"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that... Again." Jeno mumbles, staring down at Jaemin's shoes.

After making sure the tattoo artist was "okay", the three of them were sitting down on one of the couches placed at the back, intended for the employees when in need to rest.

Yangyang pursed his lips, trying not to let a sound escape from his mouth, especially an amused one.

Jaemin sitting between them hums, biting back his own smirk while Jeno was embarrassed of his actions.

How can he kick Jaemin on the crotch, twice. Out of nervousness, it's probably an instinct of his now.

But then again, Jaemin did deserved it. He kept bothering Jeno and invaded his personal space, Jeno was just defending himself from this annoying tattoo artist.

"It's okay, Jeno. No worries," Jaemin waves him off in nonchalance, as if his dick wasn't kicked pretty hard.

The raven haired boy looks up and sighs, "is there anything I can do to repay you?" An obvious guilty tone within his voice while his eyebrows were furrowed.

Glancing at Yangyang on his other side, the latter shrugs his shoulders. "You don't have to, really, Jeno-yah. Don't be too sorry, okay?" Jaemin replies with a smile.

Jeno pouts without himself knowing, a little bummed out that he's not allowed to repay Jaemin for his dumb mistake which was an instinct of self-defense.

"I feel bad though..." He mutters under his breath, fiddling with his fingers.

Sure, he isn't really fond with Na Jaemin. But he still has his good morals.

At times.

Pondering in thought as he stares at the raven haired boy, Jaemin flashes a wink at Yangyang before saying, "if you really want to repay me..." Trailing off.

Getting Jeno's attention again, Jaemin merely smiles and continues. "Let's save it, hold on to that owe of yours and I'll tell you when."

Jaemin doesn't miss the way Yangyang's slightly confused face before he covers it up with a grin of his own, nodding in agreement to back him up.

Jaemin can tell Yangyang was expecting him for something else, but he'll get to that later.

Jeno blinks several times and soon nods his head a little, a small smile etched on his face as he stands up. "I'll keep that in mind." Trying to be nice as possible.

It's still Na Jaemin the flirty bastard. Jeno can't just let his guard down over any of the elder boy's words.

"I should go now, Yangie?" Turning to Yangyang with a brow raised as he gestures to the doors.

Yangyang chuckles, shaking his head. "I'm staying back for a bit, you can go ahead, right? Wait, do you want me to accompany you?"

"Ah, no. It's okay, I can walk home by myself. See you tomorrow?" Getting a smile from his friend, Jeno rolls his eyes at him when he stands up to hug him tight.

"See ya!"

Watching Jeno exit the tattoo studio, Yangyang finally turns to a grinning Jaemin. "Could've asked him out, bro." He deadpans.

The pink haired boy shrugs his shoulders and leans back on the backrest, exhaling deeply as he relaxes after a long day at the studio.

"You guys said baby steps, I'm doing good." He snickers, "besides, let's not have him blow up again after twenty minutes." Adding a quick remark that has Yangyang snorting.

𑁍

"Hey, Jenjen!" Approaching the boy chilling on the bench, Jeno looks up from his phone as Yangyang takes a seat beside him.

Clicking his tongue, Jeno places his device on his lap and adjusts his position as he takes the towel around Yangyang's neck to dry his hair properly.

"Seems like you definitely had fun swimming." He comments with a light chuckle escaping his parted lips.

Humming, Yangyang smiles at him softly. "We raced a few times for fun, you should've been there though." Pouting playfully.

Rolling his eyes, Jeno finishes drying Yangyang's hair and quickly flicks his forehead. "And have you guys push me in? No thank you."

Laughing, his friend then runs a hand through his wet locks, "how about you? How did your day go?"

"I actually need some help with something." Jeno's question immediately has Yangyang perking up.

"Oh?"

"There's this project about photography and stuff, but I'm sort of struggling. It's not technically my forte, so..." Drawling at the end, a little embarrassed.

"Ahh, sorry Jen, but I don't think I can help you with this one... I have a lot of assignments myself to catch up on, Mr. Moon was nice enough to give me a chance." Yangyang said apologetically.

Jeno nods in understanding, but he couldn't help but let a scoff tumble out of his parted lips. "I told you to finish them quick before the deadline, but you went out for other unnecessary things."

"Fun isn't unnecessary," Yangyang huffs at the raven haired boy's usual scolding.

"Sure, but too much fun can't help you." Jeno calmly replies, brushing a fallen bang away from Yangyang's forehead. "You went out partying."

"And it was a fucking blast!" Yangyang exclaims in pure delight, face now lit up as he remembers how the said party went. "Fun does help, Jen."

"It helps you relieve stress, especially with that smart brain of yours holding many things." Yangyang points at Jeno's forehead.

Laughing when the raven haired boy smacks his finger away, "I'm not stressed." Grumbling about.

Snickering, his friend pinches his cheek to tease him even more. "Sure you're not, your forehead has been creasing more often recently."

"It's because of that stupid bastard, Na Jaemin," Jeno hisses and crosses his arms. "Can we talk about my project though? Is there anyone that can help me?"

"Well besides me, there's Donghyuck and Mark." Jeno lights up at the mention of them, having hope visible in his eyes before it dies down when Yangyang adds.

"But I don't think they can help right now either."

"Why not?"

"Donghyuck got in major trouble, so he's up helping school tasks– like a janitor or something." Jeno blinks, unbothered at this point.

"What about Mark hyung? Please tell me he can help at some point," he practically begs, fingers crossed that has Yangyang stifling a laugh.

"Sorry, but Mark's also busy with his own stuff." Pausing, Yangyang then mumbles in realization. "Dang, we're all occupied for once– weird."

Whining, Jeno leans forward to Yangyang's chest, "Yangie~ please help me!"

He doesn't realize the grin forming on Yangyang's lips, "I think I have someone in mind who can help...."

𑁍

"You've got to be kidding me." Jeno glares at the pink haired boy in front of him before turning to Yangyang with a pout on his lips. "Yangie~"

"Trust me, he can help you. Probably get you a better grade than the others and I ever could if we helped." Yangyang coaxes him, fist bumping the tattoo artist with a chuckle.

"I'll leave you two be, I have assignments to finish." Before Jeno could stop him, he was already out of the door. Indeed leaving Jeno groaning in frustration.

Looking at Jaemin, he scowls when the elder boy steps closer with hands in his pockets. "So about that owe." Fighting the urge to smack that grinning face, Jeno sighs in defeat.