Guilty Parties [ NoRenMin ] | ✓

- Twenty Two -

After they had all left, Renjun sat up, missing the warmth that was hugging him. He could feel the warmth slowly fading away, and he frowned.

Right as he sat there, spaced out and frowning, Jeno popped his head back into the room, eyesmile shining.

"Injoon, can I come in?" he asked, still behind the door.

Renjun looked at the boy, smiling lightly at the hair that was currently going to the wrong side on the younger.

"Of course," Renjun answered, patting the bed beside him.

Jeno came in, a little flushed but sat down beside the older. He had been thinking about the potential downfall of his and Jaemin's relationship. He didn't fail to notice last night that Jaemin had went to Renjun, and when he found them, he, too, didn't fail to see the puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks of the younger. But as soon as the younger had awakened this morning, and his eyes met Jeno's, he knew everything was going to be just fine.

Renjun looked at the boy in thought, wondering what the younger could possibly be thinking about.

Deep into his own thoughts about the younger's thoughts, Renjun flinched when Jeno suddenly turned his head towards the older, pulling him quickly out of his own mind.

"Renjun-" he paused.

"Yes?"

Jeno didn't call him Injoon.

"I-I just really wanted to say thank you. For everything."

"For what?" Renjun asked, confused as to what the younger was thanking him for. Jeno looked at him, eyes sincere.

"For helping Jaemin last night. I know that he was crying, probably over our conversation and me being just a Defect and how repulsed he probably is because of it-"

"Jaemin loves you, Jeno. Nothing can change that. Ever," Renjun cut the boy off from his rambling.

"How are we even supposed to know what love is, Renjun?" Jeno asked, heart sinking. He liked hearing that Jaemin loved him, but that sentence made him feel empty. He remembered the point of Jaemin telling him that they weren't sure what love was, let alone how to.

"Jeno, that's the problem."

Jeno looked at Renjun, really looking.

Ever since they had met Renjun, it was clear that he was good-looking. That was no doubt. But seeing Renjun in his natural place, looking adorably sleepy, bed hair just about everywhere, he was beautiful. From the slope of his nose, the soft skin that seemed to radiate grace, to the wide smile he would get when seeing something ridiculous, to the gentle way his soft brown hair laid on his forehead.

He was ethereal.

And he was right here in front of Jeno.

Telling him how Jaemin loves him.

"What do you mean that's the problem?" Jeno asked, slightly distracted when Renjun sighed, and put a hand through his hair whilst licking his lips.

That's a distraction, Jeno thought, eyes widening slightly.

"What I mean is, he loves you, and I can tell that you love him back. You guys are confused because you haven't learned about it, but that's the lesson. You can't learn about it, you are supposed to feel it."

Jeno looked at him, eyes furrowed.

He had the warmth again, the feeling of bliss and contentedness.

But he couldn't tell Renjun that the reason he was confused because he felt that warmth with Jaemin, but also with the older. How was this supposed to happen? Loving two people at once? Isn't that considered cheating? But no one was dating? The hell?

Why is this so confusing now?

Jeno nodded slowly, pretending that he understood the older's words, letting Renjun relax and nod happily that he was able to make his point.

"Still, though," Jeno said, nudging the older on the shoulder, "thank you for being there for him."

Renjun nodded, looking satisfied at the conversation.

"That's what friends are for, right?"

Way to ruin that.

It hurt Renjun to say the word friends, but let the pain absorb. He's felt worse anyway.

Jeno nodded, looking a bit stiff while he did it. He felt conflicted at the word, but what could he do?

"Let's go get some food," Renjun said pulling the cover off of his legs, cringing slightly when the cool air met with his warm skin.

Jeno made a noise of agreeance, standing up by the end of the bed, hand extended to help the older.

Renjun saw the extended hand, and gratefully pulled himself up.

Fixing his regular grey attire of sleeping clothes, he failed to notice Jeno watching as his fixed his collar, covering his collarbone.

Jeno's gaze was transfixed on Renjun's collarbone until it was covered by his shirt.

Mission: try not to have impure thoughts about Renjun FAILED.

Jeno was groaning slightly, scrunching his eyes together, upset that he allowed himself to do that.

Seriously, dude. He's older than you, and he's told you how much you love Jaemin. Why are you thinking like this?

Renjun looked at Jeno with an adorable confused look when the younger facepalmed.

"What was that for?" the older asked, poking Jeno's cheek slightly while letting out a breathy laugh.

"I-it was just for fun?" Jeno tried, even trying to convince himself besides already knowing why.

Renjun gave him another look, casting his gaze up and down the body of the younger, making Jeno feel a little bit more embarrassed.

"If you say so," he said quietly, before walking past Jeno.

Jeno wasn't sure why he did it, but when Renjun got to the doorway, Jeno pulled his arm, pressing the older's back against the frame.

"J-Jeno?"

Renjun was a bit more than nervous, heart racing at the closeness of their bodies.

"Injoon-" Jeno started, eyes scanning once more over Renjun's face, before focusing on his lips.

"Hey, guys, what do you want-"

Jaemin's voice sounded through the hallway, making the two boys look down the hall, eyes wide.

Jaemin stopped right before the entrance, mildly surprised at the two's closeness and the hint that the situation would've went further had he not of shown up.

"-for breakfast?"

. . .

A/N:

Guess who finally managed to finish that essay??

This gal.

Anywho,

TENsion!!
What do you think is gonna happen?
Jeno's catching feelin's

On this day, we lost a beautiful lyricist, producer, amazing singer, and amazing friend, Kim Jonghyun.

He deserves the best, especially in memory.

Let's not forget the blessing that unfortunately had to leave us one year ago.

<3

Thank you for reading.

-kim

started : 2018.12.18

finished : 2018.12.18