'Achoo!' Jaemin sneezed as he lay in his bed. After the incident two days earlier, Jaemin had caught a cold, but that wasn't the worst thing. The worst thing was that his condition had gotten worse, and he could no longer perform on stage. For how long he didn't know. He lay on his bed with the long curved pillow supporting him.
"Jaemin, you should take your meds." Jisung suggested as he sat in the other bed, playing on his phone that he recently bought
"Yeah, I will eventually." The older boy said as he closed his eyes. Jisung sighed. He didn't know why Jaemin didn't like taking them. Maybe he was scared.
•••
Once the morning came, the three boys in the dorm had to get ready. They didn't like that Jaemin wasn't performing with them today. He always brought smiles to everyone's faces, and today, they felt like they needed him the most.
"Jeno?" Renjun said as he waved his hand in front of his eyes. Jeno focused his eyes on Renjun. "Why are you spacing out? Come on, let's go."
"Oh yeah..." Jeno said as he got up. "I'll be right back." he said as he left the living room.
"What's up with him?" Renjun asked.
"I think he blames himself for what happened to Jaemin." Jisung said. The two boys stood there in silence.
•••
Jeno knocked on the door and entered. There lay Jaemin, half asleep. He noticed the noise of the door opening and looked towards it.
"Jeno? You have to leave soon." Jaemin said as he tried sitting up. Jeno saw the strain put on his body and helped him up. Jeno crouched down next to him and let Jaemin play with his hair.
"I just wanted to say goodbye." Jeno said.
"Goodbye? You'll only be gone temporarily." Jaemin chuckled as he continued playing with his hair.
"I know but..." Jeno went silent, trying to find the words to say. "I feel bad. I should have not let you run to Donghyuck. I should have known better." Jeno buried his face into Jaemin's blanket. Jaemin smiled at him, thankful he cared. He moved his hands to Jeno's cheeks and lifted his head up. The two locked eyes.
"You don't have to blame yourself. I wanted to go. If anything, I'm thankful you let me go." he reassured the older boy. Jeno's face turned red and Jaemin smiled. Both of them had a weird feeling. The feeling of butterflies.
"Jeno! We're leaving!" Renjun said from outside the door, unintentionally ruining the moment. Jeno moved Jaemin's hands but held them longer than he needed to. The two never left each other's eyes.
"Good luck." Jaemin said. Jeno nodded and Jeno let go of his hands, and they lost eye contact.
•••
The six boys stood backstage. There was still an awkward atmosphere around them. Jeno played with the keyring in his pocket. The keyring was one with a small photo of his mother and sister. He missed them dearly. It had been a year since the first incident, and he should visit the grave soon.
"NCT Dream. Please take your places on stage." The director said. Jeno looked around to see the faces of his fellow members. They all seemed down. He wished Jaemin was here, and he knew all the others did too.
The boys got into the stage and took there places. Well, all but two.
"If you want to there just go there. You always have to be front and centre anyway."
"Dude there was no need for the extra comment"
"Just take your place already." They kept arguing. Jeno had had enough, and he had to had to do something. He walked forward, separating the boys.
"Can you two not argue right now?" He whispered calmly. "There are cameras everywhere and people are going to say things." he tried to keep calm, but their constant bickering made Jeno almost lose his temper. The two finally got along, or at least for the stage, in what seemed like forever.
After the dance, the boys all heard the familiar cheers of fans and they headed off stage. Immediately, Mark and Haechan separated from each other.
"Oh for fucks sake." Jeno sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Ooo did Jeno just swear~" Jisung and Chenle teased him before returning back to their game.
"Sorry, but right now swearing is suitable." Jeno felt someone squeeze his shoulders lightly. He looked behind him to see Renjun.
"Calm down a little. I'm sure the 127 members are thinking of something. I bet they're more annoying to them." Renjun smiled as he let go of Jeno's shoulders.
"They'd better think of something quick." Jeno muttered. He wished Jaemin was here.
•••
YOU ARE READING
Rain ~ Nomin
Fanfiction"It'll be okay, Jeno. I promise" "I hope so, Jaemin. I hope so" ••• TW ~ Angst | Death (inc. emotions and reasons) | Trauma/PTSD If you find this uncomfortable you do not have to read! ••• this is fiction and is loosely based on real events [21/08...
