"I don't wanna be here", Jaemin mumbles, pouting.
"Me either."
"How nice am I supposed to be?"
"Oh God", Jaemin mutters. "This is gonna be a disaster."
"Oh, I may have forgotten to mention something", Jisung says to the group.
"What?"
"Jaemins grandparents don't like me."
"Even more reason not to like them", Chenle says.
"Hello there", Mr. Na greets, standing at the front of the house with his wife.
"Hi, Dad", Jaemin says, stepping forward to hug him and then doing the same to his mother. "Hi, Mom."
"Hi", Jisung says, hugging them as well.
"Jisung, move", Chenle says when he gets tired of his boyfriend being in the way, making the Nas laugh. Chenle hugs the pair happily. Haechan goes next.
Unsure of what to do, Mark just smiles at them until Arella holds her arms out, prompting him to hug her. Next to them, Marron hugs Jeno and then two switch.
"Ready to go in?"
"No", Jisung answers bitterly.
"We talked to them about that, Jisung, honey."
"And they don't listen."
Mrs. Na gives him and Jaemin looks of sympathy. "We'll stop them, okay?"
"Okay", Jaemin mumbles.
➳
"Renjun?"
Renjun gasps at the sight of them. "Lele!" He practically throws himself into the males arms. "What are you guys doing here?"
"This is my grandparents house", Jaemin answers.
Renjuns eyes widen in realization. "You're the guy my grandparents kept trying to set me up with!"
"I wasn't told about that."
"Yeah, um, your grandma gave me your number once and told me to call you because she barely sees you."
"I wonder why", Jisung mutters.
"I'm so stupid though. I've seen family pictures but I didn't realize that was you, Jaemin."
Jaemin smiles, a bit awkwardly. "I wouldn't have assumed if it was the other way around."
"This is so cool, though. I'm so glad I don't have be by myself."
"How often are you here?" Jisung asks.
"They take turns hosting their parties. My presence is mandatory at my grandparents house and it's now mandatory here because everyone apparently cares about whether I'm here or not. And well, my mom just said she's tired of trying to explain why I'm not here to your grandma."
"I already don't like it here", Jeno admits.
Haechan nods. "I'm getting the feeling my mom would love it here."
"Oh, she would", Jisung mutters airily, moving forward. "Let's go and eat all the food."
You'd think seven guys serving themselves would be easy, right?
Wrong.
"Oh, no thank you, ma'am", Haechan says politely for the third time.
"Why?" She asks looking a mix of disappointed and hurt.
"I just-"
"He has allergies", Jisung cuts in, placing a hand on Haechans back and gently moving to the other side of him, making himself a barrier between the two.
With a full view of Jisung, the friendliness is completely gone from the women's face. "You didn't have to cut him off."
"We were gonna say the same thing and you're being too pushy so maybe you'll listen if someone else says it."
She scoffs. "Didn't your parents teach you manners?"
"Didn't yours?"
Jaemin chokes on his laughter, the rest of them not being much better. With a final glare, the women finally leaves, no doubt to go tell Jaemins grandparents about him.
"Jisung, I love you so much", Renjun says.
"Me too", Haechan says, grinning.
"Someone has to put them in their place."
"Really thought it'd be Renjun", a new voice says.
"I would", Renjun responds, finishing up scooping mashed potatoes onto his plate. "That's my dad."
"Nice to meet you!", Jaemin says, forcing a smile.
"You can drop the act, I'm not gonna go insane."
"Actually, besides the nervous smile in case you do go insane, this is how Jaemin is", Jisung tells him.
"Oh, yeah", Mr. Huang says, nodding in agreement. "I heard about you one of the times your grandparents and Renjuns were bragging about their grandsons."
Renjun snorts. "'Cause they seem real proud of me, right?"
"I told you-"
"Dad."
The man sighs. "Nice to meet the rest of you. Wait, Chenle?"
"Hi", the pinkette says.
His eyes dart between him and Renjun in confusion, making his son laugh and shake his head.
Renjun gently pulls Jisung forward by his sleeve. "No, this is his boyfriend. I told you I was right."
"Renjun, you're a little dramatic."
"But I was right."
Upon seeing their expressions, Mr. Huang explains, "When telling Renjun about Chenle, he said something about how he sounds too good to be true and probably has a boyfriend, what was it, Renjun? Much hotter than you?" The boy gestures to Jisung with a blank expression to prove his point. "You're handsome too."
Renjun sighs. "Dad, I know you can't tell 'cause you're old and hetero-"
"Now, wait a minute-"
"But Jisung is a very hot guy."
"I thought it wasn't about looks."
"It's not, but it's not like you can ignore someone who looks like him."
"Thank you?"
Renjun smiles at Jisung. "You're welcome."
➳
"Where are our grandbabies?"
"Think it's too late to make a run for it?" Renjun asks. It's then that their grandmothers locate them. "Fuck."
"Oh, Renjun! This is my handsome grandson I was telling you about."
"Hi, Grandma", Jaemin says, smiling at her.
"Hi", Renjun smiles.
"It's good to see you two are hitting it off well."
"Oh, Grandma, Jaemin is taken. He has boyfriends."
"Plural?" Jaemins grandma questions, looking at a blushing Jaemin.
"Y-yeah."
"Oh, Jaemin, I didn't know you were gay."
"I'm-I'm not."
Jaemins grandma laughs. "Oh, close enough, right?"
Jisungs had enough since stepping onto the porch. Now he's really over it.
"How long are you gonna disrespect your grandson?"
"You have no right to talk."
"Actually, I do. See, I'm standing up for my best friend and showing my respect for him. Something you clearly don't have or you'd know that he's pansexual, not gay and that calling him the wrong label, on purpose, isn't 'close enough'. And I can see the way you're already judging him for having three boyfriends instead of being happy about the fact that you're grandson, the person you love to brag so much about and talk about, is happy."
"Here you go, always trying to make me and my husband the villain."
"Then be fucking considerate!"
"Young man, I've tolerated a lot of disrespect from you-"
Jisung rolls his eyes. "Spare me. I know you wanna kick me out but the only reason Jaemin is here is because he has company. If I go, so does he."
"Jaemin, is that true?"
Jaemin feels so small under his grandmother's gaze. "W-well, it'd be...rude t-to leave him...since I brought him as my guest."
Haechan recognizes the look of disappointment on the woman's face all too well. It's the same way his mother would look at him before guilt-tripping him.
"You're really gonna side with him over your own family? You're just gonna let him treat me this way?"
"No, Grandma-"
"Well, if you wanna leave so bad, go right ahead." She looks over at her friend. "I'm sorry, guess my grandson doesn't wanna spend time with me."
Tears stream down Jaemins face as he helplessly looks at the two. "No, Grandma."
As soon as the tears register, that's when all hell breaks loose.
➳
"Jaemin, we're sorry!"
"No!" Jaemin screeches, startling everyone. "I told you she would do this to me. I told you this all the time. Even Jisung doesn't wanna be here 'cause they treat him the same way. You just never listened to me. You don't care!"
"That's not true."
"Then why didn't you ever do anything?" He yells before breaking out into a heavier sob. Jisung pulls Jaemin into his arms and lets him cry into his chest, shielding him from his parents.
"We told her not to do that."
"She doesn't listen! I told you that. I told you I didn't wanna come here. I never did but you always made me!" Jaemin cries a little more before taking even deep breaths to face them and calmly tell them, "I hate that I'm upset at you and that I just yelled at you. I feel like the worst person in the world. Being upset with you and showing it feels like I committed the worlds worst crime. You hurt me but I feel like I'm supposed to forgive you within two seconds. I'm feel like not allowed to be upset they taught me I'm not. I feel horrible for feeling normal human emotions because of them. And this happened because you never listened when I told you I didn't like being here. It's not all your fault, but I'm still blaming you."
Jisung locks eyes with them. "So am I."
"No, Jaemin, don't leave!"
Jaemin turns back into Jisungs chest, trying to hide himself.
"What the hell is going on out here?" Jaemins grandpa asks.
"Would you like to know much you fucked up?"
The older man sighs. "Jisung, do you really have to speak to me that way?"
"I don't see how you deserve my respect considering you don't respect me or my best friend."
"That's a lie. I do respect you and Jaemin. You just have no respect for us."
"I am not going to stay here and listen to you try to justify why I deserve this treatment from you. Because I don't. All I've done since meeting you the first time is try to get you to respect me as person, but you and your wife refuse to do that."
"Jaemin, don't leave", Jaemins grandma says. "Don't ruin New Years like this. Everyone was looking forward to seeing you."
"Oh my God!" Haechan snaps. "Lady, shut the fuck up!"
"Excuse me?"
"Turn up your hearing aids." Her jaw drops. "I've been here for less than six hours and I'm so fucking sick of you and absolutely drained. I grew up with a mother who acts like you do. Guess what?"
"What?"
"I DON'T TALK TO HER ANYMORE!" He yells. "Just in the few times you've spoken to your goddamn beloved grandson, you've managed to disrespect his sexuality, relationship, and guilt-trip him. Do you know what guilt-tripping is? A form of manipulation. It's so easy to tell Jaemin is a victim of emotional abuse and that's your fault. All of it. Even if, God forbid, he wanted to stay here, we wouldn't let him so you can fucking break him even more. Ever heard of therapy? That's the thing he needs 'cause you needed it first!"
"We're leaving", Jisung says, absolutely meaning it this time.
"Renjun, come here!" Chenle calls to the male on the porch.
The boy doesn't need to be told twice and runs over to the pinkette. Within the three minutes, the group separates themselves into the two cars and drive away.
➳
After doing their best to soothe the distraught male, Chenle, Renjun, Mark, and Jeno leave the three best friends to cuddle.
"Renjun, come here", The pinkette says holding his arms out. Renjun moves into his arms and lets himself be hugged.
"Thank you", Renjun says.
"No way in Hell were we leaving you there", Mark tells him.
"Thank you again. Jaemin is treated worse, but they're not a fan of me either. My parents won't even let me dress the way I want to when I go there. My dad said it was to protect me, but it's not like I don't know what they're gonna say. I should be allowed to be myself."
"You absolutely should."
It's silent as the three boys cuddle on the bed, Jaemin sandwiched between them, his face hidden in Jisungs chest, breathing in the feeling of him and focusing on the rise and fall of his chest. Jisung has his free arm slung over Jaemins body to reach Haechans, also trying to keep him close.
He waits a few more seconds before looking up at Haechan and asking, "Are you okay, Cookie?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because she reminded you of your mom."
"Oh", Haechan says. "It just made me angry to see someone treated that way. I hate how people think being family gives them a right to be horrible to you. It doesn't."
"I think I'm finally go no contact with them", Jaemin speaks up. "I wanna talk to them first, though."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Jisung asks, looking at him.
"I know being family is no excuse but I need final proof that they're not gonna change so I finally let them go."
"I get it", Haechan says. "But be careful of empty promises. They seem really good when you crave them."
Jaemin turns over to face Haechan kiss his forehead. "I know. I'm sorry my grandma reminded you of your mom."
"That has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her."
Jaemin nods. "I know, but I still wish you didn't have to hear that. I wish I didn't either. And Jisung-"
"Don't you dare apologize to me."
To Jisungs relief, the boy giggles. "Okay." He kisses Jisungs cheeks and goes back to snuggling against him, and holding onto Haechans arm that's over his waist, trying to keep the two as close as possible. "I love you two."
"I love you too."
"I love you too."
An hour later, they start to wake up and groggily make their way into the living room, all holding onto each other. The sight is adorable but that's not what anyone's concerned about it.
To everyone's surprise, Renjun is the first one to go over to Jaemin and embrace him in a hug before holding his face and apologizing, giving him kisses between statements. Renjun freezes when he hears one of the cutest giggles ever, followed by one of the cutest smiles.
"Thank you", he tells Renjun and then kisses his forehead in return. "I'm sorry too. Oh, Jisung or Haechan, can you tell them?"
"Tell us what?"
"When Jaemin feels ready, he's gonna talk to his grandparents about their behavior and then go no contact."
"I also wanna try even more about not caring about what people think of me. I feel like it'll be easier if I let go of my grandparents. I mean, today, I've already done a major thing I've always been scared to do."
"That's so good, Baby", Chenle says, going to hug him and cuddling the male against his body. "Always be proud of yourself and know we're always proud of you. You too, Renjun."
"Thanks."
Once Chenle lets go of Jaemin, he goes over to Mark and Jeno who instantly pull him into a hug.
"Me too!" Haechan exclaims, wiggling his way into the hug, making them laugh.
"How is everyone feeling?" Jisung asks, gaze lingering on Renjun.
"Don't worry, Jisung, I'm okay", Renjun assures him. "And like, so thrilled to see any of them get told off."
"Princess?" Jeno questions.
Jaemin nods. "I'm good too. Letting things out feels good. Well, not fully, but you know. For some reason, I feel a lot of relief."
"There's a saying that sometimes things need to get worse to get better."
Jisung snorts, earning everyone's attention. "Sorry, that's just..."
"Certain phrases will make me and Jisung react like that", Haechan explains.
"Since we're all here, I vote we all eat happy food and then have a cuddle party."
"I'm not letting anyone say no", Jaemin says.
"I'm down", Renjun agrees. "But what's happy food?"
"It's just food that makes you happy. Commonly involves ice cream, baking or a trip to a bakery and food our favorite restaurants."
"Oh. Shotaro calls this eating foods that make you forget you have problems."
"That works too." Chenle suddenly remembers something. "Oh, by the way, me and Renjun already called dibs on Haechan or Jaemin for cuddling."
"You always pick my best friends", Jisung whines.
"Then choose one of my best friends."
Jisung rolls his eyes with a pout and turns to Mark and Jeno. "Whoever is gonna let me use them as a pillow is mine."
"Figure it out later!" Chenle calls after them, the other four already starting to leave the apartment.
Spoiler alert: Chenle and Renjun chose Haechan because he was softer according to Renjun. At the news of Jaemin being option, Jeno may or may not have made an excuse about how Jaemin owed it to him to be his pillow, princess-to-princess and how Jeno was the more important one. (Everyone knew he was lying but they let it be), which lead to Mark eventually getting Jisung to agree to be his pillow, making them the subject of teasing.
"Leave us alone", Mark groans into Jisung shoulder after Renjuns "they look so cute" comment.
"It's not our fault you two are adorable", Haechan tells them.
"We are adorable but do you have to keep telling us?" Jisung asks, looking over at them. "And taking pictures."
"This is the closest I've seen you two since you met so yes."
"We've done this before!"
"But I didn't get a picture."
Jisung slumps back against the pillow, giving up, making the others laugh.
➳
"Holy shit, Jaemin."
Jaemin laughs, confusing the two more.
"No offense, but I don't get how you're so calm."
"I don't really understand either. I think I've just been so trapped by these mannerisms my grandparents insisted I follow that when I blew up on my parents, I just lost some of this worry. Well, not all of it 'cause I still feel horrible for that, but I was so upset that I couldn't be calm or nice or any of these things and it doesn't feel completely illegal anyway." Then be adds, "Or maybe I just needed a good breakdown."
Ten and Jungwoo laugh and hug him. "Well whatever it is, we're proud of you."
"We're always proud of you, Minnie."
"I know, thank you."
I love you
Not proofread❤️