Taemin and Kai had always moved in perfect rhythm. From the moment they met as kids in the SM Entertainment training rooms, it had been them against the world—pushing, supporting, growing together.

They trained late into the night, their bodies sore and exhausted but their spirits unbreakable. If Taemin struggled with a dance routine, Kai would be the one to break it down for him, step by step. If Kai felt overwhelmed by the pressure of debuting, Taemin would drag him to the rooftop, where they’d sit under the stars and remind each other why they started this journey in the first place.

“Promise me,” Kai had said one night, their legs dangling off the edge of the rooftop. “No matter what, we won’t leave each other behind.”

Taemin had smiled, bumping their shoulders together. “Promise.”

But promises were fragile things.

Years passed. Taemin debuted first, shining on stage with SHINee. Kai followed soon after, exploding into the industry with EXO. They were both stars now, busy schedules keeping them apart, but somehow, they always found their way back to each other.

It was late one night, after an exhausting practice, when Kai finally broke the news.

“I got an offer,” he said, leaning against the mirror, catching his breath.

Taemin wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Another solo project?”

Kai hesitated, then shook his head. “No. It’s… a chance to train overseas. For a year.”

Taemin’s heart dropped. “You’re leaving?”

Kai’s eyes softened. “It’s just a year.”

But a year felt like a lifetime.

Taemin forced a smile, nodding. “That’s… great. You should do it.”

Kai studied him, as if searching for something. “You think so?”

Taemin’s chest ached. “Yeah. You’ve worked for this. You deserve it.”

But as Kai looked at him, something unsaid hung between them. A feeling Taemin had buried for years, ignored in favor of their careers, their friendship.

For the first time, Taemin wondered—was this his last chance to tell Kai what he had always felt?

Before he could find the words, Kai spoke.

“You’ll wait for me, right?”

Taemin swallowed the lump in his throat. “Of course.”

But the truth was, he didn’t know if waiting would be enough.

The airport was a blur of emotions, the sounds of boarding calls mixing with the pounding in Taemin’s chest.

Kai was leaving.

He stood by the departure gate, dressed in a simple hoodie and cap, but Taemin thought he had never looked further away.

For the past week, Taemin had convinced himself not to say anything. That it was better this way. That Kai didn’t need the extra weight of his feelings when he was chasing his dream.

But now, watching Kai adjust the strap of his duffel bag, ready to turn away—he couldn’t.

“Kai!” Taemin called out.

Kai turned, eyes widening just as Taemin reached him.

“I—” Taemin stopped, breathless, unsure of how to say it. “I can’t—”

Kai dropped his bag, stepping closer. “What is it?”

Taemin clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak before it was too late. “I don’t want you to go,” he admitted, voice shaking. “I know I should be happy for you, but I—” He hesitated, then met Kai’s gaze, his next words barely above a whisper. “I love you.”

The words hung between them, heavy and raw.

Kai blinked, lips parting in shock. “You—”

“I’ve loved you for years,” Taemin rushed on, now that the floodgates had opened. “And I was too much of a coward to say it. But I can’t just stand here and let you leave without knowing.”

Silence.

Taemin’s pulse pounded as he watched Kai’s expression shift—shock, understanding, something else—before, suddenly, Kai laughed.

Taemin frowned. “Are you serious—”

Before he could finish, Kai grabbed his wrist and pulled him in, crashing their lips together in a kiss that stole the air from Taemin’s lungs.

Taemin’s eyes widened, but then he melted into it, into him, into everything they had both left unsaid for so long.

When they finally pulled apart, Kai rested his forehead against Taemin’s, smiling breathlessly.

“You idiot,” Kai murmured. “You really thought I’d leave without telling you I love you too?”

Taemin’s breath hitched. “You do?”

Kai chuckled, brushing his thumb against Taemin’s cheek. “Since forever.”

Taemin exhaled a shaky laugh, wrapping his arms around Kai’s waist. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

Kai grinned. “I was waiting for you.”

A boarding call rang through the air, but neither of them moved.

“What happens now?” Taemin asked.

Kai held him tighter. “I still have to go. But a year isn’t forever.”

Taemin nodded, this time with more certainty. “No, it’s not.”

Kai smiled. “And when I come back, we won’t have to wait anymore.”

Taemin kissed him one last time before pulling away. “Then I’ll be right here.”

As Kai picked up his bag and walked toward the gate, he turned back one last time, eyes locking onto Taemin’s.

And for the first time, Taemin wasn’t afraid of waiting.

Because now, they both knew—some things were worth waiting for.