Rain ~ Nomin

3 • friends

• please make sure you have read the list of TWs

Practise was tiring. The managers sure worked Jeno and the others hard. The staff were pushing for the dance to be perfected soon, as they have to announce that they will debut since people are waiting.

Another issue is that Jeno was still slightly uncomfortable. Sure, it had only been a few hours, 'he'll get used to it soon' is what the managers thought. A better word would be hoped. However, they were worried since they have to share a dorm together and the managers didn't want Jeno to be awkward and uncomfortable around the others.

The managers decided to call a break since it was evident the boys were getting tired.

"Gah! Water!" Haechan busted out saying before running off to a water fountain.

"How is he still able to run..." Mark said as he sat down next to Jisung, who was helping Chenle and Renjun with Korean. Mark was also learning some new words since his Korean also wasn't the best.

However, Jeno noticed that one person wasn't resting. Jaemin. He was still practicing, struggling on one sequence of moves. Jeno noticed how the boy seemed frustrated. Frustrated at himself. He didn't like to see the younger boy beat himself up over a couple of moves. He felt guilty for some reason, wanting to help.

"Put your weight on you left leg." Jaemin turned to where the voice came from and saw the new boy walking over to him. Jeno stood next to Jaemin, teaching him the steps. "It goes one, two turn. Since the weight is on your left it's easier." Jeno explained.

"Oh thank you... Jeno." Jaemin said. He was still slightly shy but he managed to give Jeno a smile. It warmed his heart. A smile like that wasn't something Jeno had never seen before, it had just been a while since he saw it. Involuntarily, he smiled back. A small one, but a smile nonetheless.

"Do you need anymore help?" Something made Jeno want to stay longer. He couldn't explain it.

"Oh... if you don't mind." Jaemin said quietly. He thought he could use the extra practise.

"Hmm maybe he can be social." Haechan said as he entered back in the room. Thankfully, the two boys whom he was talking about didn't hear him. Though, the pair practising created a nice atmosphere in the room. A homely one.

"I think they'll get along well." The managers laughed to themselves, enjoying watching the boys learn and enjoy their time.

•••

A few hours pass, and the day was over. All of the boys were hungry and sleepy, even Haechan who was usually very energetic.

"Jeno," someone said as the heavy door to the training room opened. It was the receptionist from before. "Your father left your luggage on the first floor. When you are ready to leave, please come and collect it." Jeno nodded slowly as the woman left.

Jeno didn't like the idea of his father packing his things. What if he forgot something important? What if he left possessions Jeno wanted to bring. What if-

"Jeno..?" A voice broke his train of thought. "Come on we should go. Go grab your things." The voice belonged to Renjun. He language skills had improved since earlier. Jeno noticed the smaller boy look towards Jisung and Haechan to see them give a thumbs up. It seemed he had learnt the phrase off of them and wanted to test it.

"Oh... yeah." Jeno said, before rushing off to grab his coat. He quickly put it on and zipped it up tight. His eyes scanned the room before finding the boy he helped earlier. Their eyes met and they both smiled. It seemed they both wanted to talk to each other, but both of them were slightly awkward.

After the managers moved Jeno's belongings into the car, the young boys left the building. The night air of Korea was cold. It wasn't as cold as winter nights as it was a summer, but Jeno still found himself to be shivering slightly.

He managed to climb into the large car first. He sat at the back and was next to Jaemin. Jaemin was the closest 'friend' Jeno has made so he was happy that he could sit next to him. The car started to move out of the parking lot and most of the boys fell asleep. Rain began to fall, creating a nice atmosphere on the car.

After a while, the car came to a stop. The red of the stoplights flooding the dark of the car. The noise of traffic moving could be heard close by. It felt similar. Too similar. The rain began to pour much heavier as Jeno sat up from looking out of the window. He found it hard to breathe. He began to sweat. He began to form tears in his eyes. However, he didn't want to cause a scene as everyone would see. He didn't want that kind of attention. Jeno played with his fingers nervously, waiting for the phase to stop.

"... Jeno?" Jaemin whispered next to him. He turned quickly to see Jaemin concerned. "Are you okay?" For some reason Jaemin felt he had to help Jeno. He felt guilty not to. He didn't know why.

"I'm... fine." Jeno lied, but Jaemin wasn't that stupid. He saw right through it.

"Here," Jaemin said as he patted his shoulder, signalling to Jeno to rest his head. Jeno hesitated. He wasn't that close with Jaemin yet. It felt awkward. "Don't be so shy."

"Says you." Jeno whispered as he rested his head on Jaemin's shoulder. Jaemin moved his hand to rest on Jeno's head, playing with his hair slightly. It calmed Jeno down.

"I'm not shy," Jaemin retorted. "I'm just careful about who I talk to."

"So, shy." Jeno giggled. His fingers still playing with each other.

Jaemin sighed "if you say so." He noticed Jeno had stopped talking. He looked down to see him asleep. His head resting on Jaemin's shoulder. He smiled at the sight. It was good he was breaking out of his shell.

The rain weakened.

•••