SHINee | CRUSHED. (editing but complete)

Chapter 1: The Beginning.

❝ Yah! ❞  Jonghyun yelled as Taemin practically flew onto his back like some kind of wild animal. The vocalist was grumpy due to the fact they had been practising hard all day at the practice room. The motherly character of the group – Kim Kibum – sat down and smiled at the playful maknae. He was always so full of energy, even when the rest of the group were not.

As per usual Onew – the literal chicken addict – was already seated, chowing down on some drumsticks he had specifically requested the driver to get on the way home from the SM building. 

Minho walked straight to the bathroom to shower, silent as ever.

❝ Aha, sorry, hyung, I'm just so happy: today was fun! ❞ Taemin squealed, a cliché yet cute child-like voice coming from the youngest.

❝ Aren't you ever tired? ❞ Jonghyun ruffled the younger's hair to which Taemin simply smiled. The tanned male smiled back, it was hard not to when meeting a face such as their youngest member. 

Noticing Jonghyun's annoyance and not wanting the youngest to bother him anymore, Key got up and hugged the smaller frame of Taemin and pulled him down onto the sofa. 

❝ Come on now, my sweet child, we have to wake up early tomorrow. Remember? ❞ Key smiled.

Looking up from his box of chicken, Onew's brow quirked, suddenly alarmed. ❝ Why? It's tomorrow? ❞ he questioned, not even bothering to cover his full mouth.

❝ Yes – and don't speak with your mouth full Onew! ❞ Key scolded, wiggling his finger in a maternal manner, a hand on his jutted hip. By now, Minho had walked out with a vest and boxers on, a towel around his neck.

❝ I'm done! ❞ He announced while shaking his hair, water spraying across the room as his bangs settled soaked against his forehead. 

❝ I'm next! ❞ Jonghyun barked, already running to the bathroom with more speed than the members have ever seen him use considering his short legs. 

Taemin smiled and looked up at Key. ❝ Key-hyung, can I go next? ❞ He asked politely, brown orbs glistening – aegyo was his key to, well – Key. 

❝ Yes, of course, Tae, ❞ he replied warmly, not bothered whether he was first, second, third – nor any rank, so long as he got a shower in by the end of the night the triple threat would be satisfied. 

Kibum walked into the kitchen to make some noodles for everyone who hadn't eaten yet (though he was sure there would be room in their leader's stomach even after Onew demolished that bucket). 

Jonghyun walked out after a while, his wet hair all messy and ruffled, looking much like a puppy. Taemin laughed and ran past him and into the bathroom. 

❝ Really? ❞ Jonghyun shouted again, ❝ Doesn't he ever get tired? ❞ He moaned.

❝ He's young, so just because you're old and worn out doesn't mean you can put a damper on his young spirit. ❞ Key playfully scolded, probably not helping, from the kitchen.

❝ And you, why must you be so––❞ Jonghyun started but as Key held a bowl of noodles in front of his face while his expression hardened, the vocalist immediately knew to simmer down and enjoy his meal.

Minho chuckled quietly and ate his portion of noodles. Jonghyun followed suit with a simple sigh, taking his noodles to his room while singing a line of their debut song – Replay. Despite finishing his chicken, Onew fetched himself a bowl of noodles, adding some soy sauce before heading to his room. 

Key sat down with the two bowls and waited for the energetic child to run out. 

After a few seconds, Key was right, Taemin bounded out of the bathroom, briskly bursting at the seams with energy. His fringe was covering his eyes and he slipped straight onto the table, sending his noodles into the air and straight into the older's lap. Kibum jumped up immediately with a hiss.

❝ YAH! ❞ He screamed, thighs burning since the noodles were freshly prepared.

❝ Mianhae– Kibum hyung– Mianhae, ❞ Taemin stuttered out, standing while bowing his head several times. It was moments like this that the rookie maknae should have been scolded however with an innocent demeanour such as Taemin's, Kibum had to grit his teeth and wipe away the mess with a practised and plausible fake smile. He couldn't tell if Taemin's cheeks were wet from showering or whether he had started crying in fear of upsetting someone who took care of him so well.

❝ It's fine. ❞ Key managed to sound calm even though he was just as tired and annoyed as Jonghyun who seemed to peek from his room down the hall, his singing long stopped as he watched the scene play out. Looking over his shoulder, Taemin noticed Jonghyun beckoning him to bed and grabbed his bowl of noodles before slowly walking to his and Kibum's room. The dancer stood up and went to shower, he handed Jonghyun his noodles having lost the appetite. 

❝ You could sleep in my room? ❞ Jonghyun suggested, unsure if Key was actually mad or not. Minho, who had been quietly observing from the kitchen, had just finished his noodles so decided to collect the other member's bowls, wash them before heading to his room down the hall. 

Jonghyun went ahead and cleaned up the pile of noodles on the sofa and floor – it left a stain but he found that the more he scrubbed the less noticeable it was. He turned around when he heard the bathroom door open and out came an aggravated Key. 

❝ I mean– I love him and all, he's like a little brother to me but he just needs to calm down a little, what kind of idol acts like this? I get it, he's excited but he needs to learn and... ❞ Kibum muttered and dried his hair, Jonghyun half-smiled as he watched Key walk into his and Taemin's room, demeanour changing like a light switch as he disappeared behind the door and greeted the youngest. 

Jonghyun walked into his and Minho's room. When he looked at Minho's bed he noticed the other was already fast asleep. The singer walked to his bed and lied down before fatigue closed his eyes and his body drifted unconsciously.

Taemin was curled up on his bed with tears in his eyes. He turned to look when Kibum walked in. He had started to apologise again but Key shook his head as if to say 'don't worry' and Taemin seemed to get the idea, a small smile settling on his face. 

Kibum walked over and sat next to Taemin, ❝ Come on we have an early start tomorrow. We are the only ones awake, now, lay down quickly and sleep! ❞ Key whispered, running his fingers through the maknae's still-wet hair.

❝ Okay, hyung, ❞ Taemin grinned and hugged Kibum. The older smiled, the warmth of the youngest made him feel calm again. Taemin fell back onto his pillow and shut his eyes and Key soon smiled at the sight before walking over to his own bed. He literally dived into it, sighing exaggeratedly against the plush comforter. Kibum was about to close his eyes when Taemin suddenly whispered,

❝ Kibum? ❞

❝ Yeah? ❞ Kibum replied groggily, eyes lidded.

❝ Saranghae. ❞ Taemin grinned.

❝ Nado. ❞ Key replied simply and rolled over to sleep. Taemin was about to ask about tomorrow's events but realised Kibum was very tired (and probably still mad) so he, too, rolled over and slept.