Work Text:
Bruno had been staring at the same patch of messy grass and weeds for what felt like fifteen minutes, counting the jagged edges of the leaves of a dandelion like they held some kind of answer. Ren nudged him with their elbow, the sleeve of their sweater crop top thing brushing against the part of his arm not covered by his short sleeved black t-shirt. "You're making the face again," they said, voice light but with something else in it.
The forest around them was warm, smelling of a mix of Pine and Oak (somehow) along with the usual tropical island smells. But Bruno felt oddly… out of it. He glanced up at Ren, who was idly twirling a small leaf with one hand while the other rested against their cheek, bangs half obscuring their eyes. He hated how easily Ren could read him sometimes. "What face?" he muttered, playing dumb but knowing just what Ren meant.
Ren exhaled softly through their nose, that quiet, amused sound Bruno knew meant they weren't buying it. Their fingers flicked around the leaf still before they tossed it aside and looked at Bruno. "The ‘I’m overthinking and I can't stop spiraling’ face." They tilted their head just enough for Bruno to catch the glint of their eye beneath those thick bangs. "Tell me what's wrong, or I'll start guessing, and my guesses can get very embarrassing."
Bruno traced a finger along the dirt in front of them, basically doodling random nonsense in it as he just didn't respond. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk, just that putting the mess in his head into words felt like trying to hold smoke or water in his bare hands. But Ren waited, patient with Bruno in a way barely anyone else was, until the words finally tumbled out. "I just... feel like I'm lagging behind. Like everyone else has some... thing. A talent, a … place, something that makes them visible. And I'm just..." He gestured vaguely at himself, at his multicolored hoodie and other basic clothes.
Ren didn't laugh. Didn't offer some basic reassurance. Instead, they leaned forward, hands on their crossed knees, and said, "Okay, first, bullshit. Second, you do have a talent. And a place." They had tapped their chest, then paused for a second and added, "Actually, you have several, but we'll start with the obvious one." Before Bruno could react, Ren quickly leaned over and kissed Bruno's cheek surprisingly gently for how fast he had been moving.
"H- huh?? What the-?" Bruno rubbed his cheek, surprised and blushing more than usual. Ren giggled slightly at the adorable man.
"You," Ren said, grinning now, "are the only other person I know who can make a cute cat face when concentrating. It's very adorable and I like it. Also…" They held up a finger for a second, then ran it down his cheek for a reaction"you give the best hugs in the entire world. I can guarantee that since you hug me a lot." Bruno blinked, fingertips still pressed to his other cheek where Ren had kissed him. "I… for real?" he repeated, in a stunned voice.
Ren's grin widened now, like the Cheshire Cat. They leaned back onto their hands, legs crossed again, sleeves rolling up a bit. "Yep. I did a lot of paying attention to them. All the hugs were very nice.” They tilted their head, bangs shifting just enough for Bruno to catch the playful glint in their eye. "You didn't know you were a wonderful hugger? Wow. Humble and gifted. Deadly combo." They teased gently.
A laugh had came out of Bruno’s mouth before he could stop it. He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth, but Ren had already seen and heard it, their expression softened, just for a second, before they nudged his knee gently with their own. "There it is," they murmured. "Anyway, the point is, you’ve got a lot of talents. And of course places. Plural. Like.." They tapped their chin. "You remember a lot of stuff others say. Like their favorite things. And you always notice when someone’s wearing a new shirt or hiding something. And…" They paused, then pointed at him. "You’re listening right now. Like, actually listening. Most people just wait for their turn to talk."
Bruno opened his mouth, then closed it. He hadn’t thought about any of that as a “thing”. It was just how he existed. But Ren said it like it mattered, like it was evidence of something good and right. He rubbed at the back of his neck. "...That’s just…. basic human decency. Right?"
Ren scoffed. "Exactly. And yet-" They waved a hand at the world around them, a couple of people nearby were arguing and not caring who heard them, they could hear a fellow contestant grumbling about the others to the open air as he walked by, not seeing them in the bushes or caring. "Human decency is shockingly rare. Congratulations, you’re like a unicorn."
Now Bruno actually laughed at that. Ren sure had a way of cheering others up when they were down. He wondered if they ever needed that lift up. They were always seemingly happy, at least usually. Bruno stared at them as they looked up at the branches of the trees with a smile. He scooted closer to them and rested his head on their shoulder. They smiled softly and slowly put their head on his. They stayed like that in silence and stillness for what felt like forever.
Then Ren slowly put a hand on Bruno's and sighed lovingly, or what seemed like lovingly. That made Bruno's rosy cheeks redder again but he smiled happily. He loved any sound that came out of Ren’s mouth. His voice sounded amazing and now .. it was Bruno's favorite sound. Ren was his favorite person. Other than his own mom that is. They now spoke about after the show quietly. They hoped they could see each other again after it ended, one way or another.