Again, time flew by. Of course, there were the small arguments now and then, but everything went well with the boys. They had all promoted their mini albums, and now the 2000 line had become adults.
"Jeno! Help us think of something for Jaemin's birthday!" Jisung said as he stormed into Jeno's room, not even knocking on the door. Jeno groaned as he rubbed his eyes and sat up. Over the past year, Jeno and Jaemin had become close, some could say too close for friends. They'd always help each other out. Jeno would always make sure Jaemin was okay if he felt anxious, and Jaemin would always help Jeno by going with him to visits to the grave, and help him after he got back. Overall, the two would always help each other, and rely on each other for comfort.
"Hmm..." Jeno thought. "alcohol." Jisung scoffed as soon as he heard the word.
"Alcohol? Can we even have that in the dorm?" he questioned.
"Yeah there's always been a little, you've just never noticed it." Jeno explained. Renjun, Jeno and Jaemin were adults, so of course there'd be some.
"But surely we should do something meaningful." Jisung said. The younger boy really wanted Jaemin to have a memorable birthday.
"We could make a cake... no nevermind we'll burn the house down." Jeno said and Jisung giggled. "I guess we could do set something up. Do we have balloons?"
"We could go and buy some." Jisung said. Jeno nodded. "Okay! Get out of bed and get ready!" Jisung shouted before leaving. Jeno rolled out of bed and got ready.
•••
Once Jeno was ready, he put on a mask and put his wallet in his pocket.
"Oh are you going out?" Jeno turned his head to see Jaemin who had just left his room.
"Oh yeah, just for a bit." Jeno said.
"Can I come too?" Jaemin asked. Jeno felt bad. As much as he wanted to decline, something wouldn't let him.
"Err su-"
"Jaemin! Can you help me with this!" Renjun shouted from the TV, saving the secrets of Jisung and Jeno.
"Oh I guess I'm not going." Jaemin awkwardly laughed. "Just bring me something back okay?" he said before turning his attention to Renjun. Jeno nodded and the two boys set off to the store.
•••
The boys entered the conscience store and headed straight to the birthday section, picking up a basket on the way.
"We should get these ones!" Jisung said as he pointed to the gold and white balloons. Jeno nodded as Jisung shoved the set of balloons into the basket. "Ribbons too..." Jisung said to himself as he loaded the basket up with more items. By the end of it, there were not only balloons and ribbons, but bunting, and party poppers, and sparkler candles for a cake.
"A cake..." Jeno said under his breath. Jisung, however, noticed.
"Ah a cake!" he said as he hurried off to the bakery section. Jeno smiled at the young boy's excitement for the birthday. Once he caught up to Jisung, his eyes wandered over the cakes on display. "How about this one?" Jisung pointed to a chocolate one.
"I don't Jaemin can eat too much lactose." Jeno explained.
"Wait really?" Jisung said, his mouth agape at the suffering he thought Jaemin was going through.
"Yeah he doesn't really eat that much dairy." Jeno said before he turned back to the cakes. "I think these all have some sort of dairy..." Jeno sighed. He wanted to make sure Jaemin had a good birthday, or at least be able to eat the cake he bought.
"Then let's ask the person over there!" Jisung said as he walked towards the baker. Jeno walked to the two having a conversation whilst Jisung was talking.
"Ah yes, I think we have one left." The lady said as she looked in the places behind her. Finally, she came back with a nice looking cake. "It uses no butter or milk. The chocolate part uses on cocoa powder and no chocolate bars." she smiled as she explained.
"How much is it?" Jisung said as his eyes lit up.
"40000 won." Jisung stood there, mouth agape, again. Jeno noticed how much the younger boy wanted this cake, and Jeno also wanted it.
"Here." Jeno handed Jisung his card. Jisung's eyes lit back up towards Jeno.
"Thank you, thank you!" Jisung said excitedly as he tapped the card on the card reader. Afterwards, the boys went and paid for their birthday items and then went back to the dorm.
"Why do you want to make Jaemin's birthday so special?" Jeno questioned. Sure, the two were roommates, but he never understood why Jisung would go to such lengths.
"He acts like a real older brother. He cares for me and makes sure I'm okay. Ever since he was injured and not promoting with us, it felt lonely. Sure, he'd be at the practise room sometimes, but he'd never be a part of it really." Jisung said as he sighed. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hope he's as happy as he made me. Starting in this industry at such a young age meant I didn't really have a proper school experience. I never got to go out with friends and enjoy, I don't know, going to the park or something. It was lonely, to be honest. But, Jaemin made sure I was never lonely. He always took time out of his day to be my substitute older brother. So, I just hope he's as happy as he makes me feel."
'As happy as he made me' Jisung's words rang through Jeno's ear as they walked back. Jaemin was someone who helped Jeno through his darkest times. He helped him forget the pain and remember the happiness. But, what did Jeno give to Jaemin? He didn't know. Jeno hadn't helped Jaemin with his anxiety, he thought to himself. Had he actually done anything to help Jaemin? Did his ways of comfort not work on him?
He wondered did he make Jaemin happy like Jaemin made him happy?
•••
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...
