Uncover

35.

Jeno and Jaemin walk side by side, towards their homes. The two boys have lived in the same neighbourhood since middle school and thus are the closest among their friend group. Jaemin glances at his friend who is absentmindedly kicking a stone. 

"Something on your mind?" Jeno lets out a confused noise. With his head, Jaemin motions towards the stone Jeno has been kicking. "You do that when something's bothering you."

Jeno doesn't reply. Instead, he puts his hands in his pocket and looks down as he continues to walk silently. He knows he can't hide things from Jaemin so he isn't even going to try. "Jieun..." He says after a long pause. 

"You're worried for her?"

"That and... more."

Jaemin gives Jeno a knowing glance. Then he looks up at the starry sky with a sigh. "You like her, don't you?"

Jeno stops abruptly. "You..." He looks at Jaemin who's also stopped but isn't facing him. Jaemin looks back over his shoulder, giving Jeno a meaningful look. Jeno runs a hand through his hair and huffs out heavily. "Listen-"

"I won't tell anyone, you know that."

"That's not it! Just..." Defeated, Jeno walks over to Jaemin's side. "It's a small crush, don't worry about it."

"Jeno." This time, there is no hint of playfulness in Jaemin's voice as his eyes search Jeno's face. Jeno himself knows Jaemin is too good at reading him. He raises his head and closes his eyes, feeling the cold breeze of the night. A small, sad smile adorns his lips.

"I'll admit, I felt something when I saw her at the exam hall and then again at the hospital. I just wanted to know more about the girl who made me feel so warm and giddy. I thought that maybe there's a special connection to us... you know like those cliché stuff that you like watching." Jeno laughs, shaking his head at his own words. "And then, I see her and Renjun..." 

Jeno opens his eyes and observes the stars above. "You felt it too right? Renjun's never looked at any girl the way he looks at Jieun. She's like those stars, lighting him up. And Renjun, just by being by her side he gives her a sense of courage that she probably doesn't even know she needs."  

Jaemin puts a hand on Jeno's shoulder and squeezes it tightly. "Jeno, you-"

"I can't compete with what they have Jaem." Jeno lets out soft chuckle. "It's not fair to her nor to me... so I am content with being her friend. It's just a crush which'll pass. I'll be fine Jaem." He walks ahead of Jaemin, but then turns around to give his signature eye smile. "Besides, don't I have you?"

~~~

"I have Doyoung and Jaehyun monitoring your house. No one can try to harm you guys under their watch." 

Taeyong tries to start a conversation in the otherwise silent car ride. He glances at his co-passenger. Jungwoo has been looking out the window ever since they all got in the car. Taeyong's words didn't seem to reach him, so he glances at the rear-view mirror. Jisung has fallen asleep with his head on Jieun's shoulder and Jieun is wrapping her jacket around him. His lips pull up slightly, watching the siblings. 

"Should I turn down the AC? Is it too cold?" He asks as quietly as possible. Jieun looks past Jisung, towards Haechan, but he looks unbothered.

"Uhh I don't know about Haechan, but Jungwoo oppa gets hot easily. So the current temperature's fine."

"Got it." After another few minutes of silence, Taeyong again attempts to strike a conversation. "So, you kids had dinner?"

Haechan mentally facepalms. "Hyung, can you be any more awkward at this?"