Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a secret.
Their relationship was never supposed to catch the attention of the greedy journalists who would pounce on any hint of a sensational headline like a pack of hyenas. The company had never bothered to protect anyone, and it was unlikely they would for Jongin if not him. He was no longer their headache. He only hoped Jongin’s reputation would remain intact after this storm had blown over. EXO was already going through a rough patch with the lawsuits that SM kept dragging.
Taemin knew it might affect his comeback, and the cold feeling weighing on his chest was a new permanent house guest. The knot in the back of his throat, which he desperately hoped was a sore throat, unfortunately, was not. All of this was paired with the image of his disappointed hyungs, who had all managed to keep their romantic relationships private, if not secret. He couldn't help but feel a deep disappointment in himself for not being able to do the same. Everyone knew the synergy that flowed through Onew and Jonghyun as they effectively divided leadership and the "divorced-couple" chemistry between Key and Minho that had become the face of their relationship.
He was broken out of his thoughts by the sharp ringing sound of someone opening the door with the code. His heart began beating faster as his thoughts whirled around quicker in his head, hoping to all the deities above that it would be anybody other than Jonghyun or Onew. They would never reprimand him, he knew, or even be disappointed in him, but would fuss over him as if he was still fourteen. While he enjoyed being coddled by Jinki hyung and Jonghyun hyung, he was desperately trying not to break down, and the two of them cooing and crooning over him would do precisely that.
“Taeminah?” the soft, soothing, and grounding sound of Jinki’s voice made the knot in his throat grow tighter as he longed to crawl into the arms of the oldest. Taemin could hear the two of them keeping their things along with the rustle of plastic bags, meaning they had bought groceries on the way. Jonghyun’s voice followed, “Taeminah, everything’s alright. We’re here for you, hyung is here”. The gritty sound of his voice softening into something almost akin to a lullaby made his vision blur, tears welling in his eyes. The sheer relief that washed over him as he crawled into the all encompassing and safe arms of his hyungs was not new. All his problems always seemed to go away when he was in their arms. He would deal with his problems later, for now he didn't care about anything else.