[ cнapтer eleven ➛ ѕтarт ]

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Instinctively, Jeno Usain Bolted Sonic the fucking hedgehog Naruto ran back to the alleyway, hearing the pounding of his and someone else's footsteps, presumably Renjun's.

"What are the rest doing?" Jeno yelled before they turned into the dark alley.

"Probably trying to text him!" Renjun called back. "Whatever, we need to get Jaemin!"

They skidded to a stop upon entering the alleyway, seeing no sign of movement. Apart from the usual noise of the city, it was dead silent. No hooded figures or boy in white hoodie to be seen.

"Where is he?!" Jeno snapped, eyes rapidly moving to every direction.

"You fucking fake gang, fatass, ugly ass, dumbass, no one likes you lookin-ass shits, don't touch me!" was suddenly a distant insult from further down.

Jeno took off again, sprinting in the direction of the voice. Down the alleyway he went, Renjun hot on his heels until they turned an abrupt corner and their eyes fell upon three dark figures facing a wall.

Jaemin was pressed against that wall, his hoodie riding up slightly as his face was contorted into an expression of anguish. His eyes were still alight with anger as he continued spitting out threats and swears, but it didn't seem to bother the figure who held him up on the wall by his shoulders.

Jeno barely registered what happened next. One second he saw the look on Jaemin's face, the next he was flying at the kidnappers, taking out the two who were just standing nearby first, before going for the one holding Jaemin. Punches of fury, whipping kicks, and the three strangers were on the ground groaning while Jeno stood over them, smirking.

Renjun had immediately rushed to Jaemin, checking on him, making sure he was okay, then they ran again back to where their friends were waiting.

The Dreamies who were standing in a worried cluster were now shouting over each other, throwing themselves at Jaemin, relieved he was safe. Renjun, especially, held his friend close and continued interrogating him about how he felt.

Whether it was from the traumatic event or being so fussed over by his crush, Jaemin's heart was racing.

Finally, the group died down and decided to stay as close as possible as they walked through the city and made their ways home. Eventually, it was just Jeno and Jaemin who had but a few blocks left until they reached Jaemin's house.

Jeno suddenly winced, moving his hand to his lip where he barely noticed there was a cut present. A bruise, maybe more than one, was most likely forming as well. The younger noticed this and frowned. "You got cut."

The raven-haired just nodded nonchalantly, moving his hand back down to sway at his side. "You are such an observant, articulate little thot."

"No, but you got hurt," Jaemin continued, his frown deepening.

Snorting in response, Jeno shoved his hands in his pockets. "Whatever, I fought them to save your ass."

Jaemin looked down, flustered. "Yeah, um, thanks."

"Wow," the older smiled, mockingly placing his hand over his heart. "I'm such an honored hoe, Na fucking Jaemin thanked me for saving his damsel-in-distress ass."

"I'm tryna be genuine, just appreciate it!" whined Jaemin as he shoved Jeno's side. The older stumbled a little to the side, laughing. "But really, thank you. You did save my ass."

Jeno sighed and shrugged humbly. "It was nothing. I was doing what any not fucking lazyass person would've done." He suddenly smirked. "You're literally Sakura. Screaming threats and shit, but you're just a useless hoe who wants to fuck someone unattainable--"

Jaemin's mouth dropped, offended, as he raised his fist threateningly. "Shut up, bitch! I don't have fucking fake ass bubble-gum hair. And Renjun was comforting me, he's not unattainable, he loves me."

"No he doesn't, he didn't save you, I did," Jeno pointed out as they turned onto the path leading to Jaemin's front door.

"Whatever, he's still whipped for my ass," Jaemin replied. "And thanks again. It, uh, means something. I guess."

"Cool fucking story bro."

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For the rest of the week, the group was packing or away on last-minute vacations. Renjun had been texting Jaemin more than usual, still concerned after the incident. Whenever his phone buzzed or a sudden notification banner slid down from the top of his screen, Jaemin grinned. He was happy he was getting closer to his crush, reverting back to the stage they were at before Jeno had come along.

Jaemin's relationship with Jeno, however, was still an evolving war. Yes, there were times when they forced themselves to act civil in front of their maternal figures, but the mood between them when Jaemin had thanked the older for saving him only lasted for a short, blissful period. Come the next morning, they hated each other again, obvious in how they kept on with the swears and disrespect.

Three days before they were leaving for school, Renjun called Jaemin over to hang out. Jeno was doing his last modeling gig for the summer while talking to a manager to figure out his schedule during school, so Jaemin had nothing to do ;))

"Hey-- oh my god, dumbass, that's the worst place to land. Gimme your controller."

Jaemin had been welcomed warmly into the Chinese male's apartment by his mother who was leaving for work, and he made his way to the recreation room where Renjun was. As soon as he entered and saw the familiar graphics on the TV screen, he scoffed at Renjun's poor decision on where to land.

The day started with Fortnite, the boys fighting over the controller and teaching each other "100% litty titty ass fucking dope Fortnite hacks", then slowly progressed to watching Netflix. They had gone to the kitchen momentarily to stock up on snacks from the pantry and went right back to the recreation room, setting up blankets and pillows under the fort they built in between the couch and TV.

It was so perfect, watching stupid shows and movies as the boys commentated and laughed and stuffed themselves with junk. Jaemin couldn't have been any happier, loving to see that he was always the reason for Renjun's cute smiles.

Jaemin had completely forgotten about the day at the skate park, and his mind was occupied by the fluttering feelings he kept on getting in his chest. The more time that went by, the more intensified Jaemin's butterflies were.

He was thrilled when Renjun asked him to sleep over that night. They ran out again to order pizza and pile more blankets and pillows in the fort, giggling the evening away as they talked while Netflix was playing in the background.

They were now midway through the Naruto series on Netflix, and the sky was pitch-black outside. Comfortably laying inside the fort, legs tangled up as they propped up their heads with their elbows and arms, they talked about the most random shit. It was just like the old days, their old friendship had blossomed again.

"Hey, Jae?" Renjun began acting nervous, biting his lip and avoiding the younger's gaze. "Can I tell you something?"

Jaemin furrowed his eyebrows. He had no idea what the older was going to say, but he was secretly wishing it would be something along the lines of, "Jaemin, I kind of love you." (a/n: lmao, literally my awkward ass)

Jaemin just nodded, chuckling for a second at hearing Sakura getting roasted while Naruto was saying dumb shit in the background. "Go ahead."

"I kind of like someone," Renjun started. "A lot. We've been talking, and he's really cute, and I don't know if he feels the same way."

Jaemin's heartbeat quickened, and he blinked rapidly a few times. The butterflies were swarming in his stomach again. "You have a crush on him?"

Renjun nodded. He flitted his eyes up to finally meet Jaemin's as he took a breath.

Jaemin did too, trying to prepare himself for what he believed Renjun was about to confess. He could hardly contain his emotions, he was bursting with nerves and excitement and happiness.

"Exactly, yeah. I think--"

Jaemin opened his mouth so he could respond as quickly as possible with four words after Renjun would finish his confession.

"--no, I know. I like Jeno."

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[ cнapтer eleven ➛ end ]