𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘 | 𝗡𝗖𝗧 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠

Not Invisible | Jaemin Fic #19

title: not invisible

genre: college au/friends to lovers, slight angst

warnings: mention of the reader feeling anxious and insecure

word count: ~1.3k

author's note: At this point, I swear this is becoming a Jaemin blog. I'm sorry (😭), I promise I have stuff to write for the other members. I just lack the motivation to actually complete them atm. I wrote this because college just started again for me, and I was really anxious due to the fear of stuff from last year repeating itself. Enough about me, I'm sure some of you might relate to those jittery feelings. So I hope this can provide some amount of comfort to you. Thanks for reading ^ ^

・ෆ・┈・ᕱ⑅ᕱ・┈・┈・ෆ・ :: ・ෆ・┈・┈・ᕱ⑅ᕱ・┈・┈・ෆ・ :: ・ෆ・┈・┈・ᕱ⑅ᕱ・┈・ෆ・

The soft clink of empty soju bottles, followed by a heavy sigh, echoed through your small apartment. The faint aroma of grilled meat lingered faintly in the air, though most of it had drifted out the window you cranked open by now. Just five minutes ago, your living room had been full of laughter and chaos— the kind that naturally came with people like Lee Donghyuck and Zhong Chenle. Now, with all the noise faded, you let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding.

Na Jaemin, the only person who stayed behind, seemed to notice. He carried a stack of char-stained plates from the dining table, prompting you to set the garbage bag down just long enough to take them from his hands.

"You really don't have to do that," you muttered, placing the plates in the sink with a dull thunk.

Jaemin shot you a playful side-eye before grabbing the oversized plastic bag and gathering the rest of the bottles. "What kind of person would I be if I left my friend to clean up after this mess alone?"

"I would've been fine by myself," you insisted, voice trailing weakly— then added under your breath, "Nothing I'm not used to."

He studied you for a moment, watching as you quickly loaded the dishwasher. Your shoulders were tight, your eyes distant, and that little frown you wore all night, even while the others were busy arguing about whether cereal should be considered a soup. Though he didn't know you nearly as long as the guys, Jaemin could tell something was off. He'd seen it before, the way you sometimes went quiet during gatherings and snuck out when you thought no one would notice.

Deciding he wouldn't stand idly by this time, Jaemin gently put the garbage by the door. You arched a brow as he crossed the room to open your fridge and pull out a chilled bottle of peach soju.

"Up for round two?" he asked, holding the bottle out to you.

You searched his eyes for a hint of why he wanted to drink again. Beyond the familiar playful glint, there was a steady calmness that seemed to overshadow it. Still...

"I really shouldn't," you told him, though Na Jaemin didn't look like he was going to take no for an answer.

"Come on, you barely drank tonight. Just share this one with me?" The fluffy-haired boy tilted his head, his charming pout stirring something inside you despite yourself.

After a beat of hesitation, you gave in with a wave of your hand. "Fine— but don't make fun of me for being a lightweight."

"Me? Never!" He protested, feigning innocence, which made you laugh as you brought out a pair of clean shot glasses from the cabinet.

The two of you moved to sit on your cheap orange polyester sofa. With effortless ease, he twisted the Soon Hari bottle open and poured it for you both. You couldn't help but smile when he raised his glass to cheers before downing it in one shot. Nervously, you glanced away and copied his actions.