Work Text:
Chapter 1:
Monday mornings are like a curse. It was difficult to snap back to reality and work your hardest for another week when the weekends seemed to pass like a blur.
Today wasn’t an exception.
Slightly groaning, Renjun rolled to the other side of his bed, meeting the sight of his roommate. Quickly turning off his alarm in an attempt to not wake the other, Renjun took his time observing the pink-haired boy.
A boy he’s helplessly so in love with, he thinks, but he shakes these thoughts away.
Jaemin, who looks like he hasn't gotten enough sleep in weeks, looks so peaceful now lying at his bed at 6:45 in the morning. Renjun bites his lip, a habit he wouldn’t be aware of if Jaemin hadn't pointed it out, as he contemplates whether to wake him up.
Coming to the conclusion that Jaemin wouldn’t appreciate being late to class for the nth time this month, he got up from his own bed and made his way to the other.
“Nana,” slightly shaking the younger’s shoulder, “you need to get up if you don’t want to be late.”
Renjun watched him stir in bed, eyebrows furrowing before mumbling a small ‘later.’ He shakes his head fondly knowing that in this state, it would take him a few more tries to make the other get out of bed.
As an early riser himself, Renjun took his time in his morning routine. Renjun is the type of person to wake up extra early just to read a couple of chapters from his favorite book before actually getting ready for his class— which Jaemin finds questionable, by the way. (read Jaemin’s outburst: Who would willingly want less time for sleeping?! And at six in the morning too!)
But at least he has Renjun as his personal alarm clock.
At exactly 7:00 am, he hears Jaemin’s alarm which he’s all too familiar with. Renjun thinks Jaemin’s brain has been so accustomed to the sound that it doesn’t startle him anymore.
With heavy steps and a cup of cereal in hand, he again sat at the side of Jaemin’s bed
“‘mmm so sleepyyy,” he says, slowly turning to Renjun but still kept his eyes closed.
“You need to get up, Jaemin-ah.” Ruffling his hair, he continued. “I can’t let you skip breakfast again.”
Renjun’s voice is so soft that Jaemin forgets the older’s purpose of waking him up as he snuggles deeper into his blanket. Slowly giving up, Renjun tries to get up and go towards the bathroom as he lets Jaemin sleep for a little more. He needed all the sleep he could get anyway.
“Injunnie~ come back here and give me a hug.”
The older looks back to find Jaemin making space for him in his bed, with arms reaching to him and with his sleepy eyes slightly open.
Giving in, he rushed back to his best friend, sliding next to him making sure he was comfortable sitting up with his back against the headboard. It’s not like they haven’t done this before. In fact, they weren’t strangers to each other's bed counting the times they ended up cuddling to sleep during movie nights.
“You’ll make the both of us late, Jaem.”
The other just hums, leaning his head to his best friend’s side, still trying to get a few more minutes of sleep. Although he doesn't say it enough, Jaemin loves mornings with Renjun. It was like his own morning routine; he loves having a few minutes of warmth from the smaller before starting his day.
“Such a beautiful sight in the morning,” he sighs, “your lips look plump too, very kissable.”
“W-what?”
What.
Renjun slightly looked down after managing to let out a slightly stuttering response. He did not just hear Jaemin, his insufferable best friend whom he liked for almost a year now, say his lips were very kissable, right? His eyes were still closed and he wonders if he actually uttered those words seconds ago.
“Hmm? I didn’t say anything Renjun-ah.”
“Are you sure-”
Fully awake by now, Jaemin sat up slowly and looked over to Renjun’s shocked and red face.
“Not really, no. No, I’m not sure,” now pouting and averting his gaze down to Renjun’s lips before looking back to his eyes, “Care to remind me what I said?”
Visibly flustered, Renjun tried to avoid Jaemin’s intense eye contact, contemplating whether to repeat what Jaemin had said. Jaemin slightly chuckles, now leaning back to give the smaller some distance, but still staring at him fondly.
Cute, he whispers to himself.
Quickly sensing that Jaemin had him dazed with his actions, Renjun glared at his roommate. Or tried to at least. Having a faint blush on his perfectly soft face while trying to act like he’s pissed does not seem intimidating to Jaemin at all. In truth, it just proved his thoughts on the boy; cute.
Getting up, he walked out of Jaemin’s bed and walked towards his own. “You’re so…. annoying.”
“Renjun-ah, I’m kidding! Now come give me my morning kiss.” Grinning like a fool, he caught the pillow that the older poorly threw to his side.
“You wish, Na Jaemin!”
Chapter 2:
Renjun absolutely despises parties, Jaemin on the other hand spends a good amount of time enjoying them.
Unfortunately for him, Jaemin seems to not know his limits when it comes to drinking. Or maybe he does, he just chooses to ignore them.
So when Renjun receives a call from Jeno at two in the morning, ruining his 8-hour sleep, he wants nothing but to pretend he didn’t wake up and pray that Jeno would eventually stop calling. But he knew that wasn’t the case (it’s not like he tried it one time and ended up answering Jeno’s unending calls), so he answered his phone.
“Yes, Jeno?” Renjun asked although he was already getting up and grabbing his jacket— or Jaemin’s jacket, technically.
“Sorry for this, Renjun. Jaemin is drunk again,” he hears Jeno slightly grunt and assumes he was carrying almost all the weight of Jaemin. “And very heavy.”
“Injunie~~ is that you? I miss youuuu babyy”
Oh my god.
To say Renjun was fully awake by now was an understatement; he was surprised. He never called him that. And Jeno wasn’t supposed to hear it at all. Baby? Where did that come from?
“Jaemin, stand still or I’m leaving you here.” Jeno warns, “and stop reaching for my phone!”
After a few seconds of bickering, Jeno sighs. “Sorry again, he keeps looking for you. Can you pick him up? I’ll text you the address.”
Like clockwork, Renjun sat up from his bed and prepared himself for a long night with his drunk best friend. After double-checking the locks, he went out of their apartment as he tried to fight the sleep from his system.
When Renjun got there, Jaemin almost immediately threw his hands on him, leaning in for a hug. He managed to steady both of their bodies since he’s practically clinging onto him during your walk back to the car.
“I got you, I got you.”
Renjun gave Jeno a grateful smile as he thanked him for picking up his friend.
No matter how much Renjun has spent nights like these before, it was still a struggle to carry Jaemin’s weight. Not to mention the awkward position they were in when walking towards Jaemin’s car which was thankfully not parked far from Jeno’s house.
With much difficulty, Renjun opened the door of the passenger’s seat and tried to get his best friend in without hitting his head. It’s difficult because a) he’s heavy and much taller than him and, b) he wouldn’t let go of his arms around his neck.
“Jaemin, let go. I need you to sit up for me.” Pouting, Jaemin reluctantly moved his arms away.
Finally, getting him in his seat, Renjun reached for the seatbelt and made sure his best friend was comfortable.
“You’re wearing my hoodie,” he says while slightly playing the strings.
Not giving much thought to it, Renjun looks down and hums in acknowledgment. “Yeah, they’re very comfy. Smells like you too.”
He didn’t hear a response after that, not that he minded. Once done settling him in his seat, Renjun mentally gave himself a pat on the back for doing good in taking care of his best friend.
“Wanna kiss you,” Jaemin mumbles. Renjun freezes, not sure if he heard him right, and looks up at Jaemin. Only now that he notices the distance, or the lack thereof, of their faces.
“Wanna kiss your pretty face, Injunnie~”
Thank god, Jaemin’s eyes were closed.
He thinks he would faint if Jaemin said those words while looking at him straight in his eyes, drunk or not. Shaking his head, he returned to the driver’s seat, careful not to stare too much at Jaemin's peaceful face while he’s driving.
Chapter 3:
Ugh, it’s too early for this.
Mentally rolling his eyes, Renjun sighed heavily for the nth time in ten minutes.
He almost wanted to bang his head on the walls of the elevator as he hurriedly pressed the button for the 5th floor. He was already running late for his class when he realized he forgot the keys to their room.
Essentially, Renjun could just ask Jaemin to go home together. But it was a Friday and Jaemin had soccer training later in the afternoon. So as much as he wouldn’t like to be late in his 8 am class, he preferred to go home quickly once his last class ended.
Yeah, no way am I staying for another two hours in that place, he thought.
After what seemed like forever (it was a 2-minute elevator ride), the elevator doors finally opened and Renjun rushed back to their shared space. He opens the thankfully unlocked door to find Jaemin silently scrolling through his phone and enjoying his coffee in the kitchen.
He would admire the peace the other was in, but now, he needed to get his keys. Fast.
“Forgot my keys,” Renjun pants.
“Oh!” Jaemin’s eyes perked up before hurriedly coming closer to him.
“What kiss did you forget, Injunnie?” he says, one hand gently holding his face and the other placed firmly on the smaller boy’s waist.
“Hmm,” Jaemin pretends to think, “is it the ‘good morning’ kiss or the ‘bye, see you later’ one?”
Renjun stood there for a moment, shocked by his roommates' antics. Sure he always does this, but every single time, it catches him off guard. Not to mention his growing crush on Jaemin or how he looks unfairly good in the morning with his hair slightly messed up.
“Keys, Jaemin. Apartment keys.” Renjun tries to say it with a blank expression, but he knows his face is so red right now.
He figures he could blame it on the shortness of breath when he basically ran his way back, but he knew that wasn’t the case. Hopefully, Jaemin doesn’t. Not yet, at least.
Trying to avoid his roommate’s gaze, his eyes search for his forgotten apartment keys. Jaemin chuckles and smiles cheekily at Renjun’s reaction.
“I know, silly.” He reaches for his bag before getting Renjun’s apartment keys with cute keychains. “Here, I was going to give it to you at lunch.”
Renjun internally groaned. Right, why didn't he think of just texting Jaemin?
Now he was late for class and left with a familiar fast beating of his heart. He thinks of ways on how he can make his growing feelings from his roommate. But every time his stupidly pretty face comes into his mind, he remembers his piercing gazes and his soft hands on his waist.
Goddammit, it’s definitely too early for this.
Chapter 4:
It was almost 9:00 in the evening when Renjun heard the clinging of keys and the door slightly opening as he tried to finish his essay that was due in two hours. He greets his roommate but quickly notices his lack of response.
Must be tired, he thought.
He straightened his back and went back to typing a few more sentences when he felt Jaemin walk slowly towards him.
“Are you hungry, Nana? Want me to order-”
Not letting him continue his sentence, Jaemin tightly hugged Renjun from his seat. Their position might look uncomfortable—awkward even, from another’s point of view, but with how Jaemin’s body relaxes against him, and his small pleased sighs, he knows the younger is comfortable like this.
“Not hungry right now, need hugs.” Jaemin mumbles. Renjun tried to steady his breathing as he felt Jaemin’s lips move against his neck when he spoke. “Please cuddle me, Renjun-ah~”
Now, as much as Renjun wants to go cuddle with Jaemin right now, he knows the moment he gives in to the other’s wishes, they will be on the bed for hours.
“Jaemin, I have a paper to do.”
“Pleaseee?” He felt him look up, waiting for Renjun to give in to his request.
Renjun on the other hand sighs, knowing he couldn’t say no to his favorite person. Standing up and walking to the bed (read: no, Jaemin hasn’t let go yet), he reminds him again, “Okay, but don’t hold me up for hours, I have a paper to do.”
“I know, you already said it twice, but no promises!” Jaemin grins, although tiredness is still evident in his face, as he was already situated himself in Renjun’s arms.
Not even a minute later, they both melted in each other's arms, chasing the comfort the other brings. It was in times like this that they hope time would stop. It was in times like this that Renjun questions his feelings for the other, silently praying that Jaemin doesn’t feel his heartbeat going crazy.
Finally clearing his mind, he cuddled Jaemin closer, pressing his cheek to the taller’s chest. Hugs like this always felt nice. Hugs with Jaemin, that is.
Almost forgetting the time, Renjun decides to tease him, “You have like four to five seconds left, by the way.”
“Forty-five?!”
“I said four to fi- nevermind.” Renjun closes his mouth, he enjoys hugging Jaemin anyway. It also gives him a nice time to clear his mind from the stress lately, and focus on his best friend’s breathing.
After a few more minutes, he nudges the taller.
“Nana~ it’s been almost an hour now, I need to finish something.” But instead of letting go, he felt Jaemin’s arms tighten around his waist.
“I haven’t started counting.”
“Jaeminnn,” he whines.
“If you leave this bed, you’re going to owe me 4-5 kisses instead.”
Renjun gulps, trying to maintain his composure. At this point, he was very tempted to give in to Jaemin’s playful teasing about wanting his kisses. It would be nice to finally kiss his best friend in those years of trying to hide his crush, but he gathers his last bits of self-control and says unconvincingly,
“Forget it, Jaem. I’m not giving you kisses anytime soon…. I think.”
Chapter 5:
The one where he asks for it himself.
Renjun is hopelessly in love with his best friend— that he is sure of.
Honestly, Renjun knew he was slowly digging a deeper hole for himself when he agreed to be roommates with him. It was obvious, really, as if it was an unspoken thing when they both got accepted into the same university.
Today, despite having the keys to their apartment, Renjun found himself walking towards the field where Jaemin trains together with the soccer team.
He didn’t plan to confess today, no— he didn’t even plan to confess at all. But something about his friend, Donghyuck, finally having the guts to talk to Jeno made his heart yearn more about ‘what could have been’ if he and Jaemin would be together. The thought itself makes his heart feel like it will explode any second.
Basically, despite his fears, he realized he wouldn’t waste another minute silently longing for Jaemin.
He lets out a shaky sigh as he’s now greeted by the sun outside his building. He tries to distract himself, trying to observe how the grass already changed color due to the season or the faces of students that he never paid attention to.
On his way to the field, he thinks about how Jaemin would react. Sure, they had this ‘unspoken thing’ going on for years in their friendship, but he wasn’t completely certain about the boy’s feelings.
He thinks of the few times Jaemin teased him for a kiss. A seemingly harmless kiss, if he thinks about how casual Jaemin asks for it. But it’s the way Jaemin’s eyes search for his own as if to tell something, gaze momentarily switching between the older’s lips then to his eyes, that Renjun knows isn’t empty flirting.
He wondered if Jaemin would be taken aback. Aside from the flushed cheeks, flustered eyes, and stuttering mess that he is when Jaemin messes with him, he doesn't know whether he actually showed enough motive in liking the other.
Pacing his steps carefully, he realized he already reached the open area when distant noises from the athletes were heard. With the last couple of whispers of ‘I can do this,’ he walked towards the bleachers where he recognized Jaemin’s training bag.
For a few moments, he watched Jaemin play with his teammates. Renjun doesn't come here often, only a few times when Jaemin asks, but he makes sure to never miss any of his games. Jaemin is a great player, he remembers telling him this, greater than he takes credit for.
A faint whistle is what broke Renjun’s train of thoughts.
He smiles unconsciously when Jaemin meets his eyes. The pink-haired boy ran his hands through his hair, eyebrows furrowed, confused as to why his best friend was there sitting pretty on the bleachers with eyes trained on him, but was more than delighted anyway.
He quickly jogs to Renjun and flashes a smile. “What are you doing here? You should be resting right now at home. Did you need my keys?”
Renjun tried so hard not to think too much when Jaemin said home.
“No, I just wanted to walk home with you today.” He says as he watches Jaemin down his blue energy drink. “Though I hope you don’t have plans after?” he added after realizing that Jaemin usually eats out with his teammates after practice.
“I don’t, actually. Coach wanted to end the practice earlier today, though I think some of us will stay to practice on their own.”
Zipping up his bag, he lets it hang on one of his shoulders before pointing to their locker rooms.
“Wait for me, yeah? Let’s walk home together. Give me about 15 mins to wash up first.”
“Sure. Take your time, Nana.”
And with that Renjun was left with his thoughts again, his nervousness almost doubling when he thought about how he would bring the topic up later.
Time moves so fast. And now that they’re walking outside the campus, the older bites his lips nervously. They walk in comfortable silence, steps slow, as they watch the sky turn pink.
Despite the beautiful sunset reflecting the sky, Renjun's mind was clouded, yet he was more than certain that he’ll do this. He clings to the thought that maybe Jaemin feels it too and hopefully reciprocates his feelings. Heck, they’re even holding hands right now.
Stopping abruptly, he tugged Jaemin’s hand. “Jaemin?”
“Hmm? Something wrong?”
“I need to tell you something.”
Jaemin looks at him, a hint of concern on his face as he searches for Renjun’s eyes. “Okay. I’m all ears, Injunnie.”
His eyes are so pretty, Renjun thinks. But it wasn’t enough to distract him from the butterflies going crazy inside him.
“Hey, don’t be nervous. It’s just me. You don’t need to tell me anything if you don’t want to.”
Renjun melts at his best friend’s words knowing how his big heart is what really made him fall in love with Jaemin in the first place. He knows Renjun by heart; he knows the exact words the other wants to hear, he knows when hugs are the best remedy to whatever the other was feeling, and he knows how to love Renjun the way he deserves to be loved.
“Jaemin, I think I’m in love with you.”
At this point, Renjun couldn’t look at Jaemin’s eyes, scared that he couldn’t take how he would react.
He felt Jaemin’s grip tighten, almost forgetting that they were still holding hands. Jaemin’s hold was firm, but not to the point where it hurt. In fact, it made him long for more of his fond touches.
Renjun looks up when he felt Jaemin’s fingers guiding his chin to look back at him. He sees a soft smile on the pink-haired boy “Can you say that again?”
“Jaemin,” he whines, a bit embarrassed under the taller’s gaze. “I-I won’t say it again.”
“Please? For me?” He pleads, almost whispering.
“I’m in love with you, Nana.”
Suddenly, Jaemin’s hands moved toward Renjun’s waist, pulling him against his chest for a sweet embrace. He placed his chin above the other and caresses his hair.
“Renjun-ah, I love you too. God, I’ve been waiting so long for this to happen. I love you.”
“You really like me?” Renjun looks up only to hear Jaemin’s soft chuckles. “Of course, I do. I thought it was quite obvious wanting to kiss you all the time.”
Renjun reddens at the thought of all instances Jaemin flustered him from wanting his kisses.
“I thought you were only teasing, Jaemin-ah. Though I admit, there were times where they were more tempting than it should be.”
“Tempting, huh?” he muses, earning a harmless tap on his chest. After a few beats of silence, Jaemin looks at the other fondly, “You have no idea how much you make me happy, Renjun.”
Renjun, who was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of affectionate words he was receiving, let his confidence take over him. Softly pulling the other down to level his face, he whispered. “Jaemin-ah, kiss me please.”
Jaemin didn’t need to be told twice.
He kissed Renjun gently, wanting time to stop at this very second and savor this moment. He thinks how it was so much better than all the times he had imagined kissing his best friend. His mind focusing on how their lips molded as if they were meant to be kissing each other.
Pulling away for air, Jaemin almost felt his knees shake when Renjun chased his lips, looking up at him shyly and in anticipation.
As if he couldn’t get enough of the pink-haired boy’s lips, he licks his lips before pleading. “Can I kiss you again, Nana?”
Jaemin found Renjun so endearing, so lovable that he leaned in almost immediately after the words escaped the other’s lips.
The kiss was needier this time, but still as passionate as ever. With his eyes closed, Renjun thinks how Jaemin could pour his feelings out through a kiss, and he concludes that he is in fact, a very good kisser.
“I think I wouldn’t mind you asking for my kisses anymore,” Renjun says as they pulled away, lips both red after kissing for so long.
Jaemin leans down for one last peck on his lips, his beautiful smile not leaving his face, before intertwining their hands once again.
“Don’t worry, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of your kisses either.”
They kissed twice today.
And in those two kisses, they felt so loved, so so loved.