genre: angst & some fluff
desc: he’s the bad boy everyone warns you about, to you he’s the love of your life, but to himself he’s the boy that’s been hurt one too many times.
a/n: this is long can y'all tell who my bias is 👽 anyways sorry for not posting for like 3 days
He was like a rose, beautiful and delicate. A rose could go through a harsh winter and still make it out; similar to how Jeno could be hurt over and over and still stay standing. He was a strong soul, and no matter how good the intentions are, Jeno knows to protect himself. It’s the rose comparison again. Just like the honey haired boy, a rose had its thorns. You’d have to cut away at them to be able to finally hold the pretty red flower. You’d have to break down at his walls to be able to finally get close to him.
Maybe that’s why you were drawn to him. Drawn to his dark leather jacket and soft vanilla scent. You’d always see him with the same 5 people, never straying from his tight knit group. Jeno kept to himself mostly, the only words he’d say to others being ‘thank you’ or 'excuse me.’
Rumors would usually float around about the boy, talking about how cold and rude he was or asking if you heard that he sells drugs in the shady part of town. Jeno knew when people were talking about him. He’d act oblivious to all the glances and whispers that were sent his way.
The one person he would notice, was you. You were different to him. You felt different. Your group of friends would talk about him as you’d glance over, a look of curiosity on your face. He always preferred you from everyone else. You were nice.
When he walked to his classes, you would smile if you crossed paths, even offering him a small wave. Jeno would be too frozen up to smile or wave back, your figure disappearing before he could collect himself. Once when you caught him smoking behind the school, you didn’t run off and tell everyone so you could degrade him. Instead you frowned, even asking him 'why are you doing that to yourself?’ It made Jeno feel bad, you had looked genuinely upset.
Instead of distancing yourself from him like most suggested, you found yourself wanting to get to know him. Was he really like they said he was? Or was he the total opposite, an innocent victim of judgmental classmates that liked to spread lies?
One thing was for sure. Jeno did not live up to his bad boy name. He looked soft, too nice to hurt a fly. He was quiet, he did his work and didn’t cause distractions in class. It’s always been like that. Jeno’s always been that way. So why the name?
It all started with a lie, as everything about him does. Some girl Jeno liked at the time gave him a chance and when she realized she didn’t like him, she dropped him just like that. To make matters worse, she told everyone he played with her and forced her to do bad things with him.
Everyone quickly turned against Jeno, giving him dirty looks as he walked down the halls.
As always, not you. You’d softly whisper, asking if he’s okay. Jeno’s eyes would be glued to the floor, not paying you any mind. Despite constantly ignoring you (unintentionally) and your efforts to befriend him, you never gave up or got mad at him. He was a challenge you were willing to take.
It wasn’t until you talked with one of his friends, Renjun, that you realized how similar Jeno was to a rose. Thorny, delicate and pretty. Renjun told you all about Jeno, already knowing you from the handful of times he’d talk about you. He knew your intentions were nothing short of genuine.
You learned that Jeno’s mother had passed away early in his life, ending up stuck with his angry hurt father. His dad put the blame on Jeno, convinced his mother was gone because of him. Because of those thoughts, Jeno would often get beat by someone that was supposed to care for him. He never tried to fight back, he stood there silently and let his dad let out his hurt on him every single time.
You learned that in 7th grade, someone Jeno considered a friend turned his back on him. The person went from friend to bully.
Jeno has gotten messed with too many times, Renjun would say. The boy was practically immune to the hurt now. It has happened so many times, he could say he was used to it.
Things took a turn for the better when you were finally able to break down Jeno’s walls. For the first time in a long time, he was feeling something other than hurt.
“What does what feel like? Being disliked even though you did quite literally nothing?”
“No silly, I was going to say what’s it feel like being cute but if you want to be deep…”
Jeno chuckles, tilting his head so he’s facing you. “You should know better than anyone. You’re the cutest.” You smile and reach for his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Thanks.”
He squeezes your hand back, sighing softly. “My pleasure.” The stars were bright tonight, but to you Jeno shined the brightest. He rivaled the night sky. You were so in love with him, you would do anything to make him smile that cute smile.
It hasn’t been long since you finally gained Jeno’s attention, but you knew you were head over heels for the boy.
He was so much better than the rumors you would constantly hear, so much. Your suspicions were right. Jeno was completely and utterly a total softie. He’d blush when you held his hand, refusing to look you in the eye when you brought up the redness in his cheeks.
“Jeno?” His eyes were still on you, humming out a response. “If you don’t let anyone in, why did you let me?
Jeno smiles and scoots over to you, wrapping his arms around your frame. "Since day one, I knew you were different from the others. I could feel your niceness from a mile away.” You dug your head in his leather clad chest, letting his vanilla scent overtake your nose. He looked good, he smelled good, could Jeno be any more perfect?
“You would ignore me though, I thought you hated me… I hated thinking I was contributing to your hurt.” Jeno runs his hands through your hair, shaking his head.
“I never hated you; never will. And you didn’t do anything, nothing at all. I’ve learned to ignore the stares and whispers anyways. I just naturally ignore everything, I guess. It’s what comes with constant backstabbing. I don’t let myself get close to anyone.”
He looks down at you and kisses your temple, “but you’re different. My conscious knew you were worth it.”
You smile at his words, feeling all giddy inside. Different. He knew you were different from everyone else. That made you happy.
“The guys and I are hanging out tomorrow, I was thinking you could tag along?” You sit up and look down at Jeno, brows furrowed. “Won’t I be a bother? Hangouts are supposed to be for friends, not friends plus girlfriend…” Jeno copies your movements and sits up, leaning on his outstretched arms.
He smiles at you and intertwines your hands.
“Don’t be silly, Y/N! We all like you. Well- I obviously like you more but the point is! Everyone enjoys your company, you should totally come with.” You smile back and nod, “okay sure.” Jeno does a cute silent cheer, rocking your intertwined hands. His actions make you laugh.
He hugs your waist, making sure there’s no space between the two of you. Jeno would never admit it but he loved skinship with you. “Great. Wait for me after school, we’re leaving right after the bell rings~”
You do as Jeno said, you stand at your locker waiting for him to come. The bell had rung, most of the students already gone or waiting for their rides outside.
Jeno still hadn’t arrived, you assume he was being held back by a teacher or something.
Someone grabs your hand and you smile assuming it’s your boyfriend. But when you turn around you’re not met with his sweet chocolate eyes, instead you see the eyes of the last person you wanted to see. Hwang Hyunjin: your ex boyfriend. Your smile immediately drops, guts filling with nerves, awkwardness. What did he want now?
“It’s been a while, yeah?” You don’t respond, only looking down at your fiddling thumbs.
Hyunjin pins you against the lockers, both of his hands trapping you between him. You tense up, cringing backwards to stay as far from him as possible. “I hear you’re with that fuckboy no one likes. I think his name was Jeno? I don’t really care enough to be sure.” Gulping, you gather the courage to look him in the eye. “Shut the fuck up, Hyunjin. Leave him alone.”
He smirks at your words, leaning closer to you. Even though you knew it wouldn’t make a difference, you backed up. “Aw, you’re defending him. How cute.”
You don’t know what he’s up to or what he wants. All you know was that Hwang Hyunjin was trouble; he was way worse than Jeno but yet people stuck to him and praised him as if he were better. So why did you, the nice goody two shoes who was against all kinds of negativity, go out with the actual devil himself? You were dumb, naive. Dense.
You had a stupid crush and he knew it. He loved playing with you like you were a dumb little rag doll. His personal toy. Hyunjin loved that feeling of power. Especially over someone like you.
“What do you want, Hyunjin?”
He looks down at you and smirks. “Could it be any more obvious, Y/N?”
You glare. “Just spit it out.”
Hyunjin’s eyes are dark as he looks at you, his tongue licking over his pillowy lips. “I want you.” Before you can say anything or push him off, the boy’s lips are on yours. His kiss was rough, horrible compared to Jeno. Jeno was sweet, took his time and always mad you feel loved. With Hyunjin you just felt like an object. Something of no importance.
“What the actual fuck?” A familiar voice snaps you out of your frozen state. Finally acknowledging the situation, you glare at Hyunjin and push him off. “Jeno I-”
Jeno shakes his head, eyes glossy and lip quivering. He was used to feeling hurt but fuck, something about seeing you attached to someone else pained him. He never expected you to become a part of the list of all the people who’ve hurt him.
“Of course. You’re just like the rest. You fucked me over just like the rest! I should’ve known you were the same. You just wanted to lead on poor little Lee Jeno! Have a story to tell to all your friends.”
You open your mouth and try to let out words but none were coming out. Hyunjin stood to the side, watching with a smirk.
“Well congrats Y/N, you did it. You made me fall in love with you, go ahead and tell everyone how you played me. I’m sure everyone will love it. Stay the fuck away from me.” Jeno walks past you, his form shaking and eyes pouring out tears. The sight broke you. The fact that you added more reasons for him to be suspicious of everyone broke you. You broke him. “Jeno wait!” You shout but to no avail.
Jeno leaves the school building, hugging himself. When he nears his friends they all quiet down, curious of what happened. “Jeno what’s the-” He gives Jaemin a teary eyed glare, shutting him up. “Let’s just go.”
“What about Y/-” Jeno doesn’t even want to hear your name right now. “I said let’s go!” They all quiet down and pile into the car, not dragging the situation further.
As Jeno rode away, you stayed at the school, not wanting to accept the fact that the love of your life had just pushed you away. “It’s okay, doll. I’m here for you. I’ll treat you much better than him.” Hyunjin puts on his best reassuring voice, pulling you into his chest. You’re too frozen up to react.
You hurt Jeno. You thought you could open him up, slowly make him stop being so cautious of everyone. But instead you’d hurt him.
He was a rose, and just like a rose that’s been through too much, he stopped being strong. Like a weakening rose in winter, he’d finally given in and let the winter storm engulf him. You’d been the last straw.
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