The Lodger; Noren NCT

✿*｡ Thirty-One ｡*✿

"Wait" Mrs Lee says, putting down her half drank cup of coffee onto the table "you're moving out?"

Jeno sat opposite the blonde, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.
Renjun nods "I'm really sorry, I just can't afford the rent anymore but my friend said I could stay with him for the rest of the time I'm in Korea" he smiles sadly, trying his best to not look over at Jeno.

Mrs Lee nods in understanding "honey I don't mind putting the price down for you" she offers but Renjun instantly shakes his head.

"No no! It's fine, I understand you need to make the money, and the room is reasonably priced, it's just my mum can't send me anymore money" he lies. His mum had a savings account opened up years ago and it contained enough for Renjun to stay here for a whole year if he wanted to, but he needed to get out of this house.
Actually, rephrase; he needed to get away from Jeno.

Thankfully Sicheng had been an actual life saver and offered to let Renjun stay with him until he finished school.

"But you have a job" Jeno says and this time Renjun can't help but look over at him. He was surprised Jeno wasn't already organising a party to celebrate the fact Renjun was finally leaving.

"Well yeah, but it doesn't pay that much" he sees Jeno's eyes narrow into a glare but chooses to ignore it, turning back to Mrs Lee.

"Aw, we'll miss you, right Jeno?" she says only earning a hum from the brunette "when do you leave?"

"Well, I'm going to start packing after breakfast so I'll probably be out by this afternoon" he was trying not to make it look too obvious he was desperate to leave. If he was being completely honest, he would miss living here.

"Do you want Jeno to help you pack?" She asks and Renjun's heart sinks.

"No it's fine-"

"I'll help" Jeno interrupts, standing from the table "Well come on then"

Renjun sighs but forces himself to stand and awkwardly follow the younger out of the room.
"So you've ran out of money?" Jeno asks as they walk up the stairs. It was strange since Jeno wasn't one for making small talk, usually he just went straight to the point.

"Um yeah?" It sounded more like a question but that was just because he was still hella confused why Jeno was asking.
Suddenly, Jeno laughs as they reach the top of the stairs, carrying on towards the guest room "what's so funny?"

As soon as they were inside the room, Jeno crosses his arms over his chest "You're full of bullshit, you're leaving because of me"

Honestly Renjun wasn't surprised Jeno saw through his lie, and he didn't care. The blonde only shrugs and nods "fine I'll admit, I'm leaving because of you".

"You'll still have to see me at school" Jeno points out.

"Doesn't mean I have to talk to you"

"What about Jaemin? I thought you were pretty good friends"

Renjun didn't understand why Jeno was arguing this "I can still be friends with Jaemin without having to speak to you" he snaps "anyway I thought you were gonna help me pack". He huffs, dragging his suitcase out from under the bed.

"You really hate me don't you?" Jeno didn't move from where he stood next to the door.

"Did I not make that clear yesterday!?" Renjun yells, his eyes glaring at Jeno. "If you're not going to help then get out!" He points at the door, but instead of leaving like Renjun thought he would, Jeno closes the door and moves a little closer to the blonde.

"Y-you can't leave" he says quietly only to earn a scoff from Renjun.

"Really? Watch me" the elder says as he begins pulling his clothes out of his closet and folding them into the case.

"Renjun!" Jeno yells, reaching out and grabbing his wrist to stop him from packing "you can't leave"

"And why is that?" He askes, brow raised as he waits for Jeno's reply. Renjun would have thought Jeno would be happy to see him gone, after all it's what he had wanted.

"Because-" he trails off quietly and Renjun has to lean closer to hear.

"What?"

"Because as much as it kills me to admit it I'll miss you!" Jeno snaps, his own eyes widening as he realises what he said. "A-a lot"

Jeno lets go of Renjun's wrist and sits down on the bed, his eyes focused on the floor in front of him.

Renjun's heart stops and a million questions come to mind. He steps away from the suitcase and instead hesitantly takes a seat beside Jeno. For a moment they didn't say anything to each other, they just sat in silence.

"Didn't you want me to move out since day one?" Renjun speaks up. Maybe finally they would be able to have a conversation that didn't involve arguing or flirting.

Jeno nods "at first I did, but I guess it would be weird without you here" he says but looks over at Renjun "if you stay I promise I won't do anything, I'll never lead you on again, and I'll try not to get mad at you"

Now Renjun was beyond confused. Why was Jeno suddenly acting like this. God this guy had major mood swings. "Jeno you've promised me this before"

"I know but I mean it this time" he says almost desperately "I'm not a bad person, I know you think I am but I'm not. And I know I took advantage of you but it was never supposed to get this out of hand and I'm sorry" he rushes.

Renjun didn't quite know what to say. He didn't even know if Jeno was being honest. This could all be part of his plan on keeping Renjun as his toy. He knows what Lucas would say 'he's done it once he can do it again'. But Renjun had never seen Jeno look this sincere before.
"How do I know you're not lying to me again"

"Because you should know I'm not the type to apologise" this was nothing new, Renjun found this out a long time ago. "But I really am sorry, I just- can't we be like...friends?"

"Friends? As in friends without benefits?" Renjun asks, just making sure that Jeno knew not all friends were willing to do him favours.

He laughs a little and the sound brings a small smile to Renjun's lips. "Just don't leave" he says "please"

Renjun sighs, thinking for a moment. Did Jeno really deserve a second chance? Actually he'd lost count of how many chances he had given Jeno. But then again would one more hurt?

"Fine" he answers, standing from the bed "I'll tell your mum that money was transferred into my account. But I swear to god Lee Jeno, it you do anything to me I'll leave, and you won't convince me to stay a second time" he warns before opening the door and leaving.

•••••
A/N: This is completely unrelated to anything but I just had a weird thought. My account is anonymous but what if I actually know you in real life?? Anyway that's just me being a weird human being, I'll go now bye!~ ♡