An end without start or start from the end? Part.2
A/N: LJ didn't allow me to post everything in one go, so here is part two =D
***
Minho had gone to his relatives’ house in Busan, to clear his mind up. He didn’t tell to his mother what his problem was, he had just cried into her shoulder, after that she bought him a ticket to a train to Busan. And today he had returned. He had returned with only one thought: bring Taemin back.
But first he needed to talk to Taena; he still couldn’t even guess what her reaction would be.
After the third ring, she picked up his call.
“Yoboseyo. Ne, Minho-ah, where are you? Baby, I haven’t seen you forever!” he heard her speak into the phone.
“Taena-ah, can we meet? We need to talk, and that is very important.” He could barely breathe, his heart beating too fast.
“Oh, Minho-ah, I’m sorry, but I can’t tomorrow, I need to help my brother with something, can we meet the day after tomorrow?” Minho let out sigh of relieve, at least he had another day to prepare himself for the upcoming problem.
“Yes, of course we can. Then, we will talk when we will meet? At the café on near the park at 12?“ he couldn’t bring himself to talk to her now, he would give everything away, and breaking up with his girlfriend and saying that he loves her brother on the phone would be the stupidest idea ever.
Next day went too slowly for his liking. He tried to call up Taena, but her phone was turned off. He tried to take his mind off the topic, but couldn’t. He went to sleep early that night, hoping that night would go faster if he slept, but still, he couldn’t fall asleep.
Early in the morning he went to the café they went every time, two hours earlier. His heart raced, finally after today he would go to his true love and make his Taeminnie happy.
Two hours went by, but Taena didn’t show up. He waited. Finally, after another hour Taena finally arrived.
“Hey, Minho-ah, mianheyo, did you wait for too long?” she lightly pecked him on his lips.
“Anyo, not for too long” he lied, and smiled at her.
“What did you want to talk about?”Her eyes were red and puffed. She had cried. Minho understood it right away, so he couldn’t break up with her when she was in such condition.
“You cried.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
“Yes, I did a little.” She looked down at her cup. “Taemin left…” Minho thought he misheard her last two words.
“What? Your Taemin did what?”
Taena was silent. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. Minho didn’t know what to do. He was lost. He couldn’t believe. Taemin left him, without saying a word. And it was his fault that he left.
After a while Taena broke the silence.
“He left…Today in the morning… with 4am flight to Boston, US…It’s my fault. I should have known. I should’ve seen it. “She was shivering, and shaking her head.
“What do you mean your fault?” Minho wasn’t sure if anything had happened between Taena and Taemin that he wasn’t aware of.
“Can you believe it, Minho? Min-ah was in love with you,” the new portion of tears fell down from her eyes. “He loved you…”
“W-what? H-how did you k-know? He told you?” Minho hated himself for stuttering. “I didn’t think he would tell you..” he abruptly stopped the trail of his words when Taena angrily looked up at him with red eyes, not believing what she was hearing.
“YOU KNEW THAT?” she was shouting; everyone in cafe was staring at them.
“Y-yes… He confessed me about a month before I met y-”
“Tell me everything now,” Taena harshly cut Minho off.
Minho didn’t know what to do. But this was his only chance to clear things up with Taena. It was now or never.
“Can go to somewhere outside? I’ll tell you everything.” She just nodded, they stood up, Minho paying for their coffee, and they walked out.
When they finally arrived at the small park, he told everything, not keeping anything from her. He told how he met Taemin, he told how they spent every day together, he told how they both unknowingly fell in love with each other, and he told how he had turned Taemin down, when the other confessed.
“I’m sorry, Taena. I’m very sor-” but he was cut off one more time.
“You bastard… you heartless bastard! How could you do that to my brother? Why him? WHY?” she hit his chest, her fist clenching on his shirt.
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness… But please…please, can you help me to get him back?” Minho understood that now he was being too cruel towards Taena, but he had no other choice, only she could tell him how and where to find Taemin. He wanted to be selfish for once in his life.
***
“-passengers. Our board” Taemin heard pieces of the pilot’s usual speech, he was still sleepy to recognize all words” -the local time is six pm. The air temperature is 34 degree by Fahrenheit- ”
‘Ugh, how much is it by Celsius. I didn’t bring enough warm clothes’ Taemin’s mind wandered lazily. Then the realization came. He was in the US. He was in the US. His new life would begin. In Logan International Airport of Boston he would make his first step of independent and free of love life.
After getting his luggage, he stood in the middle of the waiting area, not knowing what to do. Wrapping his coat tighter he thought of asking someone for help, but he remembered of his zero level of knowledge of English. ‘Should’ve learned English before coming, pabo’ he chuckled at himself. This immediately reminded him of Minho, calling him ‘pabo’ when he would ask Minho why he was Taemin’s friend.
The young man of his own age stood nearby, holding a map and talking to a person in airport’s uniform. He caught ’Korea ’ from their conversation along with ‘exchange student and Berkley College’. That was more than enough for Taemin to walk up to the men standing, and start talking in Korean.
“Excuse me, could you help me? I don’t know English well, and also don’t know how to get to Berkley College. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just overheard, and-” he suddenly couldn’t continue as the young man in front of him caught him in tight beary hug.
“Of course I can! We are Koreans after all; I’m going to Berkley as well. Are you also one of the three exchange students for spring semester? That would be so nice. I tried to contact you while I was in Seoul, but couldn’t get hold of anyone” the men chatted by himself, not stopping to take breaks between words. Taemin could only nod, not knowing how to tell that he wasn’t one of those exchange students. Forgetting about the airport worker, the Korean started walking, taking his baggage. Taemin only followed.
The cold humid air of Boston welcomed Taemin and his newly found friend. Even though the sun already had sat down, the lights of airport were keeping the area as light as daytime. ‘I definitely need warmer clothes for this kind of winter.’ Taemin thought silently as cold wind blew on him. Other young man didn’t stop chattering, talking about how great it was meeting another Korean right at the airport, how cool it would be going to shopping and something about his sisters being totally jealous of him.
When they were settled comfortably in the cab, Taemin decided to take the initiation in his own hands.
“Ohm, I’m Lee Taemin” he held his hand out for a shake.
“Omigosh,” the guy replied “I’m so sorry, I totally forgot. My name is Lee Onew. Actually it’s Lee Jinki, but I prefer Onew. It’s O-nyu. Not Oh- new and definitely not On-ew” He made a grimace and instead of handshake, he once again, pulled Taemin into warm hug. “Don’t tell umma about it, he will tease me to death” he giggled at own words.
Totally confused Taemin couldn’t help, but smile at his new friend’s words. Now, he was sure that he made a right decision about leaving Korea and all worries behind.
“So, MinMin, how old are you? I should know if I’m getting another dongsaeng or hyung” Onew giggled again.”But you don’t look like hyung, so I choose you as dongsaeng!” The cheery mood of Onew was getting a little bit into Taemin as well.
“I’m 17” he smiled, “And I’d love to call you hyung, O-nyu hyung.” They laughed.
Life was getting better.
***
“It was a half year ago, I met him for the first time on the roller-skating arena. He was so clumsy and adorable. He was struggling to stand straight and kept falling. I wanted to help, but he fell again on me. That’s how I lost my heart to him. ” Minho and Taena were sitting in the empty park, on this cold winter day. Minho looked dazed out, his mind back to the days when he was happy with Taemin. “We became friends, more than just friends, best friends. We spent all our time together. I’m surprised he never told you about me. He used to tell me about his noona all the time. But never your name.” He smiled at the memories.
“Get to the point. How from friends did you become this?” she shoved the papers from diary with lyrics for the song into Minho’s hands. “Care to explain?”
Minho blankly stared at papers. He read once, twice, three times, but still couldn’t understand what she meant by this.
“There are leaves from his diary. He wrote again. He hasn’t taken the diary in his hands for two years. Him writing means he is hurt. Deeply hurt. And I want to know why this song is about you. ” Taena’s patience was running out.
“I don’t know when or how he fell in love with me, but in the beginning of August, there was a party. We went together, and after it he confessed to me. I thought it was wrong, that he was just confused about his sexuality and that’s why he confessed. I… I don’t know. But at that moment I couldn’t accept his love, even though I also deeply loved him. It was just wrong and-” Taena didn’t let him finish.
“How you dare to say that his love was wrong? You could say anything but not that! How could you do that to him? He was just a baby…” her heart twisted with the thought of how heart-broken her brother was.
“I understand it now. But I didn’t at the time. I love him… I wish I could rewind the time, and take back all my words. But I can’t. that’s why I’m asking you to help me bring Taemin back. ”
“GOD, and us… he saw us! We were happy in front of him! He… he didn’t even once show that something was wrong when we were together… he.. he left because of us!” realization hit Taena.
“Yes, I think so too. So, please, Taena. Help me…” Minho fell on his knees on the snow in front of Taena. For the first time he kneeled for someone, besides his parents and grandparents.
“Get up, Minho-ah… don’t be like this. I’ll help you, not because you’re asking me, but because I want Taemin to be happy. We need to talk to elders, than we will think. If our parents won’t accept you two, you’ll everything to be.” She was harsh, but willing to help. Minho couldn’t ask for anything more from her.
***
Taemin’s mother accepted the news with an ease. She didn’t throw her anger; she even didn’t get angry, at least not at her own son. She was angry at Minho. She also sent him to his parents, saying she wouldn’t oppose Taemin to be together with Minho, but it wouldn’t be until she was sure that Minho’s parents wouldn’t make her youngest son’s difficult because of Minho.
***
“Umma, I need to talk to you…” he quietly walked into the living room, where his mother was watching another drama, waiting for her husband to come from the work.
“Ne, Minho-ah” she turned the TV off, giving her undivided attention to her son.
“You said that my happiness was the most important thing for you and father. But what if my happiness is in something forbidden?” he started off the point. He couldn’t ramble around, he didn’t have enough nerve cells for that. “It’s not wrong, I can’t call it wrong, but forbidden in our society?” he looked in his mother’s eyes trying to find a support and understanding, but there was only confusion.
“I don’t know how to say.” Minho continued. “Mom, I’m in love with a boy. He is my happiness.” He waited for the mother’s reaction. He expected a slap, a shout, whatever, but not this calm expression on his mother’s face.
“Is it all?”
“Y-yes?” Minho clearly was shocked.
“Minho-ah, did you know about your uncle Yunho and his husband?” she said, smile touching her lips.
“Who?” Minho never had heard of any uncles. He never knew he had an uncle.
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t know. Your dad also was very dutiful son, and when your grandfather forbade talking about your uncle, your dad listened to him, and never spoke of his younger brother again. ” She shook her head in some disagreement with her husband’s actions. “You have an uncle. His name is Jung Yunho, after your grandpa took him out of family register, he changed his last name. The family turned their back on him only because he fell in love with a young man. Father-in-law didn’t listen, no matter how hard Yunho had begged. He left Korea and moved to New York. ” She deeply sighed, remembering the family tragedy of losing a son, only because of beliefs.
“We just had married, and your uncle was only a teenager, but after his family threw him away he got to Harvard University all by himself, only to prove how wrong everyone was, that he wasn’t a shame of the family. He became successful lawyer, and now lives in New York. He and his lover, Jaejoong, had married right after they turned 21. And now, after 20 years they still happily live together. They proved everyone wrong.” She sighed again, but now with relief.
“Your father loved his younger brother very much, but the filial duties made him also turn his back on his only brother. He blamed himself for it. And I’m sure he will come to accept you, because he wouldn’t want to lose his only son” she embraced Minho, and rocked him slightly. Minho tried to sink in all information he got. He just told his mom about his love, and she told him he had an uncle. It was shocking.
“Umma, you think so? Father will accept me loving a boy?” hopes started rising in his chest.
“Yes, he will accept” the other voice interrupted mother and son, hugging each other.
“Dad!” Minho could only shout. He wasn’t ready to tell his dad about it. Telling to his mom already was too much for him to handle, and also news about uncle Yunho.
“Minho-ah, don’t be afraid. I won’t oppose, if that’s your happiness” his dad walked towards the big sofa, where Minho stood. “I heard you talking about Yunho, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. If you truly love that boy, we won’t oppose, I already have lost my precious baby-brother because of the social unacceptance of gays” Minho gasped when his father said ‘gays’ “What? Did I say something wrong?” His father definitely was taking everything easy. Minho had to thank his uncle for it.
Minho was happy. Finally, he could breathe with an ease. He wanted to run to Taemin and tell him what a great parents they both had. But realization hit him hard.
“I… I made a mistake…” he sank onto the floor.
“What?” both his mom and dad said at the same time.
“I… Taemin left me… I hurt him, and he left. He is in Boston. What do I do, mom, dad?” he didn’t mean to cry. But couldn’t help. If he only had talked about everything first , then made decisions, he could’ve avoided so much pain ha had caused to everyone: Taemin, Taena, himself.
“Don’t worry, son, we will figure things out. Let’s talk to Taemin’s parents. Have you told them yet?” his dad was determined to make up for all the hurt he had caused to his brother, by making Minho happy.
***
“Taemin, wake up! Taemin! One, two, you know what will happen on count three, so don’t make me do it!” Taemin heard his roommate, Jonghyun shouting from the bathroom.
“I’m up! I’m up!” Taemin held his hand out to the air, proving he wasn’t falling asleep. Usually after count three he would get cup of icy water on his face, or would be thrown out of the room to the cold balcony.
It has been three weeks since he arrived in Boston. He had made new friends, besides weird Onew-hyung. He had met Jonghyun and Key, the ‘umma’ Onew had talked about. Jonghyun and Key were brothers, Onew and Key were lovers. Jonghyun turned out to be his roommate, also studying vocal in Berkley College with Onew. Key studied medicine in Tufts College. They all have gotten very close, especially after Taemin had told them about his lost love. They all had promised to break Minho’s neck when they got a chance for breaking Taemin’s heart. They helped to ease the pain in Taemin’s heart and heal the scars.
***
“Minho, did you take everything? Passport? Ticket? Bags?” his and Taemin’s mother were rumbling near him, as they stood in the airport, saying their ‘good byes’.
“Call when you’ll get there” his dad gave him quick hug.
“Take care of my son” Taemin’s mother whispered in his ears “Now, he’s in your hands.”
“Call me every day!” his own mother was tearing up.
“Okay, time to go. I love you, Thank you very much, mother, father, mother, for understanding and helping us.” He hugged them last time and went through passport control.
‘Minnie-ah, wait for me… I love you, my little one’ he thought silently, kissing the two pieces of paper. Papers from Taemin’s diary.
After 15-hour flight he arrived in New York. Two handsome men met him at the waiting area with ‘Minho’ sign, written in Korean.
It was his uncle Yunho and his beautiful husband, Jaejoong. They hugged each other. There was no awkwardness, no shyness, no emptiness from 20 years not knowing each other.
After Minho had talked to his parents, they’ve gone right to Taemin’s house. They talked about everything with Taemin’s mother and sister, and came up with a plan: Minho would transfer to Harvard University, to study law as his uncle. He and Taemin would study and live together in Boston until they graduated, after graduation, they would get married and live in the US, since the American society is more acceptable of gay families. They would come and visit, or their parents would go visit them.
After that, Minho’s dad had called his brother and talked to him for the first time in 20 years. Yunho forgave him. He and his husband had promised to take care of Minho and Taemin.
***
“Taemin, you have visitors” Jonghyun-hyung said, slamming his backpack on the bed. “They are waiting for you in the hallway. There are three of them. Koreans.” He bit the apple he had taken out from the bag.” Two of them look old, and two look scary and one looks beauuuuutiful” he said lazily, lying down.
“Wait, hyung, didn’t you say there were only three of them” Taemin was confused. Who could possibly come to visit him, since he didn’t know any Koreans, except own friends, in Boston?
“Well, one is not contradicting the other… I’m tired. Just get your skinny ass into the hallway, don’t worry about them kidnapping you, we have security on the first floor” with that Jonghyun cowered himself with quilt, ending the conversation.
Taemin opened the door into the hallway, and the last thing he saw, before someone picking him up from the floor was two men smiling at him.
‘Jonghyun-hyung, why are you always wrong? They definitely are kidnapping me’ Taemin thought in panic. His head was getting light from the person holding and circling him.
Then he felt lips. Yes, those were the lips. And somehow his heart told him that he knew the owner of the lips. But it was impossible.
“Don’t they remind you of us?” one voice chuckled. Taemin blushed, all blood flooding into his face.
“They very much do so,” the other voice agreed. “Minho-ah, you should let him breathe, you know, even we, with 22 years of practice, haven’t figured out the way of kissing without needing and oxygen.”
‘Minho… Minho’ the name Taemin had been hearing, the name he had been dreaming of, the name he missed so much. But it was so surreal. The kiss, the name. He didn’t know if THE name belonged to his beloved Minho, and not some random Minho. That would break his heart even more.
Next moment Taemin was on the floor and staring at the angel, who had walked from the heaven. It was his Minho. He was here, in Boston, in his dormitory, holding his hand and smiling at him. But it didn’t make any sense. What? Why? How? He didn’t know any answers. ‘Screw all sense, he is here…’ Taemin didn’t want any sense. Even if it was only a dream, at least it was a happy dream, dream he wanted to be true.
“Minnie-ah, I love you…” Minho whispered.
“Let’s leave lovebirds alone” the same voice chuckled again “Remember the square in Kenmore? Our square? How long it has been since we last visited it? let’s go” then they heard the sound of other kiss. And they left Minho and Taemin alone.
“Minho, are you really here? Or is it just silly dream?” Taemin still was in doubts. Everything was too prefect to be true.
“Yes, Minnie-ah, it is true. I came for you. I will be living here, we will be together from now on” he placed soft kiss on Taemin’s forehead. “If…” his voice broke.”If you’ll forgive me for all the pain I’ve caused” Tears fell from his eyes. Now he was unsecure.
Taemin felt the tears. And that’s how he understood it was real. Minho in his dreams never cried.
“No, hyung… I love you too…” he placed sacred kiss on Minho’s lips. Kiss he wanted to give to Minho for almost a year now. “I love you… I love you…”
Minho picked him up once again and walked to the sofa, to tell how this dream had become true.
***
“And now, with the right given me from the state Massachusetts, I pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Choi. You may kiss the groom.” the judge finished the ceremony, announcing them wedded husband and husband.
Everyone dear was present there. Minho’s parents, Taemin’s mother, Taena with her new boyfriend Changmin, Jaejoong’s younger brother, Yunho with Jaejoong and their two adopted sons, Onew with Key and Jonghyun with apple. It was small ceremony only for the dear ones.
“Minho, can you believe that today is exactly five years since we first met?”Taemin whispered into Minho’s ears, blushing when everyone shouted ‘kiss-kiss-kiss’.
“No, and yes. It seems like it was only yesterday when you fell on me, and at the same time it feels like I’ve known you forever. I love you, yeobo,” Minho placed passionate kiss on his rightfull husband’s lips.
“I love you too, yeobo” Taemin returned the kiss. “I’ll always love you”
***
Minho had gone to his relatives’ house in Busan, to clear his mind up. He didn’t tell to his mother what his problem was, he had just cried into her shoulder, after that she bought him a ticket to a train to Busan. And today he had returned. He had returned with only one thought: bring Taemin back.
But first he needed to talk to Taena; he still couldn’t even guess what her reaction would be.
After the third ring, she picked up his call.
“Yoboseyo. Ne, Minho-ah, where are you? Baby, I haven’t seen you forever!” he heard her speak into the phone.
“Taena-ah, can we meet? We need to talk, and that is very important.” He could barely breathe, his heart beating too fast.
“Oh, Minho-ah, I’m sorry, but I can’t tomorrow, I need to help my brother with something, can we meet the day after tomorrow?” Minho let out sigh of relieve, at least he had another day to prepare himself for the upcoming problem.
“Yes, of course we can. Then, we will talk when we will meet? At the café on near the park at 12?“ he couldn’t bring himself to talk to her now, he would give everything away, and breaking up with his girlfriend and saying that he loves her brother on the phone would be the stupidest idea ever.
Next day went too slowly for his liking. He tried to call up Taena, but her phone was turned off. He tried to take his mind off the topic, but couldn’t. He went to sleep early that night, hoping that night would go faster if he slept, but still, he couldn’t fall asleep.
Early in the morning he went to the café they went every time, two hours earlier. His heart raced, finally after today he would go to his true love and make his Taeminnie happy.
Two hours went by, but Taena didn’t show up. He waited. Finally, after another hour Taena finally arrived.
“Hey, Minho-ah, mianheyo, did you wait for too long?” she lightly pecked him on his lips.
“Anyo, not for too long” he lied, and smiled at her.
“What did you want to talk about?”Her eyes were red and puffed. She had cried. Minho understood it right away, so he couldn’t break up with her when she was in such condition.
“You cried.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
“Yes, I did a little.” She looked down at her cup. “Taemin left…” Minho thought he misheard her last two words.
“What? Your Taemin did what?”
Taena was silent. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. Minho didn’t know what to do. He was lost. He couldn’t believe. Taemin left him, without saying a word. And it was his fault that he left.
After a while Taena broke the silence.
“He left…Today in the morning… with 4am flight to Boston, US…It’s my fault. I should have known. I should’ve seen it. “She was shivering, and shaking her head.
“What do you mean your fault?” Minho wasn’t sure if anything had happened between Taena and Taemin that he wasn’t aware of.
“Can you believe it, Minho? Min-ah was in love with you,” the new portion of tears fell down from her eyes. “He loved you…”
“W-what? H-how did you k-know? He told you?” Minho hated himself for stuttering. “I didn’t think he would tell you..” he abruptly stopped the trail of his words when Taena angrily looked up at him with red eyes, not believing what she was hearing.
“YOU KNEW THAT?” she was shouting; everyone in cafe was staring at them.
“Y-yes… He confessed me about a month before I met y-”
“Tell me everything now,” Taena harshly cut Minho off.
Minho didn’t know what to do. But this was his only chance to clear things up with Taena. It was now or never.
“Can go to somewhere outside? I’ll tell you everything.” She just nodded, they stood up, Minho paying for their coffee, and they walked out.
When they finally arrived at the small park, he told everything, not keeping anything from her. He told how he met Taemin, he told how they spent every day together, he told how they both unknowingly fell in love with each other, and he told how he had turned Taemin down, when the other confessed.
“I’m sorry, Taena. I’m very sor-” but he was cut off one more time.
“You bastard… you heartless bastard! How could you do that to my brother? Why him? WHY?” she hit his chest, her fist clenching on his shirt.
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness… But please…please, can you help me to get him back?” Minho understood that now he was being too cruel towards Taena, but he had no other choice, only she could tell him how and where to find Taemin. He wanted to be selfish for once in his life.
***
“-passengers. Our board” Taemin heard pieces of the pilot’s usual speech, he was still sleepy to recognize all words” -the local time is six pm. The air temperature is 34 degree by Fahrenheit- ”
‘Ugh, how much is it by Celsius. I didn’t bring enough warm clothes’ Taemin’s mind wandered lazily. Then the realization came. He was in the US. He was in the US. His new life would begin. In Logan International Airport of Boston he would make his first step of independent and free of love life.
After getting his luggage, he stood in the middle of the waiting area, not knowing what to do. Wrapping his coat tighter he thought of asking someone for help, but he remembered of his zero level of knowledge of English. ‘Should’ve learned English before coming, pabo’ he chuckled at himself. This immediately reminded him of Minho, calling him ‘pabo’ when he would ask Minho why he was Taemin’s friend.
The young man of his own age stood nearby, holding a map and talking to a person in airport’s uniform. He caught ’Korea ’ from their conversation along with ‘exchange student and Berkley College’. That was more than enough for Taemin to walk up to the men standing, and start talking in Korean.
“Excuse me, could you help me? I don’t know English well, and also don’t know how to get to Berkley College. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just overheard, and-” he suddenly couldn’t continue as the young man in front of him caught him in tight beary hug.
“Of course I can! We are Koreans after all; I’m going to Berkley as well. Are you also one of the three exchange students for spring semester? That would be so nice. I tried to contact you while I was in Seoul, but couldn’t get hold of anyone” the men chatted by himself, not stopping to take breaks between words. Taemin could only nod, not knowing how to tell that he wasn’t one of those exchange students. Forgetting about the airport worker, the Korean started walking, taking his baggage. Taemin only followed.
The cold humid air of Boston welcomed Taemin and his newly found friend. Even though the sun already had sat down, the lights of airport were keeping the area as light as daytime. ‘I definitely need warmer clothes for this kind of winter.’ Taemin thought silently as cold wind blew on him. Other young man didn’t stop chattering, talking about how great it was meeting another Korean right at the airport, how cool it would be going to shopping and something about his sisters being totally jealous of him.
When they were settled comfortably in the cab, Taemin decided to take the initiation in his own hands.
“Ohm, I’m Lee Taemin” he held his hand out for a shake.
“Omigosh,” the guy replied “I’m so sorry, I totally forgot. My name is Lee Onew. Actually it’s Lee Jinki, but I prefer Onew. It’s O-nyu. Not Oh- new and definitely not On-ew” He made a grimace and instead of handshake, he once again, pulled Taemin into warm hug. “Don’t tell umma about it, he will tease me to death” he giggled at own words.
Totally confused Taemin couldn’t help, but smile at his new friend’s words. Now, he was sure that he made a right decision about leaving Korea and all worries behind.
“So, MinMin, how old are you? I should know if I’m getting another dongsaeng or hyung” Onew giggled again.”But you don’t look like hyung, so I choose you as dongsaeng!” The cheery mood of Onew was getting a little bit into Taemin as well.
“I’m 17” he smiled, “And I’d love to call you hyung, O-nyu hyung.” They laughed.
Life was getting better.
***
“It was a half year ago, I met him for the first time on the roller-skating arena. He was so clumsy and adorable. He was struggling to stand straight and kept falling. I wanted to help, but he fell again on me. That’s how I lost my heart to him. ” Minho and Taena were sitting in the empty park, on this cold winter day. Minho looked dazed out, his mind back to the days when he was happy with Taemin. “We became friends, more than just friends, best friends. We spent all our time together. I’m surprised he never told you about me. He used to tell me about his noona all the time. But never your name.” He smiled at the memories.
“Get to the point. How from friends did you become this?” she shoved the papers from diary with lyrics for the song into Minho’s hands. “Care to explain?”
Minho blankly stared at papers. He read once, twice, three times, but still couldn’t understand what she meant by this.
“There are leaves from his diary. He wrote again. He hasn’t taken the diary in his hands for two years. Him writing means he is hurt. Deeply hurt. And I want to know why this song is about you. ” Taena’s patience was running out.
“I don’t know when or how he fell in love with me, but in the beginning of August, there was a party. We went together, and after it he confessed to me. I thought it was wrong, that he was just confused about his sexuality and that’s why he confessed. I… I don’t know. But at that moment I couldn’t accept his love, even though I also deeply loved him. It was just wrong and-” Taena didn’t let him finish.
“How you dare to say that his love was wrong? You could say anything but not that! How could you do that to him? He was just a baby…” her heart twisted with the thought of how heart-broken her brother was.
“I understand it now. But I didn’t at the time. I love him… I wish I could rewind the time, and take back all my words. But I can’t. that’s why I’m asking you to help me bring Taemin back. ”
“GOD, and us… he saw us! We were happy in front of him! He… he didn’t even once show that something was wrong when we were together… he.. he left because of us!” realization hit Taena.
“Yes, I think so too. So, please, Taena. Help me…” Minho fell on his knees on the snow in front of Taena. For the first time he kneeled for someone, besides his parents and grandparents.
“Get up, Minho-ah… don’t be like this. I’ll help you, not because you’re asking me, but because I want Taemin to be happy. We need to talk to elders, than we will think. If our parents won’t accept you two, you’ll everything to be.” She was harsh, but willing to help. Minho couldn’t ask for anything more from her.
***
Taemin’s mother accepted the news with an ease. She didn’t throw her anger; she even didn’t get angry, at least not at her own son. She was angry at Minho. She also sent him to his parents, saying she wouldn’t oppose Taemin to be together with Minho, but it wouldn’t be until she was sure that Minho’s parents wouldn’t make her youngest son’s difficult because of Minho.
***
“Umma, I need to talk to you…” he quietly walked into the living room, where his mother was watching another drama, waiting for her husband to come from the work.
“Ne, Minho-ah” she turned the TV off, giving her undivided attention to her son.
“You said that my happiness was the most important thing for you and father. But what if my happiness is in something forbidden?” he started off the point. He couldn’t ramble around, he didn’t have enough nerve cells for that. “It’s not wrong, I can’t call it wrong, but forbidden in our society?” he looked in his mother’s eyes trying to find a support and understanding, but there was only confusion.
“I don’t know how to say.” Minho continued. “Mom, I’m in love with a boy. He is my happiness.” He waited for the mother’s reaction. He expected a slap, a shout, whatever, but not this calm expression on his mother’s face.
“Is it all?”
“Y-yes?” Minho clearly was shocked.
“Minho-ah, did you know about your uncle Yunho and his husband?” she said, smile touching her lips.
“Who?” Minho never had heard of any uncles. He never knew he had an uncle.
“Oh, of course you wouldn’t know. Your dad also was very dutiful son, and when your grandfather forbade talking about your uncle, your dad listened to him, and never spoke of his younger brother again. ” She shook her head in some disagreement with her husband’s actions. “You have an uncle. His name is Jung Yunho, after your grandpa took him out of family register, he changed his last name. The family turned their back on him only because he fell in love with a young man. Father-in-law didn’t listen, no matter how hard Yunho had begged. He left Korea and moved to New York. ” She deeply sighed, remembering the family tragedy of losing a son, only because of beliefs.
“We just had married, and your uncle was only a teenager, but after his family threw him away he got to Harvard University all by himself, only to prove how wrong everyone was, that he wasn’t a shame of the family. He became successful lawyer, and now lives in New York. He and his lover, Jaejoong, had married right after they turned 21. And now, after 20 years they still happily live together. They proved everyone wrong.” She sighed again, but now with relief.
“Your father loved his younger brother very much, but the filial duties made him also turn his back on his only brother. He blamed himself for it. And I’m sure he will come to accept you, because he wouldn’t want to lose his only son” she embraced Minho, and rocked him slightly. Minho tried to sink in all information he got. He just told his mom about his love, and she told him he had an uncle. It was shocking.
“Umma, you think so? Father will accept me loving a boy?” hopes started rising in his chest.
“Yes, he will accept” the other voice interrupted mother and son, hugging each other.
“Dad!” Minho could only shout. He wasn’t ready to tell his dad about it. Telling to his mom already was too much for him to handle, and also news about uncle Yunho.
“Minho-ah, don’t be afraid. I won’t oppose, if that’s your happiness” his dad walked towards the big sofa, where Minho stood. “I heard you talking about Yunho, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. If you truly love that boy, we won’t oppose, I already have lost my precious baby-brother because of the social unacceptance of gays” Minho gasped when his father said ‘gays’ “What? Did I say something wrong?” His father definitely was taking everything easy. Minho had to thank his uncle for it.
Minho was happy. Finally, he could breathe with an ease. He wanted to run to Taemin and tell him what a great parents they both had. But realization hit him hard.
“I… I made a mistake…” he sank onto the floor.
“What?” both his mom and dad said at the same time.
“I… Taemin left me… I hurt him, and he left. He is in Boston. What do I do, mom, dad?” he didn’t mean to cry. But couldn’t help. If he only had talked about everything first , then made decisions, he could’ve avoided so much pain ha had caused to everyone: Taemin, Taena, himself.
“Don’t worry, son, we will figure things out. Let’s talk to Taemin’s parents. Have you told them yet?” his dad was determined to make up for all the hurt he had caused to his brother, by making Minho happy.
***
“Taemin, wake up! Taemin! One, two, you know what will happen on count three, so don’t make me do it!” Taemin heard his roommate, Jonghyun shouting from the bathroom.
“I’m up! I’m up!” Taemin held his hand out to the air, proving he wasn’t falling asleep. Usually after count three he would get cup of icy water on his face, or would be thrown out of the room to the cold balcony.
It has been three weeks since he arrived in Boston. He had made new friends, besides weird Onew-hyung. He had met Jonghyun and Key, the ‘umma’ Onew had talked about. Jonghyun and Key were brothers, Onew and Key were lovers. Jonghyun turned out to be his roommate, also studying vocal in Berkley College with Onew. Key studied medicine in Tufts College. They all have gotten very close, especially after Taemin had told them about his lost love. They all had promised to break Minho’s neck when they got a chance for breaking Taemin’s heart. They helped to ease the pain in Taemin’s heart and heal the scars.
***
“Minho, did you take everything? Passport? Ticket? Bags?” his and Taemin’s mother were rumbling near him, as they stood in the airport, saying their ‘good byes’.
“Call when you’ll get there” his dad gave him quick hug.
“Take care of my son” Taemin’s mother whispered in his ears “Now, he’s in your hands.”
“Call me every day!” his own mother was tearing up.
“Okay, time to go. I love you, Thank you very much, mother, father, mother, for understanding and helping us.” He hugged them last time and went through passport control.
‘Minnie-ah, wait for me… I love you, my little one’ he thought silently, kissing the two pieces of paper. Papers from Taemin’s diary.
After 15-hour flight he arrived in New York. Two handsome men met him at the waiting area with ‘Minho’ sign, written in Korean.
It was his uncle Yunho and his beautiful husband, Jaejoong. They hugged each other. There was no awkwardness, no shyness, no emptiness from 20 years not knowing each other.
After Minho had talked to his parents, they’ve gone right to Taemin’s house. They talked about everything with Taemin’s mother and sister, and came up with a plan: Minho would transfer to Harvard University, to study law as his uncle. He and Taemin would study and live together in Boston until they graduated, after graduation, they would get married and live in the US, since the American society is more acceptable of gay families. They would come and visit, or their parents would go visit them.
After that, Minho’s dad had called his brother and talked to him for the first time in 20 years. Yunho forgave him. He and his husband had promised to take care of Minho and Taemin.
***
“Taemin, you have visitors” Jonghyun-hyung said, slamming his backpack on the bed. “They are waiting for you in the hallway. There are three of them. Koreans.” He bit the apple he had taken out from the bag.” Two of them look old, and two look scary and one looks beauuuuutiful” he said lazily, lying down.
“Wait, hyung, didn’t you say there were only three of them” Taemin was confused. Who could possibly come to visit him, since he didn’t know any Koreans, except own friends, in Boston?
“Well, one is not contradicting the other… I’m tired. Just get your skinny ass into the hallway, don’t worry about them kidnapping you, we have security on the first floor” with that Jonghyun cowered himself with quilt, ending the conversation.
Taemin opened the door into the hallway, and the last thing he saw, before someone picking him up from the floor was two men smiling at him.
‘Jonghyun-hyung, why are you always wrong? They definitely are kidnapping me’ Taemin thought in panic. His head was getting light from the person holding and circling him.
Then he felt lips. Yes, those were the lips. And somehow his heart told him that he knew the owner of the lips. But it was impossible.
“Don’t they remind you of us?” one voice chuckled. Taemin blushed, all blood flooding into his face.
“They very much do so,” the other voice agreed. “Minho-ah, you should let him breathe, you know, even we, with 22 years of practice, haven’t figured out the way of kissing without needing and oxygen.”
‘Minho… Minho’ the name Taemin had been hearing, the name he had been dreaming of, the name he missed so much. But it was so surreal. The kiss, the name. He didn’t know if THE name belonged to his beloved Minho, and not some random Minho. That would break his heart even more.
Next moment Taemin was on the floor and staring at the angel, who had walked from the heaven. It was his Minho. He was here, in Boston, in his dormitory, holding his hand and smiling at him. But it didn’t make any sense. What? Why? How? He didn’t know any answers. ‘Screw all sense, he is here…’ Taemin didn’t want any sense. Even if it was only a dream, at least it was a happy dream, dream he wanted to be true.
“Minnie-ah, I love you…” Minho whispered.
“Let’s leave lovebirds alone” the same voice chuckled again “Remember the square in Kenmore? Our square? How long it has been since we last visited it? let’s go” then they heard the sound of other kiss. And they left Minho and Taemin alone.
“Minho, are you really here? Or is it just silly dream?” Taemin still was in doubts. Everything was too prefect to be true.
“Yes, Minnie-ah, it is true. I came for you. I will be living here, we will be together from now on” he placed soft kiss on Taemin’s forehead. “If…” his voice broke.”If you’ll forgive me for all the pain I’ve caused” Tears fell from his eyes. Now he was unsecure.
Taemin felt the tears. And that’s how he understood it was real. Minho in his dreams never cried.
“No, hyung… I love you too…” he placed sacred kiss on Minho’s lips. Kiss he wanted to give to Minho for almost a year now. “I love you… I love you…”
Minho picked him up once again and walked to the sofa, to tell how this dream had become true.
***
“And now, with the right given me from the state Massachusetts, I pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Choi. You may kiss the groom.” the judge finished the ceremony, announcing them wedded husband and husband.
Everyone dear was present there. Minho’s parents, Taemin’s mother, Taena with her new boyfriend Changmin, Jaejoong’s younger brother, Yunho with Jaejoong and their two adopted sons, Onew with Key and Jonghyun with apple. It was small ceremony only for the dear ones.
“Minho, can you believe that today is exactly five years since we first met?”Taemin whispered into Minho’s ears, blushing when everyone shouted ‘kiss-kiss-kiss’.
“No, and yes. It seems like it was only yesterday when you fell on me, and at the same time it feels like I’ve known you forever. I love you, yeobo,” Minho placed passionate kiss on his rightfull husband’s lips.
“I love you too, yeobo” Taemin returned the kiss. “I’ll always love you”