It seemed like a strange situation, Minho’s growing obsession with his job.

With the first week of school complete, Taemin felt as lonely and depressed as he ever had been in a while.

                Being faced with being alone for so long wore him down quickly.

                It had been five days, and the two shared a maximum of twenty minutes with each other, not to mention that it was made up of shallow conversations; nothing more than “How did you sleep”, “Good”, “How was your day?”, “Alright. I’m tired, so I’ll go to sleep first”.

                Sighing, he buried his head in his arms, dozing off from the rest of the lesson.

                The attention he got with his new appearance also tired him out. Multiple girls would stop him during his breaks or when he walked from one class to another.

                “Oppa, let’s walk to class together!”

                “Oppa, let’s have lunch together some time!”

                “Oppa, I made you something!”

                That’s what all the younger girls screamed.

                “Taemin, come here.”

                “Let’s go out drinking later, Taemin.”

                “Taemin, come play with us after!”

                The older girls would command.

                Why couldn’t Minho say those things instead? Minho’s the one he wasted to walk to class with, and eat lunch with, and drink with, and play with.

                Regardless, he turned them all down as respectfully as he could.

                The bell rang and he shoved his things into his bag.

                If he could go invisible and escape, he would, but until then, he’d have to get used to spending a few minutes giving excuses to various girls as to why he can’t go with them.

                When that was done, he’d push through the crowd, meeting Jongin and Jiyong by the doorway for lunch.

                “Aren’t we Mr. Popular?” The older boy commented, hitting Taemin in the head with his lunch bag to release his slight jealousy.

                “They’re annoying…” Taemin mumbled under his breath.

                Walking outside, they headed for a café, planning to order hot chocolate as a treat.

                There was a long line, and in the process of waiting, Taemin’s hand subconsciously found itself in Jiyong’s, his other one in Jongin’s.

                “Do you have to hold my hand?” The older boy complained, although he didn’t mind, his red cheeks confirming that.

                “What, you’ve never held someone’s hand before?” Taemin teased.

                “Girl’s. I’ve held girl’s hands. Not a guy’s, you weirdo.”

                The brunette rolled his eyes, flicking Jiyong on the forehead. “Oh hush. Hyung, pay for us. We’re poor underclassmen.”

                “You’re unbelievable...” The elder scoffed, shaking his head as he fished a few more bills out of his wallet. “What do you want?”

                Happy with his victory, Taemin threw his arms around one of Jiyong’s. Hot chocolate and… a chocolate chip cookie.”

                “And Jongin?”

                “Oh, if it’s okay with you, then I’ll share a hot chocolate with Taemin, but I also want the… the Christmas donut.”

                “Fine, fine…”

                Sitting on a couch near the fireplace, the three enjoyed their lunch.

                Taemin found a spot for himself against Jongin’s side, the boys drinking out of one cup with two straws.

                “I don’t really know much about you.” Jiyong directed at Jongin.

                “Sorry.”

                “Don’t apologize, just talk. For example, why did you switch to our school so randomly?”

                “I moved here to be with Taemin because I’m in love with him.”

                Jiyong was shocked into silence, not only by the younger boy’s answer, but by Taemin’s lack of a reaction.

                “Oh wow, uh, that’s brutally honest… But Taemin is going out with Minho.”

                “Yeah, I know. It , but I’ll wait. I’m patient.”

                It would pay off.

                The rest of the day was just as uneventful.

                Taemin had to learn not to get excited at the end of the school day, because it stopped bring the time when he’d see Minho.

                Now he’d have to wait several more hours, especially on Fridays. That’s when Minho worked the longest.

                Jongin’s arm was thrown around him as they walked home from the bus stop, a gesture he appreciated.

                “Hey Jongin, let’s go see a movie or something. I don’t want to go home yet.”

                “Ah, but I had gym today. Can I take a shower beforehand?”

                “As long as you don’t take too long.”

                Taking the elevator up, Taemin went straight to getting tickets for an eight o’clock movie while Jongin undressed.

                “Let’s see a horror movie! A new one just came out!”

                “Okay!”

                Punching in some numbers, he had the tickets printed a few minutes later.

                “Hyung! Come shower with me! It’ll only take a few minutes.”

                Pouting, Taemin jogged into his bedroom. “Do I have to? Can’t you just shower so we can go?”

                “Well you’re going to have to wait for me to dry my hair and change anyways, you might as well do the same.”

                “I guess… Okay, fine, whatever, as long as we’re there by seven. I don’t want to be there halfway through the movie.”

                “Taemin, one last thing.”

                “What is it?”

                “Have you thought about… my birthday?”

                “Um… honestly, I have but… I’m sorry… it’s just… doing something like that, that’s for Minho only… So I can’t really…”

                “I see. I don’t blame you. Thank you for considering it.”

                They shared a shower, got dressed, and headed out to the theatre.

                The streets were packed with tons of people, everyone heading out to do something fun.

                “It’s really busy, isn’t it?” Jongin asked.

                “Yeah, so stay close.”

                Their shoulders rubbed against each other as they squeezed through the crowd. It was easy to get lost, so they opted to give up their personal space.

                Fortunately, they made it on time.

                “I want to get popcorn and… nachos!” Jongin declared, dragging Taemin to the counter. He made the order for both of them, waiting for the elder to pay as he looked around.

                Within a few minutes, they were in their seats. The movie started and had a promising beginning, exciting Taemin as much as it brought anxiety to Jongin.

                The younger boy used the brunette’s shoulder as a head rest, kissing his arm whenever he found himself distracted. In return, Taemin fed him.

                After some point, the jump scares and heart attacks aside, Jongin found his attention redirected towards his best friend.

                He realised that they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Minho’s job. The two were always stuck together the hip, but now, they’ve barely gotten a good look at each other in the past week.

                Sure, their relationship suffered from it, but his and Taemin’s gained. Jongin could offer the things Minho no longer could, being busy with work and all.

                Honestly, he’d be stupid not to take advantage of it.

                “I guess you getting engaged didn’t really make my chances any lower. Maybe it even helped me out.” He whispered.

                “What did you say?”

                “It’s nothing. I love you.”

                “Okay, shh.”

                “Don’t you think the ending was a bit predictable?” Taemin asked.

                “I wasn’t expecting that at all!”

                “Really? But it’s like… it was the only room in the whole house that was locked, so obviously that’s where the body was.”

                “It shocked me. What time is it?”

                “Ten. We should probably get home.”

                “Probably.” Jongin smirked, leading Taemin in the opposite direction.

                “Probably.” The brunette repeated, intrigued.

                “Let’s not go home.”

                Another few hours were wasted downtown, walking into random shops, eating whatever they could afford, and ending up in a park, jumping off swings once they hit their peak height.

                They tumbled and fell several times, but they were both in tears, laughing.

                When Jongin came after him, Taemin ran for the slide, getting to the top only to slip and fall back into the person get was trying to get away from.

                “No!” He screamed as Jongin’s tickling hands assaulted his sides. He tried to push him away, grabbing his shoulder, but it didn’t stop until the younger boy chose for it to.

                Breathless and trapped, Taemin thanked the lord when he was given a break.

                He opened his eyes to meet Jongin’s smiling ones, satisfied with his victory.

                “You’re heavy, get off of me!” He yelled.

                “Taemin?”

                “What?”

                The brunette was pulled up, Jongin’s forehead meeting his. “I think you look amazing today.”

                Taemin blushed.

                He hadn’t gotten a compliment for a few days now.

                “Thank you.”

                They got home late and exhausted.

                Coming through the door with linked arms, they yawned.

                Minho was sitting on the couch, drinking.

                Seeing the two in their state of euphoria, he grew jealous.

                “Where were you?” He asked.

                “Oh, I don’t know. Just sort of everywhere.” Taemin answered.

                “Where were you?” The elder repeated.

                “Really, we went to a lot of places! The movie theater, a bunch of book stores, clothing stores-”

                “Until three in the morning?”

                “It’s Friday, Minho. Give him a break. It’s not like you get home early.” Jongin vouched for the brunette.

                “Jongin, I’m not talking to you.”

                He took Taemin by the upper arm, separating the two as he pulled him upstairs, into his bedroom.

                “What are you doing out with him so late?” He growled, pushing Taemin towards the bed.

                “We weren’t doing anything! What’s wrong with you? Are you drunk?” The younger boy defensively asked.

                “No.” Was all Minho said, sitting the brunette down on the bed.

                “Hyung, I’m tired, I don’t want to do this right now…”

                Minho disregarded that, undressing the boy.

                “I’m not in the mood!” Taemin repeated, trying to wiggle away. He was pushed down, the elder kissing his collarbone and neck. “Can we at least talk first…? We haven’t had a proper conversation since New Year’s… Why can’t you tell me about your day first?”

                “We can talk later.” Minho said, pulling Taemin’s pants off and placing his mouth against the briefs.

                “We never talk later…”

                He gave up on talking because Minho didn’t seem interested, or capable. Something he easily could do, however, is get Taemin .

                The brunette just wanted to go to sleep, but with a tongue down his throat and a hand probing his lower half, he wasn’t given the option.

                It’s not that he hated Minho’s touch, no, he loved it. He missed it, he yearned for it, but lately, that’s all he got. He missed the emotions too. He missed rolling over and seeing Minho’s smiling face, he missed getting hugged, and he missed spending time together, cuddled up under layers of blankets and drinking tea while whispering ‘I love you’ back and forth.

                Now he just had s and moans.

                Their tongues tangled and Taemin’s fingers locked with Minho hair. Suddenly, he was pulled away, meeting Minho’s eyes. “What is it?”

                “Kitten, why don’t you put your mouth to good use or something and me off?”

                Taemin stared at him for a second, registering the words. ‘Put your mouth to good use’? He never heard Minho say anything like that before. This wasn’t a one night stand and they definitely weren’t playing it rough. He found himself feeling slightly offended.

                “Excuse me?”

                Minho ignored him, as he seemed to be doing since he arrived. His only response was to grab Taemin’s hair and shove his head between his legs. Taemin slapped him away, pulling back.

                “Have I not been putting my mouth ‘to good use’ this whole time? What, me simply being here even though I’m tired and want to go to bed, does that mean nothing?”

                “Don’t argue, we can talk about this la-”

                “No! It’s always later recently! I want to talk now! What’s wrong with you?”

                A handful of his brown hair was grabbed and pulled in any way but gently. The older boy stole one last kiss before Taemin’s grew fed up and escaped his hold. “Minho, I don’t want to have with you! I’m upset! I’m mad at you and I don’t want to do it!”

                “Kitten, just get over it-”

                “I’m not going to get over it! You want someone to get over it? Go get a hooker!”

                He didn’t mean to anger himself so much, but it did. Things just piled up. First, him and Minho hadn’t talked for several days, then Minho comes home drunk and gets mad at him for spending time with Jongin when Minho clearly wasn’t available, then he wants to have even though Taemin doesn’t, and then he gets Taemin a little upset and tells him to get over it.

                He grabbed his shirt and pants, fixing his briefs before leaving the room for his own.

                Heading straight for the dresser, he changed into his pajamas, hopping into bed beside Jongin.

                “Is everything fine?” The younger boy asked.

                “Forget it. I’m going to sleep.”

                The weekend was ruined.

                Taemin was upset and Minho wasn’t willing to own up to his mistake as he didn’t see them as a mistake. He just ended up spending time with his boss, leaving Taemin alone again.

                The next week followed the same pattern.

                So did the week after that.

Taemin was growing worried. His relationship seemed to be fading into nonexistence.

                “Minho, can we talk?”

                “Later.”

                “Minho, I want to talk to you.”

                “I’m tired. We can talk tomorrow.”

                “Minho, we need to talk.”

                “Not now.”

                There were days when Taemin wouldn’t even see Minho and days where he would just stare at his ring and wonder if there was a point of it being there.

                He didn’t think Minho was cheating, but he sure as hell felt like Minho wasn’t interested in what they were anymore.

                Too sad to sleep, Taemin got up early, figuring he’d make breakfast.

                Cracking a few eggs open, he felt like having them scrambled.

                He opened the windows and balcony door, letting the morning sounds flow in to distract him.

                If anything could keep his mind out of the gutter, it would be ironic silence.

                Soon after, he heard shuffling from the stairs.

                He didn’t bother with looking over though.

                Suddenly, two arms squeezed around him and the words ‘you look gorgeous when you cook’ were whispered into his ear.

                He told himself not to be happy, but really, he was, because even if he felt like Minho didn’t care, there would always be hope in him that he did.

                Feeling his heart overflow with happiness, he turned around, eyes closed and lips in a pout, ready for this kiss. He didn’t need to see, because there was no way their lips couldn’t find each other.

                He felt a slight hesitance one Minho’s lips, but soon, he fell into Taemin’s rhythm, and even sooner, he lead.

                The brunette felt himself pushed up against the stove, his arms finding their way around Minho’s neck.

                After a little over a minute, their kiss slowed down. The breathing was shallow and each movement was accentuated by the quiet apartment.

                Biting his lip, Taemin pulled away with every intention of showing his satisfaction through a stare that met Minho’s confidently.

                However, when he opened his eyes, the only stare he met was Jongin’s.

                Of course.

                Why did he expect Minho to be the one saying those words?

                Why did he expect Minho to hug him so tightly in the morning?

                Because he was his fiancé?

                That didn’t seem like a good enough reason anymore.

                Jongin, though, he had every reason.

                He loved him, cherished him, wanted to be with him.

                Everything Minho no longer cared for.

                So maybe it was desperation, the moment Taemin pulled Jongin in once more.

                He paused in the last second but the younger buy filled in the rest of the gap, resulting in one last kiss Taemin allowed himself.

                Once they pulled away, Jongin’s gaze searched for Taemin’s, but he didn’t find it as it landed on the floor, staying there permanently.

                Another pair of footsteps was heard coming towards the kitchen as Minho appeared, grabbing something from the fridge and heading back upstairs.

                Trying to keep his lip from quivering, Taemin buried his face in Jongin’s chest.

                “He didn’t even look in my general direction…”

                Giving up on emotions, Taemin used what was always his last resort, his body.

                Minho would come home at nine.

                If Taemin waited in his room since eight, he’d be fine.

                His heart felt numb doing this.

                Staring at the calendar which was vandalized by red x’s, Taemin counted days.

                He didn’t know where to start or where to end, but he wondered when the day would come that Minho would leave him. With the way things were going, it would be very soon, maybe even tonight.

                Sliding the ring off his fourth finger, he placed it on the bedside table, his eyelids growing heavy.

                Minho finally came home at half past one.

                He obviously had come home drunk as he usually would these days.

Taemin hated his boss.

                What kind of grown man would allow someone as young as Minho to develop that type of habit?

                When the lights came on in the room, the brunette sat up, his clothes shrugged off.

                Minho smirked and managed to stumble over, climbing on top of the boy.

                “Have you been waiting for me?” He asked, his breath reeking of alcohol.

                “Yes…”

                “You’ll make such a nice trophy wife, Kitten.”

                I’m not a plaque…           

Minho’s hands quickly went to work, but Taemin paused him.

                “Wait, let’s turn the lights off. I want your touches to surprise me.”

                That was a lie.

                He wanted the darkness to hide his tears and silent sobs.

                “Kitten, you’re so playful.”

                Taemin laughed.

                But maybe it was actually a cry.

                He felt like he woke up in a stranger’s bed that morning.

                Nothing was the same anymore.

                They weren’t making love.

                They were just making excuses and intimate touches to fill the gaps their words couldn’t.

                It was unfortunate that the gaps were getting bigger but every attempt Taemin made got smaller.

                He didn’t even bother using Minho’s bathroom to clean himself up.

                “I’m sorry… I don’t know how much longer I can keep at this… I want to wait forever, but you haven’t even looked at me for a month…” He whispered to the sleeping boy.

                He was surprised to enter his room and see Jongin, already awake, sitting up on the bed.

                “Hyung… I was worried about you. I couldn’t sleep.”

                “Jongin…” He began, but lost his voice along with everything else he seemed to be losing lately, including faith. Breaking right there, he found a way into the younger boy’s arms, receiving a tight hug and shoulder to cry on. “I just want him to look at me again… I just want him to hold me again…”

                “I’ll look at you, I’ll hold you.”

                “Why can’t he quit his job? Just… My parents said they’ll help… how long do I have to wait?”

                “Talk to him.”

                “He won’t listen…”

                “Try to stop him.”

                “I don’t think I exist in his life anymore…”

                “Taemin?”

                “Yeah?”

                “Exist in mine.”

A/N: GUYS IM AT THE COTTAGE AND IM STEALING A CAFES WIFI TO UPLOAD THIS PLEASE HELP

ALSO, IM SORRY IF I CANT UPLOAD NEXT WEEKS CHAPTER ON TIME I WILL TRY DONT LEAVE ME