The Lodger; Noren NCT

✿*｡ Forty-Five ｡*✿

"I like you a lot Jeno. I'm sorry I couldn't get over you".
Renjun braced himself for some mean comment or for Jeno to laugh in his face, but it never came. The two simply stood in silence, Renjun feeling far too embarrassed to turn and walk away, he was frozen to the spot, completely mortified by his own actions.

"You still have feelings for me?" Jeno finally asks and the elder only replies with a weak nod. "Even after everything I've done?"

As much as Renjun was trying to hold it in, his eyes became a little watery but he silently willed himself not to cry, especially not in front of Jeno. He was already embarrassed enough. "I'm sorry" he says quietly, thanking the gods that his voice didn't waver.

"Why are you sorry? Shouldn't I be the one saying sorry?" Jeno asks, laughing softly but Renjun couldn't see the humour in the situation.

"Forget it" he whispers, knowing that if he spoke out loud then he wouldn't be able to stop the tears from coming. He turns around and goes to leave the room but a voice stops him

"I think I feel the same" Jeno rushes and Renjun freezes, slowly turning back around.

"What?" His chest tightens, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe "do you really think now is a good time to joke around?"

Jeno shakes his head and takes a few more steps closer but Renjun backs away. "I'm not joking" he says, a look of desperation in his eyes  "I'll admit that I don't want to have these feelings for you, but I can't deny that they're there". 

Renjun wasn't completely sure he wasn't dreaming this whole thing up, that none of this was actually happening. "Y-you don't want them?"

"No!" Jeno snaps, causing the blonde to flinch a little and instantly his tone softens "I don't want to have feelings for you. You annoy the hell out of me, it annoys me how much I genuinely care about you and it annoys me how I find myself admiring the way you smile. Everything you do and everything you make me feel is annoying, Renjun"

Renjun didn't realise a tear had fallen until Jeno lifts his hand up to wipe it away. He wasn't sure if he should feel, flattered or insulted. But Renjun came to the conclusion that he was too relieved to feel insulted "you mean that?"

Jeno only nods, hesitantly moving his hands to Renjun's hip and pulling him a little closer "it also annoys me that after everything I've done you still like an idiot like me."

A faint smile appears on Renjun's lips "let's be honest" he says, cupping Jeno's cheek with the palm of his hand "we've both been idiots".

Jeno smiles and within seconds he had pressed his lips to Renjun's, kissing him softly. They had kissed before but this felt so much better. The knowledge of that this kiss held actual meaning was enough to make Renjun think his heart was going to explode out of his chest.

His arms reach up and wrap around Jeno's neck, the kiss doesn't get anymore intense, both just wanting to savour the feeling of finally being able to share such an intimate and meaningful moment.

The kiss comes to an end and suddenly Renjun feels like he may have crossed a line, the last thing he wanted to do was make Jeno angry yet again. "Sorry" he mutters, averting his gaze but he couldn't seem to bring himself to move away.

"Why? I kissed you" Jeno says, you could practically hear the smile in his voice and Renjun feels his cheeks heating up.
"So does this mean you accept my apology?"

This makes the elder smile and he nods, still far too overwhelmed to be able to form the correct words. Jeno wraps his arms around Renjun, hugging him tightly, his hand moving up to stroke his blonde hair. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realise".

Renjun smiles and shakes his head, tightening his grip on Jeno. He felt so relieved but the guilt of leaving Yanyang behind was still playing on him.

"I'm sorry too"

•••••
A/N: so I have a skz minsung fic now if anyone is interested.