Favorite Person😊
I don't think I even want to know
Mark
???
Favorite Person😊
Just don't worry about it right
now
Mark
You know that doesn't help!!
Favorite Person😊
Just answer these questions
What do you feel like is going on?
Without whatever made you
wonder what's happening, would
you still think something was
going on?
How's your progress with Haechan, Jaemin, and Jeno?
And do you plan to to do anything
about your progress with any to
all of them?
Mark
The way you do this makes me
uncomfy
I know you're rolling your eyes, I'm
answering
Something definitely happened. And
I'm convinced Jaemin, Jeno, and
Haechan know about it.
Now I kinda think it's something bad
I don't know dude
If I didn't have any hints then maybe
not
I went out with Jaemin today
So I'm definitely gonna like him
And I'm probably gonna end up
asking him out
I'm still working on Haechan and
Jeno but Jaemin man
Favorite Person😊
So it's basically what I thought
ASK OUT JAEMIN
Jisung is nodding
"Let Mark go at his own pace"
He saved you😒
Wait a minute...
Okay okay nevermind I got it
Don't worry about it, okay?
Mark
I really, really don't feel reassured
Favorite Person😊
Just don't overthink
Also me and Jisung are dragging
you guys to the mall so it's your
lucky day
Mark
Why am I still nervous?
➳
"You want to what?"
Chenle sighs. "What's wrong with hanging out?"
"I'm aware I don't know exactly what's going on but I do know that something is happening with Jaemin and Haechan. You didn't see the way his face dropped and he got quiet."
"Then this will be good for them."
"You mean to tell me that your boyfriend is not trying to convince you that they need space?"
"Jisung already texted Jaemin and he's texting Haechan now."
Jeno internally groans, not feeling good about this plan. "You two better stay with us. At least for today."
➳
"Hey", Chenle grins. "How's everyone?"
Jaemin doesn't bother answering as he throws himself at the pinkette and then uses his shoulder as a pillow when he pulls away.
"I'm good", Jeno answers, giving his best friend a look.
"I'm good too."
"I'm alright."
"Food first or the activity first?"
"What is the activity?"
"Secret Santa! Yes, Jeno, I know it's not Christmas."
"Why are we doing this?"
"'Cause it's fun and I want a gift. Now here." Chenle snatches the beanie off of Jisungs head, causing him to grimace. "Jisung volunteered his own beanie for us to pick names."
You're lucky I love you, Jisung thinks as he looks at his boyfriend. Instead of saying it, he kisses his cheek and smirks when Chenle's cheeks turn pink.
"Focus!"
"Not on Jisung, Chenle."
The male sighs and holds out the beanie towards the male. Haechan grabs a slip of paper and steps back so he can look at it.
After everyone gets their paper and looks at it, they all look at each other while trying not to reveal their person.
"So we're not completely lonely, everyone pick a partner."
No one moves for a movement but then Jeno sighs and shuffles over to Jisung and holds out his hand. Jisung chuckles and takes it, the two smirking at Chenle, who rolls his eyes as he moves over to Haechan and Jaemin.
"Who's going with who?" Mark asks, seeing as there's only them left.
Haechan glances at Jaemin, who avoids eye contact. The brunet forces a smile on his face that eases when he realizes he's just with Mark and he doesn't mind him.
Jaemin opens his mouth to speak, to apologize, to say anything to ease the tension. But he can't, not yet, not when he doesn't feel prepared enough to break his heart more.
He intertwines his fingers with Chenles and pulls the male away, a heavy weight settling in his chest as from the realization of one of the rudest things he's ever done to Haechan. And the fact that he doesn't completely care either.
Sensing the negativity taking over, Chenle squeezes Jaemins hand. He looks around and doesn't think twice to pull Jaemin over to the milkshake kiosk.
"I'll pay for it", Jaemin offers.
"No, you will not", Chenle says as he takes his card out of his wallet.
Jaemin pouts at him when he's not looking. He turns to the menu, giving into the male.
The two stand off to the side while their drinks are being made. Usually Chenle would lean on the person next to him but he feels Jaemin could use the comfort more so he gently guides his head to his shoulder.
"Am I being mean?" Jaemin mumbles so quietly Chenle's not sure he's talking to him.
"Baby, no one is nice all the time. We have more feelings than that. And you're allowed to be upset, that doesn't change who you are. You can get mad at me and I'll still love you. Your feelings aren't unfair. They are literally what you feel."
"Then why does it feel wrong?"
Chenle caresses the back of Jaemins head, wanting him to feel completely at comfort before asking, "Did someone teach you this? That having these feelings is wrong?"
"I'm supposed to make people happy."
Chenle opens his mouth to speak but the worker slides their drinks at them. He quickly picks up the two and goes over to a table to place them down for turning to Jaemin and grabbing his face, slightly squishing his cheeks.
"You do make people happy. You make me happy, you make Jisung happy, you make Haechan happy, Mark already loves you, and even Jeno is on his way to learn how amazing you are. You are so loved. And it's not because you never feel anything that's not positive, it's because we just love you. Nothing is gonna change that, okay?"
"Okay", Jaemin says softly.
As soon as Chenle removes his hands, he's being squished against Jaemins body. Chenle hugs him back, holding on tight. He reaches over and grabs his drink to sip while still not breaking out of the hug which makes Jaemin giggle.
"You could ask me to let go."
"Well I don't want to."
The hug goes on for a few more seconds before Jaemin decides to pull away if they ever wanna actually buy something.
"Who did you get?"
"Jeno."
"I got Jisung so this shouldn't be too hard."
➳
"Everything is so much easier when Chenle is standing next to me, telling me what he wants", Mark mumbles.
Haechan chuckles. "I'm not surprised. That would make things easier."
"You got Jaemin, right?" Haechan nods. "I feel like he's easy to shop for."
"He is. But it's harder when you want to make it more personal. He likes sentimental gifts the best by the way."
"Thank you for telling me?"
"You seem to like Jaemin."
"I like all of you."
"Not that way."
Haechan laughs at Mark's red face. "I knew it."
"I did not confirm anything."
"Your face did."
Mark sighs. He continues following Haechan around the store, looking around for anything his best friend might like.
An idea pops into his mind that makes him tap Haechan on the shoulder and point out towards the main part of the mall. Haechan nods and silently follows Mark to wherever he wants to go.
It all makes sense when he walks into the clothing customization shop.
➳
"I know you wanna ask", Jeno speaks up after five minutes of Jisung doing nothing except glancing at him.
"I'm just being nosy."
"Are you planning to let that stop you?"
"So...Haechan?"
"You know what happened, right?"
"I do. But it doesn't mean I completely understand. And there's you to think about it. Are you okay with the fact that you haven't made up for whatever happened?"
"Haechan is great when he's not convinced you're a demon. And I did find it weird. And difficult. I wanna apologize all the time but I think Haechan needs time where we just don't focus on that. 'Cause up until the other day, all our-", Jeno air quotes, "-"relationship" was."
Jisung nods in understanding, always focusing on the knickknacks on the table, searching for something Mark might like.
"Hey, do you think Mark would like this?" He asks, holding a up a tiny, crocheted watermelon that has a keychain attachment.
Jeno chuckles. "Lele does say you're a simple person."
"This is new, I can't actually tell if I'm being insulted or not."
"It's only an insult if you take it that way."
"Ah, I see. What should I get Mark?"
Jeno shrugs. "He likes sports."
"Wow, real helpful."
"You do realize that me and Mark didn't really start getting to know each other until recently, right? Before, I didn't care too much." Jisung nods, not replying. Jeno watches him look at the random stuff for a minute before he rolls his eyes, catching Jisungs attention. "You wanna ask, don't you? Lele said you're more talkative than this."
"I don't wanna overstep."
"I'm a pretty open book if you actually ask questions."
"Fine, why have you never tried to be friends with Mark?"
"First, it was jealousy. I used to despise him for being Chenles best friend too. I was being selfish, I have a hard time with people, found a good person, and didn't wanna share. Then I just felt annoyed that it couldn't be just me and Chenle all the time. Mark never did anything but it was just the situation, you know?" Jisung nods. "Honestly, I think, deep down, Mark scares me."
"What do you mean?"
"Mark is one of the most perfect people I've ever met. And that's with hearing about his lesser moments. People terrify me. I'm afraid they won't like me or if I do, they'll leave me. I don't know know to explain it but it's like...Mark is everything I'm not. And many things I probably won't ever be. It's not just that I was scared I'll lose Chenle to him, I'm afraid I can love him and I'll lose him too. I don't know why but Marks always been like this to me. It's just there's some part of me that just won't let me put my guard down for him but my mind knows I'll be okay. And I usually don't think that."
Jeno waits silently, occasionally looking down for something Haechan might like. Jisung thinks over Jeno's words like they're a clue to a riddle he's trying to solve.
"You're not the only one who's scared", he finally decides on.
"What?"
"Loving people, being that vulnerable, it's terrifying. And it scares people. It took me so long and many mental preparations before I could even accept the fact that Chenles feelings might be not he mutual but I should try anyways. There were many moments were I was scared. Before he told me he's in love with me, he saw me sad a few days before. I was sad cause I knew how I felt but I didn't want to be the only one. It's not just bravery when you admit your feelings, it's love talking and wanting to be shared. My point, Jeno, is that when people tell you they love you, it's because they love you too much to keep it to themselves. Some don't say it verbally but when they can't contain their love, they'll show it somehow. If any of them decide to be brave or that they can't contain their love, it's 'cause they mean it."
JaemLe is so cute, I love them and they're both my (current) main biases.
Okay, I'm doing some thinking and I might change a few plans. Wait, actually....yes? *Thinks over everything cause I'm missing something* Okay I...don't got it
But I will figure something out. I just have some specific ideas that require other things but then it's hard to get to those other things. Idk if that makes sense lmao
This will be continued next chapter
And then...ah, okay *creates some kind of plan I'll probably have to change* Got it
I think that's all for now
About that that anyway^
Here's your daily reminder that I love you :)
But I fr should start telling y'all everyday. Do y'all look at my announcements?
Before my mind goes down a rabbit hole, let me stop and remind you that I hope you have a good day/rest of your day/tomorrow
I love you!(Again)💙💚
Proofreadingisn'tinmyvocabulary❤️