Jeno watched like a curious animal as Jaemin buzzed around the kitchen, grabbing numerous pots and pans along with ingredients from the pantry and fridge. He was seated right where Jaemin always told him to sit when he was cooking- one of the counters that Jaemin didn't use very much but normally prepared food near. So, with Jeno seated cutely on the counter, his sweater paws dangling over the counter's edge as he swung his legs back and forth, Jaemin decided to cook something that he knew Jeno loved but never got to have very much- strawberry cake.

Jaemin hated strawberry cake.

Strawberry anything really.

The only thing he could appreciate that was strawberry flavored was the sweet strawberry lip balm that Jeno always used. It always tasted so sweet on the olders lips despite the fact that it was Jaemin's least favorite fruit. Jaemin had decided that his Nono could make anything sweet.

Jeno however, loved strawberry things. He had always found the color pink to be beautiful. He loved the way it looked and the scent and taste of strawberry always brought him comfort. He also loved the color because pink was the same color of Jaemin's fluffy hair. Anything having to do with Jaemin was his favorite. He adored the younger as so much more then a friend. He really wanted Jaemin to be his.

But you may be wondering what Jaemin's reason for taking care of the older was.

Well, the first time that Jaemin had cooked for him was an interesting story.

Jaemin and Jeno lived right down the street from each other. Neither of their parents were ever really around, Jaemin's constantly off on work outings while Jeno's normally were too busy running the restaurant they owned to care about the 16-year old Jeno that they had left at home.

On the way home from school one evening, Jaemin was taking his normal path home. Jeno had left without Jaemin that day and Jaemin still to this day wasn't sure why but he knew that he would never let it happen again.

Because what Jaemin stumbled upon was something he never wanted to find again.

Jeno was curled on the ground in a tiny ball, shakily breathing in and out. When Jaemin called out to him the older only flinched and looked up quickly, as if preparing for an attack. When Jaemin saw the bruises and scars on the other boys face, he rushed to pick him up.

He helped Jeno stand after calming him down and managed to get Jeno on his back so he could carry him to his house.

The entire walk home, Jeno said nothing, the silent sobs he was letting out into Jaemin's shoulder saying all that he needed.

Once at Jaemin's house, the younger placed Jeno carefully on one of the kitchen counters before heading upstairs to get some bandages. When he came back downstairs Jeno had gotten off the counter and was repeating that he needed to go home and see his parents. Jaemin insisted that he stay, knowing that Jeno's parents should still be at work right now, before placing him back on the counter and calming him.

After bandaging Jeno he had asked what the older wanted for dinner and he had pouted cutely before replying:

"Strawberry cake."

And despite the youngers hate for the red fruit, he complied, planting a soft kiss on Jeno's forehead before getting to work.

That's how it started.

It had been 4 years since that night and it had changed Jeno drastically. He was what most would classify as a little, trapping himself in a younger mindset in an attempt to save himself from the harshness of reality. He had been this way since that night, clinging to Jaemin like his everything and whining if he didn't get what he wanted. But Jaemin was very tolerant.

Shortly after the incident, once Jaemin had noticed the stark changes in Jeno's personality, he had done a bit of research and had learned about littles. He was almost certain that this was what had happened to Jeno. The older refused to ever talk about that night, having breakdowns if it was mentioned. Jaemin had found a new route home, carefully avoiding the spot where he had found Jeno. But Jaemin was very understanding and did anything to make sure that Jeno was safe and comfortable.

"What are you making hyung?" Jeno asked curiously, tilting his head as he looked at the gathered ingredients.

Hyung.

Another habit of Jeno's that he had developed.

Jaemin had gotten used to it though. It was fitting since Jaemin acted older anyways.

"Well Jen, what does it look like I'm making?" A small game Jaemin liked to play with Jeno, making him guess what would be made based on the ingredients.

The older smiled, his doe eyes turning into crescents as he spoke, his smile widening.

"You're making strawberry cake aren't you!" Jaemin smiled and nodded at Jeno. The older clapped his hands and his giggle resonated throughout the kitchen as Jaemin began to read the instructions.

Jeno watched in happy awe as Jaemin began preparing the numerous things, mixing the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another.

"Why are you making strawberry cake? I know you don't like it.." Jeno looked down at his feet, bringing his hands into his lap and fidgeting with his fingers. He felt like he was burdening Jaemin since he knew that the younger wouldn't reap any rewards from the end result. The smile on Jaemin's face widened a bit and he didn't even look up from his task as he replied.

"Well, I thought it would be a nice treat for you! After all, it is the anniversary of us meeting." Jaemin said. The real reason was that today was the anniversary of that day but he didn't want to make things worse by bringing it up again. Jeno frowned and watched Jaemin continuing to throw ingredients together.

"But Jaemin, we met in the fall, not the winter." Jeno corrected, still pouting. Jaemin looked up with a shocked expression, not expecting for Jeno to know that. It was soon replaced by another smile though as he spoke again.

"Well then I guess I just wanted to make my little Nono something special!" He exclaimed as he walked over, holding one of the sweet fruits. He put it in Jeno's sweater paws and smiled up at the older, who looked down at the small strawberry as if it was his universe. Jaemin stared into Jeno's eyes and he swore he saw entire galaxies of emotion swirling within them. He shook his head and, still smiling, went back to baking.

The rest of the time was relatively silent. Jeno had eaten the strawberry he was given earlier and was now silently watching as Jaemin finally put the cake into the oven, pressing the necessary buttons and then heaving a sigh. He threw off his oven mitts onto the island and walked over to the counter where Jeno was seated. The older yawned and rubbed his eyes sleepily. Jaemin smiled at the boy. It was only the afternoon on a Saturday so they still had plenty of time in the day but a nap would be an excellent way to pass the time.

"Do you wanna take a nap?" Jaemin asked softly, running a hand gently through Jeno's soft brown locks. The older nodded sleepily and rubbed his eyes again. Jaemin carefully picked him up from the counter, being sure he had a firm hold on the older before taking him upstairs to his bedroom.

Jeno hadn't gone home once all these years, so of course Jaemin had taken it upon himself to turn the old guest room into a room for him to stay in.

So many memories sat all throughout the room. For example, Jaemin fondly remembered helping place the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling so that Jeno could stargaze on cloudy nights, and even the drawings on the walls in washable marker that still remained depicting scenes of the two boys stayed for more then just decoration purposes.

Jaemin was surprised by how clean the room was, walking easily to the bed and setting Jeno down gently among his countless plushies, pillows, and blankets. The olders eyes were closed so, in an attempt to not disturb him, Jaemin simply began to leave the room.

"J-Jaemin hyung.." He froze at the calling of his name and turned quickly to see Jeno reaching for him from his spot on the bed. "Can you s-stay here today? I k-keep remembering b-bad things I-I.." Jaemin's eyes widened as he knew that the older was referring to the incident. He nodded, not needing Jeno to say more, and walked back into the room.

"Of course Jeno. But please understand that I will have to get up to check on the cake.." Jeno nodded quickly and once he was close enough, he pulled him down onto the bed beside him and giggled softly.

Once he was on the bed Jeno didn't hesitate to snuggle into Jaemin's arms. The younger simply smiled and let him do as he pleased. Jeno reached out for Jaemin's fluffy hair and played with it, the sleepy smile on his face widening until he flashed another eye smile. The pink haired couldn't help the smile as his arms snaked around the olders waist. He watched fondly as Jeno began to close his eyes and knew the older was asleep when he felt the boys hands sitting still in his hair, fingers still resting in the fluffy pink hair.

Jaemin relaxed from the feeling of being with Jeno and allowed sleep to take over him as well.

(Please don't take naps while you're baking something. You are not a fictional character and you cant just tell the author to not let your house burn down along with your beautiful baked good. Please be safe when cooking my lovely friends~💚)

···

Jaemin woke up when he felt Jeno moving on the bed. He didn't open his eyes and instead felt for what the older was doing. He felt as Jeno sat on his stomach and felt his soft hands cupping his face. He then waited and felt as the boy leaned down and connected their lips in a sweet kiss. Jaemin immediately started kissing back, surprising the older a bit and causing Jeno to giggle into the kiss. He moved his hands again to be behind his back and held him close.

But he got worried when Jeno quickly pulled away and turned his head.

Until the older sneezed.

Jaemin laughed fondly at what had just happened and Jeno blushed, pulling himself back to the other and burying his face into the youngers chest, obviously embarrassed by what had happened.

Jaemin ran a hand softly through Jeno's hair, looking down lovingly at the boy.

"Jen.."

"Yes hyungie?"

Jaemin smiled softly at the nickname. He didn't care anymore. The cake in the oven could burn for all he cared. All that mattered was his tight embrace on the older, holding him, protecting him against the horrors of the world.

"You're my little strawberry boy."

Jaemin hated strawberries.

But he loved this one.

His little strawberry boy.

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