identity: renjun, jeno & jaemin [on hold]

twelve; vulnerable

  Jeno nuzzles into Jia's palm as she uses her hand to hold his face- him sitting on the couch and her on the floor, leaning against the sofa.

  "Jeno, where's Yejun?"

  Her abrupt question alerts him but he maintains his sangfroid. "We brought him to a hospital. He had to heal up."

  "Which hospital? I want to visit him," Jia pushes for more details.

  "After what he's done to you?"

  "You can come with. I just want to see how he's doing."

  His arms wrap around her shoulders, squeezing tight.
"Jia... Don't worry about him. He's only up to no good. I'm reluctant to let you be in the same room as him."

  The girl frowns. "So, what? You don't trust your own capabilities? You think you're not able to protect me?"

  He remains unfazed and only rests his cheek on her crown, swaying her left and right softly as if to soothe her.
"I'd go against the world for you, Jia. You know that."

  "Then? What is this about? Do my feelings and opinions not matter anymore- to the point you're telling me what I can and cannot do?" Jia turns swiftly after pulling herself away and Jeno freezes, devastated by her assumption.

  "No! Of course, that's not it! Your opinions and feelings matter just as much as mineㅡ Even much more than mine! It's just-!" Jeno bites his inner bottom lip.

  Now that it has affected Jia this much, he has to figure something out to make her at least, believe that he would bring her to meet Yejun but he just can't.

  Other than telling her that he's already dead, what would be a better, more tame excuse?

  "Honestly, he ran away..." Jeno bluffs, tone dispirited and mien gloomy with regret.
"After he was brought to the hospital, he stayed just enough to get himself moving again. When all the severe injuries healed, he escaped the hospital. He said he didn't want to pay the bills but we were sure to tell him that we'll pay for it!
  "After all, it was my fault he ended up the way he did. Yet, he still fled. I didn't want to tell you this because I know you would worry. I didn't mean to make you feel insignificant! I just... I'm sorry, Jia, but I don't know if we'll be able to find him for now."

  Jia observes his sorrowful visage. "So, that's why you're trying to convince me not to visit him. But Jeno, if he's missing then, he can be anywhere, can't he? Don't you think that he-"

  She gulps and Jeno can guess what she's about to say.
"...He'll tell the cops about you?"

  He gazes at her. Jia is sitting on her legs, timid and small as she looks up at him with a countenance filled with anxiety. How her stare wanders his face like she's searching for security, how her hands clench to tight fists to hide their tremble, how her doe eyes bore into his fearfully.

  A vulnerable state.

  He grins tenderly, lovingly, and holds her hands in his. "It's okay, Jia. Even if he were to tell, what proof does he have? He was the one who tried to hurt you first and I defended you. You're the victim and I'm the witness. It's two against one.
  "Besides, with a record as dirty as his, it's obvious the police will know who's really at fault here, right?"

  Jia's tense shoulders begin to relax. "Are you sure?"

  Jeno's large hand cups her face, holding her jaw up by the chin as he bends down to plant a lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Of course, Jia. I'd never let anything take me away from you and neither will I let anything take you from me. Nothing can bring us apart."