Punches and Pirouettes |NOMIN|

Chapter 12

Jaemin's eyes fluttered closed, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt the warmth of Jeno's breath mingle with his own, the gentle pressure of his lips a balm to his fears. He leaned into the kiss, his hands finding their way to Jeno's waist, pulling him closer.

The kiss grew bolder, their bodies fitting together as if they had always been meant to. It was as if the dance they had just shared had been a prelude to this moment, their movements now driven by a different kind of passion.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, their eyes locked. Jeno's thumb stroked the apple of Jaemin's cheek. "Does this mean...?" he trailed off, hope sparkling in his eyes.

Jaemin nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Yes," he said, his voice firm. "This means we're more than just friends."

Jeno's smile grew wider, his eyes lighting up like stars in the night sky. He leaned in again, capturing Jaemin's lips in a kiss that was no longer tentative, but full of certainty and desire. Their bodies pressed together, the warmth of their skin a stark contrast to the coolness of the alley.

When they parted, their breaths mingled in the chilly air. "I've wanted to do that for so long," Jeno murmured, his voice filled with a newfound vulnerability.

Jaemin's heart swelled with affection. "Me too," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The weight of their confession seemed to hang in the air around them, a tangible force that made the moment feel surreal.

"But what am I going to do with Haechan?" Min looked at the boxer with a sad face.

"From now on, its us not you" Jeno smiled at him, "We don't have to tell him now".

"You can really hide it for me?"

"My little bunny, I would do anything for you" he said and kissed Jaemin on a forehead.

Jaemin felt a warmth spread through him at the nickname, a term of endearment that only Jeno used. He knew that Jeno had always had his back, but now it felt like there was so much more between them. "But what about the others?" he asked, his mind racing with the implications of their newfound feelings.

Jeno leaned back against the wall, his eyes never leaving Jaemin's. "We'll figure it out," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "We don't have to tell anyone yet. We can just...see where this goes."

Jaemin nodded, his heart racing with excitement and nerves. "Okay," he said, his voice shaky. "But what if they find out?"

Jeno's expression grew serious. "We'll deal with that when it happens," he said, his thumb still caressing Jaemin's cheek. "For now, let's just focus on us."

Jaemin nodded, his eyes searching Jeno's. He knew that keeping their relationship a secret from their friends would be difficult, but the thought of losing the bond they had built was even more terrifying. He leaned into the boxer's touch, feeling the strength and comfort that he had come to rely on.

Just as they were about to step back into the theater, the sound of a ringing phone pierced the quiet of the alley. It was Jaemin's phone, vibrating in his pocket. He fished it out, his heart sinking when he saw Renjun's name on the screen. "I have to take this," he murmured, stepping away from Jeno.

"Jaemin, where are you?" Renjun's voice was a mix of concern and irritation. "You're supposed to be here already!"

Jaemin swallowed hard, his mind racing. "I'm...I'm just finishing up some last-minute stuff," he lied, his eyes never leaving Jeno's. "I'll be right there."

"Okay, but hurry," Renjun's voice was tight with stress. "We're about to start the after-party."

Jaemin nodded, even though he knew Renjun couldn't see him. "I'll be right there," he promised, ending the call.

He turned back to Jeno, his mind racing with the reality of their situation. "We should go," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The after-party is starting."

Jeno nodded, his eyes dark with understanding. "We'll talk more later," he murmured, his hand briefly squeezing Jaemin's before he turned and disappeared back into the theater.

Jaemin took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He knew that he couldn't ignore Renjun's call forever, but the thought of facing their friends with the secret weighing on his chest was almost too much to bear. He took one last look at the empty alley, the echo of their kiss still lingering in the air, and then stepped back inside.

The after-party was in full swing, the music thumping and the lights flashing. Renjun's eyes searched the room frantically, looking for any sign of his friend. When he finally spotted Jaemin, his expression was a mix of relief and annoyance. "Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice barely carrying over the din.

Jaemin's cheeks flushed, and he offered a sheepish smile. "I just needed some fresh air," he shouted back, his voice barely audible over the music.

Renjun rolled his eyes, his hand gesturing for Jaemin to join him. "Well, we need you here," he said, his voice tight with stress. "The performance was amazing, but now we have to entertain the sponsors."

Jaemin nodded, his mind still racing with the revelation of his feelings for Jeno. He took a deep breath and followed Renjun into the crowded room, the music washing over him like a wave. He spotted Donghyuck and Mark across the room, their eyes lighting up when they saw him. He forced a smile, hoping that his emotional turmoil wasn't written all over his face.

The party was a whirlwind of handshakes and congratulations, the faces of the sponsors and well-wishers blurring together. He danced when he was asked to, his movements mechanical and lacking the passion he had just displayed on stage. His heart was elsewhere, still beating in time with Jeno's outside in the alley.

"Jaemin!" Renjun's voice cut through the noise, his eyes frantic. "Your phone is going off again!"

Jaemin startled, realizing he had missed a call from an unknown number amidst the chaos of the party. He excused himself, weaving through the crowd to find a quieter spot. His heart pounded in his chest as he checked his phone, expecting it to be Mark or Donghyuck with another round of praise or a question about the next practice. But it was neither.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice strained.

"Jaemin," an unknown voice said, "Are you at the party in the dance studio?"

"Jaemin," an unknown voice said, "Are you at the party in the dance studio?"

"Yes, I'm here," he replied, his voice tight with tension.

"Meet me outside, near the cherry blossom at 10:30" said the voice.

"But who am I talking with?" he still haven't recognize the voice

"If you want to know, then come and meet me."
The line went dead, leaving Jaemin with more questions than answers. He checked the time; it was already 10:25. The party was in full swing, and the clock ticked away the moments that separated him from this mysterious rendezvous. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Who could it be?

Making his excuses to Renjun, he slipped out of the party and into the cool night air. The cherry blossom tree stood alone in the small park adjacent to the dance studio, its branches heavy with blooms that whispered secrets to the wind. The moon cast a soft glow over the scene, painting everything in shades of silver and blue.