Chapter Text
People tended to be surprised when SHINee introduced their maknae. Taemin didn’t look like he would be the youngest of the five. And out of the five, Jonghyun was the most sensitive and emotional. Not that all maknaes were emotional, but the group members tended to comfort Jonghyun more than the others because he often needed it more. In the privacy of their home though, Taemin’s maknae-ness really rose to the occasion. Taemin often struggled with his identity and how he wanted his image to be. He wanted to break away from the cute stereotype, but the dangerous, sexy image was a bit too much. It was fun at first, but he struggled with it once he was asked to show more skin. He knew his body was nice, but compared to Jonghyun-hyung or Minho-hyung, his bod paled in comparison.
That insecurity buried itself deep into Taemin’s subconscious, and his hyungs began to notice. Taemin had always been a workaholic. He would spent late nights at the dance studio, practicing the routines until he could remember them backwards and forwards. He pushed himself to the limit. He would continue to attend classes to help his vocals so that he might have more parts in their songs, or at least mesh better with his members who all seemed to harmonize flawlessly. With his recent insecurities though, Taemin only ever saw his members when they were practicing together or broadcasting. His focus on his work though often let him be oblivious to the looks of concern and worry his members would look at him with.
The frustrating fact was that his body was growing weary, his mind fracturing at the seams because of the stress he was imposing on himself. He was far too deep and he didn’t know how to ask for help.
His members though could see their youngest reaching his breaking point. So Jinki demanded a day off from his manager, saying that if they continued to run ragged like this then one of them would collapse. Their manager conceded, admitting that the company had over scheduled them and he would move around their schedule to give them all a day off. Operation Taemin was a go.
The eldest members had unsurprisingly beat Taemin home and set their plan into action. They cleaned up the house, and the rooms. They tossed the blankets into the wash and put out new ones. The dimmed the lights and turned on the strung fairy lights that Taemin loved so much. They lit Taemin’s favorite candles, and Key worked on cooking a homemade meal that would help comfort and energize his maknae.
By the time they had finished setting up the house in a relaxing and calming energy, Taemin entered. The four were resting on the large couch, and all turned to look up at him when they heard the door open. “What’s this?” Taemin asked. Jonghyun smiled softly at the youngest, “It’s for you. To help you.”
“What do I need help with?” A guilty expression already clouding their youngest’s features.
Jinki smiled, gesturing for him to come over, “Come here Taeminnie, you’re not in trouble, and we’re not upset with you.”
Taemin did as he was asked, walking toward his hyungs, unsure of what was about to happen. Jinki pulled the maknae into his lap, and pressed a kiss to his bare arm. “Just listen to your hyungs for a minute, okay?”
Taemin nodded in agreement, and watched impatiently.
Minho, never one to beat around the bush, started the conversation, “We’re really worried about you Taeminnie. We hardly ever see you unless we’re working, when before we would see you all of the time and hang out. We miss you, but more than that we’re concerned you’re putting too much stress on this comeback.”
Jonghyun continued, “After your solo debut, you seemed to have started working harder, which is fine, but it’s also taking your body, and I imagine your mind as well. We just want to know if something happened to make you feel the need to work so hard?”
“Even if that means we said something that hurt you, you can tell us,” Key reassured, “we never want our words to hurt you or make you doubt yourself, and sometimes we take our teasing too far. Even though you're our maknae, you can always stand up for yourself if we have blatantly wronged you, Taeminnie.”
Taemin could feel his eyes water, and his shoulders droop as the weight of his problem come to the forefront of his mind. Jinki was quick to wipe away stray tears and to quiet him by drawing figure 8’s into his back.
“Baby talk to us,” Jonghyun murmured, moving closer to take the delicate hand into his own.
The youngest looked at his hyung’s worried eyes, and saw not an ounce of judgment hidden behind their expressions. He took a deep breath, trying to settle his nerves. He squeezed Jonghyun’s hand before looking up and tried his best to explain.
“When we debuted as SHINee, I was the youngest and the cutest. At the time that was fine, that was easy. When I debuted as a solo, I wanted to change up my once know image by becoming something a bit darker, more dangerous. With that came unexpected demands. Showing off more of my body, and I know I look decent, but I couldn’t help but compare myself to Minho hyung, and you,” he said, looking up at Jonghyun. He felt as though his feelings were dumb and he was blowing them way out of proportion.
“Teaminnie, you should never compare yourself to Minho and I,” Jonghyun said gently, “you are your own beautiful person and the fans adore you for being you. Baby if you could see yourself through our eyes, and the fans eyes, you would know that you are absolutely perfect. More than that, you are healthy and happy, and you’re not right now,” he murmured gently.
“Sweetcheeks, we’re not downplaying the severity of the situation. Obviously you’re struggling with your image, but let us help. Don’t keep it to yourself. You should never feel as though we will invalidate your feelings. We can work on your image for our group's comeback if that’ll help, just let us know what you need,” Key said softly, reassuringly.
“Us telling you how wonderful we think you are isn’t going to help unless you start loving yourself first. Whether that’s getting help, or with us helping you, you just need to let us know,” Jinki said gently.
“I’m sorry for making you feel as though you needed to compare yourself to me and my body, but Taeminnie, you are so strong and graceful. More than anyone of us. Muscles only mean so much unless you can use them, and you can, more than I can. Just keep that in mind,” Minho spoke carefully, but never wavered eye contact.
Taemin blushed, looking down at his hand clutched in Joghyun hyungs. His chest felt lighter, and his mind clearer at finally being able to be honest with his eldest members.
“Key made you some dinner if you’re hungry,” Jinki said, breaking the silence.
Taemin’s took the opportunity to growl, and they all chuckled, breaking the tension in the air. Key stood up to dish up the ramen. He brought back a bowl and chopsticks, handing them to Taemin, “Eat well,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
Taemin thanked him. They all allowed him to eat, talking amongst themselves and updating everyone on their lives. When Taemin finished, Jonghyun took the bowl into the kitchen. Jinki nudged Taemin, “We prepared a nest of sorts if you want to sleep in here with us,” he offered. Taemin nodded, “I’d like that hyung.”
The five all laid down, Taemin in the middle, sandwiched between Jonghyun and Key. Minho curled into Key, and Jinki into Jonghyun. They draped the blankets over their bodies and settled into a night of uninterrupted rest, soft kisses being exchanged and gentle touches being shared. Taemin felt loved and comfortable in between his hyungs. He knew all would be okay. His hyungs loved him far too much for it not to be okay.