my first and last || renmin

T h i r t e e n - Exotic City

A sky cap helped Renjun, Jaemin and Mrs. Huang with all their bags and equipment.

They waited in line for the security checkpoint.

When it was Renjun's turn, he unhooked the plastic tubes from his nose.

Jaemin placed the oxygen tank on the conveyor belt.

Renjun took slow, careful steps through the metal detector.

He seemed determined to go through it without any help but when he reached the other side, it was clear that even those few steps without oxygen were a struggle.

Renjun held onto the side of the conveyor belt to steady himself.

As soon as his tank reappeared, he put the cannula back in place.

Still lightheaded, Renjun closed his eyes and focused on his breathing.

He caught his mom looking at him, nervously.

"Amster... Amsterdam!" Renjun said with some difficulty.

When they arrived at the gate area, they attracted curious looks from other passengers.

Renjun with his oxygen tank, Jaemin with his noticeable limp and Mrs. Huang helping with the equipment.

A young couple got up so that Renjun and Jaemin could sit.

"Oh, no, that's not necessary." Renjun spoke but they gave up their seats anyway so Renjun and Jaemin took them.

Renjun ignored the various passengers who watched them.

"We will now begin pre-boarding flight 127 to Amsterdam. For those passengers in need of extra help.." The announcement echoed throughout the entire airport.

"I think that's us." Renjun got up.

Renjun sat in the middle with Mrs. Huang on aisle and Jaemin at the window.

Jaemin looked around, antsy.

"Have you ever been on a plane before?" Jaemin shook his head, he hadn't and he was nervous.

"Flight attendants, prepare for departure." The engines roared to life and the plane accelerated towards take off.

Jaemin was getting more worried by the second, he grabbed the arm rest, his eyes wide.

"Okay?" Jaemin didn't say it back and Renjun laughed.

"This is what it feels like to ride in a car with you." Jaemin grabbed Renjun's hand as the plane lifted off.

He looked out the window and then back at Renjun.

"We're flying! Look!" Renjun smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Look at that! Nothing has ever looked like that in the whole of human history!!" Jaemin was adorable and Renjun couldn't resist leaning over to give him a kiss on his cheek.

"Just so you know, I'm right here. Sitting next to you. Your mother." Mrs. Huang said not looking up from her magazine.

***

It was now mid-flight and the plane was dark, Mrs. Huang was asleep.

Renjun and Jaemin watched the same gory action movie.

Actually, Jaemin watched the movie, Renjun just watched Jaemin watch it.

Jaemin watched it with a smile on his face and Renjun continued to watch him.

***

They had arrived, Jaemin helped Renjun bring their stuff into the room.

A basket filled with gifts sat on the bed, a present from the genies to welcome their arrival.

Renjun, exhausted, sat on the bed.

"I'll be right down the hall." Renjun nodded, drifting off to sleep.

Some time later, Renjun stirred awake.

His mom sat in a sagging chair across from the bed reading a travel guide.

"Good morning."

"It's actually five o'clock." Mrs. Huang answered, not looking up from her travel guide.

"How was the park?"

"Never made it."

"Mom!" She finally looked up from the travel guide.

"What? I like watching you sleep." Renjun shot his mom a look.

Even in an exotic city, his mom couldn't enjoy herself.

"I'll do crazy mom stuff tonight when you and Jaemin are at dinner." She looked back at the travel guide.

"What do you mean?"

"You have reservations at a place called Oranjee. Mr. Jung set it up, very fancy.. and romantic." Mrs. Huang wiggled her eyebrows.

"Mom.."

"I'm just saying!" Mrs. Huang defended.

***

Mrs. Huang opened the door to find Jaemin in a perfectly tailored black suit, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"Renjun! Jaemin is here!" Mrs. Huang called to the bathroom.

"Looking sharp." Mrs. Huang complimented.

"Thank you ma'am." A few moments later, Renjun emerged from the bathroom.

He wore a big, pale blue sweater and jeans.

He somehow felt underdressed after seeing Jaemin.

"Wow."

"I- Am I underdressed?" Renjun asked nervously.

"You look amazing." It was simple but it suit Renjun very well.

Jaemin offered Renjun his arm and he took it.

They were ready to go.