Chapter Text
Na Jaemin was depressed and in trouble financially. Jaemin was let down by his previous boyfriend after he got away with some bitch, leaving Jaemin alone and lonely. He did not have a place to sleep anymore and found himself knocking on the door of the few people he knew thanks to university. But nobody could or would accept him as they say they didn't have "much place". Jaemin ended up spending his first night in the hall of the dorms, in the cold and in the dark with only his belongings.
Xiao Dejun was a young student who was well-on with life and never refused to help someone in the need. By luck, he ended up alone in his dorm room as his supposed-to-be roommate decided last minute to not go to this university. He wasn't complaining, it was pretty useful but still a bit lonely for college life. That's how he found himself at midnight, going back from the library, and almost stumbling on someone. Once he regained his balance, Dejun looked more closely and saw a young man his age lying on the cold floor.
"Hey... " said Dejun as he try to wake him up by shaking him a bit. It did not work so he tried a little harder.
A scream was heard and Dejun immediately put his hands on the stranger's mouth to stop him. It did hopefully and a wave of relief passed over the blonde.
Jaemin could not look anywhere else except straight into the eyes of his savior. He was leading Jaemin to his dorm after the brutal waking up a little bit earlier. Not his fault, he could only react this way. But after seeing who it was, he calmed down. Despite not knowing him, Jaemin felt safe, safer than he ever was and when this man took his hand to make him stand up and did not let go, he felt strangely ok. He did not oppose any resistance.
Once they arrived at Dejun's dorm room, they quietly entered and Dejun immediately threw his shoes and rearranged the room as best as he could. Jaemin just stayed in the entry, not knowing what was the best to say in this strange and unusual situation. He did not move.
"Hey, are you ok? "
Jaemin didn't know what to respond: was he fine? No. But was he better? Yes.
"I am... better"
"That's good then. What were you doing in the hall? "
Silence first, followed by a little sound.
"I... "
"If you don't want to answer, it's perfectly fine, I think you might be in a bit of shock. Sleep here this night and we'll see what we do in the morning. It's the weekend anyway, so I don't have university"
Dejun then showed him the bed that was the exact same as his, except there were no decorations, it was just empty. But Jaemin was grateful, more than grateful to him that he just followed and nodded at what he was saying.
He finally got the courage to speak up, just to satisfy his curiosity before they were separated for the night.
"Uhm... What's your... name? "
"Oh yeah, I did not even introduce myself! I'm Xiao Dejun and you? "
"Na. Na Jaemin"
"Nice to meet you. Oh, and the bathroom is that way" said the host while pointing to a door.
Jaemin thanked him with a little nod as he didn't want to talk more for now. He slowly unpacked.
Dejun was then quick to get into his bed, ready to sleep. Until he felt something, someone crawling up beside him and nestling in his torso. He wanted to make it go away but he saw the scared face of Jaemin. He was enough for him not to move further and instead bring him closer.
They could talk about it in the morning.
The following morning, Jaemin woke up with no one at his side. He thought Dejun already left and he was here alone in an unknown place. He almost cried until the owner got out of the bathroom only to find him sitting on the bed while holding his knees.
"Jaemin? Did you have a good night? "
"Yeah thank you" he replied with imploring eyes
"Can I hug you? "
"Uhm, yeah sure"
Immediately, the pink head jumped on him and held him strongly, nowhere near to letting go.
"Did you go through something bad? Is that why you were in the hall? "
"It's a long story, but...you could say it that way"
"Are you ready to talk then? "
"I think"
They sat at the little table while Dejun brought them coffee. On Jaemin's command, he poured it strong, too much for him but Jaemin seemed to love it so he let it be.
"Start when you want, I'm not pushing you to tell me what you don't want to. "
"Thanks but I'm able to now. Well I think I do"
Jaemin took a deep breath and then started his story. How everything was fine in the beginning until his ex-boyfriend began to not pay attention to him anymore and turned himself to women. They were already struggling financially talking and it wasn't adding any good to their situation. Yesterday was the point of no return: Jaemin was shoved out of his previous appartement with his few belongings and ended up wandering around with no special goal except to find a place to sleep, which he luckily found within Dejun's dorm room.
At the end of his recital, Jaemin had his head lowered down and his fists together on the table, not knowing how to feel.
Dejun took the first step and put his hand on Jaemin's fist to reassure him.
"You're safe now. I'm sorry for what happened to you, but I'll make sure you get on your feet and live a better life from now on "
"Thank you Dejun, thank you so much for what you did, I could not be more grateful. "
He got up and hugged him once more, just to feel this warmth he could not leave now that he had discovered it. He was not willing to let go and Dejun made no move to let go of him so they stayed like that for a while before they decided they were too hungry and needed food.
Life went on once they installed their routine. Jaemin was more comfortable with Dejun, and they were more close than ever, sharing good laughs and restful nights. The two young men of 18years old lived a good few months together. Jaemin learned to fight his depression, little by little, with the help of Dejun.
Everything was better than ever until the day Jaemin got recruited to be a trainee in a company to become an idol. After receiving this news, he was conflicted on how to tell Dejun. Will he be disappointed by his leave? Or sad? Or angry? He decided to wait until his friend came back from his course.
"Jaemin! I'm home! "
Immediately came the boy, running to hug him tight.
"Wow wow wow, what got you to be this sweet tonight? "
"I got recruited... " whispered Jaemin.
"What?"
"I got recruited as a trainee" said Jaemin a little louder.
"That's awesome!! It's your chance to be what you dream of!! "
"You're not disappointed or mad that I will have to leave? "
"Why would I? If it's what you want and you're ready to fight for it, then go, you have a chance to make your future. Better than being stuck here don't you think?"
"But I like it here... " says Jaemin while tightening again his arms around Dejun
They fell into silence and just held each other, lost in their own thoughts, not ready to let go of the other one. Dejun had known this day was to come but he didn't expect it this soon. He hoped, he hoped they were going to stay together longer but he also knew their situation was only temporary.
Jaemin wanted to go but also wanted to stay. Dejun saved him, took care of him, helped him through these few months and now he was leaving. It was not fair.
"You have to go Jaemin. It's your future"
"But...! "
"No" but", you will and I'll make sure of it"
"And... "
"Go to sleep now. When do you need to be there? "
"Tomorrow... Can we sleep in the same bed this night? "
"Sure"
They got ready and made themselves comfortable in Dejun's bed, snuggled together. Just like the first night. Just like over the past months. Jaemin felt safe, safer than ever in these arms. He never wanted to let go. Life was unfair.
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"Don't leave now"
"You have to go Jaemin, they're waiting for you"
"Promise me you're going to be fine"
"Jaemin, you-"
"Promise me!"
"I promise I will be. And I swear to never forget you. Everything's going to be OK. We'll meet again."
"I hope so..."
Their foreheads touched for the last time, a swift kiss was shared and Jaemin was gone. And tears were running down on both of their cheeks, unable to stop. Was it the end?