Dangerous Affection | Renmin | Jaemren

6

Renjun woke up the next morning to find the other side of the bed empty, the sheets cool to the touch. He reached out, half expecting Jaemin to still be there, but the lingering warmth was long gone. Renjun sighed, running a hand through his hair. The kiss last night had felt like a turning point, but now, in the harsh light of day, it was clear that things were more complicated than ever.

Renjun found Jaemin in the kitchen, his back turned as he brewed coffee. The tension between them was palpable, a heavy reminder of what they had shared and what it meant.

Jaemin glanced over his shoulder, his expression carefully neutral. “Morning.”

Renjun swallowed, suddenly unsure of himself. “Morning.”

For a moment, they just stood there, the silence stretching between them like a thin wire, ready to snap. Renjun wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck in his throat. What were they supposed to do now? Pretend like nothing happened? Or face the fact that everything had changed?

Jaemin cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “We need to talk.”

Renjun nodded, his heart pounding. “Yeah, we do.”

Jaemin set down his mug, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter. “Last night… it can’t happen again.”

Renjun’s chest tightened, the rejection hitting harder than he expected. “Why not?”

Jaemin’s gaze flickered, a mix of frustration and something deeper. “Because this isn’t some fairytale, Renjun. I can’t promise you a happy ending. Hell, I can’t even promise you tomorrow.”

Renjun stepped closer, unwilling to back down. “I’m not asking for a promise, Jaemin. I’m asking you to stop pushing me away.”

Jaemin’s eyes softened, but the worry lingered beneath. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Renjun’s voice wavered, but he didn’t look away. “Then don’t.”

Jaemin sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to fend off a headache. “It’s not that simple.”

Renjun bit his lip, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. “I know this world is dangerous, Jaemin. But I’m already in it, whether you like it or not. And I’m not going to sit on the sidelines while you destroy yourself trying to protect everyone but yourself.”

Jaemin stared at him, something breaking in his expression. For a second, Renjun thought he might argue, but then Jaemin deflated, all the fight draining out of him.

“You’re right,” Jaemin admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been trying so hard to keep you safe that I forgot you’re not just some pawn in this game.”

Renjun’s heart ached at Jaemin’s vulnerability. “I’m here because I choose to be, Jaemin. With you.”

Jaemin reached out, his fingers brushing against Renjun’s cheek in a touch so gentle it sent a shiver down Renjun’s spine. “I don’t know how to do this,” Jaemin confessed. “How to let someone in without screwing it all up.”

Renjun leaned into the touch, his eyes locked on Jaemin’s. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Jaemin’s breath hitched, and for a moment, Renjun thought they might actually be okay. But before they could say anything more, Jaemin’s phone buzzed, shattering the fragile moment.

Jaemin pulled back, checking the message with a frown. “We’ve got a lead. Jeno wants to meet.”

Renjun nodded, the reality of their situation crashing back in. They didn’t have time to dwell on their feelings when danger was still lurking around every corner. But as they left the penthouse, Renjun couldn’t help but feel that something between them had shifted, something that couldn’t be undone.