Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jaemin has to be the one to break the news to his family and by extension, Yangyang. Yangyang cries more than Jaemin does and part of him wonders if there’s something wrong with him for not crying at all. He shoved aside his emotions when Renjun was over and now, a full week later on the drive to his grandmother’s mansion in the countryside, Jaemin can’t get them back.

Even though Jaemin knows that crying is a part of the process, sitting in between Jeno and Renjun isn’t really the place Jaemin would like to start his mourning process. Granted, it’s better than having everything hit once he’s back at his grandmother’s estate. Yangyang has been extra affectionate, clinging onto Jaemin more than normal even though they had to have the talk about how Jaemin’s family doesn’t know. 

Because it’s one thing for Jaemin to say he’s gay. It’s another thing to start dating the guy who’s been his best friend for years and is practically considered family. Jaein has already proclaimed that she’s excited to see Yangyang again and even Jaebeom is looking forward to playing football in the backyard with him.

“We’re here,” Jeno announces, and Jaemin’s eyes snap up, not realizing how fast the time had been flying. The sight of the mansion atop a hill of sprawling grass and trees is a familiar sight, but Jaemin can feel the stench of death from here. The trees have lost most of their leaves, and the grass is barely holding onto its last legs. It doesn’t really snow out here until mid-December, so there’s none of that, but Jaemin knows it’s going to be just as cold as it is back home.

Jeno drives through the open front gate, driveway curving up until it reaches the house, a section carved out for drop off in front under a large off white awning. Everything is in shades of light tan and brown from the window shutters to the front door, to the mat that Jaemin scrapes his feet on.

Once the car is parked, everyone is in a frenzy, grabbing suitcases and coats, while Jaemin gives himself a moment to breathe. When he slides off the vinyl seats and steps out onto the concrete, flexing his hands as they tingle from the cold. At least he kept his beanie on during the drive. Jaemin pulls it down farther over his ears and heads to the back of the van, grabbing the last remaining bag. It’s the lightest one and belongs to Jeno, the only one who understands how to pack for three nights.

Yangyang insisted upon bringing several alternative outfits because he wouldn’t know what would be appropriate until the day of. Donghyuck’s parents had given him a mini suitcase filled only with winter clothes, while everything else he brought fit in a backpack. The suitcase isn’t large, but it weighs more than any other suitcase. Renjun had brought four different pairs of glasses, along with excessive clothes because he’s convinced that when he’s on a case,being too prepared can’t be a bad thing. All of his clothes are different shades of practical, so he’s not quite as bad as Yangyang, but it’s still bad. There’s a track record to prove that and Jaemin can’t help but agree with him on that. He had filled a drawer in the back of the Mystery Machine with something a bit experimental and hadn’t told Jeno about it yet, which might not be the smartest move, but it’s not like Jeno is going to question a drawer of random lipstick tubes. And Jaemin had overpacked in all of the wrong ways. He has a normal amount of clothes, but after their last incident, and Renjun implanting the idea that this might turn into another case, he is a bit over cautious.

Jaemin slugs Donghyuck’s backpack over his shoulder and closes the back of the van with a slam, joining everyone else in front of the double front doors that stand at nearly double their height, made from old wood and engraved with intricate, swirling patterns. Throwing a glance behind, Jaemin doesn’t see any other cars parked in front, so either they’re the first ones or the last ones here and Jaemin isn’t sure which option he prefers.

Taking the initiative, Jaemin steps forward and raises the golden knocker, formed like a snake, looking equal parts intimating and comfortably familiar. There’s no answer for a brief moment, and then the door is being flung open by Jaein who’s smiling from ear to ear, septum piercing catching the light.

“Oh, hi guys,” Jaein greets, over enthusiastic as always. “Good to see you again, Yangie, and I can’t wait for Jaemin to introduce me to the rest of you once we get you inside and toasty warm.” Her tone doesn’t really seem fitting to the situation, but Jaemin isn’t really one to judge in this situation. He doesn’t feel like criticizing the way that Jaein is coping because it will make him feel bad and won’t help anyone.

The five of them step into the entry way, Jaemin catching a quiet gasp from Donghyuck. Before them sits a dual staircase that heads up to the second and third floors with a large chandelier hung right in the middle of the room. The floor is made of dark wood which leads straight back into the kitchen with wallpaper of Venus across the back wall.

On either side of them are plush lounge rooms, one fit in blues and greens for afternoon tea, while the other is all maroons, for drinking wine after a night of gossiping and messing around with a Oujia board.

“This place is huge,” Jeno mumbles, eyes locked onto Venus. Jaemin has always loved the wallpaper there, Venus looking directly at them, long orange hair surrounding her while she carefully holds her chest. She always looks so laid back and relaxed and Jaemin wishes he could embody that.

“Yep, Grandma always had an eye for interior design,” Jaein says proudly. Her dark red hair is up in a high ponytail and she’s wearing her pale pink framed glasses which she insists make her eyes look better than they do without them, dressed down in a cropped sweater and vintage straight cut jeans. Her shoes have gone somewhere that isn’t beside the door. “You can all leave your shoes in the lounge for now. Joohyun accidentally snapped part of the shoe rack while she was trying to fix it.” Jaemin’s brows crinkle. The two of them aren’t close, but that doesn’t really sound like something Joohyun would do. She’s always taken the utmost care of things, even small things like succulents or the folding of washcloths.

“Since Jaemin isn’t going to introduce us,” Jeno begins, using his usual kind and bordering on flirtatious tone. Jaemin doesn’t even have to look at him to know that half of his mouth is quirked up and he’s already touched his hair at least twice. “I’m Jeno Lee, the short one is Renjun Huang, you already know Yangyang, and this one—” Jeno throws an arm around Donghyuck. “Is Donghyuck Lee.” Donghyuck throws Jeno a look, but he clearly doesn’t receive it, so Donghyuck wraps his arm back around Jeno’s waist and pinches his side, causing Jeno to yelp. Jaemin has to muffle a giggle at the two of them.

“It’s lovely to meet you all,” Jaein says, clearly not caring about their lack of manners. Jaemin doesn’t know if anyone else is going to be so lax. It’s not that his family or the orphans are extremely strict, but Jaemin doesn’t know if lightheartedness is going to go over well with certain people. “I’ll show you to your rooms and then you can meet everyone. I can’t remember the last time that so many people were here…” Jaein starts off her sentence chipper, but Jaemin sees her smile fade just a bit by the end of it.

Jaein leads them up the white stairs, their shoes all clicking against them on each step. She skips past the second floor and continues up until they reach the third and top floor. There’s technically an attic in the house, but it’s mostly used for storage and isn’t set up to hold people in it. The walls are all painted in dark green, plush carpet leading back down a single hallway with two bedrooms on either side and one at the end.

“Everyone is doubling up in rooms,” Jaein starts, gesturing vaguely down the hallway. “Mom and Dad are downstairs, and the rooms on the left are me and Jaehee, along with Jaebeom and Jaeyong. One of you lucky five gets a room all too himself, so I’d suggest giving it to the person who’d be the worst roommate. And with that, I’ll be heading back down to the kitchen because Jihyo told me pastries would be ready soon like fifteen minutes ago.” Jaein waves goodbye then disappears down the stairs.

“So how are we splitting up?” Jeno asks. “Because the obvious couples isn’t going to work—”

“Why not?” Donghyuck protests.

“Because the last time I got left alone, I was kidnapped.” Donghyuck shuts his mouth. “Also, I just don’t want to room alone.”

“What if we draw straws?” Renjun suggests. “That’s totally fair and whoever loses loses.”

“I’m surprised you’re not debating this,” Jaemin admits.

“I don’t care who I room with as long as it’s not Jeno.”

“Hey!”

“It’s not personal, but you seem like the type to get handsy at night and I’d rather spend all of my brainpower figuring out the ghost situation than dealing with you.” Jeno puts his palm to his chest, looking faux offended.

“How dare you speak so ill of me,” Jeno says.

“Does anyone have straws though?” Renjun asks, completely ignoring Jeno.

“No, but I have a better idea,” Jaemin says. “Everyone pick a number one through three in your head. Then we’ll close our eyes, hold up that number of fingers, then open our eyes. If there’s two with the same number, then they’ll pair off.” Everyone murmurs their consensus.

Jaemin closes his eyes and holds up two fingers. Donghyuck counts off and then they all open their eyes. Renjun is the only one holding up three, Jeno and Yangyang have one, leaving Jaemin and Donghyuck with two.

“That worked out well,” Renjun comments. “Anyway, I’ll be calling dibs on the room right here.” Renjun, the only one who seems to have grabbed his own suitcase, heads into the first room, right across from Jaein and Jaehee’s room.

“You guys can take the end room,” Jeno offers, setting down what he was carrying to circle around Donghyuck, stealing his suitcase and then heading of into his room, Yangyang trailing behind him. Jaemin makes a grab for the abandoned suitcase— his suitcase, but Donghyuck beats him to it. Pursing his lips, Jaemin debates if he should say anything, but decides against it. It’s not a big deal, let them do whatever they think is going to make these three nights any more bearable.

Donghyuck leads them down the hallway and Jaemin appreciates the random landscape paintings that line the wall and the feeling of his socks on the black carpet runner. The door is left open by Donghyuck and Jaemin slips in, shutting the door behind him before taking in the room. He’s stayed in this room before, and it looks exactly the same, still just as magnificent as Jaemin remembers.

There’s a large four poster bed with a white canopy on the left, with two dressers next to it, a fireplace on the opposite wall, and bright open windows that let in the sunlight with a love seat positioned in the center underneath them. In the center of the room is a table with chairs and a pink floral tea set.

The walls are a lighter green than the hallway, with white crown moulding along ceiling, and the same hardwood as the entryway under foot. There’s a painting hung above the fireplace of two women in dresses from the 18th century enjoying tea and laughing under a willow tree. Jaemin has always thought of the painting as a bit romantic, but now it feels bittersweet.

“This room is so cool,” Donghyuck mumbles. His things are set to the side next to the bed and Jaemin. “Is that the backyard?” 

“Yeah.” Jaemin follows Donghyuck to the french doors and they look out over the yard. There’s a hedge maze with a fountain in the center that Jaemin has fond memories of almost getting lost in. There’s fog out in the distance, and Jaemin knows soon the fog will completely roll in to cover the yard. How atmospheric for a will reading…

“What time do we need to be downstairs?” Jaemin sighs, turning his head away, looking back at the painting, feeling tears prick in his eyes again. Donghyuck puts a hand on his shoulder lightly, and Jaemin leans into the touch. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Donghyuck.” Jaemin looks at Donghyuck who’s clearly concerned. “I’m taking things hard already, but don’t overthink everything.”

“I just… don’t want to hurt you at all.” Donghyuck looks down and Jaemin pulls Donghyuck a bit closer. “Y’know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Donghyuck embraces Jaemin properly and Jaemin hugs him back tightly.

They sit down to dinner at the longest dining table Yangyang has ever seen. It’s quite the sight, using three length extenders so it goes from end to end of the dining room. The dining room has a blue low contrast stripe wallpaper and doors to the kitchen, main hallway and  billiard room. Joohyun sits at one end of the table and Jaemin’s father at the other.

The dining room is rather unique in the fact that it is a two story room. The ceilings are double the height of a regular ceiling and on one side, the one which holds the door to the main hallway, has a balcony that looks out over the dining room. Yangyang doesn’t understand why, even during parties, people would want to look down at everyone else and watch them have dinner. Jaemin explained the party reasoning to him years ago, adding on that it made the space feel more roomy and allowed for some quieter areas away from the louder guests. Yangyang still found it strange though.

Yangyang already knows everyone at the table, but he’s sure that Donghyuck, Jeno and Renjun are going to have a hard time getting everyone’s name down, so in preparation, he made a set of flashcards for each of them. He has them in his pockets, but he doesn’t want to make it obvious to Jaemin. Jaemin seems like he’s having a hard time with everything and Yangyang doesn’t want to accidentally hurt his feelings. He likes Jaemin so much and just wants to make him smile, but everything is so sad right now. Yangyang frowns and gets a poke from Jeno so he pulls his mask back on and goes back to smiling.

“What is it, Jeno?” Yangyang asks.

“Are you alright?”

“I got distracted thinking about what we might have for dessert.” Yangyang puts a hand to the side of his mouth and whispers to Jeno, “Joohyun makes really good tiramisu, but her pie isn’t great. Don’t tell her I said that.” Jeno looks at Yangyang with a bemused smile on his face.

“You’re pretty funny,” Jeno says and Yangyang beams at him. Yangyang turns back to his plate. It’s a mix of pasta, salad, green beans all tied together with a roll. Yangyang glances to his left, and sees that Jaemin is talking with Renjun about something, completely absorbed in conversation, so Yangyang takes a set of flashcards out of the front pocket of his jeans.

“I have something for you,” Yangyang whispers before shoving his hand into Jeno’s lap. Jeno’s eyes go wide and he looks at Yangyang like he’s crazy, then he feels the flashcards. Jeno glances down and carefully flips one over, seeing the one picture Yangyang has of Nayeon. It’s a random one cut out from a Christmas card from the year before, so it’s not the greatest quality, but it’s obviously her; bright smile, round face, cool blonde hair.

“What is this?” Jeno mumbles back, flicking another one over to see Jaeyong. This one is cropped from a selfie that Yangyang took with him, and since he’s the youngest it’s easy to tell who he is.

“So you know who everyone is.” Jeno looks back at Yangyang, smiling.

“You’re very thoughtful. These will be perfect if we need to make another not-murder murder board.” Yangyang really hopes there’s no need, but he nods along anyway. Jaemin pokes Yangyang’s back and Yangyang spins around. He didn’t have a chance to tell Jeno not to show Jaemin, but hopefully he’ll get a chance before dinner ends.

“Renjun needs to borrow Jeno,” Jaemin says. “I can read your thoughts— no, he didn’t say why, just said it was important enough to pop out.” Jaemin isn’t wearing as much makeup today, Yangyang notices. He’s still wearing lipstick, only it’s barely any different from his natural color and there’s a small wing on his eyes. Yangyang also thinks his eyelashes are darker too, but he’s less sure on that.

Yangyang passes the message along to Jeno who looks confused, but still stands up, pocketing the flashcards, and drops his napkin on his chair before following Renjun out into the hallway. He then looks back at the table. On his side there are eight chairs. Seated from left Jihyo, Mystery Inc, Jaebeom then Jaemin’s mom. Across from them it’s Nayeon, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Jonghoo, Jaein, Jaehee and Jaeyong. Jaemin’s grandma’s orphans all sit together and so does Jaemin’s side of the family. Yangyang fights back another frown. They really don’t get along.

Despite being on good terms with everyone at the table (something no one else could say), Yangyang squirms in his seat under the tension in the room. Jaemin’s parents are practically ignoring everyone who isn’t one of their kids while Joohyun fumes as she picks at her food. She is the true matriarch of the household and Jaemin’s grandma used to sit at the other end of the table when they would all eat together. It’s awfully presumptuous for Jaemin’s dad to be sitting there in the first place.

Joohyun is older than Jaebeom, Jaemin’s oldest sibling, so she takes seniority over everyone in that sense as well. She keeps everyone in order and makes sure that nothing goes awry in the house. Jaemin’s grandma hadn’t been doing any of the chores around the house for at least five years with all of the orphans managing everything else. Joohyun still scared Yangyang ever since he accidentally broke a glass the first time he was here. She hadn’t yelled at him or anything like that, simply helped him clean it up in complete silence. Yangyang felt so guilty that he had to bite his tongue the entire time. It wasn’t a pleasant experience.

The next oldest is Nayeon, around the same age as Jaebeom. She’s glitz and glam under every circumstance and dinner is no different. Yangyang truly admires how much glitter she works into every outfit, but wonders how she has so many clothes. Yangyang has never seen her wear the same thing twice and made it a point to remember as many of her outfits as possible to see if she ever re-wore anything. One time she re-wore the same pair of earrings, but it was only because they had all stayed up late watching movies and fell asleep spread out on couches (and the floor). She woke up the next day and put on a new outfit, but left the earrings. Yangyang thinks it was an accident and may never happen again.

After Nayeon is Jihyo. Jihyo does most of the simple cleaning duties around the house from dusting to arranging. She’s bubbly, always smells like home baked cookies or chocolate and is nice to Yangyang. Jihyo usually only hangs out with them for half of the visit, disappearing off fairly often. Yangyang assumes she gets overstimulated or goes off to help Joohyun with house things.

Seonghwa is quiet, but never mean to Yangyang. He mainly sticks to Wooyoung and Jongho when people are over. He dresses like a mix between racecar driver and a goth, which changed Yangyang’s life briefly when he was sixteen. Yangyang looks at what Seonghwa is wearing. His usual diamond stud earring is gone and so are his standard top-of-the-head sunglasses. While not appropriate for dinner indoors, he still never took them off. Seonghwa graduated high school last year, then ended up at some fancy private school two hundred miles away. Yangyang can’t remember the name, only that it was some Catholic school. Seonghwa doesn’t seem to be a practicing Catholic by any means, though, so maybe it’s for the religious aesthetic.

Wooyoung is the same age as Yangyang, but they’ve never been close. He keeps to himself or sometimes hangs out with Jongho. He was adopted only two years prior, and hasn’t been as well adjusted as some of the others. Yangyang has always tried to include Wooyoung in what they do, but it’s always awkward. Even now, Yangyang can see that Wooyoung is texting someone under the table. He’s quite subtle with it, no doubt trying to avoid drawing Joohyun’s attention, but Yangyang knows what secret texting looks like. He’s a bit of an expert.

Jongho is the youngest, but only a year younger than Wooyoung. He was adopted long before Yangyang came around and is Yangyang’s personal favorite out of all of Jaemin’s extended family. Yangyang meets Jongho’s eyes and smiles at him who smiles back. He looks a little weary, no doubt from the loss of his surrogate mother and the painful tension in the room.

Yangyang glances around again. When will Jeno and Renjun come back and what could they be talking about?

“Yangyang,” Jaemin says, and Yangyang turns his head, bringing them almost nose to nose. He pulls back immediately, remembering where they are. Yangyang wishes he could give Jaemin a kiss and make everything better. “Everyone is so awkward in here, I think I’m gonna die. I wish this dinner would end as soon as possible.” As Jaemin says this, the lights go out, causing his stomach to twist. Despite the promise of a ghost hanging over their head, Jaemin had existed in denial, but who else would have cut the lights? “I’m gonna be eating my words, aren’t I?”

“So why’d you pull me out into the hallway?” Jeno asks, looking awkward. Renjun rolls his eyes at him.

“It’s not like that,” Renjun hisses. “I didn’t come out here to play seven minutes in heaven with you.” Jeno blushes bright red and Renjun feels smug. Serves him right. “Did you not see those weird bolts on the walls? They were designed to blend into the wall pattern, but I noticed those and some strange wiring.” Jeno’s eyes light up and Renjun bites his lip, holding back a smile. “I think someone might have set up a trap  there or something like that.”

“You mean— you brought me out here to talk about traps?” Jeno stares at Renjun with stars in his eyes and Renjun shifts under his gaze. He didn’t think Jeno would find this to be such a big deal.

“Because I’m worried something is going to happen.” Jeno straightens up at that, snapping out of his adoration haze.

“Okay, yeah, that would be bad.” Jeno runs a hand through his hair and Renjun can see the way the gears are turning in his head. “When we go back in, I’ll look more closely and see if I can figure out the type of rigging and what it might be used for. Small chance it’s something for seasonal decorating because well… look at this house.” Jeno gestures around at the floral wallpaper, detailed crown moulding, candelabras and hand-carved end table.

“You have a point,” Renjun admits. “Jaemin’s grandma sure had a way of decorating.”

“So let’s just keep our eyes peeled for now and as soon as something feels fishy, you and I will make a plan.” Renjun grins at Jeno.

Then the lights go out, leaving only the candles to illuminate the few feet around them. Renjun swears and feels for Jeno’s hand in the dark. They need to stay together if anything is afoot.

“Let’s try to go back into the dining room,” Jeno whispers and Renjun squeezes his hand to agree. They feel along the wall for a moment, and find the dining room door handle. Jeno tries the door but it doesn’t move. Renjun frowns. “We might just have a mystery on our hands.”

“This is exactly what I was afraid of happening,” Renjun mutters. “I told Jaemin when he got the letter in the first place that this might turn into another case.”

“Well, Jaemin’s grandma believes this place to be haunted, right?”

“That’s what Jaemin said, but he only mentioned ghost stories that he was told as a kid, not any incidents that happened.” Renjun thinks for a moment. “Yangyang would have also mentioned any ghostly incidents— there’s no doubt in my mind about that.”

“So what do we think?” Jeno squeezes Renjun’s hand again. “On the count of three—” Renjun has no idea what Jeno is talking about. “One, two, three— someone is going to fake a ghostly incident to scare people off from Jaemin’s grandma’s fortune. You didn’t say anything.” Renjun can easily picture Jeno’s pout even if he can only see the outline of Jeno’s face in the semi-dark. He fumbles with his other hand to find Jeno’s cheek and leans in. Renjun ends up kissing the spot between Jeno’s nose and his cheek. Jeno giggles and Renjun smiles, glad that Jeno can’t see his blush.

“I had no idea where you were going with that, so the best I can do is give you a kiss.” Renjun squeezes Jeno’s hand and leans a little bit closer, ready for a second attempt at a kiss. They exchange a brief, but chaste kiss and Renjun feels pleased with himself. He’s sure that Jeno is blushing like an idiot, and drawing that kind of reaction out of Jeno amuses Renjun to no end.

Renjun hears the rattling of a chain and glances down the hallway, heart nearly stopping in his chest. He squeezes Jeno’s hand as hard as he can and tugs on his arm. Renjun refuses to believe his eyes. Jeno must have fucking jinxed them because of course, this house is actually haunted.

At the end of the hallway is a glowing green ghost with long handcuffs attached to one wrist. Both its mouth and eye sockets are orange and draped in heavy fabric. Renjun knows the ghost is likely just someone in a costume, as everything seems to be, but they have no trap and no idea what the ghost might try to do to them.

Renjun and Jeno race down the hallway while the ghost’s chain rattles after them, laughing. The sound is grating and Renjun lets himself be pulled by Jeno around a corner and then another before racing up the stairs all the way to Jeno and Yangyang’s bedroom on the third floor. Renjun’s legs don’t want to go up the last few steps, but he forces himself and Jeno lets go of his hand to run ahead and open his bedroom door. Renjun darts in after Jeno and they close the door.

“Flick your flashlight on, we might need to barricade the door,” Jeno says. “I don’t know if the ghost knows what room we’re in, so we need to take precautions.” Renjun fumbles with his phone and turns the flashlight on. There’s a dresser in Jeno’s room that he can slide in front of the door. He drops his phone on top of the dresser and gets on the opposite side of it and shoves. It slides across the hardwood easily, but noisily. If the ghost was in the hallway, it would surely hear them. Renjun pushes again despite that and Jeno helps him straighten it up against the door. They both breathe heavily. Renjun grabs his phone and turns off the flashlight.

They both stand there silently, waiting. Renjun tries to quiet his breathing. He braces his hands on the dresser, fingers curling over the sides to get out some of his nervous energy. He’s already trying to think of a plan, but the undercurrent of his thoughts is all about Jeno. How glad he is that they’re together, so nothing bad can happen to him again. Renjun unclamps one of his hands from the dresser and silently feels for Jeno,  sliding his hand on top of his.

There’s a pounding on the door and Jeno squeezes Renjun’s hand while he bites down on his lip to prevent himself from making a sound. The pounding is accompanied by the sound of a chain rattling and presumably the loose handcuff hitting against the door.

“Be gone from this house,” comes the wailing of the ghost. Jeno squeezes Renjun’s hand again. “You are not welcome!” One more pound against the door, then the chain rattling disappears. Renjun lets out a shaky breath. He relaxes his grip on the dresser and Jeno once he’s sure that the ghost is gone.

“You know what this means, right Jeno?” Renjun asks.

“We’ve got a mystery on our hands?” Renjun knows that Jeno is grinning ear to ear and that draws a smile to his lips too.

“Absolutely.” Renjun knew this was going to happen and he came anyway. Who says romance is dead?

“What’s really interesting though,” Jeno says. “Is that there was pounding on the door. Wouldn’t a real ghost have been able to come through the walls and not interact with physical objects?”

“Ghosts aren’t real.”

“This is precisely my point.”

“Maybe one in however many is just not a good enough piece of the pie. I don’t know how much money Jaemin’s grandma has— clearly a lot, but split between all of these people?”

“Y’know, Yangyang actually slipped me some flashcards over dinner—”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Yangyang made flashcards of who all of Jaemin’s family members are. Isn’t he just the sweetest?” Jeno makes a sound like he wasn’t supposed to say that. Renjun doesn’t have time for any more romantic fumblings, they need to figure out how to catch this ghost.

“I’m sure you’ll have fun putting those on the not-murder murder board.”

“I didn’t bring it with us.”

“I put a smaller version of the one you have at home in the Mystery Machine,” Renjun says. He knew what was going to happen, so he might as well be prepared. Jeno squeals and Renjun smiles.

“You’re the absolute best, I can’t wait to set this up.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Renjun waves Jeno off, then remembers he can’t see him in the dark. In that moment, the lights all turn back on, and Jeno does in fact look just as happy as Renjun thought he would.

“Okay, let’s get back down to the dining room, we need to start plotting ASAP. Jaemin will no doubt be helpful in narrowing down our list of suspects.”

“Well, I’m fairly sure you can cross off Jaehee? Or was it Jaeyong? Whichever one is the actual child— he’s probably not our extra large ghost,” Renjun says.

“Yeah, we can cross Jaeyong off, but having a ten year old as an accomplice would be pretty smart.” Jeno looks like he’s really considering it and Renjun’s jaw drops.

“Are you really getting ideas right now?” Jeno looks sheepish and Renjun rolls his eyes. He starts dragging the dresser back away from the door and Jeno comes to help him. “Okay, so let’s keep our eyes on everyone closely.”

“Isn’t the actual will reading tonight as well?” Jeno asks.

“Ugh, you’re right.” They leave Jeno’s room and start walking back downstairs. “Yangyang I know will be keeping an eye on Jaemin, but you might want to watch your mouth. Someone did actually die and it’s someone who Jaemin was fairly close to.” Jeno nods.

“Yeah, I know. I figured I’d pair off with Donghyuck to help make sure neither of us fuck anything up.” Jeno runs a hand through his hair as they reach the first floor. “The last thing I want to do is piss off Jaemin when I’m already about to set a trap for one of his family members. Is there such a thing as a conflict of interest or recusing yourself in mystery solving?” Renjun snorts and shakes his head.

“I don’t think that’s how anything works. Need I remind you that we’re a bunch of high schoolers with a van.”

“A very professional van,” Jeno corrects.

“Yes, very professional.” They get back to the dining room and Renjun tries the door, which opens with ease.

There’s a small problem. Half of Jaemin’s family is missing from the dining room. Now the room actually doesn’t feel so overcrowded, but it begs the question; where is everyone? Renjun doesn’t get to ponder the thought for very long as Yangyang bounds over to him and Jeno, immediately cooing over and babying them. Yangyang is petting their hair, squeezing their cheeks and hugging them seemingly all at the same time.

“You have the manners of an oversized dog,” Renjun says. “We were only gone for what? Fifteen minutes?”

“You don’t understand,” Yangyang mumbles. “I was scared, Junnie.” Renjun laughs and hugs Yangyang back.

“Well, we’re okay, but we did see a ghost.” Yangyang gasps and Renjun shushes him. Jaemin and Donghyuck have found their place among them with Jaemin whispering something to Jeno, frowning. Donghyuck comes up behind Renjun, startling him slightly. “Hi, Donghyuck.”

“You’re alright?” Donghyuck looks nervous and Renjun sighs. Yangyang has been half and half between him and Jeno, but Jaemin looks like he needs to talk to Jeno about something. So Renjun wraps an arm around Yangyang and the other around Donghyuck and pulls them into a hug, while simultaneously pulling them away from Jaemin and Jeno. “What’re you doing?”

“I can tell you were both startled because what would you have done if the trap maker and planner got eaten by ghosts or something,” Renjun says. Yangyang nearly whimpers and Donghyuck looks embarrassed. “I’m teasing. I just wanted to tell you that everything is okay.”

“You just said you saw a ghost though,” Yangyang mumbles and then it’s Donghyuck’s turn to gasp.

“You saw a ghost,” Donghyuck hisses. “You mean this place is actually haunted? Clowns are still worse, but I didn’t sign up to spend half of my break with a ghost.” Donghyuck groans and Renjun rolls his eyes, but deep down he’s relieved Donghyuck is bringing back more of their friendship dynamic.

“The ghost isn’t real.” Yangyang gasps again. “Okay, the first time was—” Renjun almost says ‘cute,’ but catches himself. “—understandable, but we need to be sneaky, alright? Most people here don’t know what we do and just think we’re friends of Jaemin’s.” Donghyuck and Yangyang nod. “Great. Now, Yangyang, Jeno said something about you making flashcards of Jaemin’s relatives. Did you only make the one set that Jeno has?” Yangyang grins and Renjun grins back.

“I have one for you and one for Donghyuck as well.”

“Amazing, sneak us ours and we can study them later. We need to be on the lookout for clues.”

The lights turn off again. Renjun groans, but grabs onto Donghyuck and Yangyang’s hands. They need to stick together. From the balcony above appears the same green ghost as before, but the handcuffs are on the right. It’s an odd detail, and Renjun can’t even be sure if it wasn’t always like that. The ghost howls and Renjun holds his breath.

“The first is gone, the rest will go follow. Leave the grounds or else you will face the wrath of the Phantom Shadow.”

In the candlelight, Jeno can’t see anyone other than Jaemin clearly. He’s distraught, but rendered silent. Someone screams, then there’s the clattering of something falling from the table. Jaemin turns his head, bottom lip pulled between his teeth and brows knitted together. There’s nothing to do in the dark, so Jeno grabs onto Jaemin’s arm so he can whisper in his ear.

“What is it with these guys and telling us their names?” Jeno murmurs and Jaemin breathes out the lightest of laughs in Jeno’s ear.

The ghost raises into the air and comes out to fly over the dining room and Jeno stares at it, trying to see the wiring in the dark. They already have a confirmed use for those wires and this Phantom Shadow hasn’t even done anything serious yet. Now, all Jeno needs to do is come up with a plan to trap the ghost.

The Phantom Shadow howls again and then disappears. Jeno is so excited he wants to jump up and down.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Jaemin mutters. “At least the mystery solving thing will actually be personally useful for once.” Jaemin crosses his arms and Jeno bites his bottom lip. A thought occurs to Jeno.

“We need to figure out who is in here to start ruling people out.” Jeno squeezes Jaemin’s hand. “Can you tell me everyone who was here when the lights came on the first time?”

“Yeah, easily.”

“Perfect.” Jeno grins at Jaemin who can’t see it.

Jeno has Jaemin type up a list on his phone of everyone who was there when the lights came on the first time. No one gives Jaemin any strange looks because half of them also have their phones out, either to text or as lights. While the lights were on, no one else left, so everyone there can be ruled out. From the total people in the dining room, eight were missing when the lights came on, including Jeno and Renjun. 

Joohyun had left nearly immediately to go and turn the generator on. She had said that sometimes it can take extra long in the winter, which Jaemin corroborated. Wooyoung had left to go look for flashlights in case Joohyun took awhile. Jaemin’s mom had left to get something for Jaeyong because he was scared. Seonghwa left without giving an explanation and took Jongho with him. Jaebeom had stepped out briefly, but came back before the lights came on. Jaemin only noticed because his chair was the closest to his with Jeno and Renjun being gone. Only after listing out everyone else, had Jaemin realized that Jaehee was gone. Habits of a fourteen year old include disappearing sometimes, but despite this, she’s almost never chastized for it.

Jeno whips his phone out and opens the groupchat.

Jeno: there’s our suspect list guys !

Jaemin: …

Jeno: I don’t think they’re all very likely, but we have to at least make note of them [two raised hands emoji] [two raised hands emoji] [two raised hands emoji]

Renjun: Jeno get off your phone, we can have a group meeting upstairs. Someone should just let someone else know we’re disappearing.

Jaemin: I’ll text Jaein.

The five of them find themselves in Renjun’s room as opposed to Jeno’s after Renjun slipped Jeno a text. 

Renjun: Your not-murder board is in your room, let’s go to mine.

Jeno: [thumbs up]

“Anyone gonna turn on a flashlight, or are we supposed to have a group meeting in the dark?” Donghyuck asks. Jeno flicks on his flashlight, illuminating his face from the bottom and makes a menacing look. “That’s not really what I had in mind…” Jeno’s expression goes back to normal, but he keeps the same angle.

“So we all saw that ghost,” Jeno begins.

“Ugh, yes.” A shiver rolls down Donghyuck’s spine. He wishes the lights were on. Talking about a ghost in the dark feels like it’s asking for something bad to happen.

“The ghost wants all of Jaemin’s grandmother’s inheritance, or doesn’t want to share it with some of the family members here. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that your siblings and parents aren’t too close with your grandma’s kids.” Jaemin flicks on his own flashlight, in the same style as Jeno which makes Jeno smile, eyes turning into crescent moons.

“No.” Then Jaemin turns his flashlight off and they all break into laughter. Renjun and Donghyuck stifle their laughs, but Yangyang and Jeno both giggle loudly. Jaemin turns his flashlight back on. “You guys know I’m not an idiot, right?” Jeno stops laughing and his features pull together. “Yangyang, I know you made them flashcards.” 

Yangyang turns on his flashlight, keeping in theme and says, “I just didn’t want anyone to mix anyone up and embarrass you.” Yangyang pouts slightly and it’s obvious that Jaemin isn’t actually mad at him.

“You are all acting like I don’t know what it’s like to be around my extended family. I’m close with very few people here, hence the less makeup if you noticed—” Renjun and Yangyang had noticed. “—and everyone is acting weird given the circumstances. I’m very sad about the loss of my grandma, but you guys don’t need to try and dance around the fact that this is a case now. I’ll be damned if I let someone try and take my grandmother’s money by scaring off the rightful owners of it. So I want to catch this bitch as much as you do. The idea that any of my family would do this is upsetting in its own way, but I promise to be strong.” Yangyang drops his phone, which lands flashlight side up and lightly illuminates everyone’s faces. He gives Jaemin a life crushing hug.

“I love you, Jaemin,” Yangyang says. He has his face shoved into Jaemin’s neck and is clearly speaking from a place of pride because if Yangyang is nothing else, he is a profound lover of all things which includes self growth and maturity.

“I love you too,” Jaemin mumbles back. Yangyang is unaware of how everyone is staring at them. No one was expecting an ‘L word’ bomb, but if it were to come from anyone, it would be Yangyang. “Now,” Jaemin clears his throat and hopes that no one can see that he’s blushing. “Jeno, lets go over those suspects.” Jeno smiles gleefully, and is about to start speaking, but holds up a finger.

“Okay, then I’m grabbing my not-murder murder board.” Jaemin groans and Renjun face palms. Jeno really couldn’t be anyone else but himself. Donghyuck goes with Jeno and no one comments on the obvious reason why. No one really wants to let Jeno be alone now. Even though he’s now included into their little polycule as Renjun’s unofficial side piece, everyone still wants to make sure he feels loved. It’s one of the unacknowledged parts of Mystery Inc. The team circles around Jeno. It’s his van, his idea, his drive that brings them all together, and they would be lost without him.

“I can’t believe you made flashcards for my family members— where did you even get the pictures?” Jaemin asks. Yangyang hasn’t let go of him, but Renjun doesn’t feel like he’s third wheeling.

“You’ve been taking me home for a long time.” Yangyang winks, then realizes no one saw. “I just winked— just so you know.” Renjun snorts.

“Never change, Yangyang.”

Jeno comes back into the room with his mini not-murder murder board— good lord do they need a new name for that— and already has everyone taped onto it. To prepare for Jeno’s presentation everyone turns their phones up, flashlights to the ceiling so they can get some semblance of light in there. Jeno has an Expo marker in hand and uses it to point to each of their suspects:  Joohyun, Wooyoung, Jaemin’s mom, Seonghwa, Jongho, Jaebeom and Jaehee.

Before speaking, Jeno holds up a hand, “I’m aware Jaemin’s mom is on the list. I do not think it’s her; she’s only circled because she left the room. And besides, maybe she saw something helpful.” Jaemin doesn’t look impressed, but lets Jeno go on. “Jaebeom returned to the room and then saw the ghost with us, so he’s also only on here because we should ask him some questions.”

“I don’t know if everyone got everything equally in the will,” Jaemin begins. “It just said to get any stake, you need to spend the three nights here. Money is easy to split, but,” Jaemin gestures around them. “Who gets the house? Does it go to Joohyun? Does it go to her kids evenly, but they aren’t allowed to sell it? I have no idea. We might need to hear the will reading in detail. I wouldn’t doubt that someone here knew the will’s contents before this.”

“Joohyun might be our most likely suspect. If the house is a divided resource, she would be motivated to get rid of who else might try and take a part of her claim,” Renjun muses. “I have no idea what the motive is for anyone else other than just money. So lets keep an eye on Joohyun.”

The lights are back on, and everyone minus Jaehee are collected in the maroon sitting room. There’s a couple velvet couches, bookcases up against the walls, a small chandelier in the center and a small bar turned desk where Heechul Kim stands. He’s a family friend, so it’s no surprise that he was named executor. Jaemin’s grandma had always found him funny and was a fan of his sculpting work. A few small pieces of his are mixed in around the house, each designed with that room in mind.

Jaemin’s mom glances around, presumably looking for Jaehee, and crosses her legs in displeasure. She picks at a perfectly manicured hand then straightens her posture. Better not to draw attention as she likes to say. 

“I’m happy to see all of you again, and to see some familiar faces, but saddened by the circumstances that bring us together,” Heechul says. Yangyang has his hands in his lap, willing himself to sit still and not accidentally laugh or do anything else strange.

Heechul stands behind a small black wood podium that Yangyang is unsurprised by the sight of. Of course, Jaemin’s grandma would be so prepared. Even thinking about her makes Yangyang’s chest tug. He wants to reach into Jaemin’s lap who is seated to his left and take his hand, but he knows he can’t. Renjun sits on his other side, and Yangyang considers it.

The three of them squeeze onto a loveseat while Jeno and Donghyuck stand behind them. Yangyang can sense Donghyuck shifting from foot to foot and wonders if the others have noticed the anxious energy rolling off of him too. After another moment of deliberation, Yangyang interlocks his pinkies and fidgets with his fingers in small motions in his lap.

“I’m sure the ghost gave all of us quite the scare,” Heechul begins with a little laugh. The room is mostly silent, with each group decidedly separate from each other. Jaemin’s direct family sits in the center couch and arm chair, pointed directly at Heechul while the orphans sit off to the side, much like Mystery Inc. “But Jiwoo left us with the specific instruction of needing to stay here for three nights. I imagine the ghost is a response to this, to try and scare some of you off.” There’s an allusion to the sheer number of them, despite Jeno, Donghyuck and Renjun’s ineligibility. “I urge you to stay as Jiwoo wanted.” Heechul glances down and his features briefly drop. “But now for the actual will.”

Heechul shuffles a few things around on the podium and Yangyang bites down on the inside of his cheek. He’s going to hold himself together and be strong for Jaemin. He has to be.

“I, Jiwoo Choi, resident in the city of Oakhaven, being of sound mind, not acting under duress or undue influence, and fully understanding the nature and extent of all my property and of this disposition thereof, do hereby make, publish and declare this document to be my Last Will and Testament, and hereby revoke any and all other wills and codicils heretofore made by me.

“I devise and bequeath my property, both real and personal and wherever situated, as follows: amongst all of my living relatives here for this reading which should include; my five grandchildren; Jaebeom, Jaein, Jaemin, Jaehee and Jaeyong Na, and my six adopted children; Joohyun, Nayeon, Jihyo, Seonghwa, Wooyoung and Jongho Choi. This list should also include Yangyang Liu, friend of Jaemin Na.” Heechul glances around the room. “Everyone accounted for?” Heechul didn’t say Jaemin’s mom… Yangyang looks at her and finds her staring at her lap while Jaemin’s father has a hand on her shoulder. Yangyang chews on his lip. “All of my estate, including liquid and solid assets will be divided equally amongst all people there provided they stay for all three days. If no agreements can be come to regarding the house, cars, or other similar objects, they shall be sold at auction no more than eighteen months after my passing with the profits equally distributed.” Heechul looks up and clears his throat. “That’s the entire will.”

Everyone sits there in silence for a moment. Yangyang resists the urge to tap his foot on the ground as he waits for something. No one really says anything, they sorta filter out of the room, with Jaemin’s parents leaving first.

“There’s tiramisu if anyone wants any,” Joohyun says. She looks sad, but under that is a deep tiredness. Yangyang feels bad for her, and once again remembers the glass he broke. She very well might not remember the incident by this point, but there’s still a tinge of guilt within him.

Despite the situation, Yangyang still really wants to go have dessert with everyone else. Joohyun really does make the best tiramisu in the entire world. He remembers it fondly from some of his first trips to Jaemin’s Grandma's house. 

“I kinda want tiramisu,” Yangyang whispers to Jaemin who nods, but his bottom lip is trembling. “Do you want to go outside?” Jaemin nods again. Renjun catches on the quickest and nudges Jeno and Donghyuck. The room’s atmosphere is sour, the evening’s events getting to everyone.

The five of them get out of the room before Jaemin starts to cry. It’s soft and makes him feel weak, but it’s happening and he can’t really stop it. His hands press and rub into his hips, feeling sick. He thought he could be strong, yet that resolve is gone now that he’s stuck facing his feelings.

“Do you want to go upstairs?” Yangyang asks, and Jaemin looks at him, feeling his heart break into a million little pieces. Poor Yangyang looks close to tears as well and it pains Jaemin to think that he brought that on in him.

“Oh, Yangie,” Jaemin says, voice wobbling. “I still want you to have tiramisu.” Jaemin feels sick enough that the thought of dessert makes things worse. He keeps rubbing over his hip bones and tries to keep his cries down.

“You two are so very sweet,” Renjun interjects. “But why don’t we split up into two groups; one for dessert and one to go upstairs. I’m sure Jeno is dying to work more on his not-murder board or something.” Jeno perks up, but gives Jaemin a hesitant look. Jaemin looks to Yangyang, who seems to really be considering Renjun’s suggestion.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Yangyang asks and Jaemin nods.

“I’ll go with you, Yangie,” Renjun offers, putting a hand on Yangyang’s shoulder. “It should be pretty good, huh?” It’s funny seeing Renjun be so sweet to Yangyang and it warms Jaemin’s heart.

“Okay…” Yangyang is lead off by Renjun who immediately starts asking Yangyang questions about what his favorite shows have been recently, starting an avalanche of thoughts that he surely won’t be able to escape.

Yangyang makes a big show of linking his arm with Renjun’s and guiding him toward the dining room which despite Joohyun not clarifying, is the only logical place for tiramisu to be enjoyed. Jaemin gazes at them fondly for a moment, and he doesn’t realize that he’s crying again until Donghyuck is handing him a tissue.

“Your mascara is fine by the way,” Donghyuck says. “It’s only under your eyes a little bit, but it looks intentional.” Jaemin takes it and thanks Donghyuck quietly.

“I didn’t realize you knew anything about makeup,” Jeno says. They start to make their way back to the double staircase and back upstairs. “And while I do want to work on my not-murder murder board—”

“Have we considered abbreviations?” Jaemin asks, dabbing at his eyes.

“N. M. M. B?” Donghyuck spells it out and furrows his brows as they reach the stairs. “I don’t really think that’s catchy either. We could steal a different abbreviation though.”

“Like something completely unrelated?”

“Wouldn’t that defeat the point?” Jeno asks, pout clear in his tone which makes Jaemin roll his eyes affectionately.

“We already have not-murder in the title… we could always rename it.”

“Ghost Inheritance Board?” Donghyuck suggests.

“GIB?” Jeno repeats. “Like a nickname for Gibby from iCarly…” Jaemin and Donghyuck laugh at that while Jeno just shakes his head. “I kinda hate it, but you’re right about the name being a mouthful, so we can vote on it with the others.”

“You know Yangyang is going to vote however Jaemin says to,” Donghyuck points out. “And I’m in favor of GIB, so that’s a majority.”

“I’d like to believe Yangyang actually has years long beef with iCarly or something else equally ridiculous and that Renjun will hate the name.”

They reach the top of the stairs, but Jaemin spots Jaebeom lingering near his door. He’s texting quickly, completely locked into his phone until Jaemin says something to him.

“Jaebeom? Were you looking for me?” Jaemin asks and Jaebeom’s head snaps up. He seems almost surprised to see Jaemin.

“Yeah, I was actually,” Jaebeom begins. “I just figured you’d take a little longer to come upstairs. And I know I could have found you downstairs, but I walked up here without really thinking and I’m gonna pass on any extra trips up and down the stairs without reason.”

“Did you want to talk privately?” Jaemin asks and Jaebeom shakes his head.

“It’s nothing serious.” Jaebeom hesitates for a moment. “I just wanted to ask how you and Yangyang were handling everything.” Jaemin bites the inside of his cheek to hide his surprise. It’s not like Jaebeom wasn’t close with Yangyang, he’s actually said how much he likes Yangyang on multiple occasions, but it’s not like him to point blank ask Jaemin about his feelings. He supposes the passing of their grandmother changes the circumstances, but it’s still surprising.

“Yangyang is taking it pretty hard,” Jaemin admits. “He’s having tiramisu right now with Renjun and Joohyun, but I would be surprised if he doesn’t cry over how good it is or how much he loved Grandma’s cooking.” Jaemin gives a half-hearted smile. “You know how he is. He’s very… in touch with his emotions.”

“But what about you?” Jaemin could probably count on one hand the number of times Jaebeom has called out Jaemin’s feelings. Doubling down like this has probably never happened. Jaemin’s lip gloss feels extra sticky as unpleasant memories come to mind. He closes that part of him off, slipping both of his hands into his pockets. He fiddles with a straw wrapper in his pocket, tearing it into pieces as he talks.

“I feel like it hasn’t truly hit me yet.” He rips the straw wrapper again and feels bile in his throat. He recalls one time when his father scolded him for wearing makeup when he was still taking it off before coming home. Jaebeom was the only one who had seen Jaemin that morning. “We didn’t see her often, so I don’t feel her absence I guess. I just hope the ghost doesn’t scare everyone too bad. There’s already enough stress going around.” Jaemin bites down harder on the inside of his cheek. It burns so bad, but it’s the only thing preventing him from breaking down crying.

“Alright, well, let me know if you need anything,” Jaebeom says, stepping away from Jaemin’s door. There’s a flood of relief within Jaemin. “I love you, Jaemin.”

“I love you too,” Jaemin replies, trying so desperately to keep it together. Jaebeom nods to Donghyuck and Jeno who have remained completely silent as he heads back down the stairs. Jaemin holds his breath until he knows that Jaebeom is down a full flight of them before he crouches down and puts his head in his hands.

The tears come without Jaemin needing to ask. He knows he needs the release, but sometimes he gets stuck like an old spigot. Now, they flow freely, Jaemin not even sobbing, just silently crying in the hallway. Donghyuck and Jeno both hesitate above him for a moment, neither quite well enough equipped to help Jaemin.

Jaemin can tell Jeno is still walking on ice around him due to his mom being a suspect, and it’s not like Jaemin doesn’t know exactly who Jeno is— it’s the fact that he can’t bear that some member of his family is doing this at all. It’s what they get for being so fractured to begin with. Jaemin lets out a watery sigh. His side of the family doesn’t need the money at all, and his grandmother knew that, which might be why his mom was cut out of the will. Both of Jaemin’s parents are highly successful: trading stocks, doing business, being cutthroat. They did everything for money, but not for Jaemin.

That’s what breaks him. Jaemin sucks in a deep breath and lets out a heart wrenching sob. Jeno and Donghyuck crouch down next to him, each putting a hand on his shoulder tentatively. Jaemin can practically picture them making faces at each other, attempting to have a silent conversation where they plot out how to comfort him.

“It’s okay,” Jaemin whispers. “I know you’re both out of your depth here.” He sniffles and Donghyuck has the presence of mind to brush another tissue by Jaemin’s hand. Jaemin pulls his hands away from his eyes, but keeps his knees pressed close to his chest. The tissue comes back streaked in black. “I guess my mascara is fucked now.”

“You have more with you and stuff, right?” Jeno asks.

“Jeno, do you think I wear makeup 24/7?” Jaemin counters.

“Uhh…” With a watery laugh, Jaemin shakes his head. “I mean not all the time, but I figured it’s important since there’s all those extra… uhh, lipsticks in the van.”

“I didn’t think you had noticed those.”

“I take a biweekly— two times per week, not every other, account of every item in the Mystery Machine,” Jeno says. Of course he does. Why wouldn’t he? “They looked like makeup stuff, so I left them alone, though I would like to suggest some sort of divider so they don’t roll around and maybe I can get our first aid kits in there too… I’m sorry, none of that’s important right now.”

“Well, actually… those aren’t lipsticks, they’re actually explosives and detonators.” Jeno gasps excitedly. “They match together by their shade name on the bottom and then the actual explosives are marked with a star on top.”

“You mean we’ve had explosives in the Mystery Machine…” Donghyuck trails off.

“We already have three other types in there just in case,” Jeno says. “I have everything you need to make a small range bomb.”

“How safe should I feel riding around in that car?” Donghyuck asks with a groan. “It’s one thing to be bait constantly, but I’d really like to die in one piece. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. My family is the type to want an open casket funeral.”

“Catholic?”

“Only in the vaguest sense. It’s Christmas Mass, open casket funerals and not saying Goddamn in the house. I don’t think we even have a Bible…”

“Well, I think you’ll be just fine!” Jeno chirps. “And Jaemin is super smart, so I’m sure all of the lipstick tubes are fine too.”

“You two are ridiculous… but I really shouldn’t just cry here in the hallway.” Jaemin stands up, leaving Donghyuck and Jeno crouched down for a moment. They look like penguins staring up at Jaemin and he forces a smile at them before wiping at his eyes again. “I’m sure I don’t look great, so now might be a good time for a bath.”

“Alright, I think I’m going to lay down,” Donghyuck says. “This whole evening has been a lot and I’m not even involved, really.” Jaemin snorts. “Yeah, exactly. If I’m getting so stressed my stomach is hurting, I cannot imagine how bad you must be feeling. Please enjoy your bath.” Donghyuck bows his head, making Jaemin laugh again.

“Okay, then I’ll go back to mine and touch base with you guys either later tonight or tomorrow morning?” Jeno asks and Jaemin catches his tongue between his teeth. He had been locked onto his room, but he turns on his heel to face Jeno’s door.

“Would it be weird if I bathed in your room?” Jaemin asks. Donghyuck makes a slightly confused expression, before making an obvious face of realization. Jaemin really wishes Donghyuck could be more subtle.

“No, I suppose not…” Jeno is looking at Donghyuck and Jaemin knows they’re all thinking the same thing. “Do you want me to draw the bath for you while you grab some other clothes?”

“That would be nice, just make sure to put a lot of bubble-bath in there. I want a million bubbles.” 

Jeno salutes to Jaemin and dips into his room. Jaemin and Donghyuck go into their room and Jaemin leans against the door for a moment before flicking the lightswitch on. He hesitates over it, almost dreading the bright light.

“Do you want a hug, Jaemin?” Donghyuck asks. Jaemin draws his hand away from the lightswitch.

“I would, yeah.” Donghyuck takes two steps back to come face to face with Jaemin, hand brushing against Jaemin’s arm by accident. He moves his hand up and places it on the back of Jaemin’s shoulder, wiggling between it and the door. Jaemin completes their hug by pulling Donghyuck in around the waist. He puts his head on Donghyuck’s shoulder and another wave of tears comes.

“I know it’s really not my place to assume anything—” Oh brother. “Don’t freak out, please— sorry, I felt you tense and I’m an expert in fearful body language.” Jaemin turns his head from side to side, still against Donghyuck’s shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

“I know what a tense familial relationship looks like.” Jaemin sighs. “I’m not asking you to explain anything, I’m just saying that… well, on some level, I get it.” Donghyuck’s voice cracks and he groans softly. “I’m so bad at this stuff for real.”

“The hug is still nice.”

“Everything is all stacked against you, but I just want you to know that even if you can’t go to traditional sources of comfort, that Mystery Inc all care a lot about you. Yangyang is obvious, and he’s having a hard time too— which I’m sure doesn’t help anything—”

“I feel like I gotta protect him,” Jaemin admits. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Jaemin pulls his arms tighter around Donghyuck’s waist. “And we’re here for him too.” Jaemin is reminded by how gentle Renjun was with Yangyang.

“Do you think Yangyang liked the tiramisu?”

“If he didn’t cry over how good it was, I would be surprised. He seems like the type.” Jaemin lets out another watery laugh. There’s a tangle of feelings within him. It’s a big knot of his family, his friends, his dear lover, and questions of what to do and how to feel. “But yeah, even if Jeno is… Jeno, he only wants to solve this case so badly for your sake.” Jaemin groans.

“I know— I just wish none of this was happening.” Jaemin sniffles. “I’m gonna get tears on you, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Donghyuck squeezes Jaemin’s shoulder softly and Jaemin thinks that’s a sign that it’s over, but it’s actually Donghyuck giving himself the confidence to open up. “I wish that there had been someone for me to cry on a lot… I told Renjun this, but the fear when I was a kid, part of the reason for my parents getting me on anti-anxiety meds and all that was because Jungwoo— you remember him?”

“Yeah, wasn’t he kind of an ass?”

“Yeah, well, maybe he put bugs in my desk and backpack way back in the first grade and I didn’t react well.”

“Who would?” Jaemin counters and Donghyuck considers it for a moment. “That’s objectively weird to do.”

“Yeah…” Donghyuck curls his fingers into Jaemin’s shoulders again. “I had a very bad reaction though… I peed my pants and went to the corner of the classroom and screamed at anyone who tried to come near me.”

“Oh my God,” Jaemin whispers. He pulls Donghyuck fully chest to chest and squeezes him tightly. “I had no idea it was so bad. I’m so sorry, Donghyuck.”

“Agh, this really isn’t about me,” Donghyuck reassures. “I just mean to say that I wish there had been someone I could have trusted.”

“I know a lot of things can be scary for you.”

“I think the fear that a family member is a bad person is a real one that many people go through. How bad is bad? Depends… This is pretty abnormal though… mainly the ghost part. Plenty of people do crazy things for money.” Jaemin snorts, but because of his crying it’s a little bit snotty.

“I’m so sorry. Oh my God.” There’s hesitation, but Donghyuck moves one of his hands to stroke the back of Jaemin’s hair.

“Hey, you didn’t piss your pants, so I’m not complaining.” Jaemin laughs again and they stay like that for several moments longer, neither of them wanting to break the hug.

“Have I asked you for your tiramisu recipe before?” Yangyang asks. He was somehow wrong to assume that the tiramisu would be in the dining room. Joohyun explained to him that because he was the only one who wanted any and she was nervous being in the dining room given all of the commotion. Which is how Renjun found himself in the awkward position of sitting gingerly on a floral patterned armchair, parallel to Yangyang who’s happily munching on his square of tiramisu.

“I think you asked for it once; years ago,” Joohyun replies. Her hair is pulled away from her face and Renjun can see the way her baby hairs don’t want to stay down anymore. It’s been a long day for all of them, but for her especially. “But I’m happy to give it to you again.” Yangyang cheers and swallows down another large bite of tiramisu while Renjun tries to observe as much as he can about Joohyun’s room without getting caught being nosy.

Joohyun’s room is actually Joohyun and Jihyo’s room as Yangyang had told him. It used to be a study, but it was one of the first rooms converted and it used to be a nursery when there were still young kids in the house. Everyone was adopted at different ages, but from the quick gist Yangyang was able to give him, anyone under ten stayed in this room before getting their own room.

The room is styled like a pink Victorian parlor creme pink and green floral wallpaper, two armchairs, and a low rise wooden table, ornately carved like every other piece of wood in this house. The makeshift dining area sits across from a TV, in front of which sits Joohyun on a stool. She had insisted on letting Yangyang and Renjun have the chairs. There’s a tray of tea, cups, milk and sugar on the table and Joohyun cradles her cup in her palm. To their right is the door from Joohyun’s room, strangely placed as anyone who enters has to cross in front of the TV.

To their left is a full sized bed with a pink duvet on top. It’s made neatly, just like every other object in Joohyun’s room, but it’s to be expected with her role at the house. Opposite Joohyun’s bed, tucked into the corner, is Jihyo’s bed. And maybe it’s just Renjun, but while everything is perfectly neat, Jihyo’s bed doesn’t look like it’s been touched in months. The pillows aren’t fluffed and while the pink duvet lays straight, it’s settled like it hasn’t been touched in a long time. It could be nothing, but Renjun thinks he’ll keep an extra eye on Joohyun and Jihyo’s interactions just to be sure. Renjun can’t turn around to ogle at the final corner of the room, but he saw a wooden fireplace and two armoires when he walked in.

“Yangyang, would you like another piece?” Joohyun offers. “And Renjun, the offer is still open to you as well.” Renjun glances at Yangyang’s empty plate and considers it.

“I think I may take you up on that. Thank you,” Renjun says.

“Oh, we can go serve ourselves,” Yangyang declares, standing up and carefully holding his plate to his chest. Joohyun had served them on beautiful blue and white China that even Yangyang knows he cannot risk breaking. He even holds the tiny cake fork in his other hand and Renjun admires the dedication. “You said it was just in the fridge, right?”

When Jaemin steps into the bathroom, Jeno admits, “I may have overfilled the bath a bit.” The pile of bubbles is so high it almost turns the clawfoot bathtub into a pyramid. Jaemin stares at the pile of bubbles, truly an impressive sight. He doesn’t think he’s seen a bubble bath this bubbly in his entire life.

“So I see…” Jaemin sets his clothes on the counter and looks around for a towel. The bathroom is rectangular with the counter and sink on the right hand side mirroring cabinets on the right. It feels more like a hallway until Jaemin steps past the cabinets. The room opens slightly further left and set perfectly center is the clawfoot tub. The tiling is all small pastel blue squares along the wall behind the bath while the tile beneath their feet is larger creme tiles that are cold to the touch.

Across from the bath, sits Jeno on the lid of the toilet, looking bashful. His legs are crossed and his phone is in his hand, lending to the idea that he’s been waiting here.

“You need anything before I get in?” Jaemin asks, eyeing Jeno almost suspiciously. He doesn’t know why he feels apprehensive, but he doesn’t want to talk about the case any more tonight and that’s almost certainly what Jeno is going to bring up.

“I, uhh, appreciate you coming in here. That’s all,” Jeno says, sorta slurring the last two words together. “And I just wanted to make sure that the bath was okay for you.” Maybe Donghyuck was right after all.

“I will say that this is the most impressive tower of bubbles I’ve ever seen and that I hope there’s a drain on the floor so if I spill, there won’t just be puddles.” Jeno grins at him, so obviously pleased with himself that Jaemin can practically see his tail wagging.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” Jeno chirps and he stands up, pocketing his phone, but before he can walk by Jaemin, Jaemin holds up a hand. “What’s up?”

“Do you want to hang out in here with me while I take my bath?” Jaemin asks. He knows he sounds tired, but he means it sincerely nonetheless. Jeno looks surprised, but Jaemin catches his hesitancy. “I’m serious. Just turn around while I get in and then we’ll chit chat or something.” Jaemin swallows and shifts his weight. “I know you don’t want to be alone, so I won’t leave you alone.” Jeno ducks his head, but Jaemin can still see the way his face has gone all hot.

“I’m sorry for being too normal earlier— erm, not sensitive enough to the fact that you’re going through a lot.” Jeno bites at his lip and with Donghyuck’s words in mind, Jaemin brings Jeno in for a hug, putting his arms over Jeno’s shoulders and half pinning his arms against his sides.

“It’s okay. All you’re gonna do for me right now is turn around so I can get undressed, and then we will not talk about the case at all.”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“Amazing.” Jaemin lets go of Jeno and Jeno immediately turns around to put his hands over his eyes, holding up his elbows like he’s doing a proper military salute. With quick motions, Jaemin strips himself down and subconsciously finds himself putting his palms over his scars, even though Jeno isn’t looking. He makes no effort to hide any other flaws he may have because he can accept back acne or skin discoloration as a part of who he is, but the scars were a choice.

Jaemin slips into the bath with a splash. 

“Can I turn around now?”

“Yeah.” 

Jeno hadn’t overfilled the bath drastically, but enough to where bathwater spills over as Jaemin buries himself in the bubbles up to his shoulders. He has both arms tucked under his thighs and pressed into his sides as he glances to his right to look at Jeno. Jaemin swats away at least six inches of bubbles to make his view clearer so he isn’t craning his neck just to be respectful.

“It’s honestly really cool to see how excited Yangyang gets about everything here,” Jeno says. It’s close to the case, but far enough for Jeno to be in the clear. “I mean, I knew he loved desserts, but hey.”

“I agree,” Jaemin replies. “I care about him so much, so I’m glad he can still find little things to be happy about. He’s so good at that; latching onto something that’s almost random and then giving it his all. He knows how to make other people happy in a way I’m honestly quite jealous of.”

“I think that’s just his unique thing. Like, my thing is traps and I won’t elaborate on that at all because y’know.” Jeno makes a silly little hand gesture that’s something akin to flipping your hair, and all Jaemin can do is stare. “And Renjun’s thing is being honest with all of us and making sure none of us get too ahead of ourselves, though you are the one who needs the least amount of restraint.” Jeno puts his hands between his knees, smooshing them together as he fidgets with his foot. “Yangyang’s thing is making other people happy and always finding a way to put a positive spin on something. Donghyuck’s thing is being empathetic. He’s a little awkward sometimes, but I always get the sense that he’s really listening to me. If that’s just me, then I’m sorry—” Jaemin thinks Jeno is onto something here.

“I didn’t realize you thought about us this closely.”

“I mean, it’s not always on my mind but because we’re a team who does super normal team stuff together—” Jaemin can’t help but crack a smile. “-I think it’s important to always at least wonder about how we can work together better. That whole more perfect union thing, I guess…”

“So then what’s my thing?” Jaemin asks.

“I think you don’t have one specific thing. I think you’re our all-rounder— like you can do everything and you make it look easy. You make mini bombs, help build traps, are super flexible and strong, keep Renjun from getting too frustrated with managing the rest of us.” Jeno coughs and glances to the side awkwardly. “You keep Yangyang happy, and on top of all that, you’re really smart. Like making mini bombs certainly proves that, but to be extra clear.” Jeno pulls his mouth into a tight smile, not making eye contact with Jaemin. “I think that without you we wouldn’t work very well as a team.”

Jaemin feels his bottom lip quiver and he curls his fingers into the undersides of his thighs tighter. He ducks his head and when his vision blurs from all the tears he’s holding back, Jaemin gives in. Repeated blinking pushes them out of his eyes and down his cheeks, but when Jaemin looks up, it’s clear that Jeno can see the streaks.

“I’m sorry I’m crying so much tonight,” Jaemin begins. He pulls a hand out of the bath to wipe his cheek, pulling the tears away, but wetting his cheek further.

“You don’t need to apologize for that!” Jeno slides forward to sit on the edge of the toilet lid and puts his elbows on his knees. “Genuinely.”

“You would just think that I’d run out of tears at some point.” Jaemin wipes at his other eye. “That was… really sweet, Jeno.” He pauses for a moment. “I’m really glad to be a part of Mystery Inc. I care a lot about you guys too, and I think… I think I’d only be worse off if you guys weren’t here. I know that you will do everything you need to to make sure we catch those ghosts— and I know I just broke my own rule, but that’s it.” To emphasize his point, Jaemin swipes his finger through the air like a knife. “Absolutely no more ghosts tonight.”

Jaemin must have jinxed himself because the tile wall in front of him slides open suddenly, revealing nothing but pitch black darkness. Before Jaemin can even say, “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” the bathtub shifts underneath him. He tips forward then the bathtub is sliding into the darkness. Jaemin screams, vowing to see to it personally that whoever the ghost is gets a punch right in the nose.

Renjun double checks that the kitchen door is shut while Yangyang fetches the tiramisu out of the fridge. The kitchen is the most modern room of the house, but still eccentric. The room is gold, creme and black with tiling, countertops, a range hood and light fixtures to match. Renjun stays leaning against the door while Yangyang swirls around the kitchen island, somehow needing to double back four or five times before he finds everything that he needs.

“I’m gonna give you the fancy plate and give myself a normal one,” Yangyang says, waving around a rectangular cake server. “That’s too stressful, and I don’t think that I can be that lucky two times in a row. What if I get placed into a sugar coma from the second piece and then pass out? Bam! I drop the plate, and now Joohyun remembers that every broken dish she’s ever cleaned up can be traced back to me eight out of ten times.”

“Have you been worrying about that this whole time?” Renjun asks.

Solemnly, Yangyang nods. “Yes.” Renjun shakes his head and chuckles.

“I would have held the plate or something for you.” Yangyang pouts and Renjun sees why Jaemin likes Yangyang so much. He’s endearing almost to a fault, because how is Renjun supposed to ever tell Yangyang ‘no?’

“How hungry are you?”

“I’m not actually in here for tiramisu,” Renjun says and Yangyang gasps. “Calm down. I wanted to know what you thought about Joohyun. Like do you think she’s acting suspicious at all?” Yangyang puts a finger to his chin and thinks for a moment before he cuts a piece of tiramisu and places it on his own plate.

“I wouldn’t say suspicious, considering… y’know.” Renjun nods. “But she does seem off. I can’t quite place it. Just more closed off I guess.”

“Like maybe she knew about the will beforehand?” Yangyang’s mouth twists and his hand hovers over the dessert. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t say how much you wanted.”

“Just a small piece.” Yangyang nods.

“I’d hate to think that anyone would do this…”

“People are motivated by money. Greed is one of the original vices for a reason.”

With a sigh, Yangyang says, “I suppose you’re right.” He drops Renjun’s piece onto the China with a plop, nearly missing. “Yeah, let’s take away the fancy plate.” Yangyang pushes the plate further onto the counter and goes to rewrap the tiramisu. “I think Joohyun is motivated to keep the house under her control. She’s run this place for years now and it’s truly her home. I can’t imagine her wanting to lose that.” Yangyang is frowning, staring down into the counter and Renjun is drawn to him. Renjun comes to stand by Yangyang’s side and lightly bumps his hip against Yangyang, who gives him a curious look. “Since when do you booty bump?”

“When it means I’ll cheer up one of my friends.”

“Oh, Junnie,” Yangyang squeals, throwing his arms around Renjun’s shoulders. “I’m so glad we’re friends. Jaemin is already super smart, but we definitely need your brain or else how would we solve mysteries?” Renjun makes the face of a cat who’s being squeezed by their loving, but over-excitable owner and finds himself, again like a cat, accepting it.

“I’m glad you appreciate me… I just want to solve this as quickly as possible,” Renjun admits. “If this ghost is trying to scare everyone off and they get away with it, that would be unjust. I don’t want anyone to leave if we can help it.” Yangyang makes a sound of disagreement. “What’re you thinking?”

“I don’t really want my share of the money,” Yangyang whispers. “I don’t really think I deserve it as much as Jiwoo’s children. I think I want a little bit that we can use— I’m sure Jeno has some fun trap ideas or something, but I want them to be able to keep living in the house.” Yangyang rests his head against Renjun’s. “I hope they keep inviting me back for Thanksgiving though…”

Renjun hadn’t completed their hug because Yangyang had pinned his arms down, but Renjun wriggles them free and squeezes Yangyang so hard around the waist it actually hurts him a little bit. He pushes his head back against Yangyang and lets out a heavy sigh.

“You are such a kind person, Yangie,” Renjun whispers. He thinks of the half-birthday party Yangyang threw for him and squeezes him tighter. “I promise I’m doing everything that I can here.”

“I always knew you had a soft side...”

“Please don’t tell the others. I still need to scare Donghyuck and Jeno a little bit.” Yangyang giggles. “I’m not even kidding.”

“Gotta keep your boyfriends in order?”

“Yes, or else Jeno will launch Donghyuck out of a cannon or something else insane.”

Donghyuck has been staring up into the darkness for twenty minutes straight, and while he wanted away from all the action, he’s not tired at all. He doesn’t have any of his sleeping meds; a knock against of his parents trying literally everything to fix him. Donghyuck could easily fill an entire medicine cabinet with medications he’s not on anymore, maybe even just with those that he took for less than three months. 

He rolls over into the middle of the bed and sighs. What is he supposed to do now? He knows where Jeno and Jaemin are, but he doesn’t want to bother them when he said he wanted to lay down. That’s why Jaemin is even in Jeno’s room in the first place… Donghyuck feels a little bit bad, but he needs a break from things. There isn’t a good solution besides rotting on his phone, but Donghyuck really wants to be better than that. He’s rotted on his phone enough for an entire lifetime, and in some ways, being locked inside isn’t good for him either. 

It’s too reminiscent of life at home. It wasn’t always incidents with Jungwoo or someone else that sent Donghyuck home for a few days, but Donghyuck frequently threw up when he went to school. That only worsened the anxiety concerns, but Donghyuck knows what it actually was. The pressure to succeed. Everything stacks one thing on top of another and then it’s supposed to add up to a college-ready student.

Incidents always made sure that Donghyuck felt like he was missing pieces that everyone else seemed to have. Then the fear of being unable to catch up would get to him and suddenly he’d be rushing out of the classroom to go throw up in the nearest trash can. On top of the embarrassment factor, leaving school early would only make it worse. He tried not eating before school so there wouldn’t be anything to throw up, but that didn’t change anything.

Donghyuck puts his hands in his hair. He doesn’t want to live in the past any longer. Maybe his best move is to take this standard piece of internet advice: touch grass. It’s snowy outside, but Donghyuck was sent here with an entire piece of luggage dedicated to preventing him from being cold.

With newfound determination, Donghyuck sits up, briefly putting his weight behind him in his palms, before rolling off the bed and striking a pose. He’s going to make something happen. He might not actually touch grass because that’s not the vibe, but perhaps he’ll go walk around the gardens or something. Worst case, he can always call Jaemin or Yangyang to let him back in or something. He double checks that his phone is charged and starts to assemble his proper snow outfit.

In all of Donghyuck’s confidence, he had forgotten how foggy it would be outside. Nonetheless, he shuts the back door. He didn’t see anyone on his way out, but he heard the voices of at least half a dozen people. He can’t place any of them specifically and they don’t matter in the long run, so he had just held his breath and stepped extra quietly.

Donghyuck has two options: walk around the outskirts of the house because there’s lights around it or go into the foggy hedge maze. He doesn’t know exactly how far out the grounds extend, but wandering off totally loose doesn’t sound like a very smart idea. So Donghyuck picks the hedge maze.

The fog is heavy, but not so much that Donghyuck can’t see in front of him. It’s like wading through waist deep water, but still hazy. He knows enough about fog to know that his phone flashlight won’t be helpful at all. The entrance to the maze is a large arch and Donghyuck figures that it's a pretty good marker to look for as he walks. He crosses in and takes a right, deciding to follow the path until he can’t any longer. There’s a fountain in the center if he figures out the correct path there.

Donghyuck considers himself to have a moderately good sense of direction, especially when he’s walking slowly and taking careful consideration of the turns he’s making. Again, Jaemin and Yangyang are a phone call away, so Donghyuck isn’t scared. It’s honestly better being outside than inside because there’s no way the ghost would be hanging out outside. The whole point is to scare people out of the house, not into the house.

He wanders for fifteen minutes before finding his way to the fountain. It’s empty of water and there’s a fine layer of snow over top, but it’s noticeably thinner than the snow on the hedges. Is someone really cleaning off the fountain in the middle of Winter?

At the top of the fountain is a small statue of a girl, possibly an angel, blowing a horn. Donghyuck doesn’t have anything better to do now that he’s reached the center, so he takes a careful step into the fountain, putting a hand on the edge to make sure that he doesn’t lose his footing, or that if there was secretly water in the bottom, he wouldn’t completely soak his boots.

“Maybe this is really what it’s like to not have a job and just maintain a house,” Donghyuck muses to himself. “I mean maybe it’s just so the fountain stays looking nice?” The snow on the ground leaves a trail for Donghyuck to follow back out; his boots had left firm imprints and there are no traces of anyone else.

“I’m overthinking,” Donghyuck whispers. “I don’t know anything about snow, this is probably super normal snow behavior.” Donghyuck crosses and uncrosses his arms, looking at the fountain like it’s going to speak to him. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

He grabs onto the center of the fountain and stands up on his tiptoes to brush snow off the little statue, revealing the girl’s angel wings. Donghyuck smiles to himself as he keeps brushing the snow off. Not exactly the same as making snow angels, but he thinks this is plenty of wintertime-fun for him.

Just as Donghyuck brushes the last bit of snow off the end of the horn, he accidentally twists it. There’s a jolt of fear that he’s broken it— something that would in fact make him afraid of Joohyun whether or not she’s the one dressing up as a ghost- but then, the entire fountain starts to turn.

“What the fuck?” Donghyuck squeaks, unable to move. The fountain spins around a hundred and eighty degrees and what had been nothing but concrete underneath Donghyuck slides away into a trap door, nearly knocking Donghyuck down into the darkness. He catches himself and holds onto the base of the statue, genuinely on his tiptoes this time. Time to call Jeno.

Donghyuck tries to slide his feet along the narrow edge of the opening so he can keep his hold on the center of the fountain, but he doesn’t feel confident in his footing, so he stays put. He’s in the middle of the opening, and he can’t outstretch past the narrow edge with confidence. As horrible as the situation is, Donghyuck does not want to risk falling into that hole to nowhere. If Donghyuck wasn’t afraid because there are no ghosts outside, then that’s all out the window now.

“I can do this. Just pull out your phone and call Jeno. He’s strong and standing here isn’t that bad.” Back of the mind worries about Jeno getting lost in the hedge maze or something else that delays his arrival have to wait, because none of that could even happen until Donghyuck calls him.

Donghyuck reaffirms his grip on the base of the statue and with the most care he can, lets go with his left hand. He feels around in his back pocket for his phone, only to find that he had last put it in his right pocket and not his left. His right arm is stronger than his left and Donghyuck doesn’t want to try and switch his grip. He feels for his phone across his own ass, no doubt looking completely insane, and he barely gets his fingers around it. He nearly has it out of his pocket, but as soon as it’s free, it slips from his grip and falls down into the hole.

For a moment, Donghyuck just stands there. Even when Jeno isn’t involved at all, he ends up being ghost bait. He’s not even good bait this time because the ghost stands to gain nothing from making Donghyuck leave. Donghyuck might know peace if he could leave, but that’s not really an option. He latches onto the statue again, and glances over his shoulder to assess how bad it would be if he fell into the hole. He squints and realizes that the hole is actually a slanted path of sorts that leads in. So his phone has no doubt slid to the bottom, but that’s fine, he can get a new phone after all.

In better news, this means that Donghyuck can just step to the side and around the hole, then he can run all the way back to the house and deal with things there. The answer is so obvious.

When Donghyuck steps, he twists his boot to grip against the metal slide as best as he can, but when he shifts his weight, it's all for nought because he slips. With a thump, Donghyuck falls, and he doesn’t have time to worry about how badly his hip is going to be bruised before he is sliding down.

Yangyang and Renjun walk back to Joohyun’s room quietly. Renjun carries both plates, but he hesitates before they reach the door. There’s two muffled voices talking to each other, the second one presumably being Jihyo.

In the quietest voice he can manage, barely audible, Renjun says, “I’m going to listen in. You keep watch.” Yangyang nods and Renjun goes to press his ear against the door, still holding the dessert. It’s unideal, but it’s fine.

“Who do you think is doing this?” Jihyo hisses. “I don’t trust Wooyoung or the Na’s—” Wooyoung? Renjun files that away for later.

“Jihyo.” Joohyun’s voice is firm. There’s some shuffling of clothes, but Renjun hasn’t the foggiest idea what that insinuates. “You don’t need to worry about them. Even if they take some of the money— it’s all fine. Jiwoo told me about her will a few months ago. She knew exactly what she wrote in there and asked me what I thought about it. I told her I wanted to keep the house, but it costs money to maintain and she explained to me that it would all work out because the ghost would only scare off those who didn’t deserve it. So I had nothing to worry about.”

“What are you saying?”

“I think it’ll be fine. Now, Yangyang and Renjun will be back any moment so please, make yourself presentable.” Jihyo huffs and there’s another shuffling of clothing. One of them whispers something, then it’s dead silent for a moment. Renjun glances back at Yangyang who’s staring at him with wide eyes.

Renjun can only think of one way to silently communicate his idea to Yangyang, but it’s mortifyingly stupid. He steps away from the door and glances back at it once before making two peace signs with his hands and interlocking them, mimicking scissoring. With a nod to their left, Renjun clarifies that he isn’t trying to proposition Yangyang.

Yangyang puts a hand over his mouth and glances between Renjun’s fingers and the door. He doesn’t look sure, and after some hesitation, he shrugs. The fact that he’s unsure does make Renjun doubly suspicious of what might be happening between Joohyun and Jihyo.

Jeno watches in abject horror, confusion, and curiosity as the floor where Jaemin rests in the bath angles down and the side wall opens up. Both of them are stunned speechless, but it doesn’t stop Jaemin from sliding, inside the bathtub, into a secret passageway. Jeno jumps up and is about to try and follow Jaemin, but the wall closes just as fast as it had opened.

“Now as fascinating as this is as a trap, I gotta find Jaemin ASAP.” Jeno shakes his head. He couldn’t even try to recreate it and chase after Jaemin that way because there is no more bathtub.

Jeno races out of his room and goes across to Donghyuck’s room, not bothering with knocking because of the high stakes involved— Jaemin is fully naked in the bath with no extra clothes. Oh. Jaemin might want those. He’ll grab them once he has Donghyuck.

Only, Donghyuck isn’t in his room. His bag is open and there’s a mess of jackets and sweaters on the floor.

“Did he go outside or something?” Jeno grabs the first jacket he gets his hands on and runs back to his bathroom, eyeing the lack of bathtub suspiciously for a second before grabbing Jaemin’s extra clothes. He pours out his duffel bag onto his bed (Renjun will understand) and replaces his stuff with Donghyuck’s jacket and Jaemin’s clothes. He slings that over one shoulder and decides to call Renjun.

On the third ring, Renjun picks up and says, “Hi Jeno. I’m here with Yangyang, Joohyun and Jihyo having tea. What’s up?” There’s other people in the room, so Jeno has to be a little more covert.

“I need your assistance to find something.” Jeno clicks his tongue. He doesn’t want to give Joohyun or Jihyo any reason to think something is wrong in case they are actually in on it. “And Jaemin and Donghyuck both can’t help me.”

“Can’t or won’t?” For someone so smart, Renjun is really struggling to read between the lines, so Jeno hangs up the phone and decides to text him instead. He’s sure Renjun is making a confused face at his phone and calling him weird to the others, but that’s perfectly fine.

Jeno: jaemin + donghyuck are gone

Renjun: oh shit

Jeno: jaemin went through a secret passage in the bath

Jeno: no time for explain

Jeno: donghyuck wasn’t in his room. May be outside

Renjun: okay let me get us out of here

Renjun: get downstairs and grab your shoes

Jeno: [thumbs up emoji]

Jeno takes a deep breath and he realizes that his hands are shaking. Is this what everyone else felt like when he was taken? Something painful twists in his gut, but he ignores it as he races down the stairs, trying to be quick, but silent.

In his haste, Jeno nearly bumps into Jaehee. She hasn’t been seen all evening, but now she appears. Jeno doesn’t want to believe that Jaemin’s little sister is somehow responsible because how on Earth would she orchestrate it, but Jeno believes what Jaemin said about hands off parenting. She’s taking selfies or something in the foyer and startles when she sees Jeno. She initially pulls her phone close to her chest, but then taps it a few times before pulling it close again.

“Jeno, right?” Jaehee asks.

“Yeah, I didn’t mean to startle you like that,” Jeno says. His shoes are behind her, tucked away along with Jaemin’s, but Jeno spots that Donghyuck’s boots are missing. His duffel is over his shoulder still and he keeps it pushed against his back so hopefully Jaehee doesn’t think to comment on it.

“It’s okay,” Jaehee reassures, a little too friendly considering that they’ve never spoken directly to each other. “Jaemin doesn’t tell me anything about you guys. Are you all in the same grade and stuff?” Jeno wets his lips, trying to figure out what he’s picking up on here.

“Yeah, we’re all seniors.” How is he supposed to get his shoes? “Jaemin’s told me a little bit about you before. You’re a freshman at some art school, right?” Jeno is pulling that out of his ass and just banking on it not being so wrong that he can’t play it off.

“Acting school actually.” Jaehee takes a half step closer to Jeno who is still on the bottom step of the stairs. “I think there’s a couple other focuses, but it’s all tied to movies, theater and that sorta stuff.” Jeno nods along, pretending to be interested. “Say, have you seen Jaemin?” Uh oh. “Mom was looking for him, but I told her I didn’t know where he was. I know you two went upstairs together.” Oh. Is that really what she’s playing at?

“He wanted to relax after the long day, so he took a bath. I don’t think he really wants to be disturbed unless it’s important,” Jeno half-lies. Jaemin did get into the bath, and is very likely still inside the bath and doesn’t want to be found by his mother or little sister.

“Is that really what happened?” Jeno’s eyebrows bunch together. “I know Jaemin’s gay, I just haven’t figured out if he’s sleeping with one or all of you.” Without realizing it, Jeno’s jaw drops, shock overtaking his features.

“I’m sorry, what?” Jeno shakes his head. “If Jaemin hasn’t told you anything about his relationships, then it really isn’t any of your business.” Maybe Jeno will just grab his shoes and leave, screw not being subtle. First it was Jaebeom and while Jeno can’t decipher exactly what’s going on with him, the interaction he had with Jaemin read as anything except normal. And now, Jaehee.

Jeno might have to text Taeyong that he loves him tonight even though an unprompted ‘I love you’ might make Taeyong drive all the way out here. He absolutely would, especially given prior events. Jeno was given the low down from Renjun after the fact, but apparently Taeyong was close to beating the shit out of Yeosang. Getting kidnapped is a great way to make an older brother have justification for any crazy decisions made in efforts to protect the younger one. Maybe he’ll call Taeyong instead.

Jaehee eyes Jeno up and down and Jeno doesn’t like how her eyes feel like they read through him. He almost holds his breath while he waits for her to speak.

“That’s a pretty weak denial.” Jaehee shifts her weight again, slightly closer. “If you’re not sleeping with him, just say that.” All Jeno can picture is Jaemin crying and the way he held it together in front of everyone. Jeno had thought he was being strong for Yangyang’s sake, and while that’s certainly part of it, he’s getting the feeling that it’s just as much about not being weak in front of his family.

“This really isn’t appropriate, Jaehee,” Jeno says, drawing his mouth into a line. “I’m gonna go get some fresh air.” Jeno steps around her and puts his shoes on; he supposes he’ll have to go out the front door and loop around  to the back or something to meet up with Renjun. She doesn’t say anything else and leaves, and Jeno lets out a sigh of relief, tucking Jaemin’s shoes into his duffel bag before exiting out the front door. 

Jeno: bumped into jaehee and had to leave out the front

Renjun: how bad was it?

Jeno: …not great

Jeno: I’ll be by the backdoor

Jeno shoves his phone back in his pocket and takes another deep breath before he starts to follow the driveway out from under the pillars. It’s snowed recently and Jeno doesn’t love the idea of leaving tracks, but there isn’t a better option. He stomps through the snow, letting out his frustration by how much of it he can displace as he treks around the perimeter of Jaemin’s grandma’s stupidly large house.

He stares at the snow, wishing there was something he could do for Jaemin. Even his attempt at being helpful has led to things going astray. Jeno would much rather it have been him who got sucked into a secret passageway— he thinks it could even be fun under the right circumstances. But no, it was Jaemin instead. Jeno groans and he kicks the snow for a moment.

“This is such bullshit,” Jeno mutters. Pausing for a moment, Jeno realizes just how cold it is outside. He left in his oversized tee without a jacket, but thought to grab one for Jaemin. He sighs. Until he actually finds Jaemin, he can borrow Donghyuck’s jacket. 

Jeno marches the rest of the way to the back porch, a large rectangle outset from the house with an overhang. He unzips his duffel and pulls on Donghyuck’s jacket, muttering the whole time.

“Jeno?” Jeno nearly jumps at the sound of his own name and sees Renjun holding up his hands. “What’s got you all jumpy? And what the fuck were you texting about?” Jeno crosses his arms, but relaxes his posture slightly when he catches Yangyang eyeing him with concern.

“Jaehee was being irritating,” Jeno says. “That’s not important at the moment though. Jaemin went through a secret passage after I drew him a bath. Like the wall slid open and the bathtub just went wheeeee.” Jeno mimics a rollercoaster going down a big hill.

“Jaemin’s missing?” Yangyang repeats and Jeno looks to Renjun.

“You didn’t tell him.”

“Not a good chance to explain everything. I had to get us out of Joohyun and Jihyo’s room— which they are now looking more suspicious, but they also mentioned something about Wooyoung that has me wondering about him as well.”

“I don’t think Jaehee did it, but I would not trust her on principle.” Yangyang’s mouth twists.

“Yeah, she’s not very nice… she’s fourteen so it’s not unexpected, but she doesn’t know when to cut it out,” Yangyang explains. “She one time asked me if I was actually stupid or just ‘acted like that.’” Yangyang uses air-quotes and Jeno can’t help the flare of anger that bursts through him.

“Maybe the ghost has the right idea, but just the wrong targets.” Renjun makes a subtle face of agreement. “There’s secrets to figure out for everyone here, but even on their surface, Jaemin’s family just isn’t kind with the exception of Jaein.”

“What about Jaebeom?” Yangyang asks and Jeno bites his lip.

“He gave me weird vibes earlier…”

“I gotta agree with Jeno on that, but none of that tells us where Jaemin is. Yangyang, I can’t imagine you know anything about disappearing bathtubs, but we’re lost here.”

Yangyang stares off for a moment, gazing over Jeno’s shoulder and Jeno’s worried they’ve broken him. He’s about to say something when Yangyang’s eyes narrow. Jeno spins around and he sees something unexpected. His anger at Jaehee had clouded his vision enough to miss the fact that there are tracks in the snow going toward the hedge maze.

“Do we think those belong to Jaemin somehow?” Renjun asks and Jeno shakes his head.

“I have Jaemin’s shoes in my bag along with extra clothes for him because he was fully just inside the bathtub.”

“Oh my God, I guess that means Jaemin is now trapped somewhere and naked.” Renjun face palms. “We’re not very good at preventing people from being kidnapped.” Renjun’s eyes linger on Jeno, and there’s an obvious sadness in them. “Who do we think those tracks belong to though?”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Yangyang says before he’s charging off into the snow. Jeno and Renjun trail shortly behind him and Renjun feels for Jeno’s hand by brushing against his sleeve cuff. They interlace their hands and Renjun gives him a reassuring squeeze.

They follow the tracks until they reach a left-right choice. Yangyang holds up both hands and stops. Renjun and Jeno watch him for a moment. Both sets of tracks have the same footprints stepped over so it’s not clear which way Donghyuck, or whoever might have been out here, went.

“Sorry, I gotta remember the maze layout,” Yangyang murmurs. “I’ve almost got it.” He holds up a single finger, lighting up. “I’ve remembered!”

“Good job, Yangie,” Jeno says, trying to put as much encouragement as he can into his voice.

“Great job, Yangie,” Renjun reiterates, shooting Jeno a coy look for doubling down on the compliment.

“Amazing job, Yangie.” Yangyang peaks over his shoulder at them and Jeno catches the way his eyes lock onto their intertwined hands. Jeno doesn’t know what makes Yangyang’s expression turn slightly sour, but he knows Renjun sees it too because he drops Jeno’s hand immediately. Renjun clears his throat and offers the hand that was holding Jeno’s to Yangyang.

“Oh, you guys don’t have to—”

“I’m not gonna argue with you.” Renjun keeps his hand extended and cocks his head to the side slightly. “We’re all a part of the team.” Jeno thinks there’s something he’s missing here, but decides not to question it and holds out his hand too.

“Guide us through the maze,” Jeno says, opening and closing his hand repeatedly. Yangyang gives a knowing look to Renjun, solidifying Jeno’s theory, before he closes the distance and lets Jeno and Renjun hold his hands as they walk through the maze.

“This is so corny but y’know what—” Jaemin throws up his arms, splashing more bathwater out of the tub. “—fuck my stupid baka life actually. Everything fucking sucks!” He hits his palms against the water, sending bubbles and water flying. His hands sting from the force, but what else is he supposed to do? Entrapped in the dark without a clue.

Jaemin can’t see much of anything in the dark, only able to tell he’s underground from the the temperature change. Water sloshed out during the trip down, but the tub slide thankfully had an end on flat ground. There’s the quiet sound of running water that he can’t place and doesn’t feel like investigating.

“Shame I never watched Naked and Afraid.” Jaemin snorts at his own joke, the only coping he can manage. He doesn’t want to cry for the upteenth time, but he fears it’ll happen anyway.

The only thing going for him is that he has a harder time crying when he’s alone. Something about the lack of acknowledgement by others. When Jaemin is alone, he can suffer internally, but still feel so stuck. Even without direct confrontation, Jaemin has still been on and off crying over what feels like everything. All Jaemin can think about is how much he’s been crying. It’s not even that crying is bad, but Jaemin doesn’t feel ready for all of these feelings. His grandma is gone, the only person in his family that he was confident about always accepting him.

When things got bad at home, and Jaemin really wondered if he’d need to run away in order to be happy, he thought of his grandma and her home in Oakhaven. Far away, full of happy memories, and true unconditional love.

Jamein knows his parents will always love him and would never disown him, even if his expression and sexuality were queer. But it would only be a front. They don’t care if Jaemin turns out to be a bad person. They aren’t invested in him . Jaemin is just there. He’s one of five after all.

The smart one is Jaebeom; off at one of the top engineering schools in the country.

The baby is Jaeyong; naturally.

The successful one is Jaein because despite only being nineteen, she has had multiple internships with companies on the Fortune 500.

The doll is Jaehee; Jaemin’s mom plays dress up with her and gets to recall her youth whenever she feels like it. Jaehee is gone a lot, more often than she likely should be at fourteen, but Jaemin isn’t parenting her now, is he?

And that leaves Jaemin: right, smack-dab, in the middle.

Eventually, they reach the fountain at the center of the maze. Renjun breaks off from Yangyang and Jeno first to run ahead to get a better look. He refuses to show it, but he’s worried about Donghyuck.

“Have either of you thought to call Donghyuck?” Yangyang asks. “I know why we can’t call Jaemin— which is why it would have been better if I was in the bathtub, actually. I do bring my phone in the bath most of the time.”

“Jeno, did you not call him?” Renjun repeats.

“I, uhh.” Jeno scratches his cheek, suddenly embarrassed, but crucially, still holding Yangyang’s hand. Renjun hopes Yangyang understands what he was doing there. Even if Yangyang needs to talk to Jaemin, Renjun can give him this. “I just got worried and assumed the worst because Jaemin also got taken.”

“Do you have Donghyuck’s location perchance?” Renjun asks, suddenly excited. “I have a hunch based on the look of this fountain.”

“Fuck, I do…” Jeno trails off and Renjun catches how he stares off for a second. Renjun can worry about him later. He takes out his phone and shows Renjun exactly what he was hoping to see. “Why does it say he’s right here?”

“Why would there only be one secret passage?” Yangyang gasps. “Especially only one in the bathroom. Come on.” Renjun can see where Donghyuck must have stepped into the fountain and the rectangle where there is a distinct lack of snow. He looks up and spots what must be the trigger.

Renjun traces Donghyuck’s steps, but makes sure to stand on untainted snow. He reaches up to the horn of the angel and while he can barely grab it, it gives and the secret passage slides open. Yangyang and Jeno both gasp and Renjun looks back at them, feeling more than a little proud of himself.

“I’m gonna go down there and I’m gonna go find my boyfriend,” Renjun declares. He steps around the edge of the opening and lowers himself onto his butt, legs against the newly revealed metal. “See you on the other side.” Renjun salutes to a still star-struck Jeno and Yangyang before he takes the plunge into darkness.

Renjun counts the seconds that he slides for, only counting six. So they can’t be too far underground. He whips out his flashlight and starts to try and piece together where he is.

The room is all concrete, something cut for practicality and not for style. There’s large wooden boxes that remind Renjun of the ones found in art museum basements. Certainly suspicious.

“Is it safe to come down?” Jeno calls.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Renjun yells back. The boxes look like they haven’t been touched in years. They’re all covered in a thick layer of dust, except for one.

As Renjun is about to walk over, he spots something familiar: Donghyuck’s cell phone. He grabs it and sees that the front screen is shattered. With a sigh, he pockets it anyway. Maybe this can be a case expense or something. Renjun snaps out of it. He cannot be thinking of Donghyuck the way he thinks of himself. That’s a little too much for what they have going right now.

“I found Donghyuck’s phone.”

“Uh oh,” Yangyang says, appearing by Renjun’s side nearly silently. Renjun jumps slightly, bumping back against Yangyang who stabilizes him. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” Yangyang’s voice is quiet in Renjun’s ear, and considering his last string of thoughts, he doesn’t think he can handle standing this close to him. The fact Yangyang has even crossed his mind in such a way is a strange one, and one that if lingering, will lead to another phone call to Dejun.

“I’m alright. Is Jeno coming down?” As if on cue, Jeno makes a soft ‘oof’ as he reaches the end of the slide.

“I’m right here.”

“Okay, let’s take a look inside these boxes real quick, then we’ll go find Donghyuck,” Renjun says. He steps closer to the one without dust and cracks it open. Jeno and Yangyang hover on either side of him as he shines his phone flashlight inside.

Within the crate are a couple dozen paintings stored vertically. Renjun flips through a couple and even if he doesn’t recognize them, especially not through the semi-clear protective vinyl layer, he has a hunch these are stolen.

“You don’t think this is just Jaemin’s grandma’s backup painting supply, do you?” Jeno asks.

“Someone has been hiding stolen paintings down here. The only question is how did they get them in here? The trap door doesn’t seem very effective for transporting such large crates.”

“That might be a good reason to keep exploring,” Yangyang says. “We’ve got to find Hyuck anyway. I’m worried about him.” Renjun can hear the frown in Yangyang’s voice, so he closes the box. He still wonders why only one of the crates are open though…

“We’ll find him, don’t worry, Yangie.” Renjun turns and squeezes Yangyang’s shoulder before shining his flashlight around the room. There’s only one way out; a dark and narrow hallway.

The three of them trail out of the room, walking shoulder to shoulder around Renjun through the hallway until they reach a door. Renjun fumbles with the handle, and with baited breath, opens the door to reveal a pivot point of sorts. The room is square with nothing but an ornamental rug on the floor, but there are doors on each of the walls.

The three of them all step into the room and start examining the doors. Where they had come from closes and Renjun turns his head back, only to realize that there’s no knob on this side of the door. Meaning there’s no way out but through. He pushes down the coil of anxiety in his stomach and twists the knob on the door to their left. It doesn’t move.

“I think this one is locked,” Renjun says. “I have no idea what could be in here or connect to it. The house is too big for me to pinpoint where we might be.”

Yangyang tries the door in the center and it’s also locked. Renjun watches Jeno try his door, and it’s locked, too. He pinches his eyes shut for a moment.

“I can totally kick one of the doors in,” Yangyang reassures. “Like I know that’s not plan A, but it’s an option.”

“Appreciate that, Yangie,” Renjun mumbles. “But Donghyuck could not have kicked a door in and there were no other tracks around the fountain. There was doubling back, but it was all the same shoe type and there’s no way our ghost wears the same style and similar size boots as Donghyuck. But I have an idea.”

Renjun crouches down and peels back the rug, finding only a third of it actually lifts up, revealing another trap door. The rug is attached over the trap door, which explains why it was laying in the semi-correct place when Renjun, Yangyang and Jeno arrived. Renjun is almost giddy as he pries open the  door, revealing a ladder going down.

Donghyuck stares at the rug for what feels like a long time while he debates lifting it up. All three doors are locked, and he doesn’t want to believe that he’s trapped here, once again forced into the role of ghost bait. 

“What if it’s my DNA to be the bait?” Donghyuck whispers. He couldn’t find his phone in the other room and just wanted to get out as fast as he could, but now he has no light and just a vague understanding of the room.

If he lifts the rug and there’s nothing under there, then Donghyuck is completely fucked. Will the others come to look for him? Well, he should fucking hope so considering how hard they all worked to get Jeno back. A thought comparing himself to Jeno pops into his mind and Donghyuck groans. That really isn’t the line of thinking he wants to be getting into. He has to believe they all like each other enough to be equally concerned about a kidnapping.

Donghyuck sighs and tries to kick the rug away, but it snags on something. He crouches down and lifts with his hands, finding the trap door hatch. His breath catches, and he raises it up.

He feels around and finds the ladder. With careful hands and feet, Donghyuck descends the ladder until he runs out of rungs. He holds his breath as he lowers his foot tentatively, nearly crying with relief when he reaches solid ground. Even still, he holds onto the ladder for a full minute after both feet touch the ground.

There’s the soft sounds of running water and the faintest of orange lights on the wall and Donghyuck has a strange realization of the fact that he’s in the sewers. What a strange turn this night has taken… It gives Donghyuck the impression that the ghosts might know something about the house that everyone else doesn’t. Maybe it’s more complicated than just the fortune?

The sewer runs in two forking directions. As Donghyuck’s eyes adjust, he realizes that he’s standing on a platform that cuts across the water. He can either stay straight or veer off to the left. Donghyuck closes his eyes and tries to estimate how close he is back to the house. The maze was large, but it was right center behind the house and the slide took him to the left, and then the room and hallway seemed to straighten him out, so he should go straight.

“I sure hope I’m right about this,” Donghyuck mumbles, ‘Hail Mary’-ing just in case the Catholics were right.

He stays close to the wall, not wanting to touch it because he’s in the sewers, but also deathly afraid of falling into the water. His steps are short and quiet and his eyes stay focused straight ahead, praying that this will be over soon. He reaches a right turn, but he hears something. Donghyuck holds his breath, bracing for anything, but then he realizes that he’s listening to someone cry. Idling there, Donghyuck considers his options. Ghosts aren’t known to cry often nor would it make sense for the fake ghost to be down here crying, but on the other hand, who else could be down here?

“What the fuck am I supposed to do?” Jaemin?! Donghyuck peaks his head around the corner and sees the vague shape of a bathtub, resting at the end of a short section of tunnel. The water continues straight, leaving this as some sort of strange carve out. Donghyuck has a lot of questions, but his first concern is getting to Jaemin.

“Jaemin,” Donghyuck calls. He steps closer and hears the sound of splashing water. Dear Lord, is that actually a bathtub?

“Donghyuck?” Jaemin sounds just as confused as Donghyuck, which is comforting, but not reassuring. Donghyuck carefully walks over to Jaemin, hand making contact with the tub. “Oh my God, I’m so happy you’re here.” Jaemin throws his arms around Donghyuck and shoves his face into Donghyuck’s chest, dampening him.

“You’re really in a bathtub?”

“I was in the bath and then something happened and the bath slid down some path and now I’m all the way down here. I don’t know where the fuck I am or what’s going on. I am naked and I am getting colder the longer I sit here. Oh, and I don’t have my phone because who brings their phone into the bath other than Yangyang?”

“I’m wearing a million layers, let me give you some clothes,” Donghyuck says, freeing himself from Jaemin. “Just climb out and I can give you my pants, one of my sweaters and one of my jackets.” 

“How many fucking layers are you wearing?” Jaemin asks.

“Five up top. I’m only wearing the one pair of pants though— and underwear, to be clear. I don’t go commando.” Jaemin laughs and Donghyuck is relieved. He takes off his puffer coat and sets it down. He unzips his sweatshirt and takes that off too. Then off comes his oversized sweater and thin sweater respectively. Donghyuck is only in a snug tee shirt, jeans and his mittens, feeling  noticeably lighter. “You can dry off with my shirt too. If it’s slightly sweaty, please forgive me, I had quite the scare getting here.”

“Thank you,” Jaemin gushes. He sucks in a deep breath. There’s the sound of sloshing and Donghyuck offers his hand instantly. Jaemin’s pruney fingers curl into Donghyuck’s palm as he steps out of the bath. The darkness is both a shroud, letting Jaemin keep his modesty, but also a blanket, making the moment take on an intimate gleam.

Donghyuck holds Jaemin’s hand a moment too long before he lets go and pulls his shirt off. For some reason, he can’t think of anything to say, so he pushes his shirt into Jaemin’s chest. Jaemin’s wet hands cover his and all Donghyuck can do is make himself keep breathing. They’re standing awfully close and Jaemin hasn’t let go quite yet.

“Words can’t express how grateful I am,” Jaemin whispers, voice breaking slightly before he lets go of Donghyuck and starts to dry his upper body off. Donghyuck nods, but realizes Jaemin can’t see him. He bites his cheek, embarrassed for not realizing that immediately.

“Y-yeah.” Donghyuck starts thinking about his next task, avoiding looking at Jaemin at all as he takes his boots off and pops his fly, pulling off his pants to feel an immediate chill running up his legs. “When you’re ready for them, I have pants.”

“Oh, Donghyuck. That’s very kind, I—” Jaemin sniffles. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys. I’d be here either way, and I don’t think I’d be able to manage this alone.” Jaemin takes a deep breath then reaches out, hand brushing Donghyuck’s again to ask for the pants. “I’ve… I’ve been having urges again. Being here like this.”

“Like what we talked about?”

With a heaving breath, Jaemin says, “Yeah. I just… I needed to get that off my chest.”

“The combination of grief and stress would make anyone struggle…”

“Are you alright being here?” Jaemin feels for Donghyuck in the dark, grabbing at his bicep. The firmness of his grip only reiterates the intimacy of their position.

“I’m just fine,” Donghyuck reassures. “I have a sweater for you too, if you’re ready for that.”

“Not quite.” Jaemin lets go of Donghyuck and  finishes dressing, feeling for the sweater when he’s ready. Donghyuck spends the whole time wondering how he can make his face feel less hot. Jaemin is just an extremely beautiful man who’s half-naked in front of him and touching him. Yeah, super normal. Donghyuck can’t see all of Jaemin’s figure because of the darkness, but his mind is happily filling in the details.

Renjun would be laughing at him for this, Donghyuck knows it for sure. The nice thing about Renjun confessing to Jeno is that now Donghyuck knows it won’t be weird if he ever needs to confess one of his embarrassing micro-crushes.

Donghyuck pulls his other sweater back on, then his sweatshirt and shoes, feeling very strange with the lack of pants. He hands Jaemin the puffer jacket and Jaemin embraces him again. Neither of them say anything when it feels like they should be saying something. Updating each other, finding a way out, plotting, wondering about the others, any of that. But no, Jaemin holds onto Donghyuck, and Donghyuck holds him right back.

Jaemin pulls his face away from Donghyuck’s shoulder and moves to face him, but he bumps their noses together, mumbling a quick ‘sorry,’ before holding their faces only an inch or two further away. Donghyuck can make out the slope of Jaemin’s brow, the part of his lips, and the arch of his nose, but he can’t read the emotion in Jaemin’s eyes.

“Donghyuck,” Jaemin breathes out. “I think I—”

There’s a flashlight shining onto them and Donghyuck’s stomach drops out of his ass. He turns his head, afraid no matter who would be standing there, and sees a besmirched Renjun along with Yangyang and Jeno.

Everyone refuses to let go of Jaemin for at least three straight minutes (Donghyuck started counting the seconds in his head and got to a hundred and thirty before Yangyang couldn’t hold back kissing Jaemin’s cheek a trillion times).

“Yangie, please,” Jaemin whines. He’s feeling a really strange mix of emotions and can’t quite parse through them, let alone when he has a large dog of a boy slobbering on him. Yangyang pushes a little bit of his unconditional love into Jaemin’s cheek and twice, his ear , and it makes Jaemin’s stomach warm. He’s warm, but also feeling strange because he was about to kiss Donghyuck. If Renjun and them had been five minutes later, Jaemin is sure he would have done it. And that makes him feel guilty. Yangyang is his perfect angel, best friend for life, and now dearly beloved— and here Jaemin is, nearly kissing their mutual friend.

Thankfully no one can see the sorrowful look in Jaemin’s eyes in the dark. Donghyuck has his arms around Jaemin’s waist and it makes Jaemin’s stomach pull in that sweet-scary mixture he’s come to realize as having a crush. Having both of their hands on him is wild conceptually, even if the circumstances easily justify it. Renjun is half around Donghyuck and half on Jaemin, muttering about how much he would have killed them if they stayed missing.

“Well, you’d have to find us to kill us, so I think it’s fine,” Yangyang says.

“Yangie, you weren’t lost,” Renjun replies.

“I would say I could be, but I don’t get lost.” Jaemin splutters and turns his head, leading to a semi-accidental kiss on the lips from Yangyang.

“Yangie, PDA,” Jaemin chides quietly.

“If my boyfriend got kidnapped, I’d be PDA-ing all over the place,” Jeno says. “This time, it’s just my boyfriend’s boyfriend.” Jaemin had nearly forgotten that their friend group has taken a polyamorous turn that was as unexpected as it was highly predictable.

All five of them have been through some strange experiences together, and considering how this trip has been going, Jaemin thinks they’re only going to get closer. Yangyang has always been the most lovey dovey, frequently being a little too much when he just wants to share his heart with others. Even just thinking of Yangyang’s nature makes Jaemin’s heart clench. He turns his head to Yangyang and kisses him right back, smiling.

“I love you, Yangie,” Jaemin says. Jeno has a point about getting a PDA pass due to the circumstances. Jaemin isn’t wearing any fucking underwear, just Donghyuck’s jeans, and he’s still kinda wet. It’s been a fucking night.

“I love you ,” Yangyang counters. “In fact, I love all of you guys. Donghyuck I’m too far away— Renjun, give him a little kiss from me.”

“I’m sorry, are you making me kiss my boyfriend for you? ” Maybe Jaemin doesn’t need to be so worried.

“Well if you’re not stepping up to the plate, someone has to,” Jeno agrees. Jaemin can’t believe them. “Donghyuck, come ‘ere.” Jeno has his arms around Yangyang and Renjun, but he’s close enough to stick his head forward and land a quick peck to Donghyuck’s cheek. Jaemin watches Donghyuck’s reaction closely; he feels Donghyuck take in a deep breath, then hold it for a moment. They might all be fucked. “I’m really glad you guys are okay.” Jeno pauses and Jaemin can sense the tone change before it even happens. “I was really scared.” Another deep breath. “I know this isn’t about me, but I just… I also really love you guys.” Yangyang coos at Jeno immediately and Jaemin can’t help but join in.

“I’m really grateful for you guys,” Jaemin says. “Everything fucking sucks right now—” Jaemin’s voice cracks and he wills himself to not cry because he really doesn’t want to cry for probably the sixth time. “But I’m really glad you’re all here.”

Everyone squeezes Jaemin even tighter before finding their way back up through the tunnels. They don’t come back into Jeno’s bathroom, they actually end up climbing out of the fireplace in the lounge on the second floor. Renjun snaps some pictures and takes some notes, clearly trying to work things out.

Renjun lies awake in his bed, all alone. He had wanted to be alone initially, but now he feels like he should be cramming his way into someone else’s bed instead. The truth of the matter is that he doesn’t have a preference for which one he’d end up in. All Renjun can think about is how Donghyuck looked at him when he caught him with Jaemin. He’d looked embarrassed, and Renjun wants to ask him about it. Donghyuck still doesn’t know about Yangyang’s crush on Jeno, and maybe Renjun is growing soft, but he wants all of them to be happy.

He knows he can’t keep the rest of Mystery Inc out of his heart for long. Renjun sighs, shoving his face into a decorative pillow and cursing it for being slightly uncomfortable due to its sequins. Renjun has kept himself closed off for so long. Other than Dejun, it’s been crickets in terms of his friendships.

Dejun and Renjun aren’t as close as they used to be, even. And maybe Renjun has realized how much he missed having friends. They keep falling into peril, but keep pulling through. Renjun wants them to stay together for a long time. And so by extension of that, Renjun wants them all to be happy. Romantically or otherwise. And maybe that’ll work easier if Donghyuck manages to get together with Jaemin.

Renjun should not be mulling over the entanglements of his own friend group when there was still an actual mystery to be solved. He rolls over the events and suspects in his mind, but finds that he can’t concentrate on that. Unlike their other cases, this one is so close to home and Renjun finds himself less objective than he wants to be. He cares deeply about Jaemin and his feelings and all he wants to think about is what would comfort and help Jaemin now versus the nebulus solving of the case. They could be working on this for another two days, and even then, there isn’t a guarantee that they’ll solve it in time.

And that really should make Renjun stressed, but as he stares up at the ceiling, he’s just thinking about Jaemin. Then Jaemin and Donghyuck. Donghyuck, his stupid little boyfriend. He’s also probably had such a fright.

Renjun comes to a fairly obvious conclusion as to what he should do.

Renjun: hey dejun, Idk what your plans are for the rest of break and I’m at Jaemin’s for the next two or three days, but it would be nice to get together this weekend or just make plans soon.

He groans and drops his phone onto his bed. That was the most awkward text he’s ever written in his life, and Dejun is no doubt going to tease him about it. Just like old times. Renjun lays there for a moment, staring at his phone in the dark. It’s late, but while Dejun is probably awake, mostly likely he’s spending time with his family or playing games with his brother. Either way, not on his phone. It takes 90 seconds of staring at it before Renjun rolls onto his stomach and curls into his pillow, manifesting sleep to knock him out before he keeps thinking.

It doesn’t work.

Renjun’s mind spins through all of his options of what to do and laying in bed starts to feel pointless. He’s not going to solve the case from bed when his mind is only on Donghyuck.

The five of them linger there for a moment before slinking back up the stairs. Seonghwa, Jongho, and Wooyoung live on the second floor, so they need to make sure not to wake them. They all look a little worse for wear, setting aside Jaemin and Donghyuck’s half and half style outfit.

Donghyuck and Jaemin go into their room and once the door is shut, they just kinda stare at each other. Jaemin turns the light on which means he can’t hide his face the same way, but what’s done is done.

“I feel kinda gross, but I’m almost afraid to take a shower.” Donghyuck pulls a face that is very obviously holding back laughter. Jaemin cracks a small smile. “You can laugh. It’s okay.” Donghyuck bites his lips harder and Jaemin only smiles bigger. “Do you not think I’m funny or something?” Jaemin keeps his tone light and Donghyuck narrows his eyes, lips still pulled tight. “Donghyuck,” he breathes out, and Jaemin doesn’t know what possesses him, but he takes a step closer to Donghyuck who steps closer to the bed. Perfect.

Jaemin repeats it once more, so he can knock Donghyuck onto the bed, drawing a yelp out of him. He doesn't have to try that hard to tickle him before Donghyuck is bursting into giggles.

“I hate you,” Donghyuck forces out. He writhes and Jaemin knows he’s made his point, so he flops back, laying next to Donghyuck, both with their feet hanging off the side of the bed. Jaemin kicks his feet, remembering how gross they most definitely are. “You’re evil, Jaemin. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you’d have to be the ghost.” That draws a bark of a laugh out of Jaemin. It’s so out of left field for Donghyuck. Jaemin rolls onto his side and looks at Donghyuck curiously.

“I didn’t realize you would be so personally offended by a little tickling.”

“I’m a sensitive boy,” Donghyuck says, somehow keeping a completely straight face for all over three seconds before they’re both laughing.

Jaemin knows he can’t change the circumstances that have brought them here. He knows he can’t bring his grandma back from the dead. He knows they need to set a trap for one of his fucking family members who is trying to haunt them. He knows all of that, but that doesn’t make things any less emotionally taxing. Which is why he’s so grateful for Mystery Inc. Without them, he wouldn’t even be capable of laughing right now.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Jaemin says quietly.

“Why not? It was a group field trip. I didn’t have much of a choice.” Donghyuck’s tone is joking, but Jaemin still frowns at him.

“I don’t think it’s like that.” Jaemin pauses. “I haven’t always been one hundred percent on board with this— that’s Jeno and Yangyang’s job, but Jeno was talking to me before I got bathtub kidnapped— god, unrelated, but no one is ever going to believe me if I tell them about this.”

“You make a good point. Runaway bathtubs are like things out of children’s cartoons. Not real life.” Jaemin rolls his eyes, but then looks back to Donghyuck. They meet eyes, and Jaemin feels no need to look away.

“But I’m really glad the five of us are a team. I’m really grateful that you’re here, and honestly, you do make great ghost bait.” Donghyuck groans, but there’s a little smile playing at his lips. “Jeno just told me how he thinks I’m the one who brings the team together, and I don’t know how much I agree with that specifically, but he also said you’re the most empathetic and that he always feels like you really listen. I don’t know if I’m supposed to repeat that, but I’m sure Jeno won’t get mad at me.” Jaemin rolls his eyes, keeping things light and not digging into the obvious why.

“Oh,” Donghyuck says. He keeps staring back at Jaemin, and that same tension from before is back, digging at him. His gut swirls and the logical part of him is telling him this isn’t appropriate. Just because he knows Yangyang inside and out, and can see exactly how this conversation would go down in his mind- or maybe because Jaemin shouldn’t make friendship altering decisions when he’s in a fragile emotional state- regardless, neither of those reasons really feel like enough.

Jaemin’s more emotionally driven than most of the team; it only slips under the surface because his emotions aren’t loud like Yangyang or Donghyuck. In some ways, Jaemin is the middle child of Mystery Inc. But at least here, Jaemin actually wants to put his faith in them.

Donghyuck’s eyes haven’t strayed from Jaemin’s, but Jaemin knows he wants to look away. His mouth pouts slightly, his breathing is mostly still, the silence is breathtaking.

“Donghyuck, I…” Jaemin breathes out. He’s unconsciously edging closer to Donghyuck, a vaguely looming presence with a halo of brown hair. Donghyuck’s hand curls into the sheets between them and he finally looks away.

“Have you talked to Yangyang?” Donghyuck whispers. “Because I haven’t talked to Renjun.” Jaemin presses his lips together. Rejection stings even if it’s indirect. It’s not like Jaemin doesn’t feel the promise of a future. Jaemin’s wants are now though. He doesn’t want to wait around and think things through— he wants action. He wants to do something for the love of god because he can’t be stuck doing nothing. Doing nothing means that he’s helpless to the actions of everyone around him, and Jaemin is sick of it. He’s sure of what he wants, and he’s also sure enough within himself that everything will be fine.

It feels like a strong change of emotion considering his naked and afraid moment only an hour ago, but Jaemin has found impressive clarity. He needs to be made to forget all about the Phantom Shadow, and no one is going to take him. Jaemin has to bring himself, but still, he’s being pushed off.

Jaemin’s mouth twists into a frown, and he can’t deny the stinging in his eyes. Once he starts crying, he really can’t stop it. He was unable to cry just a couple hours ago, but now… ugh. He flops back onto the bed and rolls away from Donghyuck, not saying anything. There’s silence and Jaemin forces a large breath out through his nose. He doesn’t exactly know what to do now, but figures there isn’t much else for him to say.

“Jaemin,” Donghyuck says quietly. There’s a very tentative hand on Jaemin’s shoulder and despite the urge to pull away, to be rude and push Donghyuck off, Jaemin doesn’t. He knows he shouldn’t. “It’s not that I don’t want to.” Donghyuck clears his throat and Jaemin can picture his awkward, embarrassed expression and it does something funny to Jaemin’s stomach. This must be what Renjun feels like all the time.

Thinking of Renjun doesn’t make Jaemin jealous. He feels a strange sense of camaraderie with him, even if Renjun has no clue. It’s not like they discuss their love lives on the regular, quite the opposite in fact, but Jaemin has seen the way he interacts with Donghyuck. He understands the urge to bicker, and maybe Jaemin is seeing why Renjun likes to push Donghyuck’s buttons so badly.

“I just—” Jaemin cuts himself off because he doesn’t know what he wants to say. What is there to say even? He’s logical enough to know he’s not on the side of rationality, but he wants to forget that he’s here. That his family sucks.

Jaemin just wants to feel loved.

“You can talk to me,” Donghyuck reiterates. “I told you before- I get things being weird with your family, and honestly, if someone in my family was even partially responsible for putting me into… I don’t even know how you succinctly talk about a bathtub going through the wall and under the house.”

“I’m going to consider it my naked and afraid moment.” Donghyuck gasps and makes a small choking sound. It’s enough to make Jaemin turn back on his side to face him, but there’s more distance this time. Donghyuck’s hand falls away and lands on the duvet beneath them. His fingers splay against the bed and Jaemin keeps his eyes there for a moment before he looks back at Donghyuck’s face.

Like Jaemin thought, there are hints of embarrassment across his features; a soft blush on the top of his cheeks and a tucked chin. His hair falls half in front of his eyes and Jaemin’s stomach twists again.

“That’s really funny,” Donghyuck says after a moment. “I just don’t want you making a decision because of what’s happening in the moment. Plus, you really should talk to Yangyang.” Jaemin sighs.

“I know…” Jaemin huffs a breath so that his bangs flutter for a moment. He’s really not the type to reveal secrets, but… “I’m pretty sure that Yangyang has a crush on Jeno, so.” Donghyuck’s eyes snap to Jaemin’s and his hand hits the duvet once.

“You’re kidding.”

“Are you blind?” Jaemin gives Donghyuck a look of disbelief. “I’ve been waiting for him to come to me about it, but it’s so obvious. Yangie is a chronic best friend crusher. Not just me, but the girl he was best friends with in elementary school, and like every best friend he made at sleepaway camp in middle school. You spend enough time around him and he’ll just fall in love.” Jaemin doesn’t quite realize how big he’s smiling until he finishes speaking. “He’s just like that. He adores Jeno so much he made me join this little group in the first place, remember?”

Donghyuck considers it for a moment before replying, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Renjun is always the one who feels the least on board, so I never really think about the fact you needed convincing.” He continues to mull things over for a moment. “Renjun is probably going to find this really funny whenever he figures it out.”

“I feel like he has to know too. Like, Renjun is smart. Smarter than any of us, so he totally knows. There’s no way Jeno has any idea because he’s clearly not very relationship savvy.” Donghyuck bites his top lip. “Oh come, you can laugh.”

Through his teeth, Donghyuck says, “He only got kidnapped a month ago. Isn’t it too soon?”

“I just told you I’m calling my traumatic experience my naked and afraid moment. Plus, he was fine.” Jaemin feels a strange wave of hope. “We’re a team who solves mysteries. Crazy stuff keeps happening to us, but as long as we stick together, then I think we’ll be okay. And we’ll make a difference, too.”

Donghyuck gives Jaemin a fond look and reaches out for his hand He almost paws at Jaemin’s hip where his hand had been resting, and Jaemin intertwines their fingers.

“That’s a nice way to think about things. I still can’t believe I’m ghost bait all the time.” Donghyuck glances at their hands then back at Jaemin and his mouth is pulled into a small smile. “I don’t know why ghosts don’t want to chase you or Renjun.”

“You’re just irresistible to ghosts I guess.”

“You must be a ghost then.” Donghyuck’s smile widens and he strokes over Jaemin’s knuckles with the tips of his fingers. The action is so small, but Jaemin already feels so much better. All of Donghyuck’s little motions, his facial expressions, his kindness. It really makes Jaemin want him all the more.

“Now that would be a plot twist,” Jaemin begins. “I’m working with one of my family members to scare people off.” He shakes his head. “I still struggle to imagine any of these people doing it. I’ve known them for years, and while I’m not particularly close with them; obviously when Yangie is always here, I’m going to gravitate toward them. Seonghwa and Jihyo I’m on pretty good terms with though. Like, I’ve texted them some.” Jaemin shrugs. “Jongho is also really nice, but we never exchanged numbers.”

“We don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to,” Donghyuck reminds him. “Renjun and Jeno will talk your ear off about everything tomorrow, I’m sure. But if you ask me, it most definitely is related to those spooky ass tunnels. Nothing good can be in there.”

“What do you mean?” Donghyuck’s mouth makes an ‘O.’ “I suppose I didn’t think to question how the fuck you found me if you didn’t come down through the wall.” Jaemin rolls his eyes. “This fucking house.”

“I fell through a statue.” Jaemin snorts. “Yeah, that statue in the middle of the maze with the fountain? Twisted the top of it because I was trying to brush snow off of it—”

“Okay, but who does that?” Jaemin interrupts. “This is why you’re ghost bait, because that’s exactly how you find a ghost.”

“I was outside specifically to hide from the ghosts,” Donghyuck corrects. “Think about it. They want people out of the house? If they find me outside, they’re scaring me back in.” Jaemin face palms. That line of thinking is so quintessentially Donghyuck, but it endears him anyway.

“This isn’t the stupidest thing I’ve heard recently, so you’ve got that going for you at least.” Donghyuck squeezes Jaemin’s hand and groans. “You’re reminding me that we’re not dressed though, so maybe let’s change that. I need to get to sleep soon— nothing like crying in a bathtub in the dark to put you right to bed.” Donghyuck giggles quietly and they sit up properly.

Jaemin goes into the bathroom and goes through the motions of getting changed. He knows how he’s feeling means he should avoid looking at the mirror, which he does successfully, but looking down has him tracing over the scar tissue on his hips. Usually he has feelings of regret or disgust when he looks at them, but now he just feels sorry for his younger self.

He told Donghyuck earlier that being here has made him want to self harm again. It’s something that’s hard to admit: that he has moments of weakness. But he feels a new resolve to not succumb to it. He has Mystery Inc at his back no matter what, and Jaemin finally feels secure enough to trust that they will be there. Truly, nothing bonds friends together quite like unexplainable traumatic events.

Jaemin squeezes his skin for a moment before he pulls his pajama pants on and leaves the bathroom to go back to bed. Donghyuck is already there stretched out on the bed.

Donghyuck pats the spot next to him and Jaemin flops down next to him, once again laying the wrong way. There’s a gentle poke to his side before Donghyuck says, “I thought you wanted to go to bed.”

“Almost.” Jaemin lays his hands next to him on the bed and while looking up at the ceiling, fumbles for Donghyuck’s hand. Donghyuck meets him halfway, not afraid to look. Their fingers intertwine again and Jaemin breathes out a sigh of relief. “I just want to say that I appreciate you for being there for me. And the others too, probably.”

“Man, well, it’s not—”

“Donghyuck, you don’t need to argue about it. Just take the compliment.” Donghyuck doesn’t say anything for a moment but he squeezes Jaemin’s hand in response. It’s only because of the silence that Jaemin hears the turn of the door handle. Jaemin turns his head at the familiar sound.

Very meekly, with only his face poking into the room, stands Renjun. It’s not like him to be so shy, so Jaemin speaks first: “What’s up?” Renjun’s mouth twists.

“I just— ugh.” Renjun steps all the way into the room and shuts the door behind him. He leans back against the door, hands on the handle still, and it just reiterates how out of character he’s acting. “I was going to lie, but I’m too tired to even try and do that, so I’ll just say it: I really don’t want to sleep by myself. I know I said I wanted to, but you guys going missing scared me.” Renjun almost rolls his eyes to avoid eye contact. Finally, Renjun looks down to see Jaemin and Donghyuck holding hands. He furrows his brows for a moment, and briefly, Jaemin is scared he’s going to somehow be in trouble, but Renjun isn’t his mom and Renjun has two boyfriends already. He’s gotta be fine with sharing. “So did you guys kiss or what?”

Donghyuck squawks and he sits up, ripping his hand away from Jaemin’s. That same sweet, awkward embarrassment is back, but instead of looking at Donghyuck, Jaemin watches Renjun whose mouth curls into a confident smile.

“No,” Donghyuck replies. He puts his head in his hands for a moment and when he lifts it, his ears are burning. Briefly, he looks at Jaemin and  corrects himself: “Not that that is a bad thing—”

“Is this your crush?” Renjun asks Jaemin, and maybe he’s too tired to be properly embarrassed, because he  nods solemnly.

“I will remind you that he’s your boyfriend, which is worse.”

“He asked me out first, so it’s different.” Donghyuck glances between the two of them, trying to figure out what sort of sexy mind games are happening here. They’re both technically being mean to him, but it really doesn’t offend Donghyuck. In fact, it’s a much more perplexing reaction than that- Donghyuck’s honestly a little horny about it, but he really doesn’t have time to unpack the why or how to that. “But you admit it; you want my boyfriend?”

“I thought you came in here because you were concerned about us, not because you wanted to heckle Jaemin,” Donghyuck reminds. They should stop going down this road for tonight because they’re going to make Donghyuck’s head spin. Renjun glances down and sighs.

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t want to be alone.” Jaemin looks at Donghyuck and Donghyuck can’t figure out what he’s trying to communicate, so he looks back to Renjun. “Are you guys about to go to bed?”

“Yeah, we were, but you can take Donghyuck; it’s fine.” Donghyuck whips his head toward Jaemin and narrows his eyes at him.

“Renjun obviously wants to get in bed with us,” Donghyuck says, and he’ll admit that he gets a bit of joy seeing Jaemin and Renjun looking embarrassed. Oh, how the turn tables. “Come on guys, you’re smarter than this.” Renjun tries really hard to shoot lasers into Donghyuck (a look he’s all too familiar with) before contending. He steps away from the door and comes over to the edge of the bed.

“Fine, yes. I want to cuddle. Are you happy now?” Renjun’s tone is irritated, but Donghyuck is smiling anyway.

“Aww, Junnie,” Donghyuck coos. “See, Jaemin? He does love us.” Donghyuck realizes the implication of what he said seconds after and blinks a few times, but doesn’t actually acknowledge it. He’s gotten overconfident.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Renjun grumbles. “But yeah, I figured you guys might… I don’t know, also appreciate some company, given the evening. But if you don’t, I’ll go bug Jeno and Yangyang. I’m one hundred percent sure that if I even say the word ‘cuddling’ in front of Yangie, he’ll tackle me to the bed.” Jaemin smiles fondly.

“Yeah, he would,” Jaemin agrees. “But it’s alright for you to stay here. Let’s just figure out how to get comfortable and go to bed.” Renjun smiles softly and butterflies fill Donghyuck’s stomach.

They flick off the lights and then all pile into bed. Somehow Donghyuck ends up in the middle, something that makes zero sense to him, but he won’t lie that he doesn’t enjoy the feeling of Renjun’s hand on his waist, and Jaemin’s breath on the back of his neck. They whisper to each other about nonsense and memes that Yangyang sent in the groupchat last week before Donghyuck is drifting off to sleep.

Yangyang won’t stop pacing in half circles around their bed. Jeno had managed to get him into his pajamas, but he can’t seem to get Yangyang to lay down. The only light on is the bathroom light so at least he wouldn’t trip over anything in the dark. He’s exactly like a dog who can’t get comfortable, pacing the same steps like something new is going to happen.

“Yangie, please,” Jeno says. Yangyang doesn’t quit his pacing, though. He gives Jeno a look that is a mixture of sadness and sheepishness. “This is the longest I think you’ve ever gone without talking.” That probably isn’t true, because sometimes Yangyang can get it together to pay attention in class, but five minutes of Yangyang’s silent pacing is making Jeno’s stomach tie into knots so tight he’s starting to feel a touch ill. It’s out of character for him, but he’s really never seen Yangyang so wrapped up in himself. “Do you want to go talk to Jaemin?”

“No,” Yangyang whines, shaking his head. “I don’t want him to worry about me.” Yangyang pauses his pacing to point at Jeno aggressively. “You’re not allowed to tell him about this either.”

Jeno is sitting up, leaning against the headboard, half tucked under the covers, and he feels the pull of sleep call to him, but he just can’t leave Yangyang like this. He thinks back to the night on the ferris wheel with him and Jaemin. It makes something funny curl in his gut and Jeno finds that he’s in a slightly unexpected position.

“Yangie, I won’t,” Jeno promises. Yangyang resumes his pacing and tucks his arms tightly around himself. “Jaemin is going to be okay with Donghyuck, y’know. And really, everything is going to be okay. Renjun’s brain is probably working triple overtime because putting clues together is basically his love language.” Yangyang doesn’t even laugh at Jeno’s little joke, just shakes his head.

“I don’t know what to do. I can’t believe someone would do this to him.” Yangyang’s voice cracks on ‘him’ and his mouth pulls tight. Jeno doesn’t know why he keeps thinking about that night on the ferris wheel specifically, but there’s something about the memory of Yangyang’s overwhelming joy while holding their hands that Jeno can’t get out of his mind.

Yangyang has always been the most positive of their group, it was never even a competition. It’s part of why he and Jeno became such close friends. Passion for the same games and then the same movies. When Jeno shyly explained his love of traps to Yangyang, since no one had ever got it , he was shocked when Yangyang had dozens of follow up questions about it. The afternoon ended with both of them practically bouncing on the balls of their feet from excitement. That’s the moment where they really became best friends, and in the three years since, Yangyang has never been this upset about anything.

It’s jarring and frankly disheartening that Yangyang could even end up in such a position emotionally. It makes Jeno’s stomach turn for a whole new reason, thinking about how much Yangyang must be suffering. The weight of being strong for Jaemin who is in turn trying to be strong for Yangyang. The two of them really love each other so dearly, and maybe that’s why Jeno keeps thinking about that night on the ferris wheel.

Their love had been patently obvious now that Jeno reflects back. He knows he’s not the most observant when it comes to love, but their adoration makes so much sense. Factoring in years and years of knowing each other that Jeno wasn’t there for, it’s no wonder their bond runs so deep. Only now, their love for each other was coming at the detriment of their own emotions. Jeno’s no therapist or emotional genius, and he doesn’t imagine he’ll become one anytime soon, but he knows himself well enough that he’s figuring out how to pin down exactly what he’s feeling.

On the ferris wheel, Jeno hadn’t felt jealous of Yangyang and Jaemin, but he had been envious. It’s not the same way he felt about Renjun and Donghyuck getting together, and ultimately what pushed him to try and find a boyfriend, but well— Jeno has always loved Yangyang in some way. It only took a month of them being friends before Yangyang said it for the first time, and while it’s sporadic since then, Jeno’s been in the exact same boat.

Yangyang is his best friend, and Jeno would do anything to make him happy. Absolutely anything. He would commit many crimes, and likely will, in pursuit of Yangyang’s happiness. Jeno isn’t sure what the legalese is on rigging traps inside people’s homes nonconsensually, but that isn’t going to stop him from ensnaring this Phantom Shadow. It’s very easy to love Yangyang because he loves right back, and there was a certain intimacy to the ferris wheel ride that Jeno had blown off. He didn’t want to think about what that could mean for their friendship, for the group that they had painstakingly built together, but ever since Renjun talked to him about being polyamorous, something had clicked inside Jeno. He had to think things over, and really consider what he wants. There’s a funny feeling in Jeno’s chest when he pictures Renjun pulling a faux offended face when he kisses his cheek. Or when they talk about traps together, and Jeno is finally able to get into the nitty gritty of the thing he loves so dearly.

And when Jeno really thinks about it, he feels the same way toward Yangyang as he does toward Renjun. Even more problematically, Jeno thinks he may be falling into that with Jaemin too. Jaemin is undeniably beautiful; even half dressed in Donghyuck’s clothes, he looks stunning. That had always been a part of being around him, and Jeno had pushed that off because it wasn’t deeper than that.

The tinges of a crush toward Jaemin were formed by seeing how happy Yangyang was to be with the both of them. It made Jeno consider Jaemin in a more intimate light, though he didn’t consider that to be romantic. Though, on another hand, how couldn’t Jeno care for someone who makes his best friend in the whole world so happy? Jeno’s realized he wants to make them happy too. Being their captain isn’t enough now. He can feel a gap and wants to close it.

It’s truly an awful time for such revelations, but it feels like he should have figured some of this out sooner. Maybe if he had talked to Renjun, Renjun would have been able to tell him that he’s an idiot and has crushes on Yangyang and Jaemin.

The only thing to do now is to move forward. So Jeno’s going to take a page out of Yangyang’s book.

“Yangie, baby.” Yangyang’s eyes snap to Jeno who is already climbing out of bed. He looks almost fearful and usually that would make Jeno pull away, but he recalls the dozens of times that Yangyang has been there for him, comforted him, cared for him, and Yangyang never pulls back. He usually doubles down, insisting upon loving on him until he feels better. It’s one of the many reasons Jeno loves him. “Let me take care of you.”

Jeno puts a hand on Yangyang’s back, rubbing up and down softly while also leaning into Yangyang’s side. His other hand reaches around Yangyang’s front to grab his shoulder. It’s an intimate moment, and Jeno hopes it’ll calm Yangyang enough to get into bed.

“Jeno.” Yangyang’s voice is quiet and almost sorrowful. “You…” Yangyang’s hands shake by his sides, so Jeno lets go of Yangyang to reach down and interlace their fingers. He squeezes Yangyang’s hands and steps so close that their feet have to interlock rather than touch at the ends. Jeno pulls Yangyang’s hands down so he comes forward and Yangyang tucks his head into Jeno’s neck, breathing deeply.

“Do you not like baby? What about sweetheart? Maybe cutie pie? Cutie patootie is kind of cringe, but if that’s what it takes to cheer you up even a smidge…” Yangyang heaves out a sob against Jeno’s shoulder, shaking harder. Jeno gets worried he’s done something wrong, but he holds his breath for a moment, giving Yangyang space to cry before he starts apologizing for overstepping. Yangyang cries more and Jeno starts to feel his neck get wet, which concerns him. He doesn’t know how many tears someone actually cries, but it feels like Yangyang has a lot of them. “Did that make it worse?” Jeno holds his breath, trying to push down his own emotions, inadvertently falling into the same pitfalls as Yangyang and Jaemin–even though he thinks his reasons are easier to justify.

“No.” Yangyang hiccups. “No no. No. Please. No.” Yangyang squeezes Jeno’s hands several times in a row and takes in a deep breath.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Jeno says quickly. “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t cross some line.” Yangyang lets out a watery laugh and mutters something under his breath nearly silently. “What was that, Yangie?”

“Nothing,” Yangyang hiccups out. “Nothing. It’s fine.”

“Honey,” Jeno tries. “It’s really okay. You know you can tell me anything. I know Jaemin is your bestest friend, but I still want to be there for you because I love you so much.” Jeno’s words have a double meaning, but only to him. Yangyang can’t see his expression in the dark, so it doesn’t matter anyway. He just wants Yangyang to know how much he cares. “You’re a part of our team, so obviously I’m going to have your back, but we’ve been friends even longer than that. You’re my closest friend, so of course I’m going to want to make you feel better. You always give me hugs and affection, so I figured you might want that.”

Yangyang keeps breathing hard against Jeno’s neck. His lips tremble enough that Jeno can feel them against his skin. Jeno squeezes Yangyang’s hands once more. They’re both starting to sweat and their palms slide together, but Jeno doesn’t mind.

“I love you so much,” Yangyang murmurs, finally getting some control over his voice again. “Sometimes it feels like I’m going to explode into a million tiny pieces from how much love I have within me.”

“That’s really cute.” Yangyang shakes his head against Jeno’s neck, but Jeno can feel him smiling anyway. “You’re so caring, Yangie. It’s one of your best qualities and I don’t think Mystery Inc would be the same without it. Even Renjun totally has a soft spot for you. I’m sure of it.” Yangyang laughs quietly but doesn’t say anything. “Do you know something that I don’t?”

“I know plenty of things that you don’t know.” Yangyang finally lifts his head from Jeno’s neck and there’s just enough light from the bathroom to make out the shadows of his face. The tear tracks shine, and Jeno itches to wipe them away, but he can be patient. “Your brain is so full of traps, I wonder how there’s room for anything else.”

“You’re just saying that because you had to help me with that essay a few months ago.” Yangyang cracks a half smile at him.

“You weren’t going to go to Renjun for help after all, now were you?” Jeno shakes his head and finds himself smiling too. “Yeah.” Yangyang stares at Jeno and his eyes crinkles at the corners, almost bittersweet and Jeno waits for some kind of elaboration. It doesn’t come.

“Renjun still scares me sometimes.”

“I’m sure that would make him happy to know.” Yangyang is very likely right. If Renjun didn’t like people being afraid of him, he wouldn’t glare lasers into Jeno and Donghyuck on the regular.

“Is there anything else, baby?” Jeno asks. “Anything in the entire world? You can always talk to me, but I’m just saying that now is a good time to get anything off your chest that might be making things worse.” Yangyang opens his mouth slightly then he glances away and Jeno frowns. “You don’t have to, darling. But just— anything I can do for you would make me happy. No matter how silly.” Jeno swallows and finds a cluster of butterflies in his stomach as he dips dangerously close to the truth. “I’d do anything for you.”

“Really?” Yangyang’s voice is tight again and Jeno wishes he had at least four more arms so he could pet over Yangyang’s hair, his cheeks, and all over to make sure he gets all the loving that he needs. “Do you really mean that?”

“I mean it more than anything.” Jeno is almost dizzy from how close Yangyang is to him. Their tone has shifted slightly and Jeno can’t tell if it’s just in his head. He doubts he would be so lucky to stumble directly into this, but he has a habit of falling head over heels–both into hijinxs and his own traps–so anything is possible. He thinks of Jaemin and bites his tongue.

“I have a confession to make, then.” Yangyang looks back at Jeno and Jeno swears his eyes look down to Jeno’s lips. “It’s, well, it’s a confession and then it’s also a request… and they’re both not related and it’s really weird and I think it’s a bad idea to say something, but you’re being very very nice and I feel very safe with you right now and gosh— keeping secrets is so hard for me.” Yangyang sighs. “I just can’t keep the secrets for much longer.”

“What is it, Yangie honey?” Yangyang’s eyes crinkle up again, but this time the corners of his mouth come up with them. It’s cute. “Which one do you want to talk about first?”

“Heads or tails?” Jeno considers it for a moment.

“Tails.” Yangyang breathes out a sigh of relief. “Was that the right answer?”

“Yes,” Yangyang says, one side of his mouth quirked up higher than the other. “I think you should come out to the rest of the gang— I know they wouldn’t be mean or judgemental or anything and I feel so so bad asking that of you in the first place, but you guys feel like my family, and I just want my family to all be on the same page.” Yangyang presses his mouth into a line and blinks at Jeno a couple times. That certainly wasn’t what Jeno was expecting Yangyang to say when he said he had something to confess.

“You want me to come out to them as trans?” Yangyang nods very shyly.

“If you don’t want to, that’s also okay. I just had to get it off my chest, but if that was rude or mean or—”

“Shh.” Jeno can’t put a finger to Yangyang’s lips so he pushes their foreheads together. He tries to look at Yangyang, but now it’s hard to make out much of anything beyond the light refracting in Yangyang’s eyes. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. It’s just a weird thing to bring up. Especially since I’ve known everyone for so long now, like sorry I forgot to mention I was briefly a girl or whatever.”

“I don’t think you were ever a girl,” Yangyang protests. “You were just Jeno, and I think that’s pretty neat.”

“Yeah.” Jeno feels a phantom pressure against the underside of his chest. There’s nothing there, and there never was, but he still wonders what would have happened if he transitioned later. He doesn’t enjoy the look of scars, to the point he’s been afraid of being injured before because he doesn’t want the permanent marks, but he has a small one now near his hairline from getting kidnapped. Surprisingly, the scar doesn’t disgust him like he thought it would. He just thinks of his friends who he loves so dearly; problematically so. “I’ll figure out how to tell them. I feel like we’re going to be having a lot more heart to heart discussions after this whole mess.”

“Oh man, yeah…” Yangyang rubs their foreheads together. “I’m worried about what Jaemin is going to do. Is he really just going to be able to go home? What if his parents get weird about the whole trapping and getting a family member arrested?”

“He’d certainly be welcome at my house. Taeyong will be Taeyong, but Jaemin would be welcome. I’m sure your parents wouldn’t mind seeing Jaemin, considering how close you two already are.”

“You’re right.” Yangyang sighs. “I hate keeping secrets from Jaemin.”

“You don’t need to worry about the trans thing,” Jeno reassures. “I’ll tell—”

“No no,” Yangyang rushes out. “I want you to know that they would all love and accept you just the same— not to feel like you have to do something for my sake, okay?”

“Yeah, I got it. So, what’s on your mind?” Yangyang swallows and he squeezes Jeno’s hands again.

“It’s one of those toothpaste things, and I really wasn’t going to say anything, but I told Renjun, and Renjun was nice about it which, y’know, that’s saying something, and Jaemin doesn’t know which is kinda killing me, but I really don’t know how he’d take it. And I guess it shouldn’t really matter because I’m not going to do anything, but at the same time, it feels like my body is going to explode if I don’t get this off my chest.”

“I promise you can tell me. But what does ‘toothpaste thing’ mean? That’s the only part where I’m lost.”

“You can’t put toothpaste back in the tube, now can you?”

“I don’t suppose you can.”

“Well, you’re just being so sweet to me, and we’re holding hands and I really like that and it just makes me feel like there’s a swarm of bees inside me, and genuinely if you don’t let go of my hands, or at least pull back, I’m going to say something I can’t take back,” Yangyang warns. Maybe Jeno is more lucky than he thought.

“I don’t really want to pull away though,” Jeno confesses. “I quite like this.” Yangyang whimpers and shifts his weight from foot to foot. “If it makes you feel better, I think I’m in the same boat.”

“What?” Yangyang gapes at Jeno and his warm breath fans over Jeno’s face. “Okay, then we’ll say it on three. Mutually assured humiliation or whatever the expression is.” Jeno snorts quietly.

“You’re very funny, Yangie.”

“Thank you very much. Now, on three.” 

Yangyang counts up and on three, they both say: “I’m in love with you.”

“Jinx,” Yangyang blurts out. “But also what the fuck?”

“I sorta just realized it when you were pacing around, but honestly I should have realized a lot sooner than that.”

“Jeno Lee, you are the silliest goose on the face of the planet.”

“I’ll take it.” Jeno squeezes Yangyang’s hands. “Will you come to bed now? We can talk about things more later. If Jaemin doesn’t know, then I’m sure he’ll want to. I just know Renjun is going to make fun of me for not realizing it sooner if you told him earlier.”

“Yeah, I told him when you were kidnapped because I was just very upset about you being gone. I’m going to remember this moment forever though, Jeno. I remember every time someone has said ‘I love you’ to me for the first time. It’s a pretty big deal. You know, the first time Jaemin said he loved me was when we were eight or so, and we were playing family or something similar, and Jaemin was trying to make me be the wife– which is patently ridiculous, when Jaemin is the only one other than Donghyuck who is beautiful enough to be a girl. Honestly, Donghyuck really looked too good in drag; he should consider doing it more often.” Jeno is giggling right along with Yangyang until Yangyang gasps. “Jeno.”

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“Don’t distract me by being cute— I think I just found a clue.”

“Okay, now you’re trying to get me all hot for you— you know I love clues.”

“Shush. Okay, okay, the first time Jaemin’s grandma ever told me that she loved me was when I was eleven, and I was visiting and we were knitting together. She told me she’s happy Jaemin had basically taken me in as his, like how she adopted kids. I told her I still had parents, but I would be super cool with being Jaemin’s brother, and she laughed and said she’d make note of it. And then she pulled out a diary. I don’t think I ever saw it again; what do you think are the odds that she was still writing in it before she died, and that there’s clues in there?”

“Oh, my mystery solving sense is tingling. This is a great idea. Do you remember where she kept it?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Then let’s check it out in the morning.”