SHINE (SHINee AU)

EPILOGUE - Always Will Be Our Forever

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MINOR SEXUAL CONTENT AND DISTRESSING THEMES

PART I - THEN

AUGUST 1981

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

Minho stood at his desk wordlessly. The large window next to him brought in bouts of sunlight, pouring into the room through the curtain blinds. Looking down at the paperwork on his desk, he realized he still had a lot to do that day. His father was indeed not kidding; in fact, Minho found himself graduating high school with flying colors, almost immediately being swept into a full-time position, one that was just below his father, and one that soon would become his own. He scratched his head mindlessly, looking down at the things on his desk. It would, in short, take him twenty minutes at the very most to finish this paperwork, but he still had many hours of the day left, so he continued to stare at it for a while as the sounds of birds chirping were heard just outside the open window. He'd rather be outside—playing soccer or something. He turned to the window: He hadn't played soccer for a while anyway. What he would give to have time again. He whipped up his head at the sound of a melodic knock on the door. He didn't answer, instead letting the person on the other side of the door come in; he straightened his suit. "Good afternoon."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." A woman around his age said and came in with a smile, turning to close the door behind her as she came in. "What's up?"

Minho shook his head to himself: "Caught myself thinking a little too hard," he said with a small smile. "What do you need, Macy?"

"I've got great news," she announced, folding her hands together. In all the years Minho had known her, that smile had never been wiped off her face. It was refreshing to him, especially considering the last couple of years were from the pit of Hell.

"Tell me."

"Guess!" He rolled his eyes playfully, straightening his shoulders.

"Jinki got a girlfriend."

"Woah, now," she said, holding her hands out. "You're gettin' a little far... Something more down to Earth, maybe."

"Are you serious?" Minho responded with a snort. "Oh, please... I really thought he had something with that girl from the bar. You mean nothing happened?"

"Oh, c'mon," she said, waving her hand. "You know he's never been into any of that stuff."

"Still," Minho complained with a small smile.

"Minho," Macy started, cocking her head to the side, "I mean it—I got really good news."

"Just tell me," he responded with a laugh.

"Alright." She walked over to his desk, looking down at his work that had not been touched. "You really need to get on this soon, 'cuz I need your help later with something else," she murmured. "Anyway—someone is coming into town!"

Minho's eyes widened a little in excitement, putting his hands down on his desk. "What? You don't mean..."

Macy smiled painfully: "Sorry. I guess I should have clarified that it wouldn't be life-changing news." Minho's expression fell back down, groaning and sitting down in his chair. "Key will be in town. I know, I know, biggest cock-block ever." Minho spun aimlessly in his chair like a child. "Minho."

"Yeah, I know," he responded sourly. He stopped turning in his chair, his back turned to Macy as he faced the wall. "'Kay... What's he in town for?"

"Don't get too excited now," Macy replied with a laugh. "He's coming with his fiancée." Minho whipped his head up.