That night, Jeno sat alone at the edge of his bed, staring at the empty phone screen. In his hand, he clutched an old polaroid, a picture of him with the girl he had always called his best friend. The smile in that photo was still the same. Warm, free, and so innocent.

But unlike before, that smile.. different. It had been months since the girl introduced her new boyfriend. Jeno just smiled back then, hiding the storm in his chest behind a laugh he'd practiced for years. He even helped pick out a birthday gift for that guy. Because as long as she was happy, Jeno was willing to be anyone, even if it meant being a supporting character in someone else's love story.

Jeno had almost told her everything. Almost. On her 19th birthday, when they sat together on the balcony, eating ice cream and talking about their future dreams. But the words never came out. Because he knew... just one sentence from him could destroy years of comfort. And he didn't want to lose the most beautiful place he'd ever known... their friendship.

But tonight was different. His door was knocked on hastily. Outside stood the girl, her eyes swollen, her body shivering, and her voice barely a whisper. Jeno immediately wrapped her in his jacket and brought her inside without asking anything. Eventually, with a choked voice, she said her boyfriend had cheated on her. There was a long pause in Jeno's chest. A pause between anger, heartbreak, and... a chance. But not a chance to finally be her boyfriend. A chance to be her home. Her shield. Her safe place. And when she cried on his shoulder, Jeno simply closed his eyes, held his breath, and finally whispered softly,

"I know I can't take all the pain away... but from tonight on, I promise, no one will ever hurt you again."

**[ WELCOME TO AU NCT! LEE JENO IS HERE! HAVE A GOOD TIME<3 ]**