𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐍

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈

ten and renjun both knew they needed to talk to lucas once again. jungwoo just had to interrupt their interrogation just as they were getting closer to finding their answer. it seemed as if jungwoo didn't want them to know something.

that next day, renjun and ten tried to find the perfect time to go talk to lucas. if johnny knew about what they were doing instead of working, he would be livid. so even though the pair wanted to march into lucas' office the second they entered the department, they had to wait until their break.

it was finally that time when the pair made their way upstairs again. they went into lucas' office but instead of getting some answers on jeno, they got some information that wasn't expected at all.

"look, i know jungwoo can be a little toxic to you guys—"

"a little?"

lucas sighed, "okay maybe a lot, but you have to understand where it all came from. i'm not saying he's right all the time, but jungwoo is more sensitive than you think. he only started to be so aggressive when you two started your little rivalry."

"jungwoo? sensitive?"

"don't you remember how shy he was? when he was interested in johnny he would get himself so worked up whenever you would talk with him. he felt like he had no chance since you were interested in him too."

"so it's like a defense mechanism now?" renjun asked. lucas nodded, not wanting to tell the pair too much about his jungwoo. but enough so that they understood him. ten folded his arms looking away as he began to feel bad for jungwoo.

"i can't answer any more questions." lucas said while standing.

"what? why not?" ten stood too, following lucas. they were just getting to the point of things without any interruptions. he wasn't going to lose him now.

"i know you guys want to know more about what's going on, but jungwoo is still my boyfriend. i shouldn't have been telling you what i already did, especially without him knowing. if you want to know more, you need to talk to jungwoo yourselves."

—

"talk to jungwoo by ourselves? is he out of his damn mind?" renjun stayed quiet as ten ranted beside him. lucas was right, he had said he only heard from jeno through jungwoo, so they probably couldn't get much information anyways. "how are we even going to approach him? he might get hostile." renjun burst into a fit of laughter.

"what is he? an animal?" he laughed. ten didn't think it was funny since he was clearly serious about his questions. he had no interest in being nice and bowing down to jungwoo just to get information. "sorry, ten, you're overreacting just a little."

"whatever. but can we talk to him tomorrow? i'm not prepared for a conversation with him." the two agreed to talk to jungwoo that next day. while ten didn't look forward to it at all, renjun was excited. would they finally get down to the point? or would jungwoo get hostile like ten had—

renjun suddenly let out a small yelp that knocked him out of his thoughts. he was sent to the floor after he had hit whatever was in front of him. when he looked up, he wasn't even surprised when he met eyes with jaemin.

"i'm so sorry, you alright?" he asked helping renjun up. renjun just nodded as he stood up. and just like ten had said, renjun noticed that jaemin really hasn't been himself since that friday. he scanned the dark circles under his eyes and the fact that his hands were shaking. his face looked sunken in and despite the sadness behind his eyes, he still managed to stare at renjun with so much admiration.

"jaemin? i think we should talk." and just from those simple words, jaemin's face lit up. his eyes sparkled with so much hope and glee. he would finally be able to get the answers that were driving him insane.

the two went inside jaemin's office and sat down in their usual seats. the two seemed a little uncomfortable since the last time they were both inside his office, it didn't end too well. "jaemin, i'm sorry for avoiding you..." renjun said awkwardly.

"don't be sorry, you didn't do anything wrong. i should be the one apologizing for hurting you so much. i just...couldn't stand that look on your face before you ran out...and i just knew we wouldn't be the same after that." jaemin started to mumble but renjun was still able to catch his words.

"you don't be sorry either... i guess it isn't either of our faults. i came in here to give you a chance to tell me what happened. i didn't think it was your fault but...it just didn't look good at all..."

—

jungwoo laid in bed, staring at the ceiling as the thoughts from earlier struck his mind. he couldn't help but wonder why ten and renjun wanted to talk to lucas so suspiciously. he had been in lucas' office having the time of his life before the two walked in so abruptly, asking to talk to lucas alone.

"yukhei?" jungwoo turned over, tapping the giant beside him. lucas hummed in response, half asleep. "i'm sorry to wake you, but why did ten and renjun wanna talk to you?" he asked quietly. lucas, who was lying on his stomach, opened his eyes to look at his boyfriend. his head still resting on his folded arms.

"ten is just looking out for renjun. why are you so worried?" his voice was deep and raspy. jungwoo traced his finger across his bare bicep before he answered,

"i don't want them to know why i was hired again. too embarrassing.." he murmured. lucas shifted his body so he was on his side facing the older. he rested his large hand on jungwoo's cheek as he stared at him through his heavy eyelids.

"don't be embarrassed. i understand why they would want to know, but i won't tell them anything you aren't comfortable with them knowing. so go to sleep and stop worrying, darling. okay?" jungwoo nodded, smiling before he connecting their lips. the kiss was slow and didn't last long considering how tired they were. so the two fell asleep in each other's arms.