Watching Over You • Nomin

fourteen

“Sure, go on,” Jaemin said. He wouldn't deny a rapid rush of random thoughts filling his head. He couldn't help but notice Jeno getting tense too.

Jeno let out a sigh, “Thanks for staying by last week. It honestly helped me get distracted,” he said and smiled.

“Is that it?”

Jeno hummed.

“You certainly got me worried for a second.”

It almost seemed like an instant. The day of Christmas was past them and they were already back home. Needless to say, Jeno felt genuinely happy.

“We could've stayed for long you know?” Jaemin said when they reached home. “I mean for the new year too...remember last time it-”

“I don't want to cause any more trouble for them,” Jeno replied, cutting him off. He dropped their bags on the couch and was looking around the house, under the couch and tables as though he was searching for something.

“I'm pretty sure you aren't any burden-”

“It's not about me...it's about them, the last time I was for that long there was a huge pile of flowers, letters, and gifts or whatever, and I couldn't help but save for evidence purposes or whatever,” Jeno said, interrupting Jaemin again.

Jaemin didn't say anything for a second or two. “So you would leave me if that happens again?”

“Yeah maybe…” Jeno said, still looking around the house. Now behind the curtains of the windows.

Jaemin rolled his eyes and was now watching Jeno doing his thing, “What are you doing?” Jaemin questioned looking at Jeno who was now rushing into the kitchen.

“Nothing… I was making sure I locked everything.”

“Uh... I was the one who locked the doors and I locked them all? But why do you suddenly-”

“The bedroom window?” Jeno asked and looked around thinking. “Bathroom?”

But without waiting for Jaemin to respond, he rushed to the bedroom.

“I am so confused… what possessed you so suddenly?” Jaemin questioned this time with a hint of concern in his voice.

“Nothing… my god, how many times do I have to say it's nothing? I'm just making sure we did lock everything and just so there isn't any intruder.”

Jaemin's eyes softened. “Jeno-ya… I'm sure we live in a well-protected area. Calm down… everything is okay,” he said and placed his hand on Jeno's shoulder.

--------

Jeno didn't like living his life anymore. Nothing seemed to give him the motivation to work, interest in work. Even going to the store felt like a burden to him.

When Jaemin came around, he would stick around him whenever he could, but whenever the thought occurred, Jiya would hurry and drag him away. Sometimes he wondered why Jaemin wasn't the protective type. Someone who got jealous and complained about everyone he interacted with. But then he would realize that there would've been no difference between Jaemin and Jiya if he behaved overprotective and insecure.

“You know what?” Jiya began. “I'm mad at you…”

Jeno was tired. He pulled his last bit of sanity and energy together and asked, “What happened now?”

“You. You happened.” she sighed. “You know it's so hard to walk around someone so beautiful as you? It puts a lot of weight in my heart…”