Taemin in real life.

Part 35

'Hundreds?' I laughed nervously. He didn't mean hundreds that would be ridiculous. Absolutely insane. No one got hundreds of death threats. I saw the look on Jonghyuns face and it told me he meant what he said.

'What do you mean hundreds Jong?' I asked blankly.

He sighed before he spoke. 'The managers have never seen anything like it. Ever. The day after the initial pictures came out there were some, not a lot to raise concerns, but then after some of these articles came out, there was more and more every day they estimate maybe 500 in total.'

500? Was he crazy, I hadn't expected 50 never mind 500. I stood and gawped at Jonghyun unable to comprehend and I had no idea what to say. He put his arm around me as he spoke again.

'They are going to talk to you both tomorrow about this. They are concerned about her safety as much as yours now, so try and not worry, she will be ok.'

I nodded blankly my mind still buzzing. We left the studio and made our way back to the dorm. Jen was no were to be found as we walked in, scaring the life out of me. I looked at Jonghyun worriedly and he said, 'Just check the bedroom first before you panic.' I strode over and opened the bedroom door very carefully, there she was, laying on the bed sound asleep. I let out the breath I was holding in, closed the door behind me and went back to the living area with Jonghyun.

'She's asleep' I told him sitting down on the sofa next to him.

'I told you don't panic, she's safe in here.' He told me his eyes showed he was worried.

'What does everyone else think?' I asked him.

'Jinki is worried about you both, he's the one who said I should show you everything. Key is key he's not worried, he thinks it's all empty and you shouldn't be worried, although he is worried about Jen and you. Minho didn't say much, but I can tell he's worried too.' He told me.

'She's always in danger with me' I said out loud, barely aware I was saying it.

'What do you mean?' he asked me confusion spreading on his face. I looked at him shyly.

'She came here because I asked her too, I barely knew her, she barely knew me and didn't know anyone here. It was dangerous from the beginning. She's always alone, she's broken her arm because I had to take her skiing. What else is going to happen to her because of me?' I finished pathetically.

He frowned at me for a long time before he answered.

'You are crazy.' He said finally.

'Am I though?' I asked sarcastically.

'Yes, you are.' He said more firmly. 'Look Taemin, she loves you. Like she really loves you, she trusts you, she's put her trust in you. She's been honest with you and she's been very accepting of the lifestyle we have. She doesn't blame you for anything. She's spoken with me, I can see that she is in control of herself, her decisions, if she didn't want to be here she wouldn't be.'

I looked at him for a long time taking in what he had said. 'When do you talk to her?' I asked him.

'Sometimes when there's just us here and your practicing or recording or something.' He shrugged turning on the TV. 'She needs friends Taemin, you're so dedicated to what you do, more than the rest of us sometimes, of course she gets a bit lonely and talks to me. She's a very open person.'

I wondered if he was talking about Chanyeol for a moment. I had not discussed what happened there in detail with Jonghyun before, but I knew what he was saying was right. He was trying to get me to realise she was strong enough for this and I should stop blaming myself.

We sat in silence for a while, I was half watching the TV half thinking to myself.

'Jong, should I tell her about all these, threats?' I asked.

'I don't know, honestly what's best. I think you should, and I think it should come from you not from me, or the managers, you're the best person to tell her if you think she should know.'

I nodded in response. He was right. I didn't know how she would react. If she would cry, be scared, laugh, or just not understand. I should be the one who told her.

I got up and walked to the bedroom, she was still asleep, she was laying on her side, her broken arm looking quite awkward on top of her.

I laid down next to her and just watched her sleeping. I watched as her body lightly rose and fell in time with her breathing. I watched the look on her face, peaceful eyes, lips slightly open. I was overcome with the feeling of wanting to protect this beautiful little thing in front of me. I just wanted to keep her safe and not let anything harm her. I looked down at her arm, still in a cast, and felt my heart get heavy.

'I'll do a better job keeping you safe, my love.' I whispered as I stroked her hair out of her face.

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