across the universe. | chensung

running 2 u | chapter 6

Jisung's head throbbed as his phone buzzed for the first time that day. He finally had a hold of the hotel's wifi and decided to call Renjun for help. He sat up and the world spun, his neck unable to support his head, which felt like it weighed a ton. Flying by plane was definitely not his favorite way to travel.

His phone was on the desk; if he could just reach it -

Thud.

Jisung fell sideways off the bed. Gingerly picking himself up, he dialed in Renjun's number. "Please, please pick up." The line crackled.

"Hello?"

Jisung silently punched the air. "Hey, it's me, Jisung."

"Jisung? It's been a while, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Emotionally not so great though."

"Then why did you suddenly call me?"

"Oh, I'm in China now-"

"Wait, WHAT? How are you in China? Are you alone? Why are you even there?"

Jisung held his phone at arm's length and winced at Renjun shouting over the phone.

"Dude calm down, I'm old enough now to be alone in another country. I'm here because Chenle came back."

"WHAT? Chenle? He went back to Korea? That still doesn't explain why you're in China though..."

"Chenle just left Korea this morning, so I followed him, and now I'm here in Shanghai...with no idea what next."

"I'm not in Shanghai, I'm no help... But I can translate if you need me to. Just give me a call if that's the case."

This was why Jisung was friends with him. You could always count on Renjun, he always had your back.

"Sure, I'm going to get some food. I'll try my best to stay alive."

Although the joke was light-hearted, but the thought of going outside still intimidated him. How is he supposed to find Chenle? Even communication in such an unfamiliar place was a problem for him.

"Well, good luck and just tell me if you need me for anything."

With that, they bid their goodbyes and hung up the phone.

Putting his phone back on the desk, Jisung laid on his back on the soft blankets, turning his head to look at the sunset outside the windows. The writing on the building signs seemed familiar but foreign, which Jisung found interesting.

"I should've paid more attention during hanja class..."

-

Jisung winced as the wind blew icy blasts under his jacket. The rush-hour crowd pressed and jostled around him, eyes on the ground, hurrying to get to their destination as soon as possible. It was 6 in the evening, most offices had got off work, and everyone was heading to the warmth of home in this cold weather. Jisung scanned the area, trying to find which way to go. His pocket buzzed, which caught his attention. He took out his phone and found a message from Renjun; it was a screenshot of restaurants in Shanghai.

"I was kinda worried so I looked for some restaurants that I think you'd like. Just get a taxi and show the address to the driver. Remember to bring cash!!!"

Jisung grinned at Renjun's message - wishing he was here in person. Studying the restaurant address, and, after much difficulty, hailed a taxi.

Sitting in the car, head braced on the window and closing his eyes to the soft swaying rhythm of the purring engine, Jisung's thoughts wandered to the reason why he came here.

Chenle.

Everyone needs a person that calms their storm. Keep their world functioning even if it shattered. He was worth every sacrifice he made in order to find him. Jisung had been trying to put a leash on his heart for three years. And now it had started to pull.

Jisung had once asked himself if he regretted this decision. The answer was no. Even back then, young and scrabbling at those confusing emotions thrown at him, he knew. How much Chenle meant to him, how far he was willing to go.

Chenle deserves everything.