FALLING FOR YOU | Renhyuck

5

Chapter 5:

The weekend arrived faster than Renjun anticipated. He found himself standing outside the art exhibit, feeling out of place amidst the crowd of excited visitors. Jaemin had practically dragged him here, and although Renjun loved art, he wasn't sure how he felt about spending the afternoon with Jaemin and Jeno, who were glued to each other's sides as usual.

"Come on, Renjun! Let's check out the abstract section!" Jaemin's voice rang out, bright and cheery. Jeno trailed behind him, his expression softening whenever he looked at Jaemin. Renjun followed them, trying to stay engaged but finding it increasingly hard to ignore the nagging feeling of being the third wheel.

As they moved through the exhibit, Renjun let his gaze wander, admiring the vibrant paintings and intricate sculptures. He loved how art could tell a story without words, each stroke and detail reflecting emotions that couldn't always be spoken. It was an escape, a way to get lost in something beautiful, away from his own complicated feelings.

Renjun was so engrossed in a particularly stunning piece when Jaemin nudged him. "Hey, isn't that Haechan?"

Renjun's head snapped up, his heart skipping a beat. Sure enough, Haechan was standing across the room, chatting with a group of students from their school. He was animated, gesturing wildly as he told some story that had everyone laughing. For a moment, Renjun considered sneaking away before Haechan noticed him, but it was too late. Haechan's eyes met his, and a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.

"Oh great," Jeno muttered under his breath, his mood souring instantly. "What's he doing here?"

Jaemin shrugged, ever the peacemaker. "It's a public exhibit, Jeno. He's allowed to be here."

Haechan excused himself from the group and made his way over, his eyes never leaving Renjun. "Fancy seeing you here, Huang," Haechan said, his voice laced with that familiar playful tone that always made Renjun's pulse quicken. "Didn't know you were into art."

Renjun felt his cheeks warm, but he forced himself to keep his voice steady. "I... I am. It's relaxing."

Haechan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Maybe you can show me around, then. I'm sure you've got good taste."

Jeno stepped in, his annoyance evident. "Renjun's with us, Haechan. Go bother someone else."

Haechan's smile didn't falter, but his eyes flicked briefly to Jeno, then back to Renjun. "I'm not bothering anyone. Am I, Renjun?"

Renjun hesitated, caught between wanting to keep the peace and the strange pull he always felt toward Haechan. He glanced at Jaemin, who gave him an encouraging nod, silently urging him to stand his ground. "It's fine," Renjun finally said, meeting Jeno's disapproving glare. "I can handle it."

Haechan's grin widened, and he offered his arm to Renjun in an exaggerated gesture. "Shall we?"

Renjun rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile as he reluctantly took Haechan's arm. He could feel Jeno's burning gaze on his back, but for once, he didn't care. He was tired of feeling like he was always tiptoeing around everyone else's expectations.

They wandered through the exhibit, Haechan surprisingly attentive as Renjun pointed out his favorite pieces. It felt strangely easy, being with Haechan like this. There was no pretense, no trying to fit in. Haechan listened, asked questions, and even made Renjun laugh with his dramatic takes on the art, mimicking the poses of statues and making exaggerated faces at abstract paintings.

"See this one?" Renjun said, pointing to a large canvas splashed with vibrant reds and oranges. "It's like... chaotic, but there's something beautiful about it. It's messy, but it still works somehow."

Haechan studied the painting for a moment, nodding thoughtfully. "Kind of like you," he said, his voice softer than usual.

Renjun blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Haechan shrugged, his expression serious now. "You're always so hard on yourself, but you're... you're more than you think, Renjun. You just don't see it."

Renjun's heart thudded in his chest, and he looked away, unable to handle the sudden intensity in Haechan's gaze. He felt vulnerable, exposed in a way he wasn't used to. "I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled, trying to deflect.

Haechan smiled gently, not pushing further. "You don't have to. But I do."

They continued their tour, and Renjun found himself relaxing, enjoying Haechan's company more than he cared to admit. As they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a photo booth set up for visitors. Haechan's eyes lit up, and before Renjun could protest, Haechan was dragging him inside.

"Come on, Huang, let's take some memories," Haechan said, squeezing into the small booth beside Renjun. They were pressed close, the tight space forcing Renjun to focus on every detail-the warmth of Haechan's arm against his, the faint scent of his cologne, the way his smile seemed to light up the entire booth.

The camera flashed, capturing Renjun's stunned expression and Haechan's wide, playful grin. Renjun laughed, his earlier anxieties momentarily forgotten as they took photo after photo, each one more ridiculous than the last.

In the final shot, Haechan leaned in, his lips brushing Renjun's cheek just as the camera clicked. Renjun froze, his breath hitching as Haechan pulled back, looking more pleased with himself than ever.

Renjun stared at the photo strip as it printed, his fingers trembling slightly. The last photo was undeniable proof of Haechan's flirtations, and Renjun's cheeks flushed bright red. "Why did you-"

"Because you look cute when you're flustered," Haechan interrupted, grabbing the photo strip and tucking it into Renjun's pocket. "Keep it. A little reminder that not everything has to be so serious."

Renjun didn't know what to say. He wanted to be mad, to push Haechan away and deny the strange thrill that ran through him every time Haechan was near. But as they left the booth, Renjun couldn't stop glancing at the photos, his heart thumping wildly in his chest.

They rejoined Jeno and Jaemin, who were both watching with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. Jeno opened his mouth, likely to reprimand Haechan yet again, but Jaemin stopped him with a gentle squeeze of his arm. "Let's just enjoy the day, okay?"

Jeno reluctantly agreed, but his eyes lingered on Renjun and Haechan, clearly unsettled by the unexpected alliance. Renjun felt a pang of guilt, knowing Jeno was just trying to look out for him. But as he caught Haechan's playful wink from the corner of his eye, Renjun couldn't help but smile, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.

For once, it didn't matter that he was caught between his friends' expectations and Haechan's relentless flirting. In this moment, Renjun was just... Renjun. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

🐻🦊
Tbc...
Leave a comment it makes me happy ^∆^