The Difference

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Jeno wakes up to an empty bed. Jaemin's empty bed to be exact. He had no idea how long they slept, but by looking at the time, they slept a while. It was almost 1 in the afternoon and Jeno was finally well rested. He stretches and sits up, sniffing the air. Something smelled good. Like, really really good.

Jeno makes his way down the stairs smiling when he sees Jaemin making breakfast. He leans against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, just admiring the boy before him. By the smell, Jeno figured Jaemin was making muffins and bacon. The sizzling meat makes his mouth water and he hums hungrily. Jaemin had yet to notice his presence but Jeno liked that he could just admire the boy without worrying about him getting caught.

"You're like wife material." He finally speaks, causing Jaemin to glance at him before looking back at the bacon.

Without skipping a beat, Jaemin answers him confidently. "Better marry me then." Now that caught Jeno off guard. He was definitely not expecting Jaemin to answer him confidently, much less say that. It made him laugh though and he walks towards the honey-haired boy, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. Jaemin just lets him do what he wants, too focused on the bacon to really care about Jeno's hand roaming under his shirt.

"I didn't know you worked out..." Jeno says quietly, hands running over the outline of abs.

Jaemin chuckles. "I dance Jeno, what did you expect?"

"I don't know. A cute lil' tummy instead."

Jaemin hums and turns off the heat. "Sorry to disappoint. Now sit at the table." He points to one of the chairs before opening the oven and takes out the muffins. He places them on a cooling rack before bringing it to the table. He sets both the bacon and muffins down before taking a seat across from Jeno.

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"Where's your dad...?"

"He left for another business trip a few days ago. It's just been me here." Jaemin sighs and stretches, eyes scrunched tight. "How're you feeling though?"

Jeno rests his hand against his face, leaning on his elbow. "Not sure. Disappointed in my dad I guess. But, I'll have to go home today so I'll just prepare myself for whatever comes my way." Jaemin hums, nodding alone. "Thank you though."

"For what?"

"Letting me crash here. I don't know where else I would have gone. Renjun is in China for a family reunion so..." Jeno stares at the boy across the table. His eyes search the boy's face, looking for something, anything. He didn't know what he wanted, not fully at least. And some part of him hoped Jaemin's eyes held the answer...And they held something, but Jeno just couldn't put a name on it. But the look Jaemin was giving was one that Jeno knew he'd love you to see again and again.

"You're always welcome here Jeno. Plus," Jaemin stands and grabs the plates. "It gets lonely here." He heads back into the kitchen, and begins washing the dishes and loading them into the dishwasher. Jeno follows after him, once again snaking his arms around the boy in a back hug. He liked that Jaemin didn't push him away, that he let Jeno do what felt right. Jeno, now more than ever, needed affection. His father had hit him and was extremely disappointed. His brothers were pitying him, and he didn't even want to know what his mom and sister were thinking. He just needed someone who would welcome him with open arms, and right now that someone was Jaemin.