#renjun drabble

[ 7:22 pm ] the plate of food in front of you is nearly empty, but raising your head just a bit, you see that the plate directly across from yours is almost exactly how it was when the waitress set it down. you shovel another spoonful into your mouth, watching as your boyfriend’s brow creases as he squints at the almost comically large, dusty and permanently wrinkled roadmap he holds open in front of him.

“i think we’re lost,” renjun sighs, resting his head heavily in his hand, slightly pouty as his eyes continue to scan the maze of lines on the map. you swallow your bite of food, tilting your head doubtfully at him.

“the only way to get lost on a road trip is if we end up at the bottom of the ocean,” you joke, lifting up your mug and peeking in, swirling around the last drops of your hot cocoa. you sigh.

looking up at renjun’s mug, still topped with a mountain of whipped cream, untouched, you grin innocently at him. “are you gonna drink that?” you ask him sweetly, pointing to his hot beverage, batting your lashes. he just shakes his head sadly, sliding the drink across the table.

[ 9:16pm ] at this point in the night, its fair to say your brain is fried. if one more sentence demanded to be written about this god forsaken, lackluster topic, you'd lose your mind for sure. so, for the sake of your sanity, you close your laptop and drop your heavy head to rest in the bend of your elbow.

needless to say, renjun somehow always had more willpower than you when it came to tedious college essays; he always pushed you to your limits during study sessions. but you can tell he's burning the candle at both ends as well. he gnaws his bottom lip as his fingers glide across the lettered keys, and his eyes run laps around the same few phrases attempting to perfect them.

the combination of seeing you shove your coursework aside for enough space to halfway comfortably rest your tired eyes and the warm, drowsy ambience of the library this long after the sun has retired makes renjun muffle out a yawn, leaning back and reaching out to stretch. you open your eyes to peek up at him, letting out a sleepy chuckle when you see him fall limp against the back of his chair. he has a dull, tired gaze on the ceiling, too lazy to lean back up to continue typing.

"join the club," you hum, reaching up to close his own laptop for him. he reluctantly slumps forward with a groan, his cheek finding the solace of his soft sleeves when he rests on his folded arms.

"good plan," renjun sighs, snuggling into his sweater.

Part One, Part Two

***

It’s later into the evening when Renjun hears the bell above his shop’s door chime once more. Letting out a sigh, he glances up from his book, not bothering to hold onto a hope that it could be you returning for those few volumes you asked him to put on hold earlier today. Each time the bell had jingled before, he was positive it would be you, but oh how wring he was.

Luck seems to suddenly be on his side, and he nearly falls off of his stool when he sees you approaching him. Finally. Though, instead of the usual smile you wear, you seem a bit distressed.

Renjun’s brow furrows immediately, “what’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing,” you brush him off as soon as you reach the counter, that same smile he’s so used to seeing gracing your features once more. It doesn’t reach your eyes. “I’m just here to get those volumes from earlier and then go home.”

His lips tighten into a thin line. You should know by now that you can tell him anything. He’ll always be here for you, and the last thing he wants is for you to be upset. Something is bothering you, that much he can tell, and it hurts him to know you don’t trust him enough to talk to him about it.

Grabbing the books from the place he put them beneath the counter, he begins to ring you up. Cautiously, his gaze flicks to you. “I’m surprised Chenle’s no longer with you.”

It’s so slight, that were he not paying extra close attention to you, he would have missed the way your breath hitched suddenly in your throat. However, you cannot hide the way your whole body tenses at the younger male’s name.

“No,” you reply, your lips twitching upwards nervously, “he’s not.”

Okay, now Renjun is really concerned.

“Did something happen?” He pauses ringing up your total in favour of meeting your gaze, his own intense with worry.

“I’d really rather not talk about it,” you shift, clearly uncomfortable by the sudden question.

“Look, if he did something to you, I swear I'll-”

Renjun’s next words get cut off by the sound of the bell above the door tinkling once more.

“There you are,” an all too familiar voice drawls, Chenle’s footsteps seemingly echoing around the shop as he walks towards the both of you. “I thought I'd find you here.”

If you weren’t tense before, you sure as all hell are now.

“What are you doing here?” Renjun’s eyes narrow, quickly moving around the counter to put himself between you and Chenle.

Chenle frowns, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he sizes up the older male standing across from him. “I came to get my date back.”

“I already told you,” your voice comes out small, shaking with nerves as you lean back onto the counter to support yourself, “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”

“It’s okay, love, it’s been a long day,” Chenle replies, cooing at you condescendingly. “I’m sure you’re exhausted; you don’t know what you’re saying.”

The younger male goes to take a step towards you, and you flinch, causing both males to freeze in their spots. It is then that Renjun notices you rubbing at your wrist now, almost subconsciously. In an instant, he rounds on Chenle.

“What did you do?” He seethes, making sure to step in front of you and block Chenle from reaching you, or even getting near you.

“I didn’t do anything-”

“Bullshit!” You interject, surprising even yourself at your boldness.

It doesn’t take Renjun long to piece things together, and he looks towards the younger male in disgust.

“Never thought I'd see the day where you couldn’t handle rejection.” Renjun’s lips curl into a snarl. “Especially given your track record.”

“You know as well as I do that none of the others could ever compare to them,” Chenle motions towards you with his head.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Renjun replies, blinking at the younger male. “Now, get out of my shop before I make you.”

“Fine.” Chenle meets your gaze one last time, almost pleadingly before a scowl is taking over his features. “This isn’t over.”

Without another word, he’s leaving the shop, nothing but the chime of the bell from above the door echoing throughout.

Turning around to face you, Renjun’s gaze softens. “Are you okay?”

Never, in a million years, did he ever expect for you to fall into his arms, a choked sob escaping your lips. “Thank you.”

Part One

***

The bell above the door chimes once more, signalling a new customer has entered his shop. Normally, seeing you walking in would bring a smile to Renjun’s face, and it still does partly, were it not for the person you walk in with.

“Hey Junnie!” You greet cheerfully with a wave.

“Hey,” he greets back, nearly scowling at the man who visibly snorts beside you at hearing the precious nickname you ever so lovingly use for him. Renjun’s jaw clenches. “What brings you in today?”

Though his question is clearly pointed at the man beside you, especially given the way Renjun not so subtly glares at him, you are the one that answers.

“Well, Chenle said he was kinda new to the neighbourhood and asked me to show him around.” You reply. “And since you are the owner of my favourite bookstore, he wanted to come check it out.”

A certain smugness settles onto Renjun’s face as he watches Chenle grimace at your choice of words, “did he now?”

“Yeah,” Chenle meets the older male’s gaze, “gotta scope out the competition.”

If only you knew just how loaded those words were.

“Not my problem you bought in a location with an already established bookstore,” Renjun deadpans.

“Junnie!” You scold. “Be nice!”

“Yeah, Junnie,” Chenle smirks, and so badly does Renjun want to wipe that expression off of his face. Luckily, you walk over to the manga display in the next moment. “Be nice.”

Renjun’s eyes narrow at the younger male in front of him, “what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Me?” Chenle smiles innocently. “I’m finally making my move, unlike someone who has had years to make one, but is too scared to do so.”

“They’ll never fall for you,” Renjun says, more for his own reassurance than anythings.”

“Oh, really?” Chenle quirks a brow, “because it seems to me that I've successfully managed to take them out with me on a date while you’re stuck manning the counter.”

“You’re on a date?” Renjun seethes, but before much more can come of their conversation, you’re returning to stand beside the older male.

“Junnie, can you put volumes four and five on hold for me, please?” You grab his arm, batting your lashes at him sweetly. “I promise I'll be back later to pick them up.”

“Of course!” Renjun’s voice nearly cracks as he’s quick to reply. He clears his throat, much to the amusement of Chenle. “Anything for you.”

“Sweet!” You smile. “You’re the best!”

All too soon, you’re pulling away from Renjun and moving to stand beside Chenle once more.

“I’ll see you later, then!” You cheer, sending him another wave as you walk out of his store with Chenle.

And yet again, Renjun’s mood plummets as he sees that smug look the younger sends his way. Ah, yes, your date.

Stupid Chenle with his stupid feline grin.

The bell chiming above the door is the only sound that echoes through his shop, alerting him of a new presence that has entered his store. Looking up from behind the counter where he had been reading a book to pass the time, a grin tugs onto Renjun's lips as he sees who has just arrived.

"Haven't seen you for awhile," bookmarking the page he's on, he places one of your favourite books onto the counter in front of him. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me."

"I could never forget about you," you smile, and your words have Renjun's heart racing in his chest. "How could I when you're my favourite bookstore?"

"Oh?" He quirks a brow, opting to remain cool and collected on the outside while he attempts to cool the heat flooding his veins. "Then how come it's been two weeks since your last visit?"

"Keeping track, now?" You quick a brow, and this time, he cannot help the blush that flares to life on his cheeks.

"No!" He rushes out. "I was just worried, is all."

"Worried about me?" You hum, grabbing a few volumes of manga from the front display on your way to the counter. "I didn't realize you were such a sentimental person, Junnie."

There it is, that nickname of his. The one he hates if anyone else uses. Except you, of course. From your lips, it sounds like the sweetest of names. One he could never grow tired of hearing, as long as it's you who says it.

Glancing down at the stack you've just placed on the counter between the both of you, he shuffles through them. His brow furrows as he rings your total up.

"Aren't you also missing this one?" In a flash, he's reached beneath the counter to pull out the volume you were so adamantly searching for last time.

"Oh, I was," you hum, "but I got it already."

Huh? Renjun cannot hide the appal on his face. "What? When?"

"That new bookstore that opened up two blocks from my apartment," you reply, almost sheepishly.

Ah, yes. The storefront he also attempted to buy, only to be out bid by the person he hates most. The person who also seems to have their sights set on you.

"I think the owner's name is Chenle, or something like that." At the way he remains silent, pursing his lips, you're quick to add, "I'm sorry, Junnie, I just couldn't wait."

"Eh, it's just one volume," he shrugs you off, but on the inside, he's seething. "Just be careful. I know Chenle, and he can sometimes have really unfair prices for his books."

"Really?" Your confused look only makes his worry grow. "He seemed so nice when I met him. Plus, he gave me a grand opening discount."

Renjun's eyes go wide. "He did?"

"He did." Your single nod confirms it.

"Well," Renjun's not about to be one upped, or lose his favourite customer, "since you've been such a loyal customer to me, how about fifty percent off?"

"Really?" Seeing the way your eyes light up has his heart racing in his chest one again.

"Of course." He smiles. "You're my favourite, anyways."

"Thanks, Junnie! I really appreciate it." The smile that stretches across your face as he hands you your books makes it all worth it to him in the end.

"Just don't forget about me, now." He teases, but at the way you see his eyes flash, you know there's some truth to his words.

"I won't!" You give him a final wave as you go to exit the store. "See you later!"

As soon as he sees you disappear behind the corner, Renjun lets out a sigh. His eyes narrow, thinking of that damn new pest in your area and what it means for his own business with you.

Part One

***

A few days have passed since either of the two boys have seen you, their shifts at the arcade passing dreadfully slow without your cheerful face to brighten up their day. Subtly, both Renjun and Haechan throw the other glares when the other is not looking, silently blaming each other as the reason why you haven't stopped by the arcade lately.

"Well, maybe if you stopped staring at them every time they came in, they wouldn't feel so uncomfortable when hanging out in the arcade," Haechan seethes, arms crossed in front of his chest as the two of them argue from behind the prize counter.

"I think your poor attempts at flirting with them are to blame for their sudden disappearance," Renjun retorts, glad that there's currently no one around to witness the two workers having a spat right in the middle of their job. "I'm surprised they haven't filed for harassment, yet."

"You bastard!" Haechan spits out through gritted teeth. "At least I have game. They've taken interest in me, which is more than I can say for you."

"They're just being polite, you idiot." Renjun rolls his eyes. "If they weren't forced to interact with you socially every time they came here, they wouldn't go near you with a ten foot pole. At least we have conversations, unlike whatever that sorry excuse for flirting it is that you do."

"You're really asking to die, huh?" Haechan takes a step forward, grabbing Renjun by the collar of his shirt and getting all up in his face.

"Like you could take me," Renjun huffs out a laugh. "I bet-"

"Am I interrupting something?"

Immediately, both boys turn their heads to see you standing on the opposite side of the counter with an eyebrow raised in amusement. Most importantly, though, you're alone.

Haechan releases his grip on Renjun's shirt, a smile on his face as he turns to look at you, "not at all."

Renjun takes this time to straighten himself out, brushing off invisible dirt from the front of his shirt as he faces you. "What brings you here at this hour?" It is quite late into the evening. "Aren't you usually with-"

"They ditched me to hang out with their significant other." You smile tightly, attempting to laugh it off. Both males tense. "Have been for the past few days."

"That's not very nice of them," Renjun states, rather bluntly.

"I know," you sigh, shrugging in the next moment, "but I figured I can just have fun by myself tonight."

As you continue to converse with Renjun, you both fail to see the glare Haechan sends his way. That is, until a subtle smirk is pulling at his features.

"Hey, just because they ditched you doesn't mean you have to game alone," Haechan says, already grabbing a handful of spare tickets while the both of you look at him with wide eyes. Your look of wonder sets his heart racing.

"Aren't you working?" You blink, watching as Haechan comes out from behind the counter to stand beside you with his hands full of tickets.

"What is my job, if not to entertain?" He grins, extending his arm out for you to take rather dramatically.

"You got me there." You laugh, playing along with his dramatics in the next moment, much to Haechan's content. "And how could I refuse an offer from such a fine gentleman?"

Looping your arm through his, he begins to lead you over to your favourite games.

Part One

***

“What is she doing here?” Renjun’s eyes narrow as he takes in Nayeon’s form entering your apartment behind you.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me you found a roommate.” Nayeon comments, sending Renjun a polite smile as you both kick off your shoes. “Didn’t even know you were looking for one.”

“I wasn’t.” Comes your reply, to which she shoots you a confused look. You sigh, “it’s complicated.”

And it has been. The past few weeks, Renjun really hasn’t been anything other than helpful to you, now going so far as to always maintain a physical form whenever you’re around. Even if you can’t see him, you always know he’s never far away. Only, the few times you’ve had friends over, he’s been acting sort of strange.

“I see,” Nayeon nods, turning her attention to a frowning Renjun. “Well, don’t mind me, then.”

A huff escapes passed Renjun’s lips, his disproving gaze shifting to look at you.

A quirked eyebrow from you is all he receives in response.

Swallowing his building annoyance, Renjun disappears down the hallway, hearing the both of you now laughing together as you sit on your couch. That should be him. Has he not been providing enough companionship to you these past few weeks? Is he not enough?

No. Renjun shakes his head. That can’t be it. He does everything for you, even when you’re not around. You can’t just brush that off. You have to understand how he feels about you, even if he’s only a ghost. No one is going to take you away from him. No one.

Which is exactly how he finds himself phasing out of his physical form as stalking back into the living room where Nayeon and you have begun discussing the latest show the two of you have been watching. A show in which you’ve actually been watching with him.

His lips tug upwards at the side at that thought, a full grin stretching across his features as he watches Nayeon shiver from the sudden cold now enveloping her form.

Your brow furrows, “you okay?”

“Yeah, just got cold all of a sudden.” She replies, arms wrapping around herself for warmth as goosebumps appear on her skin.

“Hang on, I'll go get you a sweater.” You move to stand, hearing her mutter her thanks as you walk down the hallway and to your room.

Renjun’s eyes follow you for as long as he can before fixing his gaze on the nuisance still sitting on your couch. Of course he knows who Nayeon is, he’s only overheard you talking with her on the phone over a dozen times these past few months. He knows she’s your closest friend, if he could even call her that, considering he had a gut feeling that she wants more.

No matter, he’ll get rid of her soon, anyways.

Flexing his hands, he practically glides over to the side of the couch, whispering her name like a hushed warning.

A smirk pulls at his lips as this has the desired effect on her, Nayeon’s head snapping up to look at the spot where he’d just been standing with wide eyes.

Ghosting his hands over the curtains by your windows, he watches with a sick amusement as her head whips over to look at the now swaying fabric. The chuckle that falls from his lips only serves to frighten her even more, and by the time you enter the room, holding one of your hoodies in your hand for her, the blood has drained from her face.

“What’s up with you?” You voice, concern furrowing your brows. “You look like you’ve...” a vague understanding flashes across your features, “seen a ghost.”

Nayeon shakes her head, sending you a weak smile in response, “I’m sure I'm just imaging things.”

The sound of breaking glass has her jumping from her spot on the couch, moving past you while grabbing your wrist to lead you to your door. Your eyes are wide as she slips on her shoes, muttering for you to do the same and for the both of you to get the fuck out of your apartment.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” you assure her, pulling your wrist free from her grip. “I was dusting yesterday and probably didn’t notice shifting something when I did.”

Nayeon shoots you an incredulous look, before sighing, “you’re probably right, but I need to get going anyways.” Turning around, she opens the door, pausing just before she passes the threshold. “Just... if anything weird happens,” she glances at you from over her shoulder, “get out.”

With a final nod from you, she leaves, letting the door shut behind her.

“Finally,” you hear Renjun breathe from behind you, “I thought she would never leave.” Turning around, you see him leaning casually against your wall with his arms crossed over his chest. You frown, and he raises a brow. “What?”

“Is it fun for you to scare away my friends for no reason?” 

“I had every reason to do so.”

“Oh, yeah? What possible reason could you have had for being a dick?” You’ve never looked at him like this, and if Renjun is being honest with himself, he hates it.

“Look,” Renjun sighs, “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t meant to.” Your eyes narrow. “Please don’t be mad at me, I promise I won’t do it again.”

The way he’s looking at you, with his arms now at his sides as his expression drop, has you letting out a breath through your nose. “Just don’t do it again.”

He nods, ashamed as he averts his gaze form you as you walk back to your room to put your hoodie away once more.