Since childhood Taemin had always looked up to Kibum, thought of him as an older brother he never had, someone he always went to when he got into trouble and needed to be hidden from his parents, someone he had always admired.

In the long run he never realised that his admiration had turned into something else, something more deeper. Something that had him up at nights, kept him distracted through the day, making his heart beat faster, something that made every little thing between him and Kibum seem more, giving it a whole new meaning.

This realisation only hit him when Kibum had introduced him to his new girlfriend. The first few days he avoided Kibum like the plague, the happy and goofy smile on Kibum’s face had his heart twisted with jealousy; it’s each and every beat pumping a wave of anger through his veins.

He grew distant, any contact with Kibum limited, talking when and only if he needed anything. Eventually the jealousy died out but his heart was still twisted, twisted through the binds of anguish. The more he tried to muzzle his feelings down, the more they bit him back.

One day, the bites grew harsh, the muzzle he had had on them came undone and he found himself pressed against Kibum, trapping him between himself and his feelings. He kissed him hard and sharp, letting his feelings nip at Kibum’s lips.

“You fool,” he heard Kibum groan as he was slightly pushed back.

“I love you Kibum.” Taemin opened his heart, looking Kibum right in his eyes.

“I know, I realised it before you realised it yourself.” Kibum whispered.

Taemin’s eyes widened, “What about Arisa?”

“A mere distraction I set up for myself.”

“Why?” Taemin asked softly, a gentleness overtaking his hold around Kibum.

“I...I saw this reluctance in your eyes, like you were not ready for it, were not ready to accept something like this in between us. So I kept quiet, hoping one day my feelings for you would drown in the silence.”

“Oh Kibum,” Taemin muttered before he kissed Kibum again, letting him know that he was ready now, that he was ready for everything that would soon flourish between them, ready to unbind his heart, let his heart taste the elation he had always desired.