𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 | 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐌𝐈𝐍

𝐗𝐋𝐈

"unfortunately i didn't see him do anything exactly. not even kiss him. he just ordered jaemin a drink. i can definitely check the security cameras, it would surely give you the answer to all of this." hendery assured.

"thank you, hendery. i really appreciate you, and you guys." renjun smiled though it didn't reach his eyes. he had to admit he was a little relieved he didn't exactly find out too much about the situation because he was nervous. i mean what did yuta do and why? there was so much more information on the situation, renjun didn't even wanna think about it. he snapped out of yet another trance when he felt a hand on his slender shoulders.

"where did everyone go?"

"they just left, renjun," haechan locked eyes with the older, "you're clearly hurting so i'm not going to sit here and act as if i don't know that. but as your best friend, i want to know what's happening up there." he tapped renjun's temple.

"there's nothing really on my mind. i just feel guilty i guess." renjun said emotionlessly, "jungwoo called me selfish which was no surprise to me. i thought so too, before any of that happened. it just really opened my eyes. i'm such an asshole for saying what i did without thinking, all because i was worried about myself again."

"that's understandable, ren. you can't beat yourself up because it's obviously making things worse and you aren't getting anywhere. you were hurt and you're afraid of being manipulated again. not to mention the...really weird relationship? you have with jaemin is a priority to you, so that completely consumed your mind and you did say some hurtful things." renjun was so thankful for haechan. he was so realistic and understanding about everything.

"i guess you're right," said renjun, "i just want to apologize to jungwoo but i just can't imagine him forgiving me so easily. i wouldn't forgive me either! but right now i want to apologize to you. you were so worried about me and i isolated myself from you without thinking about your feelings."

haechan engulfed renjun into yet another hug, "i love you so much, ren. don't ever forget that fact. i'm not mad at you and you don't need to apologize. always put yourself first, but i just think you were blindsided to other people's feelings just because yours aren't quite sorted."

"how do i fix that? i don't want to hurt anyone anymore."

"is there something or someone stressing you out? or just something that's the source of making your feelings so wack and— oh..." haechan then realized how much renjun really loved jaemin. just by renjun's reaction.

"damn, you've got it bad for him." renjun slapped the tanned male's arm. "hey! you hit me! that's a good sign!" haechan cheered. the older couldn't help but giggle.

"i'm so glad i have you by my side, i wouldn't trade our friendship for anything." renjun smiled and this time, his eyes did to. haechan watched as color slowly made its way to renjun's eyes that now sparkled more than they ever did before. he too, was happy. his best friend meant the world to him. haechan returned the smile, leaning in, catching renjun by surprise.

the younger had quickly pecked his lips causing renjun to gasp, covering his mouth, "why...why would you do that?" haechan laughed.

"i dunno, i heard everyone has kissed their best friend before so i wanted to try it. plus i was really in the moment." renjun laughed too, he couldn't help himself.

later that day, haechan had went to pay jaemin a quick visit. jaemin was completely shocked and thought he was going to be scolded by the older. he would rather haechan scold him for doing something he didn't like than to hear some sad news about renjun.

"did you ever hear from him?"

"just talked to him earlier. i need you to spend a lot more time with him. he really needs it." haechan said.

"no need to tell me twice, but why all of a sudden? you're usually the one who does that as his best friend and i could never take your place like that." jaemin adjusted the patch over his eye.

"oh and you're right about that. nobody will be replacing me but that's not what i came here to tell you," the older have a sarcastic grin, "you need to keep him out of his head because it's getting really bad. he's loosing himself to his thoughts and you're all he ever thinks about. i can only do so much and keep him distracted for so long."

"don't you think i would make matters worse? i mean think about it, before i met him everything in his life was going fine."

"his life became even better when you came. not to mention he's literally famous now. it isn't your fault jeno kissed you and upset him, it isn't your fault yuta kissed you, and it's not you're fault he feels bad for yelling at jungwoo. and in the midst of all of it, he still loves you and you're all he needs right now." that's all jaemin needed to hear to go check up on renjun himself. he wasn't going to fight it any longer because he loved the older too much.

"j-jaemin?"

renjun's eyes widened as he opened the door. jaemin didn't reply as he just stared solemnly at the older. just like haechan had described, renjun looked like a completely different person. his eyes drooped down, dark circles under eyes sad eyes that were almost drained of it's original color. his state was disheartening and that's when it dawned on the younger that he really wasn't okay at all.

the two just stared at each other with uncertainty. it wasn't awkward, at least not for them. that thought hadn't even crossed their minds. they both had so many issues with themselves and within their weird relationship that they had, but all they knew was that they were relieved of all their stresses in that very moment. just by being in each other's presence.

"let me take care of you. just like you did for me." jaemin held out his hand and renjun took it. he was confused as to what jaemin was planning, but he wanted to trust him. the younger had ran renjun a bath just like he had did for him months ago at his own house for the boy. renjun remembered it perfectly. once he was all cleaned up, jaemin made the two tteokbokki since it was pretty late and neither of them had eaten.

"thank you for spending time with me, nana." jaemin smiled widely, the way the nickname rolled off of renjun's tongue never failed to make him feel happy.

"no problem. you know, i remembered how much you loved tteokbokki so that's why i made it for you." now it was renjun's turn to smile. he didn't quit remember telling jaemin that, but the fact that he remembered made him feel...loved?

too flustered and caught up in emotions to reply, renjun changed the subject, "have you heard from judge moon?" he asked.

"mhm, he agreed to cut down ten's time in there despite us not wanting him to go at all. it wasn't something we planned on telling anyone but he went from two years to only one. it's been a week now." jaemin said bitterly. renjun looked down sadly. he felt himself lose his appetite at the sudden news. he wondered how johnny was dealing with this, but most of all he wondering how ten was dealing with it.

"oh...you know, i heard some news today too," the older said, "haechan and mark came over with this bartender named hendery. he said he was working that night when the whole situation happened and he was going to check the security cameras to see what really happened."

"oh renjun, i don't need to know that."

"and why not? i made a promise with you that i would figure it out for your sake. you have a right to know!"

"i appreciate it, but don't feel pressured if you don't figure it out. we can still solve this mystery for the sake of our curiosity, but don't stress yourself out." jaemin stood to put their plates in the sink. "there should only be one thing on your bucket list."

"jungwoo?"

"you know what you have to do. it's the right thing to do, and it will make the both of you feel better. do you trust my words?" renjun didn't know if he really trusted jaemin, but he just agreed. like jaemin said, he knew what he had to do. so he was going to settle things with jungwoo.