𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗰𝗲

Renjun wasn't sure what it was about Jaemin that got under his skin, but every time Jaemin looked at him, his well-constructed walls seemed to crumble. There was something about Jaemin's gaze—intense yet gentle—that made Renjun feel exposed, as if his carefully maintained barriers were no match for the way Jaemin saw through them.

Renjun had never been one to fall easily for romance. His life had taught him that reality rarely aligned with fairy tales. The notion of letting someone in was a dangerous gamble he wasn't prepared to take. Yet, with Jaemin, it was different. The way Jaemin's eyes met his, full of unspoken emotion and curiosity, made it hard to keep his guard up.

Meanwhile, Jeno, despite being a former ally, was nothing short of a pain in the ass. His attempts to flirt with Haechan, despite Jeno's own turbulent past, were constantly testing Renjun's patience. The drama surrounding Jeno seemed like a bad movie Renjun was forced to watch, and he wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or just roll with it.

Renjun was in the studio, trying to focus on his music when Jaemin walked in. The usual hum of activity around the studio was in full swing, but Renjun's attention was solely on Jaemin. Jaemin's presence seemed to shift the room's energy, drawing Renjun's eyes despite his best efforts to stay focused.

Jaemin approached with a casual smile. "Hey, Renjun. Mind if I join you for a minute?"

Renjun shifted uncomfortably, his fingers pausing on the keyboard. "Sure, why not."

Jaemin took a seat nearby, his eyes never leaving Renjun. "How's the new track coming along?"

Renjun tried to stay professional, but Jaemin's gaze was disarming. "It's coming along. Just working on some final touches."

Jaemin leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "I'm sure it'll be amazing. You always manage to pull something incredible out of your hat."

Renjun's heart skipped a beat, and he looked away, trying to hide his flustered reaction. "Thanks. I'm just trying to make sure everything's perfect."

Jaemin's tone softened, his smile lingering. "You know, if you ever need a break or someone to bounce ideas off of, I'm here. Just thought I'd offer."

Renjun felt a pang of frustration. Why was Jaemin so effortlessly kind? Why did it feel like every interaction with him was peeling away Renjun's defenses, layer by layer?

Before Renjun could respond, the studio door swung open, and Jeno strutted in with his usual bravado. "What's going on here? Renjun, you making moves without us?"

Jaemin's smile widened. "Just catching up with Renjun. We were talking about his new track."

Jeno shot Renjun a curious look, his eyebrow raised. "You're not usually this friendly, Renjun. What's up?"

Renjun rolled his eyes, his irritation flaring. "I'm just trying to get some work done."

Jeno smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure. Well, if you're done playing nice, we've got other things to focus on."

Jaemin gave Jeno a sideways glance but chose not to comment. Instead, he looked back at Renjun, his expression softening. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Renjun nodded curtly, his mind still whirling from the encounter. "Sure."

As Jaemin walked away, Renjun felt a mixture of relief and frustration. The walls he had so carefully constructed were crumbling under the weight of Jaemin's gaze and kindness. The reality of his own feelings was setting in, and Renjun was left grappling with the turmoil of letting someone in, even as he tried to maintain his composure.

Meanwhile, Jeno's presence seemed to be a constant reminder of the complications in Renjun's life. He was a nuisance, yes, but also a constant reminder that things were rarely simple. Renjun couldn't help but feel that in the midst of the chaos, Jaemin's unspoken allure was both a temptation and a challenge he wasn't ready to face.

Jeno and Jaemin were in the break room of the studio, grabbing a quick coffee before diving back into their busy schedules. Jeno, leaning casually against the counter, studied Jaemin with a curious expression. The tension from their recent interactions still lingered, and Jeno couldn't help but probe into what was going on between Jaemin and Renjun.

"So, Jaemin," Jeno began nonchalantly, stirring his coffee. "You've been spending a lot of time with Renjun lately. Any particular reason?"

Jaemin looked up from his coffee, his expression guarded. "We're just working on some stuff together. Why do you ask?"

Jeno raised an eyebrow. "Just curious. I've noticed the way you two interact. It seems like there might be more going on."

Jaemin's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why do you care?"

Jeno shrugged. "Just wondering if there's something I should know. Are you interested in Renjun?"

Jaemin's gaze grew colder. He didn't answer immediately, instead choosing to shift the conversation in a different direction. "What about you, Jeno? You've been pretty persistent with Haechan lately."

Jeno's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and defensiveness. "What about it?"

Jaemin leaned in closer, his tone serious. "You know Haechan is with Hope and Mark. You're crossing some serious lines trying to flirt with him. Maybe you should back off."

Jeno bristled at the accusation. "Are you seriously giving me a lecture? Just because you're all buddy-buddy with Renjun doesn't mean you get to tell me what to do."

Jaemin's voice remained steady, but his expression was resolute. "It's not about telling you what to do. It's about respecting boundaries. Haechan's in a relationship, and you should know better than to push your luck."

Jeno's frustration flared. "So what if I'm interested? That's my problem, not yours. Besides, you're not exactly the model of respect yourself."

Jaemin's gaze hardened. "This isn't about me. It's about being decent and understanding where you stand. Renjun's been through enough, and Haechan deserves better than someone who doesn't respect his relationship."

Jeno huffed, clearly agitated. "Whatever. I don't need to justify myself to you. I'll handle my own business."

Jaemin didn't back down. "Just remember, Jeno, respect goes both ways. If you're not careful, you might find yourself on the wrong side of things."

With that, Jaemin turned and walked away, leaving Jeno seething in the break room. The conversation had left Jeno with a mix of anger and frustration, but it also made him think more deeply about his actions and the consequences they might bring.

As Jaemin rejoined Renjun and the rest of the team, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at having addressed the issue with Jeno. The tension between them wasn't resolved, but he hoped his words had made an impact.

Meanwhile, Jeno was left to ponder Jaemin's words and the complicated web of relationships and emotions that were rapidly entangling them all.