Matryoshka Doll - NoRenMin ✔︎

Chapter 18

They were supposed to go home for spring break, pack it up and spend some time with the family before being sent right back to the castle-like building. Jaemin was supposed to see his brother and bond with his family all while keeping his secret life on the downlow but plans changed and the river froze over in most areas. Letters had been sent out over the crisis.

But it had snowed unexpectedly and they were left to stay at school. Stuck inside like caged rats which wasn't too bad because Jaemin loved hanging out in the kitchen which meant he could chef it up whenever he wanted─ as long as one of the people with higher authority didn’t pop up for some reason.

"What’re you making?" Renjun asked one cool, extra late evening, peeking over Jaemin's shoulder where he was whipping up something in a bowl.

They had been dating for roughly three months by then, still taking things a bit slowly since Jaemin was getting used to the idea of having two entire boyfriends but either way, he adored and loved them dearly. Jeno and Renjun cared for him and paid extremely close attention to his reactions, likes, dislikes, and thoughts towards things but even then, sometimes they didn’t catch onto his internal battles.

"Cookies. Wanna help?"

"The little shit can't even climb his bed without suffering. You think he can cook?" Donghyuck asked, looking at his friend with a disgusted expression.

Five of them were in the kitchen well past midnight, the cousins playing a very quiet card game with Mark scrolling through his phone, legs on Donghyuck's lap as Renjun watched Jaemin bake. Baking was a form of art itself.

"Shut the hell up, Dongfuck."

Jaemin patted his cheek reassuringly, motioning for him to get closer. Upon doing so, he quickly explained how to make the frosting before setting off to bake the cookies.

It was peaceful, quiet, the perfect time to get lost in your own reveries. It was nearing two in the morning and yet the five remained until all the cookies were baked. While the desserts were cooling, Jaemin recruited them to help him clean, threatening to eat the sweets alone if they didn't help before gathering them with frosting. Another round of dishes and then they were allowed to get their hands on the food.

It was funny because if it was Donghyuck that had baked, no one would have had any manners and if it was Renjun or the other two, they would have made them clean alone but it was Jaemin and that was different.

They had enough respect for him and didn't dare try and sabotage him.

Whether it was because they feared he'd go back to hating them, because he took care of them with the instincts of a Mother, or because he just had a heart of gold, they respected and listened to him.

"Jen, you have icing on your lip," Jaemin pointed out, tapping on his own lip to indicate where it was on his boyfriend's face.

"Wanna get it off for me?" Jeno asked, a suggestive look on his face as he leaned closer to him.

"No problem, keep still."

Everyone held their breath, surprised that Jaemin of all people would be willing to take off icing in that way. They should've known though that he didn't know the meaning of a suggestive look the moment he agreed because seconds later, he used a napkin to gently dab away the sweetness.

"Nana, babe, that isn't what he meant," Renjun laughed, swiping his finger over his cookie to gather icing.

"What? But he asked me to get it off."

"Yes, he did, but this is how he hoped you would do it," Renjun explained, lathering the icing from his finger across Jeno's lip before tip toeing to press their mouths together.