Work Text:
X April 2020 X
proof that a single dad can raise 20+ kids Group Chat
SAT 1:24 PM
Jungwoo: I wasn’t sure about having new members but this has been hysterical
Doyoung: Shotaro’s face when Johnny kissed Taeyong was pure gold
Taeil: with hindsight we should have warned him and Sungchan about Johnyong
Lucas: nah that was priceless
Shotaro: please stop making fun of me t(>.<t)
YangYang: aw we’re sorry it was just too funny
Mark: comedy gold
Taeil: we had similar reactions when we found out don’t sweat it
Jaehyun: I think mark almost shit himself
Sungchan: tmi
Mark: HEY
Taeyong: stop talking about us
Jaehyun: no <3
Johnny: nct 2020 isn’t gonna happen on its own you guys should be practicing
Winwin: says the man who was making out with his boyfriend during the photoshoot
Johnny: you guys should learn to knock
Lucas: maybe learn to lock doors
Xiaojun: poor Shotaro was scarred
Shotaro: I’m fine! I was just caught off guard
Lucas: its okay you can tell johnyong it was horrifying
Shotaro: is anyone else dating in the group? I’m totally cool with it don’t worry
Renjun: jisung and chenle are jisung and chenle
Sungchan: what
Jeno: we don’t know either
Jisung: leave us alone :(
Shotaro: that’s it?
Kun: surprisingly yeah
Yuta: now that you mention it there should be more statistically
Ten: i’m a single pringle
Jaemin: me too :(
Jeno: poor baby
Doyoung: you two should date
Jaemin: I do think its a snazzy idea
Jeno: we are straight
Renjun: boring
Jaemin: see jun gets it
Jeno: jaemin you got something to share with the class?
Jaemin: no…
Renjun: maybe I do
Jungwoo: WHAT
Doyoung: OMG
Lucas: WHAT
Jaehyun: HELP
Johnny: RENJUN
Taeyong: STOP YELLING
Mark: YOU ARE YELLING
Taeil: I’M YELLING
Xiaojun: I’M NOT READY
Jisung: MOOMIN
Haechan: you guys scared him away
YangYang: where’d renjunnie go :(
Chenle: where’d nomin go???
Jaehyun: OMG
Seen by Haechan, Taeyong, Shotaro, Lucas, 15+
20+3=23 Group Chat
SAT 1:43 PM
Jeno: renjun???
Jaemin: RENJUN
Jeno: renjunrenjunrenjun
Jaemin: renjuuuuuuuun
Renjun: stoooooooop
Jeno: then reply to us!
Renjun: whaaaaaat
Jaemin: what do you mean you have something to share
Renjun: maybe I don’t want to
Jeno: renjunnie if you aren’t comfortable telling us that’s okay but we are here for you
Renjun: idk guys
Renjun: I’m just confused
Jaemin: about what
Jaemin: maybe I can help
Jaemin: I’m a little confused too ngl
Jeno: wait are you guys both you know…
Renjun: is that gonna be an issue?
Jeno: no!
Jeno: I just thought we were all straight
Jaemin: idk maybe
Jeno: maybe???
Jaemin: sexuality is hard leave me alone
Renjun: exactly
Renjun: I haven’t really thought about it until recently
Renjun: what is there to think about when you’re expected to be straight
Renjun: maybe I’m not tho
Jaemin: same same
Jaemin: like the thought of kissing a dude doesn’t immediately gross me out
Jeno : oh my god
Renjun : the nct gc is blowing up should we go back?
Jaemin : what are you going to say?
Renjun : nothing
Renjun : I don’t really have anything to say I’m just confused right now
Jaemin : maybe you should experiment
Jaemin : maybe we could experiment together?
Renjun : really?
Jeno : WHAT IS HAPPENING
Jaemin : I’m asking if renjun wants to kiss me duh
Renjun : we could try?
Jaemin : ok!
Jeno : uh
Jeno : can I come?
Renjun : don’t you think that’s weird?
Jeno : …
Jaemin : of course you can come!
Seen by Jeno, Renjun
“There you are.” Taeyong crouches down next to Jeno, who has been dozing off for the last ten minutes. “The stylists are ready for you now.” They’re in a big studio, getting ready to film a few things in preparation for NCT 2020, but Jeno would rather be anywhere else right now. Preferably his bed.
“Thanks, hyung.” Jeno mumbles, not quite ready to get up yet. The floor isn’t that comfortable, actually it’s very hard and cold, but he really can’t be bothered to move.
“Are you okay? You seem kind of spacey.” Taeyong makes himself comfortable on the ground next to Jeno, mindful that he can’t afford to get these jeans stained with anything.
“I’m tired I guess.” he shrugs, knowing that’s not even half of it.
“Donghyuck keeping you up?” Taeyong asks, wondering if he’ll have to have another conversation about boundaries with the younger man, again.
“Not really. Haechan is fine.” He’s actually a needed distraction. If he didn’t have Donghyuck to hug then he might notice that Jaemin doesn’t really hug him anymore and then he might start crying right in front of his leader and that’s pretty much the last thing he wants.
“Then what’s wrong?” Taeyong continues to pry. Jeno has always been one of the quieter members of NCT Dream, but his vacant expression and monotone voice are really out of character.
“Can I ask you something personal?” Jeno murmurs as he twists the hem of his shirt around his fingers.
“Yeah,” Taeyong scoots a little so that he’s facing the fidgety boy more.
“How did you know you liked Johnny hyung?” The words spill from his mouth before he can register them and the look of shock spreading over Taeyong’s face really makes him wish he could pull them back. He’s not even sure that’s what he wants to ask. But now that it’s out there he can only wait anxiously for Taeyong’s reply.
Taeyong schools his expression before formulating some type of reply. “Oh wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” Jeno is quick to rectify.
“No, no it’s okay. I don’t mind honestly. I’m your leader, I’m supposed to help you with this type of stuff.”
“I don’t think this was in the job description, hyung.” Jeno mumbles.
“Well, if something is bothering you, it's my job to help. So to answer your question, I don’t know.” Taeyong shrugs half heartedly. “Being in love is weird. Liking someone is strange. It’s like having a friend, but different. I don’t know how to put it. But I want to be around Johnny all the time and when I’m not I’m thinking about him. And when I’m thinking about him my chest tightens. Sometimes I even feel like throwing up.”
“That sounds unpleasant.” Jeno scrunches his nose in distaste.
“Yeah well, love is unpleasant. If you can avoid it I recommend it.”
“Are you and Johnny hyung having problems?” Jeno asks, terrified of the answer he might receive.
“No, not really. Relationships are just a lot of work. You have to put a lot of effort into them or they crumble. But that’s the nice thing about love, you want to put effort into the relationship. It’s a bad sign if you want to stop trying, if you let things become stagnant. Relationships, any kind of relationship really, is always changing and evolving, right? Things are never stagnant. Sometimes things just don’t change in your favor.”
“What didn’t change in your favor?” Jeno asks, still fearful of what Taeyong might say.
“Nope, this is supposed to be about you, not me. So, what? You have a crush or something? Johnny is one of my oldest and closest friends so it was weird to realize that my feelings might have shifted from platonic to romantic without me even realizing it. I panicked a lot when I realized I was developing a crush.” Taeyong explains.
Jeno chuckles at that. He remembers how flighty and distracted Taeyong seemed right before he and Johnny officially became a couple. Those were certainly interesting times.
“It’s Jaemin.” Jeno mumbles, hoping that Taeyong might not hear him.
Taeyong does though. “You have a crush on Jaemin?” Taeyong doesn’t sound surprised in the slightest. A blind man would be able to see the chemistry between Jeno and Jaemin. Taeyong doesn’t know if he believes in soulmates, but if someone asked he wouldn’t be able to deny that Jeno and Jaemin are two halves of a whole.
“No, it’s not that. At least I don’t think it is. Jaemin likes someone else. I think I might be jealous.” Jeno confesses. “Maybe I just feel like I’m being left behind.”
“Does this have anything to do with Renjun?” That catches Jeno off guard, he can’t help but to stupidly blink at Taeyong like a deer caught in the headlights. “I’m not blind Jeno-ya. Even I can see that the two of them have been joined at the hip for weeks.”
“I just don’t understand what’s happening.” Jeno grumbles, feeling irritated all over again because he can’t figure out his feelings or anyones’ feelings for that matter.
“Hun,” Taeyong starts. “Crushes, feelings, emotions, trust me it's a minefield trying to navigate it all. It gets even more complicated when you add in sexuality and gender. Sometimes sexulity and gender isn’t even a factor. You’ll meet someone that you fall for so completely that nothing else even matters, including gender and sexuality. Don’t let made up rules box you in. Life should be like a stream, ever flowing and completely fluid. Labels are overrated. If you want to hold Jaemin’s hand then do it. If you wanna kiss him, ask first. There is no right answer and definitely not just one answer. If you like Jaemin and he likes Renjun then that’s okay. Talk it out. You don’t have to understand everything right now, make mistakes, I promise I’ll help you deal with the consequences. So don’t sweat it and tie yourself up in knots. Trust me it’ll get you nowhere.”
“You know so much, hyung.” Jeno can’t erase the starstruck expression from his face. His leader never ceases to amaze him.
“Well, I’ve made lots of mistakes and have learned many lessons from it. You’ll never know how Jaemin feels or your own feelings if you just sit here and bottle it up.”
“Is it okay to like more than one person?” Jeno asks, nervously gnawing on the inside of his cheek.
“What did I just say? Don’t let made up rules box you in.”
“You don’t think it’s weird?”
“No at all.” Taeyong pauses before he asks his next question. “What brought all this on though?”
“Uh, well, the thing is, Jaemin and Renjun wanted to explore their sexuality. And I was kind of there too.” His cheeks begin to warm as he recalls how Renjun’s lips collided with Jaemin’s lips. How they moved against each other and what a pretty picture the two of them made together like that. Jeno wanted to join, but he was too scared to ruin the picture they were creating together. Too scared to disturb what they were creating, without him. He’s definitely jealous. He just doesn’t know if he’s jealous of Renjun or Jaemin or — dammit — both of them.
“Oh, is that what Renjun meant when he said he might have something to share? I was going to follow up with him, but things kind of got hectic.”
“I think he figured it out.” Jeno says to ease some of Taeyong’s concerns.
“Do you also want to explore your sexuality?” Taeyong pries a little more. It’s rare when he gets to have heart to hearts with Jeno. He’s typically more reserved. If he’s in a sharing mood then Taeyong wants to take full advantage of it.
“I didn’t but then Jaemin said something. He said the thought of kissing a dude doesn’t gross him out. And I guess I thought about it and it doesn’t gross me out either. But I don’t know if that means I’m gay. I just don’t understand anything.” Jeno is starting to feel frustrated as the turmoil in him spirals out of control.
“It’s okay not to understand it. Like I said before, it’s a minefield. It’s okay to feel frustrated.” Taeyong reassures him. That’s a relief because Jeno has never felt so frustrated before.
proof that a single dad can raise 20+ kids Group Chat
THUR 4:12 PM
Jisung: you know how jaemin thinks everything is a snazzy idea?
Jeno: yes
Jisung: i think we should all start saying that
Lucas: no
Mark: why?
Lucas: cause
Mark: not you
Mark: why Jisung?
Jisung: doesn’t it sound snazzy
Jaemin: YES IT DOES
Doyoung: no
Jisung: lets take a vote
Chenle: why are you like this
Jisung: a vote!
YangYang: who said this was a democracy???
Jaehyun: the dictatorship
Jaehyun: I respect that
Jaemin: wait who’s the dictator???
Jisung: lets vote :D
Mark: that’s not how a dictatorship works???
Chenle: i say we vote
Doyoung: Taeil is obviously the dictator
Jeno: who said???
Doyoung: Taeil obviously, that’s how a dictatorship works
Taeil: that’s hyung to you all
Jisung: yes sir
YangYang: I’m voting for taeyong
Winwin: what about johnny???
YangYang: omg king and queen???
Doyoung: that’s not how a dictatorship works!
Xiaojun: I think Taeil should be in charge
Shotaro: no complaints from me
Yuta: I’ll vote for Taeil too
Doyoung: THAT’S NOT HOW A DICTATORSHIP WORKS
Kun: Taeil it is
Doyoung: oh whatever
Taeyong: you tried
Doyoung: x_x
YangYang: make a speech Taeil hyung!!
Jisung: mandate the use of snazzy!
Taeil: no
Winwin: taeil :((
Chenle: but your dictatorshipness :((
Taeil: go annoy someone else
Taeil: that’s an order
Mark: welp
Jisung: *sigh*
Chenle: it was a snazzy idea babe
Jisung: thanks :/
Jaehyun: …
Haechan: I CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE
Haechan: jisung anf chenle are you dating or not???
Chenle: anf ㅋㅋㅋ
Haechan: for the love of god just be straight with me for one second!
Haechan: just one second
Chenle: no can do i’m gay :D
Haechan: you little shit
Jisung: hey
Jisung: we are older than you!
Jisung: respect us
Haechan: NO YOU ARE NOT
Ten: is nct dream ok?
Mark: no
Taeil: if you guys aren’t comfortable you don’t have to say but are you dating?
Jisung: idk
Chenle: i don’t know either
Haechan: wtf
Mark: as I learned from Taemin sunbaenim good things take time
Mark: don’t rush it
Ten: don’t listen to taemin
Ten: it took him a decade of flirting to get with his boyfriends
Ten: he is a bad role model
Mark: Kibum then
Winwin: A DECADE
Johnny: NOT KIBUM
Mark: damn
Taeil: I’m renouncing my title
Taeil: yong can be dictator
Taeyong: -_-
Renjun: i have a question am i interrupting something
Jaehyun: interesting, very interesting
Renjun: what?
Jaehyun: nothing carry on
Taeil: what renjun?
Renjun: what’s the word for when you’re bisexual but its your hands
Mark: what
Doyoung: I what
Jaemin: it’s just bisexual hands we talked about this
Renjun: no it isn’t you moron
Jaemin: HEY
Kun: who used the last brain cell
Jeno: do you dumbasses mean ambidextrous???
Jaemin: OMG
Renjun: yes!!
Jaemin: what would we do without you jeno T_T
Jeno: perish
Doyoung: there is dumb and then there is you three
Haechan: someone save me from nct dream I hate it here T_T
Jisung: like your irritating ass can talk
Haechan: I AM SURROUNDED BY COUPLES HELP
Mark: I’m single???
Taeil: roll that back
Taeil: who besides jisung and chenle???
Haechan: jaemin jeno and renjun obvi
Mark: since when???
YangYang: wait what
Ten: who said???
Yuta: wait
Sungchan: wtf
Jaehyun: HOLD ON
Haechan: is it not obvious
Johnny: no, obviously indicated by all of our surprise
Haechan: eh they’ve been all over each other ever since the other day
Taeyong: maybe you should have let them out themselves first
Chenle: yeah :/
Jisung: out themselves lol
Haechan: shit
Haechan: my bad
Jisung: well this was snazzy
Kun: so not the time
Seen by Taeyong, Winwin, Doyoung, Mark, 14+
Jaemin slams his door hard behind him. The entire room rattles around Jisung. He’s too shocked to even say anything. Of course he was reading the group chat as it all happened, he wasn’t expecting Jaemin to react that way. Who would expect sweet Jaemin to be practically fuming, it’s just Donghyuck being Donghyuck.
“Don’t say anything.” Jaemin says before collapsing onto his bed as a pile of limbs.
“But—”
“No. Just don’t.” Jaemin cuts him off.
Jisung only nods. If Jaemin doesn’t want to talk about it, then he can’t force him to. This is actually the first time Jaemin has been in their room for longer than five minutes for the last few days. He’s been sleeping in Renjun’s room. Jisung had his suspicions, but he wasn’t going to say anything. Just like no one was saying anything about him and Chenle. Donghyuck has such a big mouth sometimes.
“Don’t let Donghyuck get to you. You know how he is. He doesn’t mean anything by it.” Jisung tries to comfort the older boy.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” So Jisung doesn’t bother him again.
Private Chat: Johnny and Taeyong
THUR 5:30 PM
Johnny: are you at the dorm?
Johnny: do you know where the dreamies are?
Taeyong: honestly
Taeyong: let mark deal with it
Johnny: are you sure?
Taeyong: he’s their unofficial leader right?
Taeyong: it’ll be good for him to mediate
Taeyong: i’m too tired
Johnny: i don’t mind dealing with it
Taeyong: stop being so responsible for once :(
Johnny: can’t just turn it on and off babe
Taeyong: :((
Johnny: how much longer are you going to be?
Taeyong: i think i’ll call it a day for now
Taeyong: can we just hide in my room for the rest of the day
Johnny: of course
Taeyong: gays only event gc is blowing up my phone
Johnny: just mute it
Taeyong: fine fine
Taeyong: see you soon?
Johnny: can’t wait!
Seen by Taeyong
Take 2 Group Chat
THUR 5:35 PM
Mark: we need to hold a meeting
Mark: is everyone at the dorm?
Mark: donghyuck get over here I see you!!
Haechan: damn
Jisung: i’ll get jaemin
Chenle: on my way
Mark: jeno and renjun you guys too
Jeno: i’ll get renjun
Renjun: my legs work thanks
Jeno: well aware :)
Jisung: i am sensing bad vibes
Seen by Jeno, Mark, Renjun, Chenle 2+
Private Chat: Taeyong and Mark
THUR 6:02 PM
Taeyong: everything good with the dreamies now?
Mark: yea
Mark: I think
Taeyong: you think…
Mark: Jisung and Chenle did most of the talking once donghyuck apologized
Taeyong: and jaemin jeno and renjun?
Mark: if I knew this was gonna be 20 questions I would have just invited you to the group meeting
Taeyong: -_-
Mark: they were just quiet
Mark: I think whatever is going on between the three of them they are not ready to talk about
Taeyong: ok
Taeyong: we can’t force them if they aren’t ready
Mark: can I ask a question now?
Taeyong: no
Mark: uh
Taeyong: joking
Taeyong: go ahead
Mark: so you know about Taemin right?
Taeyong: in what regard?
Mark: about his boyfriends
Mark: ya know he’s dating two guys now
Taeyong: mingi and sungjong yes
Mark: so like polyamory is a real thing
Taeyong: why are you asking me?
Taeyong: you have taemin’s number
Mark: I know I know
Mark: I just want to ask you
Taeyong: ugh yea
Taeyong: poly relationships are a real thing
Mark: and like
Mark: it works out ok?
Taeyong: from what i’ve learned from the poly relationships i have been forced to witness is that it works very well when everyone involved has clear and consistent communication
Mark: you know more than just Taemin and his boyfriends???
Taeyong: …so many more
Mark: oh
Mark: so this does work well?
Taeyong: yep
Mark: so you think Jeno Jaemin and Renjun will be ok?
Taeyong: if they are heading towards a poly relationship then i am sure they’ll be fine
Taeyong: it’ll be a learning curve for them but they’ll manage
Taeyong: don’t sweat it mark
Mark: ok hyung
Taeyong: anything else?
Mark: nah
Mark: have a nice time with Johnny hyung ;)
Taeyong: askfljsk
Seen by Mark
20+3=23 Group Chat
THUR 6:38 PM
Renjun: can we talk
Jaemin: who?
Renjun: all three of us
Jaemin: i feel like you’re breaking up with me
Jaemin: we aren’t even dating yet
Jeno: /yet/
Renjun: i just wanna talk guys
Jaemin: is this a friendship break up???
Renjun: i don’t want it to be! can we just talk
Jeno: we are
Renjun: in person
Jaemin: promise you’re not mad at me first and we’re still friends
Renjun: i promise we’re still friends
Jaemin: and you’re not mad?
Renjun: i’m not mad
Renjun: come to my room?
Jeno: ok
Seen by Jaemin, Renjun
gays only event Group Chat
THUR 7:05 PM
princebinnie: what about our triple date tho :(
jillo: no small child
princebinnie: I AM TALLER THAN YOU
fishmom: we’ll go on a triple date with you
fishdad: we will?
fishmom: yes
fishdad: we will
babygyu: no thanks
fishdad: eye
mattharoni: very rude
junjunbe: they aren’t poly
junjunbe: we want a ploy date!
princebinnie: plus that wouldn’t be a triple date either
fishmom : @tentastic what are you doing?
tentastic: eating dinner
fishmom: well stop that we are going on a poly date
fishdad: TAEYONG
fishdad: you can’t just ask people on poly dates
tentastic: i have no words
fishmom: it can be a friendship poly date :D
babygyu: am i really witnessing this
twitterking18: I had to pinch myself
jillo: as long as there’s no miscommunication…
fishmom: why would there be miscommunication
jillo: i’m leaving
princebinnie: so poly date?
junjunbe: uh i guess
tentastic: do i get a say in this
fishmom: johnny will buy you dinner
fishdad: HEY
tentastic: you got a deal
fishdad: HEY
fishmom: hush
babygyu: well now that its sorted
babygyu: i am putting karaoke on the table
fishmom: yes!
fishmom: its been so long since we last went to karaoke
junjunbe: i guess karaoke then
babygyu: (ɔ˘ ³(ˆ‿ˆc)
junjunbe: cute
princebinnie: babies (っ◔◡◔)っ ❤
tentastic: this is going to be nauseating
twitterking18: I’ll pray for you
tentastic: thank you
Seen by jillo, fishmom, princebinnie, junjunbe, 17+
Jaemin slips into Renjun’s room and takes a seat on his bed. Renjun’s light brown, almost copper hair is hanging in his eyes. Jaemin can’t quite tell what he’s thinking. Jeno takes a seat in Renjun’s desk chair. He anxiously runs a hand through dark red hair, brushing it out of his eyes. Jeno’s leg starts bouncing nervously. Jaemin’s heart twists at the sight, but he focuses on Renjun, the one who asked them all here.
“You look sad.” Jaemin whispers. He’s cooled off since Mark called a group meeting. He thinks he might have overreacted at first. But now seeing Renjun and Jeno looking so miserable, he feels even worse.
“I’m not sad.” Renjun mumbles, barely audible.
“Then what did you want to talk about?” Jeno asks, getting right to it.
“I think I might have made a mistake.” Renjun says. Jaemin’s breath catches in his throat, afraid of where this is leading. “I shouldn’t have agreed to experiment with you.”
“What? Why?” Jaemin immediately interjects, panic lacing his words.
“Let me finish.” Renjun says. “I shouldn’t have agreed to change our dynamic like that. It’s affecting the group.”
“It’s not.” Jaemin cuts in again.
“But it is. Everyone has noticed the three of us are acting differently.” Renjun says.
“What does this have to do with me?” Jeno finally asks.
“I’m getting to that.” Renjun replies, looking down at his lap so he doesn’t have to see how Jaemin’s eyes turn glassy. “It wasn’t appropriate to experiment with you Jaemin, I’m sorry for making things confusing between us. We are friends, and I want to stay friends, but it was also wrong to jeopardize our working relationship for my own selfish reasons.”
“But what about Taeyong and Johnny hyung? Chenle and Jisung? Are they being inappropriate?” Jaemin is on the verge of tears.
“That’s not it!” Renjun rushes. “They’re actually in relationships. Friends with benefits or whatever isn’t right for us to be engaging in when we are supposed to be coworkers.” Renjun explains.
“So be my boyfriend?” Jaemin blurts out, shocking even himself.
“I’m leaving.” Jeno goes to stand up just as Renjun snatches his wrist.
“Do—don’t go. I have something else to say.” Renjun just barely manages to get out after the shock of Jaemin’s words. Jeno steals himself for what Renjun is about to say next. “I don’t want to come between you guys.” That has Jaemin stunned silent. Jeno collapses back into the desk chair. “I don’t want to ruin what you guys have just because I want to experiment.”
“You’re not ruining anything between Jeno and I.” Jaemin interjects with a new determination to clear up whatever misunderstanding is going on here.
“Hard to ruin something that doesn’t exist.” Jeno grumbles, not actually expecting anyone to hear him, but the daggers Jaemin immediately sends him would tell him otherwise.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jaemin’s tone is sharp.
“It just means,” Jeno starts, “That it’s hard for Renjun to come between us when you and I haven’t even spoken in a week. And no Renjun, that’s not your fault, that’s on Jaemin and I.”
“That’s because you’ve been so standoffish since you saw Jun and I kiss. It seems like you’re grossed out.” Jaemin throws back.
“Why would I be grossed out? What have I done that gives you the impression I’m treating you differently?” Jeno is starting to feel his blood boil.
“You haven’t even made an effort to be in the same room as me for a week! What am I supposed to think?” Jaemin accuses.
“I’m shocked you even noticed!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve been all over Renjun lately. I can't believe you even noticed me missing.” Jeno lets out a humorless laugh.
“Of course I have!” Jaemin is almost at a loss for words with how Jeno is behaving. “You’re my best friend, of course I noticed you avoiding me.” And that’s when the tears spill over and Jaemin cannot hold it in anymore.
“Shit.” Jeno curses, not sure what to do now, afraid that he’s pushed it too far.
“What’s wrong with me wanting to be with Renjun? Why is it wrong?”
“It’s not—”
“Then why are you avoiding me!” Jaemin is almost screaming now and Jeno doesn't know what to say to fix this.
“I’m jealous! Okay!” And it’s finally out there. A weight is off Jeno’s shoulder. They know now.
“This is what I mean.” Renjun finally says something after staying silent through the whole confrontation. “I got in between you two. I’m sorry Jeno.”
“Don’t,” Jeno stands up abruptly and leaves, Renjun doesn’t stop him this time. Jaemin just watches him leave. Tears drying on his face and absolutely nothing to say in response as he watches Jeno leave.
The Adults Are Speaking Group Chat
THUR 7:34 PM
Taeil: we all just heard the screaming match between Jeno and Jaemin right?
Taeyong: no <3
Johnny: do we need to come back?
Yuta: where’d you go?
Kun: what happened?
Doyoung: I think it’s stopped now
Taeyong: went on a poly date with txt members
Yuta: what…
Doyoung: poly as in johnyong plus one???
Taeyong: yes :D
Taeil: we’re getting off topic here
Yuta: who tho???
Ten: me
Ten: save me
Kun: wait when did this happen???
Johnny: yong why don’t you explain
Taeyong: it’s just a friendship date
Yuta: the fuck
Doyoung: yong…
Taeyong: what!
Taeil: now why would you make ten third wheel y’all like that
Taeyong: he could have said no :(
Ten: i got bribed with free food
Johnny: so jeno and jaemin…
Taeil: right!
Taeil: they were definitely yelling at each other
Yuta: it was pretty loud
Kun: check on them?
Doyoung: and risk jeno ripping my head off? no thanks
Taeil: he slammed a lot of doors
Yuta: pretty sure jaemin is crying
Taeyong: aw poor baby
Ten: i think you guys should let them work this out
Yuta: everyone in favor of doing nothing say eye
Taeyong: eye
Doyoung: eye
Ten: eye
Yuta: its unanimous then
Johnny: it’s not
Yuta: I say it is
Taeil: I’m gonna go check on Jaemin
Taeil: I think he’s still in Renjun’s room
Taeil: but let's let Jeno cool down
Yuta: let’s let lol
Taeil: I will throw a pillow at you
Yuta: bring it on old man :P
Taeyong: seems like everything is under control
Taeyong: i’m going back to my date now
Ten: save me T_T
Seen by Doyoung, Johnny
Private Chat: Jeno and Jaemin
FRI 12:20 AM
Jaemin: jeno?
Jaemin: i’m sorry
Jaemin: can we talk
Jaemin: i don’t want to go to bed feeling like this
Jeno: not right now
Jeno: sorry
Jaemin: can i talk and you listen
Jeno: fine
Jaemin: i fucked up
Jaemin: i didn’t mean to make you feel left out
Jaemin: i’m so sorry
Jaemin: you are my best friend
Jaemin: i care about renjun a lot and these feelings have been very new to me but i also feel like maybe they were always there i just didn’t know what they were and now i do and i want to act on them
Jaemin: i care about renjun so much, but i care about you too
Jaemin: and i don’t know how to describe my feelings toward you and i don’t know what you meant by you’re jealous, but i want you to know you can talk to me about it
Jaemin: i do think i want to date renjun
Jaemin: but i don’t want to lose you
Jaemin: i feel so selfish
Jaemin: and i don’t want to put my happiness before yours
Jaemin: if nothing else i want us to always be friends
Jeno: i don’t know what my feelings are either and i’m very confused but if you want to be with renjun then i won’t stop you
Jaemin: jeno
Jeno: what
Jaemin: this doesn’t feel right
Jeno: i don’t know what to say
Jaemin: my heart hurts
Jeno: please don’t cry anymore because of me
Jaemin: then why are you doing this?
Jeno: i don’t know what you want
Jeno: i told you to be with renjun, it’s fine
Jeno: what do you want me to tell you? i love you???
Jeno: that i’m in love with you please don’t date renjun, date me
Jeno: i can’t do that
Jaemin: but you just did!
Jeno: but you want to date renjun
Jaemin: what if i want to date you?
Jeno: what about renjun?
Jaemin: i don’t know
Jaemin: i don’t know what to do
Jaemin: i don’t even know if renjun wants to date me
Jaemin: i don’t understand anything
Jeno: go to bed jaemin
Jaemin: no i want to figure this out
Seen by Jeno
Private Chat: Jaehyun and BamBam
FRI 12:37 AM
Jaehyun: you awake?
BamBam: no
Jaehyun: bambam…
BamBam: fine what
Jaehyun: can you talk with jaemin jeno and renjun?
BamBam: nct dream members?
Jaehyun: yea
BamBam: why??? now???
Jaehyun: long story short I think a love triangle is happening and jaemin won’t stop crying and jeno is really mad and renjun has locked himself in his room and refuses to talk with anyone
BamBam: and you want me to do what? wave my magic wand and fix everything???
Jaehyun: no you dumbass
Jaehyun: talk to them about polyamory
BamBam: sigh
BamBam: fine make a group chat or something
Jaehyun: thanks
Seen by BamBam
Polyamory the Answer to your Problems Group Chat
FRI 12:43 PM
[Jaehyun added BamBam]
BamBam: nice gc name
Jaehyun: thanks
Jaehyun: feeling inspired
[Jaehyun added Renjun]
[Jaehyun added Jaemin]
[Jaehyun added Jeno]
Jaehyun: I’ll leave you to it
Renjun: hyung???
[Jaehyun left]
BamBam: anygay
[BamBam added Taemin]
BamBam: lets get this show on the road
Taemin: omg a poly gc???
Taemin: is this THE poly gc that no one has invited me too???
Taemin: where are mingi and sungjong!
BamBam: oh shit
BamBam: my bad sunbaenim
BamBam: totally forgot to add you guys to that
BamBam: i will later
BamBam: this is something different
Taemin: oh :/
BamBam: so norenmin i hear y’all got some drama
BamBam: spill
Jeno: what’s going on
Taemin: i feel i should be asking this question i’m so lost
BamBam: basically jaehyun said we got a love triangle on our hands and we are here to spread the message of polyamory
BamBam: so be gay
Taemin: and do crime
Jeno: this is why ten hyung told us not to listen to you
Taemin: ten said that???
Jaemin: polyamory?
Jaemin: what’s that
BamBam: you’ve come to the right place my young grasshopper
BamBam: according to google polyamory is “the practice of engaging in multiple romantic (and typically sexual) relationships, with the consent of all people involved”
BamBam: tell me taemin sunbaenim are you engaging in a sexual relationship with sungjong and mingi?
Taemin: no :(
BamBam: wait what
Taemin: mingi and i are waiting for sungjong’s vacation first
Taemin: marked it on my calendar and everything
BamBam: oh ok
BamBam: well mark jackson and i engage in a sexual relationship so there you go
BamBam: polyamory
Jeno: what the fuck are you talking about
Renjun: i’m confused too
Taemin: let me try
Taemin: i love mingi and i love sungjong and mingi loves sungjong and sungjong loves mingi and they love me
Taemin: make sense?
BamBam: you sure about that?
Taemin: YES
Jaemin: are you telling me to be in a relationship with jeno and renjun?
BamBam: if you want to yes
Jaemin: isn’t that cheating
BamBam: that’s where the consent part comes in
Jaemin: oh
Taemin: i feel we are getting nowhere
BamBam: i’m too tired for this shit
BamBam: essentially relationships don’t have to be only two people and loving more than one person at a time is completely normal and acceptable. i love jackson and mark and they both love me. the three of us decided to be in a relationship
Taemin: a thrupple if you will
BamBam: and that is completely acceptable. all three of us are dating each other, but if renjun and jeno only want to date jaemin and not each other that is fine too. any combination is fine as long as you all consent to it and communicate
BamBam: did that make sense?
Jaemin: i think so?
Jaemin: you’re telling me i don’t have to pick between renjun and jeno
BamBam: …i guess
Jeno: do we get a say in this?
BamBam: THAT’S THE CONSENT AND COMMUNICATION PART
Renjun: it’s ok for me to like jeno and jaemin?
Taemin: YES
Jeno: you like me???
Renjun: i don’t know
Renjun: maybe
Taemin: seems like they get it
Taemin: night everyone
Taemin: remember to be gay safely, especially if you’re doing crime
BamBam: what taemin said
Seen by Jeno, Renjun, Taemin, Jaemin
proof that a single dad can raise 20+ kids Group Chat
FRI 8:24 AM
Jaehyun: Imma take the fact that renjun and jeno are making out in the kitchen in front of the fridge as a good sign and go back to bed
Jungwoo: WHAT
Lucas: wait I wanna see
Kun: it’s too early for this
Doyoung: NOT THE KITCHEN
Haechan: fucking finally
Taeyong: LANGUAGE
Yuta: how do I unread???
Taeil: bleach
Mark: THIS IS HAPPENING
YangYang: it’s too early for this much shouting
Chenle: why do i miss everything :(
Jisung: it’s ok babe i’m recording it
Chenle: ily <3
Xiaojun: wait I’m on my way!!!
WinWin: y’all need a hobby
Jungwoo: drama is my hobby
Sungchan: become a kpop idol they said. it’ll be fun they said.
Taeil: they lied to you
Sungchan: x_x
Mark: rip sungchan
Johnny: jisung if you don’t stop screaming
Ten: when did johnny hyung turn into such a grumpy old man
Taeyong: we’re leaving for rehearsal in 15 minutes if you’re not in the van then you’re getting left and you can walk
Taeyong: got it?
YangYang: aye aye sir
Jisung: already dressed hyung :D
Jaehyun: I just wanted to eat breakfast T_T
Jaemin: sorry guys
Jisung: it’s ok <3
Jaemin: <333
Jaehyun: so you guys are good now?
Jaemin: yea
Jaemin: thanks for helping us last night
Jaehyun: no problem
Johnny: what did you do?
Jaehyun: got bambam involved
Taeyong: i’m sure that went well -_-
Renjun: taemin sunbaenim helped too
Ten: oh my god
Jeno: they did help tho
Renjun: in their own way
Jaemin: but it’s ok now
Jisung: can i add you guys to the secret gc now???
Renjun: uh yes?
Taeyong: after rehearsal
Taeyong: lets go everyone van is leaving!
Shotaro: shit
Seen by Jungwoo, Haechan, Jeno, Taeyong, 15+
Renjun pulls back to catch his breath. Jeno’s lips are slick with spit. Jaemin takes a step closer. His platinum blond hair is practically plastered to his forehead with sweat. Dance practice today has been rather intense. But maybe that’s just because Jaemin’s mind is elsewhere. He can’t focus on much more than Jeno and Renjun. Jeno and Renjun together. He’s afraid if he looks away it’ll all vanish.
“We should go back.” Renjun murmurs, his lips already brushing against Jeno’s again
“Hmm,” Jeno hums into the kiss. Jaemin can’t get enough of this.
Renjun pulls back again. “Someone is going to catch us. And hyungs are gonna be mad if we screw up practice.”
“Ugh!” Jeno leans into Renjun, fully caging him against the wall and lets his head fall onto Renjun’s shoulder. Renjun starts to card his hand through Jeno’s damp red hair, comforting the younger boy and his frustrations.
“We should.” Jaemin agrees, but he doesn’t make a move to leave. He’s too captivated by Jeno and Renjun together.
“BamBam said we need to communicate, right? After practice we should have a proper conversation about this.” Jeno says, leaning back and supporting all his weight again.
Renjun and Jaemin nod, everyone in agreement about something for the first time in what feels like weeks. And that’s when they hear a throat clear. Jaemin’s heart drops and Jeno whips around so fast Renjun thought for sure he heard his neck crack.
Private Chat: Johnny and Taeyong
FRI 2:13 PM
Johnny: we’re good right?
Taeyong: why wouldn’t be?
Johnny: just got a feeling
Taeyong: do you want to talk about something?
Johnny: no
Johnny: it’s just that we’re always busy
Johnny: or well you’re always busy
Johnny: and i get it
Johnny: i just miss you
Taeyong: i miss you too
Taeyong: i know inviting ten last night was a little weird
Taeyong: i should have talked with you about it first
Johnny: no it’s ok
Johnny: we’re all friends
Johnny: i just don’t want there to be any confusion between us
Taeyong: i didn’t mean to confuse anyone
Taeyong: ten is just a friend
Johnny: ok
Johnny: can we go somewhere after practice?
Taeyong: i have a meeting with managers after this :/
Johnny: i’ll wait for you
Taeyong: you don’t mind?
Johnny: not if its you
Taeyong: i love you
Johnny: i love you too
Johnny: did you find those three?
Taeyong: yea, they were making out again…
Taeyong: heading back now
Johnny: ok
Seen by Taeyong
proof that a single dad can raise 20+ kids Group Chat
FRI 5:19 PM
Yuta: will someone kindly tell jeno to shut the fuck up
Jungwoo: you do it
YangYang: wait why?
Doyoung: he’s running around the dorm screaming
Kun: why?
Kun: should we be alarmed?
Jungwoo: nah
Jungwoo: jaemin winked at him or something
Jisung: ah gay panic
Jisung: mood
Jeno: oh so only roosters can start the day screaming???
Johnny: just don’t set the dorm on fire
Kun: it’s literally dinner time jeno
Chenle: why do i always miss the good stuff!
Doyoung: jeno tripped
Johnny: is he ok?
Jungwoo: renjun is babying him now so yea
Haechan: its sickening
Haechan: I’m coming to live with you Chenle!
Chenle: no
Jisung: i got it all on camera :D
Jisung: can i post it?
Mark: ask the manager first
Johnny: make sure it’s not too gay
Jisung: okie!
Chenle: wait send it to me tho
Jisung: of course <3
Doyoung: SOMEONE TELL JENO TO STOP FEELING JAEMIN UP IN FRONT OF ME
Chenle: thighs were meant to be groped
Jisung : *video*
Chenle: AH OMG THEY’RE SO CUTE
Jungwoo: is chenle good?
Chenle: THEY’RE LICKING EACH OTHER
Haechan: like a couple of cats…
Chenle: OMG KISS
Renjun: chenle please
Yuta: STOP THAT
Chenle: KISS KISS KISS KISS KISS KISS
Jisung: now jaemin is running away :(
Haechan: YOU SCARED THEM
Renjun: oh my god stop
WinWin: stop scaring my norenmin!
Johnny: you guys happy now?
Chenle: no :(
Yuta: well then quit screaming because they’re gay
Chenle: :((
Jisung: its ok babe
Seen by Chenle, Kun, Yuta, Haechan, 12+
gays only event Group Chat
FRI 5:47 PM
twitterking18: pizza is confusing
ilikebutt: why does food confuse you so much???
twitterking18: cause its a circle but you cut it into triangles but then it also comes in a box???
chocorings: thanks for that analysis on pizza for the love of god stop hanging out with peniel!!!
Chorong: like you’re any better
twitterking18: right
chocorings: anyway i was thinking
chocorings: if i ever have kids they growing up poor
Chorong: changsub what???
chocorings: we ain’t rich!
Chorong: yes you are tho
chocorings: i’m rich
chocorings: they gonna have to make their own money
Chorong: i’m not talking to you anymore
ilikebutt: ok talk to me then
Chorong: oooooooh
[melonman added Jeno]
[melonman added Jaemin]
[melonman added Renjun]
ilikebutt: NOT MORE MEN NOOOOO
Chorong: oh rip
twitterking18: omg baby gays
anteater: did y’all work it out???
melonman: don’t scare my baby gays please
Jeno: we are older than you jisung!!
melonman: baby gay
Renjun: taemin sunbaenim???
Renjun: JISUNG WHAT IS THIS
melonman: i told you this is the secret group chat
melonman: chenle ten johnny and taeyong are here too
twitterking18: why do i feel like this group chat is gonna be overrun with nct
Minsung: because sm doesn’t debut boy groups anymore just adds new nct members
anteater: MINSUNG WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN
Minsung: sleeping
ilikebutt: the only man ever
Minsung: thanks
ilikebutt: ace represent!
supportiveally_kingchul: nice to see you minsung!
supportiveally_kingchul: welcome renjun jeno and jaemin!
Jaemin: thanks hyung
Jeno: i still don’t understand what this is
supportiveally_kingchul: group chat for lgbt idols
imbigg: the polyamorous agenda is growing :D
overwatcher: yeah!
mingbaby: you aren’t poly tho
overwatcher: i know :/
imbigg: WE WILL RULE THE WORLD
supportiveally_kingchul: bambam please
imbigg: I DEMAND A SACRIFICE
Renjun: i can give you chenle?
imbigg: SOLD
seacalf: WAIT
melonman: NOT MY BABY DOLPHIN
junjunbe: omg
junjunbe: norenmin go on a poly date with us!!!
Jeno: us?
babygyu: yeonjun soobin and i :D
Jaemin: that could be fun
tentastic: was johnyong and me not enough???
junjunbe: y’all ain’t even dating smh
tentastic: fair
sunbun: question for the group chat
sunbun: what happens if you press the brake and accelerator at the same time?
supportiveally_kingchul: ARE YOU IN A CAR???
Jaemin: takes a screenshot
anteater: i was gonna say die
imbigg: speaking of dying
supportiveally_kingchul: bambam???
supportiveally_kingchul: BAMBAM
Seen by anteater, Minsung, sunbun, ilikebutt, 32+
no jelly beans here Group Chat
FRI 6:09 PM
[BamBam added Taemin]
[BamBam added Sungjong]
Taemin: about goddamn time!
[BamBam added Mingi]
Sungjong: not another gc
[BamBam added Jaemin]
Taemin: SUNGJONG
Sungjong: TAEMIN
[BamBam added Jeno]
[BamBam added Renjun]
BamBam: welcome polyamourous gays
Somin: has this group chat even survived after the triple h drama
Renjun: triple h drama?
Jackson: don’t worry about it
Jaehyung: it won’t survive with taejonggi here
Mingi: i hate that ship name
Sungjong: what are you even doing here???
Taemin: yeah you’re monogamous!!
Yongsun: apparently we need more than one married couple here
[Jaehyung left]
[Younghyun left]
Sungjong: fixed it :D
Jaemin: omg
Renjun: i can’t process this
BamBam: what’s wrong babt gay
Taehyung: babt lol
BamBam: LISTEN
Jeno: y’all are all in poly relationships???
Jackson: yep
Jiwoo: in the flesh
Yeonjun: and somehow still no one wants to go on a poly date with us :(
Sungjong: i can’t stand couples
BamBam: says the man with two boyfriends
Sungjong: i’m a hypocrite ;)
BamBam: obviously
Wheein: I AM ABOUT TO CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH OFF THIS FUCKING CLIFF
Yongsun: WHEEIN
Hyejin: WHEEIN
Moonbyul: WHEEIN
Wheein: nevermind its fine
Jeno: i…
Wheein: i stubbed my toe
Hyejin: aw do you need me to kiss it better?
Wheein: yes please
Sungjong: make them stop
BamBam: go back to your military enlistment or something
Sungjong: fine i will
Taemin: SUNGJONG NOOOOO
Mingi: good luck babe
Sungjong: ;)
Taemin: this is so disappointing
Jaemin: for real
Yongsun: oh well
Taehyung: :/
Sungjong: what can i say
Sungjong: i’m a great multitasker. i can disappoint five people at once :D
BamBam: would you leave already
Jiwoo: so uh welcome i guess
Jiwoo: idk where matt is he usually does the welcoming
Somin: good try babe
Jiwoo: thanks <3
Mark: anyway
Mark: bambam stop getting distracted
BamBam: yea alright
BamBam: good luck baby gays
Jaemin: thank you
Seen by Jeno, Yongsun, Taemin, Jiwoo, 5+
proof that a single dad can raise 20+ kids Group Chat
SAT 10:53 AM
Jaehyun: so have I discovered all the gays in nct yet?
Ten: were you looking???
Jaehyun: I was hunting
Johnny: yes you did now leave everyone alone
Jaehyun: :D
YangYang: ok but how did they all turn out to be couples???
Ten: i’m single???
YangYang: oh you’re not dating johnyong?
Ten: NO
Yuta: LMAOOOO
Ten: shut up yuta
Shotaro: are jisung and chenle actually dating tho?
Jisung: yes?
Chenle: yes?
Jisung: sure?
Chenle: sure?
Jisung: if you’re copying me we are breaking up right now
Chenle: omg i’m sorry be my boyfriend i didn’t mean it
Jisung: okie ^.^
Haechan: how did I get into a group full of couples…
Mark: I’m still single
Haechan: well you know what that means ;)
Mark: no…
Mark: what?
Haechan: be my boyfriend?
Mark: WHAT
Haechan: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Haechan: I’m joking
Mark: oh okay
Jaehyun: moving on
Jaehyun: so norenmin you guys good now?
Jaemin: yea thanks for meddling
Jaehyun: you’re welcome :D
Jaehyun: johnyong y’all still an old married couple?
Taeyong: we aren’t old
Johnny: the answer is yes
Jaehyun: good everything is right in the world
Jaehyun: goodnight
Taeyong: not so fast we are going to a photoshoot today
Jaehyun: why won’t nct 2020 just end T_T
Jisung: why won’t 2020 just end
Jaemin: idk i’m having a good time
Jaehyun: yea well some of us are single
Ten: mood
Jaemin: snazzy
Jaehyun: I GIVE UP
Seen by Jaemin, Renjun, Taeyong, Lucas, 16+
The soft buzz from the car lulls Jaemin to sleep. He stayed up late last night with Jeno and Renjun. He can barely keep his eyes open. Jeno shifts closer to him, not that there is much room in the van to begin with. Jaemin finally gives in and tips to the side, his head landing on Jeno’s shoulder. Renjun scoots closer, weaving his fingers in between Jaemin’s fingers. This is nice, Jaemin thinks as he drifts to sleep. He knows they’ll be at the photoshoot in thirty minutes, but it's just so warm in between his two favorite people. He wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Walking the same line with Jeno and Renjun forever.