Jeno was peacefully asleep in Jaemin's arms, for once not plagued by nightmares filled with memories of his past. Jaemin was happy that at least one of them could sleep.

No matter how hard he tried he couldn't sleep. Whenever he would come close to sleep, the sounds of the house shifting would bring him back to a panic-stricken reality.

He thought about the events of the past days and how badly they must've affected Jeno. He was finally starting to get better, finally able to break from his little space every once in a while. The fact that Renjun of all people had to tear it all down- all the time, effort, and work Jaemin had put into helping Jeno free himself.

It disgusted him.

And at 1 am, when he finally closed his eyes and fell asleep.

He had no clue as to what would tear them down next.

🍰

"J-J-Jaemin.."

Jaemin woke up to the sound of Jeno's shaky voice with the boy quaking in his arms.

"What's wrong Jen..?" Jaemin whispered. Jeno snuggled closer to Jaemin's chest.

"D-d-door.." He whispered. Jaemin looked towards the bedroom door.

Dread and horror flooded over the younger as he saw what Jeno was talking about. The figure shrouded in darkness in the doorway that slowly walked into the room towards the bed.

Jaemin moved Jeno off of him and took the metal bat out from under his pillow.

"Stay back you fucking dick bag before I smash your head in." He growled as he gripped the metal bat in his hand. The figure showed no sign of stopping as it raised its hand silently, the gun in its hand pointed at Jaemin. The younger jumped off the bed and swung the bat mercilessly at the figure who easily dodged it.

Jeno watched from his spot on the bed where he was cowering under the covers, small whines and whimpers escaping him as he watched. The man from the door shot his gun and the sound resonated around the room.

And it brought him back.

Back to that alley.

Back to that darkness..

His parents...

"Mama... No- JAEMIN!!" Jeno yelled as he jumped off the bed and went up behind the gun-wielding figure. He harshly grabbed the man's arm and pulled, twisting him so he was no longer facing Jaemin who was regaining himself.

The bullet had barely grazed his arm but it still stung. He watched with worry as Jeno intervened, causing the person to face the older. They pushed him away and pointed the gun once more at Jaemin.

And it was back.

The sound of a gunshot and a shrill scream.

Jaemin stood up quickly and ran to the boy, whose eyes were wide with horror as the gun in the other man's hands shook. They dropped it and covered their mouth as they looked down at what they had done before they ran out of the room.

"Jeno, Jeno no, come one baby, Come on...." Jaemin cried as he ran to the boy who was lying, completely still on the ground. The bullet wound in his shoulder was bleeding badly and Jaemin shakily pulled out his phone.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"He, he got shot..."

"Sir, stay calm we are on our way. We need you to stay on the line okay-"

Jaemin didn't even hear whatever the women on the other end was telling him. He watched as Jeno's chest slowly rose and fell, his breathing unsteady. The tears in his eyes flowed uncontrollably as he slowly moved the boy into his lap. Jeno let out a small whimper and winced a bit as he moved, immediately curling closer into Jaemin.

"Jeno... Jeno....."

"Please don't die..."

← t b c →