𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦 | 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗶𝗻

Ɔ

The days following Renjun's decision to stay with Jaemin were a whirlwind of emotions, filled with moments that teetered between the comforting and the unsettling. Jaemin, true to his word, seemed to shift gears completely. The darkness that had briefly surfaced in his eyes during their last conversation was now hidden away, replaced by a warmth that Renjun had only caught glimpses of before.

Jaemin became the epitome of romance, seemingly determined to sweep Renjun off his feet. He would show up at the bakery with bouquets of flowers—each more extravagant than the last—accompanied by notes that were filled with sweet, heartfelt words that made Renjun's heart flutter. They went on long walks through the city, shared candlelit dinners at Jaemin's apartment, and even took a spontaneous weekend trip to a secluded cabin by the lake, where the world seemed to consist only of the two of them.

And yet, despite all of this, a small part of Renjun couldn't shake the memory of that night—the fear he had felt, the coldness in Jaemin's voice. But whenever those thoughts started to creep in, Jaemin was there, pulling Renjun back into the present with a gentle touch, a soft kiss, or a whispered promise that everything would be alright.

One evening, a few weeks after their tense conversation, Renjun found himself once again at Jaemin's apartment. The place was filled with the scent of freshly cooked food, and soft jazz played in the background, creating a serene atmosphere that made it easy to forget the worries that had plagued him before. Jaemin had insisted on cooking dinner himself, a gesture that Renjun found both endearing and surprising.

As they sat down to eat, Jaemin poured them each a glass of wine, his movements graceful and confident. Renjun watched him, his heart warming at the sight. Jaemin had a way of making everything he did look effortless, and it was easy to get lost in the allure of it all.

"So, how was your day?" Jaemin asked as they began to eat, his tone light and casual.

"It was good," Renjun replied, smiling as he took a bite of the perfectly cooked meal. "Busy, but good. A lot of customers today—probably because of the new season's specials."

Jaemin nodded, his eyes crinkling with genuine interest. "I'm glad to hear that. Your bakery deserves all the success in the world, Renjun."

Renjun blushed slightly at the compliment, ducking his head to hide his smile. "Thanks, Jaemin. That means a lot."

They continued to talk as they ate, the conversation flowing easily between them. Jaemin was charming, attentive, and made Renjun feel like he was the most important person in the world. But as they moved on to dessert—an elaborate chocolate cake that Jaemin had prepared—Renjun felt a question bubbling up inside him, one that he had been avoiding for weeks.

He set down his fork, looking up at Jaemin with a mixture of hesitation and resolve. "Jaemin... about that night," he began, choosing his words carefully. "You told me it was just business, but I still don't understand. Why was it so... intense?"

Jaemin's expression softened, and he reached across the table to take Renjun's hand in his. His touch was warm, comforting, and Renjun felt some of the tension in his chest ease. "I'm sorry I scared you, Renjun," Jaemin said, his voice sincere. "I never wanted you to see that side of things. It was... personal business, something I had to handle, but it's nothing you need to worry about."

Renjun frowned slightly, unsure if he was satisfied with that answer. "But... who was that other person? They sounded so scared."

Jaemin's grip on Renjun's hand tightened slightly, but his smile remained gentle. "It was a misunderstanding, that's all. I handled it, and it won't happen again."

There was something in the way Jaemin said it that made Renjun's heart skip a beat—a quiet, underlying firmness that left no room for argument. Renjun knew that Jaemin was trying to reassure him, but the way he spoke, the way he downplayed what had happened, left Renjun with more questions than answers.

But before Renjun could press further, Jaemin stood up, pulling Renjun to his feet and leading him to the living room. "Enough about that," Jaemin said, his tone light and playful now. "Tonight is about us. I have something I want to show you."

Renjun followed him, curiosity piqued as Jaemin led him to the large window that overlooked the city. The view was breathtaking, the lights of the city twinkling like stars against the darkening sky. Jaemin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, holding it out to Renjun with a smile.

Renjun's breath caught in his throat as he took the box, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it. Inside was a delicate silver necklace, the pendant shaped like a small, intricate rose. It was beautiful, and the sight of it made Renjun's heart swell with emotion.

"Jaemin... this is... it's beautiful," Renjun whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Jaemin stepped closer, gently taking the necklace from the box and fastening it around Renjun's neck. His fingers brushed against Renjun's skin, sending a shiver down his spine. "I saw it and thought of you," Jaemin said softly, his voice close to Renjun's ear. "A reminder that no matter what happens, you're precious to me, Renjun."

Renjun turned to face Jaemin, his eyes shining with emotion. The gesture was so thoughtful, so romantic, that it made it easy to forget the doubts and fears that had been plaguing him. In this moment, with Jaemin's arms around him and the city spread out before them, everything felt perfect.

"Thank you," Renjun said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Jaemin replied, his smile warm and genuine. "Just stay with me."

Renjun nodded, leaning into Jaemin's embrace. As they stood there, holding each other close, Renjun let himself be swept away by the romance of it all. The doubts that had been gnawing at him faded into the background, overshadowed by the intensity of Jaemin's affection.

But even as he allowed himself to get lost in the moment, a small, quiet voice in the back of Renjun's mind reminded him that the darkness was still there, lurking just beneath the surface. And no matter how perfect things seemed now, he couldn't ignore the fact that Jaemin was keeping secrets—secrets that could change everything.

For now, though, Renjun pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warmth of Jaemin's embrace, the soft glow of the city lights, and the delicate weight of the necklace around his neck. Whatever the future held, whatever truths might eventually come to light, Renjun knew that he would face them when the time came.

Tonight, he would let himself enjoy the romance, the affection, and the comfort of being with someone who made him feel cherished. The rest could wait.