Chapter Text
Renjun hugs his legs close as an episode of Adventure Time plays in the television of his small apartment's living room. He just finished his meal about an hour ago and decides to binge watch a cartoon series that he and Chenle shared a liking to ever since they were kids. There are no classes to attend to on a Friday like today because of a school holiday celebrated every year, definitely unforgotten. Much to the students' delight of course, for who would not want three consecutive days off from the activities and projects piling up a few weeks ago. Renjun can't deny that he is one of those students as he could finally get the right amount of sleep he needed for so long now. Although, it would've been better if his boyfriend is with him too.
However, the Chinese boy received a message that Jaemin has already planned a film shooting with his classmates for the short film making contest provided by the activity administrator of their university. All college year levels have different categories of the contests this year and Jaemin couldn't hide his excitement after finding out that 2nd year college classes will be having a short film making contest. What's more is his advisory professor telling him that if his class wins first place, their grades will have plus points for doing a great job. As someone who is into anything near photography, Jaemin is already printing out prompts in his minds to prepare for the event, the projects from his other classes forgotten for a moment. Renjun couldn't help but giggle at every minute of Jaemin's enthusiastic expression while sharing his ideas as they walked home.
Of course Renjun supports how his boyfriend can finally put his hobby and skill of filming people behind the lenses of his camera, how it seemed like he has readied everything out (which took him about eleven days due to many tasks to be take care of). But after receiving the answer to his question of hanging out together at his apartment for the whole Friday, Renjun can't help but feel a bit down.
nana: im sorry injunie, i want the first day of film shooting to be done asap so there would be less worries from my classmates about the other projects we're having :(
nana : but i'll make it up to you, i promise! just for a day and then you can have me all you want this saturday okay ^^ rest for a while. i love you <3
Jaemin's class isn't even one of the higher, challenging ones, Renjun thought that night. Did the profs give them a bunch of tasks to pass their stress to the students instead or something? If he doesn't show up on Saturday, Renjun will start to worry twice than he would.
To which brings him to the present, chin on his knees as he eyes on whatever scene is playing on the tv. Puffing wind through his pursed lips, Renjun starts to feel bored little by little. He remembers how that scene exactly played from the number of times he’d seen before. How many times he doesn't recall; more than once for sure. Being chill with Jaemin on the couch seems like a craving right now. Renjun wouldn't mind falling asleep again, having that younger boy's arms around him sends him at ease.
Switching the tv off, Renjun's face makes contact to the couch's soft surface as he lets out a bored groan. Why does he suddenly feel that way without Jaemin around? He could maybe go outside for a walk, grab some snacks and play video games, or continue watching Adventure Time for hours. 'But they'd be more fun to do with Jaemin,' he thought.
They haven't been spending much time together for what seems like forever. Cliche and weird as it may sound, but they just felt that way. Being in each other's presence brings them energy and contentment at once. Even just some cuddles for a day is enough to bring them motivation to finish some class projects and study for upcoming quizzes. Renjun brings his fingers to brush through his raven locks in trying to recall the last time he heard Jaemin's voice in person and not in a phone call, the younger's warm embrace, the fondness shared in his gaze and voice-
His hand stopped in the middle of sliding through his hair. He repeated how his nails lightly scraped on his scalp before eyeing them. A small crease formed between his brows, asking himself since when was also the last time he cut his fingernails shorter. They aren't anything near to the ones similar to some girls in his class when it comes to nail length. Maybe he's just been so busy at school he didn't notice his nails got longer than before.
Renjun lets out another puff of wind. For some reason now, he doesn't want to leave the feeling of his cheek squishing against the soft cushion of the couch. He stays like that for a while, pondering about what to do to pass the boredom by. He could paint something, but he remembered he hasn't bought a new canvas yet. He could sketch, yet no drawing idea is entering his mind. There isn't anything from class due next week yet nor are there quizzes to prepare in. Even if he is a studious boy (in an average level like he has laziness as a mood too), he just doesn't feel like it. For the third time, if not louder than the others, Renjun sighs.
What. To. Do. Without. Nana. Around-
His eyelids lifted open at what popped in his mind. Maybe..? Taking a look at his fingernails, he wondered if it'll be okay to bring something different and new to them. Recalling the person he knows who might help him, Renjun grabbed his phone and dialed the person-in-mind's number, rearranging the small pillows on the couch while waiting.
[]
The familiar ringing tone brought Ten back to reality. Curiosity crossed his features after seeing the caller's ID, which his thumb slid on the screen to immediately pick the call up.
"Renjun, what's up?" he beamed.
"Hey, I didn't interrupt on anything, did I"?
"Nope." Ten lets out a hum that can be described close to a morning voice. “Sorry if I sound like this, I just woke up. Practiced dancing 'till 5am. My legs still hurt."
"Oh, why don't you sit down for a while?"
"I'll be fine, I did some stretching a while ago so.." The older paused. "Why'd you call?"
"Ah, I just uhm.. I want to ask you something."
"Sure! But not adult things though, I know how some youngsters get curious to those kind of things."
There was a long silence on the other end. Ten could practically hear the younger's expression.
"And how do you think I am one of those 'some youngsters,' Chittaphon?"
Mentioned man decided to keep playing along with the joke he started. Replying with a tone of voice Renjun recognizes the meaning behind it. "Because ~ I'm just giving you a kind warning, young man. Especially now that you have a boyfriend, doesn't mean you can get to know some things just yet."
"..Right, whatever you kinky bastard. I didn't call you because of that."
Ten threw his head back in laughter at the nickname he got from the younger boy then remembered the unspoken question. "Okay I'll be serious now, professor. What will the question be for today?" He heard a sound that he assumed was sighing. Whatever Renjun wanted to know, it must be worrying-
"You still have those nail polish, right?"
A surprised chuckle defeated Ten and his older brother statute.
"You-! DON'T LAUGH!!"
"I'm sorry it's just-" inhale. "I didn't expect that to come out of your mouth it-" stifled laughter. "It's so out of the blue-!" Alas Ten let himself drop to the floor with his free hand to cover the high volume of his laughter. His phone still close to his ear, the sound of a younger boy letting out colorful words in his native language echoing in annoyance.
"Call me when you're done."
"Wait, wait! I'm calm now." Taking a few deep silent breaths, Ten managed to get back to the topic quickly (although he kept biting his inner cheek and lower lip from letting a grin appear).
"If you really think so, answer the question I gave you."
The older cleared his throat. "Yeah I still have some here. Why? Some girls want to borrow them or something? Hun, I don't borrow my stuff to people unless they're my friends or they're not try-hard looking."
There was a short groan from Renjun.
"No, it has nothing to do with the girls in my class. Let them be in their own ways. And for the borrowing part, it's me."
This time, there is no laughter as a reaction. "Really?"
"Yeah."
Ten probably couldn't tell but Renjun is blushing on the other side of the phone call. "That's new. May I know why?"
"Just because..."
"Do you want to come over and tell me then?" asked Ten after humming in thought.
"That would be great."
"Nice! See you in a few minutes?"
"Yep, thanks."
And with unseen smiles from both boys, the phone call ended. Glancing at the bedroom door, Ten figured he should be quiet in getting the stuff needed when Renjun arrives.
[]
"Mark isn't here?" the younger asked, noticing the seemingly absence present of the other. Ten shook his head. "Went on a study date with Donghyuck."
"Damn they're lucky..."
After being let inside the house by Ten, Renjun found a transparent-like bag with small bottles inside on top of the coffee table. He hopes that his assumption is correct when he asks Ten later. Indeed he is as soon as they sat on the coffee table where the bag is waiting for them. Ten served both of them some warm tea before reminding Renjun about the elephant in the room.
Soon, Ten couldn't be more eager enough to give Renjun what he wants after hearing the reason why the latter wanted Ten to paint the younger's finger nails. The small transparent bag in his hands, Ten rummaged through the bottles that made clinking sounds continuously from the way his fingers moved a bottle to the side for getting in the way of his searching for that particular color- and there it is. He couldn't wait to show it to Renjun (who's been gaping at him like a child watching a magic show), he is so gonna like it!
The small bottle made a similar clinking sound from bumping onto its fellows on the way out of the bag. Ten felt the coldness from it as he showed it to Renjun.
"This is the only pink nail polish I have left, the others were already expired so I threw them away," the older said with a smile. "When I tried this out, I was like so proud of myself for buying this because when applied to the nails, it won't look like you actually have painted nails because of the color's shade. Like it matches the natural color of a plain nail. And it's matte too, which adds a cute bonus to why I like it."
Renjun observed the wave of Ten's wrist, his hold on the nail polish by his other hand, and the pitch of his voice talking about said item. Though he did listen to his friend's words, Renjun pulled a teasing grin. "You know you fit being a beauty guru or start a beauty product review channel."
"Aww thanks," cooed Ten. "I've been thinking about them though, but my job as a choreographer might keep me from achieving that."
"A part time job, then?"
Ten's lips pursed with a hum. “That can wait. We don't want your nails to keep waiting, don't we?"
"Okay," Renjun chuckled. Neither exchanged words after that, only the sound of smooth Korean R&B playing in Ten's phone speaker, at just the right low volume. The younger boy just watched in awe as he felt various cold liquids and ticklish brushes make contact with the skin on his fingers. When the cleaning part is done, Ten proceeded to take the matte nail polish and start painting on Renjun's nails. He's not gonna lie about how finely focused Ten seems at something like this. He had seen the same look on him before, teaching choreography to Renjun's class for a dance project in PE. Something such as this in front of him is the second time and thing Renjun witnesses an attentive Ten.
The latter just finished applying the color on seven of Renjun's finger nails before a question escapes from his lips. Neither noticed how many minutes had already gone by. "I must say, despite me being surprised at hearing you say you want polished nails, it's good to hear from you that you're going for something new and different, like what you said." A shy thank-you squeaked from Renjun. "The reason you gave is cute though, it must be said. Where did that come from?"
The younger gazed at the color brushed on his eighth finger nail, heart fluttering at the image that appeared in his mind. "I don't know. I was just lying around my home all bored, saw how my nails got longer than I last cut them, then him. Then you and these bottles you keep."
"How'd you know about these, then?" Ten asked, gesturing quickly to the nail polish bottles in the small bag beside them before returning to his current task.
"Last year when we threw a reunion party. Your nails were a mix of black and blue then."
"Wow you saw them, huh. I thought I hid them well from my sweater paws." Both boys chuckled as punctuation. Renjun finds himself spacing out every now and then while his mind kept a gif of Jaemin on loop. Even in his thoughts, Renjun could still hear his voice as he chuckles lightly.
"You miss him, I can tell."
Renjun’s ears turned red. "Sorry."
"Hey, what's there to apologize for? I completely understand how it feels like." The fondness in Ten's features was recognized by the younger. "Words can't describe it, but your heart does. Then suddenly, it speaks for you, sometimes so sudden that even you can be surprised you can actually say them out loud, let alone find them in the first place."
The corners of his lips rose up as Renjun utters with a small nod, "You're right."
"Even just for a day, at least you'll be reminded of him through these." Ten dipped the brush into the bottle and caressed the colored liquid on the last nail. And then bringing up questions related to school works and health. To which of course Renjun answers with glee and acknowledgement in his voice.
Finally Ten straightened his sitting posture, closed the pink bottle and placed it back in the bag. "There, it's done." He watched as the smaller boy in front of him lifted his small cute hands from the table to inspect the newly cleaned and painted nails with amazement brightening in his eyes. All the while he thought of it being almost similar to his hobby of spreading acrylic on a blank canvas. "It actually looks good, it compliments my skin tone too," commented Renjun, viewing his colored nails at every angle possible.
"I'm glad you like them," replied Ten with a satisfied smile. "They needed to dry off though, so they won't look smudged. That also means more work."
"I get it." Renjun looks proud of it too, which relieves Ten more. "I recommend giving them colorless polish too, it gives the nails a shiny look."
At this point, Renjun's eyes turned crescent from smiling wide from excitement. He lays his hands back on the coffee table. "Sure!"
While Ten took the colorless polish bottle from his small bag, the sound of a door opening echoed through the walls of the house. Both boys in the living room turned their heads to the person walking out of the bedroom.
“Good afternoon, sir Johnny,” Renjun greeted politely. The said man replied with a sleepy smile and a slow wave of his hand. “Hello, Renjun. And I thought there is no need to call me ‘sir’ when you visit here?”
“I’m sorry, I got used to it.” Even with the reassuring smile sent to his direction, Renjun couldn’t help himself from his polite student image. Johnny may be a grade school English teacher and a boyfriend of Ten’s, but it didn’t mean Renjun can easily go with conversing casually with him.
The smile from Johnny’s lips didn’t falter (despite his just-woke-up look). “That’s alright. What are you two doing?” Johnny groggily approached where the other two sat across the coffee table.
“Injun wanted me to paint his nails,” beamed Ten.
“Hm, that’s nice. What for?”
While Renjun thought of what to reply, Ten went ahead first to say it. “Oh you know, teenage romance.” He could see the younger flinch in embarrassment at hearing the chosen words.
“Ten!” Everywhere from Renjun’s ears to his neck, the color they gave might bring shame to an apple. He received a teasing grin from the older for a quick moment. “What? It’s true. Now don’t you move unless you want these polished nails of yours to be ruined.” Renjun’s shoulders dropped along with a pouting sigh at what Ten told him.
“That’s adorable. I’ll just use the bathroom.” Johnny gave another small wave of his hand before disappearing down the hallway.
“This will be done soon, Injun,” said Ten with a small grin forming again on his lips. “Jaemin is so gonna love it.”
Renjun blinked at the sound of what he just heard. “You think so?” he asked with a shy pout, catching the encouraging nod Ten gave even with his eyes staying at the task in front of him. “Why wouldn’t he be? That boy is so whipped for you he could probably beat the whipped cream in my fridge.”
Okay, he did hear the first few words correctly, but the second parts caused Renjun to raise a questioning brow at his older companion. “Whipped cream in your fridge, huh?” He hoped Ten understood what he meant even without describing it completely.
“Yeah! Maybe even the ones sold in grocery stores, who knows?”
Renjun just stared, Ten laughed.
“..Lame.”
“Come on, you still know what I mean, right Injun?”
“Sheesh, just get them done already,” Renjun scoffed with a pout, wishing no one in the house will notice how his blush got redder than before. Damn, he could feel it burning and it’s annoying!
‘But it’s Na Jaemin, won’t you still like it?’ somewhere in his mind told him. Renjun mentally screamed. Who the heck was telling him that just now?!
Ten’s words kept repeating in his mind now. Whipped, huh?
It would be better if Jaemin shows up tomorrow. But whether he will or not, Renjun still isn’t going to remove the newly painted nail polish on his fingernails. For a second, he thought if Jaemin will notice some difference on them. Possible reactions coming from his boyfriend start to take Renjun away from reality for a while. Then there is a mop of pink hair.
Pink hair.
Pink.
Like the new color on his nails. They remind him of Jaemin. It was why he chose that color in the first place.