“Jaemin honey, come down and help Jeno with the snacks!” Mrs Na shouted up to her son, who was hidden away in his bedroom.

“Its okay Mrs Na, I don't mind.” Jeno said as he mixed a caramel mixture into a bowl of freshly popped popcorn.

They were in the kitchen making snacks for Jeno and Jaemin's movie night. Mrs Na was currently drying the dishes.

“No, Jaemin's been in his room all day. He needs to get up and move around.” Mrs Na replied as she put a pot away.

As she said this there was a creak on the stairwell and Jaemin appeared in the kitchen. His light brown hair was sticking up on end and the oversize shirt he wore was half tucked into his shorts and had slipped off his left shoulder.

Jeno nearly dropped his bowl of popcorn over the floor when he saw him. Jaemin had clearly just gotten out of bed but he still managed to look good. Too good.

Jeno clutched the bowl to his chest and stared as Jaemin came and stood next to him. He stiffened as Jaemin rested his head on his shoulder. He was too close; Jeno could feel warmth emanating from his body and looking as he did made Jeno’s blood flow to the wrong places in his body.

Jaemin rested his hand on Jeno’s left shoulder and reached over his other shoulder to grab a piece of the caramel covered popcorn from the bowl.

“Mm, yummy.” He mumbled, crunching on the popcorn.

Jeno placed the bowl of popcorn gently on the bench and turned to face his friend. His voice sounded hollow; empty of any emotion, and when he saw Jaemin’s face he instantly felt guilty for the way his body reacted to him.

Jaemin looked sad and absorbed in his own thoughts. Jeno could tell that whatever he was feeling it wasn't good or healthy for him. Jeno missed the sweet smile he was used to seeing on his face. He would definitely need to come to school tomorrow, and Jeno wouldn't let him out if his sight. Right now though he needed to cheer Jaemin up and get his mind off things.

“Do you want to get some blankets and cushions and then go and get comfy on the couch?” Jeno suggested with a soft smile as he patted down Jaemin’s hair. He pulled his shirt back over his shoulder and buttoned up the rest of his buttons for him.

Jaemin frowned as he watched Jeno’s hands and then looked up at him. “But I wanted to watch movies in bed.”

Mrs Na looked up from wiping the kitchen bench, giving her son a stern yet gentle look. “You are not going back to bed Jaemin. Now listen to Jeno, honey.”

“It'll be just as good on the couch and we’ll have the TV instead of watching off of the laptop.” Jeno said rubbing Jaemin’s arm.

Jaemin looked from his mother to Jeno then nodded. He quietly headed off to get the blankets and pillows.

“How has he been today?” Jeno asked Mrs Na. They carried the drinks and snacks into the lounge. Jeno pushed the large coffee table closer to the couch so they would easily be able to grab anything they wanted.

“He’s been hiding in his bed all day. I heard him crying earlier but he wouldn't let me in.” Mr Na replied with sigh. She looked worn out and stressed.

Jaemin then came back with his arms piled high with blankets and large puffy pillows. Jeno laughed as he couldn't even see Jaemin’s face and jogged over to help him. They lay everything out over the couch and Jaemin snuggled down into the mass of blankets.

Jeno crouched down in front of the TV set and put in the first movie for the night which was Suicide Squad, then curled up under the blankets with Jaemin. He wrapped his arms around him, letting Jaemin settle in between his legs and rest his head against Jeno’s chest. Jaemin grabbed the bowl of popcorn and rested it on his lap so they could both reach it. They stayed in that position for the duration of the movie, with Jaemin absentmindedly playing with Jeno’s fingers as if reminding himself that he was close by.

As the credits rolled, Jeno decided to bring up the idea of going to school tomorrow.

“Hey, so I think you should come to school tomorrow Jae.” As he suggested this, he felt Jaemin tense up against him. Jeno continued. “Don't worry it'll be alright. I'll be with you the entire time. Mark and his friends aren't going to touch you.” He grabbed Jaemin’s hands and linked his fingers in his.

“What happened at school today?” Jaemin asked after a short pause.

Jeno didn't want to tell him about the incident in the hallway because he knew it would only cause Jaemin to worry, but he was terrible at lying to him.

“Nothing really, just a normal day.” Jeno replied, trying to sound convincing.

Jaemin turned his head to look at Jeno with a sad frown. “What happened at school?” He repeated.

Jeno swallowed and looked down at their entwined hands. “It wasn't a big issue, just Mark and his mates stopped me in the hallway and emptied my bag onto the floor.”

Jaemin's sad frown grew deeper. “They bullied you?” His eyes swept slowly over Jeno, looking for anything that might show he got hurt.

“They didn't hurt me Jae, I'm fine.” Jeno said confidently. “I wouldn't let them touch you either if you come to school tomorrow.” He stated, bringing the topic back to their original conversation.

“But what if I see Jungwoo? He must still be mad me.” Jaemin replied nervously. He turned back around and looked down into the half empty bowl of popcorn.

“Don't worry about Jungwoo. I'll talk to him and sort everything out. He won't be mad at you when he realizes it wasn't your fault.” Jeno soothed.

Jaemin shook his head. “I would still blame me if I were him.” He mumbled.

“Hey, don't say that!” Jeno pulled Jaemin around so he could look him in the eye. “You did what anyone else would have done in your situation. Don't beat yourself up about it okay?”

Jaemin stared back at him and nodded, but Jeno wasn't convinced. Jaemin’s eyes were glistening again as if he were about to tear up. Jeno could almost see his internal thoughts eating away at him.

“Hey,” Jeno whispered gently, cupping Jaemin’s face in his hands, causing Jaemin to focus back on him. “You’re - there's so many great and wonderful things about you Jaemin. Don't forget that. I'm going to keep telling you too, until I see that you believe it as well.”

A small smile pulled at Jaemin’s lips and he closed his eyes and leaned into Jeno’s touch. “You're so wonderful to me; I sometimes don't understand it.” Jaemin whispered back. He reached up to wrap his fingers lightly around Jeno’s wrist.

“You're my best friend Jae. I smile when you smile, so smile more for me.” Jeno responded.