Work Text:
- Everyday
"Love you, Jeno-ah."
It slides off the tongue, a phrase of habit, said everyday, over rushed morning breakfast, with a mouth half full of his venti eight-espresso-shot coffee.
Jaemin seals the letters with a kiss on his cheek, eyebrows wiggling as he shows his pearly-white teeth.
They're rushing to get ready for their first schedule of the day, and they need to hurry off. But Jaemin still does it every time, every day, every morning, without fail, and he does it so often it's become part of their routine.
The members no longer scoff or coo at their open display of affection, having taken to turning away with small, exasperated, but fond smiles. Jeno no longer startles when Jaemin says it, reactions varying from smiling so widely with that warm look in his eyes, to angling his face at the very last second so their lips meet with a kiss.
Some days there's a pat on his shoulder as Jaemin walks by. Other days, there are caressing fingertips, a tap on his arm or back, a hand around his waist, a chin on his shoulder, or Jeno's chest glued tight to his back as Jaemin feeds him a bite of his bread back-handed.
It comes out naturally, sometimes hurriedly, a simple phrase to give and take. It's the type of "I love you" filled with fleeting kisses and lingering touches while getting ready for the day, said just before getting out the door. It's a gentle reminder that this is home, that love is in the air, a small, sweet phrase that makes one's day.
- Astounded
"...I love you."
It's said with the barest hint of a gasp, with wide, adoring eyes, and even disbelief. It's the sort of 'I still can't believe it' I love you, 'I can't believe I get to have you', 'I'm falling for you all over again' I love you.
It's the only thing Jeno can say when he walks out of the fitting room, an expensive, formal suit fitted on impeccably well- cut to precision, bold across his broad shoulders and gentle lines around his tiny waist. The perfect inverted triangle. His black tie is taut around his white collar, with his hair styled handsomely, full make-up on.
He turns around, and Jaemin looks breathtaking, fatally handsome- exquisite .
Jeno can't tear his eyes away, can't stop his jaw from falling open, can't stop staring . He's comically frozen, mind wired solely to admire and appreciate .
It's said with the sort of awed whisper that makes Jaemin giggle, a pink tint dusting his ears and cheeks as he beams shyly, flattered. There'd be a cough to break the moment, embarrassed chuckles as Jeno looks away, but his eyes never stray far, fingers reaching to tug and poke at his perfect suit. (Jaemin has to stop them from slipping in .)
"Your tie is crooked." He'd say as he leans in, inches closer.
And then he would fix it for him, ethereal face almost touching his as deft fingers pull them even closer, yet still not close enough.
At this distance they can faintly smell the other's cologne, along with the citrusy scent of shampoo they both use. They can see every detail on the other's face, and Jaemin is sure he can count the number of moles adorning Jeno's flawless skin. (He wants to kiss them, one by one.)
This 'I love you' is breathless wonder.
It's said with the sort of starry-eyed look in his eyes, that one might think Jaemin had indeed hung all the stars in the sky. His voice is awed, mesmerized, full of adoration, full of reverence .
It's looking and it's loving, yet it's so much more than that.
- Sleepy
"Mm.. I love you."
It's said with sleep-mussed hair, eyes barely open, lids heavy, maybe a little crusty. His morning voice is low and deep, soft and thick with sleep. It's more of a hum than an actual sentence, a slur of words spoken half-awake, half-asleep.
It's the first coherent thought he can form when he wakes up to Jeno's sleepy smile, arms wrapped tight around him and sweet, gentle warmth cradling him. His bed hair is as fluffy as it is messy, and it makes him want to run his fingers through it, so he does.
"Good morning, Jaemin-ah." Jeno whispers, eyes crinkling into beautiful crescents. And it would be the perfect way to wake up, if Jaemin were any more of a morning person than he actually was. So instead he turns the other way, a last resort for more sleep, knowing deep inside what a weak man he is.
"Mm… I love you."
He buries his head into his pillow after that, wishing for just a little more rest, a bit more time to stay like this. Jeno laughs, propped on one bulging arm as he pinches Jaemin's cheek. Jaemin frowns and bats his hand away, grumbling for five more minutes as he promptly falls back asleep.
Some days he fails to- Jeno shaking him awake and hugging him with an adorable whine until he relents. Then it's over for him once he opens his eyes. He's lost the moment he catches sight of the pout on Jeno's lips, those puppy-eyes fatal to any earthly desires embedded in his soul. Jeno would either ask of his unparalleled culinary skills, or of his companionship to cycle to the end of the rainbow. Jaemin would much rather prefer to venture into dreamland, but he is only human. A weak, whipped man defenceless against his lover's charm. (He'd even make Jeno his 57% cooked fried eggs at 1am, no matter how busy with laundry he is.)
Other days Jeno lets him sleep, spooning him as he cuddles in closer. Jaemin loves those days, when Jeno wraps him up in those big, strong arms- a perfect human heater. They snooze for hours, lazing in bed together, and Jeno takes the time to appreciate the long lashes inches before his face, the way their chests rise and fall in sync, and soft puffs of air tickling his skin. Jaemin would wake a second time to gentle fingers carding through his hair, a fond smile, and a swell of happiness bubbling from deep within him.
His old mint hoodie looks too good on Jeno, and Jaemin can't help but combust at the way Jeno snuggles further into him. Jeno really is someone who could sleep for 24 hours a day yet some days he's up at the crack of dawn, almost dragging Jaemin out of bed because he wants to go biking and watch the sunrise. An either or, with nothing in between. Jaemin simply thanks the heavens when Jeno chooses to wrestle his way impossibly closer, tangling their limbs together. (He'd take a hibernating Jeno any day.)
Some days their comforter survives the fight, managing to do its job right. Other days it's crumpled in a forgotten heap at the foot of the bed, strewn onto the floor with an accidental kick. (It's a secret, but Jaemin prefers these mornings- when Jeno burrows his head into his chest, curling into Jaemin as much as he can to keep himself warm. He gets cold easily, and as much as Jaemin would love to wrap them up in that duvet, a selfish part of him wants to enjoy this. His hoodie ends up on Jeno, and he looks horribly adorable- It does unspeakable things to his heart.)
It's a blissful sigh before "sweet dreams", the "Mm… I love you" muttered as consciousness begins to slip. It's the warmth, security and comfort as they drift off into a dopey haze, contentedness swirling as they're lulled to bed.
It's the only reply he knows when Jaemin drowsily kisses him good night, an unconscious smile stretching his lips. Jeno's baritone is husky and deep, so sexy that it makes Jaemin's heart leap. It's said as they slowly melt into each other's embrace, occasionally with featherlight forehead kisses, regularly with whispers of adoration, and always in a mess of tangled limbs.
Jeno doesn't know what love is, but he thinks this is it.
- PDA
Strangers know, and neighbours are jealous. This "I love you" is shouted from the top of a mountain, each consonant swaying from tree to tree, echoing it over and over. It's loud in the way they say it, but it's resounding in the way they show it.
It's in the matching shoes Jaemin buys for them, under the guise of birthday presents. It's in the couple bags Jaemin suggests they get together, even though Jaemin doesn't use bags, even though just one would have been enough. It's in the necklaces they get together, matching ones with their initials, or phone covers- Jeno taking upon himself to even get the same phone model. It's in what they wear- matching cat shirts, cat hoodies or coordinated outfits. The way Jeno's shirt says, "My grass is Navy", and Jaemin wears navy to match. It's in all the things they wear together, carry together and bring along.
It's in the way they mention the other any chance they get- bringing a part of each other everywhere they go.
"Jaemin doesn't like alcohol, so I hang out with Renjun."
"Jaemin's cooking is delicious!"
"Jaemin made me spam mayo fried rice. It was tasty, but I couldn't eat a lot. It's a bit greasy, but don't tell Jaemin this story, okay?"
"Jaemin and I entered the company on the same day, 2 hours apart."
"I've known Jaemin for eight years now."
"I'd rather throw away my phone than a polaroid of Jaemin smiling."
"Jaemin's shoulders are his charming point."
Jeno can go on and on about Jaemin, because it's an endless topic when it comes to each other. Jaemin is no better, bringing up the crescent-eyed boy every chance he gets. It's not just Renjun who has to sit through a conversation full of what Jeno likes and does not like to eat, but to Czennies- it's definitely a treat.
"Oh, you like Mint Choco? Jeno also likes Mint Choco."
"Jeno likes his cookies crispy on the outside and moist on the inside."
"Ah, for Jeno, not red ginseng."
"I think Jeno might like spicy food."
"What is Jeno's favourite food? Isn't it seaweed soup? He likes seaweed soup."
"Jeno likes his eggs 57% cooked."
It's the little facts they spill about each other, the way Jaemin knows which letter Jeno's is- from the way it's folded, to instantly recognizing his neat handwriting. The way he recites Jeno's shoe size from memory, the way he knows that Jeno is an angry crier, the way he even remembers the subjects Jeno hated back in school.
It's in the way they update Bubble with the mention of each other- when they eat together, go out together and have fun together. It's loud in the way they're always together- walking side by side, sitting side by side, with a hand around his waist, an arm over his shoulder, or fingers splayed over his inner thigh.
It's in the way he saves Jeno's name as "❤Dotori❤" with two red hearts, the way he calls out, "Ahjussi", and Jeno turns around immediately. It's in the way Jeno sticks to him like a moth drawn to a flame, a steady presence by his side. The way Jaemin makes him sit beside him when he strays even a little bit away, and Jeno comes with open arms. (Who needs all that space on a couch anyway?)
It's in the way Jeno chooses Jaemin every single time; to group together, to pair together, to be together. The way he gravitates towards him on stage and off stage, long slender fingers playing with the ends of Jaemin's hair.
It's in the way Jeno takes care of him- fixing his hair, holding his mic, wiping the splattered sauce off his face, and plucking strings off his shirt. It's in the way Jaemin wordlessly picks up two eggs at the table and peels one for Jeno when they're at a buffet, turning his knife the other way when Jeno leans in, and letting him rest on his shoulder anytime, anyday. Wherever, and whenever.
It's written in bold, blinking letters across Namsan Tower, "I LOVE YOU" and a message, just for him, under 50 Korean characters and 60 English words. It's a surprise, a cheesy, romantic cliche and a big, loud exclamation of love to his lover, one to show off to the world, uncaring of who's watching them on national TV.
It makes the viewers fawn over their display of affection, envy their love, and want to witness more of it, support it- their love story, their everlasting romance of the century.
It's unspoken, but blatant and glaringly obvious. The sort of 'I was thinking about you', 'you never leave my mind' I love you, when Jaemin introduces himself as Jeno in front of the world, and doesn't even realize he'd said the wrong name, the name that's been living in his mind, heart and dreams for so long that it's intangible from his own existence. The name of the one to whom he's pledged all the love he has to give, the name he proclaims unabashedly. The name 'Jeno Lee'.
- Casually
"I love you."
It's said nonchalantly, slipping from his lips as he goes about his day, an afterthought, an unconscious mumble.
Jaemin says it liberally, whenever he feels like it, and Jeno should be used to it by now, but he's still surprised every single time, making an adorable noise of embarrassment. They're similar in that respect, with the way Jaemin's eyes always light up with surprise, mouth falling agape when Jeno picks him to be on his team, or chooses him to be 2nd place, right after him.
Haechan has taken it as a challenge to suck up to Jeno whenever he wins, for the near obsolete chance of being chosen before Jaemin, even though he knows it'll never happen. It's like Renjun's affection, and he loves it.
The Dreamies may be used to it, but the rest of the NCT members aren't as fortunate. Jungwoo is caught off-guard when Jaemin lets slip the words during a vlive broadcast as he cooks. Then again, he should have known before calling Jeno, or at least caught the telltale signs when he'd whined at Jaemin for not cooking for him. It's an endearment, a shameless display of domesticity but by then it had already been too late to turn away.
"A- aniya~" Jeno's voice trembles from the other end of the line, and it makes Jungwoo grin.
He supposes being a lightbulb has its perks, as Jeno abruptly hangs up, no doubt in a fluster, and eyes the way Jaemin hums a cheery tune, light on his feet as he continues to cook.
Free front row seats, he appreciates, giggling.
…
Unfortunately, XiaoJun is not as lucky. Unlike Jungwoo, he had already known what he was getting into. Unlike Jungwoo, however, he didn't have a choice to back out at all.
"This is the hardest moment of my life." He tries his best not to look as desolate as he feels, but it seems increasingly impossible the longer the vlive drags on.
"I'm in love with my best friend…" They read aloud together, but XiaoJun has never felt more alone, never wished more to be alone, with the way the two on his left are looking at each other, right into each other's eyes.
He tries his best to ignore it.
Because really, what more can he do?
He pretends not to see their charged glances to each other, the hidden lines under layered words and expressions, and he definitely cannot hear the whispered conversation when the vlive ends.
"Hm, I'm in love with my best friend too. Should I confess?" Jaemin smirks, pinning Jeno down with a gaze XiaoJun does not want to describe.
"You should." Jeno hums, and XiaoJun definitely can't see the blush creeping up his neck.
"I love you, Jeno-ah-"
XiaoJun doesn't hear the rest, because he has legs that succeed in getting him out from the lover's den, but he can just as well imagine the fond smile on Jaemin's face as he says this, and the pleased way Jeno beams in return.
+1 : First Confessions
The very first time Jaemin says those three words aloud, after months of repeating it over and over in his head, after weeks of feeling it warm his cheeks and nestle in his chest, it's easier than he expects.
Granted, it's said with a heart almost rattling out of his chest, with everything laid bare. His hands are a little clammy, right brow twitching a little funny, but his eyes are dead serious, honed onto Jeno with utmost sincerity and warmth.
His throat is a little dry, and he hopes the waver in his voice is not too high. He sounds confident enough, even though deep down he's really, really shy.
There isn't any bravado when it slips out, no song nor slow music, it isn't even a special occasion really, unlike cliched tropes Jaemin had always read about.
"I love you."
The admission brings a mixture of fear and relief- the weight of hiding it gone, yet the fear of rejection is heavy. But Jeno's eyes soften as he breaks into a smile so wide and fond that makes his heart soar, and everything clicks.
"I love you too, Jaemin-ah."
They don't beat around the bush, they don't cry tears of joy, they don't even reaffirm it with a kiss. They don't need to. Somewhere along their blurred lines of friendship, deep down Jaemin already knew his feelings were reciprocated.
First confessions, Jaemin realized, weren't all that dramatic nor romantic. Flowers didn't bloom, birds didn't sing, an ensemble of fairytale animals didn't prance in and a ballet troupe didn't dance. Petals didn't fall, sparks didn't fly. Instead, hearts thundered- anticipation swirling thick in the air as it gave way to revelations.
Jeno crushes Jaemin with a hug so suffocatingly tight, and Jaemin embraces him equally tight, laughter and joy bubbling from within as they breathe the other in. First confessions, Jaemin thinks, give way to intimacy, communication and reciprocation.
It is simply the next step.