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diamondtaem6v6 · 9 months ago

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✨SHINee for ELLE MEN / Elle Japan April issue

“We will keep on shining through the future”

Photoshoot and interview in collaboration with luxury jewelry brand “Boucheron”.

(All active members’ interviews included)

-KEY-

— Please tell us about the appeal of the Quatre Collection and your impression of the jewelry you wore.

Key: Actually, I have a Quatre ring. I wear it regularly when I go out to high-class restaurants, and I came across a Quatre while looking for a luxurious and classic ring. The bracelet I wore today was also very cute and impressive.

— What do you keep in mind while wearing a luxury jewel?

Key: It’s important to match yourself. Like today, it’s nice to have a mixed style that goes with your daily styling.

— Has the way you wear jewelry changed since your debut?

Key: What has changed is that now that I’m an adult, I can enjoy luxury brands like Boucheron! I think the one thing that hasn’t changed is that I enjoy mixing things with different tastes in my own way.

— What kind of place is Tokyo Dome for you?

Key: In the past, it used to be like an “unreachable future” for us. But thanks to our fans, the dome concerts were realized sooner than we expected. Even now, I will not forget how I felt at that moment and stand on stage again.

(Key’s comment on the jewelry)

“I also like the fact that the Quatre looks different depending on the color, such as the red one I wore today”.

- Bonus interview - (only in the website)

— How do you feel now that you have resumed group activities and completed the Japan tour with great success?

Key: Even before the end of COVID19, was always thinking than I wanted to work in Japan like I used to, and go around the country and perform live like everything is normal. Japanese fans kept asking me: “When will there be a Japan tour?” at online fansigns events, and each time I said “I want to do it too!”… But in the blink of an eye it was already over. Our long-awaited tour is reaching its final day. (laughs)

Oh, this was it after all. It’s been 5 years since the last tour and a lot has changed since then, so I was worried if they would come back (for the tour) again.

— So the Tokyo Dome performances were decided, also to eliminate these concerns

Key: I really appreciate it. I’m grateful. It’s been a long time since we’ve toured Japan, but when we did it... Nothing different from before. I think what has changed is that the members’ Japanese has become better (laughs). I’ve been performing in Japan for about 2 years, but at that time no one could scream because of the coronavirus pandemic. I was sad that there was only applauses, so I feel like I’m completely back on this tour.

— This time, the shoot was in collaboration with Boucheron jewelry. What does jewelry mean to you?

Key: In Korea, jewelry is always included on important events. When a child is born, when a couple gets married, how many days of a couple’s anniversary, etc. I have this image of jewelry being always by your side on important days.

It seems that junior groups often buy friendship items such as team jewelry with their members. I didn’t have that kind of culture at my time... Because each person has a different taste, right? But if I have a chance, I would like to try it in the future. I’d like a necklace or something that I can keep on wearing. However, it seems that it’s difficult for all the members to find something that they like (laughs).

- MINHO -

— Please tell us about the appeal of the Quatre Collection and your impression of the jewelry you wore.

Minho: Last year, SHINee celebrated the 15th anniversary in Korea. The 20 years Quatre Collection is more senior, but I felt a sense of unity that we have experienced the same number of years.

— How do you feel when you wear a luxury jewelry?

Minho: I’ve recently started to take an interest in jewelry, so I feel good when I wear it. I’m not sure if I’ve changed because I’ve grown up (laughs). In the future, I may be more attracted to gorgeous things like the ones I wore today.

— Has the way you wear jewelry changed since your debut?

Minho: I was in high school when I made my debut, so I think there were some things that didn’t suit me at the time. But now that I’m over 30 years old, I feel like the range of items I can wear, including clothes and jewelry, has expanded.

— Please tell us how you felt about resuming group activities in Japan last year after a long time.

Minho: I realized that I missed being on stage more than I had ever imagined. Seeing everyone’s faces and hearing their voices made me feel even more grateful.

(Minho’s comment on the jewelry)

“My favorite item is the black ring. It’s good since it has a casual feel without being too assertive”.

- Bonus interview - (only in the website)

— How was the first Japan tour after a long time?

Minho: I always have fond memories of the tours. For example, there were times when it was hot and cold, and there were times when we celebrated my birthday… So, when there were no concerts, I often caught myself thinking: “Oh, normally I would be touring in Japan this time…”. So when I performed for the first time in a long time, I felt a really big sense of gratitude for the fans. I was really happy to see that the whole venue was waiting for us.

— So what do you think about finishing the tour at Tokyo Dome?

Minho: After all, no matter how many times we experience it, Tokyo Dome is a dream stage for us. I’ll always remember when we always wanted to stand there on our own and worked hard to achieve it. It’s often said that there are feelings that only those who stand on the stage of the Tokyo Dome can understand, and I think it’s true.

— On the tour, all the members talk in Japanese during MCs. How do you study Japanese?

Minho: I watch a lot of Japanese animes, movies, and dramas, and I was able to improve my listening comprehension. The audio is Japanese and subtitles are Korean. The one I watched recently was “First Love” (Netflix series).

— You are also focusing on acting. Are there any roles you would like to try in the future?

Minho: I try not to say “I want to try this genre” because I feel like that would limit the possibilities. I think that if I told people “This is what I want to do”, other works won’t come at me. I’m looking forward to playing many different roles, so please look forward to it!

- TAEMIN -

— Please tell us about the appeal of the Quatre Collection and your impression of the jewelry you wore.

Taemin: It’s wonderful that the concept of Quatre is clearly visible in each of the items. I think it’s great that you can tell at a glance that it’s a Boucheron collection. I wanted to try them for important shoots or when wearing a suit.

— How was it to have a photoshoot wearing luxurious jewelry?

Taemin: I wanted to express the luxury and attitude of the brand in my own way, so I tried to be conscious of a cool and calm atmosphere instead of moving flashy.

— Has the way you wear jewelry changed since your debut?

Taemin: In the past, I didn’t wear jewelry at all because I felt that they didn’t look good on me, but now I enjoy wearing watches and necklaces. I feel that using them as a point, I can create a mature atmosphere.

— Please tell us how you felt about resuming group activities in Japan last year after a long time.

Taemin: It was a long awaited activity, and I want to take care of myself and run through to Tokyo Dome, the last concert of our tour. I would like to use my individual activities as a strength and do my best in group activities.

(Taemin’s comment on the jewelry)

“For stage costumes, I wear flashy accessories as much as I can, but I usually like to enjoy jewelry with basic designs in a point-like way, so I wore the same pair of earrings all the time. I don’t care about memorial days, I pick them up when I want a fashionable item.”

- Bonus interview - (only in the website)

— How was the first Japan tour after a long time?

Taemin: I was finally able to work again. I think the activities with SHINee have given me strength in my individual activities. I think we were able to work on the tour a little more relaxed than we did in the past. When I was practicing the first songs, I couldn’t remember the choreographies, so it was fun to get together with the members and remember them.

— The talk on MCs was done all in Japanese, right?

Taemin: This time, I stayed in Japan for a long time on tour, so I got used to Japanese a little... I’m still not good at it, but even for MC, I can now express myself in many ways in Japanese. I couldn’t come to Japan for a while, so I forgot about it. In the past, there should have been more words and expressions that I knew more... (laughs).

— I think Tokyo Dome is also a place of memories. Do you remember standing in the dome in the past?

Taemin: Yes, I do. When the dome was decided this time, I was reminded of the time when we had worked hard to prepare for it. Of course, the same enthusiasm from before is also felt this time, and I’m sure that the audience will come to see the dome with a special meaning. In terms of distance, it’s harder to see us in the dome than in the arena or hall. But the dome is special. After all, that scenery with the green fanlights is wonderful.

— After COVID19 ended, the life between Korea and Japan and many other countries began again. Did you discover anything new after staying in Japan for the first time in a long time?

Taemin: I feel that there are so many people who really love K-Pop. At the time of our debut, for example, we had no choice but to perform at the dome alone, but now we are in a situation where Korean awards are held at the Dome, which is a very strange feeling. I used to feel like I would come to Japan to meet my fans, but now I feel that the situation of Japanese fans who love K-Pop as a whole is different from the past. As a result, I would like to deepen my bond with the fans even more. I think we have gained so much popularity in Japan thanks to the influence of TVXQ and BoA, and I hope SHINee can contribute something to this new era.

“Our activities in Japan are even more fulfilling. We will continue to be a shining group.”

SHINee is holding their first Japan tour in about 5 years, and they’re working back and forth between Korea and Japan as before. They seem to enjoy their stay in Japan in their own style.

Key: Recently, I have been making restaurant reservations myself and enjoying delicious meals with my friends in Japan. Natural wine is popular here, just like in Korea. I’ve always liked convenience stores, so I’ll go there even just by myself. I love the Napolitan (Ketchup spaghetti) from Japanese convenience stores (laughs).

Minho: I also started to go out and enjoy my meals more slowly than before. Recently, it has become popular among Koreans to enjoy sushi and tempura at “omakase” restaurants, but when it comes to yakitori (chicken skewers), Japan is the best.

Regarding the changes from the past, Taemin said: “I feel that there are so many people that fell in love with K-Pop”.

SHINee has become a role model for the 5th generation of K-pop groups.

Key: Even when I was competing in MMA and other awards, I was surprised to see my juniors cheering me on. There was a time when BoA and other seniors were there, I think that we, who followed in the footsteps, are like a bridge allowing a connection with juniors. I feel that we should all protect K-Pop and work hard together.

Taemin: Instead of just creating contents to be consumed, we have performed in Japan many times in order to be loved by our fans, we’ve been working with the goal of creating bonds.

Minho: We were able to show that we could be active for a long time, so this may have had a good influence on our juniors.

Last year, they celebrated their 15th debut anniversary in Korea. They have been collecting light while overcoming barriers, and they will surely continue to shine even more brightly in the future, working hand in hand with their fans.

Minho: We would like to continue our activities as a group and show our diverse sides. Personally, I would like to take on the challenge of a variety of works as an actor.

Taemin: We want to continue to be loved as a team called SHINee. I want each member to take care of their health, achieve their own goals and succeed. So we can do more powerful activities when we get together as a group. I feel the happiest when I’m on the stage, so I’d like to do more solo tours with new concepts.

Key: 15 years is a long time, but I still have a lot of memories, and it feels like in the blink of an eye I’m already sitting here. I will continue to take care of my health and do my best in the work. I believe that this will naturally lead me to the next great work.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Credits: Elle Japan

JPN - ENG Translation: @DiamondTaem

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casablancarossa · 9 months ago

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Stolen Night.

<<an [Angsty] taemin x reader scenario>>

Synopsis: You and Taemin had history, and not all history is rainbows and roses and now, you two are going deal with that history whether you two liked it or not.

Pairings : taemin x female!reader

Genre : Angst

Content Warning : Language, Alcohol, Implied Sex

Author's Note: I love a good angsty moment, only time I get to imagine Taemin as anything but baby cheese.

This is a long one so get comfy and..

Enjoy your stay♥️

In the long series of desks, placed side by side with little nightlight for the students who preferred an evening study session, your hunched frame sat somewhere in the middle close to the nearest working water machine that would dispense hot water for your tea. Surround you was; Onew, who had his head down, resting on his arms, half asleep, placed on your right; Kibum who was perched on a seat, on the other side of Onew, knees pressed up to his chest, reading the latest Vogue magazine; Minho, who has focused on rewatching last night's football match with earphones on, sitting right in front of Kibum, and of course your 'boyfriend', but not, Taemin, who has sat in front of you doing nothing but practically throwing daggers with his eyes.

You could barely make an audible sigh to catch their attention, quietly mumbling to yourself that you shouldn't have told them where you were. It was fortunate that despite how noticeable the boys are, none of the other students in the library have made a fuss. That or they have been really discreet and you'll probably wake up tomorrow seeing photos plastered with the headline. 'Ex-SM Trainee supported by boyfriend and group'. You iterate to yourself once more, a little louder this time, they shouldn't have bothered visiting you, feeling more like a burden than usual.

"Yeah, but who else is going to tell you to chill and take a break..", Onew's voice was slightly slurred and barely the hum of a whisper, but you manage to pick up on every word, rolling your eyes at the fact that he was correct.

You pondered in silence, pursing your lips and smiling as you lean to ruffle Onew's hair, thanking him and by extension the rest of the guys for making time to see you.

When you boldly made the choice to pursue further education in Japan, you'd think that it would be your your parents, who would be sad and pleading you that you can pursue the same course in Seoul, or your younger siblings crying that they would be lost without you, but those experiences paled in comparison to how the men, sitting in the library with you now, reacted. At first, they thought it was a joke, but when suddenly you needed Kibum to simplify an application form so you could properly fill it up, the news suddenly hit them like a wall, which ensued an elaborate 3-month plan to find ways to make you stay.

You could only laugh at the stupidity of it all. It wasn't like you were travelling halfway across the world. You were essentially a small pond away and if anything the boys could visit you anytime them wanted when they had a long period of promotions in Japan.

"I appreciate you guys coming, but Taemin looks like he is regretting not using his maknae privilege to go back to the dorm, instead he is staring at me like he wants to kill me", you whisper harshly while spinning your head to see if your comment was loud enough to disturb the other students in the area.

His eyes darkened with every glare, tucking his legs further into the table so that he could throw his leg out, kicking you at the shins which elicited a yelp out of you followed by dead silence at the other library goers look at you. How could he not be so annoyed, when you barely greeted him and have been talking to him informally and seem to dote extra hard on the other but not him.

Your face scrunches, throwing an annoyed look at Taemin before casting a pleading one towards Minho, who sighed and reached to flick Taemin at the back of the head. Taemin in response tried to lunge towards Minho with a fake taunt, fist pulled back and he would have tried to push the fake out if it weren't for Key who finally raised his head from what he was reading, ripping out a hiss through his teeth, the look of annoyance on his face. It was enough to placate Minho and Taemin from turning a fake out to an actual hissy fight but Key had ulterior motives, leaving his seat to take the spare one beside you, resting his arm on the backrest of your chair and leaning in close to you.

"Look, no one has been more supportive than I have in you leaving the company, but going to Tokyo for a fine arts course is a bit of a left field"

"Get to your point oppa", you groan, throwing your head back to look at him.

The sudden closeness between the two of you irritated the dark haired male sitting across you, folding his arms and looking at any direction but in front of him.

"I'm just saying, you're a talented person, you ran rings around idols who have been around for much longer and you're a triple threat..." Key further spoke, his eyes soften as if memories just played in his head in one big reel.

"And if it weren't for Taemin and the company, I would have been under the label... but I didn't and now I can't even work on the stuff I worked on" your voice dropped before looking away, stealing a glance to see that Taemin had heard your statement and responded with a clenched jaw after hearing his name so specifically mentioned.

The reason why Taemin was your boyfriend, but technically not, was because it was all just for show to save face.

Almost a year ago, a set of photos released by Dispatch from an anon source, caused waves with netizens. Said photos were primarily photos of Taemin at a nightclub in Spain, with one one in particular was a photo of Taemin engaging in intimate relations with a random girl on the dancefloor. The photo was blurry at best and most people had doubts if it even was Taemin. Normally, this would have been swept under a rug, especially since a lot of people thought it wasn't him and for the people who did think it was Taemin, were hellbent on finding out who the girl was as nasty comments flied in, cursing the innocent party, calling them a whore for ruining Taemin's image.

However, if SM controlled the press by saying it was a photo of Taemin and his girlfriend, then maybe fans would be more forgiving. Coincidentally, it wasn't just Taemin, but you and the rest of the SHINee members were spotted at that club in Spain.

That's where you come into the picture. You had been waiting to be debuted under SM and debut a rebranded image of yourself. Originally starting as a self-produced indie artist, your sporadic attendance in music shows and the rumours of your debut with SM, meant that you could be very well acquainted with SHINee.

If SM could spin that you and Taemin had just begun a relationship prior to the photo, then maybe netizens wouldn't call their 'ace' a sudden playboy, making out with random girls when he is drunk.

It took about 2 months after the official statement was released before the knives were suddenly turned towards you. People were calling you a sell-out for signing with a company. People were saying that you were using your relationship with Taemin to launch your music career. They know nothing, you thought to yourself. Meanwhile Taemin, came out of it unscathed, being a private person, meant he didn't have to worry about posting about you constantly and if you were in his posts, usually it is with other SHINee members.

By default, SM had put your debut on standby, stating that debuting you so soon after your scandal might not generate good PR, while Taemin only had his comeback pushed back by 2 months.

After almost a year wait after the incident, you gave up waiting being in the good graces of the company and just left for Japan. Now that you think about it, you technically weren't out of your contract, but you haven't been home in 2 months and yet you and Taemin were still pretending to be a couple in public. Your consistent closeness with SHINee would raise questions if you and Taemin ever 'broke up' and malicious rumour could pop out again.

Your train was thoughts was rudely cut off with Key leaning in to blow air onto your cheeks, causing a shock in your system before suppressing your giggle and smacking him in the arm. "Earth to Y/N, I was asking if you just want to rent out the book and I promise I will help you study in the dorm with wine"

"What? She's staying the night?" Taemin rejected the thought of you entering the dorm, which broke your heart slightly.

"She's your girlfriend, and also she's our friend, of course she can.." Minho whispered, flicking his wrist to smack Taemin on the shoulders with a sly grin.

"She's not my ---"

"She's not your girlfriend.. we get it.. jeeze Taem, you'd think you hate the poor girl" Onew interjects in Taemin's rebuttal, finally sitting up and stretching his arms out before resting one over your shoulder, tussling your hair gently.

Seeing his hyungs so close to you, practically hit a nerve in Taemin, although as much as he wants to deny it doesn't, it does. His chest rises with a deep breath in before controlling his breath out, trying to calm himself, rolling his eyes before turning his head to look at Minho who was now playing with the pages of Kibum's magazine.

"Alright okay, fine, we can go for dinner --" you began, raising your wrist to look at your watch, but noticing that it had gotten pretty late, "-- or midnight snack. But Tokyo never sleeps so... I'll pick up the book next time"

You began closing various books on historical art and started piling them to a stack. You shoo'd away Key or Onew's hands whenever they tried to help you pack your bag, insisting that you can manage by yourself, giggling whenever Onew would pout saying that 'SHINee's Princess' should be spoiled even when she is studying. Your eyes could only roll at the statement, scoffing at how ridiculous it sounded but you basically have been adopted by majority of the SHINee members, often doting on you since they met you at the recording studio.

"Go on, you guys can wait outside, I'll just return these then I'll head out. Bummie oppa, can you take my bag please?"

Key nodded and waved you off as the boys stand up, getting themselves ready, picking up any loose items and placing them in your bag before collectively leaving the library.

As you navigated what felt like a maze, you began muttering curses. Particularly, curses about Taemin. In your eyes the man was complete idiot, but so were you. Your suddenly vocalized monologue of being annoyed, made your blood boil, expressing your disbelief that you even liked him, still like him, hell he never left your thoughts for more than minute, you sighed to yourself, that only if you knew what he was like outside of his idol image, you wouldn't have picked him as your bias.

Your ramblings had manifested physically, every time you voiced out something that Taemin did that annoyed you, you would grab one of the more sturdier book and lightly bang it against your head, or a surge of energy would cause you to jump up and down, punching the air violently before letting out a barely there scream.

"You're an idiot Lee Taemin... so fucking drunk, you forgot it was me that night.." you sighed in defeat while placing a book on one of the shelves.

Seeing the book you had just placed, suddenly get taken away, definitely spooked you, but you were ill prepared to see a face pop into view. Taemin's face, looking at you with curious eyes. "Hm. For someone who had a lot to say about me, you're pretty silent now", his voice felt flat, cold, unnatural.

"You'd be silent too if you got scared like I did" you scoffed, walking away, continuing to look for the sections the remaining books in your arm would go.

"So... you still like me huh?" Taemin smirks, following you and grabbing a random book from a shelf to inspect it, brushing his finger against the pages before returning it.

"I'm surprised that's what you got amongst all the other shit I've said.."

You stop in an aisle and tried to appropriately place a book on the shelf, making sure it didn't accidently push out another book or accidentally smash and crimping the pages. "Why are you here Taemin?", you paused but your head refused to look at his direction.

Taemin's frame casually leans against the bookcase, folding his arms and bit his lips a few times, an obvious sign that he was hesitant in speaking out his thoughts. He carefully brushed his dark locks back and sighed, turning his head away as he tries to form sentences in his head before speaking out of turn. "Look Y/N, I know we really haven't seen eye to eye recently and yeah I know, you blame me for not debuting..."

"Look at that. The great SM ace, Lee Taemin is self aware after all", the dryness in your voice, mixed with sarcasm, didn't seem to faze him at all.

"I didn't tell SM to use your name. Frankly I would have been happy to say it was a secret girlfriend and then make a 'breakup' announcement a few months later" Taemin tried to defend himself..

"Oh for crying out loud Taemin...." you groan softly, rolling your eyes, but your words had stopped, trapped in between your tongue. An aggravated sigh left your lips before pushing past him and turning a corner to place your last book in its spot.

"Look, I said I'm sorry! I'm sorry I stalled your plans..." he sighs defeatedly, his head following your movement

"Taemin.. ", you take a deep breath before continuing ".. do I look like I give a flying fuck about my plans or debuting?" you tone controlled but loud enough that it was met with a few hushes from lurking students who were also trying to check out a few books.

"Should I not assume so? You looked miserable studying. You looked like you'd rather be anywhere else but here" he retorts, pacing up closer to you and grabbing your arms to pull you to a more secluded part of the library, ending up near the door of an emergency stairwell.

The strength in which he dragged you, should be something you could easily counter, but you felt weak in his hold, like something in you wanted to see where this could lead, then again, you are not the happiest towards him, so you have to actively try and push him away.

"Let me go Taemin...you're wrong. I'd rather be anywhere else but beside you" you grunted, prying his hands away from your arms, turning on your heels to walk away.

But before you even thought about taking a step, Taemin, grabbed you by the arms again, pulling you towards him and pinning you against the bookcases with a solid thud. His arms placed on either side of your head, gripping onto the shelves, almost leaning down to look at you.

"So what are you so annoyed about then?" his soft voice interlaced with intrigue, he almost sings the question to your ear.

You remained to stand firm, refusing to buckle underneath him, but your eyes met and you couldn't help but soften your gaze the minute you saw those sweet pools, drowning you out. It was tough, but you finally were able to break eye contact, lowering your head , almost pressing down onto his shoulders.

Taemin remained in silence, keeping his position still, only to turn and weave his head whenever to try to observe your face and to gauge your expressions. After a while, he tried to pursue a question he tried to avoid asking since you caught him following you. "Why are you still thinking about that night?"

He was met with your head, shaking, refusing to answer. Taemin presses the question once more, this time, his voice was so sweet to your ear it was almost tempting. Your eyes close and your head throws back, banging the back slightly against the shelving, in a rhythmic pulse. "Y/N?"

"That night in Spain? The photos? Taemin, that wasn't some random girl. It was me", your eyes open to see his face so close to yours.

Taemin remained silent, nothing on his countenance could help you gauge his thoughts and feelings as you speak. Does he remember? Why is he not reacting at all? Maybe he doesn't like the fact it was me.

"Then you left the next morning and by the afternoon.. you didn't even remember it was me that you were with...", your voice quivered, trying to remain calm.

"So you know something after all..."

A dry chuckle left Taemin's throat, and you stared at him, puzzled and worried. For the longest time since the photo leak and days prior to it, you assumed that Taemin had no recollection of that night or who he was with. To the same extent, Taemin had made similar assumptions towards you.

Now both of you are faced with the dilemma and knowledge, that you two remember a little bit more than you two would like to reveal. The memories did puzzle themselves back together with rough timeline of that night.

SHINee have often holidayed in Spain and took notions to fly out there during their spare time. They can roam around somewhat anonymously and usually you would be tagged along with them.

The last trip you accompanied them with, they were finally able to do the trip without any 'company' chaperone. That means, it was just the 5 of you, with no managers, no on-site Korean local translators, no supervision and no nightly check-ups.

Through tactical socializing and a few friendly handshakes and offers for drinks, you managed to get you and the boy a last minute reservation for a booth in a club that you had heard about from another indie artist. It was esentially the group's first night of freedom and the boys could be messy as long as it didn't generate enough buzz back home.

So it was no surprise that Minho had turned into a sporty frat boy for the duration of the trip, Key pushed the limits of his alcoholism , Onew, being the great leader that he is, was reserved, dabbling into drinking and re-exploring the world of cigarettes and cigars. Taemin on the other hand, had no qualms of suppressing his need to flirt, to seduce and to casually bang girls for the duration of the trip. If it weren't for you and Key returning back to the AirBnB, you wouldn't have caught Taemin trying to eat out a girl on the dining table.

A stark difference to the Taemin, who only a few weeks up to that point, could barely have enough of you. He was flirty, attached to the hip and endlessly sought out ways to catch your attention. To only have himself in your eyes and he was well aware that you liked him back. But after a heart-breaking rejection from your end, Taemin's attitude had somewhat flipped and next thing you know you were cast aside. Still friendly, but somewhat off.

It shouldn't hurt the way it should have, and god knows you were madly into Taemin, but with your career on the line, at the time, rejecting him felt like it was the only right thing to do.

So when it came to that night in the club, it was almost weird to have Taemin cling onto you. He stuck close by and eventually when Key, Minho and Onew were basically trapped in their own bubble, partying with the locals on opposite sides of the place, Taemin was practically inseparable from you.

The way he mewled your name, how he sat close you, resting his arms over your shoulder, his spare hand resting on your lap, and how he'd pull you in, so you could hear his ramblings through the loud music. All of it, along with your trusted wingman, alcohol, made the night one giant dream.

That night, Taemin would passively comment how you broke his heart and now he had to find you through other girls. How none of them carried the weight your smile did for him. How he could never get lost in their eyes. How he never felt the need to protect their smiles. Eventually, Taemin blamed himself for his actions. He knew better, he knew what it was like to debut and the price that came with that; he understood why you had to reject him in the first place.

At some point, you were convinced the the boy didn't know what he was on about. You heavily doubted he'd remember all of this and you'd find out the next morning that you'd be right.

Equally, you too delved into the deepest parts of your heart, affirming Taemin that you also liked him back, how you've always had a crush in him and in the turbulent world of the industry, more than SHINee, more than anyone else, Taemin had been the most supportive. He was the only one who saw you sparkle the way you wanted to. You both know, you were madly obsessed with each other, but there was never the right time. Pouring your heart out came easy with alcohol, but you remained coy, almost demure, despite your choice of clothing, and Taemin loved all of it and he admits to you that he has to come into terms of letting the idea of you go.

But he followed you to the dancefloor that night, amongst the crowd, his hands barely left your waist, moving and grinding against your body. As the climactic beat drops, his head would also lower, softly grazing his lips along your neck, peppering it with kisses until you succumb and sink back into his frame, rolling your head to the side, giving him more access to drown you in affection. Suddenly you two were lost in the buzz and the music and by the time you had spun around to face Taemin, all sense of thought just left your head.

You grabbed him by his shirt and him pulling you closer than possible, the vague memory of whispering, unsure who said what.. It was barely audible and you could barely remembered what you said to him and what his response was, but it must have been something insane because immediately, Taemin has pulled you closer, hand on your neck and waist as he plants a heavy and heated kiss. Instinctively, you pushed into the kiss, lapping up his lips and softly nibbling on the bottom one before letting out a soft moan as his teeth grazes on your tongue, one of his hand sneakily reaching down to squeeze your ass through your dress.

Then it was a blur. Amongst your memories was the heavy make-out sessions in the bathroom in the club, the make-out in the hallway on the way out of the club, getting in trouble with the taxi driver as you two could barely keep your hands off each other.

The next thing you remember is waking up in your bed, naked, feeling a bit sore, but also alone. As you crawl over to the edge of the bed, you see your discarded clothes, but no evidence of the man you brought to your bed last night.

By lunch time as you came to the dining table late, despite being severely hungover, Onew and Minho teased you as a large bruised mark encompassed the side of your neck, Key was busy making brunch and Taemin who was sitting opposite you, was claiming, he truly had minor recollection of last night but vividly remember making out with a random 'bitch'. That was the term he used and it was stuck in your brain like glue. He probably didn't mean it as maliciously as he intended, but it still stung you, confused on the exact events, but you were damn near certain, it was you and Taemin who were in bed, but maybe not. Maybe it wasn't Taemin I was with. You try to convince yourself that it really wasn't Taemin because we would never cross the line like that.

So you also claim that you had no memory, claiming the last thing you remembered was convincing Key to do shots with you, before flirting with some dancer who was up on makeshift stages. Taemin's face contorts in confusion before remaining silent, internally questioning whether you truly forgot, because you spoke so confidently not even throwing a glance at him.

By the look on his face now, and his words earlier on that you could tell the memory wasn't too blurred for him, in fact he appears to remember all of it, down to the last detail, while you only have a vague recollection of it. A memory that you only remembered clearer access to, months after the fact. After the photo leak, after the PR announcement, after several months of posed "photo-ops". By that point, you almost seemed certain it was him and to you, it seemed like you were the only one to remember. How wrong you were now.

Now that you two are standing so close to each other in the back corner of some library, the tense intimacy of hearing the shift of one's breathing or the slight double beat of their pulse.

"Even if I only remember some bits..." you hissed lowly, slightly pushing Taemin back with your hands to create a gap. "To you, I was just another girl in your endless quest and I'm not going to stand here pretending I'm okay with that" the was a quiver in your voice, eyes glistening, as you duck under his arms, attempting to leave, pushing the door of the emergency exit stairwell, rushing down the stairs

"What? Hold on y/n, what?", puzzled, Taemin chases after you, slamming the fire door shut.

Taemin was almost too stunned, yes, he may have tried to suppress the memories of that night but it was apparent to him and only him that he remembered that night distinctively different from you. His eyes cast over, as you starts rushing down the set of stairs, before turning back to look at him, ready to scream.

"For fuck's sake Taemin, you took advantage of the fact that I had feelings for you.! Then the next day, you thought you had been with a random girl, when it was me! Turns out you knew all along and yet you have been nothing but an asshole to me. I lost my chance at a good career trying to protect you!" your voice croaked loudly, feeling the pain in your chest swell.

The blur of sadness and rage seeped into you and seeing the shocked look on his face, made it impossible for you to know how you truly wanted to vent out but you at least wanted to make yourself heard.

"Take advantage? Of your feelings?!"

"Yes, you did!"

"Y/N, you know damn well, I have always been interested in you, you knew how much I wanted to be with you. You knew that I would never use you like that. I would never hurt you like that"

"Never hurt me? You left me in the morning like I'm just your average one night stand. You made me believe, you didn't even care enough to remember me after I gave myself to you that night. After I poured my heart and soul out to you. And in the last year, you made me think, I was the most despicable person in earth to you... "

Your words struck like ice to Taemin, internally questioning how wrong you have been about it all. He angrily kicks the wall and paces trying to control the hot air that filled his lungs.

"Tell me I'm wrong!" you push a little bit, taking one step up to face the man above you.

"You are wrong.." he whispers lowly, but enough for you to catch it.

"Why?"

"I...I can't.." the groan that escapes him almost sounds beastly.

"Taemin, if you can't tell me that I was wrong, then can you consider that I am right? Instead of resisting it, can't you just admit to me that it's your fault we are in this mess" you were practically pleading, maybe because internally you wish that something was different like something was missing on your part and maybe Taemin could finally answer it.

"No, you're wrong."

"Then tell me wh -- "

"--because it was you who begged from the very beginning, y/n! You're the one who told me to never mention it", he yells back, aggravated that he was suddenly being turned to a bad guy. "You told me, no matter what, that night was a dream, to draw a line over it. Had I known that it would affect you this much, I would have said something" Taemin blurts out. "I spent the last year, trying to make it easier for you."

"Wh-what? Easier?!", you were taken aback, a little breathless but mildly insulted, nothing about your life in the last year has been easy.

"At the dancefloor, you told me that you wished that we weren't who we were, so we could experience the sensation and thrill of being obsessed with each other.. " Taemin suddenly paused, trying to control his facial expression as he wracks his brain to continue speaking. "... then at home, after... after we fucked..", cementing the action in his brain after struggling for ways to phrase it. "After that, you cried Y/N. As we passed out, you wished that this was all a dream and asked that we should forget about it, because then it wouldn't be as hard to fool ourselves, that there was no sparks, no chemistry, no connection, between us. "

Taemin continues to elaborate the year long pain that struck his heart. The morning after, he doubled down on your wishes, claiming he was with another girl instead. How, back in Korea, when the photos leaked, he intended to reject the idea of using your name to cover his actions, but you had already agreed before he could contest it and the company rolled with it. He even feigned innocence and honest worry, when he got the rest of SHINee to ask you about that night but the more they asked, the more you replied that nothing happened and probably just had a steamy makeout session in a hallway with a dancer or a random club goer.

He felt like the facade of acting like a couple, was a knife to both of your hearts. To be so dishonest in the shared affection between you two whether it was in public or on camera and it broke him. So in effort to spare the both of you from the illusion of what might have been, he actively distanced himself even more since the night you two shared, but he also actively stopped sleeping around and threw himself into work because all he wanted was you, but to him it seemed like you no longer saw him the same way.

"I spent the last few months, wishing that we didn't need to avoid it. To talk about it. Maybe.. if we were a little honest with each other, then we wouldn't be in this shit show" he sighs, stepping down the stairs so he was just one step above you, looking down at you.

His forehead was on a tightly knit, eyes desperately looking into yours as if he was searching for the answers to his problems.

You, on the other hand was left speechless, looking at him unravel and pour his heart out made you shake your head as you continue down the stairwell, trying to control your breathing as the impeding breakdown creeps in your chest.

There was a cold unfathomable tension as the silence got longer, you could barely string sentences trying to see the good in the misguided flaw of Taemin's plans. As you reach the fire exit door that leads to a small hallway where another exit of the library is, you look back to see Taemin was not too far off, just one flight of stairs behind you before he sits on the top step, looking at you with pitiful eyes.

"Please say something, y/n.."

Your hands tried to push the door open, trying to ignore the situation, but you had more questions than answers and you were unsure what state your heart was. "If you had known after all... you could have something, because I spent months thinking, you didn't remember. I spent months trying to hate you, even when my career went down and I couldn't"

"I gathered as much. I wished you had said something too, because it was so damn believable. I genuinely thought you regretted that night so hard, it was out of your memory. Even Key hyung, asked you about it repeatedly" his soft voice lowered along with his head.

He was right, You did find Key's behaviour odd, but you also assumed Key was just looking out for you, making sure nothing terrible happened that night. As you look at Taemin, you couldn't bear the last year being one giant misunderstanding. You bit your lip, grunting in annoyance before pushing the door open, attempting to leave the building with Taemin not too far behind you. The soft whimper he lets out as you walk away, catches your ear.

There's the Taemin you know. Determined, warm and willing to do anything to make it right between the two of you. This Taemin would always be one step behind you at all times. He calls your name repeatedly despite you ignoring it. What can you say to him? I'm sorry? I take it all back. Let's start over again? No. You shook your head, nothing was right and suddenly the sight of the rest of SHINee, looking at you put a harder strain in your chest.

As Taemin tries to catch up, Key holds back Minho and Onew from approaching the two of you after seeing the distraught look on your face, barely keeping it together from breaking down crying. Key knew, he had to let Taemin handle this on his own.

"Y/N, please talk to me!" Taemin calls out, almost screaming once you two were outside.

Your steps halted to a pause. You wanted to run to the rest of them, to hug them and distract yourself, but with Taemin behind you, you were pitted in the middle. Deal with Taemin or tell the rest what happened. Your feet shuffles, turning to the dark haired boy, slowly walking towards him. "What is there to talk about Taemin?"

"Everything..."

"There's nothing to talk about.."

"Yes there is. Where are we Y/N?"

"Nowhere, there's nothing between us. Apparently we don't hate each other and we are bad at talking to each other." a defeated laugh escapes your throat as a tear decorates your cheek, the weight of the last year suddenly feeling much more lighter. "We were both in the wrong.. "

"So what now? A-are we good...? What do we do now?" Taemin fumbles, seeing you cry brought him back to that moment, wanting nothing more than to hug you.

"I guess... we're good?" nodding your head with a soft smile. "We definitely need to share everything that we know.."

"What happens next?", there was glimmer in Taemin's eyes, for the first time in a while he rarely saw a genuine smile from you that was meant for him.

Pensively, you sucked your bottom lip in, biting on it gently as you ponder his words, before nodding your head, almost bowing. Your feet itched to start walking towards the rest of the guys, as you leave Taemin behind. As soon as you knew, you were within an earshot of Taemin and the rest, you quickly spin to face his direction.

"Yah! Lee Taemin, how about we try being friends again!" you yelled out to him with a grin. "You'll end up trying to win me over again right? I'll be expecting you in the future!"

"Oh? I'll hold you to that! If you fall in love with me again, you can't say no this time!" Taemin yells back, laughing as he chases after you before hopping to hook an arm around your shoulder and his spare hand ruffle your hair.

Meanwhile, the rest of the guys smile to each other, seeing that peace has been brokered between you and Taemin. They chuckle as they expect you two barrelling towards them, quickly ruffling Taemin's hair before hugging you.

"I won't miss the chance to win you over in the future." Taemin began sighing as he takes a step in front of you and holds his hand out. "I'll do it right this time. But we only have now, tonight. So.. hello, I'm Lee Taemin"

You smile sweetly, bowing before you take his hand and shake it agreeably. "Hello, I'm Y/N. Please look after me!", you bow once more.

For the first time in a long time, its like the world had given you a second chance to reset. A gift for the two lives to connect again. That was you and Taemin, it was a turbulent year indeed, but now the shackles of your mistakes will just be a memory, a learning anecdote. Maybe this time, you will finally give him a chance and maybe this time, Taemin would communicate a bit better.

As the five of you walk towards the main square outside the library to catch a taxi to the closest open restaurant, just ever so slightly, you and Taemin were just a half step behind the rest. Throwing soft glances at each other, slowly communicating that it will be all okay eventually. Yes there is so much more to handle and talk about, but right now at this moment, you two were okay, there was no animosity, no angry tensions, it was just a bittersweet happiness and right now that was enough. Both of you stepped on the bridge at the same time and hopefully one day, you two would meet in the middle with a more happier situation that you two wanted.

"So, would now be a bad time to tell yous that I knew you two banged?" Minho quickly interjects as the group waits by the road.

The groups looks at the tall male in shock, almost ready to jump him.

"What? I literally saw you walk out of her room shirtless with your back covered in scratches. Had to wipe it from my memory. I know Taemin was a playboy, but didn't want to imagine that Y/N was a freak in bed too" Minho gestures towards Taemin and you with a slight disgusted look on his face

"Hyung!"

"Oppa!"

You and Taemin whined as Minho chuckles to himself earning a slap on the shoulder from Key. In the midst of the chaos, Taemin had instinctively wrapped his arm around your shoulder, almost shielding you from the embarassment, but also reaffirming that both of you are suffering together in said embarassment.

"What? Too soon? They'll eventually need to laugh about it!" Minho looks defensively as Key curses him out for his tactlessness.

Then that's when it happened. You were laughing, stark red in the face and you take a stealing glance at the man who still had his arm around you, but you looked a little longer than expected and Taemin had turned his head enough to lock eyes with you. The world almost paused in that moment and the bubble had formed. The both of you knew there was still pain in your hearts, but you two could finally talk about it now. That's when it happened. The spark that never wavered. The chemistry that never died. The knowledge that this could be something great as long as you two worked on it together.

Taemin flashes a weak smile, like he was still burdened, mouthing, It's okay. We'll be okay. He tries hard to not get so teary eyes as he ruffles your hair, before guiding your head so he could plant a kiss on your forhead. His breathing hitched trying not to full on bawl in front of everyone. He realized and so did you, that you two have wasted a year in this madness and the only step forward is to learn and heal and not look back. You found your arm also hooking around his torso, to pull him tighter for a hug.

"We'll be okay.."

"I know.."

"Promise me something right now Taemin.." you quickly state as the taxi rolls towards the group.

"Anything"

"No matter how hard I push and pull.. don't give up on... us"

"I promise. Like I said, I will win you over properly this time. And this time, there will be no confusion about it" he quickly pecks your cheek before he guides to the taxi door, holding it open for you.

"I'm sorry for everything.."

"I'm sorry too..."

What happened was the past now. All you and Taemin can do is just take everything, one step at a time. Together.

Fin

#taemin scenario #lee taemin #taemin x reader #taemin #taemin fanfic #taemin x female reader #taemin angst

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