Strangers ~ A Taemin Fic

Chapter 22

     The next morning, I awoke to the brightening light beaming down on me from the window. I noticed my body bare except for the one sheet, but I didn't feel the mattress below me. Instead, I notice myself slowly rising and falling to the rhythm of a person's breathing.

     I wiggle my fingers to realize they were gently locked in another's hand. My lungs take in the wonderful smell that was Taemin. I lift my head and turn it away from the shining sun, smiling peacefully as I do so.

     My chest slightly ached from laying on his own chest for too long, but all I wanted to do was not move. Suddenly, his other hand is felt gently running it's fingers through my hair covering my back.

     "Are you awake?" I ask in a rasped tone from my many hours of sleep that I don't think I've had for years.

     "Surprised you're still here. Practice started an hour ago," he says, my eyes widening for a bit before closing again shamefully.

     "I've never skipped a day," I shakily exhale. He could tell I was a bit nervous on the topic of being late, for his grasp on my hand tightened in reassurance.

     "Then they'll be more lenient, especially if I put in my word..."

     "No," I interrupt, raising my head enough that my chest was still protected by him. "I'll just take the fall. We can't let them suspect anything," I go on, laying my head back down as he continues to slowly run a finger down my spine repeatedly.

"I should at least bring you home though," he says, his lips reaching the top of my head where a kiss was planted.

I breathe a heavy sigh. "Not so fast. Give me a second," I reply, resting my hand on his toned arm where I latch onto him a bit harder. I hear him chuckle, resulting in a little stagger from his chest to me. "Alright, fine," I huff, grasping the sheets and pulling them close to me as I lift myself up and roll over beside him.

"Damn, now I'm cold, sweetheart," he continues to lightly chuckle to himself while I search for my clothes amongst all the others scattered across the floor.

"Don't you sweetheart me," I scoff, clipping my bra on and beginning to pull my pants back on. I see him sit up and reach for his phone where he begins to check up on everything he's missed over the past few hours.

"Did we drink last night?" He questions, furrowing down at his phone while I slip my sweater over my head.

"I-don't remember," I trail off, glancing at my reflection in a nearby mirror. 'Why do I actually look presentable?' "I'm taking your shirt," I say, picking up the button up from last night and holding it to my chest, it's scent entrancing me.
"Keep it," he chuckles, climbing out of bed where he replaces last nights pants with pajama pants. I see him not go for a shirt though as he approaches me while smiling down at his phone screen. "Look how cute you are," he blushes as I gaze at the pictures of us two taking selfies in the mirror, clearly drunk.

"Don't call me cute," I playfully scoff, shaking my head at the picture before going back to fixing my hair.

"Oh, but you're so so cute," he whines in a higher tone, wrapping his bare arms around my waist before lifting me up and away from the mirror.

"Ah! Taemin!" I squeal, my body being turned in his arms so I lay over his shoulder like a victim. "You're such a child," I laugh, my hair hanging upside down as well as the upper half of my body.

He carries me downstairs, laughing here and there as he pretends to drop me. I'd squeak then hit his back for revenge. "I'll be driving you," he announces, placing me back down on the hardwood floor.

"Looking like that?" I laugh as I slip my shoes on. He grabs a nearby jacket and throws it on, not caring if it matched the slightest to his blue, plaid, pajama pants.

"I'm sexy and you know it," he replies in a semi-serious tone while popping his collar out. As he begins to open the door for me, I stop him and unexpectedly throw my arms around his neck.

"I need to hold you once more before going out in public," I breathe into the crook of his neck, his arms holdings me up a bit so I could reach his height while also holding me.

"I'll see you tomorrow for the MV party and then Saturday, you and I will have a whole hotel room to ourselves in the heart of Japan," he explains distinctly in my ear to ease my sadness away. "You can show me your favorite foods, places, everything...as long as it's with you."

Drawing my head back, I gaze into those brown eyes of him to find the truth and only the truth. I pull his lips onto mine, my hands holding his neck while his continued to support my bum. Our lips locked perfectly like every other time we've done it.

"I could kiss you forever," I gasp from a loss of breath. It's taken away once again, however, by him kissing me once again.

"You keep that promise, Yuki..." he whispers before once again sucking gently on my slightly sore lips. He taps my waist three times, indicating 'how heartbroken he was to see me leave.'

~

I walk into the practice room to find everyone on their break, as they usually would be at this time. I see Jun glare at me, clearly speculating me for something he could never prove to be true.

"Ah, Yuki!" Manager Lee bellows out loud, my heart skipping a beat as I whip around to find a large grin on his face. "After 5 years, it's your first time being late to practice. Congratulations!"

I hesitate for a second, Talia shooting me a smirk from her corner. Meanwhile, Yoora avoids my gaze and continues to sit in Jun's arms. 'God, what a mistake.' "Sir...you're not mad?"

"But of course not!" He replies, his eyes all of the sudden widening in shock. "It's about time you've joined the train. I know they've all missed at least 7 practice days if not more," he laughs, pointing to the others who just smile politely.

"Haha...right," I stammer in nervous tone. He places his hand on my back and leads me to the others and even takes my bag for me. 'Jesus Christ...what did I do?'

"Now, what made our wonderful main dancer want to finally skip a day of practice?" He asks, a lump suddenly forming in my throat as all eyes are set on me, even Wooseok's.

"Yeah, Yuki," a voice chimes in. I slowly turn my head to find Jun sitting up, Yoora still wrapped around his arm, and smirking my way. "Why today? Anything special?"