HURT (Nomin 🔞)

5

The dinner was lively with the usual chatter and jokes but Jaemin found the entire ordeal very bothersome.

Even though it was a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant, for Jaemin the taste of the food was rather bland.

He was utterly exhausted, so eating was more like a chore to him. He just wanted to go to his suite and sleep the blaring headache out.

His mind was in utter chaos.

And the way Jeno was smiling and laughing at Haechan's jokes was making him even more mad.

He tried to anchor himself by clutching the utensils tights, his grip was so strong that they were leaving red indents on his palms. But he wanted something to keep his afflicting thoughts away-so a little pain just did the trick.

Everyone was busy dining-talking loudly over each other, and the lack of reaction from Jaemin was making Mark concerned.

Jaemin was usually silent. But Mark observed that the younger was living in his mind, more often these days. He was always disassociating and something was definitely wrong.

That worried Mark, Jaemin was a younger brother to him. More or less, he was his responsibility-not a burden, but someone to care for.

Mark sighed when his gaze fell upon the clutching grip that Jaemin had on his spoon-it looked really painful-so without thinking, he extended his hand and covered Jaemin's.

Jaemin flinched, startled by the sudden touch.

The whole table went silent as everyone stared at Jaemin and Mark.

You see, holding hands or hugging each other was nothing new for them. They all were very close to each other.

What surprised everyone was the way Jaemin reacted. He was uncharacteristically jittery these days and that was odd because Jaemin wasn't the one who would shy away from little skinship.

"What's wrong Jaemin-ah? You are barely eating... You didn't like the taste?" Mark asked concern etched all over his face.

Jaemin gulped, feeling cornered as everyone stared at him, "No Hyung, it's nothing, I'm just... tired."

"A full day of doing nothing and you are still tired?" Hyuck questioned with a raised brow. His gaze piercing as he eyed Mark's hold on Jaemin's hand.

Jaemin pressed his lips in a thin line, to stop himself from cursing. Why was he being interrogated all of a sudden, by Mark and Haechan nonetheless?

"Why are you acting up now, Haechan-ah?" Mark chastised him with a frown-for being so blunt and rude.

Haechan answered Mark with a sharp glare of his own "I was just asking him a question, you know-"

The cheerfulness of their table was now clouded by a tense environment. Even Jisung seemed nervous.

"Uh oh-" A very uncomfortable Chenle uttered.

Renjun interrupted all of them with a scowl "Oh come on Hyuck, we all know how tiring the schedule is. So instead of understanding-why are you questioning him, as if it is a crime to feel tired?"

"Uh-huh... Sure," Haechan rolled his eyes, seemingly done with the conversation.

The tension around them just thickened at the aloof response. Everyone was clearly concerned about Jaemin, and the little outburst of Hyuck didn't help.

In the midst of it all, Jaemin couldn't help but notice the smirk that graced Jeno's lips, who was silent the whole time.

Jeno's smirk turned into an adorable smile as he averted his gaze at Jaemin, who was sitting directly next to him.