Archive of Our Own

Renjun is cheating on Jeno.

Well, not really, but kind of. He’s cheating in theory - Renjun knows he’s cheating too, even though technically he’s not. But it’s the thought that counts in situations like this, intentions over outcome, mind over matter or whatever the saying is (Jeno is definitely using it wrong). 

Renjun and Jeno have been dating for a grand total of one week, which isn’t long at all by any standards, but that’s Renjun’s fault, not his. Jeno spent months trying to court Renjun, charm and convince him to go on one date with him. 

He did everything he could to get on Renjun’s good side; the mornings he had time and wasn’t running late from trying to save the world, he would bring along an extra sweet, sugary coffee from the cafe across the street that Renjun frequents. He would drop off the forgotten papers Renjun printed from the photocopier room, and he would offer to stay back to help Renjun transcribe his interview recordings. 

You know. The usual things that would sweep a top-performing journalist off his feet.

And then, after all that, getting Renjun to agree to being boyfriends with Jeno was an even longer, more arduous journey. Even though they had been coworkers and friends for many months up until that point, it took many dates and a countless number of hours together before Renjun folded and finally said yes to the question. 

Jeno still remembers the day like yesterday (it was six days ago) a beautiful, warm memory he thinks back on every few hours.

It happened in the office, on one of those days where the minutes are crawling by and every time you look at the clock, only two minutes have passed since the last time you checked. Jeno pretended to work on an article, typing then erasing then typing and erasing the same five words again and again to look busy.

Truthfully, he had finished the article an hour ago, but he knew if he submitted it to his boss for review, he would get handed a document full of corrections and changes to make - which meant he would have no choice but to work overtime. So, he wanted to hold off and make the article the next day’s problem.

Every three words, his eyes darted up to where Renjun sat in his cubicle across the aisle, the tip of his pen between his teeth, staring off into space. His brows were furrowed, lips pouted and deep in thought.

Jeno sighed, resting his chin in his hand while he watched Renjun. How beautiful was his not-boyfriend? 

The first time Jeno had brought up the word boyfriend to Renjun, they had gone on twelve and a half dates—official dates, might he add, and not inclusive of spontaneous meals and time spent in the office—and he was still terrified to even ask. Not because he thought Renjun would slap him and kick him when he was down, but because he had a feeling Renjun would politely turn him down, with that sweet, yet slightly exasperated smile on his face.

Which honestly would be much more painful than being hit in the face.

“So, what are your thoughts on commitment?” Is how Jeno chose to bring it up on date thirteen.

They were sitting on a blanket over the grass at a park overlooking the sunset, the skyline of Metropolis in the distance, all angular, tall buildings. It was a romantic spot, other couples were scattered around having their own picnics and a man played the guitar further down the field, strumming a soft tune. 

Renjun had snorted. “It’s cool. Good.” He glanced over at Jeno, brows raised. “Strange question, Smallville.”

Jeno was unable to stop himself from smiling, fingers playing with the checkered blanket under them. “It’s not too strange, is it?”

Renjun didn’t reply for a moment and he looked away, back at the view and away from Jeno’s eyes. He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing. “You’re not asking me what I think you’re asking me, are you?”

Jeno had stared at his not-boyfriend before forcing himself to laugh. Shrug. Like he didn’t care. “No, I’m not.” Not yet. 

He still had yet to make a move and bring up the topic again, too much of a coward to try. So, he did what he could and continued working diligently on his articles, flying around the world to help people, and bringing Renjun coffee when he had the chance.

The most he could do was stare at Renjun in the office and pretend he could read his mind, cursing himself for not having the one power that would be the most useful. 

Sitting across from Renjun was their coworker, Chenle, fiddling with his camera, when he looked up and caught Jeno with his head in his hands. With a smirk, Chenle kicked Renjun under the table and when the other looked over, he pointed at Jeno, brows wiggling. 

Jeno blinked, shaken out of his stupor when Renjun’s head snapped in his direction. His brow was raised, as if to ask, ‘What do you want?’

Jeno shook his head because he didn’t have anything to say, he just wanted to stare at his not-boyfriend - was that such a crime?

But Renjun didn’t respond, only rolled his chair back and walked towards the break room, shooting Jeno a look before leaving. Jeno scrambled to his feet, dropping a pen and stapler in his rush and they fell to the floor with a loud clang. He picked them up and bowed in apology to the dirty looks his coworkers gave him for disturbing the quiet office. 

The moment Jeno stepped into the break room, Renjun shut the door behind him, leaving only the two of them inside, silent beside the hum from the refrigerator. Jeno’s back was pressed against the door, Renjun trapping him with his arms.

Immediately, his heart raced from how close Renjun stood, face inches away, close enough that Jeno could see the imprints on his lips from where he was chewing on them, and the smear of unrubbed sunscreen in his sideburns. 

“Why are you staring at me?” Renjun demanded. 

Jeno couldn’t admit that he stared at Renjun all the time and that this was just one of the hundred thousand times he did it. “Sorry.” He was only sorry he got caught. 

“Didn’t answer the question.”

“I don’t have an answer. I just was,” Jeno said with a shrug. “Is there a problem?” 

The tips of Renjun’s ears were bright red, contradicting the stern frown screwed onto his face. “Yeah. You’re bothering me.”

“Why would it bother you?” Jeno was acting dumb, feeling all too pleased at how flustered Renjun was getting. “I’m just looking.”

“That—that’s the problem!” Renjun stammered. The blush spread, all the way to the apple of his cheeks. “You…”

“Hm?” Jeno lifted his chin, daring Renjun to respond. 

Renjun’s eyes were narrowed and he looked like he was about to strangle Jeno (not that Jeno would complain about that). But he didn’t - instead he wrapped his hand around Jeno’s tie and tugged him down. He yanked with enough force that Jeno would’ve fallen over if it wasn’t for the way Renjun was pressing him against the door.

Then he kissed him. 

Renjun’s lips were warm and sweet when they kissed, like the donut he was snacking on an hour before. He kissed like he spoke, honey-like, smooth, yet a little dangerous, demanding. And Jeno molded to his kiss, giving Renjun anything and everything he wanted, filling him with enough delight to last seven lifetimes. He raised his arms to wrap them around Renjun’s waist and deepen the kiss, but Renjun pulled back before he got the chance to.

Everything was pink - Renjun’s hair, his cheeks, his kiss-swollen lips, the tip of his nose. The hearts that floated out of Jeno’s eyes. 

With a hand on his chest, Renjun pushed him back against the door. “You're my boyfriend now,” Renjun commanded. He looked mildly shy as he said it, his voice trembling, and the corners of his lips threatening to lift up into a smile. 

Jeno processed the words a long moment later. “I’m—what?” But by the time he managed to get the words out, Renjun pushed him out of the way and sped out of the break room, leaving Jeno blinking at nothing, his glasses crooked and falling off his nose.

So, yes, they are officially boyfriends, and have been for the last 7 days, 14 hours, and 42 minutes. Not that Jeno is counting. And everything would be fine, cool, and no problem at all. If it wasn’t for this other guy in the picture. 

Superman.

You know, that tall, good looking, superpowered Kryptonian that’s been all over the news recently for being the world’s greatest hero and Earth’s saviour? (Channel 6’s words, not his). Turns out, Renjun has been harbouring a secret crush on this guy the entire time he and Jeno were together. Jeno had no idea Renjun was thinking such, such unfaithful, dishonest thoughts about this loser in blue tights and red underwear. 

And yeah maybe Superman was showing Renjun special treatment sometimes—giving him 1 on 1 interviews, talking to him after saving the day, or pulling him out of harm’s way that one time a building almost collapsed on him with a hand on his waist (Superman usually prefers a professional arm around the shoulders or back, but he couldn’t resist. Sue him).

But even if Superman did do all that, Renjun is in a monogamous, loving relationship with Lee Jeno, who works at the Daily Planet. Not Superman who is also Lee Jeno.

Renjun doesn’t know Jeno is Superman!

Nobody knows, aside from his mom and dad, and then maybe a few others, but Renjun is definitely not one of them. He never told Renjun anything. On top of that, Renjun is dubious about Superman - he’s vocal about how he doesn’t agree with everything Superman does and teeters between liking him and hating him. And whenever Jeno tries to defend Superman (see; himself) Renjun is quick to shoot him down. 

Therefore, there’s no way Renjun knows. 

Everything fell apart five days ago. 

Jeno had just come back from space, minutes after flying into the sky with Metallo. It wasn’t a terrible endeavour, but the man scratched Jeno's face and struggled in his hold the whole time. He only grew weaker after they left the Earth’s hemisphere, but he put up a fight until the very last moment when he was completely knocked out. Space was a 2-for-1 deal for Jeno—not only did it allow him to take Metallo’s powers away but all the wounds on Jeno that Metallo’s kryptonite ray had left, healed as he flew by the sun. 

So, he was in a pretty good mood. Bad guy 0, Superman 1. 

Right before he took off to space, Metallo had been wreaking havoc around Metropolis, shouting nonsense about Superman not being human, an alien that would cause mankind’s demise, and all types of crap that Jeno would usually roll his eyes at and ignore. Except, across the street, hiding behind the column of a building that looked one hit away from collapsing, was Renjun, watching the whole scene, Chenle not too far behind.

Suddenly, he needed Metallo to stop spewing bullshit, lest Renjun be given more ideas that wouldn’t be in Jeno’s favour. He melted a manhole cover to cover Metallo’s kryptonite heart and shot him into space. 

As soon as he reentered Earth’s hemisphere, he avoided the police and the crowds and landed where he knew he would find the person he wanted to see the most. His feet touched down on the rooftop of the Daily Planet, behind the electricity generator that hid him from surrounding buildings and surveillance cameras. As expected, Renjun was waiting for him, head tilted up to the skies as he scanned them, chewing the cuticles off his thumb.

“It’s not good to be ripping your hangnails off,” Jeno, no, Superman said. 

Renjun’s eyes widened, his hands dropping out of his mouth and flying to his chest with a gasp. He stepped closer to Superman, fingers curling into his shirt, as if he could barely contain his emotions. Anger, Jeno identified, from the furrow of Renjun’s brows. 

“That’s rich coming from you, considering how close you were to dying thirty minutes ago!” Yes, anger, red, and hot, blasted out of Renjun. If he was a metahuman, Jeno imagined there would be fire shooting out of his eyes. 

Honestly, Jeno was… a little confused. The anger felt almost unwarranted - Renjun barely knew Superman. While he had given Renjun a handful of statements and interviews in this form, Renjun had never been this concerned before, not this worried about his wellbeing. Their interactions had been friendly and Jeno… well, of course he couldn’t stop himself from flirting with Renjun, but surely Renjun was just being nice because the man of the hour was giving him the time of the day. 

Jeno covered the confusion with a smile, trying to be charming. “Don’t worry too much, Mr. Huang. It’s part of the job description.” He put his hands on his hips, puffing his chest up. 

But Renjun didn’t budge. He came closer, his hand lifting up and up until he brushed by Jeno’s chest, right over the ‘S’ in the center, then to the left side where his heart was. “I saw it. The lasers. That thing—Metallo—got you right here.”

His hand touched Jeno’s chest and Jeno couldn’t stop the slight shiver wracking his body. No. Every bone in his body fought to reach out and embrace his boyfriend, to reassure Renjun that he was okay and wasn’t hurt. But he wasn’t Jeno at that moment, he was Superman. As far as Renjun knew, Jeno was still in the office or evacuated somewhere. Not there, at the rooftop. 

“I’m okay. Thank you for your concern.” Jeno tried to keep his tone even. 

“J—Just…” And then Renjun was even closer, too close. He looked so worried, scared, even, his lower lip wobbling. 

Jeno held his breath. 

Renjun pulled Jeno down with a hand on either side of his face, and kissed him. He kissed Superman. Jeno didn’t kiss back, in shock, he couldn’t think, couldn’t move. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, it was a simple, innocent peck, but Jeno could feel every emotion Renjun put into it, it was the same way he kissed Jeno when he was just Jeno. The same affection, adoration, care that he had for Jeno, he poured into this kiss with Superman. 

Renjun had tears in his eyes when he pulled back, pressing his head against Jeno’s. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he breathed out. Suddenly, there was a jingle sounding from behind them and Renjun jumped away, shooing Superman. “Shit. Someone’s coming. You should leave.”

And that was that.

Jeno hasn’t seen Renjun since he flew away, feeling the ghost of Renjun’s lips on his. It’s been five days but he can’t. He doesn’t know how to face him, not when it feels like his heart is breaking because Renjun cheated on him. He kissed Superman and clearly has been harbouring feelings for him the whole time while they have been together. While Jeno was being strung along like an idiot. 

He’s been hiding in the Fortress of Solitude for three of those days. The first two he spent at his parent’s farm, avoiding any and all questions and spending his free time milking the cows, cleaning the barn, and raking hay. But then his mom was getting too nosey, too worried about him sulking, so he lied and said he was fine before escaping and finding solace at the fortress with no other company but his dog, Krypto.

And the robots of course.

They buzz around him, even more persistently than his mother, asking if he’s okay, if he needs the sun or healing or whatever kind of help to fix him. But truthfully, nothing will fix his broken heart. Maybe not even time. 

For the first time, even Krypto seems to sense his mood and is behaving, laying silently beside Jeno, whimpering in boredom. Jeno plays fetch with him out of pity. 

He feels the most pity for himself, of course. He’s wallowing in it, drowning. If nothing else on this Earth can kill him, maybe it’ll be heartache that does, more venomous than any amount of kryptonite, stabbing, sharp and spreading through him like a disease. Not that Jeno has ever gotten sick, but he imagines this is what it feels like. 

He stares at the shards of ice in the ceiling between throws of the ball, thinking back to where it all went wrong. Did Renjun not want to be with him at all? Did he pressure Renjun into this relationship because they were coworkers and it would be awkward if he rejected him?

“Do you need help, Kal-El?” One of the robots appear at his side as he lays on a slab of ice. Just as it approaches Jeno, Krypto bounds back with the ball in his mouth, knocking into its side. Jeno catches it before it falls.

“I’m just thinking,” he says. He doesn’t even know what he’s thinking about anymore. 

“Something we can help with?” The robot asks. 

“I don’t think so.” Jeno shakes his head and rubs a hand over his face. “It’s about love - what do you know about that?”

The robot hums, metal clanking as it whirs. “I know every romance book and movie in human existence. Perhaps that can be of assistance, Kal-El.”

Jeno squints, then sits up. “Really?” Then he frowns. “But Renjun and I, we’re not… like those stories. It’s different.”

The robot tilts its head. “I do not think so. Surely, there must be a solution to your problems if you let us assist.”

Jeno scratches his chin. He has nothing to lose, right? Worst case scenario, the robot tells him that he doesn’t have a solution to his problems, which would just bring him back to the same place he is now. 

So, he decides to go back to the very beginning, to the day he fell in love with Renjun.

It was the first day the two of them met. Well, the first day Renjun met Jeno to be more clear. Jeno had known about Huang Renjun since he joined the Daily Planet - star journalist, lead investigator at the Planet, known for his quick brain, witty words, and catty attitude. He had pastel pink hair, and dressed in fancy two piece or three piece suits and heeled boots that clacked every time he walked. And like the cherry on top, his cubicle was right across from Jeno’s. 

He was even assigned his own intern, Chenle, who was never seen without a camera in his hands, always in Renjun’s shadow. 

The first time they met, it was after lunch and there was some chatter in the office. Jeno was coming back from the photocopier room with a stack of scratch paper in his hands, when he paused his steps, spotting himself on the news. On screen was looping footage of Superman flying through the sky, the words ‘Superman: Friend or Foe?’ written in bold across the bottom.

Renjun leaned against his desk, arms crossed as he watched the TV, lips pursed.

“I don’t know why they’re even debating this,” another man said from beside Renjun. Jeno didn’t know his name, but he had a toothpick in his mouth from where he picked leftovers of lunch out of his teeth, his words coming out warped. “He’s a fucking alien. Why would he ever be our friend?”

Renjun took a sip of his coffee. “I mean, he hasn’t done anything to hurt us yet, either.” 

“You can’t be serious, Huang.” The man took the toothpick out of his mouth. “Don’t you think this vigilante business is setting a dangerous precedent? Sure, Superman is cool with us now, but what happens when he starts getting copycats?”

“You mean other metas?”

“Sure, those freaks. Or even regular humans start pulling out guns and shooting up whoever they think a bad guy is.” The man’s lips were screwed up in disgust. 

Renjun put his free hand in his pocket. “I don’t disagree, Kim. There’s always a chance people take matters into their own hands,” he said. “But that wouldn’t be Superman’s fault.”

The man said incredulously, “And when he turns on us?”

Renjun fixed him with a look, so intense that Jeno shivered from where he stood. “You’re a journalist and don’t know the saying ‘innocent until proven guilty’?” He put his cup down. “The burden of proof isn’t on Superman, it’s on people like you.”

The man kissed his teeth, about to reply, when someone jostled Jeno from behind and his papers went flying, scattering to the floor in front of the other two. Jeno swore under his breath. Great timing. 

“Nice one, Lee. Are your glasses the wrong prescription?” Kim laughed meanly, toothpick back between his teeth. 

Jeno gritted his teeth and swallowed his emotions down. “No, they’re correct.”

Renjun crouched to the floor, gathering the fallen papers before replacing them on the top of Jeno’s stack. “Shut up, Kim. Don’t you have the stock market to look at?” 

He turned to Jeno, whose cheeks were quickly turning pink at the close attention of such a man. Up close, Renjun was prettier than Jeno had thought, face boyish and youthful. 

“Jeno, right?” Renjun asked, looking Jeno up and down.

“Yes. I’m new here,” Jeno answered, barely managing to speak correctly. 

Renjun hummed. “I read your article on the Auto Workers Union scandal last week. Good stuff—you write well.”

And that was the very moment Jeno fell in love with Renjun. Not dramatically at all. He was weak for pretty boys, especially ones as assertive as they were beautiful.

Back in the fortress, the robot hums again, its head cocking to the other side. It says, “Based on my understanding of relationships and romance, I believe the only solution is to communicate, Kal-El.”

Jeno groans, throwing his hands in the air. He lays back down with a huff. Communicate. Right. As if it’s that easy.

___________________________

All Jeno had to do was communicate.

Renjun didn’t need much. A phone call, a text, an email, or even a letter in the mailbox— anything would be better than the radio silence he’s been facing for 5 days. What the hell type of boyfriend was Jeno to not say anything before disappearing for five fucking days?

At first, Renjun didn’t think anything of it because it wasn’t uncommon for Jeno to be unreachable for a few hours. He had just seen Jeno on the roof, alive, healthy, and functioning, so he didn’t think twice. But when Jeno didn’t show up for work on Monday, Renjun started to get worried. He called Jeno’s phone four times, texted him a dozen times, before remembering there was a chance he was somewhere that couldn’t get a signal. 

It’s only when Chenle asked if he knew where Jeno went for his vacation that Renjun realized what happened. Jeno taking two weeks of paid time off without informing Renjun could only mean one thing.

Jeno is avoiding him.

So, Renjun’s worry curdled into anger. Especially as he sat in front of his TV, one hand deep in a bag of vinegar chips (he hates this flavour but keeps them stocked because it’s Jeno’s favourite), the other flipping through channels. Stopping when he caught sight of a familiar shade of blue and red on the news.

And there he was in all his glory, Superman, saving a suicidal girl from a bridge, catching her falling body before setting her down on the ground gently. He leaned into the young girl to talk to her, hugging and comforting her for a moment as a bystander zoomed into the scene, the footage shaky and pixelated. It was undeniably Superman. Undeniably Jeno. Which meant Jeno was definitely avoiding Renjun. 

Renjun couldn’t pinpoint why Jeno would be avoiding him. They both just started dating and everything seemed to be smooth sailing. They were in the honeymoon phase, all ‘good morning’ texts, making out in the bathroom, and shared dinner after work. It was going great! Until, he realized that the problem wasn’t Jeno. It was himself and kissing Superman. Oops. 

Listen, you can’t blame him, okay?

Renjun figured out Jeno was Superman months ago. It was during their third date, which Jeno had disappeared in the middle of, citing a family emergency, when Renjun found out. 

He was left sitting at the restaurant they were having dinner at, Jeno’s lasagna gone cold and abandoned across from him as Renjun spun spaghetti around his fork aimlessly. Of course he didn’t blame Jeno for having to leave for an emergency, he couldn’t, but his chest still felt heavy from being left behind and it felt like everyone else in the restaurant was staring at him. They weren’t, but it was embarrassing nevertheless. 

Then, out of nowhere, the cutlery on the table began shaking, clattering loudly against the table. Renjun held onto his water glass to stop it from tipping over as panic spread across the restaurant, chairs screeching as patrons got to their feet. Outside the window, people were running past them, terror all over their faces as they sprinted down the street. 

“I think we should go,” a woman said from the table beside Renjun, barely heard over the growing volume in the room.

The man across from her looked equally scared. “I don’t hear the evacuation sirens—”

Just as the words left his mouth, a loud siren began blaring from outside. There was only one thing the long notes of this alarm could mean - get as far from the conflict as possible. 

Almost synchronously, everyone began running, crowding towards the door with no regard for order or safety as they flooded the streets. With the front door packed, Renjun decided he might have a faster escape through a back door, so he grabbed his things and made a run for the employees only section. 

It was already devoid of staff by the time he entered the kitchen, jogging past the office and supplies closet straight to the door at the back. He tried to push it open but for some reason it wouldn’t budge, either locked or something was propped against it and too heavy for Renjun to push. Fuck. He was so screwed. He turned back and sprinted back through the front of the restaurant, which was finally empty.

The sidewalk was mostly empty. In the distance, he could see people running, already blocks and blocks away. Above him, the sky was bright red, angry clouds whirring around like a tornado about to touch down. Through the spiral there were people flying around in the sky. If they were even people. 

One was dressed in green, controlling neon green projections taking form like a solid hologram in front of him. A fist, then a gun shooting at something in the far distance as he floated in the sky. Other metas, Renjun guessed. Or aliens.

Renjun should have ran, should’ve evacuated and left like he was supposed to. But he was a journalist, and couldn’t stop from pulling his phone out, aiming his camera to the sky to take some footage. He tried to find the source of the conflict but the thick fog blocked his view. 

There was a thunder-like stomp resounding from behind him, and just as he turned towards the direction of the noise, the ground rumbled again under him. Except this time, it was stronger than any natural earthquake and nearly knocked him off balance. He held onto the wall for support, but his phone went tumbling to the ground, hitting the concrete hard enough to make Renjun gasp. There was no way it wasn’t broken. 

He scrambled for it. No. He couldn’t lose his phone, not when he had so much work, so many recordings, photos, and videos he never backed up. He hit the pavement roughly, scraping his hands as he pocketed the shattered device, feeling like the world was splitting under him with the strength of the vibrations, knocking him onto his butt. 

With no warning, something as bright, yellow and orange as the sun took the entire span of his field of vision. Oh. He was going to die. There was something flying at him, burning like a flame. He couldn’t even make a move to run or crawl away, it was too fast. He could only squint and brace himself for death. 

Except Renjun didn’t die. He was alive and breathing and in the air, his hair flapping in the wind. He was being carried by something. Or someone. An arm around his waist, another under his knees. He opened his eyes. 

Superman looked back at him, brows furrowed with concern.

Renjun choked on his spit. He’d had multiple run-ins with Superman at this point, he talked to him several times, but never had he been this close. Where he was touching him, an arm around his shoulders, a hand on his chest.

“S-Superman..! Where did you come from?” Renjun managed to find his words. He wasn't afraid of heights but seeing the citizens of Metropolis look like ants under him made him nauseous.

“I was making sure everyone evacuated the premises when I heard you.” They avoided a flying rock, swerving fast enough to make Renjun’s stomach lurch. “Braniac is no joke, Mr. Huang. You should’ve left.”

The wind blew the perfectly coiled curl on Superman’s forehead to the side, giving Renjun an unobstructed view of his face. It was hard to look at him directly, almost as if every edge and line of his face was blurred and out of focus - Renjun had never noticed it before but from this close, it was all he could see. 

How familiar Superman felt.

“But you saved me,” Renjun said, almost dreamily. 

Superman shot him a look, somewhere between a scolding or a charming smile, Renjun couldn’t tell. “I did, but there’s a chance I won’t be able to next time. You have to protect yourself, Renjun-ah.”

Then Renjun was lowered until he was back on the ground, many blocks away from the restaurant. 

Before Superman could fly off, Renjun grabbed his fluttering cape. “My—my boyfriend was in the area when the evacuation started. You’re busy, I know, but could you make sure he’s safe?” 

It was a stupid question, not only because Superman had better things to do than to go hunting for one man, but also because he had no idea who Renjun’s not-boyfriend was, not what he looked like, or anything. But still, Renjun had to try. Jeno was too clumsy, too naive, too kind for Renjun to not be concerned about his wellbeing.

And strangely enough, Superman grinned, wide, like Renjun had just cracked a hilarious joke. “He’s fine,” Superman said resolutely. “He would’ve cleared the area long before the evacuation began.”

And with that, he shot into the air, leaving Renjun staring after him, confused. What? Did Superman have mind reading powers? How would he know when Jeno left the area, much less where he went, or the speed of his exit? Or who Jeno was at all?

Renjun frowned, replaying the moment in his mind a hundred more times. The outline of Superman’s face he could make out, his strong jaw and nose, the uncanny familiarity to him.

It was only at that moment that Renjun registered how Superman had called him Renjun-ah, so sweetly, comfortably, as if they knew each other. As if that was something Superman called Renjun all the time. Then he remembered what Jeno had said to him just as he ran out of the restaurant, shrugging his coat back over his shoulders. 

“Our next date will be better, I promise, Renjun-ah.” With that same charming smile.

Oh my God.

Jeno was Superman.

Really, the first thought that crossed Renjun’s mind after the initial disbelief, was that Jeno was so stupidly obvious and a terrible liar! If it was so easy for Renjun to figure out his identity, how easy would it be for people who genuinely wanted to harm him? How could he be so careless?

The second thought was the bigger part of why he hesitated going out with Jeno for so long - dating a famous (or infamous, rather) alien superhero who can fly, has heat vision, superhuman speed, superhuman strength, and just about every other superhuman attribute ever is burdensome. It’s scary. 

Compared to Jeno, Renjun is nothing but an ant he could crush under the sole of his shoe—though Jeno would never choose to even hurt an insect if he could avoid it. 

The alien part scared Renjun the most. In theory, Jeno can’t die, there’s nothing native to this Earth that can hurt him, immortal and bound to live for hundreds, if not thousands of years. But Renjun is already in his mid-twenties and he knows that in just a few years, wrinkles are going to start to form at the creases of his eyes and his hairs are going to turn gray. While Jeno stays looking the same until the rest of Renjun’s life. He’s not human, he’s unnatural, and strange, and everything Renjun should be terrified of.

Except, Jeno may be the most human of them all. 

Soft spoken, witty, and irrevocably gentle. When he hugs Renjun, his touch is soft, arms warm, hot blood running through his body. Renjun can hear Jeno’s heartbeat through his chest, steady, constant. He loves animals, people, even those who tease him for his thick rimmed glasses. He stumbles over his words more than most humans Renjun knows, stutters and blushes whenever he looks at Renjun. 

If not human, then what is he?

These little things about Jeno are what pushed Renjun to ultimately give in and be his boyfriend. He couldn’t resist. Even though the thought of Jeno flying to space and getting hurt and killed haunts his dreams every night, he’d happily relive those nightmares if it means he’ll wake up to Jeno comforting him every morning. 

Renjun genuinely thought Jeno would bring it up and confess his secret identity at some point before they became official. Because surely, honesty is the most important quality to have in a relationship, and surely Jeno would come clean and be honest, right? Except he didn’t and Renjun let it go because maybe Jeno is waiting for the right time to bring it up - it’s plausible that he’s scared of Renjun’s reaction, not only as a partner, but as a fellow journalist. 

And Renjun was trying to not pressure him, so he didn’t bring it up either. Kissing him on the roof that day was an accident, an honest, genuine mistake. He truly was afraid Jeno had gotten injured, long minutes stretching between when he flew Metallo into space and until he touched back down, each minute feeling like an hour as Renjun paced back and forth, trying to find him in the skies. 

He was beyond relieved to see Jeno in one piece, like he could finally breathe again, so happy to see he was okay, that he couldn’t stop himself from kissing the man. He totally forgot he was supposed to act like he didn’t know Jeno was Superman and Superman was Jeno. 

So, Jeno probably thinks Renjun is some kind of a cheater. 

But even if that was the case, why wouldn’t he confront Renjun? Why wouldn’t the most powerful being on Earth demand answers from him instead of hiding and avoiding him? Some kind of superhero Jeno is. 

Therefore, there’s only one way Renjun knows he can bring Jeno back. 

It starts with inviting Chenle to his place after work, but telling him to leave his cameras in the office. Funnily enough, Chenle doesn’t ask any questions and only looks as concerned and nosey as he usually does.

The first he says when he steps inside, before even taking his shoes off is, “Is this about Jeno?”

Renjun freezes from where he was turning the kettle on to boil water for tea. “How did you know?”

Chenle smirks, kicking his shoes off. “You’re so obvious, for starters. Ever since your boyfriend has been on vacation, you haven’t been looking into that other case you were assigned. Instead, all you do is refresh your ‘Superman sightings’ tab like a freak.”

Renjun opens his mouth, then closes it. Then opens it again. “I am not a freak.”

“I think refreshing every five minutes and scouring Reddit for hours does put you in the freak category.” Chenle looks delighted, eyes twinkling, lips curled up like a cat. He sinks into the couch, immediately tossing his feet up onto the coffee table with too much comfort - it’s his first time being here.

If Renjun didn’t need Chenle for more important things, he’d shove his feet off the table. But he needs the man. So he only swallows the urge down. “What do you think about… Superman? And his identity?” It’s a terribly obvious start to the conversation, but he doesn’t have time to waste. 

Chenle ponders the question for a moment. He shrugs. “I never really cared to try and figure out who he is. But since you’re asking me - I think you know who it is.”

Renjun hesitates. He knows this is a point of no return, he can’t take it back. But he knows he has no choice but to take the dive. He dips his chin, nodding shallowly. “I do.”

Chenle sits straighter, perking up. “Who is it?”

“I’m only telling you because I need your help with something. And I trust you. So you have to promise to keep this a secret, okay?” Renjun lowers his voice, barely higher than a whisper over the sounds of the boiling water. 

“I promise.” Chenle nods, raising his pinky finger.

Renjun whispers, “He’s Jeno.”

Immediately, Chenle jumps to his feet, hooting like a madman, punching his fists into the air. “Yes! Yes! I fucking knew it!”

Renjun scowls. “How did you figure that out?” Is Jeno seriously making it this easy for other people too? What the hell?

Chenle laughs. “He’s even more obvious than you. He gets so jumpy whenever the conversation turns to Superman, like a deer in headlights. Also, have you seen him shirtless? He might dress like a virgin but he is huge.”

Renjun doesn’t want to know in what circumstance Chenle ever saw his boyfriend without a shirt on, so he doesn’t ask. And yes, he has seen Jeno shirtless. Many times. In his bedroom. Also more information Chenle doesn’t need to know. “Okay, great. So we both know. Now you have to help me.”

He begins explaining the plan to Chenle, the barebones of a strategy he came up with last night when he couldn’t sleep and was tossing and turning in bed. It’s simple - he’s going to be walking home from work tomorrow and a white van is going to pull up, three masked men will jump out and kidnap him. They’re going to tie him up and conveniently keep his mouth untied so he can call Jeno’s name until he comes to save him. 

It’s foolproof. 

Okay, look. He never said it was an ethical plan. Just that it’s simple and would get the job done. And maybe it’s exploiting Jeno’s very obvious affinity and weak spot for Renjun, and a part of him does feel bad for making Jeno think he’s actually in danger, but he has no other choice. He needs to talk to Jeno and explain, and there’s no other way to get him close enough to have a conversation. 

He only recruited Chenle because he has too many connections and a mysteriously large network, so he definitely knows where to easily source some actors, ski masks, a white van, and some rope. 

Chenle says the same. “Okay, doesn’t sound like it’s going to be hard to figure out. I just have to make a call.”

Renjun sighs, relief filling him. “What would I do without you, Chenle? You’re the best intern ever. I owe you one.”

“You only like me for my connections.” Partially true. He’s a good photographer sometimes, but he’s also clever and much too intelligent. 

“You want some tea? I have a few kinds…” Renjun trails off, getting to his feet and escaping to the kitchen.

“You didn’t deny that,” Chenle calls after him. “Hey!”

The next 18 hours pass in the blink of an eye. 

During lunch, Chenle sends Renjun a thumbs up from across his desk, sharing a secret smile. Renjun nods in acknowledgement before focusing back on the blank document open on his screen. 

He knows everything is going to go fine, but still, his heart sits in his throat the whole day. He can’t stop looking over at Jeno’s desk, the blazer left thrown over the back of his chair, the coffee mug he forgot to wash out. He misses him. 

At the end of the day, Renjun stays back to “work” a little later than normal, just enough that the sun is beginning to dip behind the horizon and the sky is beginning to darken before he leaves the office. He walks home but takes a different route than normal, off the main road, taking more twists and turns than he ever would, but he wants to avoid getting any actual bystanders involved.

Finally, he enters their decided meeting point. The street is silent and there’s only half a flickering streetlamp, the buildings tall enough to block any residual sun from the sunset. Okay. A little scary, despite it being planned. Renjun grips his bag as he walks down the sidewalk, unable to stop his heart from thudding in his chest. 

Then, he hears the crunching of gravel as a car turns into the street, rolling slowly behind him until they catch up to him and screech to a stop. Renjun pauses and looks up just as four men (he only asked for three but whatever) jump out of the van and surround him. 

He backs up, one step, two step, before one of them lunges forward and grabs him. He pretends to struggle, to make noise and pull away, but lets the men push him into the back of the van with ease. He gets shoved harder than necessary, tripping over his feet and falling to the floor. 

One of the masked men gets a zip tie around his wrists. Ziptie, really? He told Chenle he wanted rope. The doors slam shut and the van rumbles to life under Renjun. Okay. Now they’re going to drive around aimlessly in this quiet industrial area, away from crowded streets. The rest is up to Renjun. 

“Superman,” he calls out, at a normal volume. He doesn’t know the full depth of Superman’s super hearing, so he tries again. “Superman!” Louder. “Superman! Superman! Help me! Help!” He’s screaming blood mary, thumping his feet against the metal wall of the van like he’s in actual danger.

His heart is racing, blood is rushing through his ears. Did Jeno hear him? Does he even care? Did Renjun’s plan fail? 

“Superman,” he calls out again, trying to strain his ears to hear the outside. But it’s quiet, there’s not a sound. His stomach drops, losing hope. 

Until in the distance, he hears a whoosh, a whisper of wind rushing, being cut through. And then, with no introduction or warning, the van screeches to a stop and lurches forward. He hears commotion, some yelling and metal slamming, then silence.

The boot of the van is opened, no, it’s torn off. 

Superman stands there in all his glory, chest heaving, squinting through the dark to see Renjun in the corner. 

Renjun has never been so happy to see him. “Superman! You—you’re here!” he says, trying not to break character. Not yet. 

Jeno floats closer then kneels down, pinching the zip ties between his index finger and thumb to break them. Before Jeno can run and escape and keep avoiding Renjun as he has been for the last five days, Renjun throws his arms around him, burying his head in the crook of his neck and shoulders. 

Jeno still smells the same. Feels the same. It’s his Jeno. 

“Mr. Huang, you can’t do this,” Jeno says. He tries to pull away, but with no effort. If he wanted to, he could fling Renjun away. But he doesn’t, because he wants this. Renjun knows it. He knows Jeno misses him too. 

“You have a boyfriend,” Jeno adds weakly. 

Renjun puts one hand on either side of Jeno’s face, holding him steady. He searches his eyes, still warm, tender, if not a little tired. He doesn’t want to ever let go. “I do. And I love him so much.”

Jeno’s expression wavers, shifting between some sort of elation that Renjun dropped that forbidden, four letter ‘L’ word, and sadness. Confusion. “Then what are you—”

Renjun kisses him. He kisses Jeno like he’s hungry, starved for his touch. He can’t stop the urgency from leaking into it, his lips insistent, wet, thirsty for more. Fuck this mission, this plan. He wants to rip the stupid tights off Jeno’s body and have him right here in this van.

Jeno melts into the kiss, if just for a moment, before he’s pulling away, still gently, yet so hurt, as he exclaims, “You can't do this!” He looks half a second away from tossing Renjun to the side and flying away, about to bolt at any moment. 

Renjun tries not to laugh. He doesn’t. He keeps a serious face as he stares right into Jeno’s eyes, now without any glasses, clear, with a surety that his Jeno usually doesn’t have. This is his Superman expression, but Renjun wants the face he’s familiar with back. 

“Jeno. I know you’re Superman.”

Jeno freezes, going very still under Renjun’s hands. 

“I’ve known this the whole time,” Renjun explains, getting the words out as quickly as he can. “I knew when I agreed to be your boyfriend, Jeno. I knew when I kissed you as Superman.”

There’s an impossibly long moment of silence between them. 

“Oh.”

Renjun rolls his eyes. Smacks Jeno’s arm. “Yeah. Oh.” This stupid, foolish man. “So while you were sulking and running from me, I was trying to find a way to tell you.” He loves him so much. "I never cheated on you, Jeno. I would never do that to you.”

“Oh.”

“So don’t you ever think you can disappear on me like that again, you get me? I’ll kill you.”

Finally, he gets another reaction other than shock. Jeno cracks a small smile, pushing his eyes up into the curves Renjun loves. “You can try your best.”

Renjun raises a brow. “Is that a challenge? I’ll source some kryptonite, don’t think I won’t. I have connections.” Surely, Chenle knows a guy who knows a guy.

Jeno barks out a laugh. “I believe you.” His smile folds, melting into a frown. “I’m sorry, Renjun-ah. I should have trusted you—about us, but also I should have told you about myself. I wanted to, I swear. I was just…scared.”

Anger whooshes out of Renjun all at once. He can’t be angry, not when Jeno pouts. “I know. I don’t blame you, okay? I just hope from now on I can be someone you trust.” 

Jeno shifts up, nosing at Renjun’s chin like a dog. He presses a kiss against the skin there, before kissing him on the lips again sweetly. 

He asks against Renjun’s lips, “What you said before - were you being serious?”

Renjun blinks, pulling back. “Which one?”

He had no idea Kryptonians could blush like this, but Jeno’s face turns bright red. “Love. Loving me.”

Adorable. “Yes, I was being serious.” Renjun snickers. “I love you, Jeno. You and all your identities.”

Jeno presses his forehead against Renjun’s. He’s grinning, all gooey and melting into Renjun. “I only have this other one. And they’re both yours. I love you too.”

Behind them, footsteps approach the van. Chenle pokes his head inside. “Are you guys done here? We should clean up before someone thinks this was an actual kidnapping and calls the police.”

Jeno looks betrayed, pointing his thumb back at Chenle in disbelief. “You got Chenle involved?”

“He already knew about you!” Renjun puts his hands up in surrender. Half the truth. “I was desperate. You weren’t picking up my calls.”

Jeno shrugs, albeit sheepishly. “Sorry about that. There’s no service in the Arctic.”

Chenle all but climbs into the van in excitement. “You were in the Arctic? Oh my god, I need to know more. Did you take your dog with you? I saw him on the news before—”

Jeno gives Renjun a look that says, ‘Look at what you’ve done’, but Renjun only shrugs in response. “I owe him one, anyways.”