Nomin One-Shots

The Lee Brother's Guide: How to Deal with Yappers.

Even though their names were the same, Jeno and Mark were not blood-related, despite what many people would think. It was a common misconception, especially since for a majority of their lives, they were thought of as a joint unit. When Mark joined SM and was introduced to him, Jeno was surprised by how quickly they took to each other. Though, now, looking back, he could see why. He and Mark shared a lot of things in common, their hobbies and their interests aligned easily and they were both relatively shy and introverted to people they didn't know.

When they were first referred to as siblings, they both blushed and kindly declined the statement with Mark taking point to explain their situation. The staff member apologised but neither of the Lee's felt as though she needed to, especially since it was a common occurrence in Korea with many sharing the same name. Eventually they grew to embrace their connection though, smiling politely when people would apologise and then going on to explain that it really didn't bother them that much.

It had even gotten to a point in their career where their connection had been admired by the fans. Their so-called captain and leader were a lot closer than the positions that their company had placed them in, and shortly after they were dubbed the 'Lee Brothers'.

Strangely enough Haechan wasn't included in their little group, though he didn't seem all that heartbroken about it. He played it up for the fans, sure, but behind closed doors he genuinely didn't mind it. Especially when Jeno learned of the younger interest in his best friend.

Honestly, the news wasn't all that surprising to say the least. Jeno had caught onto Haechan's advances very early on in their friendship, even mentioning it to Mark in passing a few years ago. He recalls how bright red he got at the implication, chuckling nervously when Jeno started grilling him on it. It was simply a teasing moment at the time, but now looking back Jeno knows that Mark felt the same, but was simply too shy to express it.

Jeno knew how that felt.

Jaemin had arrived before Mark did. The same day Jeno was accepted into the company, if you could believe it. He easily blended into Haechan's sphere and then into Jeno's by association. He never expected them to end up where they were today back then. Jaemin was a beautiful boy who caused Jeno's dormant heart to flutter and pump harshly in his chest. At such a young age, he didn't understand the signs and he certainly didn't understand his own feelings.

That was until Mark came along.

Their similarities ran a lot deeper than most people would ever understand, but for the most part they were in the same boat. Infatuated by their friends, and nursing building feelings that neither of them could comprehend completely at such a young age. But, they held onto one another. Confining in each other when it got too difficult to comprehend, or if something major occurred.

For Mark he mostly sought Jeno out when he and Haechan would have one of their stupid little fights that would warrant them avoiding each other until one of them grew enough balls to approach the other and apologize. More often than not it was Mark who had been persuaded by Jeno's surprisingly mature thoughts.

For Jeno, it was a lot harder. Jaemin always had a back problem, but it seemed to have gotten worse the more intense their training had become and Jeno had openly expressed his concern to Mark on numerous occasions. As leader Mark took it upon himself to check in with Jaemin, again with Jeno's help so that he wouldn't know that Jeno had been the one to tell him. But Jaemin had always put a smile on his lips and promised that he was alright.

Jeno began to hate those promises. He completely lost it when their manager at the time had told them that management had encouraged Jaemin to take time away from them in order to rest and recuperate from all of the bodily stress. They would still be able to contact him, but not to disclose their conversations with the fans. In a last minute thought, mostly to console Jeno, he had said that Jaemin would be coming back to them shortly.