𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧

Unspoken Tensions

Chapter Two: Unspoken Tensions

Renjun sighed as he grabbed a yogurt from the fridge. His thoughts were still jumbled from the events of the day before.

"Renjun," Jeno's voice broke through his reverie, soft and tinged with sadness. His eyes were glistening as if he might cry. "I'm sorry about what happened. I actually like you, and I'm also apologizing on Jaemin's behalf."

A small blush crept onto Renjun's cheeks. Who knew Jeno could be so adorable? "Aww, it's okay, Jen. I'm not bothered by Jaemin," Renjun said, patting Jeno's hair. Just yesterday, Renjun had discovered that Jeno enjoyed head pats and being called "puppy."

"Get your filthy hands off my boyfriend, Renjun," Jaemin growled, his eyes narrowing.

Renjun rolled his eyes. "Jen pup, I'll be in my library if you need me," he said, walking away nonchalantly. Jaemin nudged him as he passed, but Renjun, too arrogant to stoop to pettiness, ignored it, though he did momentarily fantasize about throwing his yogurt at Jaemin.

"When did Renjun start calling you 'pup'?" Jaemin asked, irritation clear in his voice.

Jeno hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Jaemin always made things so difficult. "We went over this. You're not supposed to fall in love with him," Jaemin reminded him, his tone stern.

"I'm not falling in love with him, Jaem. I just want to talk to him and interact with him a bit," Jeno replied defensively.

"You were literally purring when he touched your hair, Jeno," Jaemin pointed out.

"I wasn't," Jeno said, flustered.

"Whatever. Just don't forget the plan," Jaemin said, his voice laced with warning.

As dinner approached, Renjun's mother arrived to cook. Renjun had refused to make dinner himself. It wasn't that he couldn't cook; he simply refused to make dinner for someone like Jaemin. Jeno? Maybe. Jaemin? No.

"Jun, why are you refusing to make dinner for your fiancés?" his mother asked, her tone exasperated.

Renjun huffed, choosing not to respond.

"Yeah, Junnie, you're going to let us starve?" Jaemin said, his voice dripping with fake pity as he walked into the kitchen with Jeno.

Renjun wanted to punch the cheesy smile right off Jaemin's face. "It would be nice," Renjun retorted.

"Nonsense," his mother interjected. "Come on, you two. I'll make dinner for you. Renjun, you better treat them right before they leave you," she admonished.

Renjun watched as his mother bustled around the kitchen, Jaemin smirking triumphantly. Jeno, however, looked at Renjun with an expression that was almost apologetic, making Renjun's heart soften just a bit. But only a bit.