[BREAKING NEWS] Both WINNER’s Mino and Girl’s Day’s Yura’s agencies admit their dating relationship.

Taehyun looked at the article for the 10th time. Just like the other members, he knew this was coming. Mino had been seeing Yura for a while before that scandal occurred. Many would have been surprised as to why they would decide to reveal it especially since WINNER had only debuted since 2 months back then and Mino was supposed to avoid any kind of dating scandal in fear of YG. But YG didn’t mind it at all and thought that it would define WINNER’s status as a non idol group. Plus he assumed Mino could get more inspiration for his songs.

Taehyun glanced again at the article. Yes, he already knew that Mino was dating Yura way before the rising of the scandal. He wasn’t surprised like most of the people. But he was pained. That article made it official. He was trying to deny that relationship. Telling his own self that Mino wasn’t serious about her. That he would come back to him. That he would regret looking at someone else when he already had him.

But now, Mino had been avoiding him. Whenever he came home after working at the studio and went to his room, he found it empty. He was seeing her almost every day and was coming home late every night. He was angry. He was angry at Mino. But he was also angry at his own self.  For letting his own self fall for Mino. He should have learned from past experiences. Actually he did. Ever since what happened in his childhood, he promised himself to never trust anyone, to never open up to anyone. To never let anyone see his weaknesses.

Back when he was a child, he wasn’t that cold with people and was always cheerful, playful. If someone saw him at that time, he wouldn’t have recognized him. But then it happened. That man left. That man who was everything for him, who was supposed to be always here for him, to always protect him, to be his hero. He left without a word one day. He couldn’t understand the situation at first but then he saw someone who was more affected than he could ever be:  His mother. 

Every morning she would wake up with a smile and prepare his lunch box for him then send him to school. But that smile disappeared. She would do her routine without even looking at him. Every night he would hear her crying almost yelling without stopping. Sometimes, she would get drunk and would be saying non sense. He hated her. He hated the person she was becoming. He would never want to end up like this.  The leave of his father was the reason for her pain. So people you love just leave one day and take your happiness with them. They take all the good memories and leave you in a huge mess. No he won’t allow himself to be like this. He won’t trust anyone; he won’t show them any side of himself. Cause he already knew that any friend he would make would leave for sure one day and would take a part of him if they knew the real him. 

Growing up, his mother’s situation didn’t get better. She was only drinking more and more whenever he went home. No this wasn’t his home anymore. He hated that place. All the pain, anger, hatred accumulated, he needed a way out. He took boxing lessons and ditched school but instead of calming down it only made him become more tensioned. He used his newly acquired power in wrong ways. He beat people. Most of them were weaker than him but he didn’t care. He was just becoming a bully. How much of people did he wrong? 10, 20, 50? Nothing could stop him until one day he came home and found his mom sober and sitting in the couch. It was a miracle he thought. He was going upstairs until she called him.

“Taehyun-ah! Can you please come here?”

He was wondering what she was going to ask him for. Maybe giving him money to go and bring her alcohol?

“What’s the matter?” He said indifferent as he was sitting in front of her.

“I know about what you have been doing: beating people, ditching school…”

“So what? Are you gonna scold me?”

“I’m sorry Taehyun-ah.” He didn’t see this one coming.

“I’m so sorry Taehyun-ah.” She carried on. “This is totally my fault. You have been suffering more than me but I was selfish. I could only see my own pain and didn’t respect my mother’s duties. I should have taken care of you. I should have been there for you instead of crying and drinking nonstop. I should have been strong.  What you’re doing. It’s solely my fault, not yours. You needed me but I ignored you. I’m so sorry my son. Please forgive me.” She almost whispered between her tears while rubbing his hands under hers.

At that moment, Taehyun felt something he never felt before. A feeling that he should know well by now after all the pain he caused to innocent people: Guilt. He felt guilty. He hated his own family when it was all what he had. His mother was in pain but instead of helping her, he despised her. Worst, he made her ashamed of having him as a son. All what he did until now, it was wrong. It was bad. It never gave him any satisfaction and it only made others suffer, even his mother.

“I’m sorry mom. I should have been there for you too.” He said as he hugged her.

They moved out and went to Seoul to start a new life.  But you never remove your past. Taehyun kept being a cold person. He made friends. But he never trusted them. He never showed them his real self. He couldn’t do so. He knew that they would leave one day. That there wasn’t in life a thing such as forever. That nothing could last. He then went into YG. When he came to Seoul he discovered his singing and dancing talents. It was a better way of fighting his dark thoughts. He wanted to become a singer. He chose YG, being known for giving a full freedom to its artists when it was about exploring their talents.

There he met Kang Seungyoon. He remembered how his mom told him they were similar. They got along, became friends but it was still the same for Taehyun. He couldn’t show his real personality. He was too afraid. Then that boy came. It was during the spring when he entered the dance room. Taehyun was dancing with Seungyoon, Seunghoon and Jinwoo when one of the YG staff interrupted them and introduced them to the new member. His name was Song Minho but he introduced himself as Song Mino. He was smiling like a complete idiot thought Taehyun. Maybe more of an idiot than Seunghoon or Bobby. But then, his face looked familiar. He did see him before. But where?

He couldn’t answer that question yet.  Mino began socializing with the other members. They didn’t mind and began talking with him. They became friends pretty quickly. But Taehyun didn’t. He didn' like this situation. That boy, was a complete dumb for him. He didn’t like him. He thought he couldn’t get along with him. He thought they were like cat and dog. He needed calm but he was too noisy for him. Plus he had just joined the company, when he had been a trainee for more than 2 years. He wanted to debut as soon as possible but having a new member meant that their debut would be delayed because he needed to get the basics of training just like he did and that would take a lot of time. He was despizing him.

One day, as he was going to the vocal training coach, he passed beside the rapping training room.  Seunghoon and Mino were there. He was curious as to how much Mino progressed since he came. To his surprise he didn’t progress at all. No he didn’t even need to progress. He was already at the top. The guy was rapping from the other side of the door wasn’t a trainee but a professional rapper. That was when it hit him. He remembered him.

That guy was supposed to debut with Block B but quitted at the last minute; he then debuted with another group from what he heard. He knew that because they went to the same high school. He had remembered passing by him more than twice and hearing him rapping with his friend, one of Block B’s members. That guy had passion. And no he didn't need more training. He had more experience than any one of the members.  He shouldn’t have looked down at him and misjudged him that fast.  He felt guilty for the second time in his life.

The day after, when Mino greeted him as he always did every morning, he greeted him back. The rapper was surprised. Since he came, the maknae never talked nor replied to him. He kept ignoring him for some reasons.  He thought that maybe he was opening up to him a little. He kept talking to him and even through his replies were short and cold, it was still better than nothing.  Little by little, Taehyun smiled more widely whenever Mino was joking.  He knew the guy had suffered a lot in the past but he saw how he kept seeing his friends even after parting ways. Maybe the term forever existed for him. Could he trust him? For the first time, the answer was yes.  

Soon enough they became the closest members to each others in the group. He felt like Mino was that part missing in his life, in his own self. He was able to smile without worries, to forget all the pressure, all the sad memories. He was more relaxed. He enjoyed life. He did things he never thought he would. Mino was his new life, a life full of joy.  They were more than just friends.  They shared good and bad moments.  They won the battle. They began promoting overseas. Taehyun was so happy. He couldn’t ask for anything else. 

Then they debuted. They had to be more secretive somehow since some of their private moments were leaked. But then Mino was being absent more and more. When asked he didn’t want to tell Taehyun about it. It made him look doubtful but he promised he would trust him until he saw him hanging out with a girl not once, twice but all the time. All the members knew about it. It became official once YG and DreamTea spoke about it. It broke Taehyun. Back when he was a child he promised himself he would never let anyone take his happiness away from him but he didn’t keep that promise. He should never have opened up to Mino; he should never have trusted him. But he did. He made that huge mistake.  So yes, he was angry at his own self more than Mino.

 He was the one to fall that deeply for him. It was never mutual. Mino was his everything, his whole life while he was just a part of his.  He hated himself for being like that, for having such hopes but it was too late. He looked at the article for the 12th time when his phone rang. It was Yang sassangnim. It was weird for him to call Taehyun on his phone. He wasn’t the leader and as far as he knew he didn’t do anything wrong enough to be called privately by him.

“Hello?” He asked through the line as he picked up his phone.

“Hello Nam Taehyun-shi! Can you come to my office now?”

Why would he call him to his office alone? And why now?

“Yes, of course but if you allow me to, can I ask why?”

“It’s about your song. I’ll be waiting for you.” He said lastly before hanging on the phone.

His song? Mino and Seungyoon also sent their songs so why did he want to only talk to him? He put his clothes on, went out and walked to the YG building which wasn’t too far from the dorm.  He was still asking himself until he arrived and went directly to his office. As he came in, the ceo asked him to sit down.

“Taehyun. I called you today to discuss about your song.” He didn’t seem angry but rather worried.

“If it’s too bad, I can arrange it.” Said Taehyun almost pleading.

“It’s not bad. It’s awesome. I even think you could make a hit with this.”

Now, Taehyun wasn’t getting it. Why would he call him alone just to praise him? Plus if it was really a hit why was he so worried?

“I’m actually worried about you.” Said Yang sassangnim looking straight into Taehyun’s eyes. Why would he be?

“This song, it’s too sad. The listeners will surely cry when they’ll hear it.” What was wrong with that thought Taehyun. “It’s too sad and dark to be the result of just your creativity. You’re singing about your own pain Taehyun, right?”

Yes he was right. But he didn’t know how to answer him. His tears were threatening to fall.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it to me but I really care about my artists. Taehyun if you don’t feel well, you can take a little break and think more about your problems. If this matter is making you suffer, try to get over it. “He sounded like a father.  People always thought that the YG’s Ceo was a cruel and cold person but they were so wrong. He would rather lose millions than losing one of his artists. To him they were precious.

“I’m really sorry for this. I will take care of it.” Said Taehyun lowering his head.

“You’re still young Taehyun. You’ll have many opportunities to be happy. Just look at your fellow friend Mino. He is dating a celebrity but people are still supporting him. You’ll experiment that one day.” The mention of the rapper only made the maknae feel worse than he already did. He really was about to cry. He needed to leave. RIGHT NOW.

“Yeah I’m sure that will happen. Thank you Sassangnim. I will take my leave now.” He stood up and bowed to him then left the office.  He was about to break. He ran as fast as he could once he got out of the building. His vision was already blurred with his tears. He didn’t know where he was going. He only needed to run.

It had been 5 hours since Taehyun left the dorm to go to the YG building.  Seungyoon who was at home when he went out, was worried about him. He went to his room and found his wallet and phone there. Where could he be? He was worried. He knew Taehyun. He knew how closed and unpredictable he was. He also knew how low spirited and depressed he was lately and him being outside without any way to contact him didn’t help.  Mino came into the dorm looking tired and sweating. He kept training the whole day.

“Mino, do you know where Taehyun is?” yelled at him Seungyoon.

“No, why?”

“He has been out for a long time now without his phone and wallet. I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“Try to see his last calls. Maybe he went to see one of his friends.”

The leader went again to Taehyun’s room and looked at his phone. The last call was from their ceo. Usually, whenever he wanted to talk to one of WINNER’s members he would ask him. Why would he call the maknae alone? Curious and worried, he called him.

“Hello?”

“Hello Sassangnim! I’m sorry to bother you, it’s me Kang Seungyoon.”

“No, it’s alright but why are you calling me from Taehyun’s phone? “

“Ah yes. He left the dorm 5 hours ago and left his phone. Since you Sassangnim was his last call, I thought that maybe you knew where he was.”

“Ah yes. I called him to talk about his personal matters. I’m sure he’ll come back home. He’s just trying to get over his bad feelings and you guys try to take care of him. When the maknae is down, it’s the duty of his group’s members to cheer him up.”

“Ah yes. I really apologize for this. Thank you Sassangnim.”

They ended the conversation then Seungyoon turned to Mino. He heard the whole conversation. Taehyun had been so down lately that even the Ceo who saw him only once in a while figured it out but he hadn’t even be there for him.

“Mino, take your coat. Let’s go find him.” Ordered Seungyoon and they both went out.

They took separate ways to have more chances. Mino knew Taehyun enough to know where he could go when he was feeling bad. That time when he was scolded very badly by Yang Sassangnim. He found him at a play area at Hongdae. It was where his family was living. He would go check that place first. After a while, he arrived to his destination. He found him there crying under the slide.

“Taehyun-ah.” He called him in a tender way.

The pretty boy recognized the owner of the husky voice right away. He was the last person he wanted to see right now. He didn’t want him to see him in this state. But he couldn’t avoid him. He stood up not facing him.

“Go away!” He yelled wiping his tears.

“Hyunnie, please look at me.” Whispered Mino.

“Don’t call me that way and go away.”

“Taehyu..”

“I told you to get the out of here.  I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to see your face. Leave me alone.” Yelled Taehyun.

An awkward silence followed up. Mino didn’t know what to say and Taehyun was restraining himself from sobbing.

“Taehyun, I know I’m your problem but please talk to me. Let’s figure this out.” Said Mino approaching the maknae and almost reaching for his shoulder.

“Why don’t you leave when I tell you so? Why are you even here? Don’t even tell me that you care about me because we both know it’s not the case.”

“But I care about you.”

“Stop lying for god’s sake! Just leave me by myself.” Said the young boy in a weaker tone.

“What are you talking about? I really care about you! Why can’t you see it?”

“Why can’t I see it? Are you in’ kidding me? You caring about me? Yeah cause going out and dating some es means that you care about me?” yelled Taehyun, this time facing Mino.

“What’s wrong with you?” Blurted out the rapper.

“Yeah, you know what? You’re right. There is something wrong about me. I dared to give you my trust. I dared to open up to you. For what? To be left out just like a side dishe! For you, I’m nothing. Do you even think about me? No right?”

“But..”

“No let me finish, then you’ll say all of your craps.” Interrupted him Taehyun. “You broke my heart Song Minho. But for you I’m just a flirt, right? Yang Sassangnim told me to get over this but guess what? I can’t! I really can’t! I never let anyone see my real self, I never let anyone see my weaknesses but with you I did. I thought I could always rely on you. Guess I was wrong.  I love you. So please just stop ripping me apart and leave me alone.”

“Taehyun-ah!”

“Didn’t I just tell..” A kiss on his lips cut him. At first he tried to push Mino as hard as he could but the rapper wasn’t ready to surrender. The maknae gave up and let him kiss him for a long time. When he finally broke up the kiss, he asked him.

“Why?” Said Taehyun crying.

“What do you mean? Because I love you.” Replied the tall boy looking at him warmly.

“If you really love me then why are you going out with her?”

“Do you really think I wanted to? I never wanted so. If I could I would be dating you publically instead. But when our leaked photos have been going around on websites I saw the hateful comments.”

“How?”

“There were so many comments about you and me but mostly about you. They weren’t all threatening but some said that YG would never allow us to have a relationship while others were homophobic. I was afraid for you. I wanted to protect you but I knew how sensitive you were and if we were to go public, they would only increase. I didn’t want to have this kind of relationship where you would be targeted by such cruel persons.”

“So you decided to run from it and have a relationship with a girl instead?” said Taehyun sarcastically.

“No, I will never run from us. I wanted to fight for us. The only way was to create another scandal that would attract those people’s attention. It took me a while to think about it until I saw Yura once backstage with another girl by accident. She tried to explain but it seemed like she was in the same situation. That’s when I had that idea. I told her about you and me and how I wanted to protect us and for that I needed to fake a relationship with a girl. She thought that it was a good idea and decided to be that fake girlfriend. That way, we could both protect our secrets.  But we had to create the buzz. So we had to see each other besides our schedules and look like we were dating secretly. That way, people would believe the lie more easily. Then I told YG about it. I was afraid he could say no. But he didn’t mind and prepared the press conference. That’s how it became official. I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. You know how dumb I can be sometimes.”

“So it’s all fake? You don’t really like her? You aren’t looking at other girls? You’re..”

“Yes I’m Nam Taehyun’s propriety.” Chuckled Mino.

“Yaaa, don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not.” Said Mino as he hugged Taehyun tightly.”I’m really all yours. How can I look at others when I already have you? I love you Nam Taehyun. Never forget that.” 

Thank you for reading ^^ I really enjoyed writing this (and got ride of some of my NAMSONG shipper's feelings cause they were growing too much >o< ) I really hope you like it ^^

Btw I wanted to post this pic as the main image but people would then mistaken the fic as a one. But who ever did this, bless him.