Work Text:
"And the meeting's over, enjoy your weekend," Kun announced. Jeno quickly got up from his seat. "Going somewhere?" Doyoung eyed Jeno.
"He wouldn't have gotten up if he wasn't" Donghyuck retorted while rolling his eyes.
Jeno stopped them before they started bickering "I have plans with Jaemin" he shyly said. Then he wished everyone goodbye and went his way.
"So, Jaemin is his?" Kun asked others from his podium.
Doyoung shook his head, "We have no idea."
So, being the amazing detectives and nosy friends they were, the prescient, Doyoung, Mark, Jisung, Johnny, Donghyuck, and Yangyang had come to the conclusion that Jaemin was either Jeno's new cat or boyfriend. They even made a bet on who or what Jaemin is. Kun had refused to be a part of this. The Betting buddies TM had already set up a few basic rules.
- No asking Jeno directly who Jaemin is
- One question per day
- No providing fake information
The last rule was directed at Yangyang who was well-known for his lying skills and would not hesitate to give others fake clues. He whined but agreed to this rule when Doyoung threatened him. Doyoung just said "Agree or else" and Yangyang compiled much to the others' surprise.
Doyoung came early to work on Monday. He kept his bag down and decided to take another look at the Drug dealing case he had gotten. The case was transferred to him when a detective in another precinct had been unable to get any leads for a month now. He started going through the file again.
Doyoung almost jumped in his seat when Donghyuck suddenly called a loud "Hyung!". Composing himself, Doyoung yelled back. Donghyuck giddily ran up to him.
"Who do you think Jaemin is?" He asked.
Doyoung scoffed.
"No good morning?"
Donghyuck rolled his eyes. Doyoung closed the drug dealer file.
"I saw Jeno blushing. He's definitely the boyfriend" Donghyuck smirked.
"I saw it too, but Mark and Jisung believe that Jaemin might be the new cat. Jeno was talking about getting a new one" Doyoung shook his head.
"Jeno's mother would never allow him to adopt another cat"
"that is why we should team up," Donghyuck said and put his hand forward. “We agree on things like this”
"How do I know you won't betray me?" Doyoung asked.
"Because I will gain nothing from that. we both believe the same thing" Doyoung took the younger's hand and made an alliance
On the other side, Yangyang and Johnny had also decided to help each other out. Both of them were skeptical about who Jaemin really was but were leaning toward him being a cat.
In Johnny's words, "I D K dude, him being a cat makes sense" to which Yangyang had replied by spelling out "LOL".
Jisung had reached 10 minutes ago and he was 5 minutes late. Jeno, who was never late wasn't here yet. Instead of doing their work and minding their own business like the good detectives and policemen they were, Everyone including their senior Seulgi was gathered around Mark and Johnny's desk trying to guess why Jeno was late.
"I bet Jaemin scratched him so he had to go to the doctor," Mark said.
"Who is Jaemin?" Seulgi asked.
"Jeno's boyfriend" Donghyuck answered.
Before Seulgi had the chance to ask further questions Kun came out of his cabin.
"Why are you people gathered there?" He asked while folding his arms
"Jeno is late" Doyoung replied.
Kun raised his eyebrow.
"We're trying to guess why" Yangyang answered. "Apparently Jeno's boyfriend scratched him" Seulgi not so helpfully added, "I think that should be a case of domestic violence or something. I’m so confused -"
Seulgi got cut off by Kun. "I think he went to drop Jaemin somewhere," He said.
All of them turned their heads towards the elevator as the door beeped. Jeno stepped out of it.
"where were you?" Doyoung asked. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Donghyuck added. "Yeah," Jisung said while nodding his head.
"I'm only 15 minutes late. Jisung is late more than that" Jeno answered.
"This is not about me!" Jisung threw his hands in the air.
"tell us, where were you? Do I need to find a lawyer?" Seulgi asked.
"No need Noona!" Jeno quickly said, knowing fully well about Seulgi's ties with the lawyers.
"It's just that..." He trailed off. "Jaemin was distracting me while driving," He said.
"Where did you take him?" Johnny asked. Jeno looked at him and blinked.
"Hyung, don't you have a meeting in like, " He checked his watch. "Right now?"
Johnny checked his own watch and jumped. "Bye Ya'll, yang call me," He said and ran away.
Jeno gave his famous eye smile to others and lifted a bag he was holding. "I brought doughnuts"
The topic of Jaemin was forgotten over Donghyuck and Yangyang fighting over the doughnuts with jam.
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"So, did Bongshik accept Jaemin?" Mark asked Jeno.
That was his question of the day. It was Wednesday now and they had gotten nowhere. Jisung had even suggested Jaemin being a cat hybrid for which he was ridiculed. But after Jeno told them and Jaemin 'said' He liked fish and Jaemin 'purred' when Jeno petted him on the head, Mark had begun to think Jisung was not very far off with his theory.
Jeno didn't look up from the report he was typing.
"Yeah. I was actually expecting Bongshik to hiss at Jaemin since he is new but he didn't. He even " Jeno stopped himself from talking further but he also stopped typing. He then shook his head and began with the work again. "And?" Mark pressed on, He realised Yangyang and Donghyuck eavesdropping on their conversation from their desks. What he didn't realise was the way Jeno's ears turned red.
"Nothing," Jeno said. "I watched a movie cuddled up with Jaemin and Bongshik. It was the greatest night" Mark knew Jeno was someone who preferred to stay at home but he now worried Jeno was turning into some crazy cat lady.
"Could you please go now? I have to finish writing how I stopped Snoopy from breaking into the bank. Who the hell names themselves 'Snoopy'" Jeno groaned. Mark laughed at his friend's misery and walked away.
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Thursday had gone pretty uneventfully if you don't count the detectives bringing in people and making them confess their crimes. A guy Yangyang was interviewing had started crying and Kun had to take over the case. He also gave Yangyang a long talk about not making people cry but Donghyuck praised him. Which led to Kun having to Donghyuck the long talk.
In the case of the who is Jaemin bet, Johnny had asked Jeno how old Jaemin was. He had bragged about figuring out the perfect question. "If Jaemin is Jeno's age it's his boyfriend and if he is too young, it's a cat" He explained to Mark. What he didn't expect was Jeno to start calculating and being called by kun before he got to the answer (Maths was never his strongest subject).
“I think he was converting cat years into human years” Johnny told Doyoung who just laughed at him.
The next day, Jeno was asked another question related to Bongshik and Jaemin. This time, By one of the eavesdroppers.
"Choose one. Bongshik or Jaemin" Yangyang demanded.
Jeno looked confused for a second. Then he decided this was a normal day in the 127 precinct. He gathered his thoughts.
"I'll be honest" He started. "I've had Bongshik for a really long time. Compared to that I've known Jaemin for a time so less. But" He took a pause. "I think I love him. It's hard to-"
"aww"
Both Jeno and Yangyang turned around to see a pickpocketer Jisung had turned in a few hours before. "You love Jaemin. Please choose him" The man behind the bars said.
"Uh okay," Jeno said. the pickpocketor looked very pleased with himself.
"Now that I've done a good deed, do I get to be free?" he asked. "I'm bored here"
Yangyang read his name tag. "No Chenle. Does not work like that. But I'll try what I can"
He walked away in search of Jisung leaving Jeno to wonder if he really loves Jaemin enough to leave his cat. Deep inside he knew the answer was yes.
Doyoung hated Saturday mornings. He was sitting on his desk reading through the report of where the next drug deal might happen with his cup of coffee. "I would much rather bury my nose in Kun's love life than this file" He muttered, unfortunately, a little too loud.
Kun, who just came in heard him. "Really now? Yangyang knowing more than half the things in my love life is enough. "
"Do you even have a love life?" Doyoung retorted instead of being embarrassed.
"I have a boyfriend," Kun said and Doyoung looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.
"Anyway, did you find out if Jaemin is Jeno's boyfriend or not?" Kun switched the subject.
"No, but now I'm more interested in your possible love life. Who's he?"
"I'll tell you over some drinks later?" Kun asked. "We haven't hung out in a while. I'll call Johnny along too" Doyoung accepted the offer rather quickly. Anything for a nice break.
"Also how do you not manage to figure out who Jaemin is?" Kun asked
"We aren't allowed to ask straightforward questions," Doyoung said and took a sip of his coffee.
“You are Detectives,” Kun said flatly.
The elevator dinged and Jeno walked out.
"watch me," Kun said and called Jeno over. Jeno smiled and walked over to Doyoung's desk.
"Do you have any photos of Jaemin?" He asked. Jeno furrowed his eyebrows. "the guys have been asking a lot about Jaemin lately," He said. “Now You too?”
"He seems to have taken a huge part in your life in a short period. Of course, we are curious" Doyoung smiled. That was not fully a lie but they couldn't tell Jeno the truth after a week. It's just awkward.
Jeno hummed. "You're not wrong."
"photos?" Kun asked again. "Sure," Jeno said and took out his phone. But then his face dimmed. "Actually, I don't have any photos of him on my phone. I have polaroids of him but I don't carry them with me" Jeno sheepishly said. "I'd love to see them someday" Kun smiled and walked to his cabin. Jeno was about to walk away too when Doyoung stopped him.
"Does Jaemin drink coffee?" He asked. Because he couldn't imagine any sane man in his 20s surviving without coffee.
"I won't let him" Jeno answered and went to his own desk leaving Doyoung alone with his report.
It was and Donghyuck was done with his life. Why does it feel like there are 3 Mondays in a week? Why does he have to work? Why can't he be reborn into a rich family? Why can't he sleep till noon? Why does Injoon never get caught?
Jeno's giggling broke his train of thought. Why can't Donghyuck just know who Jaemin is?
Donghyuck had tried to find out if there is any Jaemin near Jeno's house. He had also checked areas near the precinct. But The Jaemins he found were most definitely not Jeno's type. It was odd since Jeno wasn't the type to roam around the city where he could have met Jaemin but Donghyuck wasn't too sure. He could always hack into Jeno's contacts but it was wrong on many levels. 'Maybe I can search for Jaemin after I find his surname" Donghyuck thought. Unwilling to get up from his chair, he dragged it across the room and got to Jeno's desk near the pantry. Mark was standing there too.
"Jeno, What's Jaemin's last name?" He asked.
"It must be Lee" Mark answered instead. Donghyuck glared at him.
"what if it's not, Canada?"
"even if it's not, It will be soon right?" Mark countered back.
In Mark’s head it was obvious, pets get the last name of their owners. According to that logic, Mark who still thought Jaemin was a cat believed it must be Lee Jaemin.
"Oh my God, Jeno are you okay?" Seulgi, who had come to the pantry asked with a gasp. Mark and Donghyuck turned around to see that Jeno's face was all pink now
"Lee Jaemin. " He said. "I like it"
"What do you guys do after work?" Johnny asked Yangyang and Jeno who were gathered at Yangyang's desk, looking through the photo Doyoung sent them asking if they could find signs of TY anywhere.
"I hang out with Ten or go home and sleep" Yangyang answered zooming out on the photo again.
"Isn't Ten-" Johnny had started but got cut off by Yangyang who saw this as a perfect chance and took it.
"How about you Jeno?"
"Nowadays, I go to the shelter first then Jaemin and I go to the park or home"
That Johnny found interesting.
"Yang, Did you TY anywhere in this photo?" Jeno asked.
"No" Yangyang answered. "I think It'll be better if we can see the original photo though. Maybe we can accompany Doyoung to this place later?" He said.
Jeno nodded. "I'll go talk to Doyoung"
Johnny watched Jeno leave and turned to Yangyang. "Jaemin is definitely his cat. "
"How?" Yangyang asked. "No one takes their boyfriend to the park," Johnny said.
"Who says? My stupid cousin goes on dates in the park all the time"
"Really?" Johnny said. "And they say romance is dead"
"But like, why does that dude go to the shelter then? to pick up Jaemin? Then to park? then they go home? Whose home?"
Johnny sighed
"Even without the bet, we're too deep in to just ask him now"
Another week went by and even though the detectives solved cases in record time, they could not figure out who Jaemin was.
Jeno was late again.
"Jeno, Why are you letting Jaemin walk all over your life just like that?" Donghyuck dramatically exclaimed.
"Because I like him?" Jeno said.
Seulgi laughed. "We still don't know who Jaemin is, do we?" She then whispered to Jisung.
"Nope"
Kun got out of his cabin. "Jeno! You're finally here. We can start the briefing" He stood at his spot behind the podium and talked about all the cases taken care of this week and the new cases Donghyuck and Mark have gotten. Johnny was asked to take a rookie under his wings which he happily accepted.
"Meetings over, any questions?" Kun asked. No one raised their hand. "Okay then you may start your work"
Jeno slowly raised his hand.
"Yes, Jeno?"
"Can I bring Jaemin with me tomorrow?"
Many thoughts flashed through Kun's head. "Uh, Sure. Just don't let him wander around on his own. and bring something to keep him entertained"
Jeno's smile almost blinded everyone. "I will. Thank you so much" He was the first one to get out of the meeting room
"So, is he going to bring a human or a cat?" Kun asked.
Doyoung shook his head. "We still don't know"
"what will Jaemin do when you bring him here?" Donghyuck asked. They had gathered around Jeno's desk as a last attempt at figuring out who Jaemin is before Jeno brings to work tomorrow.
"He'll probably stick to me first then go wander around," Jeno said. "You guys excited to meet him?"
Yangyang nodded. "Yeah, very excited" Mark lightly punched him.
"Jaemin has this weird habit of searching for the washroom whenever we go somewhere. He first checked the washroom and balcony in my house. He likes spending time on the terrace with me. I think he just likes to spend time with me. That's why I'm bringing him here. We have plans of plans after I finish some work" Jeno shyly continued.
"You must really like him if you are. You have never brought Bongshik here" Johnny said.
"You have to stop comparing how much I love someone based on if I love them more than Bongshik or not," Jeno said.
"So you love Jaemin huh?" Doyoung asked and Jeno's ears turned red.
Jisung suddenly realised something.
"What's Jaemin's hair colour? " He asked. Jeno looked at him, a little confused.
"It's orange,"
Bingo! Jisung thought. People don't have Orange hair.
Later before going home, Jisung went towards Donghyuck's desk to taunt him.
"Jaemin has orange hair. He's definitely a cat" He said.
"People can dye hair orange," Donghyuck said as he packed his bag. Jisung could tell he was less sure than before.
“Isn’t your top artist Ed Sheeran?” Mark asked.
“But not usually here” Jisung answered. Mark shrugged.
"I think TY has white hair," Doyoung said. He was standing behind Jisung. "I know for a fact his hair was black the last time he was officially spotted. That sneaky snake. The old lady told me TY used to make deals with her daughter and smell like roses..."
Doyoung continued complaining about his new case as the four of the walked into the elevator.
Jisung reached the precinct early the next day, he was excited to finally meet Jaemin. He was not shocked to see everyone else already there.
"Noona! Where are you going? Jaemin is coming soon" Yangyang asked Seulgi who was leaving for the elevator.
. “Tell me about Jaemin when I get back” she said "I have a meeting with Yoonoh,"
Doyoung perked up at the mention of Yoonoh. The case of TY was with him before Doyoung got it. "Tell him to give me his opinion on the TY case" He yelled. Seulgi flashed a thumbs-up before the elevator door closed.
The door opened 2 minutes later and Jeno stepped out. Now he will bring out a small fluffy orange cat, Jisung thought. Everyone stopped doing their work and stared at the door. Even Kun was standing outside his cabin.
A guy Jeno's height stepped out after Jeno. 'He is handsome' Yangyang thought. 'Oh, orange hair' Jisung thought. 'He's wearing a bikers jacket. He's cool' Johnny, the fashionista thought.
Jeno offered the guy his hand and he took it. Jeno dragged him towards Jisungs table which was closest to the elevator.
"Guys, Meet Jaemin," He said. Jaemin smiled and waved.
"I thought you were a cat," Jisung told Jaemin.
After the introductions, Jeno had been called for a meeting and Jaemin had asked them to show him around the precinct. Donghyuck, Jisung and Yangyang were showing him around while telling him a few stories about Jeno at which Jaemin had laughed wholeheartedly and Yangyang had realised how Jeno had fallen for Jaemin in such short time.
"What?" Jaemin asked Jisung. Donghyuck was quick to step in "What he means is, You look like a cat" Yangyang glared at Jisung while Jaemin nodded.
"I've never been told that before. Thanks" He said with a smile.
Halfway into their tour, All of them received a message from Jeno saying he'll need more time. Donghyuck, Yangyang and Jisung's messages were simple but judging from Jaemin's reaction, which to was look down and blush, he received a special message. Donghyuck was going to tease Jaemin on it but stopped himself when his phone rang.
The phone call lasted only a few seconds, with Donghyuck saying "I'll be there" and running away not even bidding a proper goodbye.
"Life of a cop is hard," Jaemin said and Yangyang agreed.
"You know, sometimes we sympathise with people. It's harder to put them in prison once we do. Donghyuck knew the guy he is currently after. I admire him for still being able to try to catch him without bias"
Jisung nodded, remembering a similar conversation he had with Chenle. (Johnny had scolded him about that afterwards. "When I said get new friends I didn’t mean criminals, Jisung!" ) "I would have just given the case to someone else," He said.
"What do you do Jaemin?" Yangyang asked after a few seconds of awkward silence.
"I work at the pet shelter nearb-" Jaemin was cut off by his ringtone. Jisung was kinda disappointed at how fast Jaemin picked up the call. the ringtone felt a little nostalgic. He couldn’t remember the song but was sure he had seen Jeno listing to it. from the expressions on Yangyangs face, he shared Jisung's feelings.
Jaemin excused himself and walked a little further so Jisung and Yangyang couldn't hear what he was talking about. Jaemin looked like he was arguing with someone. In the end, he sighed and put his phone in his pocket.
"How much time will Jeno take?" He asked.
“Jeno texted he should be done in 15 minutes” Jisung answered.
"About another hour," Yangyang said from experience. Those meeting never ended early. Jaemin looked like he was debating what to do.
"Please tell him that I got a call from a friend who needs help. I'll be at the park in the evening" Then Jaemin waved them goodbye and started walking towards the exit, seemingly having remembered the route.
Jeno got released from the meeting after another 2 hours. He looked frustrated and rightfully so.
"Where's Jaemin?" He asked when he didn't see the other.
"Your boyfriend went to help his friend" Yangyang provided. Jeno stopped in his tracks.
"He said we're boyfriends?" He asked.
"Well, he didn't say that but we guessed. Are you guys not together?" Mark asked.
"Pity if you aren't. He's got good style sense" Johnny said
Jeno looked relieved and disappointed at the same time. "It's just"
The elevator door opened and Donghyuck walked out. "Injoon escaped. don't ask" He said.
Mark turned to Jeno again.
"You were saying?"
"I haven't asked him to be my boyfriend yet, we aren't officially dating," Jeno said while scratching his nape.
"What!" Donghyuck exclaimed and Jeno heard Doyoung mutter something furiously. Yangyang looked confused and Mark looked pleased.
"He's waiting for you at the park, will you ask him out?" Jisung asked but Jeno seemed to have caught only the first part of the sentence. He turned and walked towards in own desk, picked up his bag and waved at everyone before stepping into the elevator.
"Did Jeno just leave?" Kun asked, peeking from his cabin door.
"Jaemin is not his boyfriend. he's just a guy Jeno is head over heels for" Johnny explained. Kun retreaded back into his cabin.
"I don't get it. Why does Jeno pick him up at the shelter then?" Mark asked.
"Jaemin works there" Jisung answered.
"No one won the bet then?" Yangyang asked.
"We were closer to the actual answer!" Donghyuck exclaimed.
"No one won. " Johnny declared.
Doyoung sighed and went back to work, knowing it will be chaos in the 127 precinct soon. 'I love my co-workers' He thought as he opened up the file.