When Jaemin reaches the front of their house, he fidgets on his fingers and prays to all gods, hoping he wouldn't get scolded. It's already 8:00 in the evening, he and Jeno forgot to eat lunch when they were out in the park and the older already left and went home.

He sighs heavily and slowly walks inside their house. He sees his dad in the living room, sitting on the couch with his arms crossed against his chest.

He gulps and looks everywhere but him. "Dad, I'm—"

"Where have you been?" There's a sharp tone in his dad's voice and he begins to shiver. He didn't reply nor sit on the couch. He just stands by the door. "Answer me when I'm asking you! Where have you been? And where's your friend?"

He presses his lips together, hiding the fact that he got startled by the sudden raise of his dad's voice as he tries to calm himself down.

"We went to the park, and he went home already." he speaks lowly.

"I couldn't hear you, Jaemin-ah."

He clears his throat and tries to speak a bit louder. "Jeno and I went to the park, but after that, he already went home." He's still looking away from his dad.

"Come sit next to me."

He walks to the couch and sits next to his father. He's trying his best not to have eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry." he says.

"Why are you apologizing?"

He doesn't know why, he just feels like he needs to apologize. "Because we went out without telling you."

"Why did you go out earlier, by the way?"

Shit. He doesn't want to tell him it's because of them, his parents, fighting. "Uhm... b-because,"

"Tell me the truth, Jaemin-ah."

His heart is pounding so fast. "W-we went out b-because—"

"Are you and Jeno just friends? Why didn't you tell me he's your soulmate?"

Jaemin's mouth ajar. He couldn't speak. What is he supposed to say? He looks up at his father and he's looking at him with sharp eyes. He gulps even more.

"I said, answer me when I'm asking you! And tell me the truth."

He wants to cry right now. He needs Jeno. "He's... he's not j-just my soulmate, he's my... he's my b-boyfriend." His voice cracks as he prevents himself to cry.

"He's your what?"

"Dad, I'm so sorry!" He looks down and his eyes start to water. "I'm sorry that I'm like this. I can not change myself." He couldn't take it anymore and tears begin to burst out of his eyes, holding onto his fingers tightly.

His father just stare at him, couldn't believe of what his son just told him, while Jaemin continues to cry beside him.

Suddenly, someone barges in and hugs him. "Min-ah, where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere. And why are you crying?" It's his mom. She hugs him tightly and shoots a death glare at her husband.

Mr. Na didn't speak and just stands up from the couch to go upstairs. Mrs. Na follows him through her eyes with her eyebrows furrowed.

Jaemin finally stops and hugs his mom back. She carresses his back and kisses him on his head.

"What happened, Min-ah? Did your dad say anything to you? Tell me, darling."

He wipes his tears off and pulls away from the hug. He sniffs and looks at his mom. "I... I told him Jeno's my boyfriend. He didn't say anything about it."

She sighs and rubs his cheeks gently. "It's okay. Give him some time. Maybe he was just shocked." She smiles slightly. "Haven't you eaten yet? You didn't eat lunch earlier."

Jaemin shakes his head. "We forgot. I'm sorry, Mom."

"Ah, don't worry about it. Come on, I've already cooked dinner. Let's eat?"

"Okay."

"Stop crying, okay? I'll talk to him later."

He just nods as he and his mom both rise from the couch to go to the dining area.

×××

Jeno-ya ♡ :

hello, Nana! how are
you? sorry, I had to go
home already because
auntie texted me :(

I hope you're okay,
please :(

Me :

hello, Jeno. I'm fine,
don't worry about me.

hey, I miss you!

Jeno-ya ♡ :

I miss you too!
Promise, we'll see
each other very
soon.

Me :

uh, Jeno, I need to
go. I'm a bit sleepy
now. good night :)

Jeno-ya ♡

oh, okayyy~
sleep well and
good night <33

Me :

good night <33

Jaemin sighs heavily and puts his phone on the side table. He gets up from his bed to turn the lights off then goes back to bed to lay himself down.

He closes his eyes and lets himself drift off to sleep.
-