The Secrets We Keep - Taekai

the one before our spring

"You don't have to look so sad, Jongin." Key said, opening the door to the dorm. "Taemin is in what used to be his room -"

"I wanted to talk to you actually, Key."

"About what?" Key asked, walking through the rest of the dorm and into the kitchen. "Don't tell me you're here to offer me your condolences as well - I'm tired of hearing how sorry people are. But I mean, at least you know the truth."

Jongin nodded, "I mean I did want to say how sorry I am about everything. But I wanted to get your opinion on something else." He said, motioning his head toward the familiar door down the hallway. Taemin and Jonghyun's old room.

"Ah - you want my opinion on Lee Taemin. I hate to admit that I don't know how much I can help you there." Key admitted, shrugging slightly as he opened the fridge. "I don't have the same relationship with him that Jjong did. I don't know what kind of bond they shared, but it wasn't what I have with him."

"Yeah, I've always been a little jealous of their bond, kind of feel like Jonghyun knew Taemin better than I ever will. I just - I don't get why hes avoiding me."

"You remind him of Jjong." Key said, sad smile sliding onto his face. "He told me that back a few days ago during one of our talks. I've been trying to watch out for him - I really feel bad for him, Jongin. Jonghyun made sure to watch out for Taemin at every twist and turn, always thought Taem had debuted too early."

Jongin nodded, "I just - ...I'm worried about him. We all saw how he was at the funeral, it was like he wasn't even really there. And he won't talk to me, even when I'm sitting right there beside him."

Key looked away from Jongin, his eyes focusing somewhere far off. "You got to give him time, Jongin. But you can't give him too much time or space. Taemin's going to need you there eventually, despite however he's acting now."

■

Jongin walked quietly back the hallway, walking toward the long ago familiar room. He paused outside the door, already hearing the small cries from inside the room. All the memories that Jongin and Taemin had that were associated with the room were still so easy to imagine.

"This is my half of the room - and that's Jonghyun's half." Taemin said, pointing out the sides.

"I better stay on this side then." Jongin said, smiling and dramatically stepping onto the side that Taemin had pointed out as his.

"So dramatic. Jjong doesn't hate you, he just.... doesn't really think you're the best I could do."

"No, he definitely hates me. I can tell that much."

Jongin pushed the memory to the back of his mind and slowly opened the door, finding Taemin in a small ball - hugging his arms around himself - on what used to be his bed, staring blankly across the room at the bed that had belonged to Jonghyun.

"Hey babe." Jongin said quietly - it was barely over a whisper. He shut the door behind him and walked over to the bed.

Taemin glanced up at him briefly, tears flowing down his face. Jongin sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand up and down Taemin's back as more sob's wracked through his body.

"Taem -"

Taemin shook his head quickly, his eyes switching back away from Jongin's face and to the bed across the room. "I don't wanna talk, Jongin."