𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐲 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧

eleven

The night was cold and unforgiving as Renjun stumbled down the empty streets, his heart racing and his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. Tears streamed down his face, blurring his vision as he struggled to hold himself together. He had left his father's house with nothing but a suitcase and a shattered heart, and now he was walking with no clear destination in mind-just a desperate need to be somewhere safe, somewhere he could breathe.

But there was only one place that felt like home now.

His feet carried him instinctively toward Jeno and Jaemin's apartment. It was a place where he had always felt warmth and acceptance, where he could be himself without fear of judgment. He didn't know if they would take him in, but he had nowhere else to turn.

By the time he reached their door, Renjun was trembling, his entire body wracked with sobs. He stood there for a moment, clutching his suitcase in one hand and the doorframe in the other, trying to steady himself. But it was no use. His mind was racing, overwhelmed by the events of the evening, and he could feel the edges of a panic attack closing in.

With a shaking hand, he knocked on the door, the sound barely more than a weak tap. He didn't know if they would hear it, but he couldn't summon the strength to knock harder. All he could do was wait, his breath hitching in his throat as the world spun around him.

After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open, revealing Jeno's concerned face. The moment their eyes met, Jeno's expression changed from confusion to alarm. "Renjun?" he breathed, immediately stepping aside to let him in.

Renjun tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His chest tightened, and all he could do was let out a choked sob as he stumbled into the apartment.

Jaemin appeared from the living room, his eyes widening in shock when he saw Renjun's state. "Oh my god, Renjun, what happened?" he asked, rushing over to him.

Renjun dropped his suitcase to the floor, his knees buckling as the weight of everything finally became too much to bear. He collapsed into Jaemin's arms, his entire body shaking as he sobbed uncontrollably.

Jeno quickly closed the door, his heart racing with worry. "Renjun, breathe," he said gently, kneeling beside him and rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. "You're safe here. Just try to breathe."

But Renjun couldn't catch his breath. The panic was overwhelming, his mind trapped in a whirlwind of fear and helplessness. All he could think about was his father's cold eyes, his mother's bruised face, and the fact that he had nowhere to go.

Jaemin held Renjun tightly, rocking him back and forth as tears of his own welled up. "We've got you, Renjun," he whispered. "You're not alone. We're here."

After what felt like an eternity, Renjun's sobs began to quiet, though his breaths were still ragged and shallow. Jeno moved closer, his voice calm and steady. "Focus on your breathing, okay? In and out, nice and slow."

Renjun tried to follow Jeno's instructions, forcing himself to take deep, shaky breaths. Slowly, the tightness in his chest began to ease, and the edges of the panic attack receded, leaving him drained and exhausted.

Jaemin pulled back just enough to look at Renjun, his hands still resting on Renjun's shoulders. "What happened? Why are you here?"

Renjun looked between them, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "My dad... he found out," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "He told me to leave. I have nowhere else to go."

Jeno and Jaemin exchanged a glance, their hearts breaking for their friend. Without hesitation, Jaemin tightened his hold on Renjun, his voice filled with determination. "You're staying here. You're not going anywhere else."

Jeno nodded, his expression serious. "You can stay as long as you need to, Renjun. This is your home now."

Renjun's lower lip quivered as he looked at them, gratitude and relief washing over him. But there was still something gnawing at him, something he couldn't ignore. "My mom," he choked out, fresh tears spilling down his cheeks. "She's still there... with him. I need to save her. I can't leave her there alone."

Jaemin's face softened with understanding. "We'll figure something out," he said gently. "We'll help you get her out of there, okay? You don't have to do this alone."

Jeno placed a reassuring hand on Renjun's knee. "We'll talk to her, see if she's willing to leave. If she is, we'll find a safe place for her."

Renjun nodded, though the thought of facing his father again sent a wave of fear through him. "He won't let her go easily," he whispered, his voice trembling. "He's... he's not a good man."

"We know," Jeno said softly. "But we'll be there with you, Renjun. We won't let anything happen to you or your mom."

Jaemin wiped away Renjun's tears with gentle fingers, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "You're stronger than you think, Renjun. And you're not alone. We'll get through this together."

For the first time that night, Renjun felt a flicker of hope. It was small and fragile, but it was enough to give him the strength to keep going. He nodded, taking a deep breath as he tried to steady himself.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice still shaky but filled with sincerity. "Thank you both."

Jaemin and Jeno exchanged a look of mutual understanding, knowing that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But they were ready to face it, as long as they were together.

"You don't have to thank us," Jaemin said softly. "We're your friends. We're here for you, no matter what."

Jeno nodded in agreement. "Let's get you settled in. We can figure out the next steps in the morning."

Renjun managed a small, tired smile as he let Jeno and Jaemin help him to his feet. As they guided him to the spare room, Renjun felt a sense of belonging he hadn't known in a long time. Despite everything that had happened, he knew he was in the right place-with the people who truly cared about him.