Your Heart is Mine

Acceptance

"Taemin ah, this is for real this time. Don't let yourself, me and the people you love down. We all want the best for you that's why we want you to go. Not because we didn't want you here." Leeteuk ahjushi tries to console him.

"I know but I'm afraid to commit mistakes again, and they will hurt me, or they will sell me to someone else....or..." Taemin was hiccupping while reminiscing his past adoption cases.

Leeteuk can't help but gather the crying kid in his arms. He cannot blame Taemin. He had been adopted three times but it didn't end well.

The first one was abusive. He manages to escape and ask somebody to help him go back to the orphanage.

The next couple who adopted him tried to engage him in child prostitution and luckily he was able to escape again.

The third couple like him very much but when he learned that they were taking him overseas, he cried and cried. He refuses to eat and that made the couple worried. Taemin was so scared knowing he won't be able to see the people he grew up with. So he never stop crying and his health declines. The couple decided to give up on him and left.

"Shhh, trust me, this time you're in good hands. You will have a safe and loving environment and you will have an older brother who can protect and love you. So stop crying now ok?" Leeteuk cupped his cheeks and wipe his tears. Taemin tried to smile.

"I have to finish packing my things. What time are they gonna be here to pick me up?" He tried to act strong. But Leeteuk can see through him.

"Tae, listen. I'm here, we're here, whenever you need help you're always welcome anytime. This time it's different. You're not ten years old anymore remember? You're sweet sixteen and beautiful. Who can resist these pretty chubby cheeks?" Leeteuk pinches his cheeks while smiling.

Taemin said his goodbye to the kids whom he considers his siblings and to the administrator of the orphanage. He will miss the place but he has to face his new life. He waited at the lounge with Leeteuk as they talk about how he was as a kid.

A week after their talk, Minho's parents didn't mention anything about the adoption. He was happy about it thinking his parents consider his say about the matter. That's why he was surprised when he goes home after school and his room was anything but his. There was another bed on one side, a small dresser and four doors closet. The bed color was a mix of baby pink and baby blue. There was a big teddy bear on the bed with a bouquet of flowers, and a welcome note on the wall.

Minho throws his bag on the floor and went down to see his parents.

"Dad, mom! Are you kidding me? It's my room for goodness sake! You can't just move my things around and decorate it like its a girls room! I don't care about who that brat is, but I'm not considering rooming with that gay boy!"

Slap! Minho never imagined that he will get hit by his parents. Not because of some stranger.

"Don't you dare say anything like that. We never brought you up that way." Minho's mom was so red from anger. "Your room is twice as big us our room. That side of your room was just clutter. All we did was clean it up and put Taemin's stuff. I didn't move any of your things. He's just taking up that area. We see nothing wrong for you boys to be in one room. Respect his privacy and I'm sure Taemin will respect yours."

"I'm sorry mom but right now, I got hit because of him. Don't expect us to get along. That's all I can ask." Minho then left to get some things from his room and left. His mom tried to stop him but his dad caught her arm. He looks at him and shakes his head.

"Don't worry, he will come back." The confrontation with their son didn't lessen their excitement to see the new member of the family. They decided to leave. Maybe when Minho sees Taemin he will change his mind. That's what they're hoping for.

Key was having a headache for the past week. He doesn't know what to do. He's friends with Minho but Minho not liking Taemin whom he hasn't seen yet makes him so worried. He loves Taemin like his son. He thinks he's capable of doing things for Taemin's sake.

He meets Taemin six years ago when the latter tried to escape from his abusive adoptive parents. Key was with his mom and dad at that time. They were parked in front of a convenient store. He was left with his mom when his dad went down to buy something. He saw him walking without slippers biting his cold hands. He was shivering and crying not knowing where to go. His face was puffy and red.His lips were so dry and bloody. As soon as he saw the crying kid, he felt that protective instinct at his young age. He opens the car door and went out with his extra shoes and sweater. It's still clear in his memory like it was just yesterday. He remembers crying as soon as taemin hug him and cried.

His mom was surprised and run after him not knowing what he was supposed to do. But as soon as he saw him wrap the crying kid with his sweater and lean down to put the shoes on him, she smiled. They end up taking Taemin with them and tried to ask questions so they can help him. Taemin was a smart kid, he knows the address of the orphanage and Leeteuk so it wasn't hard for them to take him back.

From the time Key embrace Taemin in his arms, then take him to his home, help him to shower, and tuck him to bed that night, till they brought him back to the orphanage, he was glued to Key not letting go of his arm.

Kibum or much known as Key promised then to take care of him and he did. Before, he pesters his parents when it comes to Taemin. Now he's pretty much capable of doing and deciding things on his own and much more takes care of his son.

Not even his best friend can touch him now.

"Watch your back Choi. Be nice or be sorry." But then again he bangs his head on the desk of his chair.

"Kibum."

"What?!"

"I'll stay at your house for few days."

"You cant! Aish!" Key grab a handful of his hair in frustration.