Chapter written by Elle (precerii).

The ash haired boy stared at his reflection solemnly. His wide brown eyes scanned his body over and over, thinking of every way possible to make himself better. His hands trailed over the faded bruises that scattered over his chest and abdomen from previous training sessions. His fingers halted over the large scar that covered his entire left shoulder, cringing at the memory of it.

The flash of something silver. A metallic smell taking over his senses. A dark figure looming over...

    Blinking his eyes rapidly, Jaemin urged for that memory to go away. Ears perking at the sound of footsteps, he quickly turned around when he heard the bedroom door creak open, his breath caught in his throat. Jeno stood beside the door frame, with his hair pushed back by an elastic headband and sweat dripping down his exposed arms and chest. He eyed the scar before forcing his stare upwards. "Don't tell me you're having one of your breakdowns again? I've been waiting for you on the court." He said, giving the other a questionable look.

    The boy wrapped his arms over his body, a sudden wave of insecurity rolling over him as he noticed the other's strong build and bulging muscles. He'd always been the scrawnier one out of the two; using his wit more than strength — that was always Jeno's forte. But together, they made the greatest team. Both of their best strengths coming together as one. Nothing could hurt them; and if someone tried, Jeno wouldn't hesitate to put an end to it.

Noticing his hesitant expression, Jeno's features softened. He walked further into the other's bedroom, filled with pictures of the two of them and the rest of their friends smiling happily. His hand rested on the younger's shoulder. "Did something happen?" Jeno asked. "If someone is bothering you, I'll kill them."

Jaemin shuddered at the intensity in the blonde's tone. He knew he wasn't lying. Softly, he shook his head. "It's nothing." When he received a prolonged stare from the other, he smiled and pushed the two out of his room, entering the grand hallway instead. "Really, it's fine, I promise."

    "If you say so." Jeno shrugged.

    The truth is, no matter how tough and mean Jeno could act, he'd always take care of the ones who truly mattered to him.

     The two walked silently through the traditional mansion (one that he would never get used too), checkered floors squeaking beneath their feet. Their footsteps echoed back with every step they took, the mansion endlessly void of life. They passed the empty main halls, the grand foyer, the useless kitchen until they reached the French doors that led to the rather spacious backyard. Fake green grass covered almost an acre of land. To the side, a pathway guided them to the cemented patio, where Jaemin's father waited for them with a stoic expression.

     At the sight of the older boy, his face immediately brightened and welcomed him into a hug. Jeno hesitantly returned the hug back, but not before looking towards his best friend for permission first. He knew how much of a sore spot the boy's father was, and he knew that Jaemin only agreed to training sessions this year with him for the sake of their lives.

     After all, his father went to Yongsan Academy when he was younger - graduated at the top of his class too. He knew the school like the back of his hand and if anybody could teach them what they needed, it would be Mr. Na.

     "Father." Jaemin greeted after minutes of being ignored.

     The man glanced up, distracted from complimenting Jeno and his physique.

     "My, I knew you would turn into a strong boy."

     "You're the strongest in your class, aren't you? My, of course you are."

     "What a good boy you are, son."

     It only fueled the burning hatred in his chest by a tenfold.

     Jeno would simply smile and shake his head, feigning embarrassment from the compliments.

     At the words from his son, his father's mask of satisfaction crumbled in a mere second. "Jaemin." He sighed. "How have your studies been? I presume you've been acing all of your classes."

     Jaemin's palms began to sweat, his brain searching for suitable answers that would please his father. Of course he was acing his classes - he would kill himself if he wasn't. If not for his wits, what use was he? The only way he would live is if he used his brain - but that answer would not please his father.

     As if sensing his anxiety, Jeno was quick to come to his side and wrap a supportive arm around his shoulder. His bright smile was quick to ease the tension between the two. "Jaemin's the most intelligent in our class. Nobody could compete against him." He reassured.

     The younger boy silently thanked the other. The blonde knew Jaemin better than himself, and always saved him when he needed it most. He almost relied on Jeno, in that sense.

     His father hummed, disinterested. He picked at his nails before nearly yawning. "Of course my son should be better than those nitwits. It would be a disgrace if not." He let our a dry chuckle. "I didn't graduate at the top of my class just for my only son to ruin my image."

     Jeno shot the other an apologetic look, to which Jaemin shook it off. He would have to ride a horde of bulls to gain his father's attention, and even then he would still have something to comment on: you should have sat straighter. The reigns could have been of higher quality--did you suddenly become cheap? Gaining his father's approval has been an impossible task since he was born. He was an accident. His drug addict of a mother was only a one night stand who never even intended to tell his father about his mistake.

     "I assume the two of you have trained with each other before?"

     "Of course, sir." Jeno was quick to answer.

     "Alright, show me what you've got." His father smirked.

     The two glanced at each other, Jaemin with a look of fear and Jeno full with worry. They have fought before, together and against each other. They needed someone to practice with, so it felt natural to spar with one another. They were able to figure out their strengths and weaknesses, how to look out for one another. It was only in private, though. On their own terms - where Jeno knew the others limits, and he'd never take advantage of that. Jaemin never felt scared of Jeno, he knew he would always have his back; but he still knew that Jeno would do anything to keep his rank and his image. Even if that means giving his best friend something to be afraid of.

     Jeno slowly took a fighting stance, his shoulders broadening as he raised his arms in an angled position. Jaemin's eyes widened but he quickly took in the same stance. They circled each other like ravens, picking at the same scraps (Jaemin's father's approval).

     The blonde was hesitant, but threw the first punch. Jaemin swung his head to the side, merely missing his fist. Jeno came onto him faster now, always getting ahead of himself as usual. Punches came flying at him non-stop, all which he barely dodged. Swiftly, he kicked the b boy in the back of his knees, making him buckle to the ground. Jaemin took this opportunity to knee him the nose. Jeno groaned, holding it lightly. He glared at the other, revealing his bloody nose. Slowly, a smirk replaced his frown.

     "You remember what I told you."

     "You use too much of your strength. You tire easily." Jaemin panted.

     "Good boy. Let's see if you remember what else I told you." Without warning, the boy came at him, arms wrapped around the other's waist, pushing him to the ground. His knees wrapped around the younger's abdomen once he was on top. Finally, his punches made it to his face. Jaemin's face burned as he struggled to get out from the other, tears beginning to form as memories overlapped his mind.

     There was no end to his suffering. Only fury and rage. Jaemin wondered if fighting or laying helplessly like he was would further his anger or make him feel pity.

     "Stop!" At the shrill of his voice, Jeno immediately pauses. Finally, he notices his best friend's tear stricken face. A flash of guilt mixed with disappointment rushes over him before he gets up and offers the boy a hand. Jaemin's face flashes with betrayal before pushing himself up and running into the house.

     "What a disappointment..." He vaguely hears his father say.

—

"Come on, Jaem. Just open the door." Jeno knocks for the third time.

Jaemin ignores him, instead focusing on the reflection in the mirror. He didn't look too bad for basically getting beat to a pulp. A black eye that he could easily cover up with concealer.

"Don't make me bust this door down, Jaemin."

The younger shakes his head, a sad smile gracing his lips. He wasn't trying to be dramatic, but he couldn't help but feel like a fool. He was seen as weak and useless by his father, and Jeno only poured salt into that wound whether he meant to or not.

After the boy's relentless knocking, Jaemin finally opened the door for him without a word. He didn't even bother to glance at the other's apologetic expression. He simply went straight for his bed, plopping down on it and staring at the ceiling while trying to ignore his throbbing eye. It wasn't long before Jeno came into view, his blonde locks hovering over the boy.

"Are you mad at me?" He asked gently.

"No." It wasn't a lie. He wasn't mad, just embarrassed.

Jeno sighed. "I'm sorry. But I couldn't go easy on you. I hold you to a higher standard than that - you're better than anybody else."

The younger boy furrowed his brows and sat up, facing the other. "You know my weaknesses, and took advantage of that. In front of my father."

"No one's going to go easy on you when final exams come, Jaem. I can't protect you forever."

A small pang hit Jaemin's heart. Wasn't that our deal?

"You know I'm being hard on you because I love you, right? You're like a brother. I only want the best for you."

Jaemin slowly nodded, and was about to agree before Jeno's phone rang suddenly, and as he glanced down at the notification, a smile adorned his lips and his eyes crinkled into small crescents. Jaemin couldn't help but smile either. Something about the blonde's smile was so contagious - sometimes that could be his greatest weapon.

Jeno suddenly stood up. "That was Donghyuck. We should head to his house to get ready for the party," he chuckled. "It's going to be a fun night."

And all the boy could do was follow him blindly into the raven's den.

—

I promise this chapter
isn't a filler! I planned
for more but then it
would become too lengthy
so I decided to split it.

Don't forget to leave a
vote and comment <3

*please note, this story
will be continued to be
written by only I, Elle
from now on.*