𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀; nomin

twenty

Jaemin had ice resting over Renjun's swollen cheek while wincing at its severe discolouring.

"Why didn't you just talk to me, Jaem?" Renjun pressed, sucking in a breath when a dull pain began to emit from his cheek. "I mean you were coming to me for months about these suspicions," he continued, eyes shutting slightly when the pain began to numb.

"Jisung was willing to help me, and besides, whenever I talked to you about it you would always tell me to stop prying in on other people's lives. I just assumed you'd say no to helping me." Jaemin lifted his free hand to twirl his blonde locks nervously.

"This boy is suffering, Jaem. I didn't like that you tried worming your way into potential danger, but now you have, and now I'm involved, I will help you....and Jisung," he mumbled, voice muffled by the numbness he was feeling.

"I love you, Renjun," Jaemin sighed, dropping the ice and enveloping his best friend in a tight hug. This was the only way that Jaemin could express both an apology and affection.

"You too, buddy."

The night had packed in, and Jaemin had invited Renjun to stay the night to which the older agreed, too scared to walk home this late.

No yelling or crashes could be heard from above, leaving Jaemin suspicious about Jinsoo's tactics and Jeno's wellbeing.

"Junnie," the blonde murmured, shaking Renjun slightly while rolling away from him a little. " I'm going to go and check something."

Renjun wasn't awake enough to think through what the younger was doing, and instead dismissed the boy sleepily.

Jaemin opened the front door, the cold air that the duvet once fended off was now nipping at his body. He pulled his sweater closer to himself, his shaking frame expressing the temperature that had settled upon the apartment block.

Pushing the thoughts of this cold winter aside, Jaemin walked towards the stairs. He wanted to see Jeno, and he wanted to see him now.

He was aware of the risk, considering he had already picked some fight with Donghyuck, even if it was Renjun who had started it, but he was willing to take that risk to see the older's wellbeing.

His hand hovered over the door he found himself standing outside of. Before his knuckles could come in contact with the surface, he found himself stepping back. This wasn't the right thing to do, was it?

At that stage it was too late since he thumped upon the door subconsciously.

Muffled coughing could be heard from the other side of the door as the distant footsteps became louder and clearer.

The door swung open, exposing a fully awake Jeno wearing a baby blue sweatshirt and a pair of loose shorts.

"Jaemin?" The older mumbled, taken aback by the blonde's unexpected arrival. "What has you knocking my door down at this hour of the morning?" He jokingly asked, stepping aside to let him in.

This settled Jaemin's stomach, since this action alone cleared up that Jinsoo wasn't currently home.

"I was worried....about you." His voice trailed off towards the end after noticing the ravenette's stunned expression. "I just." He stopped a moment to gather his scattered thoughts and get them in line before continuing. "I know what he's doing to you, Jeno. I know we don't know each other well, but I know, and I can't sleep knowing."

Jeno held his sweater paw closer to his face as he thought through what Jaemin had just said.

He was aware of Jaemin's knowledge from his last visitation, but he hadn't thought that it bothered the younger to this extent.

"Jaemin, please don't meddle with this. You and Jisung are getting too involved with my life. If I could leave him I would. It's no longer an option, and probably won't be for a very long time." He took a seat opposite the visitor, while watching each strained emotion.

"No, Jeno, you need help. Let Jisung and I help you out of this!"

The ravenette merely shook his head, knowing that answer could never change until his sister was in a more secure position.

"Trust me for once. You two need to take the back pedal for a bit, take in my point of view and calm down. I'm alive...I'm okay, Jaemin, so don't bother wasting your time." He knew this was the answer he would receive, but he wanted to believe he could make a difference, and he would.

Jaemin stood up from his seat before carding his hand through his hair wearily.

"Just you wait, Lee Jeno." He walked towards the door, opening it quickly and stepping out. "Just you wait."