𝔇𝔢𝔰𝔦𝔯𝔢 | ɴᴏᴍɪɴ

ꪻꫝ᥅ꫀꫀ

Under the soft morning light that filtered through the ancient trees of the palace gardens, Jaemin and Jeno found themselves in the midst of a calm, yet serious conversation. Jaemin, wrapped up in his doubts and fears about the upcoming training, was increasingly anxious.

"What if I embarrass myself?" Jaemin repeated, his voice tinged with worry.

Jeno, standing close, placed his hands on Jaemin's shoulders, looking into his eyes with a reassuring intensity. "Baby, you'll do fine. Plus, we have a whole school day ahead, so how about you stop worrying your pretty head about it."

Jaemin's eyes flickered with frustration, not fully convinced. "Jeno, I'm serious."

"And I'm putting my foot down," Jeno responded, his tone firm yet gentle, trying to instill some confidence in his partner.

"Repeat that?" Jaemin asked, a hint of a smile breaking through his anxious demeanor, intrigued by Jeno's assertive tone.

Jeno sighed, softening his approach. "I mean, I'm just suggesting that you don't worry about it until the school day is over. You know how you are; you're going to overthink it."

Jaemin bit his lip, considering Jeno's words. "You're right, but—"

"But no buts, come on, baby," Jeno interjected quickly, cutting off Jaemin's protest before it could fully form. He knew too well how Jaemin's mind could spiral into worry, clouding his judgment and affecting his performance.

Seeing the genuine concern in Jeno's eyes, Jaemin finally nodded, the tightness in his chest easing slightly. "Okay, I'll try to put it off until later. Just—help me keep my mind off it, yeah?"

Jeno's face brightened, relieved that Jaemin was willing to at least try to relax. "Absolutely," he promised, pulling Jaemin into a gentle embrace. "Let's focus on enjoying our day together at school. We'll deal with the training and everything else after."

They pulled apart, and Jaemin managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Jeno. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Hey, we're in this together," Jeno replied, his voice steady and sure. "Now, let's get going. We don't want to be late."

As they walked towards the school building, Jaemin felt lighter, his worries temporarily shelved. Jeno's presence was a balm to his chaotic thoughts, and as they joined their friends, laughing and chatting as if it were just another ordinary day, Jaemin found himself genuinely smiling.

Though the future loomed large and uncertain, for now, Jaemin was content to lean on Jeno, trusting that together, they could face anything. Even royal training, when the time came, seemed a little less daunting with Jeno by his side.

As Jaemin and Jeno entered the school grounds, they were met with a flurry of whispers and curious glances. Their recent closeness had not gone unnoticed, and while their friends were supportive, the rest of the school buzzed with speculation. Despite the rising curiosity, they both held their heads high, their steps in sync as they navigated the corridors filled with their peers.

During lunch, Renjun leaned across the table, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You guys are the hot topic today. Everyone's wondering how you two got so close so suddenly." His eyes twinkled with amusement, knowing more than he let on.

Jaemin offered a small smile, glancing at Jeno who sat beside him. "Let them wonder," Jaemin said, his voice calm but firm. The decision to keep his royal identity under wraps was mutual and deliberate. "We're not ready to share everything yet. Especially about the... royal stuff."

Jeno nodded in agreement, squeezing Jaemin's hand under the table. "We'll tell them when you're ready. For now, our relationship is what matters to us."

Chenle, always the energetic one, chimed in with a grin. "As long as you two are happy, who cares what the rumor mill says? But seriously, you guys do look good together."

Haechan, never one to miss a chance for some light-hearted teasing, added, "Yeah, you two have that whole 'power couple' vibe going. It suits you."

The group laughed, the tension easing as they were reminded of the strength of their friendships. Despite the gossip and the weight of secrets, Jaemin felt a sense of belonging with his friends around him. They were his anchor in the chaotic sea of his new reality.

Later, as they walked through the hallways, Jaemin leaned closer to Jeno. "Do you think we're doing the right thing, keeping this a secret for now?" he asked, his voice low.

Jeno considered this, his gaze thoughtful. "I think it's the best choice. This is your story to tell, on your terms. When the time comes, you'll know how to handle it."

Jaemin appreciated Jeno's unwavering support. As they reached their next class, Jaemin felt a renewed sense of determination. This journey was his own, and with Jeno by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. For now, their secret was safe, and that was enough.

As the school day ended, they walked out together, the whispers of their classmates fading behind them. In this moment, it was just Jaemin and Jeno against the world, ready to face the future together, no matter what it held.