Fine {DoTae} | complete

Thirty

"I'm sure you all know, but... well, maybe some of you don't know. Maybe your friend dragged you to this concert and you know nothing about me. Doyoung... he's my boyfriend. I love him." Taeyong struggles to unfold the piece of paper.

Doyoung can't read it from where he's standing backstage but he can see Taeyong has scrawled all over it, clearly having thrown his feelings onto the page and he frowns at it now, a little confused as though trying to make sense of all that he's written. Doyoung blinks, sure he misheard. But then Taeyong continues and his words slice through his uncertainty, and he's unable to escape the thoughts and emotions that bleed from the cut.

He feels he doesn't deserve a speech dedicated to him. He also feels he's been working so hard backstage that all the fans should know and appreciate his contribution. He's appeared on lives and in a photo here and there, but to have his name spoken so freely in a stadium in front of thousands of fans, the syllables echoing from the speakers and bouncing off every wall, it's not the same. It's different. Terrifyingly different because it's real. There's no barrier between his name and the fans anymore. No anonymous faces behind screens, rather real voices chanting his name.

Taeyong is shaking, the paper rustling into the microphone for all to hear. Doyoung waits for him to look at him but he doesn't. Perhaps he's scared he'll break as soon as their eyes meet, because Doyoung for sure would.

"A lot... a lot of people don't like that we're together," Taeyong starts to read, "but all of you have given us both so much support – all the fans that came to my concerts have – so I want to say thank you." The fans scream, wave their signs and lightsticks. The staff backstage start to crowd behind Doyoung, not having expected this impromptu speech. The prompters still display the words he's supposed to say, the usual speech he had prepared, but Taeyong pays them no attention.

"You should all know that this tour wouldn't have been possible without Doyoung. When we got together last spring, I never expected him to get involved with my schedules. That wasn't what it was about. I wasn't sure if he'd come on tour with me, but he did. He came to every country, stayed with me in every hotel, was backstage for every concert. He's been a manager, a bodyguard, a best friend... but as well as sorting schedules and concert outfits he's always been there to support me emotionally. Guys... he's working overtime."

The crowd laughs, and so does Doyoung through his daze. His head feels fuzzy, like he's floating, and he can't feel his feet on the ground nor his lips when he worries his teeth over the skin.

"I spent my birthday at Doyoung's house. I did a live, remember? I think you worked out where I was. You're too smart, you guys. My little detectives." Taeyong smirks and shakes his head fondly, but his fingers still crease the paper from gripping the corner so hard. He looks tiny under the spotlight. "So I went to Doyoung's house and was welcomed as part of the family. To Doyoung's mother, thank you. Your cooking is amazing. Please invite me again.

"Further back, our anniversary..." he adjusts his grip on the microphone and squints at the fans, "I was truly happy that day. We went to the aquarium, just the two of us. You know how much I love fish."

Doyoung remembers that day like it was yesterday, the memories crystal clear. He strokes his tattoo.

"We got tattoos," Taeyong points to his own and the camera zooms to display the design on the huge screens behind the stage. "I'm happy when I'm dancing. I'm happy when I'm on stage, like now. But with Doyoung... it's just a different kind of happiness, do you know what I mean? Like nothing matters except the moment." His voice wavers for a second and Doyoung sucks in a breath.

Doyoung doesn't realise he's crying until his vision goes blurry. He doesn't wipe the tear, instead lets more follow, the cold bringing him back to reality as they slide down his cheeks in a silent release of emotion. His shoulders tense under the gaze of the staff around him but he doesn't let his eyes move from Taeyong.