"I have to go to the bathroom for a minute," Jaemin suddenly announces as he stands up from his bed. "Don't run off, darling."

Jeno only rolls his eyes in response, eliciting an amused laugh from Jaemin before the latter disappears to the small bathroom.

They had been having small talks here and there, Jeno was fidgeting Jaemin's unfinished 3 by 3 Rubik's cube while the tattoo artist was trying to get him to notice him.

It's not like Jeno's purposely ignoring him nowadays. It's just... He's embarrassed to admit it but... He's shy. All right?

He's shy around Jaemin for something he doesn't want to look more into. He'd actually go insane if he thinks more about it.

Hence why he kept playing with Jaemin's Rubik's cube, although he had already finished it, he gave it to the owner and told him to mess it up just so he can solve it again.

It's his way of not meeting Jaemin's eyes which have been staring at him intently, to the point where Jeno was actually holding his breath for a moment.

Getting slightly bored after solving the toy several times now, he looks around Jaemin's bedroom for something interesting.

He takes Jaemin's temporary absence to look at his bookshelf, initially he would have been hesitant to do that and would have asked Jaemin's permission first.

But then he remembered what Jaemin told him earlier once they got here.

"Feel free to roam around, I don't have anything to hide anyway."

It was straightforward, Jeno thought he was kidding around but in fact, he wasn't. Which truly surprised Jeno, as always.

Jaemin was dead serious about what he said, giving Jeno permission and freedom in his house.

"You're crazy..." He had mumbled out to the pink haired boy after hearing that.

"Are you into that, doll?"

"Respectfully, zip your mouth."

While looking around the bookshelf for something that could entertain him in the meantime, he took out an album that caught his eye.

With furrowed eyebrows, he scans the front of the album.

"Beautiful Things" it displayed neatly. It wasn't anything colorful, a vintage photo album, if you will.

It seemed boring for others nowadays, but to Jeno, it looked beautiful indeed. Hence why it caught his eye.

Amongst the random colorful books and photo albums in Jaemin's shelves, this one was different.

It may look simple, but that's the thing; Simple is good.

Slowly flipping through it, Jeno was firstly greeted by beautiful pictures of nature, tall buildings from the city, the night sky, city lights, busy streets and all.

The next section was filled with tattoo pictures. Jeno guesses it's from Jaemin's clients. When he finishes his work, he takes a picture of it.

Everything looked beautiful, Jeno could see as to why Jaemin titled the album with that.

However, his adoration turned into confusion once he gets to the third section.

It's him.

Okay, as creepy as most people might think about this out of context, Jaemin isn't a complete stranger.

And... Okay, he's also not a complete bad guy to Jeno.

Jeno's just confused.

Why did Jaemin added these pictures of him on this album? And when did he took some of these?

Jeno recognizes a few of these shots, but the others remain foreign.

"Oh, you found it."

A gasp escaping his lips, Jeno almost drops the album from his grip as he flinches from the sudden voice behind him.

Turning to see Jaemin smiling at him, he was speechless. "Uh..."

"That's my favorite album, just have to point that out." Jaemin says while walking over to where Jeno is.

The raven haired boy began to stutter, "w-why is it your favorite? Don't you ha-have others?" He couldn't help but ask.

Jaemin chuckles and takes a moment to stare at the album in Jeno's grip, looking up to meet his eyes again, he then replies.

"It's the only one with you in it."

Jeno widens his eyes as Jaemin continues, "I hope it's not that weird and creepy for you, I understand if it is, though. I can get rid of them if it makes yo–"

"No!" Jaemin raises a brow at Jeno's sudden outburst, the latter clears his throat as his cheeks turn red.

"I– I mean, you worked pretty hard on these and I don't want you to waste them..." Jeno then flips to a random page, the section of city lights.

"Besides... They're beautiful." He mumbles shyly.

It has Jaemin's heart beating fast as the butterflies in his stomach woke up, fluttering around to which he didn't pay any mind to it at all.

He couldn't contain the smile creeping up on his lips, eyes sparkling as he stares at a shy Jeno in front of him.

"You really think so?" Getting a shy nod, he fights the urge to pull the younger boy into his arms for a tight hug.

"But..." Jeno suddenly speaks up again, "when did you take these?"

"At night?" Jaemin says in confusion as to what Jeno was referring to.

The younger boy shakes his head, "no... I meant the pictures of me."

"Oh." Jaemin then chuckles and briefly answers, "whenever we hung out, I sneaked a few shots while you were distracted." He shrugs his shoulders in nonchalance.

"Why did you add these here, though?" Jeno makes a face as he stares at a blurry picture of himself giggling at something.

"I look horrible!"

"If you were, I wouldn't have added you in it. But you're obviously not, you're beautiful, Jeno." Jaemin shamelessly remarks.

Jeno was about to protest, but he suddenly freezes when he looks up and his eyes stare back to Jaemin's own.

Gulping when the elder boy comes closer, dark eyes darting down to his lips back and forth.

Jeno doesn't move. Either he's in complete instinctive shock, or he doesn't want to.

But his breath hitches in his throat when Jaemin reaches out to touch his cheek. "You're really pretty, Jeno."

"Y-you've said that many times, Jaemin..."

"Because it's true." Jaemin whispers, hot breath fanning over Jeno's lips now. "I just want you to know every time."

As he was about to lean closer, they both jolt away from each other once Jaemin's cellphone rang.

Groaning, the tattoo artist takes his gadget from his pocket and answers the call in a hurry. Restraining himself to yell at the person when he hears Jaehyun talking.

While Jeno was in shock, he snaps out of his thoughts when Jaemin gently touches his arm. "My client came early, we should go. I'll walk you home first."

"Wait." Jaemin stops on his tracks when he was about to pull Jeno along with him, turning back around to raise a brow.

"C–can... Can I–"

Jeno places the photo album back in its place as he takes a deep breath. "Can I... Go with you?"

"To the studio?" Jeno purses his lips before nodding in response. "Are you sure? I mean... You made it clear you don't like places like those."

"And didn't you say you have stuff to do back at home?" Cringing visibly by getting called out, Jeno sighs and shakes his head.

"I change my mind."

Scanning his face for a brief moment, Jaemin then flashes him a wide grin. "You can watch me if you want, but let me know if you're bored."

Before Jeno could say something, he was already getting pulled along to follow a grinning Jaemin.

What in the world just happened? And why did I– what have I done?

𑁍

Thoughts?

Sorry to annoy y'all with the almost kissing scene :p

It will come, eventually ;)

Who is having f2f classes now? I hope you all are doing well mentally and physically ❤️❤️

I was asked by our teacher, however I didn't join... I think I'm the only one lmao.

Long story short, it's kinda messy, like how they managed it?

Not surprised tho lol

And my parents are still not okay with that idea especially when elections in my country are coming up during a pandemic.

Okay, it's sorta obvious that some of my classmates only joined the f2f group because they wanted to hangout or roam around.

Because apparently they're "vaccinated" and "nothing bad will happen. We're practically immune."

💀

Whatever, back to the point—

Hope you're having your meals at the correct time, please don't skip even if you think it's okay to.

Taking a break from work or school just to eat is totally fine rather then risking your health.

❤️❤️❤️❤️