Belated happy birthday, EXO's Sehun!!

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"You should tell me more about yourself." Jaemin snaps his head up to Jeno's way, the ravenette boy avoiding his gaze that somehow makes him... Squirmy and fluttery.

"Why?"

"I've told you about my life so many times– well, some of them you've figured it out." A light chuckle was heard. "Yet I don't know that much about you."

"Is Lee Jeno trying to get to know me? Is this real? Do I have a chance with you, pretty boy?" Jaemin lilts teasingly while eyeing him.

Jeno doesn't need to turn around to know if Jaemin is smirking right now or not, because he totally is.

Scoffing, he clicks his tongue. "Is Na Jaemin throwing an opportunity? Mind you, I can easily kick you out of my house right now." He threatens.

For once, Jaemin is actually threatened with that. Jeno could highly be serious and never talk to him again, closing himself off back to square one.

Besides, Jaemin thinks Jeno can and will easily kick him out... His mother is literally downstairs, do you think Jaemin would actually risk seeing the sweet lady get angry at him for whatever Jeno said?

Chuckling, he shrugs his shoulders as he lazily sits down on Jeno's desk chair, slumped with his legs spread that has Jeno rolling his eyes at.

"What? Want to sit on my lap?"

"No thank you."

He smirks to himself, the way the ravenette boy turns away and plops down to his bed makes it obvious he's getting to him.

"There's nothing really much to say about my life, if I'm being honest with you." Jaemin goes back to the main topic that instantly gets Jeno's full attention.

Hm, I can get used to this.

"What do you mean? I barely know stuff about you, you have a lot to share." Jeno remarks with a frown, forehead wrinkling from it.

"What do you even want to know about me, darling?" Jaemin keeps his tone light, liking how the atmosphere is right now in Jeno's neat bedroom with dim lights on that is so soothing for their eyes.

"Everything? I mean, you don't really talk about yourself– surprisingly..."

The ravenette boy trails off, having Jaemin raising a brow at him. "Wait..." He adjusts his position, sitting back up keeping his teasing smirk on his face.

"Don't tell me you thought I was some egotistical dickhead that doesn't care about anything, especially you." Adding the last part with a wink, Jaemin couldn't help but snort quietly.

Jeno gets flustered, cheeks flushed a little as he purses his lips. Jaemin can still see the color despite the dim lights.

"I...."

"No way!"

"It's not my fault I was taught differently, in other words– brainwashed." Jeno grumbles in response to Jaemin's teasing.

Jaemin softens a bit, understanding how the ravenette boy is still triggered by his own life choices; regret always lingering around in every step he takes.

Standing up, he moves to sit beside him who luckily doesn't move away, instead lifting his knees for his chin to rest atop, arms caging his legs against his chest.

"Well, like I said, there's not much to say other than me being a dropout and getting a job as a tattoo artist instead."

"Why did you dropout?" Jeno perks up in curiosity, tilting his head to the side that has Jaemin cooing internally.

"My parents– mainly my mother, got mad because I didn't want to pursue her legacy as a doctor."

"Did they kick you out?"

"No, I just decided to leave on my own. Met up with Jaehyun at a bar and became friends with him, then here I am, working at his tattoo studio which I'm always thankful for."

The way Jaemin said it was like it was nothing, like he's totally unbothered with his past and is just continuing to live his life like he wants.

Jeno knows it is not exactly an advisable path, but it does intrigue him how Jaemin can be independent despite not having those high ranked needs; a scholarship for example.

Unlike him who's constantly pressuring himself due to his grandparents.

"I still visit my parents from time to time, if you're wondering. Though, my mom is still pissed at me, it's all good." Jaemin chuckles lightly.

"What did you wanted to pursue if you didn't dropout anyway?" Jeno asks, recalling how Jaemin hasn't yet to mention what he wanted to be as.

The pink haired boy shrugs his shoulders, "either a photographer or a chef, but then that thought is out of the window now. I honestly enjoy what I have at the moment."

Jeno learns despite the hardships Jaemin went through in his life; a mother with high expectations, a legacy he had thrown away due to genuinely not wanting it, Jaemin is still strong.

He knows what he wants, he makes sure he can be the boss in his own life; he is strong, independent, wise, brave and everything Jeno envies.

Because then Jeno learns Jaemin is someone who doesn't let others get in his way, plans things ahead of time for himself and is overall gutsy.

Jaemin is a charming guy with equally charming looks that makes Jeno shy yet craving for more.

And then Jeno learns, at this very second, he is growing feelings for the tattoo artist right in front of him, sitting on his own bed.

Now he feels shy when he notices the gaze Jaemin has on him, staring at him with such adoration, Jeno's scared that he could be seeing things.

And it really doesn't help at all how close they are despite the vacant spaces on his bed– or rather, his entire bedroom.

The dim lights are making it more intense for him for no apparent reason. Maybe it's because of Jaemin's gaze that suddenly falls down to his lips.

He doesn't even realize he was holding a breath when Jaemin scoots closer til his toes brush against Jaemin's shin.

"You're really pretty, Jeno... I've said it many times being all flirty and trying to impress you. But I genuinely mean it, I hope you soon accept that."

I hope you soon accept me. Is what he really wanted to say.

Leaning in, Jaemin glances up to Jeno's gaze who seems flustered and confused at the same time, probably not knowing what to do for once.

This isn't in the books he was forced to read and soon got used to them. This wasn't something he would memorize for a test.

And this definitely isn't something his grandparents would like to know of.

Kissing a boy.

A boy who isn't in a good school, dyed his hair pink, living alone, working as a tattoo artist filled with tattoos himself– Jeno has desperately been trying to ignore since he has met Jaemin, but it's almost impossible with the shirts he wears.

But all those thoughts are pushed to the side once Jaemin's hand reaches to his hip, a shaky breath escapes his lips from the gentle yet intimidating touch.

It's almost all too much, but too little. Jeno is going insane.

Eyes blown wide when Jaemin briefly brushes his lips on the corner of Jeno's lips. A soft kiss that only has good intentions.

"I understand if you're mad at me for that, but don't push me away, Acorn."

Jeno doesn't say anything but pulls Jaemin by the bicep for a hug, forehead resting on the tattoo artist's shoulder as he shakes.

He isn't crying. But he feels like he will be later.

And he is so thankful for Jaemin not asking him what's wrong, because he isn't ready to spit out words yet.

The arms around his figure are comfortable, it warms Jeno's whole being.

"I'm not mad at you." He soon gathers the courage to speak up again. Jaemin listening to him patiently as he rubs Jeno's lower back.

"Can you please stay for another hour?"

"You didn't have to ask, Acorn."

Jaemin is so strong, independent, wise, brave– kind, genuine, loving, understanding and everything... Everything Jeno loves about.

Because Jaemin makes him feel safe, valid and things he has been waiting for. He feels like he can be himself.

The mystery Jeno has going around, who is he?

Well, Jaemin is helping him find out who he truly is.

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Thoughts??

A soft and innocent kiss on the corner of the lips– hope it's enough :p

Gotta take it slow a bit, Jeno's still flustered lol

Again, Belated happy birthday, EXO's Sehun! ❤️