𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦 | 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗶𝗻

Ꙅ

Renjun's world had crumbled the moment he woke up to find Jaemin gone. The cold, empty space beside him in bed was like a punch to the gut, and the note Jaemin had left behind offered little comfort. The words were simple, but they carried the weight of finality: *"I love you. Stay strong."*

The news came shortly after—Jaemin had been arrested, taken in by the police early that morning. Renjun's heart broke at the thought of Jaemin locked away, but there was a fierce determination behind his tears. He wouldn't let this be the end for them.

Days passed in a haze of worry and waiting, each one dragging by as Renjun's anxiety grew. Finally, the day came when Renjun was allowed to visit Jaemin in jail. He had spent hours rehearsing what he would say, how he would comfort Jaemin and reassure him that they would get through this together. But as he sat in the cold, sterile visiting room, waiting for Jaemin to be brought in, all those words seemed to disappear.

When the door finally opened, and Jaemin was led in by a guard, Renjun's breath caught in his throat. Jaemin looked different—his usually sharp features softened by the exhaustion and strain of the past few days. But despite the dark circles under his eyes and the weary set of his shoulders, there was a strength in Jaemin's gaze that reassured Renjun.

Jaemin smiled faintly as he saw Renjun, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was trying to put on a brave face, but Renjun could see the pain and frustration lurking just beneath the surface.

They sat down across from each other, the thick glass separating them. Renjun picked up the phone on his side, his hand trembling slightly as he held it to his ear. Jaemin did the same, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, words failing to convey everything they were feeling.

"I'm so sorry, Jaemin," Renjun finally whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "This is all my fault. I should have done more to protect you."

Jaemin shook his head, his expression softening as he looked at Renjun. "No, Renjun. You did everything you could. This isn't your fault—it's just the way things played out. But it's going to be okay."

Renjun's eyes filled with tears, and he bit his lip, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to escape. "How can you say that? You're in here because of me, because of everything we've done..."

Jaemin's gaze hardened slightly, and he leaned closer to the glass, his voice low and intense. "Listen to me, Renjun. This isn't the end. We're not done yet."

Renjun's breath hitched, his tears pausing as he focused on Jaemin's words. "What do you mean?"

Jaemin's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, the familiar spark of determination that Renjun had come to know so well. "You know what to do," Jaemin said, his voice barely above a whisper, but the meaning behind it was clear.

For a moment, Renjun was confused, but then the realization hit him, and a slow smile spread across his face. Jaemin was giving him a message, a silent plan they had discussed only in passing before, in case the worst ever happened. It was their contingency plan, their way of fighting back when all seemed lost.

Renjun nodded slightly, understanding exactly what Jaemin was telling him. "I know what to do," he whispered back, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

Jaemin's smile widened, and for the first time since this nightmare began, there was real warmth in his eyes. "Good. Because we're not going to let them win. Not now, not ever."

Renjun felt a surge of hope and strength flood through him. Jaemin hadn't given up, and neither would he. They had come too far, fought too hard, to let this be the end. They were in this together, and they would find a way out—no matter what it took.

"I'll take care of it," Renjun said, his voice firm and resolute. "I promise."

Jaemin nodded, his expression filled with pride and love. "I know you will. And when this is all over, we'll be together again."

The guard at the door cleared his throat, signaling that their time was almost up. Renjun's heart ached at the thought of leaving Jaemin behind, but he knew that this was just the beginning. They had a plan, and now it was up to Renjun to set it into motion.

"I love you," Renjun said softly, his eyes locked on Jaemin's.

"I love you too," Jaemin replied, his voice filled with conviction. "More than anything."

As they hung up the phones and stood to leave, Renjun felt a newfound determination settle over him. He turned away, the tears in his eyes drying as he walked out of the visiting room, his mind already racing with the steps he needed to take.

Jaemin had given him a task, and Renjun wouldn't rest until it was done. This wasn't the end of their story—it was just another chapter. And Renjun was ready to do whatever it took to rewrite their fate.

As he left the jail and stepped out into the crisp air, Renjun allowed himself one final smile, a smile filled with the promise of what was to come. He knew what to do, and nothing would stop him from making sure he and Jaemin would be together again.