Rain ~ Nomin

6 • understanding

• please make sure you have read the list of TWs :)

Jeno was laying down in his bed, thinking about the day that happened. He didn't have a phone to scroll through to pass the time, so he thought he should buy one soon. A knock on his door broke his train of thoughts.

"Come in." Jeno said as he sat up on his bed. A familiar face walked in. "Jaemin?"

"Hi," he started. He looked somewhat reluctant to speak. "I know I'm probably invading something, but I wanted to know why you were so upset." Jeno's eyes widened at the younger boys request. "O- of course you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Jaemin stuttered, seeming like he regretted ever asking.

Something in Jeno made him want to tell Jaemin. He had already seen Jeno cry twice so what if he got the wrong idea and just saw him as a cry baby. He also thought he should at least tell someone as it'll have to come up at some point. Therefore, he felt Jaemin was the best person to talk to about it. Little did Jeno know, for the last minute he had been silently thinking.

"Um... I think it's best if you just forget I asked." Jaemin said, bringing Jeno back from his thoughts.

"Oh I was just thinking. Come, sit." Jeno said as he patted the end of his bed. Jaemin did as he was told and sat next where Jeno told him to.

"You don't have to feel pressured to tell me anything." Jaemin said, he really wanted to make sure Jeno was comfortable. Jeno chuckled.

"It's fine." Jeno said as he grabbed the white bunny plushie and held it close to him. "Well..."

Jeno told him the whole story. He had never told anyone of his story. What he saw. How he felt. The first person he told everything to was Jaemin. He didn't even tell his father, or the doctors, or the police. He didn't mean to tell Jaemin everything, if he were to be honest. But all the bottled up emotions of the past month or so came pouring out and, at that point, he was unable to stop. Even when he started crying, and Jaemin moved from his spot and held his hand, he felt a sense of relief telling someone. He was almost proud of himself.

By the end of it, Jaemin held Jeno in his arms, comforting the boy. He finally understood why Jeno turned up later than all the other boys. Why Jeno's smile faded when Jaemin mentioned his own mother. Why Jeno cried at a framed photo of his mother and sister. He knew it all. Now that he knew, he felt some sort of duty to care for Jeno and make sure he never felt that pain again.

"I'm sorry." was all that Jaemin managed to say.

"What for? It's not like any of it was your fault." Jeno replied, hugging Jaemin tightly. Jaemin looked down to the boy who seemed so cold, now clinging onto him.

"What should I say then?" Jaemin smiled.

"Don't say anything. Just let me be like this for a while." and Jaemin did just that. He let the older boy stay in his arms until he wanted to leave. It was the least he could do.

•••

A little while later, Jeno fell asleep in Jaemin's arms. He felt a sort of comfort when he was with Jaemin. Now, Jaemin wondered if Jeno could help him.

As much as he didn't want to, Jaemin had to leave Jeno. He carefully unwrapped his arms from his waist, and moved Jeno's head to rest on his pillow. Jeno still clung onto the white bunny. He never wanted to let go of it.

Jaemin left Jeno's room and headed back to his own. He entered the room with lots on his mind.

"Jisung?" Jaemin said as he checked the clock. 11:47pm. Jisung was never awake at this time. "Why are you awake?"

"I..." Jisung fell silent. 'Does he know?' Jaemin thought to himself. "I'm sorry, Jaemin." The young boy said. Jaemin pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"What have you done now?" His voice was calm, but Jisung could tell he was annoyed.

"I- I didn't mean to overhear you and Jeno talking. I just was curious why you would go to Jeno." Jisung said honestly. Jaemin stood there in shock. He walked towards Jaemin and crouched down next to his bed. Their eyes made contact. "Um... Jaemin-"

"Jisung." Jaemin said. Jisung fell silent again. "I don't want to be mad at you. But please, don't tell anyone what you heard. Jeno isn't ready to tell just everyone yet. He should feel comfortable first." Jisung nodded.

"Of course! I wouldn't tell anyone!" Jisung said. Of course, Jaemin knew he wouldn't and he would stick to his word.

"Another thing is that I now have to teach you to not follow people and hear their private conversations." Jaemin emphasised the word private.

"I know. I'm sorry." Jisung said again. The poor boy was genuinely apologetic.

"I understand you're sorry, but someone still needs to learn some manners~" Jaemin said. He was half-joking.

•••