Archive of Our Own

"So … that should be everything, yes?"

Renjun squints another time at the powerpoint, a dull black-on-white with a few photos sprinkled in for 'visual representation purposes only'. He has to bite back a comment on how boring it looks, but Donghyuck is right in one thing - it does looks orderly. Much more orderly than when Renjun would have worked on it by himself.

"Yeah, I think that's it," he heaves out with a sigh, thanking the heavens that the last session before winter break ran fairly smoothly. Not that there have been many to begin with, with most of the work running back and forth through mails because their schedules seemingly never aligned.

In fact, it's only the third time they sit down together, and … frankly? After all those weeks, Renjun is rather glad for it.

Now there is just the presentation itself that has to go well, but they both agreed early on that they would just practise each on their lonesome instead. Which is good times two, because he doesn't think he can endure another awkward minute with the other.

"Great," comes the rushed voice of Donghyuck, his hands and fingers already busy sweeping up all his belongings into his backpack, with such a hurry that it makes Renjun believe he's chased by a dinosaur or something.

And then, he's gone in a flash.

It leaves Renjun alone at the library table within mere seconds, not even sparing him a second glance. The starkly white presentation is still glaring back at Renjun from his opened laptop, deserted from any sign of his lab partner.

He sighs.

Time to pack up myself, he guesses.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

A part of Renjun has thought that lab time would be a bit on the more fun - stressed, but more fun - side of things, considering he can finally put his theoretical knowledge to practical test. He doesn't think he'd have to work with his lab partner on a presentation on top of every other experiment - report included - they have to run, just because their lecturer apparently likes to torture them a bit.

It wouldn't be so bad, however, if Donghyuck were … well, not Donghyuck, he supposes.

Sweet as lemons, warm as snow, he's been a delight to work with - which is to say, not at all. It seems the other is holding some sort of animosity towards Renjun that he cannot pinpoint because there should be no reason to - they haven't really met before, have they?

And yet, he found himself ignored when he offered to exchange numbers for ease of communication, with a lab partner who still seems to be glued to his phone more often than not, leaving Renjun in the absolute peripheral of attention. Which, fine, if they wouldn't have to work on this presentation together.

But even as he once tried to confront the other about it, he only got a dismissal in return - that, and Donghyuck's typical 'as quickly as possible' get-away that's notorious during lab practice.

The memories make him frown, eyeing the open suitcase in front of him as if his belongings are at fault for his disastrous semester so far.

"Stupid Donghyuck," he mutters to himself, folding another shirt to add to the thirty others.

It's a herculean feat to close the suitcase with all his clothes and gifts for his family, dangerously tipping the scale of the maximum weight for the size of his suitcase, but with the help of Jisung, he manages to press down that unholy amalgamation of all things he deemed essential for his three-weeks long trip down memory lane - to his family.

Jisung only shakes his head at the self-satisfied grin on his face.

"You sure you can manage that on your own to the airport?" he raises a very valid question, but one that Renjun only waves away.

"Trust me, I've had it worse - I'm only glad Xiao Meng and Xiao Luo's tastes changed to something that takes away less space."

Jisung seems to remember - Renjun sees a shudder as he checks the suitcase's code. It only takes a few more round-ups of their shared dorm before the both of them are outside, all packed up and ready for winter break.

"So … if you don't need my help, I'll be off, I guess?" Jisung remarks.

Renjun nods. "Yup! Don't want to keep your family waiting for much longer. They're already here to pick you up, aren't they?" He locks up before handing over the key to his roommate. After last year's debacle of lost keys in his chaotic family home, they deemed it safer to simply keep both keys with Jisung - the Park family is, compared to his, actually a much more peaceful household, and for all that's worth, the younger is surprisingly decent at keeping his things in order if it's important.

Or, that is his chance to prove himself.

"Yeah, I think they're blowing off my notifs …" Jisung lets out with a long sigh, rolling his eyes. "It's only been like, three minutes, though - but, hey, happy holidays and all. Call me when you land!"

They exchange an elaborate handshake in goodbyes before Jisung, in all his youthful vitality, sprints and jumps down the stairs. Renjun thinks he can hear a "STOP MESSAGING ME, I'M ON MY WAY!" half-way down and chuckles.

Truth be told, the Parks are not as chaotic as a family gathering in the Huang household, but certainly not an entirely calm one, either.

But now, this only leaves Renjun to heave his things downstairs and wait for his pick-up to the airport. Checking the clock, there are a few more hours to pass before it's time, so he decides to go over to the library.

There is something eerie about walking across the empty campus - of course, harsh winter breezes tends to vacate the outside. But he can't quite spot a single soul, either, as many have departed for the holidays much sooner than he did. It turns the sound of his suitcase rolling over the ground all the more gravelling.

It's a bit lonely, to be honest, but his heart swells in size just thinking that in some good hours' time, he'll be united with his family once more.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

As expected, the library, too, is deserted, and he only sees a handful of students that seem to stay behind in the dorms, alongside the librarian - who is kind enough to allow him to store his suitcase near the reception, just until he's driven to the airport.

Humming quietly to himself, Renjun decides to pick up on some papers he found interesting before, but never had the time to read, swiftly going through the empty aisles - raising an eyebrow in amusement when he notices gaps here and now, wondering who might have taken them for what kind of thesis.

With a few light magazines in his own hands, he wants to go to his favourite spot nearby when he stops a couple aisles away, perplexed.

It seems as if he isn't the only person with that thought …

… and out of everyone, it has to be Donghyuck.

The stern expression of the other is a familiar sight by now, and one that doesn't cease to make him roll his eyes, adamant on not striking any more conversation with this lovely lab partner of his. He's on the verge of leaving without further note when - it's comical, really.

Just when Renjun turns around, he catches a sight in peripheral that he has not expected. Characteristically (as far as his knowledge goes, anyway), Donghyuck is on the phone, almost furiously typing away - until all of the tension seems to melt away like snow in spring, and such a relieved and relaxed expression - a smile, mind you - makes way for the sour-grimaced face that he's so used to see.

It's odd, really.

Quickly moving himself away, he feels how his heart pounds - and hurts.

Donghyuck must really hate him then, if he never bothered to even show the fraction of something more positive to him.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

In the end, he settles somewhere on the second floor that's entirely deserted to the point he feels comfortable to accept a call, speaking in a hushed voice.

But, to be honest, he feels a little bit like yelling.

Or, a lot.

"What do you mean you can't pick me up? Chenle, if that's a joke, that's not very funny-" Renjun exhales sternly, sighing as he massages the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not, trust me this once?" the other whines in return, echoing the sigh. "Look, did you even look outside? There's a heavy snowfall coming. I'm kind of stuck now, too, and I'm pretty sure no planes will be flying, either. Really sorry, man."

Startled, Renjun straightens his posture as he gazes to the closest window, stretching his neck to see big white flakes dancing in what must be frigid air, with an elegance that yet exudes the violent threat of …

A snowstorm.

"But - but the weather reports were all-"

"I know, I know - I mean, I've also meant to be elsewhere, but now I'm stuck with Mark-"

A faint hey! is audible.

"-and Jeno-"

Another grumble in the distance.

"-trust me, I'd rather drive you across half the city than sitting through their christmas preparations, but fate is how it is. Do you have a place to stay for the meanwhile?"

Renjun sinks into the beanbag with a theatrical groan, still mourning. His heart is shrinking in size. He's not going to see his family any time soon now … huh.

"Why must reality do this to me-" he laments.

"Yeah, yeah, reality never does us any good, but what can we do? Now, answer my question, drama queen," Chenle shushes him - and he can almost hear the eyeroll, but there is palpable amusement in the other's voice, too, clearly taking some sort of entertainment from his predicament.

"You sound like spending your time with Mark and Jeno isn't as miserable," Renjun huffs back.

"Well, they do have good food-"

"Hush."

"You asked! Now, really - will you be okay? It sucks that I can't even get you to spend time with us, but they're closing down the roads so quickly around here … think they're all freezing in," Chenle drifts back to the topic. Renjun thinks he can faintly hear complaints in the background, something about contributing to the merry spirit.

"Hmm … I guess I'll work something out. I'll call Jisung now and see if we can get me back into our room," Renjun remarks, scratching the back of his head. "Maybe his family hasn't made it too far yet, or something like that …"

"Well, hoping the best for you … Sorry, gotta go, though - Jeno's looking at me with his puppy eyes, so I guess I'll entertain them for now. Good luck to you, though - I promise I'll pick you up the moment the airport opens, and all. Oh, and tell Jisung I said hi!" the other speaks fastly, almost leaving no second for Renjun to bid his farewells before the call is ended.

It makes him chuckle despite all. At least his friends are bound to have a good time, with some of them together.

Now, that only leaves him with …

Thankfully, Jisung picks up right on the first ring.

"Please tell me your family got distracted on the way and you're still somewhere near the university?" Renjun exhales in a single breath, evoking a startled noise from the other side.

"-Good to talk to you, too, Jun. But … uhm, can you believe it? We actually got home in time before that snowstorm warning- wait, don't tell me you're-?"

If possible, Renjun sacks even further into the beanbag.

Of course. His luck has to be the worst.

"Yeah … stuck here. I guess I better hurry to the dorms and see if maybe the janitor is still around. Dunno, maybe there is a vacant dorm I can stay for the time," Renjun sighs out.

"Hmm, I don't think - would rather guess they also headed right home when the warnings occurred," Jisung points out, making the older groan.

"Must you destroy my dreams?"

"Hey, come on! I'm trying to help you!" Jisung defends himself, and yet - here, too, is a sliver of amusement that he can discern in the other's voice, even as he's trying to mask it more than Chenle did.

Renjun rolls his eyes. Stupid soulmates, or whatever.

"I guess so … you're not much of a help, though," he remarks.

"Well, guess I'm not gonna ask my friend about that free room in his dorm, then-" the younger chimes with a far too cheerful voice - just when Renjun cuts him off.

"Wait, what? You know someone who's staying behind? Why don't you say so right away!" he huffs out, but there is only a small laugh.

"Well, I was gonna mention him, but you were so absorbed in your theatrics …" Jisung notes. "But, yeah. Actually, Jaemin brought it up earlier when we met-"

"-tell Renjun I said hi!" a cheery voice comes from the background static through to even him on the other side.

"-yup. He was stranded at the bus stop earlier, so my parents picked him up. Don't mind him, we're getting rid of him as soon as we can drop him off at Mark's and Jeno's," Jisung dismisses the presence of their mutual friend and Renjun thinks he can hear another hey! in the background.

There is a brief intermission of indiscernible sounds before Jisung's voice appears anew, huffing.

"I swear- sorry, Jaemin tried to steal my phone," he sighs. "So, as I was saying …"

"Your friend, yes."

"His name's Haechan! He's staying behind at the dorms for some project or something, and his family is nearby, anyway."

Renjun raises an eyebrow. He knows it's pretty much his only hope right now, but … that would be a bit too easy, not? "Why would he take in a complete stranger, though?"

"Hm? Oh, he's a super friendly guy, I'm sure he doesn't mind - and, I mean, I thought you'd know each other? At least, I am pretty sure he has some sort of a cr-"

"OH, IS THAT OUR JUN I HEAR? HEY-" Jaemin's voice booms through the speaker, loud enough to make Renjun hold his phone away from his ear.

Cautiously, he closes the distance once more, just in time to hear Jisung whine about my eardrums, man!

"Hi, it's me, Jaemin!" however, now the cheery voice of none other than Jaemin greets him. "What Jisung meant to say - yeah, I'm pretty sure Haechan won't mind you around at all, but that's! All you need to know. His dorm number is N127, you'll find it, yeah?"

"Uhm … hi here, too. I guess I will? Are you guys okay over there?" Renjun can't help but to feel a bit worried about either of them. Just what the hell-

But, then again, chaos is pretty much the state of his friend group at any given time, should he really be surprised? It's not like his family is much different, either.

"Peachy," Jaemin's voice leaves no room for correction.

Renjun pauses - sighs. "Alright … oh, tell Jisung that Chenle said hi, I guess?"

"I will, I will - we'll give Haechannie a warning, too, so don't you worry about a thing!"

"You know, you saying that only makes me worry more-"

"-bye-bye, Junnie!"

Renjun blinks into the distance. He thinks he heard something like you can't just expose him like that, Sungie!, but who knows?

At least he has a place to stay for the night … hopefully, it'll be just a night.

He sighs. Time to get going before he's bound to sleep in the library - actually, that wouldn't be too bad … but, he doesn't think that the librarian is this much of a kind-hearted person. And something about regulations, probably.

His gaze can't help but to wander a little into the now-empty seating area where Donghyuck has been seated, though.

Guess he is the last student left.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Walking across the barren lands of the campus the first time has been quite eerie, but nothing tops going from one building to another through a growing field of snowflake dancers that show little mercy for a mere human being.

He shudders, his entire body is shaking when he finally reaches the entrance hall of the dorm building labelled N. At least this Haechan guy doesn't live on the floors higher-up, so he doesn't have to battle with his now-snow-crusted suitcase for too long until he reaches the door of that unknown stranger.

Or, maybe not so unknown?

For the entire way, Renjun racks up his brain - Jisung mentioned they'd know each other, but … he really can't quite remember any Haechan …

Well, guess he's about to find out.

He takes a few seconds to make himself as presentable as he can, shooting his family a quick message to keep them updated on his situation as he watches with concern how the weather over there seems to be worsening, too, before he finally knocks.

He would have made a joke about how fast the door opens, mere seconds after his fingers detach from the wooden door, but-

"What the hell?!"

Donghyuck offers him a sheepish grin.

"Uhm … Renjun. Hi."

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

"What do you mean you just forgot to tell me that the lab partner I kind of ranted to you about for ages and ages has the nickname Haechan, and you never bothered to clarify that-?!"

"Shh … don't yell at me," Jisung whines, earning a scoff from the older.

"I am most certainly not," Renjun, in fact, whisper-shouts hushedly. "If you forgot, I'm currently in said lab partner's dorm, so I shouldn't talk badly about him, but - Jisung. I mainly communicate with him through our university mail - slapping half-hearted sticky notes on our dorm doors would be more personal than that!"

"Okay - first, I didn't actually think you'd talk about the Haechan I know, and … second, so maybe … I did not listen to half of your rants. But, before you say anything - kind of sorry, yes, but look, you're repeating the same five things over and over."

"Rude, but - fair." He sighs. "Look, it's just-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. But, listen to me. He's really an okay-enough guy, actually? And on top, he's kind of your only option now … so, try to get along with him? Just until you can get to your flight."

Renjun kind of hates how reasonable Jisung sounds right now, only that he can't suppress a little coo.

"Now, look at you, all grown up-"

Jisung groans, his voice dry as paper.

"Okay, that's it, have fun - goodbye."

With that, Jisung actually hangs up, leaving Renjun alone in the corner of an unfamiliar dorm. With his pro-claimed arch-nemesis (not really), his lab partner, poking his head out of his bedroom, as far as he can tell, with the same sheepish look on his face that he had when he opened the door.

"You done with the call?" Donghyuck asks, scratching the back of his head.

"… Sort of. Uhm … thanks for the privacy," Renjun remarks, a bit owlishly.

"No problem."

…

Silence.

"Look, I'm … really sorry about the past few weeks, I should have been a bit more - there, I guess," Donghyuck eventually breathes into existence, an apologetic smile on his face. "Things were busy at home, and I know it's not really an apology or something when you tell excuses, or whatever, but … yeah. Thought you should know."

Renjun raises an eyebrow, though the fury from the previous weeks does subside a little in face of something like an explanation. "Yeah, that really threw me off, but … it's fine now, what's done is done," he dismisses, fight leaving him after all this time. Though, he can't quite so wave away his curiosity. "But what got you so agitated in first place? I mean - of course, only if you want to tell."

They are strangers after all, even as he decided that this more expressive Donghyuck is easier to deal with.

"Oh, it's fine - it's not really that secretive of a thing. My mom's a photographer and she was about to hold her first exhibition, so of course she took the free labour and asked her children to help out," Donghyuck soon enough replies, humour evident in his voice as he plops down on the other end of the couch, leaving a generous gap between them. "So, I was kind of at her beck and call whenever she needed something from me. Today's vernissage went well, though, so - no more of that."

He laughs easily enough - only stopping when he glances over to the other because evidently, the older turned quiet.

"Is something wrong-?"

Renjun eyes widen. "Wait, don't tell me your mom is Kim Mirae? The one opening her first exhibition in the city hall today?"

"What, you know her?" Donghyuck sounds genuinely bewildered.

It's instinct, really, when Renjun grabs the nearest pillow and throws it at him weakly.

"Know her? Know her? Of course I do, she's, like - her photos are so amazing?" Incredulity is raising in his voice the more confusion he can detect in Donghyuck's eyes, catching the pillow and loosely hugging it.

"I guess they are okay …" is definitely the wrong thing to say because Renjun is throwing another pillow straight at his face.

"Okay? But - they're - ugh! That's what you get for growing up with them, I guess," he sighs. "I can't believe you're actually related …"

"Ouch, you wound me," Donghyuck remarks, theatrically clutching his heart.

"Well, you did that first," Renjun huffs. Thankfully, there is a third pillow for him to hug.

"Are you pouting?" the other asks curiously, and Renjun quickly averts his head.

"'m not," he retorts.

"Aww, look, I'm really sorry - here, to a new beginning? You know, I'd - if that's okay, I'd really like to be friends," Donghyuck speaks, voice sincere as he holds out a hand in an offering of peace, a new start.

And Renjun can't help but to glance back at him. There is still a slight pout still on his features as he eyes the hand with newfound scepticism. But … he would lie if he said he wouldn't have wanted to be friends with the other, from the very start, actually.

So, he takes the warm hand, watching how Donghyuck's face lights up in a sun-like smile.

A curious sight, really.

"Alright. Reset it is, then."

His heart is definitely not thumping faster now.

"You're not gonna regret this! Or, well, maybe you will, but … no take backs," Donghyuck's voice is a melodious hum when he laughs out loud. He extends a hand in greeting. "My name is Lee Donghyuck, but I also go by Haechan."

It's a bit silly, though … well, Renjun takes it.

"Huang Renjun's the name. You can just call me Renjun."

What a strange, strange boy.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

As it turns out, once Donghyuck talks, he doesn't exactly stop.

It's endearing in the same way it's tiring Renjun after a while and he finds himself having trouble to keep up with the other's seemingly endless rambles over everything and nothing. It's almost paradox, to have this one person who remained so quiet during their study sessions, to be this lively …

"Wow - sorry, you must be tired and I'm talking your ears off," Donghyuck says.

Renjun pauses mid-yawn, as much as he tries to hide it behind his hand - it must be quite visible. A pink hue is dusting his cheeks. "Oh - oh, no, I'm sorry, I should've-"

But Donghyuck is only waving him off. "It's okay, no worries. If you want, you can use the bathroom first?"

Renjun nods in lieu of a verbal affirmation. Now that the other mentions it, he does feel a bit clammy from walking through the cold twice, the mere thought of switching into more comfortable pyjamas making him smile.

Oh, but …

"Uhm, this might be weird, but … would you mind to lend me a shirt and pants for the night?" Renjun asks, scratching the back of his head a bit sheepishly.

Donghyuck widens his eyes. "Huh, I thought your suitcase-"

"Yeah, the thing is … I barely got it closed with how packed it is, and I'd rather not risk this thing exploding into our faces. Just for the night? But, if that's not possible, I'll find a way around it somehow," Renjun hurries to say at the reaction, feeling warmth rising to his cheeks. Oh, yeah, that's - that's definitely too weird of a thing to ask for people who haven't been getting along for the majority of the last weeks, right?

"I-I-I mean, if you don't mind …" Donghyuck replies slowly at last. Renjun thinks he can spot splotches of red on his face and neck, but he doesn't think too much of it - the other turns around faster than he can observe, standing up and walking to his room almost mechanically.

It makes him smile a bit, throwing a "Thanks a lot!" to the disappearing figure.

Standing up himself, he goes to tidy up the couch a bit, somewhat placing the pillows he threw around more properly until Donghyuck returns with a set of clean clothes and a towel.

"Right around the corner, you can't miss it," he explains the directions to the bathroom and Renjun nods with a smile.

"Thanks again, really - you saved me today," he remarks in relief before dashing off to the bathroom.

He thinks he hears a faint plop and maybe even a muffled scream, but the bathroom door falls shut in this very moment.

Renjun shrugs it off.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

When he comes back to the small living room, he finds Donghyuck laying flat on his stomach across the entire couch.

"Are you playing dead or something?" Renjun remarks with bemusement in his voice, still tugging at the oversized clothes with a scrunch of his nose until it sits better. But they're comfy, so that's all that matters.

Yet, he can't discern the words that come from the other, muffledly spoken into the pillow, until he turns around, eyes locking onto him.

"Just took a nap," Donghyuck says, seemingly nonchalant.

Renjun raises an eyebrow. "If you say so." He shakes his head. In the end, Donghyuck is still quite the enigma - but this time, it's less distant. Rather than feeling pushed away, he's intrigued, if he were to be honest.

You're such a weird guy.

"Talking about naps - you can take Shotaro's bed for the night if you want, he went to visit his family in Japan like, yesterday," Donghyuck pointed at the other door in the dorm that hasn't been touched thus far, giving him a thumbs-up. "I asked him earlier and he said it's fine - just don't snoop around, and things should be just peachy!"

Renjun shakes his head, amused. "Jaemin said that earlier, too - peachy, I mean. You're also friends? How come you're friends with my closest friends, but we never really met before?"

He takes a seat by the other end of the couch when Donghyuck curls himself up into a sphere on one end. He's so used to the high tension that radiated off the other in the past weeks, the sagged shoulders are quite a novelty compared to that.

"Guess we just never really crossed paths," the other hums, gaze wandering. "Or, more like, we did once, but not really after I think."

"We did? When?" Renjun exclaims with widened eyes, straightening his posture and leaning over to the other, curious.

It seems to throw Donghyuck off as his own eyes widen, an owlish look on his face. "Oh - just, you know, during orientation days, like, years ago - I think we got teamed up with Yangyang for that rallye thing? But it's not like we talked a lot or something."

Renjun furrows his eyebrows, leaning back once more as he tries to remember … orientation days … huh … "Your memory must be quite good if you can still remember that," he remarks at last.

"Nah, it's crap whenever I actually need it," Donghyuck dismisses with a laugh and he shrugs. "Some things just stick out more."

A heartbeat of silence-

"Well, but if you don't need me right now, I'll get ready for bedtime myself. Feel free to scope out the room already, or whatever it is that you do," he hurries to say at last, standing up in a single swift movement.

"Yessir," Renjun says playfully, mock-saluting in a most lacking manner - but it makes Donghyuck snort, so he counts that as a win.

Soon, all Renjun hears is the raging wind outside and the running water from the bathroom. Flopping down, he's staring at the ceiling, thinking.

As it seems, spending the snowstorm with Donghyuck isn't as bad as he thought. Jisung was right when he said he'd be an 'okay-enough' guy - though, he forgot to mention that he's funny, interesting to listen and talk to, and rather cute when he's losing himself in one of his many interests. There is yet bafflement that Donghyuck turned out to be quite different than he assumed, a world turned topsy-turvy upside-down, but he figures he shouldn't have judged as quickly - or without knowing what is actually going on.

Well, not that Donghyuck reacted to much anything he said during their study sessions, so this 'figuring out what's going on' part would have been difficult before, but now, it feels nice. He could get used to hang out with him like this.

Yawning, he snuggles a little into the couch, claiming the entire space as another yawn falls off his lips.

Just a little …

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Sunlight is pouring heavily down on him, a white outline on his eyes as he blinks himself awake, slowly. His neck feels sore, and as he sits up, the upper part of his body feels exposed to the colder room temperature where the blanket falls off.

… Hold on, blanket?

Pulling the warmed fabric right over him again, his eyes are adjusting to the morning light as he looks around, quizzed at first - but … oh, right.

Yesterday's events hit him with the sweet scent of pancakes and the clear sounds of movement resonating in this space. He only has to crane his neck a bit, look around the corner, to catch a glimpse of a humming Donghyuck, working away at what seems to be their breakfast.

Right, Donghyuck. Surprise of the century.

Gathering the blanket and pulling it all around him like some super armour, he carefully makes his way over.

"First time I haven't had to prepare breakfast in a long time," Renjun remarks playfully, plopping down on a nearby chair, blanket cocoon securely around him. The coldness of winter is truly seeping in. "Good morning."

"Morning to you, too." The air is filled with Donghyuck's crisp-clear laugh as he turns around, a brilliant smile on his face. "Is your dormmate this bad in the kitchen? But hey, I take it."

Was that a wink? Surely Renjun is just tired from falling asleep on the couch-

"Pff, I mean, if you know Jisung, then you'll know-"

Solemnly, Donghyuck nods. "-Right, that explains it."

There is a tick of silence, a second passes - before the both of them fall into a small fit of chuckles and snickers, Renjun shaking his head. Perhaps, somewhere, Jisung is sneezing right now.

"Honestly, though, you should have woken me up - the least I can do is help you out," Renjun remarks over the sizzling of pancakes in oil.

"Nah, you looked so peaceful, I wouldn't dare," Donghyuck dismisses him with a wave of his spatula, flipping the pancake. Or that's what Renjun assumes as he stares at the other's back.

"Another thing to set you apart from Jisung," he remarks with a playful laugh, hoping that he won't turn around in the moment - he'd like to calm the tips of his ears first from the warmth that begins to swell.

Donghyuck breaks out in a small laugh, humming. "I mean, having another alarm doesn't really hurt."

"Yeah, surely - one way to see it," Renjun rolls his eyes, but he doesn't sound quite so mad. Sure, sharing a dorm with Jisung is more chaotic than not, but it works out for them - it's nice to have the other's company, after all.

Idle chatter passes back and forth like this, pancakes devoured at last after Renjun smacks him with one corner of the blanket when he comments on his cocoon-like state - he's going to stay like this for the foreseeable future, thank you very much - and there is a moment of silence when Donghyuck cleans the table, insisting that Renjun can very well stay seated, blanket wrap and all.

And who is he to say no?

(It definitely has nothing to do with the wickedly bemused smile of the other.)

It's a moment Renjun takes to check the weather forecast and general news, feeling hopeful when it seems that the snowstorm was less impactful than expected - but he furrows his eyebrows deeply, sighing loudly as he checks the state of his flight in particular. "Seems like our snowstorm already died down more or less, but … guess we can't be the only ones with a storm brewing. My hometown is about to get hit, so they cancelled my flight for the foreseeable future."

"That sucks," Donghyuck comments, genuine concern in his eyes. "That means …"

"No family holidays for me. I gotta - I gotta tell them-" Renjun confirms, mutters under his breath as he starts to move more frantically, the ease of the morning disappearing with every second following.

"Hey," Donghyuck says softy, catching his attention on his way back to the couch. "You … uhm, if you want, you can stay for as long as you need to, yeah? You can even take the bed this night."

And Renjun can't deny that there is something comforting about the words - sincere, and an attempt to lighten the mood.

He gives the other a small smile. "Thanks, Donghyuck. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime."

With that, Renjun hurries further away, his voice hushed as he talks to his family. It breaks his heart to hear the dejected voices - hear his own as he keeps sighing.

"Now, baobei, we're going to facetime, alright? There's no reason to sound like you're never going to see us again," his mother chides him with a gentle voice. "Are you staying okay right now?"

Renjun tries not to sniff, nodding - then answering her question. "Yeah, a - friend is staying in the dorms, and he was okay with me staying here, too. And yes … it's just. I thought I'd see you all sooner again."

"We will, in time," she says gently. "For now, you're going to enjoy what you can, right? Most of your friends are closeby, not? So you could try and visit them once things calm down on the streets. And this person you're staying with …"

"Donghyuck," he supplies. "His name's Donghyuck. Did you know that he's the son of that photographer I talk to you about sometimes, Kim Mirae? I didn't- and ah, yes, he's my lab partner and he's actually quite nice, but I tell you about this another time. And … you're right."

"Donghyuck, yes," his mother repeats and he can picture her bemused smile, probably in anticipation of the story he'll have to offer. "But, see - you're not alone, mh? It'll be different this year, but … as long as you're safe, that's all we could ever ask for."

It makes Renjun smile softly, nodding. "Mh-hm - thanks, ma."

"Everything for my little baobei."

"What about you, though?"

She only dismisses him, confidence evident through her voice. "It's not the first storm I survived, I'm sure we'll be fine. And thanks to the holidays, we also have more than enough food to last. Don't worry about us, we'll figure things out."

It still makes him guilty to think that he can't help - could have been there if only, but in the end, his mother's voice is reassuring and he nods. "Keep me posted?"

"Of course, baobei."

He smiles, head turning as - "Oh, I think Donghyuck's coming back, I'll talk to you another time?"

"Stay safe, dear!"

"You, too," he says gently as they end the call, his head turning to Donghyuck instead.

"You didn't have to end the call because of me," the other remarks as he plops down on the opposite end of the couch. "You also could have gone to Shotaro's room for privacy, you know."

He chuckles when Renjun's stunned to a brief silence.

"-Look, I missed the chance to go there yesterday, it just didn't cross my mind-" he hurries to say, throwing a pillow at Donghyuck weakly.

The other catches it with both hands, hugging it as he grins. "Yeah, yeah … just say you wanted me to hear you talk about me and go-"

And a pillow follows flat into his face.

"Ya! I did not-" Renjun exclaims entirely exasperated, cheeks growing warm as he recalls the conversation he just had - he didn't say anything weird, did he-

"It's fine, no worries," Donghyuck dismisses with a laugh, throwing the second pillow back softly. "I mean, it's sort of my fault, after all - people do say I have a tunnel vision when I'm really focused on something. And I guess my mom's stress was just enough to tick that off."

"I still can't believe your mom is the Kim Mirae …"

"You better believe it - because …" Donghyuck pauses, a mischievous - curious - smile on his face that has Renjun squint sceptically.

"Because …?"

"I was about to ask if - since you seem to have a bunch of time at hand now - if you wanted to visit the exhibition," the other says. "You know, a little consolidation for being stuck here with me. If you want."

Renjun's mouth drops open before he shakes his head in amusement. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

He gets smacked with a pillow.

"What- no, I meant, I would go with you to the city hall, introduce you to my mom if you want and then, dunno, I go outside and build things out of snow while you go through the exhibition, maybe?" Donghyuck elaborates with a dismissive voice, but Renjun can't help but to notice the slight hue of red on the other's cheeks.

Cute.

"I helped to put it together, so - really, I saw enough of her photos," Donghyuck rolls his eyes, but it only makes Renjun laugh.

"Got it, but - I mean … if that's really okay …" He gnaws at his lips. They only spoke to each other properly for less than twenty-four hours, and yet he feels like he's leeching off of him so much already … "I gotta repay you somehow, though."

"Nah, don't worry about that - my mom's probably gonna insist on meeting you, anyway, once she hears about this," Donghyuck waves off.

It makes Renjun raise an eyebrow, curiously. "Huh? Why that?"

There seems to be a heartbeat of nothing - it almost makes him believe that the other malfunctioned somehow, but Donghyuck is catching himself before he can blink, scratching the back of his head.

"Oh … you know, us being lab partners, and you being the unfortunate soul that had to endure me in the last weeks … 's all," he says in an oddly stretched-out way.

Renjun looks at him sceptically, but drops it all the same. "If you say so … still, should I bring her a gift? Since it's gonna be a longer stay, might as well open Pandora's box …"

This seems to pique Donghyuck's interest, gaze flitting back and forth between Renjun and his suitcase, ominously lingering in the corner.

"Gotta admit, I'm kinda curious after all you said …"

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Donghyuck would, in fact, live to regret his curiosity.

True to Renjun's predictions, it all but springs open with a bit more force than it should, packages of snacks and other small things sliding out of the openings soon after. It's enough to flood the immediate area with various things, from small notebooks to collections of freshly bought pens that he promised his younger cousins, to articles of thinly rolled-up clothing and some food items.

It's, in fact, turning half of the small living room-slash-kitchen into a small safety hazard zone.

"Sorry about that," Renjun sighs out. "I mean, I would say I told you so, but …"

"How did you even fit that all in?!" Donghyuck exclaims sharply - and impressed, if Renjun notices correctly.

He only shrugs with a pained smile. "Wouldn't we all like to know …"

In the end, they spend the next hours gathering what they can, putting most of the things in Shotaro's old shoe boxes (bless him for keeping those, still), and calling it a day just in time for lunch.

This time, Renjun doesn't let himself be deferred from the kitchen, insisting on helping out as they prepare a simple meal for the both of them.

(Yes, he does not miss the odd domesticity it brings - but no, he won't linger on it. … For now.)

"Never thought I'd fight someone for dish duty one day …" Donghyuck exhales from where Renjun seated him - very firmly - on the chair.

Renjun laughs, an airy sound that lingers. "Me neither - but, I should help out if I'm freeloading."

"And I told you it's fine," Donghyuck retorts, but quickly shuts up at the glare that's been sent his way.

He sighs. "Hey, you know what? If you insist on doing something … since the snowstorm calmed down for now, how about this? If you win against me in a snowball fight, you earned a luxury stay at yours truly - and if I win, we just split duties, I guess."

Renjun turns around with sudden interest in his eyes, raising an eyebrow before he breaks out in a laugh. "You really do make it sound like you want to be on dish duty forever," he chuckles, giving the proposition a thought. "But … fine. You're going to go down, Lee Donghyuck. I'm not gonna hold back."

But Donghyuck only grins, amusedly.

"You know, I'm not that eager to be on dish duty, actually."

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Truthfully, Renjun kind of loathes the idea of going outside into the cold snow - as beautiful as it is and as wonderful as it is to take a walk in the white winter wonderland. Walking and enjoying the scenery isn't so much the problem as-

-well, purposefully getting hit with snow. Or, trying to avoid it, but ending up under cold fire, either way.

There aren't too many hiding places on the campus, but the few trees and bushes make-do. Currently hiding behind a tree-bush complex, Renjun is gazing over the general area to see where his opponent might be, all the while silently preparing a batch of snowballs, ready to be dispatched at the slightest notion of movement.

He does feel a little silly, but the stakes feel sort of high - it's comfortable lodging versus his everyday life, after all, and both prospects are admittedly agreeable, but something about the overconfident ways of one Lee Donghyuck spurns him on no less. He's not about to lose to that (maybe kind of cute) cocky grin.

Renjun wonders if he should strategise more, just when he hears a faint nose in the background - it's not much, but enough to alert him, holding his breath. He sees a little motion in his peripheral, making his lips curl up as he reaches for a couple of snowballs and-

-within moments, they're both lunging at each other with puffy snow formed to loose balls that explode like chill fireworks upon impact. Donghyuck shrieks under the continuous onslaught - making Renjun chuckle lightly; he shouldn't have come to enemy territory.

"That's one to zero for me!" he lets out, maybe a little childishly, before storming off, leaving Donghyuck to recover on his own as he tries to find another stakeout. Perhaps that strategy could lead him to victory?

He starts to form another brigade of snowballs - but he's found sooner than he expected, hissing under the snowball fall. In the end, he has to give up and retreat quickly into safety.

Renjun still sees the outline of a victorious grin on the other's face, but it only makes him shake his head - he's going to get back at him for that.

And maybe, he smiles to himself, feeling entirely pulled into this silly bet.

He gets the chance for payback soon after, scouting the general area after a prolonged silence from the other, only to find him perched, looking into the other direction - alert, yes, but not alert enough to notice his silent steps, sound swallowed by snow.

"Hah!" Renjun shouts out as he throws three snowballs in quick succession, leaving Donghyuck to yelp, startled, before turning around immediately - running away with an airy laugh filling the area.

Donghyuck tries to hit him with snowballs in his run, but he somehow manages to escape all of them.

It's nice, really.

He eventually finds shelter in some deserted outdoor way, hiding behind one of the pillars, even as it is not really ideal, with barely snow present, too. But what he trades in hiding, he does gain in oversight of everything, the campus opening up in front of him as he tries to see if he can spot the other - and as soon as he does, eyes briefly locking onto Donghyuck's, they both emerge to throw snow at each other. Running towards another with determination, he yet notices that Donghyuck is smiling, too. It warms him on the inside, even as he has to fight a little harder to gain the upper hand - to have Donghyuck run for his life.

"You'll pay back for that!" Renjun hears his voice in the faint distance, making him chuckle.

He doesn't even notice how the sun is beginning to set until everything is coloured in its golden light, making him stop in his tracks. Mouth gaping open a little, he barely stopped before to see the world in … this peaceful of a state.

University is usually filled with hectic life and stressed students that there is no little place for tranquillity. It's strange to think that without all of this happening, he wouldn't have been able to see this, or actually get to talk properly with Donghyuck. Wouldn't be covered in snow right now, wouldn't be grinning like a fool to himself.

It's all falling together, somehow, in an unexpected yet not unwelcome way.

Leaving him deep enough in his thoughts, he doesn't realise how the snowball in his hands slips to the ground - doesn't perceive the nearing footsteps until he hears the brilliant laughter of the sun, grinning from one ear to another as he feels the snowy impact on his body.

"Gotchu! I win!" Donghyuck declares, coming to a halt next to him.

"That doesn't make sense, I definitely won more fights than you," Renjun argues, but it's weak - he's smiling and doesn't really mind either outcome, to be honest.

"Yeah? But I won the decisive battle!" comes the retort that has Renjun rolling his eyes.

"Well, suit yourself - I'll help with cooking and dish duty, then," he replies easily, giving up as his gaze wanders from the other to the horizon line.

"The sunset is really pretty."

Donghyuck hums. "Sure is."

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

In the end, they tackled each other in the snow for a bit longer, friendly fire only as the bet was already decided. Renjun contributes the warmth he feels when they're eventually back inside to the physical exercise, hair sporadically dried with towels as Renjun fishes his laptop out of his backpack to facetime with his family.

"And then he ambushed me!" he cries out in (fake) exasperation over the faint noises of running water from the bathroom where Donghyuck is in the shower and far away from the voiced slander.

His mother looks at him amused, arms around a cousin and a half (one of them keeps slipping from her lap) as she laughs. "My, you sound like you had a good time despite," she hums. "It's good to hear. I thought you'd been moping for the whole day or so."

Renjun stutters. "W-well, I am, but I also had a battle to win-"

"-that you lost-"

"-mom, I mean. There never seems to be a quiet minute to mope much, I guess?" he sighs before his eyes widen. "Oh, did I tell you, he invited me to meet his mom tomorrow! I'm going to see the exhibition, actually …!" Excitement bubbles forth in his voice as he remembers the promise, a warm smile spreading.

"So I can safely assume you're not going to be moping for the foreseeable time?" she chuckles in reply.

He rolls his eyes. "You sound like I was about to wither in a corner or something."

"Well, it is a valid concern. You looked terrible the last time you couldn't come home because of that paper you had to finish."

There is blatant amusement in her voice, a fondness that masks over thinly veiled concern.

"Yeah … well, that was in my first year and I missed you all so much-" he counters. "I've found friends now that I could have spent my time with, but-"

"Mh-hm, I heard - Chenle's stranded with Jeno and Mark, Jaemin got dropped off at their place also and Jisung is with his family while Chenle still can't pick you up from the university, I heard your voice message."

"See! It's no fun being alone," Renjun huffs, a pout visible on his face.

"Well, then I'm glad you're in good-enough company now. I should thank Donghyuck for that - where is he?"

He hasn't heard the bathroom door open, but he does hear footsteps in the background now, tip-tap from one room to another before - speak of the devil - Donghyuck appears in the room, hair still a little wet with a towel around his neck. He gives a curious gaze to Renjun's figure over the laptop.

"Oh, you're facetiming, right? Let me leave you in peace then-" he whispers and is about to scurry, but Renjun shakes his head quickly, beckoning him closer.

"Actually, you've come just at the right time," Renjun muses, moving to the side, so they can both fit in front of the webcam. "My mom just wanted to say hi to you."

Donghyuck shoots him a look of panic when he simply pats the space next to him, a pointed look - and the younger caves, fixing his face to a friendly smile, but the wave into the webcam is a bit awkward.

It's kind of endearing.

"So you must be Donghyuck, right? Thanks for showing my baobei so much hospitality and spending your time with him!" her voice is warm, only interrupted by a quick scolding in Mandarin when one of the smaller ones try to saunter off. "-Sorry, it's a hectic time."

"Oh, it's not a problem at all - it's, uh, it's a great honour to talk to you, ma'am!" Donghyuck lets out and Renjun wonders if he's about to salute. But the gesture doesn't happen and laughter rings from the virtual screen to the very real person next to him.

"No need to be so formal," she dismisses with a handwave - enough to finally lose the younger ones to the shuffle of their own curiosity and restlessness. She looks with tired fondness as they scurry away, shaking her head, but even so, her words have something warm about them. "Children these days, not even wanting to say hello to their cousin and his new friend."

Left alone with just the three of them - the occasional aunt or uncle or grandparent or cousin chiming in, the whole variety of relatives -, they are quick to immerse in a talk that … honestly, Renjun can't quite recall the topics at hand. Only that it felt nice to see his mother engage so openly with Donghyuck - and to see the other loosen up over time, enough, even, that he seems to be fine on his own when Renjun excuses himself to use the bathroom.

When he comes back, it feels like something has shifted, though the lights are dim and he isn't sure if he imagined the slight red hue on Donghyuck's face or not.

They say goodbye eventually, leaving to dinner with the promise of talking to another again. This time, preparing the food and cleaning up is a shared duty spent with idle chatter over nothing and everything. It's growing to be comforting and not as daunting as Renjun would have imagined.

Snow is sailing down idly to the ground, flocking together to cover this place on earth with a white blanket another time. But this time, it's more peaceful.

When all is eaten and done, Renjun finally lurks into the other bedroom, trying to take as little space as possible as he makes himself comfortable in the unknown space. He thinks he stepped on a plastic folder or something, but he eventually finds his way to the small bed.

It feels odd to say the least, but he's grateful for more comfort than the couch offered.

When he goes to close the door, he sees Donghyuck's on the opposite side, the corners of his lips curling softly.

"Good night, Donghyuck," he says with a gentle smile.

"Good night, Renjun," the other says back, a warm smile mirroring on his face.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Renjun needs a few heartbeats to orient himself the next morning, the unfamiliar room a startling thing to wake up to. Yet, when he thinks he can hear faint noises beyond the door, starts to remember where he is, the thought of greeting Donghyuck isn't such a dreaded one anymore.

Yawning and stretching, he carefully steps to avoid any items on the floor as he scurries to the door, opening it to the - also - yawning figure of his lab partner.

"Mo-" Donghyuck starts - pauses - yawns - finishes, "-Morning. You slept okay?"

Renjun can't help but to chuckle. "Morning to you, too. Slept better than yesterday," he replies, yawning a little as he eyes eyes Donghyuck with a raised eyebrow, amused. "Moreso, why are you already up when you're clearly not awake?"

"Mom called," the other sighs with a dramatic eye roll. "Saw my message about us coming over and immediately wanted to know the nitty-gritty. Knew I shouldn't have sent her this before going to bed."

The reminder makes Renjun look up - trying to act nonchalant, but he can't help the excitement that bubbles forth from within regardless. "Uhm … what were you thinking, then?"

But it seems as if Donghyuck can see right through him as he watches him with a bemused grin. He shrugs as he hums. "Dunno, I told her whenever you are ready - it stopped snowing somewhere during the night, so I'd say we can probably go after breakfast?"

"Sounds fine to me," Renjun replies, anticipation drawing a wider smile on his face. "Let's make some breakfast then?"

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Apart from the one time he almost smacked Donghyuck with a slice of toast, the morning goes by peacefully, mindless chatter exchanged that prolongs to the walk through the biting cold, all the way up to the city hall that is fortunately quite near the university.

And despite the ample time they spent talking, Donghyuck somewhat fails to fully prepare him for the experience that is meeting his mother.

They barely have gone through the door when Renjun is startled by a cheerful voice calling them - before the figure he only saw in few photos appears at alarming speed to all but tackle Donghyuck into a hug.

"Hah! Look who said he wouldn't set another foot into this exhibition and look who's here now!" Her energetic voice is a stark contrast to the low-level energy Donghyuck exuded when they first met.

Renjun blinks. Maybe that is where all his energy went to.

"-Mom!" Donghyuck tries to wriggle out of the grasp to no avail, so he seems to cave in and return the hug, a smile forming on his face despite the uttered complaints. "First, I'm just in the city hall, not your exhibition, and second - you're not just gonna pretend you haven't seen Renjun, will you?"

Honest? Renjun actually hasn't minded being less visible, his mind emptying at an unfortunate speed in face of one of the photographers he admires the most.

"-Renjun, Huang Renjun," he manages to press out with a smile that must be infinitely awkward. "It's - uh - a pleasure."

The mirth in her eyes reminds him of Donghyuck, and somehow, that manages to ease him up as he clears his throat and offers a warm smile. "I really admire your work!"

"Why, thank you!" she lets out with a hum and a wide smile. "I'm honoured to hear, and even more excited to finally meet you! Donghyuck told me so much about you!"

That, however, startles Renjun. He blinks owlishly.

"-he did?"

In all his confusion, he entirely misses the panic-struck face of his lab partner, eyes widened as he intercepts. "-Mom," he hisses out before turning to Renjun with a half-composed look. "I - uh - don't think too much about it, she's - exaggerating."

It doesn't help to solve the puzzled state Renjun is in, but he nods nonetheless. They're lab partners, so that must be surely because of it …?

"I don't think so," she throws in with a devious, amused smile, "it was pretty hard to make you shut up about your crush-"

"MOM!" Donghyuck groans, face and ears reddening in an instant. "I told you it was a squish-"

Renjun blinks.

… Wait.

What?

He glances back and forth between them, blinking in confusion.

To be honest, he's zoning out of the conversation that ensues - eyebrows continuously furrowing as the words sink in. … Just what is going on?

He doesn't know how long he's just standing there, watching the other two bicker, before he hears Donghyuck clearing his throat, tugging at his sleeve.

"I think," the other finally speaks up as he turns to him, a sliver of fear on his face. "-I have some explaining to do."

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

They find a quiet corner by the stairs in a small seating area in the deserted city hall. If nothing else, most people probably spend today and tomorrow to buy any last christmas presents they can gather, if they're not going for a real last-minute trip in two days.

It only amplifies the prolonged silence, though, and Renjun thinks he's staring holes into the other until Donghyuck finally clears his throat, gaze still avoidant, but at least it looks like he's going to start talking.

"Do you remember our first year? Orientation days?" he begins.

Renjun looks at him with a puzzled look. "You mentioned that, but … depends … some things - yes. Other things - not really."

Donghyuck nods with a weak smile, looking lopsided. "Fair enough. Well, as said, we were grouped up for the rallye, but I think you were calling … Jaemin most of the time? You sounded pretty upset throughout, so I didn't really think I should've talked to you and just finished things with Yangyang, mainly."

"Oh, you're the one that replaced Jaemin on our team - wait, don't tell me you had a crush on me since then and never talked to me since?" Renjun looks at him incredulous.

Having gotten to know the other over the past days, it's a bit difficult to imagine that Donghyuck would have a problem with striking up conversation under more relaxed circumstances.

"Hnngh, well - I said it was a squish - a squish," the other all but whines. "You know, I really wanted to be your friend when we first met, but that didn't really happen and afterwards … I don't know, there wasn't much of a reason to talk to you I guess. Or meet, even." He scratches the back of his head.

"But - you're friends with Jisung and he's my roommate since forever-" Renjun scrunches his nose.

"Well, we're mainly just gaming together … it's not like I hang out with him on a regular. And, uh, dunno. I did keep trying, but from one to another, years passed … I guess."

"Until the lab."

"Until the lab," Donghyuck confirms. "Honestly, worst moment for me to cross paths with you, but fate sure works in funny ways. Sorry again for being so absent about everything, I know you must've been pretty frustrated."

"That," Renjun points at him, "is an understatement."

He huffs, shaking his head. "But seems like things are still working out for you. We're becoming friends, not?" The smile on his face is genuine, morphing from disbelief to something gentler.

Donghyuck's eyes sparkle at his words, an enthusiastic nod following. "-If you say so, I can't possibly deny the last wish of a sore loser," he grins cheekily, turning away to shield himself as Renjun raises a hand in a quiet threat.

But, he doesn't act on it and only rolls his eyes. "Yeah, sure …"

"No take backsies for friendships," Donghyuck proclaims brazenly and it only makes Renjun roll his eyes even harder. But he can't deny the fondness that builds, too, looking at the self-satisfied smile of the other.

"Alright, guess we're in this together," he says dramatically.

Donghyuck nods, grinning. "Yu-hup!"

It's a strange string of revelations, fit for the strange string of events … but now, he can't be quite as mad at the snowstorm anymore as he was just two days ago. Things aren't turning out the way he wanted them to, but this doesn't seem to be quite as bad.

"Well, shall we go to the exhibit together now?"

Donghyuck's expression deadpans.

"Absolutely not."

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

As it turns out, Donghyuck was serious when he said he wouldn't go to the exhibition another time, bolting out of the city hall as soon as Renjun brought up the topic, leaving him essentially with a stray visitor and his own person.

Donghyuck's mother excused herself a while ago, promising to come by later, so Renjun finds himself traversing the exhibition on his own at first, taking his diligent-due time to examine each photograph on display with caution and interest. He saw a few of them before in some photobooks and online, but the vast majority are a novelty to him, taking him in each and every time.

He should let Jaemin know about this, too, if the other hadn't already planned a visit in the new year.

It's not a large exhibition by most any means, but he still spends a sizeable amount of time here. He barely crossed the first half before he hears footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet hall. Renjun doesn't turn around until it the steps are coming closer, directed towards him - and lo and behold, Donghyuck's mother is smiling at him.

"Either you made a full round and a half - or, you're really slow," she remarks with a laugh - quiet, but noticeable enough that Renjun clears his throat, a bit embarrassed.

"I- it's, the latter," he says with a little cough. To be honest, they haven't exchanged much of a talk before and now, the words seem to be stuck in his throat.

She smiles warmly, though, a hum in her voice that he feels like he knows from Donghyuck. "Oh, really? Then you're one of the very few I know that takes as much time as Hyuckie does when he goes through my photos in earnest," she remarks with a chuckle. "I actually made him help me with the selection and the exhibition because I know he's going to make it worth his time. Sincerely sorry it hindered you for your lab project, though …"

Renjun blinks at her - then, hastily makes a dismissive gesture.

"No - it's - alright, we somehow managed to work it out. But - he gave me the impression he doesn't really care about your photos," he voices his confusion before he can stop it - immediately stopping, eyes widened. "Ah - sorry, that's … I shouldn't have said that."

Have I just messed things up? Argh, Renjun-

But to his surprise, she looks amused more than anything. "Oh, did he? Well, rest assured that is - probably - not the case. In fact, he seems to care more about my photography than my other kids," she lets out, laughing. "It's actually kind of amusing to see."

"He was so adamant on not going here, though?" he furrows his eyebrows, confusion only deepening.

She hums. "Probably because he dislikes being hasted through something when he wants to take his time. Though, as I see it, you'd be quite a well match to him." Her eyes twinkle with mirth and it's as unsettling as it's making him curious.

"Hard to believe when I spent months thinking we couldn't be less alike," Renjun remarks - amused, but also with a sigh. It's been long weeks, despite how well they may or may not get along now. And that remains hard to dismiss on such a short notice.

She hums, nodding. "Hm … fair enough, but I hope you'll have more time to get to know each other now, now that he doesn't have to bother with my issues anymore. You're staying with him for the meanwhile?"

"Yes, he's been so kind to let me stay with him - I planned to fly over to my family, but …" Renjun's gaze wanders over to the wall made of glass, allowing a generous view of the outside area, filled over and over with snow. "They're hit by a stronger storm, so flights to there are cancelled for now."

"I see," she nods in understanding. "I hope things clear up eventually, so you can at least spend New Year's Eve with them."

He replies to her words with a small smile. "Mh, yes! Thankfully, we do get along better than I thought - well, even though I had to battle for my right to help out with cooking and stuff," Renjun recalls with an amused smile as she bursts into a laugh that echoes.

"You did? Can't say I'm very surprised," she chuckles. "Hyuckie … even if he sometimes acts mischievously and is up to no good, he's hardworking. I figure he does try to get away with as little work as possible most of the time, but …"

Her eyes lock onto his, making him tilt his head in question. Her smile is soft.

"… but for the people he cares about? Oh, he'd go great lengths."

The words sink in as he looks at her, a bit confused. He feels like she means much more than she lets on, but before he knows it, she's on the verge of leaving again.

"Let me know what piece you liked most!" she only tells him before waving and … well, alone he is, once more.

And with him, more than half of the exhibition to go.

❄️ 🖼️ 🍋

Eventually, he reaches a small area by the window, full of macro photography of various objects and sceneries - flowers up close, a crack or cranny zoomed in, gestures with the hand. He thinks he can even spot a picture of Donghyuck's moles on his cheek - artfully concealed that it doesn't become apparent who it is, but the hint of a smile and the constellations drawn on his skin by nature make Renjun wonder.

Not that he stared, of course - it just jumps to attention when looking at him.

And when his gaze wanders away to the outside just a little bit …

Think of the devil.

Judging by the cheeky look outside the top-to-bottom windows, Donghyuck knows exactly where he is. He gestures frantically, waving in a half circle to gain Renjun's attention, even though he already has it.

Renjun raises an eyebrow in question as Donghyuck beckons him closer with a gesture, but … well, what does he have to lose? It's extremely poor to understand him through the window, but he thinks he can make out a few words.

Mostly because he just repeats - look!

To emphasise, Donghyuck points at his Magnum Opus with a huge grin - friend-shaped snow that is the size of himself, made up of three huge snowballs stacked on top of each other, a mischievous grin on its face also. It has the hat that he wore earlier, as well as the scarf.

"It looks like you," Renjun mouths slowly once - twice, until it seems to click in the other's brain, pride swelling up within the other as he bows multiple times, as if receiving a standing ovation.

Renjun's eyes practically have no choice but to crinkle, crescents forming as he has to hold back his laughter, but he can't keep the smile from forming.

"Are you not cold?" he mouths next, lightly knocking on the glass and repeating the words until Donghyuck finally spares him a look.

The other shakes his head and after a bit, he mouths, take your time, by the way.

Even though Renjun is half-convinced he's still freezing despite the claim not to, without scarf and hat, he can't find impatience on Donghyuck's features. Rather, there is yet that mirthful twinkle in his eyes that tells him that he has a plan to keep himself busy for some more time.

It makes him raise an eyebrow, a foreboding feeling filling him. He has yet to decide whether or not he likes it - as predictable as he thought Donghyuck was, it turns out that the opposite is the case.

He finds himself smiling.

"I leave you to it, then," he mouths, half-says, waving a bit before he turns to the next photo to look at.

Now that they're in each other's field of sight, he can't help but to notice that Donghyuck is looking at him every once in a while - can't help but to look at the other's shenanigans every now and then, too.

He can't help but to break out in quiet smiles all over when their eyes meet, a strange comfort growing. Renjun finds himself looking forward to speak and talk with him again - eager to pry and find out what Donghyuck's favourite photos were, now that he knows he cares more than he lets on.

It's an odd thought, but maybe, snow can feel warm, and lemons can be sweet, too, under the right circumstances. Right now, he's quite curious to learn more about the Donghyuck that grins and is full of life, or maybe even the one that is lost in focus, too.

But, for now, Renjun has a few more photos to look at.