"Good luck with your project," Renjun said when Jaemin announces his leave for today after school, apologizing for unable to hangout with them.

The blond haired boy replies with a small nod as Haechan pouts at them, "ugh, that means I have to walk home alone and study." Grumbling all while.

He's not that upset, maybe.

He's not upset about walking home alone, he's Lee Haechan. Besides, he leaves his friends behind sometimes to tease them, telling them to catch up.

But today is his mom's day off, meaning he can't play video games all night and use Renjun as an excuse that they've already studied earlier before she came home.

Renjun sometimes comes in Haechan's house to hangout until Mrs. Lee arrives, wearily agreeing and backing up Haechan's usual excuse.

"Aye, Lee Haechan will finally open his notes and read after a long time!" Renjun mocks with a teasing grin.

The tanned male glares and flips him off while Jaemin shakes his head, "I'm heading off now. Enjoy your time together, idiots."

"It's idiot, Jaemin, you're using singular form." Renjun said with a snicker, receiving another glare from Haechan beside him.

Jaemin leaves them to bicker and heads out of the school building towards the school's main gate, where Jeno is supposed to be waiting.

He gets a little flustered to see Lee Jeno actually waiting there like he said he would. He high-key expected for the younger boy to not be there and prove Jaemin's point to Haechan.

Well, maybe he can still prove a point. He just has to wait and see if Lee Jeno is actually going to do the project or not.

Speaking of the brunet boy, he was near the main gate– like he said he would be– busy scrolling through his phone for whatever reason.

He doesn't look up yet, even when there's a bunch of students passing by him to exit the school grounds, a few of them trying to call him or get his attention.

However, once Jaemin walks closer to him as Jeno spots his shoes from the corner of his eye, the younger boy finally looks up, attention away from his phone.

He forms a smile on his lips and greets, "hey!" He then giggles when Jaemin rolls his eyes out of habit.

He puts his phone away, now in his pocket, and rolls his shoulders to adjust the backpack straps. "I called Smithers to pick us up, so don't worry about walking to my house."

Is it just Jaemin or did Jeno noticed and read the older boy's state when he first came over? Because that's.... That's something Jaemin can't quite explain on how he feels about it.

He just hums in response before furrowing his eyebrows when Jeno grabs his hand out of nowhere, "what are you doing?" Pulling his hand away immediately like he had just touched something bad.

Toxic is bad, isn't it?

The brunet boy chuckles and raised his hands up, "relax, I'm just leading you to where the car is. Smithers has been waiting," shrugging his shoulders at the end.

Scoffing, Jaemin grumbles, "you could've just told me." Receiving an amused smile from Jeno.

𖤈

It was a little awkward in the car ride. When Jeno had led Jaemin to where the car was, Smithers was already a step faster at opening the door for the two highschool students.

Smithers reminded Jaemin of a caring parent or guardian, like his own parents.

But Smithers isn't related to Jeno in any way, he's just their family butler.

Still, nonetheless, it's still nice to have someone like Smithers, related or not. So Jaemin wasn't that surprised when the man asked the common questions whenever picking their child up.

"How was school, little prince? Did you eat lunch? Did you have fun?"

To which Jeno happily answers with, "it was good, and yes, I made sure to feed myself today, Smithers. I had fun with my friends too."

Smithers smiles back once he hears Jeno's answers. Feeling relieved and satisfied, he doesn't ask more questions and instead leaves the young boy be.

Jaemin was only silent until they arrived and stepped in Jeno's house. The brunet boy excusing them both to Smithers, "we'll be up in my room doing our project."

"Alright, if you need anything, let us know. Andre might be already preparing some snacks in the kitchen," Smithers informs them.

"Is there apple pie?" Jeno asks with his eyes shining in hopes for the said dessert to be available.

Laughing, Smithers shrugs, "I'll go ask Andre," when he receives a pout, he adds, "we can still make some later." Reassuring the young boy.

Jeno nods and gave him a quick hug before leading an awkward Jaemin upstairs to his bedroom.

𖤈

Honestly, Jaemin doesn't know what to say.

He's sort of speechless, actually.

He doesn't know if he should voice out that he's quite impressed or silently grumble on his spot in disappointment.

Turns out, Jeno did participate and cooperate in this project.

He did some research on his computer and phone– said his laptop was currently in low battery–, listed a few things, told Jaemin his ideas and opinions, wrote and even drew some of the illustrations.

He also listened to Jaemin's ideas and made sure to add his parts on this project– since it's partner work, duh.

Although, he did get distracted a few times with his phone going off almost every minute passing by. Jaemin scolded him about it with a glare.

All Jeno did was laugh and joked, saying, "I'm not cheating on you, love. It's just my friends." With a little wink.

Jaemin had lost count of his eyes rolling in annoyance and his retorts towards the younger boy, "we're not even dating, nor will ever be." He replied.

Jeno pouts at him, "we're not?" Sighing as he lays his back on the ground. "You fooled me, Na Jaemin. I thought we were."

"In what way did you think we were even close to that label?!" Jaemin shrieked in disbelief. What the hell is this boy thinking?

Jeno glances at him with his hands folded together on his chest, breathing calmly as it rises up and down slowly.

"You're always trying to get my attention."

"Excuse me?" Once again, Jaemin looks at him, appalled.

The brunet boy nonchalantly continues, "you keep looking at or for me–"

"For the projects!" Jaemin defends himself.

"We tend to randomly meet up–"

"We attend the same school, Jeno. Stop your shenanigans."

"And you always have that look on your face whenever I'm with another guy." Jeno deepens his pout.

The blond haired boy glares, "that! That's the look!" Jeno exclaims at him with his index finger pointing at Jaemin's face.

"That's because you're so annoying. You irritate me and get on my nerves that easily, that's how much annoying you are." He emphasizes.

Jeno hums, not even bothered to what Jaemin blurted out towards him. "You know what they say, babe." He pauses.

He sits up and crawls his hand over to rest on Jaemin's knee, "if someone can annoy you so much, you're probably in denial and holding something back."

"A fist, is what I'm holding back Lee Jeno."

The brunet boy giggles and shakes his head, leaning closer to where their nose are almost touching.

Again, in instinct, the blond haired boy pulls away with a scowl. Not realizing how much he's gripping tightly on the pen he was holding until he feels Jeno's hand on his.

"I guess I'll try my best to change 'fist' into 'kiss', Na Jaemin."