The Lodger; Noren NCT

✿*｡ Forty ｡*✿

Renjun reads over the words written on the paper in front him. A scrawl of neat handwriting all in Chinese characters,thankfully, making it a much more easy read. He smiles once he comes to the end of the paragraph and looks up at the brunette sat opposite him. "This essay is fine. You're points are good and you're explanation of the experiment is really strong. This would be perfect to turn in, of course you need to translate it back into Korean first" he laughs a little and hands the paper back over.

"Really? And everything I wrote is actually relevant?" Yanyang asks, a smile now on his face thanks to the small praise received from Renjun.

"Yup it's great. I'd say you'd get an A on that, or at least nothing below a B" the blonde assures, secretly admiring the happiness on Yangyang's face as he re-reads over his own essay.

They had chosen to study outside today, since the sun was surprisingly very warm, and the sky was bright blue, not a cloud in sight. "Thank you, you're literally the only reason I'm going to pass his subject you know that right?" He beams but Renjun only shakes his head.

"That's not true" he points out "you had all the knowledge already, I just revisited the topics with you to jog youre memory. You know that's the whole point of studying right?" He laughs a little as it was more than obvious Yangyang wasn't the type of person to study, yet for some reason every time Renjun offered to study with him he would practically pounce at the opportunity.

"Shut up don't ruin the moment" the brunette hits his arm playfully before picking up a textbook and flipping through the pages, not exactly reading them. "Actually I've been meaning to ask you something" he says and this captures Renjun's attention. The light and playful tone in his voice now being one of seriousness.

"Oh, what is it?"

The younger hesitates for a moment, not taking his eyes off the book in his hands. "I was um, wondering if you would like to go out with me sometime?" He asks, the nerves evident in his voice

"But we are out" Renjun says, and only then did Yangyang put the book down and look over at the blonde.

"I mean go out, you know like a- like a date" the last pat seemed a little mumbled but Renjun heard him. The younger looks away once again, a slight look of regret on his face.

Renjun was a little shocked but he couldn't help the small smile from breaking out on his face. "You want to go on a date? With me?" He'd never been asked out before so the question took him by surprise a little. Yangyang doesn't answer, only nods his head, still to looking up at Renjun.

Maybe this was a chance to get over Jeno. Maybe going on a date with Yangyang would make his feelings change. That thought alone made him hopeful.
"Okay" he says, causing Yangyang to look up "lets go on a date"

"Really?!" He asks in shock. Renjun nods and offers a smile which Yangyang returns. "So...like sometime next week, you'd actually go on a date with me?"

Renjun can't help but laugh at his surprised expression "yes I'll go on a date with you".

•••••

Renjun opens the door to Sicheng's room, seeing the elder sat cross legged on the bed, laptop open and the bright screen illuminating his face.
"I have a date"

"No way!" Sicheng's jaw drops slightly and he quickly moves the laptop, patting the bed for Renjun to sit down. "With who?! Jeno?"

The blonde cringes at that a little "no not Jeno. Remember the boy I was with the other night, the one I was studying with?"
If he was being completely honest he was trying his best not to think about Jeno. Everything he had said to him seemed to be on a constant replay in his mind. Did he overreact? Of course. Should he apologise? Yes. Is he going to? Absolutely not. Much like Jeno, Renjun was also hella stubborn, and being proven wrong would only bruise his pride.

The elder was quite for a moment as he thought back but a look of realisation soon came to his face "the one with the curly brown hair?" He asks and Renjun nods "aw I can't believe you have a date! But what are you going to do about Jeno?"

"What do you mean what am I going to do?" He shrugs "I'm hoping this will help me get over his ignorant ass"

Sicheng laughs a little "true but you need to promise me something" he says and Renjun tilts his head in slight confusion "don't lead this guy on just to try and get over Jeno. He obviously likes you if he asked you out and you shouldn't hurt him okay?"

Renjun nods "of course not. Yangyang is a nice guy, I wouldn't lead him on like that"

The elder smiles "good. So when is it?"

"Sometime next week".

Sicheng pouts a little "you'll be back at Jeno's by then, I won't be able to help you get ready" Renjun laughs at how genuinely disappointed his friend looked.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure I look good" he reassures which makes the elder smile.

"Good! I don't want you wearing those jumpers with the holes in" he warns and Renjun only rolls his eyes, hitting his friend slightly.

"Shut up"