ᴀғғᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ-ʟᴇss | ᴍᴀʀᴋʜʏᴜᴄᴋ [ᴇᴅɪᴛɪɴɢ]

11

Jaemin groaned as he opened the door to the dorm, only actually straightening up when he was met with a teary eyed Donghyuck. Without asking any questions, Jaemin took a hold of Donghyuck's hand and gently guided him to the sofa, being careful of not saying anything to him. Donghyuck collapsed onto it and pulled Jaemin down with him, throwing a leg over him to make sure that the taller wouldn't move away.

"Hey," Jaemin ran a hand through Donghyuck's hair and then cupped his face. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Why'd you come here straight from the airport?"

Donghyuck shut his eyes and internally groaned. He didn't even want to think about what happened at the airport. During the flight, Jungwoo had been talking to him non-stop, trying to keep his mind off everything, but he could feel everyone else's eyes on him. The way they walked past every other hour, shooting Jungwoo a look of concern, which he shrugged off and continued to talk with Donghyuck.

The flight felt longer than ever and through the entire duration, only Mark made no effort to reach out to him. He didn't know why the older wasn't even bothered in fixing anything, but he guessed it was his fault. After all, he was the childish one, right?

A tap from Jaemin brought him back to reality and Donghyuck raised his eyes slowly, staring at Jaemin with a blank face. He was too tired to discuss things with him. Then again, what good came out from talking to Jaemin last time? A plan was formulated, but after Donghyuck conducted it, everything fell apart. Mark wasn't talking to him, the members all probably thought he was too childish and were just checking up on him.

"Had a fight with the members," Donghyuck finally mumbled after Jaemin kept staring at him. He wrapped his arms around Jaemin and pouted. "Specifically, with Mark hyung."

"Mark hyung?" Jaemin echoed, confusion clear in his voice. Obviously he was going to be shocked. Mark wasn't one to have arguments, especially not with Donghyuck. How frustrated was he to have had one with Donghyuck?

"Asked me why I was being cold," Donghyuck explained, snuggling his head into Jaemin's neck. His voice was small as he spoke, and it only got smaller and he continued. "I told him it was because of the way they treated me," Donghyuck paused to sigh and Jaemin watched intently as he finished his sentence. "He called me childish."

Jaemin averted his eyes for a second, an unreadable expression crossed his face as he shook his head. "Donghyuck, I'm so sorry. I should've never suggested that you ignore them."

"It's not your fault," Donghyuck smiled at him and poked his cheek. "I shouldn't have taken it that far."

Jaemin looked unconvinced and Donghyuck felt even worse. So not only had he ruined everything with the older members, but he made one of his best friends feel guilty over something that wasn't his fault — entirely, at least.

"You weren't being childish," Jaemin said softly, placing a hand over the one Donghyuck had pressed flat against his cheek. "You were hurt and just...found a creative way to take it out on them. If they were so bothered by your behaviour, then they should've asked you what was wrong, not hold their pride and ego to their chest. Everyone's allowed to do things like that every once in a while."

Donghyuck shut his eyes and tugged on Jaemin's shirt with his other hand. He wasn't sure whether or not to believe Jaemin — especially after the last time he did. Sure, he had already been thinking about ignoring the members, but was that really the best idea? Donghyuck was in the wrong to ignore the members rather than talk his problem out (like an adult). He couldn't blame it on Jaemin nor the older members. Of course, Donghyuck had already tried other methods, and he did speak to the members in the end, but did that help?

"I don't know what to do," Donghyuck whispered, his voice cracking at the end as his grip of Jaemin's shirt got tighter. Just as Jaemin opened his mouth to speak, Jeno entered the room, climbing on top of the two and pushed Jaemin off.