Apocalypse ✦ Nomin

30

⊱ ───── { Jaemin } ───── ⊰

"Are you sure about this?" Chenle inquires as he and Jaemin stand in front of the door to Renjun's room.

"Yeah...it's better he hears it from me," Jaemin states, "Can I...ask you for one last favor?"

"Sure," Chenle agrees in his soft voice.

"Can you find someone who can get me my ring back? I...I feel really upset that they took it and refuse to give it back," Jaemin requests, and Chenle nods.

"I'll go do that," he agrees, and with a final nod, Jaemin enters Renjun's room.

"Jaemin?" the boy's voice immediately chimes as he enters, "God, I thought you forgot about me."

Renjun beams at him, but unpin realizing Jaemin's expression is very serious, his smile quickly fades.

"What's wrong?" he asks as he slowly sits up in bed.

Jaemin lowers his head and shuts his eyes.

"I haven't been honest with you..." he starts.

"How?"

"Renjun," Jaemin exhales shakily, "You know that one belief that two people were meant to be together?"

"You mean soulmates?" Renjun asks, and Jaemin nods.

"Yeah, that," he confirms, "Well...it's...it's an actual thing..."

"Really?" Renjun questions.

"Yeah, and...and the thing is: I've been holding that back from you. Everyone has someone they were meant to be with, and very few ever actually meet before they die," Jaemin explains, "And...well...I met mine..."

Silence befalls the two men, causing Jaemin to feel his body grow tense as his heart beats fast. Renjun stares at him with a perplexed expression.

"O...kay...so...who is it?" he inquires, and Jaemin's eyes begin to gloss over. He tries to coax himself into saying it, but he knows doing so is going to break Renjun's heart.

Little did he realize that his reaction was all Renjun needed to confirm his suspicions.

"Oh...it's...it's Jeno...isn't it?"

Jaemin hesitates, but eventually nods.

"I'm so sorry, Renjun," he utters with a broken voice that barely manages not to crack, "I...I should have warned you...I should have explained everything...I'm so sorry."

"I guess I'm not entirely surprised..." Renjun admits, "That explains why it always felt like you were holding back...I guess...I just didn't want to believe it."

"Renjun..." Jaemin whispers as he approaches him, "I-"

"Don't apologize. It's fine," he says, "Well, no, it's not...but...at least things make sense, now."

Jaemin squeezes his eyes shut and allows a single tear to fall down his cheek. He opens his eyes and reaches for Renjun's hand nearest to him. He takes it in both of his and holds it tight.

"I may not be the man you were supposed to love...but I know that whoever is is gonna be a lucky man," he says quietly. He glances towards a nearby clock before returning his attention to Renjun. "I have to go. So please..."

Jaemin curls's Renjun's fingers and closes his hand around a folded piece of parchment he had slipped into his palm.

"Go find the man you were meant to be with. He will treat you better than I ever could," Jaemin whispers.

"How am I supposed to get out of here to find him?" Renjun questions.

"Ask to speak to Chenle or Donghyuck. If you can't, try your best to reason with Mark," he informs him before softly kissing the top of Renjun's head, "Goodbye, Renjun."

At this, Jaemin paces for the door, but before he can leave, Renjun asks one last thing.

"Wait..." he speaks out, causing Jaemin to abruptly stop and look to him, "Did you...did you ever feel anything for me? Or was all of it just you using me?"

Jaemin shakes his head.

"No, I really did used to like you...I just...I know now that nothing we could ever have will compare to the kind of love we were meant to have with the people we belong with. Trying to keep you alongside me was selfish. You deserve someone better," Jaemin admits.

Renjun nods in understanding.

"Thank you."

Jaemin offers him a faint, warm smile before exiting the room. He finds a man standing outside in the middle of the hall. He wears an all white suit with white shoes, and keeps his hands clasped behind his back. He grins brightly at Jaemin and bows at his presence.

"Hello, my name is Kun, Chenle requested I escort you back to your room," he announces.

A smile slowly forms on Jaemin's face at this. He bows slightly back at him.

"Nice to meet you," he hums.

Kun extends his arm to the left towards the elevator at the end of the hall.

"After you."

Jaemin happily obliges and walks off towards the shining metal sliding doors. He presses the button to call the lift, and mere seconds later, the doors quickly slide open for the two to enter.

Once inside, Kun presses a button, and the doors shut the two inside the small room.

Alone.

Without hesitation, Jaemin uses all of his strength and swings at the man. With one terrifyingly forceful punch and a horrifically loud pop, Kun drops to the floor with a thud. The elevator shakes at his sudden fall, but Jaemin quickly gets a grip and seizes the opportunity. He presses the button for the first floor and turns to the man. He stares at him for a moment before crouching down and examining him. He gently shoves him, but finds that the man does not respond.

He was out cold.

A chill runs through Jaemin's body. He never knew he could harm someone that badly. He never actually tried. Seeing that he was capable of knocking out a grown man was alarming. He tries to dispel these thoughts and focus on the more important task at hand.

"I'm coming, Jeno."