CHAPTER NINE→ jeno's kisses

Na Jaemin was, to state it simply, extremely happy.

He couldn't remember a day in his life when he'd ever been better; having awoken in the morning cuddled up against—quite frankly—the most beautiful boy he'd ever laid eyes on, then instantly remembering the prior night's events... he definitely felt a bit more confident than usual this morning.

However, that blissful feeling quickly died as the alarm clock went off, its annoying, dreadful repetition snapping Jaemin out of whatever trance he was in and rousing the still sleeping Jeno into consciousness. 

"Fuccckk, I don't wanna go to school," Jeno groaned as he lay, now aware of his surroundings yet refusing to open his eyes.

"Who ever does?" Jaemin replied, groggily sitting up on the mattress and stretching his arms. Jeno whined at the loss of warmth, then sat up as well. He had no choice but to deal with the situation.

"SHIT, WHAT TIME IS IT?" Jaemin suddenly blurted out, glancing around for a clock. Jeno, confused, stared at the younger boy.

"What? It's only around 6, we won't be late," Jeno said, combing his hand through his messy hair in order to make it more presentable. Jaemin shook his head, inferring Jeno didn't see the point.

"I promised Yuta I'd meet him to pick up my stuff at like 6:30," Jaemin stated, shifting over and standing up from the bed. Jeno watched him curiously as he dashed around, dazedly trying to figure out what he needed in order to get ready.

"Nana, calm down. That's still 30 minutes from now, just put on a shirt and pants and go get your stuff. You can come back and get your school things," Jeno spoke, smiling tiredly yet fondly at the other's strange antics.

Jaemin's heart did a thing at the nickname. "I... I don't have any clothes though..." he trailed off as Jeno gestured towards his closet, the meaning being silently understood by both.

"Fine," he said, giving in to the persuasion and walking over to Jeno's closet, swinging the door open.

After a hurried twenty or so minutes, Jaemin exited the bathroom, having changed clothes and tried to make himself look as alive as he could this early in the morning. 

"Alright I'll just walk over there now I guess. See you," Jaemin announced, walking over to the door and slipping his shoes on. Jeno quickly padded over to Jaemin, gesturing for him to wait a moment before leaving.

"Hurry back," Jeno said, placing a kiss on Jaemin's cheek that lingered for just a moment. Jaemin blinked, the sweetness of the gesture overpowering any comments he would have made as he watched Jeno pull away, then gaze at Jaemin sheepishly.

A small smile rose to Jaemin's face. "Always," he said, then quickly scurried over to the door, eager to escape the room before Jeno could catch the stupid happy expression that was forming.

A short walk out of the building and down a couple blocks successfully took Jaemin to the East Dorms, where a certain Japanese student stood in front of the building in the dimly lit street.

"What's up, dipshit" Jaemin called over as he approached his friend, Yuta turning his head to lay eyes on the younger boy.

"Hey there crackhead, care to explain why exactly you couldn't have gotten this yourself?" Yuta greeted, holding up the bag of Jaemin's belongings that he'd had to gather from Jaemin and Chenle's room.

"I can't go in there myself, Chenle's dolphin-looking ass would've shanked me," Jaemin responded, Yuta shaking his head as he handed the bag to Jaemin.

"Rumor is that you've found yourself a boyfriend," Yuta slyly inserted into the conversation, noting the way that Jaemin evilly glared at him before replying.

"Rumor is you're still hella single," Jaemin replied, Yuta holding up a fist in offense as if urging Jaemin to fight him.

"The others are just worried about you, man. Maybe you're getting scammed by some guy that wants your money," Yuta offered up, hiding the mischievous smile that so desperately tried to work it's way onto his face.

"He doesn't want my nonexistent money," Jaemin replied, instantly seeing Yuta give into the grin.

"He??? So it is someone???? Jaeminnnnnn, what's his name? Tell me," Yuta begged, yanking on Jaemin's arm pleadingly. Jaemin pouted, averting his gaze away from his friend in a demonstration of unwillingness.

"Nooo, I'm not dating anyone. Yuta, you know I'm practically incapable," Jaemin argued, trying to give Yuta what he hoped would be a convincing look. "That's not what Chenle says—" Yuta was cut off by Jaemin groaning and turning around, beginning to walk off in protest of the topic.

"Jaemin. I'm being serious here," Yuta pleaded, Jaemin's steps halting. "I know it's your business but you're being really suspicious about this," he reasoned, finally eliciting a sigh from Jaemin.

"You know what? Fine. Fine, I give up," Jaemin said, slinging his bag over his shoulder and sliding his phone out of his pocket.

The phone was able to ring only once before being answered on the other end. 

"Hey, you should get ready and come over here. My friend is absolutely dying to meet you," Jaemin spoke into the phone, a small silence ensuing.

"Oh, okay...? I thought— well, never mind. I'll be there in a few," Jeno replied quietly, Jaemin hanging up the call.

"He's coming here, just wait," Jaemin stated, expressionless. Yuta smiled, practically bouncing with excitement at being the first one to reach the center of this tea. 

"What are you so happy for? Weirdo," Jaemin lightly smiled, Yuta rolling his eyes in return. 

"Is he cute?" Yuta asked, just wanting to see Jaemin's reaction. "Very. Shut up," Jaemin replied, looking away from Yuta to hide the embarrassed smile that was just fighting to form. 

After a period of silent standing and waiting, the sound of footsteps disturbing the street's loose gravel drew near, both students turning and looking towards the source. The now properly dressed and presentable Lee Jeno strolled towards the two, smiling brightly when he caught Jaemin's gaze. Jaemin, now happy, smiled in return, then glanced awkwardly towards Yuta.

Jeno's pace slowed as he reached Jaemin, coming to a stop as he registered Yuta's presence, quickly looking the boy up and down. Yuta's grin only widened— a beautiful sight, obviously, but quite concerning to Jeno, who had just arrived.

"Jaemin was right, you are cuuutee. Oh gosh my uwus fell out," Yuta fawned over the ravenette, ignoring the rightfully confused expression Jeno wore at the moment.

"AHEM. So, this is Yuta," Jaemin interrupted, both looking at him as he gestured towards the Japanese boy. Jeno nodded in acknowledgement. "And this is Jeno," he introduced to Yuta, Jeno giving a slight wave in reply.

A dreadfully awkward pause settled over the three, everyone unsure of what to say now that they were in this situation.

"Well, um. Jaemin has said only good things about you so I hope they're true—wait, he's been staying with you right?" Yuta brought up, Jeno looking towards him as to listen.

"Yeah, he is... and?" Jeno replied politely, yet with a hint of wariness.

"So I assume those are your fault then," Yuta smirked, pointing towards Jaemin's neck where numerous dark marks were just barely visible through a layer of concealer. As if on instinct Jaemin immediately hid his neck with his hands, glancing towards Jeno in surprise.

"They are," Jeno stated proudly, Jaemin now staring at him, shocked at the confidence. Jeno said nothing, rather continued to stand his ground.

"Oh— wow if this ain't the gay agenda," Yuta laughed at Jeno's response, seeing the welcomed contrast of a startled Jaemin. Jaemin, still flustered at the interaction, wasn't sure what exactly he should even comment at this point. 

"You might wanna use a differently tinted concealer," Yuta mused, eyeing Jaemin, only causing the younger boy to feel increasingly embarrassed.

"I don't need your help, stop," Jaemin retorted, averting his gaze from his friend.

"Nana, I can do it for you..." Jeno offered, the younger boy catching his gaze. Jaemin quickly nodded, agreeing to the idea.

"Come on, why are you so nice to him, this is unfair," Yuta whined, halfway jokingly, upon seeing his friend's treatment of the other boy. Jaemin raised his eyebrows, as if to say "why do you think?"

"Jaemin's the sweetest, what do you mean?" Jeno cooed, reaching over and resting his arm on Jaemin's shoulder. Yuta laughed so hard that he nearly choked on air.

"GOD. You couldn't be more WRONG. One time I used his pen without asking and he told me I deserved to be shoved up Shrek's ass," Yuta recalled, Jaemin glaring at him for mentioning the incident.

"You broke my pen in half," Jaemin retorted, Yuta shaking his head in exasperation. Jeno lightly smiled, amused at the banter as well as the new information.

"You can just buy another pen, Jaemin," Jeno suggested casually, Jaemin acting as if he'd been betrayed.

"Not you too! That pen was expensive as hell," Jaemin pouted, shaking Jeno's arm off of him. 

"Okayyy okay, I'm sorry," Jeno protested, leaving a quick peck on Jaemin's cheek without leaving the younger time to react before attempting to continue speaking. 

"You're awfully kissy today, aren't you—" Jaemin interrupted, lowering his tone as to direct it more towards Jeno than just out loud. Jeno gave him a small half smile. "How can I not be after last night," Jeno whispered in return, Jaemin mentally reliving the events once more, still in slight disbelief of the whole ordeal.

Yuta coughed, sensing the mood had changed and immediately wanting to divert the series of events he'd be involved in.

"We should all probably get our stuff for school so our asses aren't late," Yuta suggested, the pair turning away from each other and looking towards him, taking a moment to process what the older boy had just said.

"Ah yeah, good idea. Our stuff is still in my room," Jeno spoke, Jaemin complaisantly nodding along as he usually did when Jeno suggested to do something. "Let's get going then, I guess," he said, subtly slipping his hand into Jaemin's and lightly tugging, gesturing to follow him.

"Alright, bye then, guys," Yuta waved, turning and beginning to trot off to his dorm's entrance nearby. The pair bid goodbye as well before beginning the hike to their own destination.

Jeno, still leading Jaemin by the hand as he traipsed along the side of the road in the direction of their dorm building, was abruptly halted halfway as Jaemin stopped walking, holding Jeno back. "What?" he asked, turning around to face the other boy.

Jaemin said nothing, instead fidgeting quietly, something seemingly on his mind. "Nana?" Jeno spoke, sensing something off about the younger. Jaemin slipped his hand carefully out of Jeno's, a worried expression beginning to take its place on Jeno as Jaemin gently pulled away. 

Jaemin immediately wrapped his arms around Jeno's neck, leaning towards him and fervently pressing his own lips to Jeno's. The ravenette only blinked, dazed, for a short moment before kissing back, one hand reaching around to grip Jaemin's hair and the other having slipped around his waist to pull him closer. The two remained in this way for what felt like years, yet eventually found themselves in need of oxygen.

The pair slowly pulled away, both reluctant to do so, and just stared at each other silently, unsure of what to do next.

Nothing was said— a shared glance between the two instead forming an agreement to simply carry on walking to the dorms. There was no way that what had just happened could be fully discussed or comprehended before they arrived at school that day. Therefore the two kept quiet. Minimal conversation was made as they walked along the street.

Yet, despite this... 

The two had a feeling that whatever had changed certainly couldn't be kept quiet for long.

CHAPTER NINE→ end.