Fake Smile | Jaeyong Nct

19

While seeing you like that
I'm smiling outside
But actually, I'm not fine
I'm afraid that this will all end suddenly someday
__________________________

Jimin indeed kept his promise and came over the next morning. He looked quite confused when he spotted the other 3 in Taemin's living room and, after a greeting, sat down with them. Taeyong sat next to Jaehyun, who had been with him all night, trying to hide his nervousness. He hoped so much that Jimin would listen to them and even help them in the end. If not, he really didn't know what to do anymore.

While Taemin handed out the coffee, Baekhyun cleared his throat and looked at Jimin with a slight smile. He had decided to explain everything to Jimin. Baekhyun himself didn't know exactly why but he felt responsible for Taeyong and wanted to protect him. Maybe it was because he is the leader of SuperM or maybe it was just because he is older. One thing was certain for him in any case. Taeyong meant an incredible amount to him and he didn't want to see him suffer any longer. He couldn't understand why anyone wanted to hurt him so much. In his opinion Taeyong was the epitome of loving, faithful and innocent. He had never met anyone who was as kind as Taeyong is and he just didn't want to think why someone was trying to ruin this person.

"We really need your help, Jimin. We're pretty desperate."
Confused, the younger one raised an eyebrow and looked at Baekhyun, waiting.
"You probably remember Lei. He was a rookie at BigHit recently and switched to SM and NCT a few months ago."
Jimin nodded slightly. "Of course I remember. He came crying to us the other day. Told some exciting things."
Taeyong immediately felt all the colors fade from his face. Of course Lei had told them all his lies. Uncomfortable by Jimin's statement he bit his lip and clung lightly to his own sweater. Jimin looked over at him for a moment, mustered him before he looked at Baekhyun again.

But this time it was Jaehyun who spoke. "Nothing Lei said was true."

He leaned forward slightly and looked intensively at the older one. "Lei has been trying to drive a wedge between the band and Taeyong since he joined us. He invents endless lies and tries to set us against each other And unfortunately it worked, which is why we're sitting here now and need your help."

"Did you hear about Lei's plan?" Taemin turned directly to Jimin who shook his head slightly.

"He came by a few days ago. He was totally upset and was crying. He told us the most unbelievable things about Taeyong-Hyung and NCT. At some point I left the room, because Lei and I aren't really friends and I didn't want to intrude further into his privacy."

Taemin nodded slightly and looked at Baekhyun, who took over again.
"Jaehyun just found out that Lei is planning something terrible with the help of your band mates." Surprised, Jimin raised an eyebrow.
"I guess they plan to upload a video against Taeyong in which they publish everything Lei told them about Taeyong."

Surprised, Jimin opened his eyes. "Wait, we would never blackmail anybody."

"Johnny said Lei had talked with, sorry I only know your stage names, Suga and RM already and cleared everything up and they would definitely support him and even recorded the video." Jaehyun looked at Jimin.

"I don't know about that. But I can't imagine Yoongi or Namjoon would make a video like this. No way."

Jaehyun buzzed slightly. "Then you don't seem to know your friends well enough."

"Sorry..what?" With a colder look Jimin turned to Jaehyun and looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes.

Before Jaehyun could reply, Taeyong quickly interfered and turned to the boy who was only a few months younger than him.

"Jimin, I'm sorry to ask you this, but could you find out if your band really wants to release this video about me? I'm pretty desperate and I don't know who else to turn to."
Jimin's eyes turned to him and he nodded slowly. "Yes I can do that but I can assure you that Lei must have lied to you. My boys would never do that, especially not without knowing exactly what's true and what's not."

Taeyong immediately smiled at him. "Thank you so much and I'm incredibly sorry that Lei and my fight had to involve your band. I never wanted any of this. I'm so sorry."
Jimin gave him a small smile which immediately relieved Taeyong.
"Don't worry. I will talk to everyone but I am still sure it's all just a big misunderstanding. We would never blackmail anyone."
He bit his lip briefly before looking at Taeyong shyly."May I ask what exactly Lei did? He always seemed like a decent rookie to me."
Uncomfortably Taeyong played lightly with his fingers before he slowly began to tell everything. He wanted to trust Jimin, after all, he asked for his help.

He told him about how unfriendly Lei had behaved, how he spread new rumors about him over and over again, how everyone started to oppose him and how he lost his role as leader in the end.

Every now and then the others threw in some objections of rumors they had heard as well because Lei already distributed them everywhere. When Baekhyun then also mentioned that Lei had beaten him up, not only Jimin opened his eyes in shock but also Jaehyun. Taeyong hadn't told him about it yet - after all, it had been the same day as their breakup. The younger one strained immediately and automatically put his arms protectively around Taeyong's waist. It didn't seem to matter to him that this reaction on his part could seem strange to Jimin, at least he didn't know anything about their relationship.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Unsure, Taeyong looked at his boyfriend.
"I wanted to tell you but the next moment there was a rumor about that kiss photo and my only thought was to convince you of the truth."
Jaehyun pulled the older one close and wrapped his arms tightly around his thin body. "I won't let Lei hurt you again."

Jimin promised them to talk directly to his band colleagues and then get in touch with them again. Taeyong hoped very much that it was all just a big misunderstanding and BTS really didn't plan to post a video about him.
However, because BTS had a busy and stressful schedule, there was still no response from Jimin even after 6 days and as NCT 127 were about to make their comeback, both Jaehyun and Taeyong had to slowly move back into the NCT Dorm. Taeyong was not at all happy to move back into Lei's nearness, but there was nothing he could do about it. Taemin and Baekhyun both promised him that he could come back to them immediately whenever he wanted. Baekhyun even said that he would love to take him to the EXO Dorm.

Taeyong was incredibly happy to have Hyungs like Baekhyun and Taemin. He had never felt as safe as he did with them and he is incredibly grateful for everything.