Childhood friends

Broken Bonds // Jaeyong

A/N: Hey, it's been a while since I said I'd update soon, my bad, but it's actually really hard to write a chapter on just one pairing, harder than I expected, but here we are. I hope you like it, and yes, I know there's not an extra part, but it be like that sometimes. I hope you enjoy even so.

The months after December had been tense for Doyoung, though one might not have noticed it, might not have expected it.

He kept quiet, and to himself as well, never speaking about whatever was going on inside of him, when he was confronted with the new year's Jaehyun and Taeyong.

Perhaps, in the midst of his mission, he had found himself enjoying his rivalry with Taeyong, perhaps amidst it all, he saw him as a friend.

His brother couldn't know he was affected by Jaehyun and Taeyong because then he'd know he was involved, and then he'd hate him, and Doyoung would crumble down underneath all of the guilt.

Therefore he shoved whatever guilt or sympathy he might have felt for any of them, into the deepest hole in his soul, and went on with his life, pretending he didn't feel anything.

Jeno, on the other hand, let his emotions show, and today he was anxious. Even though Jaemin had told him not to care about Jaehyun and Taeyong, he couldn't help it. Doyoung had gone rogue, avenging Jeno which he didn't even need. How could he not care?

It was nearly the end of school, and Jeno knew Jaehyun had his music club afterward, so if he could catch him before then, maybe he could talk to him about Taeyong, and hopefully fix it. Next week, the seniors' exams started, so if he wanted a chance to help, it was now.

He knew Jaemin would be disappointed in him, but he couldn't help it, so as soon as the bell rang, he packed up his things and hurried out of the classroom. He ignored Jaemin calling after him and hurried down to the music club, heart beating louder the closer he got to the music room.

"Jaehyun-hyung" he called out when he spotted the elder walking towards the music room. His heartbeat sped up as he neared the older who came to a stop.

"Jaehyun-hyung" he called out again, stopping behind the elder, who stood with his back to him. Jeno didn't know how Jaehyun would react. Would he even listen to him? Did he think Jeno was in on it?

"Can we talk?" He asked, slightly out of breath, heart still beating out of his chest. It was tense for a minute before Jaehyun finally answered.

"Why do you want to talk?" he asked, turning around to face Jeno, who was taken aback by the genuine confusion on his face, yet how empty he looked at the same time. His heart began to beat louder in his ears, and his throat closed up.

Jaehyun's eyes were cold but hurt. He was scared and hesitant, something Jeno had never seen his hyung be. Not the Jaehyun he once knew.

"If it's to get an apology, then I'm sorry-"

"I don't need an apology, I know you've changed" Jeno interrupted him with reassurance, and Jaehyun fell quiet, confused at the younger's words.

"What?" He quietly blurted out.

"I know Doyoung hurt you" Jeno redirected instead of enlightening the older. He came for one thing, and one thing only.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know" he continued, eyes soft, but all Jaehyun felt was pity, and he let out a sigh. He didn't want pity, he wanted to be left alone to heal. He looked away from Jeno for a moment.

"It's fine, I know it's not your fault" he replied, and Jeno noticed how his skeptical facade faltered for a moment, how his broken eyes looked at the ground, and the bitter smile tugging at his lips.