𝓕𝓪𝓿 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟖

Renjun knew the stakes were high, and that's why he placed a firm hand on Jaemin's shoulder before opening the door.

"Don't freak out," Renjun said, his tone calm but laced with urgency.

Jaemin whirled around, eyes flashing with impatience. "Don't freak out? Renjun, you called me, telling me to rush over. I thought something happened to you."

Renjun sighed, trying to keep Jaemin grounded. "I know, but listen—Jeno came back. He got shot, so I helped him. Then I thought it was time you finally see him."

The anger flashed again in Jaemin's eyes, and he took a step toward the door, but Renjun held up his hand. "Hold on! Try to calm down first. He doesn't know you're here yet, and he's still recovering. He might not even realize how badly he's hurt. One wrong move and he could start hyperventilating or something."

Jaemin's jaw clenched, his frustration evident, but he took a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. I'll... I'll talk calmly."

Renjun gave him a small nod. "Okay, I'm letting you in now. But don't go crazy on him."

Jaemin threw him a glare. "I'm calm, I'm calm."

Renjun couldn't help but smirk a little. "You bitch," Jaemin muttered, but the edge in his voice softened.

Renjun pushed open the door to the hospital room. Jeno was sitting up in the bed, a faint look of surprise on his face when he saw Jaemin walk in. But it quickly shifted to guilt when he met Jaemin's eyes, seeing the storm brewing behind them.

Jeno swallowed hard, trying to find his voice. "Oh my God, Jaemin, I can expla—"

"Shut up," Jaemin cut him off, his voice a shaky mixture of anger and heartbreak. "Just shut up. I hated visiting your grave. Every single time, I dreaded it. Every death anniversary, I thought I'd go insane from the pain of losing you."

Jeno's guilt deepened as he averted his eyes, unable to face the raw emotion in Jaemin's words. He opened his mouth to say something, but Jaemin wasn't finished.

"And here you are," Jaemin continued, his voice rising, "alive and well. What the fuck, Jeno? Do you have any idea what you put me through? You know Mark will kill you, right?"

Jeno flinched at the mention of Mark. "I know," he whispered. "I'm scared to come back because of him. But... I didn't have a choice, Jaemin."

Jaemin's anger faltered for a moment as he looked at Jeno, his eyes softening ever so slightly. "I can understand Mark. But me? I'm supposed to be your future husband. How could you leave me like that?"

Jeno's eyes widened at Jaemin's words. "Wait... how did you know I was going to propose?"

Jaemin let out a small, bitter laugh. "I caught you talking to yourself about the ring. You thought I didn't notice, but I did. I was just waiting for you to ask."

Jeno's face crumpled, his guilt overwhelming him. "Jaemin, I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I thought I was protecting you."

Jaemin's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his eyes burning with unshed tears. "Sorry doesn't cut it, Jeno. Not for something like this. But..." He took a shaky breath, his voice softening. "I love you. And I love you enough to try and forgive you."

Jeno's eyes shimmered with tears as he looked at Jaemin, a glimmer of hope returning to his expression. "I love you too, Jaemin. More than anything. I... I never stopped."

Jaemin bit his lip, the flood of emotions nearly overwhelming him. He wanted to scream, to yell at Jeno for all the pain he had caused. But more than that, he wanted to hold him, to feel him in his arms again and know that he was real.

"I swear, Jeno," Jaemin said, his voice trembling, "if you ever do something like this again, I will kill you myself."

Jeno managed a small, tearful smile. "I'll never leave you again, Jaemin. I promise."

Jaemin took a step closer to the bed, hesitating for only a moment before he reached out and took Jeno's hand in his. The warmth of the touch was enough to ground them both, a small reminder of the love that had always been there, even through the pain.

Renjun, who had been quietly standing to the side, let out a soft sigh of relief. He knew this wasn't the end of the conversation—there was still a lot to unpack—but at least now they could begin the process of healing.

As Jaemin sat down next to Jeno, their hands still intertwined, Renjun quietly slipped out of the room, leaving them to their moment.