Read 'em and Weep! {NA JAEMIN}

THREE

You all took to playing a game of life, somewhat making your own rules on the board game as you all progressed and spoke the whole way through. It was odd how well everyone seemed to get along- seeming to joke and banter well while somehow managing to make it to the end of the game. Towards the end and while everyone else was distracted, Jaemin leaned over to you, the stool giving him an awkward height over you.

"I won't keep working on this article if you don't want me to," it took you by surprise, and you looked over at him as if trying to assess his sincerity. Swan and Hendery's words kept swimming in your head then. It clicked- you wanted him to see you- every part of you, including being able to piece together the identity you've been hiding from most people. You didn't want him to be like most people- you wanted him to be different.

You gently squeezed the solo cup that held your soda before softly speaking, "you have to do what's best for yourself sometimes."

Jaemin wasn't satisfied with this response, although he knew that he should be. He mulled over it the rest of the game and even while he drove the rest of you back to your place, mostly silent albeit for the bickering between Ireh, Swan, and Hendery in the backseat.

"Thanks Jaemin," you went to exit the car when his hand reached over to gently stop you from leaving the car as your roommates already had. "Everything okay?" you asked him, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I don't know," he wasn't sure what he was hoping for, but one thing was for certain- he really liked being around you. Like, he really liked it. It made his head feel fuzzy and his cheeks hurt from smiling in the best way possible. "Do you like hanging out with me?"

You mulled over the question before nodding. "You're kind of cool," you joked, softly punching his arm. "Do you like hanging out with me?"

"Hm, I guess you're cool," Jaemin was smirking his mischievous smirk and you playfully scoffed.

"I'll see you Monday, Jaemin," you smiled, heading out of his car and waving before you entered your townhome to see your roommates and Hendery eagerly waiting for you in the living room.

"Please tell me you guys kissed," Ireh had her hands holding her head, staring at you with wide eyes.

"You guys are so annoying- we're just... friends?" it came out as a question, because even saying the word friend for Jaemin felt wrong.

"Yeah, sure," Swan and Hendery chuckled.

---

Throughout all this a few things were clear to you- people were comparing your work to your parents, without your name even attached. The other thing was that Jaemin hated his job, and having a Senior position would allow him to move to a position he actually cared about. The last thing was that you deeply cared for Jaemin- this was the part that was still strange to you.

A week had passed, and Jaemin was organizing the final parts of your project as he waited to get a text back from you. You had told him you were having a later meeting than usual and would need an extra hour before you could meet and finalize the elements of your project.

The day prior, after you and Jaemin watched Pride and Prejudice (he swore it was good), you emailed him the political cartoon you made. He opened up the attachment, and went blank as he stared at it.

When you drew the cartoon, you absentmindedly drew characters you were comfortable with to help convey your message on the environment- specifically, the lead wolf character from Flight of the Wolves. This wasn't what caught Jaemin off guard, though, it was your signature in the corner.

It seems you were so used to intertwining the characters with Patches, that you instinctually signed it off as such, not even realizing it when you sent it to Jaemin.