin insisted.

                “Well, acting the way you two do all the time, it’s easy to forget you guys are straight.”

                “Ah, but we’re not. We’re lovers.” Jongin said confidently, as if confirming it. “We’ve been dating for four years now and are still going strong. He won’t tell you that though. He likes to play hard to get and put on a show.”

                “Is that true?” A group of girls jokingly chimed in. They didn’t usually talk to Taemin, but when Jongin was around, they always found ways to join the conversation.

                “Of course.”

                “No, not of course! Jongin, stop spreading lies!” Taemin grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest. “Minho picks on me at home, you pick on me at school, when do I ever get a break?”

                “In your dreams.” Jongin mused with a wide smiled, ruffling the blonde locks.

                “Even then you still have a problem with whose bed I’m sleeping in.” Catching his mistake after suddenly gathering more attention, Taemin shook his head, “I mean, I sleep in my own bed, but… never mind. Jongin you’re the absolute worse.” He concluded, staring holes into the floor.

                “Okay, okay, it seems I may have overstepped my boundaries. Come walk me to the door.” Jongin said, pulling Taemin onto his feet and leading him towards the hallway.

                Once they were out of listening distance, Jongin offered an apology, prolonging a hug as the blocked half the entrance. “Hyung, I was just teasing. They know it’s not true.”

                “You’re a very believable actor.” Taemin mumbled against the younger boy’s shoulder.

                “Am I? Well at least I’m good at something. I’ll come get you at lunch, okay? Don’t leave without me.”

                “I won’t.” Taemin assured him.

                With his hand slipping down to Taemin’s lower back, his lips lingered near the blondes a bit too long for it to be comfortable for the elder anymore, sneaking a kiss on the cheek before Taemin could pull away.

                “Hyung, today after school… I have a confession to make. Can I please talk to you? And Minho? Together, I mean. I just have something I want to say.”

                Shocked by the sudden suggestion, Taemin pinched the younger boy’s face between his fingers and his thumb, aligning it with his own. “Well if you needed to bring it up ahead of time, I guess it must be important. It’s fine. You can say what you need to. We’ll both listen with open minds.”

                “Thanks, Hyung. I’m going to go now.”

                He left one more kiss on Taemin’s closed eyelid, fearing that today might be the last chance he was given to do so.

                Now on their way home, the situation had changed. The two younger boys were the ones picking up Minho instead.

                Getting back into their condo, Taemin didn’t bring up what Jongin had said earlier, feeling that if he wanted to say it, he’d pick the correct time.

                The youngest of the three sat in one of the chairs, doing his homework, while Taemin and Minho watched a documentary.

                “Hyung, you’re taking up the whole couch.”

                Instead of sitting up, Minho slid further down, stretching his legs out across the length to give the blonde as little room as possible. “Oh? Sorry, is this better?”

                “So much better. You’re just so considerate, aren’t you?”

                The elder found himself amused, chuckling.

                Taemin crawled onto him, resting on the boy’s rising and collapsing chest.

                They continued to watch the movie while Jongin finished his homework.

                “Christmas is at the end of the month. I was wondering if you wanted to do anything this year?” Minho brought up. “Jongin, what did you do last year?”

                “I celebrated it with my parents.” The youngest boy explained.

                “Ah, I see. Taemin and I celebrated it with my parents since his weren’t in the country. So what do we plan on doing this year?”

                “I doubt my parents will be back this year.” Taemin offered, “So that’s not an issue.”

                “So then there’s my parents and Jongin’s. I’ve spent every year with my parents.”

                “So have I. This is my first year away from home.”

                “Then do we all spend it separately?”

                “No.” Taemin said, “Well, I mean, I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I would like to spend it with the both of you. Isn’t there a way they could maybe… I don’t know, come here?”

                “Well… I don’t think my parents would be against it. We usually have a quiet Christmas out in the country and we usually spent it just the three of us anyways.”

                Taemin nodded along, looking towards Minho. “Your situation is a bit different.” He commented.

                “Yes. As you know, the whole neighbourhood usually gets together and has a huge gathering. They probably already started planning as well so I don’t know if that would be possible for me.”

                “Um, Jongin, if your parents can some, then I’ll call my parents and see if maybe they can… stop by for the holiday.”

                “They’d be really happy to see them again. After all, it’s been a while.” Jongin stated, offering a warm smile.

                “If, and only if, our parents all decide to come, they’d need to stay a day or two. If that’s three pairs, we’d need three beds. There’s mine and Jongin’s, yours, and the couch is reclinable. After that though, there’s not really anything else so we would… sleep on the floor?” Taemin asked.

                “I wouldn’t mind sleeping on the floor. We have the office and Minho’s studio. We could just set up some mats.” Jongin added on.

                “That’s true. Okay well everyone would still need to agree to come in the first place so let’s not plan ahead.”

                Then, after a pause, Taemin and Jongin’s gazes crossed.

                It wasn’t physical, but something stopped him from pulling away.

                Something about the way Jongin's Adam's apple bobbing and the way his eyes suddenly fell to the floor caused                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Taemin to sit up, pulling Minho up into a proper position as well.

"What is it?" The elder asked, noticing the seriousness of the atmosphere triple.

"I don't know, but we're here to find out." Taemin simply answered.

They sat there with no exchange of words for a few minutes while Jongin looked as if he was preparing a speech inside his head.

"Um, okay so... I can't really think of an easy way to say this, so I guess I'll just be straightforward... Actually, I'm a bit worried I might regret this..."

"Don't worry about anything. We're here to listen." Taemin assured him.

Nevertheless, he was still hesitant. It was on an impulse more than anything that he decided to bring this up so he didn't really process the responses he would give to whatever kind of reaction he would get.

What if he got a bad one? What if this was going to completely take Taemin away from him, room and all?

Seeing as the other two were patiently waiting, he sighed, shaking his head.

"I just want to say this in the most direct way I can, I guess." he began, shifting awkwardly in his seat before finally settling.

There were two people in front of him, but his eyes were glued to Minho's when he said "I know you two are dating."

Their reaction was delayed for a little as they both tried to register what he had just said. Finally their heads shot toward each other, Taemin desperately shaking his head while Minho gave him a questioning stare.

"He didn't tell me." Jongin added, trying to take the suspicion off the blonde, "Unfortunately."

Taemin seemed like he had come to the conclusion of not speaking a word about the matter, leaving it to Minho. That was smart, Jongin decided, seeing as he was almost positive it was Minho's idea to keep their relationship a secret.

"What, uh, made you think that we're dating?" The elder asked, an invisible wall building up between the two lovers.

"I saw proof first hand. Don't try to deny it, I'm not an idiot."

"Was it..." Minho trailed off, trying to think of a moment where they might have been seen. "Was it the night of my birthday? Or maybe... Was it the other day when we were in the studio? Because I can explain those misunderstandings."

"No you can't!" Jongin said, trying not to raise his voice out of frustration, "No you can't explain and no it wasn't those times. It was way before, after the time when Taemin got beat up. I was in the bathroom but I still saw. He was on the bed and you knelt down in front of him and kissed him and he kissed back and I've always been suspicious of you two being together, but after that it was obvious."

He saw Minho search for an excuse but cut him off before he could find one, "You can't make up anything realistic enough to cover up for it. Please don't try. Just… Just tell me why you were trying to hide it."

Catching Taemin's glance, the blonde avoided his eyes, avoided everyone's eyes.

"It wasn't Taemin's idea." Jongin stated.

"I'm sorry..." He heard Taemin whisper so inaudibly that maybe he hadn't whispered at all.

The blonde's face was a cherry red and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Taemin wanted to get up and leave but this situation was also brought on by him, so he had to fix it. Regardless, his chest ached and he was incredibly nervous.

"Since you're being blunt, I'll do the same, although a bit later than I should have been. I love Taemin. I love him to death. In a year or two, we’ll probably be married. We were actually planning on moving in together long time ago, but then you showed up, not that there was anything wrong with that, but you delayed the process. The only reason I asked Taemin to hide our relationship was because I knew you liked him from when I first met you and people do drastic things to get someone they like, especially when it’s a bit more out of their reach than usual.”

“You refer to yourself with ‘love’ but to me with ‘like’. I don’t think that’s quite fair. I’d argue that I love him just as much as you do if not more. I’ve known his since we were really young, you haven’t.” Jongin combatted, a strange anger starting to take over him little by little.

“That might be true, but regardless of who he knew longer, I’m the one he’s seeing right now, and from what I can tell, our feelings are more than mutual.”

“I’m sorry…” Taemin whispered once more, his eyes never leaving his lap.

“I respect you and your choices, Minho, but Taemin hyung means the world to me and I won’t give him or my feelings for him up. I should have a right to that. I’m also not going to give him up as my roommate.”

“I’m sorry…”

Looking over at the blonde, Minho squeezed his hand. “Taemin doesn’t seem to want to be given up. Me and him have been together since before you came and we’ve been fine with how things are so I don’t see why we need to change that now. The only difference is that a bit of information has been cleared up, everything else is the same.” The elder claimed, trying to ease the tension.

Taemin was biting his nails while Jongin stared at him, feeling the pressure a bit too much.

“Hyung, look at me.” The tanned boy requested, garnering his attention.

Clenching his fists beside each other, he offered another ‘I’m sorry’, his lip slightly quivering.

“Taemin, you don’t have to apologize.” Jongin started, shaking his head.

“You’re my best friend, I’m so sorry…”

“You really don’t have to-”

“You’re my best friend and I’m so sorry because I love you, Jongin, I really do, but I love Minho too! I love him a lot.” Taemin proclaimed, his grip on Minho’s hand suddenly tightening tremendously. “I’m so in love with him and I don’t know how to apologize enough to you.”

“Hyung, no one should have to apologize for falling in love. That’s why I hope you won’t mind that I won’t apologize for loving you either.” He said, his first proper sentence to the boy.

Emotionless, Taemin nodded. “Is everything… is everything okay now? Does, um, is everything cleared up?”

Minho sent Jongin a look and the youngest gave a ‘yes’.

“Yes, Minnie, everything is cleared up.” Minho repeated.

“Ah, I see. Then please let me excuse myself to go make some tea. What kind would you like?”

The elder said peppermint while Jongin said an earl grey would do.

Now alone, he felt like he had one last thing to say to the elder.

“Minho hyung, if Taemin left you to be with someone else, would you just stand around and watch him pack his bags, or would you fight for him, even if that hurt the person he was leaving to be with?”

“Of course I’d fight for him. I’d do everything in my power to make him stay. Is that even a question?”

“I would hope not. I’m glad you see where I’m coming from then.”

With that, Jongin stood up and left to join Taemin in the kitchen.

Minho watched as he caressed Taemin’s head and the curve of his neck and how Taemin leaned into the touch. Moments later, the blonde turned around; pulling Jongin in for the tightest hug he could muster, burying his gorgeous face in the younger boy’s chest.

“Don’t cry…” He heard Jongin say.

Leaving Taemin to tie up any loose ends he may still have, Minho went upstairs to get changed.

“I’m not trying to…” Taemin admitted, rubbing his eyes dry on Jongin’s shoulder, “I just feel so bad…”

“Why didn’t you tell me then?”

“Because Minho asked me not to…”

“Why did you listen?”

“Because I love him.”

“Does it bother you to be my roommate now?”

Taemin laughed, a foreign sound at the moment, shaking his head. “I’d feel really sad if you didn’t want me as your roommate anymore. I think what Minho said earlier is very true. Our relationships and situations are all still the same, there’s just one thing that’s out in the open now. Nothing’s changed. I’d still jump in front of a bus for you, you know.”

Smiling, Jongin looked down at Taemin’s delicate hand, interlocking their fingers and raising them into view. “They fit nicely, don’t they?”

The blonde watched their long fingers slip between each other, blushing.

“Well, it’s a bit cozy if you ask me.”

Snorting, Jongin rolled his eyes, leaning down and bringing his lips a breath away from Taemin’s.

Feeling Taemin’s hand tense up and the air coming from his mouth ceasing, he paused. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Shaking his head, the elder quickly pulled back.

“I’m not worried about you hurting me.”

Feeling his cheeks squished together, lips forced into a pout, Taemin had many exaggerated, sloppy kisses left all over his face except his mouth.

“Jongin!” He whined, getting attacked by the boy although he wasn’t necessarily upset.

“I just want to shower you with my love when I can.”

“Okay, okay, just let me finish making the tea before you do something over the top.”

Later that evening as the three boys finished up their warm drinks and prepared for bed, Minho leaned against the doorway of Taemin’s room, luring the blonde in for a good night kiss. That small, simple brush of the lips marked the first time the two consciously kissed in front of Jongin and the start of an open, indiscreet relationship.