The next two days on campus were marked by a stifling silence between Jaemin and Jeno. Jaemin meticulously avoided Jeno at every turn, a practice he had become skilled at over the years.

His movements were deliberate: changing his route between classes, choosing different study spots, and even altering his lunch schedule. Each time Jeno attempted to approach, Jaemin either looked away or walked off without a word, as if the very presence of Jeno was an intrusion.

Jeno's frustration grew with each failed attempt to reach out. His apologies, heartfelt and earnest, seemed to evaporate into the air as Jaemin's stoic silence prevailed. The hurt in Jeno's eyes deepened, a reflection of the emotional chasm that had opened between them. His once confident stride was now hesitant, burdened by the weight of Jaemin's rejection.

On the second day, after yet another unsuccessful attempt to engage Jaemin in conversation, Jeno found himself wandering away from the main campus area, his posture slumped in defeat. He was lost in a spiral of self-reproach and concern when he ran into Haechan, who was heading in the opposite direction.

Haechan's sharp eyes caught Jeno's disheartened state, and a mischievous glint sparked in his gaze. "Jeno," Haechan called out, a teasing lilt in his voice, "you look like you've been through a battlefield. Did Jaemin's ice-cold shoulder finally get the best of you?"

Jeno sighed deeply, looking up at Haechan with a mix of frustration and weariness. "Yeah, it's been rough. Every time I try to talk to him, he just shuts me out. I don't know how to fix this."

Haechan's playful demeanor softened, his expression turning more contemplative. "Well, Jaemin can be pretty stubborn. But don't lose hope just yet. He's been cooling off. It's not that he doesn't want to talk; he's just got a lot on his mind right now."

Jeno's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope piercing through his frustration. "So, you think he might be willing to talk now?"

Haechan nodded, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "Possibly. Jaemin's dealing with more than just your fallout. His family situation has been tough. His mom's been struggling since his dad left, and Jaemin's had to shoulder a lot of that emotional burden. He's built up walls to protect himself from getting hurt again. Maybe he's just trying to process everything and needs some space."

Jeno's expression softened, a mixture of empathy and understanding taking root. "I didn't realize it was that bad. I can see why he's been so distant now."

Haechan's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Yeah, Jaemin's got layers you might not see at first glance. He's a good guy, just dealing with a lot more than he lets on. Be patient with him."

As Haechan turned to leave, he ran into Renjun, who was standing nearby, glaring with unmistakable irritation. Renjun stormed up to Haechan, his voice laced with frustration. "Hyuck, why are you sticking your nose into Jaemin and Jeno's issues? This is personal for Jaemin, and you shouldn't be pushing him or Jeno like that."

Haechan raised an eyebrow, his playful demeanor shifting to one of defensive calm. "I was just trying to help Jeno understand where Jaemin's coming from. I didn't mean to overstep. I thought it might clear things up."

Renjun's glare remained sharp, his tone firm. "It's not your place to meddle. If Jaemin needs space, give him space. Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to help."

Haechan's expression softened, acknowledging the validity of Renjun's concerns. "Alright, I get it. I didn't mean to cause more trouble. I just wanted to see if I could help."

Renjun nodded, his expression still stern but slightly mollified. "Just be careful next time. It's important to respect their boundaries."

With that, Renjun turned and walked away, leaving Haechan to reflect on the confrontation. Haechan sighed, understanding that navigating personal emotions and relationships required more finesse than he had employed. As he walked away, he hoped that his efforts would ultimately lead to a resolution, even if it meant stepping back and allowing time to heal the rift between Jeno and Jaemin.

-----♡

The tension between Jaemin and Jeno remained palpable in the following days. Jaemin continued his cold treatment, maintaining a resolute distance and barely acknowledging Jeno's attempts to reach out. His anger seemed like an impenetrable wall, and Jeno struggled with his growing frustration and concern.

One day, as Jaemin walked briskly across campus, he noticed Jeno waiting by the edge of the courtyard, a hopeful but resigned expression on his face. Seeing this, Jaemin's irritation flared, and he approached with a sharp, "What do you want now?"

Jeno, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension, attempted a joke. "I was just hoping you'd forgive me soon. I'm starting to think you're holding a grudge for life."

Jaemin's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with an edge of raw frustration. "It's not that simple, Jeno. You don't get to waltz back into my life and expect everything to be fine just because you're sorry."

Jeno's shoulders slumped slightly, but he forced a crooked smile, trying to ease the tension with his usual good-natured humor. "Come on, I know you're already forgiving me. It's just a matter of time before you admit it."

Jaemin's patience snapped. Without thinking, he shoved Jeno, the action driven by a surge of pent-up anger and frustration. The push was meant to create some space and assert his boundaries, but Jeno lost his balance, his arms flailing for support, and then collided with the edge of a low stone planter.

The impact was jarring, and Jeno's face contorted in pain. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his right hand, which had absorbed the brunt of the fall. Jaemin, momentarily stunned, rushed to Jeno's side, his anger dissolving into alarm. He knelt beside Jeno, his hands trembling as he assessed the situation. "Jeno! Are you okay?"

Jeno grimaced, his face pale as he tried to move his hand. "I think... I think I broke it."

Panic surged through Jaemin, his mind racing as he realized the gravity of the situation. He helped Jeno up carefully, his concern overriding his earlier frustration. Jeno's hand was swelling rapidly, and his fingers were bent at an unnatural angle. The sight of Jeno's pain struck Jaemin deeply, causing a wave of guilt to wash over him.

Jaemin's protective instincts kicked in as he guided Jeno to the nearest hospital. He drove with an urgency that belied his usual composure, his eyes flickering anxiously between the road and Jeno's strained expression. Every jolt of the car seemed to amplify Jeno's discomfort, and Jaemin's heart ached with the realization of his actions' consequences.

At the hospital, after a thorough examination and X-rays, the doctor confirmed that Jeno had indeed broken his hand. The fracture was serious enough that Jeno would need about four weeks to recover. Jaemin listened intently to the doctor's instructions, his heart heavy with remorse. He watched Jeno's face, trying to read the impact of the news on him, and saw a mix of pain and resignation in Jeno's eyes.

As they left the hospital, Jeno's arm was now encased in a cast, and he wore a look of discomfort that was difficult to ignore. Jaemin's guilt was palpable, his usually composed demeanor now overshadowed by the weight of his actions.

"I'm really sorry, Jeno," Jaemin said quietly, his voice laced with sincere regret. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I was just so caught up in my own mess that I lost sight of how my actions might affect you."

Jeno managed a weak smile, the pain evident in his eyes but tempered by his understanding nature. "It's okay, Jaemin. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Just... be careful next time. We both have enough to deal with without adding more to the pile."

Jaemin nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll be here to help with anything you need while you recover."

-----♡

When Jaemin and Jeno finally returned to the dorm, the absence of their usual roommates provided a rare moment of privacy. Jaemin carefully settled Jeno onto the couch, adjusting his cast with a mix of awkwardness and concern.

As Jaemin paced around, his nerves were palpable. Jeno, propped up comfortably, watched him with an amused expression. "So," Jeno began casually, "you said you'd make it up to me. Got any ideas on how you're planning to do that?"

Jaemin looked up, caught off guard by Jeno's sudden shift in tone. "Uh, yeah, of course. Just tell me what you need, and I'll help out."

Jeno's eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark. "Well, I've been thinking. Since I'll be out of commission for a bit, how about you be my boyfriend for four weeks? You know, just to keep me company and all."

Jaemin's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly shook his head, his expression firm. "No way, Jeno. That's not happening."

Jeno pouted dramatically, his voice taking on a whining tone. "But you ghosted me, Jaemin! You left me hanging, all alone and heartbroken. How could you do that to me?" He added a playful sniffle for effect, clearly trying to guilt-trip Jaemin.

Despite himself, Jaemin couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, but he remained resolute. "I said no, Jeno. I'm not playing along with this."

Jeno's pout deepened, but then, out of nowhere, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around Jaemin, pulling him into a tight hug. Jaemin stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. "You have no idea how lonely and sad I got when you just disappeared on me," Jeno murmured, his voice softening as he pressed his forehead against Jaemin's shoulder. "I missed you so much, and I kept wondering if I did something wrong. It hurt, Jaemin."

Jaemin felt a pang of guilt as Jeno's words sank in. He knew he had his reasons for distancing himself, but that didn't erase the hurt he had caused. He didn't want to agree to Jeno's ridiculous request, but the thought of how much pain he had unintentionally caused made him waver. After a long pause, Jaemin let out a resigned sigh. "Fine," he said, his voice low and reluctant. "But only because I feel bad for what I did. Don't expect anything else from me."

Jeno's eyes lit up instantly, his signature eye smile breaking through as he pulled back slightly to look at Jaemin. "Really? You'll do it?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine excitement.

Jaemin panicked at the sudden shift, his cheeks flushing. "Don't get too excited. I'm not doing this because I want to," he stammered, trying to regain some control of the situation.

But Jeno was already beaming, his mood completely lifted. "Okay, okay! I won't expect anything," he said cheerfully, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggested otherwise.

Just as Jaemin was about to respond, Jeno leaned in unexpectedly, closing the small gap between them. Jaemin's eyes widened in surprise, his heart racing as he tried to process the sudden proximity. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with tension.

Jeno's lips curved into a playful smile. "Well, if we're going to start this new phase, why not make it memorable?" he said, his voice soft but teasing.

Before Jaemin could react, Jeno leaned in and gently brushed his lips against Jaemin's cheek, near the corner of his mouth. The brief contact sent a jolt through Jaemin, who found himself blushing furiously. His mind went blank for a moment, caught between surprise and an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

Jaemin stammered, trying to regain his composure. "W-What was that for?"

Jeno pulled back slightly, still smiling. "Just marking the start of our 'relationship.' It's our first day after all."

Jaemin felt a mix of warmth and discomfort, his face still flushed. He averted his gaze, struggling to maintain his nonchalant facade despite the fluttering in his chest. "Alright, whatever. Just... let's see how this goes."

Jeno chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the flustered reaction. "Deal. I'm looking forward to it."