!!! REFERENCED ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE/R@PE !!!
heed my warning, this is the chapter where Donghyuck's issues are somewhat explained. i didn't go into that much detail because everything will be further explained in later chapters. <3
***
"—wants you to leave, what do you do?" Jeno asks Mark with a pointed look.
Mark rolls his eyes at the question. They stand at the end of Jaemin's driveway, Jeno blocking Mark from advancing with his arms across his chest. "We've been over this already—"
"Then you should be able to tell me what you do if either of them asks you to leave." Jeno cuts him off coolly.
"I leave." Mark exhales. "If Jaemin or Donghyuck asks me to leave, I leave. No arguing. No pouting. No asking why. I just leave."
Jeno nods, beckoning Mark to follow him up the driveway with a jerk of his head. "I get that you care about him, we all know that, but don't come off being pushy just because you're excited to see him. If you do, I'll have to punch you."
Mark slows his steps, glancing sideways at Jeno. "You don't need to punch me."
"Don't give me a reason to."
Mark narrows his eyes at him, scanning his features underneath the glow of the street lamps. He looked the same as he always had; indifferent to anyone and anything around him. But Mark heard it, the twinge of concern in his voice when he spoke about Donghyuck. It was the first time Jeno made it clear that he did care for him, despite all of his teasing.
He starts to call him out on it, but the front door opens and Jaemin walks into the night with a black trash bag slung over his shoulder. His hair is in disarray, and even from a distance, Mark can see the dark circles beneath his eyes.
Jeno's demeanor changes in an instant when he sees Jaemin. He speeds up his steps, stopping in front of a now startled Jaemin with a small smile.
"You scare easily." Jeno teases, taking the trash bag from Jaemin without him asking for him to do so.
"Don't fucking walk up on someone in the dark!" Jaemin exclaims, exhaling into the night air seconds later. He watches Jeno throw the trash away for him, petting his head as a thankful gesture when he returns to his side.
Jeno preens, accepting his fate while allowing the smile on his face to grow. "We just came to check up on you two."
Jaemin wrinkles his nose, retracting his hand to stare at Mark. His expression is unreadable, but Mark doesn't waver.
"I told him I'd leave if either of you didn't want me to be here." He explains, picking at the skin of his nail absentmindedly. He was hoping Jaemin wouldn't send him away. But as worried as he was about Donghyuck, he couldn't intrude on Jaemin's home—and what was obviously Donghyuck's safe place—if they didn't want him to stay.
Jaemin only nods, smiling his familiar smile and any unease Mark felt up until that point dissipates. "It's sweet of you to come check up on him. I'm sure he'd appreciate it in his own special way, but you know how he is. He wouldn't communicate it the way you'd hope for him to."
Jeno nudges Jaemin with his elbow, gesturing to the entrance of the home. Jaemin sighs, leading them the remainder of the way before stopping at the door. He turns to face Mark with a sad smile, keeping his hand on the doorknob.
"He's...it's been rough these last few weeks." Mark frowns at the words. "I don't think you would do anything intentionally, but try not to set him off okay?"
