Replay, Rewind, Reset (Chapter three)
Summary of the last chapter:
Taemin has selective amnesia. It is a kind of amnesia where people forgets one particular person and all their memories together. In Taemin's case he forgot about Minho and their relationship.
They still live under one roof, share the same room but the difference is that Minho is a complete stranger to Taemin.
Recently their manager announced that Minho and Taemin will be joining We Got Married Yaoi edition.
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We got married?
"Stop pouting honey, you're destroying everything" Minho whispered with a fake smile on his face, very much aware of the cameras surrounding the place
"I can pout as long as I want. Stop telling me what to do" The forever hard-headed maknae hissed
The staffs of We Got Married prepared a fireworks display for the 2min couple and so there they are at the park, sitting on the green grass.
Minho was positioned behind Taemin, his knees propped up and slightly spread apart. Taemin occupied the space between Minho's propped up knees...and oh hell yes, the rapper was embracing the maknae from behind.
No need to squeal though.
The director told them to be in that position, the whole thing was scripted.
"You have to smile for the camera honey...you look so wrong when you pout" Minho paused, imagining Taemin's pout once more "It's like you're asking for a kiss" The rapper chuckled, teasing Taemin can be his hobby in life
"I can't believe I married a pervert" The maknae scoffed as he rolled his eyes. He shook his body hoping that the rapper would unwrap his arms around it
Too bad Minho was feeling the moment, and he's so taking advantage of the fact that the director told them to be sweet.
"I can't believe I married an annoying prude" Minho replied hugging him tighter
"I don't even know why we're doing this" Taemin still hated the idea of marrying a complete stranger. Who would want a stranger as their husband?
...but their manager insisted on the project, for publicity and all. He was forced into this shit, there's really nothing you can do once the manager have decided.
Good thing the stranger - his husband - has an acceptable face. If his husband was ugly then he'd totally jump off a cliff if it's the only way to escape their marriage.
"Just ten more minutes and the camera will stop rolling, this will be over" He leaned into the maknae's ear as he whispered "...but for now, you have to be a good wife and smile" Minho added still with his fake smile on
"Gosh the things I do for my job!" Taemin smiled back at him, it was forced but still convincing -- he's so good at this.
The fireworks display started painting the sky in multiple colors, the once black and white clouds turned into fluffy rainbows. Well it was all in the maknae's imagination, there's something about fireworks that makes his creative mind work.
Everything was shining; every sparkle, every glitter and every color, everything made Taemin smile.
He was tantalized by the scene.
He can't remember when was the last time he watched something so magnificent, all he knew was that it never fails to lighten up his mood, much the same as to how they brighten up the sky.
Minho gazed at the sky and then to Taemin.
"I can't believe I married someone so beautiful" Minho realized that the real beauty the world was right there, inside his arms, glowing more brightly than the fireworks above
"You're so beautiful Taemin" It was a whisper he didn't expect the other one to hear
Well it was kind of emotional outburst since he's been keeping all his love to himself.
He just missed their sweet nothings.
Back then when he would say those things, Taemin would always hug him tight like he's the luckiest man alive but now all he got was a confused face.
"What did you say?"Taemin raised his eyebrow
"Huh? Oh n-nothing" Minho lied and looked away
Even though it hurts to death, you're stuck in my heart and I can't remove you.
Because it's love, because for me it's love.
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"Where are you going?" Taemin immediately asked when Minho was about to walk away and leave
After the fireworks display, the director decided to call it a day. Everyone immediately packed up and their manager quickly drove them home to their apartment.
"I just walked you home" Minho answered incoherently, not really answering the question asked
"I know and now I'm asking you, where are you going?" A little patience brought Taemin to ask him again, usually he explodes when he doesn't get the answer he wants.
"...at Jessica's" Minho stated simply. He wanted to explain further but it came to his mind that the maknae won't even bother hear him out.
It's not like Taemin cares. They may be married but there's simply no love in their relationship.
Their pairing is for pure publicity -- just something to feed the fan's fantasies.
"I'll sleep there too" Minho added awkwardly, as if he was hesitating to give the maknae more information
Why? Taemin wanted to ask, but he didn't dare -- he felt like he was in no position to do so. All he did was stare sternly at Minho's equally blank face.
"Oh I see. Okay" Taemin pretended not to care although it was obvious that he was feeling the opposite
You can read the truth in Taemin's brown orbs, he hated the idea of Minho leaving him.
"Go ahead" Taemin shooed Minho
"Lock the door properly and don't invite strangers. Call me before you sleep, call me when you wake up and call me too if something weird is happening" Minho was obviously worried
He still cares even if Taemin turned into a bitch who forgot about him.
"Whatever" Taemin turned his back, entering their lonely, cold and empty apartment.
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Wearing a pink hoodie along with blue boxer shorts, he sat on the living room with his knees folded close to his chest.
If you must know one of Taemin's secrets, you should know that he can't sleep alone. He absolutely hates the feeling of not having someone sleep with him in bed.
...and he has to admit, not having Minho around actually sucks.
An hour felt like hundred years and the whole night felt like million eternities.
Fortunately, he survived the night by watching all the dramas there could ever be, good thing he grabbed some of Key's collections or else he might have gone crazy thinking about the creepy things that might pop in their apartment.
Morning came and he's still lazily lying on the couch, watching dramas, eyes half open, half closed.
It seems like he was yawning every single second, he is terribly in need of sleep.
A knock on the door was heard and he was still sulking on the drama.
He didn't bother open the door for Minho, well he would find ways on how to get in anyway.
It didn't take long until his husband magically appeared in front of him blocking the tv screen and effectively spoiling the best and most climactic part of the series.
"HEY!! I'M WATCHING!" Taemin carelessly threw the remote control to Minho, he would have punched his anooying face if he had the energy to do so
Not minding Taemin's assault, Minho sat beside the smaller one.
"You didn't sleep" Minho was inspecting the dark circles under Taemin's eyes which somehow made him look like Kungfu panda
"I slept! As a matter of fact, I just woke up" Taemin faked a yawn, his voice somewhat hoarse due to staying up all night
"Liar.You're such a kid" Minho chuckled
"Hey! Stop talking to me. I hate you" Taemin brushed Minho away
"You always hate me. So what new this time?" Minho disregarded Taemin's bitter words, he was so getting used of the maknae's hate towards him
"I'm hating you more..."
"WHAT?!"
"What kind of husband leaves his wife to sleep with another girl?!" Taemin raised his tone, he was again about to start war
"Are you saying it's my fault that you weren't able to sleep?"
"It is YOUR fault!" The maknae corrected
"If you wanted me to stay then you should have stopped me!" Minho passed the blame on the other
"If you care about me then you should have never thought of leaving in the first place!" Taemin answered, it was a pointless conversation because they were driven out by their emotions
"Wait. You want me to care for you?" Minho caught him in his words
"NO!" Taemin blurted out defensively "You know what? I'm fine now. I don't want to talk about this" The maknae crawled on the floor reaching for the remote control
Before he could press the play button and continue with his marathon, Minho effortlessly picked him up on the floor and carried him to their room
It is really becoming a habit of his to just grab Taemin's body and throw it somewhere.
"What the-- what are you doing?! Put me down! Put me dow--ahhhhhhhhh!"
Minho threw Taemin on the fluffy untouched bed, the maknae bounced like crazy.
"What are you doing??!!!?!?"
"Making you shut up" Minho crawled on his side of the bed, tucking Taemin underneath their blanket before tucking himself.
"I'm not sleepy!" Taemin tried to roll out of bed only to be stopped by Minho's tight grip
"Look at your eyes, it looks awful and you tell me you're not sleepy? Quit lying and just sleep!"
Taemin was silenced because his husband was right.
For the very first time, Minho actually made enough sense to be able to beat him and his mad reasoning.
Three hundred sixty four cute little pigs.
Three hundred sixty five cute little pigs.
Three hundred sixty six cute little pigs.
Three hundred sixty seven cute little pigs.
...Four hundred cute little fcuking pigs!!!!!
WHY? Why can't I sleep???
Taemin has been counting cute little pigs since forever but until now his eyes still won't give in to sleep.
Should I go for six hundred cute little pigs? >.<
"Just relax will you? You can't sleep if you're frustrated like that" Minho scolded his husband who was busy with pigs
"Can you stop making me sleep? I don't even want to sleep!!" Taemin kicked the mattress "God! You're worse than Key!" He pouted under his blanket, mumbling words Minho can't comprehend
After Taemin's tantrums and silly mumbles, he somehow grew tired and dropped his childish act.
In silence, both were lying next to each other with their body facing the ceiling.
No one dared to even take a glimpse of each other's face, both were staring blankly at the white celing showered with glow in the dark stickers.
There are times when Taemin would open his mouth but then he would close it again as if his words are better left unsaid.
It's like he's fighting an internal battle, whether to speak or not to speak, to initiate a talk or to restrain himself from conversations, to break the silence or to keep it growing, to ask for questions or to be oblivious of the answers forever.
Good thing he dared to speak, to initiate a talk, to break the silence and to not be oblivious of the answers forever.
"If I ask you a sensible question will you give me a good answer?" Taemin turned to Minho, his face and body now facing the rapper.
"If you're lucky, then maybe" Taking the challenge, he shifted his position -- he was now facing the younger one too
"Who are you?" There was a childish glint on Taemin's eyes, like a kid's way of asking his new friends who they are
"Choi Minho"
"That's it?" Taemin raised his eyebrow. Minho is indeed a man with few words or a man with many secrets.
"Yeah, that's all"
"Come on husband, tell me more!" Playfully pulling Minho's shirt, the younger one nagged mindlessly.
"Does it matter if you know me or not?"
"It matters, cause you're my husband and I'm stuck with you in this shit" Taemin got a point, you can't live with a complete stranger forever, you somehow have to know the basics about them.
"What do you want to know?" Minho started the get-to-know-you- conversation, Taemin smiled when he heard Minho say this.
"Why do you live with SHINee?" That was the first and definitely not the smartest question Taemin thought of, he was not prepared. If he knew this would happen, then he would have jotted down a list of questions for his stranger husband.
"I am part of SHINee" Minho proudly declared
"Are. you. kidding. me?" Taemin gaped, he even choked on his own saliva "Oh please! Can you even sing?" He threw his husband a doubtful look
"I can rap real good, they even call me flaming charisma" Minho dropped bombs into Taemin's brain, each revelation shaking the maknae's head
"Oh yeah?" Taemin suspected his overflowing confidence "Can I hear some of your rapping?"
"Don't want to" Minho rejected the request
"Why? You scared of what I have to say?" A smirk appeared on the younger one's face
"No" Minho giggled "Do I look like the type to get scared easily?" He reciprocated the same smirk Taemin gave him
"Then why can't you rap for me?" Taemin gave him a long face
"You'll rape me" Minho assumed because he's confident like that "Once you get to hear my beautiful voice, you'll rape me." The rapper was so big headed it rang the bell of annoyance inside Taemin's ears.
Maybe it's a 'flaming charisma' thing to feel like everyone wants to get a piece of him every time he struts his ass on stage.
"Can you even hear yourself?" Taemin scoffed, rolling his eyes in irritation "Seruiously how did you pass as a SHINee member with that attitude of yours?" Taemin brushed off his cocky attitude
"I don't even remember performing with you on stage" He added, thinking of all those times he stepped on stage. Minho's face never came across his thoughts, not even in one of their many performances.
"You're sick, Taemin. That's why you don't remember me" Minho informed casually, as if he was not affected
"I know, umma told me I have this special kind of amnesia..." Taemin tried to remember what Key said when he explained about his sickness "Wait! So you're the one I forgot? You're the one person I forgot?"
"Wow, you're pretty cool about it huh?" Minho smiled in amusement, the maknae was really taking everything in a positive note
"Tell me about us!" Taemin started tugging Minho's shirt again, he was too enthusiastic about their past
"Us?" Minho had his cold face on, the topic of their conversation became to sensitive
"Am I good to you before? I mean...do I treat you well? You know, things like that" The maknae was eager for a reply, it looks like he won't stop asking until he's satisfied with the information he gets
"We don't talk that much" Minho revealed, and it looks like he's going to reveal nothing but lies
"Why? Are we enemies?" Taemin looked really shocked, as far as he knew he was always the friendly type
"No, nothing like that. You're closest with Key, so you spend most of your time with him. I have school to attend to, and also dream team. I am a busy person that's why..." The older one explained, his face void of emotion
"Oh, I see" Taemin nodded in reply
Liar. It's the only adjective that will perfectly fit Minho as of the moment.
He was depriving Taemin something important, he was depriving him of the truth he (of all people) deserves to know.
"Do you want me to call you hyung?" Taemin suggested with a friendly smile, it's been quite a while since Minho saw him form a smile on his face
"Hey! Why are you suddenly acting nice? It's creepy!" Minho distanced himself a little, Taemin's face was getting nearer, it's dangerous
"I am like this because you're not a stranger to me anymore. You are my brother, my hyung! I'm good to my hyungs" Taemin shoved his face nearer to Minho causing the rapper to lose his breath, he was having a mild heart attack
"Choi Minho, let's be friends okay?" Happy Taemin grabbed Minho's right hand and clasped it with his own. He shook it to make it look as if they were shaking hands -- you know, like what most people do at first meeting.
"Uhh s-sure?" It was a big question mark on Minho's part, he was really not that sure if he could handle being just friends with his supposed to be lover.
"Yay!" Taemin exclaimed as he jumped out of the bed, he was literally bouncing -- happy he found a new friend.
Minho watched him exit their room like a kid who just got a present, Taemin may be aging but he will always remain a kid at heart.
"How did we end up like this love?" Thinking of their current situation, the rapper could only sigh
Oh I can't tell you about me who wants to reach your heart.
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"Minho, it's cold" Taemin pouted, rubbing his hands against each other to keep it warm
It was a snowy night and they're out on the streets somewhere near their apartment. Usually Taemin would appreciate how precious and beautiful the white snow is, if only he wasn't tired.
He has been working since morning, it's not surprising if he faints due to fatigue.
"Do you want me to hug you?" The flaming charisma offered his arms, it's the least he can do
"Is it okay?" It's funny how Taemin asked when he didn't have to
Minho only nodded silently as he wrapped his arms around the small shaking figure
"It's a beautiful night and...and...and oh crap!" Taemin let out a frustrated sigh
"CUT!" The director's roar was heard once again "Taemin how many times do you have to forget your lines? We're running out of film!"
"Sorry" Taemin looked down in shame, Minho patted his back for encouragement
"Don't listen to him" The taller one whispered while somehow glaring at the director
"It's a beautiful night and I'm really happy I get to share it with you. How many times do I have to repeat this? Come on! Just finish it and we're done for tonight" The director reiterated once again, this time his voice got louder and scarier
Everyday is a cycle, everyday is the same as yesterday and it will also be the same tomorrow.
A month passed with Taemin and Minho working diligently every single day.
Whether it's shooting for We Got Married, or an interview with SHINee or live performances, special performances, photo shoots, guesting, variety shows and many more...they did it all together and they never complained.
Their relationship is a cycle too, they piss each other, they start a fight, they stop and then fight again.
Like the typical couples you see in dramas except that they were ten times louder and crazier.
...but somewhere between those fights they became good friends - good friends who disagree on almost everything - but still good friends.
It's always a rollercoaster ride of feelings when they're with each other, they're both unpredictable.
Like they can burn like fire any moment and the next thing you know they're as cold as ice.
Minho was also doing a great job burying their past , it still hurts him until now but he also knew it was good for both of them.
He talked to the other members about this since they're the only ones who knew about it and convinced them to just forget the past and deal with the present - deal with what they are now.
Key disagreed at first but he didn't have any better plans with him so he just complied.
It's like Minho's starting a new life with Taemin - only that it's founded with lies.
Lies no one can ever hide, lies Taemin will soon figure out.
I love you, even if I can only watch you from this place.
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"Hello...uhh Donghae hyung?"
Taemin called Donghae because Minho forgot his handy phone in their apartment. The rapper went out to the gym with his hyungs and he was rushing when he left so that explains everything.
"You see, Minho left his phone here can you please tell him to pick it up because manager hyung will be worried"
"No prob Minnie-ah. I'll tell him right away" Donghae assured, anything for the maknae really.
"Thanks hyung!" Taemin thanked his hyung cheerfully
Staring at Minho's handy phone for quite some time(cause he has nothing planned for the day and boredom is not helping), he felt an itch to open it and explore what's inside.
That would be invasion of privacy but who cares? Minho won't even know.
After a few minutes of battling with his conscience, he decided to give in to curiosity and search his files.
He started with Minho's videos and he almost died laughing with what he saw.
All his videos are cooking show videos...it just made Taemin laugh cause it's so unlikely for someone so manly to want to cook.
Who knew the flaming charisma is secretly a frustrated chef? He is so not gonna regret sneaking on Minho's phone.
Second stop - messages.
Inbox is empty. There are no sent messages. No saved messages.
Ugh, boring! -_____-
Next - pictures.
When Taemin opened the picture folder, a lot of pictures came out.
Silly faces, dogs, food it was all random but there was one folder who caught his eye simply because it was entitled "The person I love most", the title was too intriguing for Taemin, therefore he did not waste time opening it.
Before opening the folder, he expected to see pictures of Minho with a girl, well the title is very much self explanatory. Of course, it's expected for someone so handsome to have a girlfriend.
It's like a sin to be single if you're as good looking as Minho.
...but to his surprise/outrage, when he opened the folder there was no girl.
It was not even a girl...
...it was him.
It was none other than him.
Taemin saw his face on every picture, and you can just imagine how topsy turvy the maknae felt.
The moment he saw his pictures with Minho, his brain threw him an avalanche of questions, questions not even a nerve of his brain can answer.
He was the person Minho loved the most?
The sentence did not even make sense, but the pictures are already worth a thousand words.
He scanned the pictures and it scared him all the more.
There were pictures of them hugging, kissing and god knows what else is in there.
He saw one picture taken in Paris, they were kissing under the Eiffel tower.
Another was in Venice, they were riding a gondola and Minho was hugging him from behind.
There was a picture taken in a restaurant,Taemin was holding a cake and Minho was kissing his cheek. The photo was labeled "First year anniversary ♥"
The last picture Taemin saw was a picture of himself holding a bouquet of red roses and it was named "My lovely wife"
After seeing all those things, the maknae felt weak all over. He sat on the couch just for support, he might just faint any moment.
He can't even process all the things he saw, he was plain stupefied.
He can't understand a thing of what they are, who is he in Minho's life? and who is Minho in his life?
He can't remember a thing about Minho, his first memory of him was when he woke up in the hospital
"Yeobo! I'm so happy you're back" Minho leaned closer to his lover's face, slowly making a move to reach his plump lips
When he remembered Minho from the hospital, how he acted, how he worried for him it's as if a light bulb flashed it's light above Taemin's head.
"M-maybe that's why...maybe that's why he's calling me yeobo" Taemin whispered softly to himself
How can he be so oblivious? He should have known from the start, back in the hospital, back when Minho was calling him yeobo.
Why on earth would Minho call his dongsaeng Yeobo? Of course there's something between them!
"He is...he is my..." The maknae felt crystals of water roll on his cheeks "Choi M-minho is my lover" He finally breathed out a conclusion but it also made him cry harder
It was not really something cry worthy but somehow he just felt deceived, he was being lied to all these times and it's not a good feeling, especially when you started trusting people.
His surrounding started to blur, tears fell continuously and nothing felt right.
"Taemin goon! My phone, where is it? Give it to me" Minho hurriedly entered their apartment and ran to Taemin, his voice sounded so nervous
The maknae only looked up at the tall figure, his eyes beginning to produce more tears. He was staring painfully at Minho.
"Hey, why are you crying?" Minho's heart melted, seeing Taemin in tears is a sight he can't tolerate.
The rapper made a move to wipe the maknae's tears but Taemin angrily shoved his hands away before it could even touch his face
"Who are you?" Taemin pierced his scorching eyes on Minho, he was obviously not happy of what he just figured out
"What's happening Taemin?" Minho kneeled and rested his hands on the little one's knees "What do you mean who am I?"
"I mean this!" Taemin threw the phone to Minho, the rapper on the other hand immediately saw their anniversary picture. He immediately understood what was happening
"Liar!" Taemin mustered all his strength and courage to be able to slap Minho's face
Taemin slapped Minho real hard because the younger one thought he deserves it.
"You lied to me! I trusted you and you lied to me!" Taemin was shouting and sobbing at the same time
"I had no other choice. Please, listen to me first" Minho cupped the maknae's face with force, he wanted Taemin to understand the situation first before anything
He knew it was too late for explanations, but it's better than just watching his lover curse him to death
"You had a choice but you chose to play with me and lie. Are you happy now?" Taemin pushed Minho's body away, hugging his own knees while sulking in his tears.
"You think it's that easy? I don't want to hurt you!" Minho reasoned out, he was getting frustrated as well
"You think I'm not hurting now?" Taemin's words brought silence to both of them, they were both in pain, both frustrated and both tormented
This has to be their first major fight.
"Hey, you think I'm okay with this?" Minho's patience started to fade "You think I don't miss you? You think this is not killing me right now?" The rapper's voice faltered, he was on the verge of crying too.
"Look at me Taemin" Minho lifted up the younger one's face, he brushed Taemin's bangs away from his eyes and tucked it behind his ears "Do I look fine to you?" He asked with all his heart
Gazing at Minho and the tears falling down his eyes, Taemin felt so bad.
There was a sting inside his heart, although he hated Minho that moment, he can't help but feel the need to comfort him and make him stop crying.
Minho's face was so sincere, it was honest and Taemin can't bear looking at it.
"I am not fine Taemin, I will never be fine" Grabbing Taemin's wrist, Minho pulled the maknae into a needy hug. It was a hug they both craved for and it was a hug they both wanted.
Taemin did not object, he just fell into Minho's arms without much prior thought.
There's something about his brain and heart he can't understand.
His brain can't remember Minho, but his heart perfectly does.
"I love you so much Taemin. I miss you so much but...I lost you" Minho tightened his hug "I lost the person I've been loving for too long" and with that bittersweet statement, Minho cried shamelessly on Taemin's shoulder
Even if it hurts
Even if I cry
I love you
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Author's note:
*grabs shield from all your bullets*
Please spare my life! *runs away*
So here's chapter three :) I know, I know you have all the right to kill me right now because I kept you waiting for too long.
This update took forever and it's not even funny. I am sorry guys, very very sorry. :<
I actually thought of putting this fic into permanent hiatus, but someone made me continue it :) (Thanks Mia :D)
I don't even know if you still rememeber the story, I've been gone for too long -____-
Also, special thanks to the ff songs Quasimodo, Life and One I was able to finish this chapter.
SHINee's songs are daebak like seriously :D
...and if ever you're wondering what the red sentences are, I got it from the translated lyrics of Quasimodo. lol
This chapter is long, so please take time reading it.
Sorry for minor mistakes, wrong grammar etc... I will check it later if there's time.
So yes, I am back and enjoy reading everyone!
Once again comments are appreciated and loved ♥ I will always reply and we can talk about anything under the sun lol (I don't bite people)
I hope this is worth the wait >o< ♥
PS. Please watch my friend, she covered come back you bad person by Kahi.
Please do watch and comment if you have time :>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZxF7ECZVbA
Thank you very much!