"Bring me anything else that you wanna take with us." Jaemin said gently to Jeno who was watching him from the couch with wide, curious eyes as the younger played Tetris to make all their things fit in the small suitcases. He nodded, feeling a bit fuzzy as he went into their room and looked around, clutching a small stuffed elephant that Chenle had bought for him at his side. He hummed to himself a bit as he went to the closet and went through some of the clothes, surprised by just how many shirts and outfits Chenle, and Haechan had gotten for him over the span of time where they hung out.

He pulled out a couple of his favorite sweaters and shirts, grabbing some of his most comfortable pants as well and bringing them out to Jaemin with a smile, setting them down gently. Jaemin grinned.

"Thanks, baby. Do you have any toys you wanna take? Maybe some of your stuffies?" He proposed, making the older nod and make his way carefully to what had become his playroom. Bonsik was laying peacefully on his bed and he smiled at the fluffy bean all curled up in the piles of blankets. He walked over to the basket where all of his stuffed animals resided, his collection now spilling out onto the floor a bit as they ran out of space to put them. He went through them all carefully, setting aside some of his favorites as he went. He paused when he picked out a certain stuffed wolf and paused, staring at it for a moment. He knew Jaemin still loved him regardless, but sometimes he wished he was better for the younger, wished he could take care of Jaemin just like how he used to.

He remembered when Jaemin had scrapped his knee and earned a black eye after getting in a fight with a kid over something stupid- he couldn't quite remember what exactly they had fought about, but he remembered carrying a sleeping Jaemin home on his back, laying him down on his bed and carefully treating his injuries with a gentle smile.

Honestly, he was just glad that Jaemin hadn't left him or given up on him after everything that had happened. Most people would've left by now, would've said he caused too many problems and left without a word.

But, Na Jaemin was not most people.

"Hey, Jaem?" Jeno asked as he waddled into the living room with his arms full of plushies. Jaemin hummed as he helped Jeno set them down, the older keeping the stuffed wolf in his hold throughout it all. "Remember back in elementary school when you got in that fight over something?" Jaemin huffed out a chuckle at that and nodded.

"Yea, I do." He said, a faint smile tracing his lips. "Why, what's up?"

"Well, I just- I don't know I just couldn't remember what you two had fought about and it was killing me..." He remarked as he settled himself beside Jaemin who let out a relieved sigh at having the older by his side again. It was such a simple thing that made him feel so full- just having his love by his side made such a mundane task like packing feel so warm. Maybe it was stupid, but if that's what stupid felt like, Jaemin thought he wouldn't mind being an idiot.

"hmm, I can't remember either if I'm honest. But that was quite a day..." Jaemin said with a faint smile as he continued packing. Jeno nodded as he pet the wolfs fur, thinking to himself for a moment as he let Jaemin reminisce in the memories.

"Do you... Do you miss those days too?" Jeno asked hesitantly, his eyes watering a bit as he kept his gaze locked with the stuffed wolf's piercing blue ones. Jaemin hummed.

"Sometimes I do, but only because back then we were safe together, and back then things were a lot less complicated." The younger explained patiently as he finished placing all of the clothing into the suitcase and moved onto the plushies. Jeno sniffed and nodded.

"Me too."

...

"I love you Jeno." Jaemin suddenly said, pausing his actions to look at the older with soft eyes. "I love all of you, no matter what that may look like, no matter what that may include," He reached out and gently lifted Jeno's chin, making the older boy meet his gaze. "okay baby?" He used his thumb to wipe away one of the stray tears that spilled from the olders eyes. Jeno nodded a bit and leaned into the touch, closing his eyes and wondering how he ever got himself a Na Jaemin.

"Okay... And I love you too Jaemin. I really, really love you." Jeno said with a nod, crying a bit more as he spoke despite the stupid smile that grew on his face. But, the younger smiled just as stupidly back, and it almost made Jeno feel like he was falling in love all over again.

"By the way Jaemin,"

"What's up?"

...

"Have you ever thought about dying your hair blue?"

🍓

"Uncle Smiles!"

"Minjunie!" Jeno knelt down and opened his arms for the little boy who came barreling into him, laughing and hugging the boy tightly as he listened to the smaller's giggles.

"Jeez, sometimes I think he'd rather have Jeno as his papa than me." Donghyuck remarked sarcastically from beside Jaemin who chuckled.

"Mmm, but nobody makes peanut butter honey and banana sandwiches like papa does." Renjun whispered as he hugged Donghyuck from behind, almost making Jaemin laugh due to Renjun being slightly shorter. But instead, Jaemin just scoffed and crossed his arms.

"Well, Jeno has actually learned to make lots of different foods, so I'm sure he could make a peanut butter honey- whatever that tastes just as good." Renjun and Donghyuck both laughed at the younger who was pouting grumpily.

"Alright, break it up, did you guys get all of your luggage in its place?" Chenle asked as he buzzed around them, checking up on the different couples and such around them. Jaemin nodded.

"Babe, you should calm down, it's gonna be fine," Jisung said as he followed the smaller Chinese boy around, obviously trying to calm his boyfriend's buzzing nerves.

Honestly though, get yourself a Park Jisung.

"Renjun! Chenle!" Both mentioned boys looked up to see Yangyang coming over, looking a bit nervous.

"What is it? Did I forget something?" Chenle asked as he began to look around at the various people and the carts of luggage that were being loaded onto the jet.

"No! No, nothing like that, just uh, so we maybe brought an unexpected guest?" Yangyang said, pulling someone behind him by the wrist. The man looked unamused and Chenle brightened at him.

"Kun!"

"Kun?" Doyoung exclaimed, stepping out of the crowd.

"Doyoung?"

"Kun?!" Taeil came up behind Doyoung, looking a bit less happy about the newcomer.

"Taeil." Kun said, his expression dropping again.

"Wait, how do you guys know him?" Chenle asked, glancing at the couple. Doyoung smiled.

"He was my high school sweetheart."

"Yea, was is the keyword in that sentence." Taeil said with his arms crossed, standing firmly at Doyung's side. Kun cleared his throat.

"Look, Taeil, I'm not here to steal your man, I'm just here to look after my baby brother." Kun said bitterly, rolling his eyes a bit. Yangyang fake gaged at the term and looked apologetically at Chenle.

"I'm sorry. Apparently, our parents sent him." Renjun's mouth was hanging open by now and he lifted a finger to point at Kun.

"You have an older brother??" Renjun questioned. Yangyang nodded. "Bro, what the fuck..."

"Well, don't sweat it Yangyang, there's plenty of room on the jet for him to join us too." Chenle said with a kind nod towards Kun who smiled.

"What?!" Taeil said, seeming a bit upset. He groaned when everyone turned to look at him before turning and storming off. Doyoung sighed.

"I'll go talk to him. Sorry about that, Kun." The bunny man said before he rushed after Taeil, calling out for him as he went.

"I'm really sorry for all this trouble Chenle, I can just go home and tell my parents what's going on, really it's alright-" Chenle shook his head quickly.

"That wouldn't do at all. Besides, I'm sure this trip would do you well- maybe even give you the chance to fix whatever's going on between you and those two." The small Chinese boy urged, grinning before turning and walking off to the next couple of choice.

🍓

"Jaeminie?"

"What is it baby?"

"I'm scared." Jaemin nodded as he held Jeno's hand, smiling gently at him.

"It's alright sweetheart, it's not that bad, you'll see." The younger assured softly as Jeno clung to his arm. They were all seated in the jet, waiting for the thing to take off, but apparently, it couldn't take off until Taeyong finished his little flight safety speech.

"Don't kick the seat of the person in front of you, don't be a dumbass, the usual, but most importantly-" The man paused and cleared his throat. "Enjoy your flight!" Jaemin chuckled a bit, surprised at how brief the speech was, and held Jeno's hand just a little bit tighter.

(quick note, I'm gonna be honest, I don't remember what riding a plane is like cuz it's been so long so bear with me o7)

Jeno scrunched his eyes shut as the plane began to move, and it was a strange feeling. It almost felt like nothing, but at the same time it still felt like a movement, the plane gaining speed a bit before it lifted up off the ground- and that was the weirdest feeling by far.

Jaemin held his hand and hushed him through it softly, keeping him anchored in his chair and letting his mind relax a bit from the gnawing anxiety that had taken over him. It had been mixed with a sense of excitement and wonder as well, but consider his and Jaemin's track record of unlucky events, Jeno thought the plane crashing wouldn't be too farfetched of an idea-

However, the author begged to differ and just wanted them to have a relaxing vacation.

The planes not gonna crash guys, calm down.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Jaemin asked as the little light lit up in front of them indicating that they were safe to unbuckle their seatbelts and relax. Jeno nodded a bit as he leaned his head on the younger shoulder, letting out a soft sigh as he relaxed into the younger side. Despite the long flight ahead of them and the plenty of opportunities they would get to sleep on the way, Jeno wanted to take a nap right then and there. He wanted to curl into Jaemin's side on this small airplane seat and feel the youngers warmth engulf him as he melted into a comfortable state of haziness, lost in his own little world where it was just the two of them-

But, a certain Minjun had some different plans.

"Uncle Smiles, Uncle Strawberry, come on, get up!" Minjun said excitedly as he came over, his papa standing a little way down the aisle with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. "Uncle Dolphin says he wants to talk to all of the family in the dining area!" Jaemin chuckled.

"Well, that's sweet of you Minjun, but technically me and Jeno aren't-"

"We'll be there in a moment," Jeno cut off the younger, worried that Jaemin explaining that they weren't biological family might upset the boy. "I wanna talk to Jaemin about something first though. Why don't you go with your papa and we'll meet you there in a bit." Jeno reasoned easily and the tiny boy nodded.

"Don't forget then! I'll wait for you before I eat!" Jeno giggled and pat Minjun on the head gently.

"Alright, we'll be quick." He said before watching as the little man made his way back to Donghyuck, who took his little hand and began leading him elsewhere. "I didn't know planes could have dining areas." Jaemin shrugged.

"Neither did I, but here we are." He said with a nod and Jeno giggled, nuzzling as close as he could into the youngers side. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Jaemin asked and the older hummed.

"Nothin, just didn't wanna move yet..." Jeno whispered softly, thinking about how sweet Minjun had been to invite them to the 'family meeting.' His hand sat on his stomach, where a small bump had begun to form by now, and his smile softened as he left a gentle kiss on Jaemin's cheek. "I can't wait to meet our kid." He spoke in a hushed tone now, almost making Jaemin coo at his cuteness. He let his arm drape around the older and held him close, humming with a nod at the words.

"Me too..."

🍓

"WOOOO WE FINALLY MADE IT!" Baekhyun said triumphantly as he stood outside of the plane. Chen grumbled and walked past him, Xuimin following behind with a just as tired expression.

"I don't think my legs could handle much more of that." Chanyeol groaned as he stretched beside Baekhyun.

"It smells so-" Kai took in a big whiff of the air. "ocean-ey." Kyungsoo rolled his eyes from his side as he dragged both of their luggage with him.

"Of course it does, we're surrounded by water."

"Technically, we're always surrounded by water-" Sehun began as he walked past Kyungsoo, but the older kicked him in the butt before he could get too far and he whined. "It's true!"

"I'm so excited!" Jeno said, practically shouting with his enthusiasm as he stepped out of the plane with Jaemin at his side, walking down the steps and heading towards the vehicle that they were gonna take to their cabins. "I've never seen the ocean before Jaem." The younger smiled at Jeno's words as he brought their luggage with them, handing it off to one of the men standing outside the bus before following Jeno inside.

🍓

The drive to the cabins was grueling, the bus being full of antsy anticipation as they were all just ready to relax. Jeno thought it was beautiful though, the lush greenery around them even as they drove on the highway, the mountains that surrounded them, and in the distance he thought he could see the blurry line of the ocean blending with the horizon.

By the time they got to the cabins, most of them just wanted to unpack and stay inside, all except a couple of them that were dead set on seeing the ocean before they unpacked. Among those restless people were Jeno, Minjun, Jungwoo, Donghyuck, Chenle, and Chanyeol, each dragging their respective counterparts with them as they got off the bus and headed towards the beach.

Their cabins weren't that far from the ocean, and Jeno could see it much clearer now as they walked. The grass slowly began to mix with the pale sand, and Jeno thanked the gods (and a smart boyfriend) that he wore flipflops, kicking them off as they finally stepped onto the beach.

The sand was soft and warm under his feet, and it made walking feel a bit funny as he stepped towards the water. The sun was setting by now, the light blue sky turning a shade darker as the sun began its elegant bow below the horizon line, dipping its toes into the vast expanse of blue water before them. It left its fingertips of cotton candy pink to trail in the sky behind itself, outlining the golden sun that rested gently on the water.

It was breathtaking.

"Oh my- it's so blue!" Jeno said exasperatedly, bringing his free hand up to cover his mouth and squeezing Jaemin's hand lightly with the other. "Oh Jaemin, it's beautiful!" Jaemin smiled as he gazed at the boy beside him who watched the world with such wonder and amazement.

"It is."

Jeno let go of Jaemin's hand and ran forward into the water, not caring that it soaked the bottoms of his jeans as he stood where the waves would wash up over his feet. He giggled at the cool water splashing up on his ankles and stepped a bit further in, watching out over the water as he took it all in.

He could hear the loud laughter of Chanyeol and Baekhyun as they chased echother along the shore, splashing each other with the salty water when they inched their way into he ocean, and he heard Minjun asking Haechan about something as he pointedly curiously at a crab walking across the sand. He saw Jungwoo saying something softly to Lucas, and knew Jaemin was not too far behind him, but the person who Jeno was caught off guard by was Renjun.

Renjun hadn't seemed as excited about the water as some of the others, but now that they were here, he seemed more engrossed in it than most of the others that stood in the sand around them. He walked over to the older carefully, motioning for Jaemin to stay put as he made his way over.

Once he stood beside the boy he didn't say anything, just followed the smaller boys gaze out over the water, taking Renjun's hand gently in his own as he looked out over the water.

"My mother always wanted to take me to see the ocean." He began after a moment, his hand trembling a bit. Jeno tightened his grip and began rubbing delicate circles with his thumb. "I think I understand it now."

"Understand what?" Jeno asked carefully, watching the horizon peacefully.

"I think I understand why I'm still here." He began. "I think I understand why you saved me." Jeno turned to look at Renjun's face, but the older just kept looking out at the water. "My mother was all I had left, and when I needed her guidance the most, she left me." Renjun turned to look at Donghyuck and Minjun playing peacefully now in the sand, laughing about something. "He told me that I was all he had left Jeno. That's what he said. He needs me... People need me." Renjun watched them a moment longer before he looked out at the water again. "I just- thank you." Renjun said, finally turning to fully look at Jeno. The younger boy smiled until he noticed Renjun was crying. "I-I don't wanna die anymore Jeno. I don't ever wanna die, I don't wanna lose them." He sobbed. Jeno took Renjun into his hold quickly, his eyes wide and sad as he rubbed Renjun's back, easing the cries out of him.

"I'm proud of you," Jeno said earnestly. "I'm proud of you for realizing your worth, and I'm proud of you for how far you've come," Jeno said with a smile that he knew the older couldn't see. He pulled away and held Renjun by the shoulders. "and so are they." Jeno assured gesturing to behind them where Minjun had moved on to playing with something else and Donghyuck was watching them worriedly. Renjun turned and met Donghyuck's gaze for a moment before looking back to Jeno and pulling away.

"Thank you Jeno." He said before heading off towards the younger. Jeno felt arms wrap around his waist and sighed.

"You're too sweet sometimes." Jaemin mumbled into the olders neck, making Jeno hum.

"That reminds me, I can't remmeber the last time we had some strawberry cake together." Jeno said happily as he leaned back into the youngers strong embrace. Jaemin turned them to be watching towards the sunset and chuckled a bit.

"You're right."

...

"So, about that ice hair,"

-tbc-

teehee grammarly crashed halfway through so I apologize for any issues o7

9 chapters left :]

ily <3

(also this was 3300 words ya'll- Lemon Boy flashbacks-)