When Jaemin entered the living room once more, the sight warmed his heart. His Nono was doing his job in calming Haechan who had his head thrown back against the headboard as tears fell down his face. He was running a shaky hand through Jeno's hair as he whispered something under his breath. All Jaemin could make out was the word 'strong' as Jeno stared blankly at the TV show on screen, playing with Haechan's free hand mindlessly. He looked up and his expression lightened when he saw Jaemin.

"Hyung!" He said excitedly, sitting up and making grabby hands to the younger who chuckled and walked over, handing Haechan his hot cocoa before sitting beside them. Jeno smiled and climbed over Haechan, sitting comfortably in Jaemin's lap. Jaemin watched as the older laid his head on his chest and closed his eyes.

"Haechan.." Jaemin said softly as he noticed how Jeno's breathing had calmed and he seemed to be trying to fall asleep. "What happened? Why did Renjun... Leave?"

Haechan stared at the TV blankly for a moment longer before turning to look at Jeno laying in Jaemin's lap. He drew in a shaky breath.

"I don't know. He was gone when I woke up this morning. I guess I thought maybe he came here to apologize I-" Haechan paused as a small sob escaped him, the tears beginning to cascade down his face once more. "He felt so bad Jaem. He felt so horrible for what he did. It was as if before Mark was arrested he was mindless, heartless, cruel. B-but when we found out about Mark going to jail he just... Broke." Jaemin nodded slowly and he felt Jeno snuggle a bit closer for warmth.

As much as he knew this was all Renjun's fault, as much as he was aware that the older ruined their happy lives, he also knew that the burning sting of guilt that can burn inside a man can be a dangerous thing if the fire goes untamed by another.

Renjun needed Haechan-

No.

Renjun needed forgiveness.

"We have to find him." Haechan's eyes widened at that.

"But, Jeno-"

"You stay here with Jeno. I'll go out to find him and I'll bring him back here, okay? I'm sure finding him won't be all that hard, alright?" Haechan nodded and Jaemin looked down at the sleeping boy in his lap, the older positioned strangely so his arm was comfortable.

"Nono.. Jen, you gotta get up." Jeno groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

"But Nana, I'm so comfy." He whined with a pout. Jaemin chuckled.

"How about you get all warm and comfy with Haechan, hm? I have a quick errand to run." Jeno's eyes widened and for a moment fear took over his actions as he instinctively clutched onto Jaemin's shirt and pulled himself closer. "Hey, look. It's just Haechan, okay? Remember how he took such good care of you?" Jeno nodded and slowly released Jaemin's shirt, sliding off his lap and cautiously walking over to Haechan.

Jaemin stood with a sigh and looked at Haechan.

"I'll be right back, I promise. I won't stop until I find him." Haechan nodded and watched carefully as Jaemin walked off, on his way to search for someone.

Someone they may never find.

Someone they may not really want to see.

Someone named Huang Renjun.

🍰

The rain had gotten harsher as Jaemin drove, scanning the sidewalks as best he could through his rain-streaked car windows. He didn't see much. A couple of squirrels seeking refuge in a bush, few cars passing as they headed home from work.

It wasn't until he passed the old elementary school down the street that he saw something.

It was him.

He was sitting on a swing, looking sad and cold in the middle of the school playground as he held a small object in his hands. Jaemin hurriedly parked the car and got out, heading towards where Renjun sat on the old playground equipment.

"Renjun! There you are!" Renjun looked up and met Jaemin's concerned gaze with confusion.

"J-Jaemin? What are y-you doing here?" The older asked as he slowly stood up from the swing, taking a step back with a small bit of fear forming in his heart. Jaemin noticed how he was cold and shivering and it made his motherly instincts kick in.

"Injunnie, I'm here to protect you. We're gonna go back to my house and you can talk to Haechanie so that he can be happy again. Do you know how worried we've been?" Renjun seemed to relax a little and he slowly dropped the item he had been holding. It was only then that Jaemin could make out the object.

A knife.

Was Renjun gonna...

No.

He wouldn't.

"Come on injunnie, let's go." He called out softly. He reached out a hand and coaxed Renjun toward him just as he would with Jeno if the older refused to take a bath. Renjun listened, slowly walking towards Jaemin but not taking his hand. He nodded.

"O-okay.."

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HOLY SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS THANKS FOR 5K+ READS I LOVE YOU AND TBH DIDNT EXPECT THIS BOOK TO BLOW UP LIKE IT DID AAH BYE 💕💕💕