trouble ¦ lee jeno (UNDER REWRITING)

ch ; 18

.・。.・゜⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ 18 ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅・゜・。.

Two hours crawled by, punctuated by the occasional groan from Jeno and the soft murmur of the television Jaemin had flicked on for background noise. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Jeno stole glances at the door, his worry a constant itch he couldn't scratch. Finally, the silence was broken by the creak of the dorm room door swinging open.

Jeno's head snapped up, his gaze colliding with Seojin's who was leaning on a crutch, her face pale but determined. Renjun trailed behind her, offering a small wave.

"Is her wound stitched up?" Jaemin blurted out before Jeno could even process Seojin's presence.

Renjun chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Why else would we have been gone for so long, doofus?"

Jaemin swatted him playfully, a blush creeping up his neck. "Just checking, know it all!"

Ignoring their bickering, Seojin reached the couch and gingerly lowered herself down, offering a shy smile. "Uhm, I'm sorry for the trouble, guys. I really appreciate your help."

"Ey, you don't have to be sorry!" Jaemin reassured her, his voice overly enthusiastic. "You were... uh, anyways! We are so happy to help!"

Renjun nodded along in agreement, but his gaze flickered towards Jeno, who remained curiously silent, staring out the window.

Jaemin, sensing the tension, cleared his throat and nudged Jeno with his elbow. "Ahem, right Jeno?"

Jeno finally tore his gaze away from the window, his brow furrowed in confusion. Jaemin sighed, his earlier bravado fading. He turned back to Seojin.

"You must be tired," he said gently. "Renjun can hand you some clothes since he's the smallest one here."

A loud Hey! erupted from Renjun as he disappeared into his room, a muffled grumble about unfair accusations trailing behind him.

A moment later, he reappeared, a set of his pajamas bundled in his arms. Seojin offered him a grateful smile as she accepted the clothes.

Jaemin glanced at Jeno, then back at Seojin. An idea sparked in his eyes. He clasped his hands together and bounced on the balls of his feet, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Well!" he announced, his voice overly cheerful. "Considering the two of you are injured, you guys take my bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."

Jeno scoffed. "I'm perfectly fine on the sofa, Jaemin."

Jaemin scoffed right back. "Nope. Not happening. Your back is still hurting and you'd only be in more pain."

"There are two rooms," Jeno countered, a flicker of annoyance in his voice.

Jaemin held up a hand, silencing him. "Renjun hates sharing his bed." He shot Renjun a pointed look, who simply blinked back at him in confusion. "Do I?" Renjun asked, his voice laced with innocence.

Jaemin ignored him, nodding rapidly. "Yes. Now, let's all get some rest."

-

Seojin fumbled with the doorknob of Jaemin's room, her borrowed pajamas clinging a little too loosely in the awkwardness of the situation. Now, after admitting her own attraction to Jeno merely hours ago, the heat in her cheeks was a furnace.

She pushed the door open a fraction, relief washing over her when she saw Jeno's back turned, fluffing pillows on the far side of the bed.

The creak of the door alerted him, and Jeno stepped aside, allowing her full entry. Seojin offered a small nod and shuffled towards the bed, watching as Jeno picked up a pillow and placed it firmly on the floor.