crybaby || noren.

𝐬𝐢𝐱.

Renjun sat quietly on his bed, watching as Jeno carefully changed the bandage on his foot. His thoughts couldn't help but wander, noticing the small details about Jeno that he found endearing—the way his eyes looked like gentle puppies, and that cute mole beside his eye. It was hard for Renjun to deny the warm feelings bubbling up inside him, especially after all the kindness Jeno had shown him.

"Done. Does it feel better?" Jeno's voice broke Renjun's reverie, bringing him back to the present moment.

"Oh, um, yes! Thank you for changing it," Renjun replied softly, feeling a bit flustered.

"Anytime. If you need anything else, just let me know," Jeno offered, starting to leave the room.

But before Jeno could walk out, Renjun hesitated briefly before reaching out and grasping Jeno's shirt. "Um, actually... I just wanted to thank you for comforting me the other night during that heavy rain," Renjun murmured, unable to meet Jeno's eyes as he blushed furiously.

Jeno paused, surprised by Renjun's sincerity. He gently took Renjun's hand in his own, pressing a soft kiss on the back of it—a gesture that felt right in the moment. Ruffling Renjun's hair affectionately, Jeno smiled before finally leaving, leaving Renjun slightly dazed and wondering what had just happened.

As Jeno closed the door behind him, a smile crept onto his face. He couldn't explain why he felt so elated, but he cherished the warmth that filled his heart.

"Ehem, what are you smiling at, Jeno?" Jaemin's voice interrupted Jeno's thoughts as he lounged on the couch.

"Nothing," Jeno replied tersely, not wanting to divulge too much.

"How's Renjun?" Jaemin persisted, raising an eyebrow.

"He's fine," Jeno replied simply, unwilling to share the details of their private moment.

Suddenly, Minhyung jumped in with excitement. "Guys! Let's go to Jungwoo Hyung's birthday party tomorrow at the Neo Hotel."

"The Neo Hotel? That's for the super rich!" Jaemin exclaimed incredulously.

Jeno glanced at Jaemin, arching an eyebrow. "Aren't you rich too, Jaemin?"

"Oh, am I?" Jaemin laughed off the comment, unfazed by Jeno's teasing.

After bidding farewell to his friends, Jeno checked the time on the wall—it was late. Just then, he noticed Renjun emerging from his room in pajamas, looking irresistibly cute.

"Oh, Jeno! I thought you were already asleep," Renjun greeted softly.

"Just finished my assignment. Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Jeno asked, concerned.

Renjun sighed. "I'm tired, but I can't seem to sleep."

"Sit on the couch. I'll make you some hot chocolate," Jeno offered, already moving towards the kitchen.

"It's fine, Jeno. I can make it myself," Renjun protested weakly.

Jeno's expression turned serious. "You want a repeat of yesterday?"

Renjun shook his head quickly. "No, I'll wait here."

Soon, Jeno returned with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, handing it to Renjun with a gentle smile. Renjun's face lit up with gratitude as he took a sip, causing Jeno's heart to skip a beat at how adorable he looked.

"Thank you, Jeno," Renjun said softly.

"You're cute," Jeno muttered almost under his breath, but Renjun heard it clearly.

"W-What?" Renjun stammered, startled.

Jeno chuckled lightly. "Did I say something? Anyway, drink up and get some sleep, Renjun," he said warmly, ruffling Renjun's hair affectionately before heading to his room. "Goodnight."

Renjun sat there, heart pounding with a mix of confusion and excitement. What was happening between them? It was confusing, but one thing was certain—it felt incredibly good for his heart, despite the uncertainty.

❀

"I heard that one of the hot basketball players is throwing a party tonight, I feel like going there," Haechan said, looking at Renjun for an answer.

"Sorry, Hae, you know I don't like parties."

"Argh! Come on! For tonight? For me? Please!! I really want to go there and make some friends."

"You can go alone, you will be fine," Renjun replied before focusing on doing his exercises.

"You're such a boring person, Renjun, we should have some fun here," Haechan mumbled in annoyance. Renjun disliked parties; he didn't like being in crowded places. It made him feel overwhelmed, like he was drowning.

"Renjun!" Renjun looked up to see the person who called him. It was Jaemin, Jeno's friend.

"Who is this?" Haechan asked, and Renjun immediately introduced his cousin to Jaemin.

"This is Jaemin, Jeno's best friend."

"Hi, Jeno's best friend, I'm Renjun's cousin," Haechan greeted Jaemin with a smile.

"Right, have you seen Jeno?" Jaemin asked, receiving a no from Renjun. "Well, too bad, I need to go now. If you happen to see Jeno, let me know, please! Here's my number," Jaemin said as he typed it into Renjun's phone. Renjun nodded in acknowledgment. "Anyway, are you going to the party tonight?"

The question from Jaemin shocked both Renjun and Haechan. This basketball player was indeed famous.

"You're going?" Haechan asked Jaemin, who nodded with a smile. "I found my people! Let's go together! I asked Renjun, but he didn't want to go." Haechan rolled his eyes; if only Renjun had said 'yes', he might not have been annoyed.

"Well, Haechan, if you really want to go, just go!" Renjun's voice was unexpectedly loud, surprising Haechan. Renjun quickly packed his stuff and walked away from the two.

"Fuck," Haechan cursed. Jaemin, still standing there, was shocked at Renjun's reaction. He didn't expect Renjun to be that upset.

Renjun laid his head on the table, hiding his face with a book, and quietly cried. He was in the library, where there weren't many students. He thought it was the perfect place to be alone for a while. Renjun felt hurt; he just disliked the idea of partying. He wasn't like other people, and he wasn't Haechan. Why would Haechan be annoyed with him for not wanting to go there?

"Renjun?" Hearing a familiar voice, Renjun lifted his head. He saw the person who had called him earlier and quickly hid his face again. "Ah, well, goodbye, Renjun."

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Renjun cursed inside.

The person walked away from Renjun and approached another table where his friend was sitting. "Buddy, you won't believe who I just saw."

"Who?"

"Renjun. He, um, kinda cried?"